Sunday Sermons

Our vision as a church is To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. But how does this happen? What is our strategy for helping someone move from not knowing Christ to becoming someone actively engaged in making Christ known to others? This four-week series will focus on the four primary stages of the disciple-making process: Engage, Explore, Establish, and Equip. Each week will focus on each step’s...

Our vision as a church is To Know Christ and To Make Christ Known. But how does this happen? What is our strategy for helping someone move from not knowing Christ to becoming someone actively engaged in making Christ known to others? This four-week series will focus the four primary stages of the disciple-making process: Engage, Explore, Establish, and Equip. Each week will focus on each step’s im...

Now what? After the initial appearances of Jesus to Mary and the disciples—and the initial excitement of Easter morning—now what? Even though Jesus’ crucifixion marked the climax of John’s Gospel with the resurrection marking the triumphant overcoming of death, John didn’t stop writing. There is still more for us to hear. Jesus has more to say. He feeds the disciples, displaying his shepherd’s hea...

Message from Pastor Mike Matheson on April 4, 2021

Good Friday

John the Baptist declares Jesus as “the Lamb of God,” who takes away the sin of the world. How could Jesus, the God-man who came down to earth, willingly accept this title? Because it was, believe it or not, for this purpose that he came to earth—to die a sacrificial death to pay for sin. While each Gospel portrays Jesus differently, John’s Gospel uniquely portrays Jesus as the Passover Lamb who,...

John 18 marks a significant transition in this Gospel. For the previous seventeen chapters we have heard Jesus speak about “the hour” that was coming. Over twenty times John has recorded mentions of this hour: the hour when he would surrender himself unto death. The question presented throughout John’s Gospel has been, “Who is this Jesus?” When we read of his being bound, betrayed, and denied, we...

Where do you turn when you’re in real trouble? Where can you find refuge when you’re in the thick of hardship? David knew the right place to go—to the LORD. David makes his needs known to God, seeking his mercy and deliverance from his destructive enemies. Psalm 57 clearly displays David’s confidence in the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. The psalm also gives direction for how we should re...

Imagine overhearing the prayers of someone specifically praying for you. How would you be impacted? What would it tell you about that person’s hopes for you? How might that affect the way you even pray for yourself? Now imagine if you were invited to listen to that person’s prayers for you. Now the requests he makes of God are no longer private but instead are made known to you on purpose. Jesus’...

Over the last three chapters, Jesus has been giving his final instructions and encouragements to his disciples before he is arrested. In this section, he is letting them in on the immense sorrow that they are about to experience; but not without assuring them of the joy that will follow. It is a lesson to them and us of the courage he intends to put in our hearts based upon his completed work.

Jesus had already promised the coming of the Helper to the disciples earlier in his teaching. However, now he makes clear to them that the disciples will be better off once he goes away! How could he make this bold statement? It is because of the work that the Helper will do when he comes. He will bring conviction in relation to sin, righteousness, and judgment. In other words, the Spirit will do...

With his departure drawing ever closer, Jesus wants to make sure his disciples know what to expect after he is gone. They can anticipate the world hating and persecuting them—just as he was hated and rejected. However, he makes clear that their rejection isn’t personal; they will be hated because of him. That is why he is sending the Helper: to bear witness about him through the disciples. Why doe...

Jesus’ declaration that he was soon going away from them dramatically impacted the disciples.. Their leader, teacher, and friend. How would they continue on in his absence? How would they remain faithful to walking in the teachings he had instilled in them? In the previous section Jesus promised that a Helper, the Holy Spirit, would soon be sent to them. Now, Jesus will teach them how and why they...

Jesus has made it clear to the disciples that he is going away, yet he clearly still has much to teach them. What is also clear is the disciples’ confusion about where Jesus is heading. In the second half of John 14, Jesus gives great encouragement to the disciples. Though he is going away from them, there will be One that will come to help them as they keep walking the path he laid out for them—O...

“I am the way, and the truth, and the life,” declares Jesus in John 14:6. This verse, along with John 3:16, are among the essential verses that capture the essence of the gospel. In these words we can rightly declare that Jesus is the way one receives salvation; this we embrace as the truth that will give us life—the life that is without end… eternal life. Yet, as we look closer at this section in...

Throughout John’s Gospel we have read about God’s love for the world, the Father’s love for the Son, and even Jesus’ love for his friends and disciples. But how well do we really understand what love truly is? On his final night with his disciples, Jesus will impart a new command to them: they should love one another as he has loved them. Seems like a simple instruction. However, once the disciple...

After the astonishing washing of the disciples’ feet, Jesus makes known that one of his chosen disciples will betray him in fulfillment of Scripture. Even more surprising is that Jesus declares that his betrayal will confirm who he truly is, hopefully resulting in the disciples’ belief. How is it that his betrayal will bring about these results? Seeing the impact of Judas’ betrayal of Jesus should...

Message from Pastor Mike Matheson on January 3, 2021

Message from Pastor Chris Amundson on December 27, 2020

Message from Pastor Mike Matheson on December 24, 2020

Some of us are still scrambling to finish up our Christmas shopping. Despite having had all year, we still scramble until the last minute to get gifts for those who matter the most to us. Who we put on that list and the gifts we give them says a lot about how we view those important people in our lives. When we look at Matthew 2 we see two different perspectives on Jesus’ birth. One results in the...

What is the true meaning of Christmas? This is a question that has been asked by many throughout the centuries. However, when we look at our passage from Luke, we might think that Christmas brings forth feelings of great fear! When the glory of the Lord comes upon you, fear seems to be a natural response. However, when the messenger shares the message with the shepherds, their response is quite di...

How we hear and receive a message is dramatically impacted by the means (or medium) through which it is delivered. Throughout the story of Scripture, God sent angels to deliver important messages to his people, often revealing his plans to advance his redemptive plans. When God’s messages came through one of his own messengers, it was clear this was important. Enter Mary, the humble girl who was e...

Christmas is the favorite time of year for many. From the time with family and friends to the decorations, many would say this is truly “the most wonderful time of the year.” In a year that has been less than wonderful for most, many might be looking to the hope that comes with Christmas. Can Christmas redeem 2020? Yes! But not through decorations, gifts, or even time with family. We must step bac...

It is easy for us to take our senses for granted. The ability to see—even if through glasses—is a tremendous blessing. The ability to hear—even if we need aids—is a wonderful gift. In John’s Gospel we have witnessed many who simply have not been granted the ability to see Jesus for who he truly is. Sadly, because they cannot see that he is the true light that has come into the world, they cannot (...