Stonebrook Church, Ames, Iowa, Sermons

We are entering into a season of remembrance of the greatest period of time and the most influential events in human history. This period centers on the person of Jesus Christ and his entrance into our world, when the divine took on humanity. This is his First Coming, or the First Advent. All of history and the foundation of our lives is built upon this Person and these events.

Just prior to Jesus’ death, crucifixion, and resurrection, Jesus had given His disciples marching orders regarding what they should do after he left. In John 21, He reveals Himself one more time to His disciples to strengthen their faith in His resurrection and restore His relationship with them, particularly with Peter, who had denied him. From this chapter we learn how we, too, can be restored a...

Every person ever born has a relentless and ferocious enemy whose name is death. Ever since Genesis 3, mankind and our world have been under an oppressive curse, the curse of death, which is the judgment from God for our rebellion against him, our Maker. But God in his great mercy and rich love sent his own Son from heaven to take on humanity in order to live the perfect life, offer up himself as...

Each of the 4 Gospels contains a detailed account of the Gospel. John’s Gospel contains three events that are uniquely declared to have happened “in order to fulfill the scriptures.” We will discuss the reasons John specifically declares this and its significance for our lives today: that we may believe, and have life.

No greater contrast could be found than in the story of Jesus’ death. He was treated like a horrific criminal, kept in custody instead of a terrorist, and declared to be worthy of death, yet he stood before his own people and the Roman government declaring himself to be a king from another world. Just who is Jesus?

Jesus remains faithful to His Father and courageously steps forward to face His enemies. He is betrayed by one of his closest companions, is repudiated by His lead disciple, and suffers alone. His courage, sacrifice, and faith reassures us of His love and power and inspires us to imitate Him. His suffering encourages us as we realize that our Savior can identify with our sufferings.

As we live life following Jesus, we are going to face trouble, persecution, and perhaps even the threat of death for our faith. But we will have everything we need: God knows and is in control, he provides everything we need for the mission through The Holy Spirit and through answered prayer, take heart: we will be with Jesus again soon.

After the resurrection, Jesus left the earth and promised to come back later. But until then, we are not alone, for he has given us the Holy Spirit as our helper. And he has also given us instructions and called us to bear fruit. Like a grapevine overflowing with luscious grapes, we are to bear the fruit of God. And we do this according to a rather odd expression: we are to abide in the Vine.

We like options in our lives, lots of options. Classes to take, cars to buy, cell phone plans to sign up for. And what about religion? Can we have many options to choose from there, too? Spoiler alert: Jesus says no.

In the final hours before His death, Jesus gives His disciples final marching orders, preparing them for a future without His physical presence. He begins with an act of humble, selfless, sacrificial, gracious love. As always, Jesus sets the example, inspiring us in how we ought to live and serve and love.

We are now a little over half-way through John’s gospel, and we are coming to an end of John’s record of his public ministry. Jesus realizes that “the hour has come”, and he gives a final exhortation to all who will hear him: “Walk in the light, lest the darkness overtake you.” A final exhortation to believe that he is God’s Messiah. John records this exhortation for us: respond to Jesus while we...

Jesus was a polarizing figure. In some, He inspired passionate, extravagant love; in others intense and even violent hatred. Because of the hatred, there was a cost to following Jesus. The multitudes, once wildly excited, turned and abandoned Him when the going got rough. But one disciple gave her best and blessed Jesus, perhaps more than we ever imagined. How will you respond to Jesus? Will you s...

Death is our greatest enemy. And we spend countless dollars, energy, and even worry to hold it off as long as we can. But God not only has the answer, he is the answer.

Download sermon notes and discussion questions: (PDF, DOC) Today we continue our study of John in chapter 10. Jesus gives some of the most reassuring words in all the gospels. Jesus is the good shepherd. He calls to his people, his sheep, who know his voice, will follow him, and will never be cast out. If we are his sheep, if we believe he is the messiah, we can be sure he will never cast us away,...

The word “enlightenment” has been popular since the 18th century in Europe, but mankind has always been hungry for enlightenment. To be in light and not in darkness. To know and follow truth, not lies. But how do we know what is light and true? Jesus, claiming to be the light of the world, encountered a man blind from birth and miraculously gave him sight. But even more than physical sight, this m...

Freedom. Such a beautiful word. The pursuit of freedom might be one of our life goals, or it might feel hopelessly out of reach. But first we must ask, from what do we want to be free? For the word freedom implies there is some type of imprisonment, enslavement, or severe restriction. In the Gospel of John, Jesus points us to freedom, but we will find two surprises: what we are enslaved to, and wh...

How could a totally just, but loving Father have anything to do with me? Is a life-bringing relationship with Jesus, in whom all things were created through, possible? What may it look like to walk with the Helper? How could a totally just, but loving Father have anything to do with me? Today, Mike will share some of his life stories from his 44+ years of life with God.

While Jesus walked the earth, controversy surrounded him. A few loved him, but most were either confused about or hateful toward him. Even today Jesus Christ is controversial across the world, and in some countries his followers are being persecuted unto death. What is it about Jesus—his words and actions—that makes him such a polarizing yet remarkable person? He is matchless.

Many in the crowds that followed Jesus were more excited about the free food He provided than His claims to be the Son of God. Just like the crowds who followed Jesus, our hearts and minds gravitate toward our concerns in this world. Will we have enough to live on? Will the economy tank? Will people accept me? Jesus tells us where true sustenance and satisfaction can be found. He says, “I am the b...

Who really is Jesus? Just another religious figure, prophet, good teacher, or excellent moral example? Or was he actually sent from heaven by God the Father to point us toward heaven and to bring eternal salvation? If we humbly and sincerely read of Jesus’ miracles and his statements about himself, we are compelled to conclude that heaven truly has descended upon the earth. And we would do well to...

In the 3rd and 4th chapter’s of his gospel, John highlights Jesus’s interaction with three very different individuals: a Sadducee, a Samaritan adulteress, and a royal official. Jesus reveals himself to all of them as the Son of God, the promised Messiah, and the savior of the whole world. He shows no partiality due to their religious or political affiliations, their social status, nor their ethnic...

Ever watched a football game on TV and seen a guy in the end zone holding a sign up of John 3:16? Football. Basketball. Baseball. And even golf!! Why would someone hold up this sign? What does it say? John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This has to be the most well-known verse in the Bible. Whe...

Ever watched a football game on TV and seen a guy in the end zone holding a sign up of John 3:16? Football. Basketball. Baseball. And even golf!! Why would someone hold up this sign? What does it say? John 3:16 ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This has to be the most well-known verse in the Bible. Whe...

In John 1:19-2:12, John the apostle gives an eye-witness account of the early days of Jesus’ ministry: The baptism of John, the calling of the first disciples, and the miracle at Cana. Because of John’s testimony, we can be confident that Jesus was the Son of God and that we can find life in His name.

In John 1:19-2:12, John the apostle gives an eye-witness account of the early days of Jesus’ ministry: The baptism of John, the calling of the first disciples, and the miracle at Cana. Because of John’s testimony, we can be confident that Jesus was the Son of God and that we can find life in His name.