Waterstone Church Sermon Podcast

Our anger often stems from distorted attachments and misplaced love for things that cannot truly fulfill us. When we prioritize these things above all else, any perceived threat or obstacle becomes a trigger for anger. We react fiercely when they are challenged, threatened, or fail to meet our expectations. This anger is characterized by its intensity, irrationality, and destructive potential. It...

It takes all of us. It's not just up to parents. How can we step into the generation gap with the truth of the gospel, until the truth of the gospel becomes undeniable to the next generation? References: Greatest Gen (before 1925), Silents (born 1925-1945), Boomers (1946-1964), Generation X (1965-1979), Millennials (1980-1994), Generation Z (1995-2012) Why parents aren't to blame for the rise in t...

We've all experienced the impact of hurtful words directed at us, and often, the most harmful can be the negative self-talk we engage in. However, there comes a moment when someone enters our lives with the ability to reverse judgments and mend profound wounds in our hearts. Through Christ, God perceives us as righteous, holy, and beautiful. While the world may highlight our flaws, and we acknowle...

The most powerful "yes" often requires an equally powerful "no." So, let us walk this path together, embrace the paradox, and discover the transformative power of saying NO and saying YES to Jesus. References: George Buttrick, Harvard chaplain said students would come into his office, "I don't believe in God." He would disarm: "Tell me what kind of God you don't believe in. I probably don't believ...

Christmas is the day that we are reminded that God is with us. It's the day we remember that God is in the birth of a baby not born in the halls of power or into a life of luxury, but in an old barn to an unwed teen. The good news of Christmas is that God dwelt among us in the most unexpected way—and the world has never been the same.

As believers we remain people of hope by proclaiming the promise of a new heaven and new earth, where God's presence dwells intimately among his people. We celebrate that in heaven there will be no more sorrow, tears, and death, and ultimately creation will be restored to its intended perfection. The New Jerusalem is presented as a beacon of hope, a city of eternal joy and communion with God, invi...

Jesus gave up the comforts of heaven for the mud and muck of our world. He gave up the realm of holiness to walk amongst sinners. He emptied himself of the glory that has kept us from him so that he might touch us to bring healing and wholeness. What if we had the same mindset as Christ this Christmas? What if, this Christmas, we, as a community tried to lay down some of our expectations? What if...

At the heart of the Advent season is the proclamation that God did not remain where he was, high above the misery of his creation, but came down into the midst of it. He was born in the darkness and lived with those who were in the darkness. He understands the pain and sorrow of this world. That a light has come into the world means that Jesus is with us in our moments of darkness. Whenever we gat...

Something within us is longing for something beyond us. The purpose of Advent, is to help us get in touch with that longing—an opportunity to reflect and wait on the One who is the face of God. Glory became one of us so that we might become like him. Reflection: Where are you still hiding from God? Where are you waiting to see God's face? Where are you longing in this Advent season? Where is God c...

In his final message as a Waterstone staff pastor, Nick Lillo articulated three hopes that he has for Waterstone and its future: Hope #1 - That Waterstone will always Keep Jesus as King Hope #2 - That Waterstone will always be a prevailing church Hope #3 - That Waterstone will prevail because we are willing to deny ourselves and practice sacrificial love May we be a church that pursues others, lov...

The invitation of the Messiah in Jesus is that we can experience change and transformation and freedom from those places in our lives, and it happens through simply surrendering ourselves to Him, but this freedom that Jesus offers, it is not just all He has come to do. Jesus did not come simply to liberate us from spiritual oppression or from the death and sin that we find ourselves stuck in. He h...

God assures us of salvation and redemption, expressing an unwavering love that endures despite life's challenges; though we may face difficulties, God remains steadfast in keeping His covenant to love and redeem His people.

Isaiah 53 draws us into a vivid prophetic portrayal of a suffering servant whose sacrificial journey brings spiritual healing and redemption to humanity. Where are you? What are you going through? If you are asking why God is taking so long to fix things or you're hanging on by a thread, remember there is a God named Jesus, who saw the suffering of the world and didn't abandon us, but stepped in s...

Isaiah 40 offers comfort and hope to the Israelites, assuring them of God's presence and power in times of adversity. References: “Either this world, my mother, is a monster, or I myself am a freak. Consider the former: the world is a monster… You say, there is no right and wrong in nature; right and wrong is a human concept. Precisely: we are moral creatures, then, in an amoral world… This view r...

The all-consuming human pursuit of the self has destroyed bonds of life. So, Isaiah contrasts their choice: trusting in nations results in a desert; trusting in God results in a garden. Isaiah 35 is a poem that describes a future kingdom brought by a future messianic King who will put all things right. Christians believe that King is Jesus, who makes deserts bloom. References: "Until recent times,...

Isaiah wrote his book of oracles and prophecy to help the people of God see that God is king in the chaos and the calm. The question for us is, "Do we believe this?" Do we believe that God is king in the midst of the chaos and the calm of our own lives? References: You Are Not Your Own , by Alan Noble The City of Man vs. The City of God

In Isaiah chapters 7 & 8, Isaiah describes the coming king as a small shoot of new growth emerging from the old stump of David's family, the holy seed. This king will be empowered by God's Spirit to rule over a new Jerusalem and bring forth justice for the poor. All nations will look to this messianic king for guidance, and his kingdom will transform all creation, bringing peace. References: A...

When we talk about encountering God, we sometimes live under the assumption that God is so holy that we need to change to be allowed into his presence. However, the story in Isaiah 6 reveals to us is that God is at work making a way for us to be able to experience and encounter him—that there is actually nothing we can do to earn our way into God's presence. It's in his grace and in his mercy that...

Jesus Christ plunged himself into our lives. He took all the threads of his glory in order to thread himself into our lives to save us from falling through. That's the beauty that will get you out of yourself. When you see what he did for you - he died for you - you love him just because he is beautiful. Grace leads to justice. Moves heart to hands. References: "Of all the books in the Old Testame...

Every person already ascribes ultimate value to something. The world is not divided into people who worship and people who don't. Rather, it is divided between people who worship things that cannot be God to them and people who worship the true God. References: Scientists estimate over 100 billion stars in our galaxy and over 2 trillion other galaxies with as many stars in them. Let's drive across...

What fuels Waterstone for their mission? Worship. Worship that helps us stay fastened and focused on the goodness of God, brought to us in the person of Jesus Christ. His love carried in our hearts is fuel for our church and is the way through the wilderness for each one of us. References: Rod Cooper Farm Harry Potter - The Mirror of Erised

This letter from Paul emphasizes the importance of a strong work ethic, contributing to the well-being of the community, avoiding idleness, and fostering a spirit of prayer, peace, and discipline within the church, in order to lead a productive and Christ-centered life. References: "We are not free to pursue whatever brings us the most personal fulfillment. We are not free to define our identity i...

As a church we are to maintain our commitment to the teachings and traditions of the faith, remain steadfast in our beliefs, and not be easily swayed or shaken by false doctrines or external pressures, especially in the face of challenges and trials. 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 encourages followers of Jesus to stand firm in their faith and not waver in their dedication to the Christian message. Refe...

Do not be shaken: Jesus is in control. Evil will be defeated and destroyed. Easily. The victory is secure. Followers of Jesus are to find our security in God, not in the stability of the world. If our confidence is in anything other than God's truth, then we will be shaken and disturbed. Remember, there will always be evil in the world. Things might look worse before they get better, but that does...

A letter from Paul to the community in Thessalonica, 2 Thessalonians encourages believers to stay faithful despite challenges, clarifies misconceptions about Christ's return, and emphasizes the importance of living a productive and moral life while awaiting his coming.