Sermon Podcast

Pastor Brent opens with an illustration from science fiction author H.G. Wells, a humanistic optimist at the turn of the 20th century who became a cynical pessimist about the depravity of man by the mid-20th century. Pastor Brent outlines James 4:13-17 with “Misunderstanding” (vv. 13-14) and “Missed Opportunity” (vv. 15-17). Just as the Puritans signed their plans with “D.V.” (Deo Volente, or “God...

We’re more than halfway through our sermon series in the book of James, and God’s Word continues to convict and compel His followers in 2025. In James 4, Pastor Brent challenges us to “Search Your Heart” (vv. 1-3), “Check Your Heart” (vv. 4-6); “Soften Your Heart” (vv. 7-10); and “Show Your Heart” (vv. 11-12). There is power in humility. There is corruption in pride. The remedy to thwart Satan’s a...

Director of Discipleship Paul Arneberg continues our series in James by contrasting two kinds of wisdom: demonic and divine. These six verses in the middle of James’ letter represent the heart of his message to us as he wrote God’s inspired words. Paul outlines his sermon as “Call to Wisdom: Humility” (v. 13); “Wisdom From Below: Pride” (vv. 14-16); and “Wisdom From Above: Purity” (vv. 17-18). He...

Pastor Brent’s outline of this convicting passage from James 3 consists of “Teaching in the Church” (vv. 1-2); “Dangers of the Tongue” (vv. 3-8); and “Integrity and Purity” (vv. 9-12). Illustrations include The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in China; the characters Talkative and Faithful in Pilgrim’s Progress ; Mister Fred Rogers; and the tragically low percentage of America’s pastors (senior, associate...

Pastor Brent continues his sermon series in James with a self-examination challenge: Why do I claim to be a Christian? Moral values? Going to Heaven? The benefits only? He asserts, “Legalism makes Christ useful to me; the gospel makes Christ beautiful to me.” Pastor Brent outlines this passage as “Identifying the Problem” (vv. 14-17); “Faith and Deeds” (vv. 18-19); and “Living Faith” (vv. 20-26)....

In this third sermon in our series in the book of James, Pastor Brent outlines “The Problem of Favoritism” (2:1-4); “The Heart of the Gospel” (2:5-7); and “Consequences of Favoritism” (2:8-13). Two key takeaways: 1) a primary way to live out the gospel is in the way you publicly and privately treat others; 2) you can’t love some people and not love other people, remembering that in the gospel, you...

Pastor Brent continues our 11-week series in the book of James through this highly practical passage. In addition to insightful quotes from theologians Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer and Dr. Douglas Moo, Pastor Brent shared his recent conversation with Dr. Mimi Larson, Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Children and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Schools like TEDS and churches like N...

Pastor Brent Kompelien launches a new series for winter-spring 2025 on the book of James. The central theme is “God has ordained the local church to be the context in which He forges faith in you and displays the gospel in living reality.” In outlining James 1:1-18, Pastor Brent addresses “What Do Trials Produce?” (vv. 1-4, 12); “What Do Trials Reveal?” (vv. 5-11); and “How Do Trials Change Our Pe...

We’ve made it “To the Ends of the Earth,” aka Rome, in the book of Acts! Pastor Brent Kompelien outlines his final sermon on this critical historical narrative by outlining Why Rome? (vv. 11-16); Why Did Many Reject? (vv. 17-28); and What’s Next? (vv. 30-31). In addition to commentary on the achievements and atrocities of the Roman Empire, Pastor Brent touches on The Rise of Christianity by Rodney...

In this penultimate sermon in his series on Acts, Pastor Brent opens by comparing the acronyms FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and FOBO (Fear Of Better Options). The counter-cultural Christian calling is to make a commitment and follow through! “When we have chosen Christ, there is no better option.” This passage follows the remarkable historian Luke’s eyewitness account of Ancient Sailing (27:1-12) an...

Pastor Brent continues concluding his Acts series, “To the Ends of the Earth.” In this sermon covering two full chapters, Pastor Brent outlines Festus and Agrippa II (ch. 25) and Paul’s Speech (ch. 26). We find a vast contrast between the holy and humble Apostle Paul and the prideful power of the worldly magistrates. Pastor Brent pays particular attention to the history of the Herods in Israel and...

For January 2025, Pastor Brent returns to conclude his 2024 sermon series on The Book of Acts, “To the Ends of the Earth.” Acts 24 consists of two sections: 1) The Trial (vv. 1-9); and 2) Integrity, Hope, Opportunity (vv. 10-27). Like the Apostle Paul in Caesarea around A.D. 57 and Martin Luther before the Diet of Worms in 1521, every generation of Christians will be put on trial for our faith in...

As calendar years change, Director of Discipleship Paul Arneberg marks the milestone by reflecting on the brevity of life and the need for the Lord’s mercy and eternal work in and through our lives. Before launching into Psalm 90, he opens with illustrations of numbering the days of his beloved cat and the devastating experience of losing a parent to death in childhood. Paul outlines this sobering...

Pastor Brent wraps up our 15-week sermon series “The Promises of God” by examining the awesome text of Revelation 5: History Has a Problem (vv. 1-4); History Has a Savior! (vv. 5-10); and History Has One Object of Worship (vv. 11-14). Everything points to Jesus! The only proper response is worship. Christ has conquered; sin is defeated; our future is secure in Christ!

In his penultimate sermon in his fall series “The Promises of God,” Pastor Brent turns to Romans 4 in a study of faith vs. works and gospel transformation. We learn that faith wasn’t invented in the New Testament! Case in point: Abraham. Pastor Brent cautions against a reductionist view of either the OT or the NT. Receiving God’s promise means we can only be made righteous by grace through faith....

Pastor Brent shifts to the New Testament in “The Promises of God" sermon series through the inaugural N.T. chapter, Matthew 1. This genealogy-dominant passage covers the 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus, including several negative, sinful, and shameful aspects of Israel’s history. The problem? We are NOT able to save ourselves! The solution? “Jesus, because he will save his people from their s...

Pastor Brent helps to usher in Advent 2024 through “The Promises of God" as seen in Ezekiel 34. This passage is an invitation to know God in a deeper way—a window into the very heart of God. With examples from Joseph in Genesis 46, David in Psalm 23, and Jesus in John 10, Pastor Brent covers “Why Shepherding?” (Ezek. 34:1-6) and “Judgment and Fulfillment in Christ” (Ezek. 34:7-16). Shepherding hel...

Pastor Brent is back for this pre-Advent message from Daniel 7 in our fall sermon series “The Promises of God.” The theme of the Book of Daniel could be summarized as follows: “Despite present appearances, God is in control.” In this apocalyptic chapter, Pastor Brent outlines the Churning of Nations (vv. 1-7); Sovereign Authority and Saving Power of God (vv. 8-14); and Hope in the Son of Man (vv....

Mark Revell is back stateside from his missions work in Hungary to train new missionaries through his role as EFCA ReachGlobal Director of Training and Development. Mark prefaces his sermon with an overview of major prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In this beloved passage from Ezekiel 36, Mark outlines “WHAT will God do?” (vv. 23-30); “WHY will God do it?” (vv. 22-23, 31); and “For WHOSE SAK...

Director of Discipleship Paul Arneberg continues our Promises of God sermon series with a key passage given through the Prophet Jeremiah. The Mosaic Covenant (handed down through Moses at Mount Sinai) was only temporary; it was fulfilled in Christ when he inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood through His life, death, and resurrection. Paul opens with the example of Martin Luther rediscovering...

Having laid the foundation for the Promises of God series from the curse through King David, Pastor Brent shifts to God’s promises through the prophets. Taking a messianic chapter from his favorite book of the Bible, Isaiah, Pastor Brent lays out Jesus’ upward and outward qualities in “Who is the King?” (vv. 1-5); the reversal of the curse in “What Does This King Achieve?” (vv. 6-9); and the New E...

By way of background, Pastor Brent walks us through King David’s character, virtues and accomplishments as outlined in 1 Samuel, culminating with his concern for right worship in 2 Samuel 6-7. David proposed to build a house (temple) for God, but God revealed that He would make a house (dynasty) out of David! In 2 Sam. 7:8-11, God used the word “I” six times, indicating that the kingdom will be un...

As we read the Bible, we need to keep in mind the concentric circles of context: 1) the biblical text/passage; 2) the Bible book in which it is written; 3) the whole canon of Scripture; and 4) the entirety of redemptive history. God’s people have to live under His rule in an actual kingdom. This sermon in Pastor Brent’s “Promises of God” series features land and rest for Israel under Joshua (which...

Pastor Brent began by repeating the theme of this sermon series on The Promises of God: “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule in God’s holy and loving presence.” After an opening illustration about President George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796, Pastor Brent used Moses’ Farewell Address in Deut. 6 to reveal the purpose of the law. The law was both functional and redemptive, designe...

Pastor Brent’s opening illustration is that the Bible is like a historical, theological musical: God used particular people, places and events in order to show us what it means to be saved. God is both a promise-maker and a promise-keeper. In this passage centered on Moses, God reveals His name (Ex. 5:22-6:5) and His role as our Redeemer (Ex. 6:6-6:8). God cares more about our character and our gr...