Waterstone Church Sermon Podcast

The story of Jesus' birth in Luke 2:1-20 reminds us that hope and joy are for everyone, no matter our background or struggles. God chose humble shepherds to share this life-changing news, showing that his love reaches us all. In the rush of life, it's easy to lose the wonder of Christmas. But when we look at it with fresh eyes, it reminds us that light shines in the darkness, offering hope and joy...

God's love is relentless and deeply personal, like a parent teaching a child to walk. Even when we fail or turn away, his compassion never wavers. Jesus embodies this love as the faithful Son, stepping into our brokenness to bring hope and redemption. In this season, reflect on the depth of God's grace, embrace his forgiveness, and trust that his presence meets us in both our struggles and joys. A...

Isaiah's prophecy about Emmanuel, "God with us," offers a timeless reminder to trust God's promises over human solutions, a challenge that resonates deeply in today's world. In a time when uncertainty and fear often lead people to rely on political strategies, personal ingenuity, or quick fixes, the call to place faith in God feels especially relevant. Just as Ahaz faced the choice between trustin...

Jeremiah 23:1, 5-6 speaks of a future king who will bring hope and justice, offering a powerful response to the widespread distrust in leaders we see today. Just as Jeremiah addressed the failures of leaders in his time, we face similar frustrations with broken systems and unfulfilled promises in institutions like government and religion. The prophecy points to a king from David's line who embodie...

The Advent season is a reminder of God's faithfulness and the hope found in Jesus. It's about focusing on relationships, making space to grieve losses, and remembering that God keeps his promises. The image of a gentle shepherd leading with strength and care encourages trust and hope, especially during the busy holiday season. It's a time to prepare our hearts, reflect on what truly matters, and c...

Life's challenges call for gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to faith, hope, and grace. In the face of chaos and opposition, it's important to stay grounded, resist negativity, and trust that difficulties are temporary and restoration will come. Grace is always present, inclusive, and transformative, offering strength to move forward and unite with others. Living with purpose means embracing...

Pastoral leadership is a calling to shepherd the church with integrity and a genuine heart, especially in challenging times. It emphasizes the importance of community through small groups, the unique role of church elections, and the relevance of Scripture, such as 1 Peter, in navigating chaos. Pastors are called to serve eagerly and willingly, avoiding dishonesty and modeling Christ-like servant...

In this episode Waterstone pastors, Larry Renoe and Paul Joslin, have their final conversation on the podcast and discuss the recent presidential election with hopes to provide a space to process this 2024 political season.

Suffering as a Christian is seen as a way God shapes and strengthens our faith, giving purpose to hard times instead of them being pointless. It also connects us to a bigger family of believers, including those throughout history who stayed faithful through struggles. In those moments, the Holy Spirit shows up in powerful ways to help us keep going. Hard times can also reveal the depth of our fait...

As the end of all things draws near, believers are called to live purposefully according to God’s will, emphasizing prayer, love, and service. Especially during divisive times like the election cycle, unity through prayer becomes essential to foster peace and order. With this sense of urgency, believers are encouraged to use their spiritual gifts to serve others, practice hospitality, an...

Waterstone's Lead Pastor, Larry Renoe, interviews Dr. Scott Klingsmith, who is the Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies at Denver Seminary and also has over 35 years of missions experience overseas. Scott brings a global perspective to our podcast this episode and the focus of their conversation is on the history of Christians in politics. What has the political engagement of Christians th...

We are encouraged to navigate political tensions with faith-driven values like unity, love, and peace. Unity among believers is essential, allowing love for others to guide political interactions without compromising commitment to Christ. Recognizing God's sovereignty frees Christians from fear, inspiring them to pursue peace and engage in political discussions with humility, focusing on sharing t...

The concept of submission is about navigating challenging social norms thoughtfully, focusing on respect rather than control or oppression. It encourages valuing inner character over appearances and building mutual respect in relationships. When rooted in faith, this approach to submission can bring positive change to marriages and communities, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel in...

A rerun of episode 2, season 2 from 2020 where we hear from Waterstone's Lead Pastor, Larry Renoe, and Teaching Pastor, Paul Joslin. Their conversation doesn't tell you WHO to vote for but HOW, and recognizes the tension that we encounter when filling out our ballots. Our voting options at the polls often feel incongruent with our personal beliefs and don't quite reflect our convictions. We like t...

The controversial topic of 1 Peter 2:18-25 highlights the call for Christians to submit to authority, even when it's unfair, following Christ's example of enduring suffering. It encourages believers to trust God's justice during tough times, knowing that how they respond shows their faith. This kind of submission is active, not passive, and can lead to personal growth. Christ's response to injusti...

A look at 1 Peter 2:13-17 highlights how Christians are called to respect authority as part of their faith. It also emphasizes the need to live good, respectful lives and reminds us that real freedom comes from serving God, not just doing whatever we want.

Believers are like living stones, actively building a spiritual community that highlights the interconnectedness of faith. Each person plays a part in the overall structure of the church, showing unity through diversity. At the core of this is the importance of Jesus as the cornerstone, meaning that all aspects of life should align with His teachings. When we build our lives on Him, we can withsta...

Being "born again" in Christ is a spiritual rebirth that reshapes a believer's entire identity. It emphasizes the call to live holy and set-apart lives, not by personal effort alone but through the empowering grace of God. This transformation involves leaving behind old ways of thinking and acting, and embracing a new life that reflects the character and love of Christ. It's a reminder that holine...

Followers of Jesus are called to live as exiles in a culture that often pressures them to conform, this urges Christians to remain steadfast in their identity in Christ. Despite the challenges, believers are called to live in a way that reflects their faith through good deeds, especially in the presence of non-believers. These actions serve as a powerful testimony, demonstrating the love and grace...

Ephesians 2:1-10 reminds us that God's grace is a gift, and we're called to reflect his love through how we live. Our mission as a church is to become like Jesus and live for others , which encourages us to turn our faith into action by caring for those around us. Jeanie Wilking shared her story and in it showed us that our personal calling can change over time, and that even the small, everyday t...

Communion is a sacred practice that helps us remember Jesus and strengthens our connection with the church community. Drawing from 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, it speaks to the challenges and divisions within the church, encouraging spiritual practices that align our beliefs with our actions. It also highlights the importance of grace and forgiveness. When we partake in the Lord's Supper, we are remind...

The gospel of Jesus is good news for everyone—regardless of background, questions, or past. Throughout Scripture, we see God's heart for inclusion, welcoming all people into his family. The story of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 is a powerful example, showing that faith isn't limited by culture, status, or circumstance. The Church is called to reflect that same openness—a place where doubts are w...

The Holy Spirit's work is what distinguishes the church from any other organization, making it vibrant and alive. Despite the church's imperfections, the presence of the Spirit ensures its continual growth and impact globally. REFERENCES: Maris College Mindset List - Class of 2027 "To joyfully gather is indeed a serious affair, for feasting and all enjoyments gratefully taken are at their heart, a...

Church community is important, along with the unique, Holy Spirit-empowered gifts each member brings for collective healing and strength. The church's resilience in the face of internal hurt illustrates its dual nature of causing and healing pain. Ultimately, the church is a vessel of hope and healing, celebrating its diversity and encouraging individuals to discover and use their gifts for the gr...

We're exploring the complexities and challenges of the church. Trying to engage honest conversations about church hurt and spiritual abuse, acknowledging both the inevitable pain and the unacceptable trauma inflicted by religious institutions. Through these discussions, we're seeking to create a space for hope and healing, emphasizing that while the church is flawed, it remains a place where Jesus...