Saints Peter and Paul Sermons

In our world today - judgment is unpopular. "Don't judge...lest you be judged" is perhaps the most quoted Bible Passage in the West. And yet, judgments abound. "Cancel culture" could not exist without some kind of judgment (and basis for it). So, we want judgment...and we don't want it. We avoid it at all costs...and we lay into it (especially when we're not on t...

In this sermon, Pastor Aaron preaches on the historic, and Biblical doctrine that Christ will come again once and for all to raise the dead and make all things new. He contrasts this with a teaching that is called "dispensationalism" which is a modern teaching created in the late 1800s and popularized during the 1900s.  Pastor Aaron's goal was to clearly teach that a traditional rea...

Jesus' ascension is one of the most misunderstood pieces of His life & ministry. You can find Hallmark cards for His birth, death, and resurrection...but you're not likely to find one for His Ascension. Why the obscurity? What is the point of Jesus' Ascension? And if "Heaven" (as we've been discussing in this series) is not the "ultimate hope" of the Chr...

In this sermon, Pastor Aaron helps us to see what it is the whole world is waiting for. He looks at Colossians 1:15-23 and walks us through this significant passage where we see that the cross and grave are the method by which the creation comes back into harmony with its creator.  By looking at God's true redemption plan, we learn that God is not in the business of making creation just sligh...

In this sermon, Pastor Aaron walks us through the all important question "What is God's purpose for the entire creation?"  The resurrection of Jesus gives hope for the whole creation. But, many people in world hold to worldviews that lead to an insufficient hope.  In this sermon, Pastor Aaron shows us how the worldviews of progress and despair (and their many variations) do not lead...

Have you ever noticed how dense the disciples are in understanding Jesus' predictions of His death and resurrection? It's like they're not even listening! In Luke 24, we hear two of Jesus' disciples say (on Easter) concerning Jesus: "we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened." The...

For this Easter sermon, Pastor Aaron reminds us of the reality that Jesus is a truth teller and a promise keeper. He said he would die and rise and he died and rose from the dead. Even though we fear and face trouble in this life, there is still great joy! Joy bursts forth from the tomb, into our lives, and through us into the world.  Because Jesus' words are true, then his last words are als...

Matthew 21 documents the historical procession of Jesus into the city of Jerusalem - often called the "Triumphal Entry." And it is triumphant! Matthew (especially) highlights the fanfare surrounding this "King Jesus." From quoting a Regal prophecy from Zechariah to the mention of the disciples doing "as Jesus had directed them" (21:6) - this whole section rings of the...

In this week's sermon, Pastor Aaron looks at the words of Jesus in both Matthew 19 and 20 where Jesus says, "The first will be last and the last will be first."  This is what it is like when Jesus rules and reigns in his kingdom. Hopefully, when you experience the grace of God, and see it received by ALL people, you will rejoice! 

This week's sermon focuses on Matthew 16 in a climactic moment where Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do you say that I am?"  Peter answers boldly, "You are the Christ!"  But soon, Peter finds out that his idea of the Christ does not line up with the way that Jesus came to be Christ. Jesus' way leads to the cross, and He tells Peter, the rest of the disciples, and us, t...

Have you ever been frustrated with God? Ever felt like He wasn't there when you needed Him the most? Do the claims of Jesus make you uncomfortable? Do you find Jesus offensive? Many people in the world today too. And if we're honest - as Christians - it can be equally as hard to reckon with the words of Jesus when they target an area that we struggle in. What do we do with our grievances...

In Matthew chapters 5-9, the Gospel writer (who makes his own debut in 9:9ff) puts the authority of Jesus on display. He shows us that Jesus has authority in His Teaching (Sermon on the Mount); authority over nature (calming of the storm); over sin, sickness, demons, and death (healing of the paralytic, raising of Jairus' daughter). But does Jesus have authority over YOU? The simple answer mi...

As we enter the season of Lent 2023, we will be studying the Gospel of Matthew. In this first sermon, Pastor Aaron preaches an overview of chapters 1-4 where we see how God had everything perfectly prepared for the arrival of Jesus into the world.

In this final sermon in our Upside Down Kingdom sermon series, Pastor Aaron preached on 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 where Paul says that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. What does this mean and what benefits does it have for our lives?

Have you ever felt frustrated with the lack of growth in your spiritual life? Does your walk with Jesus feel like 1 step forward, and 2 steps backwards? Do you find yourself pushing and pushing to get closer to God - only to feel burnt out and tired instead of experiencing the "rest" Jesus talked about (Matt 11:28)? What if our notions of spiritual growth were wrong? What if we've b...

In 1 Corinthians 2, the Apostle Paul contrasts Godly wisdom with the wisdom of the world. He demonstrates that when speaking to people about Jesus, we can be weak and rely on the strength of Jesus Christ.  In the sermon, Pastor Aaron gives practical examples of how to witness to others by tapping into the wisdom of God.

"For the word of the cross is folly..." That statement might not hit us as hard as it hit in the 1st Century. After all, crosses are everywhere. On T-shirts and buildings, on necklaces worn around the neck or tattoo'd onto arms...the cross - folly or not - has made its mark on the world. But its message still runs against the grain of our human intuition. Especially when we think ab...

In a fractured world, unity is an upside down idea. Sure, the world talks about unity, but it really has no idea how to lead us into it.  In this week's sermon, Pastor Aaron opens the Scriptures for us to 1 Corinthians chapter 1, where Paul addresses the church in Corinth over their divisions about who their favorite Christian leader was.  Paul encourages them to find true unity by following...

This week we begin a new sermon series called "Upside Down Kingdom" based on the first few chapters of 1 Corinthians.  In these 6 weeks, we will learn how the Kingdom of God is Upside Down. It's a different reality. We see the world in a whole different way when we're part of God's Kingdom.  In this first week, Pastor Aaron preaches on, probably, the MOST upside down thing...

This week, Pastor Kevin gave Pastor Aaron a gift during the sermon. It was a baby onesie. Why?  Well... listen to this sermon to find out what a onesie has to do with our walk with Jesus Christ.

Christianity doesn't fit you. If that sounds offensive, it's meant to be (but not in a nasty way!). It's inspired by the obscure (and dare I say offensive) things both Jesus and Paul said in the Scriptures. Things like: "Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it" (John 12:25) or "Do you not know that all of us who have been...

In this final week of our Advent sermon series "Be Still," Pastor Aaron shares with us a message about the fulfillment of Psalm 46 in the peace that Christ brings into the world.  You've likely heard a thing or two about peace, but the Biblical concept of peace is much more beautiful and grandiose than you could ever imagine. Pastor Aaron shares with us the meaning of the word &quot...

This week, Pastor Aaron preached on verses 8-11 of Psalm 46 where we encounter the words "Be still and know that I am God."  Perhaps you've heard these words before or seen them posted on Christian artwork. But, what do they really mean? Is it a call to kick back and relax, or is there more to it than that?  When, taken in context, we see that these words come from the mouth of God...

In the opening of Psalm 46, the Psalmist describes the chaos of this world in vivid, watery language. But in verses 4-7 we see a dramatic shift. The waters that were once "roaring and foaming" are now "gladdening"! How has the Psalmist been able to turn these "lemons" into "lemonade"? And how can we? The reality is we will all face troubles in this life. How...

This sermon is the first in a series we're called "Be Still" based on Psalm 46. This sermon series is being preached during Advent 2022 at Saints Peter and Paul in Houghton, MI.  This first sermon covers Psalm 46:1-3 and focuses on the simple, yet encouraging reality that God is our refuge and strength an very present help in trouble.