Pastor Dirk's Sermons

The world’s struggles for power and wealth are endless. Whoever stands at the top must beware of those who seek to take their place. To His servant Daniel, God reveals timeless wisdom, inspiring us to live informed and productive lives beyond the reach of this vicious cycle. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Sometimes God’s ways do not make sense to us. The world around us lives by their own rules, and we may envy them. God’s ways sometimes require us to do what we do not want to do, and prohibits us from doing things we may want to do. In a time of intense pressure, Daniel demonstrates the wisdom of following God’s ways, even when they seem out of step with the world. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com...

Hope will only matter to those who hear and believe there is a reason to hope. Jesus comes in a way that convinces us of this reason. He comes so that those who most need hope can find it. As messengers of that same hope, we are encouraged as we discover its power. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

While the world seeks to defeat and divide the family of God, one Son comes from the small village of Bethlehem to rescue and unite His family. In a culture filled with division, we find hope in the one who comes to bring us back together. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

At first there is very little hope, no realistic chance of survival, let alone victory. Then, however, a branch grows from a fallen tree, pointing once more to a restored garden. Our hope might not be visible to everyone, but those who watch this Branch will be encouraged and empowered to believe in the growing work of God. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

The child we remember at Christmas is no ordinary child. The man who later walks the streets of Jerusalem is no ordinary man. The meek and mild Person who sleeps in a stable and wanders the hillsides bears all the power of God, because He is God. We need not fear the future, because we follow a Warrior who guarantees our hope. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

When God’s prophet predicts the birth of a unique child, His people needed a reason to hope. Powerful enemies threatened almost certain destruction. God, however, will not abandon His people to despair. This sign will be a sign to all people that He will fulfill His good plans for us. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

The people celebrate when God visits their temple. Even when we are tempted to focus on the brokenness of our world, how can our church remain a place to celebrate all the good that God is doing among us? Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

In the final section of Solomon’s prayer, he asks God to respond when people from all over the world come to seek His forgiveness and restoration. How can our church ensure that all those who are seeking truth and exploring their faith here will discover a God who forgives and heals? Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Solomon continues his prayer by asking God to continue pouring truth into their sometimes-misguided journey. How can we ensure that our church is a place where people can find God’s truth in a mixed-up world? Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Solomon dedicates the temple with prayer. This prayer highlights our need to dialog regularly with God, to reconcile our will with His will. How can our church become a place where people can freely and frequently dialog with God about His will for our lives? Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

God chose to visit this temple with His presence. Where do people find God in our world? How can our church become a place where people from all over the world, with all types of backgrounds, can encounter this God who is always with us? Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Forgiveness is a powerful force if we have the courage to master it. It does not come easily. It is both counterintuitive and countercultural. Nevertheless, it is part of God’s plan to change people and change the world. He therefore calls all of His disciples to become experts in His forgiveness. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Many make promises, but not everyone keeps them. In Jesus, God makes a promise that He will always keep. As we receive and talk about this certain promise, we encourage those who may be wondering where their life might be headed. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

We all want heaven where we will experience no pain or suffering. Yet, we remain on earth, where suffering still abounds. God’s good news, however, is that Jesus brings heaven to earth, and He brings heaven’s comfort through those that follow Him. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

In a frequently divided culture, our respect for one another can quickly disappear. God provides a new definition of respect, revealed in Jesus, who both rules over all and serves all. God therefore calls His children to learn His version of respect, bringing dignity to both leaders and servants. Sermon Notes and Discussion Guide available: https://dirks-corner-public.s3.amazonaws.com/Commitment-t...

Our culture often paints unrealistic images of success or beauty, and we are quickly judged when we fall short of these ideals. Under this pressure, many people, especially young people, remain discouraged and depressed. God calls His children to fight this cultural epidemic, becoming experts in the ministry of encouragement. Sermon Notes and Discussion Guide available at: https://dirks-corner-pub...

Everyone wants peace, but few know how to achieve it. God, however, reveals the secrets of peace through His Son, Jesus. He then calls all His children to learn this peace and to build upon it in a divided world. Sermon Notes are available at https://dirks-corner-public.s3.amazonaws.com/Commitment-to-Others-2021-Sermon-Notes-Week-1.pdf Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Sharing God’s news requires complete dependence upon the One who calls us. His love and truth must inspire us to overcome our objections and doubts. While we often fall short, God will nevertheless work through us to demonstrate the power of His life-changing story. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Sharing God’s good news will cause us to reexamine our faith, to test its limits and challenge its assumptions. Through an honest dialog with God, we will again experience the power to share God’s life-changing story. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Sharing God’s good news with the world will not be easy. God calls us into a broken world to share with broken people. This mission will stretch us out of our comfort zones, causing us to grow as disciples as we share God’s life-changing story. The story of the prophet Jonah teaches us these lessons. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

What does God expect us to do with our wealth? Enjoy it? Share it? Invest it? Actually, Jesus has each of these in mind, as He invites us to participate in God’s kingdom-building project. Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

Where is God when do not have enough to survive? What do we do with this fear about the future? Jesus uses examples from nature to teach us how to respond to this fear, so it does not own us. Sermon Notes and Discussion Guide: https://dirks-corner-public.s3.amazonaws.com/Stewardship-2021-Sermon-Notes-Week-2.pdf Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app

How much is too much? Can we ever have enough? Often, we desire wealth so that we have enough when things go badly. But what if things go very badly? What then is the source of our confidence and our security? We will examine how Jesus addresses this fear in a parable about barn-building. Luke 12:13-21. Sermon Notes and Discussion Questions are available here: https://dirks-corner-public.s3.amazon...

Does it help if we all pray together? Cultures throughout the world often call their people to prayer. Somehow, we realize instinctively that prayer can have a unifying effect. But do our corporate prayers make a difference to God? Do they change what He will do? Visit us at app.dirkscorner.com to download the app