Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, our message brings this series to a conclusion and is from 1 Corinthians 16:1-24 and is titled “Until Next Time, Corinth” and was preached by Andrey Gorban. In our text this morning we see Paul bring his letter to a close with an affectionate tone and a theme of doing the work of the Lord. He exhorts the Corinthians about giving, ministry done God's way, loving and caring for others as mature Christians, but always in love. 

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, our message is from 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 and is titled “The Rhetorical Taunt” and was preached by Thomas Terry. In our text this morning we see Paul declare the mystery of the end of death when Christ returns and both the dead and the living are instantly given their resurrection bodies. When this happens death is defeated and can no longer hurt God's people.Paul closes by telling us that our response to this hope should be to remain steadfast, immovable, and abounding in the work of the Lord. That is to serve one another in the church by meeting each other's needs and remembering the gospel. Our motivation to serve is to always to be driven by the gospel and what Jesus has done for us.

Welcome to the sermon podcast of Trinity Church of Portland Oregon. This week, our message is from John 11:1-44 and is titled “God's Sovereignty Over Death” and was preached by our guest preacher, Sean Demars.In our text this morning we looked into the death of Lazarus in John 11:1-44. We learned that although death is normal, it is not natural. If we are honest, death is scary, and permanent. We know that God hates death, because we see Jesus having a reaction to the death of Lazarus of anger and agony. It is when we understand the horror of death that we can appreciate the promise of the resurrection. Jesus shows himself to be sovereign over the greatest human problem we have—death. The promise of resurrection is offered to all who believe in Jesus by faith. For those of us who are in Christ, we should find great joy at the promise of Jesus and the resurrection.

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, our message is from 1 Corinthians 15:35-49 and is titled “The Nature of the Resurrection” and was preached by Thomas Terry. In our text this morning Paul seeks to answer two questions from the Corinthians, How are the dead raised, and with what kind of body do they come? These questions came from a place of foolishness because the Corinthians were following after worldly philosophy and what it taught about the afterlife. Paul points out to them that God has equipped all of his creation with various kinds of bodies all different according to their function in creation. In a similar way our resurrection bodies will differ from our earthly bodies because sin will be eradicated and our new bodies will be imperishable. What was buried in dishonor will be raised in glory and we will be known just as Christ Jesus was known after he was raised. Paul finishes this section by showing us Adam and Jesus who are both head figures but with a massive difference, Jesus is the man of heaven who gives us eternal life. This is the great hope we have in the gospel—the gateway to the future glory we possess.

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, our message is from 1 Corinthians 15:12-34 and is titled “The Hypothetical, Theological, and Personal Implications of the Resurrection” and was preached by Thomas Terry. In our text this morning Paul poses questions to Christians who were doubting the truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. He then answers the questions focusing on the fact that every truth about Christianity is built on the truths of the bodily resurrection of Jesus. This guarantees the forgiveness of our sins, and our future hope of glory with God in eternity. Paul closes this section by exhorting Christians to sober up, watch the company we keep, know God, and remember the Gospel—including the resurrection. This should challenge us to live radically and faithfully for Christ because the resurrection is our greatest hope.

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, our message is from 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 and is titled “The Power of the Gospel” and was preached by Greg Taylor. In our text this morning, Paul had to remind the Corinthians of the Gospel and its core truths which point to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, based on historical facts from eyewitnesses and written down for us in scripture. This not only reminds us what the gospel is but that it must be preached until Christ returns. This is why God uses preaching to spread his message of the good news—the Gospel to reach the lost and by His grace bring them into saving faith in the Lord Jesus.

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, Thomas Terry brings us a message from 1 Corinthians 14:1-40 titled “Ordained Order”. In our text this morning, Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians to correct their thinking and practice of spiritual gifts. The gifts of tongues and prophecy are in mind here and both gifts are to be desired, then used to build up others. These gifts also must be used with order and restraint to create clarity, not confusion. 

Welcome to this week's sermon from Trinity Church of Portland titled, "Do You Love?" This comes on the heels of the topic of love we heard last week in 1 Corinthians 13. This week, Andrey Gorban brings us a message from 1 John 4:7-11 on the topic of love, which we learned last week is the more excellent way. In our text this morning we see from John's first letter the centrality of love for the Christian. Love is to be what we are known by and it has an attractional beauty to people when love is present in a church and amongst a group of people. 

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, Andrey Gorban brings us a message from 1 Corinthians 12:31b-13:13 titled “Love: The More Excellent Way”. In our text this morning, Paul writes to the Corinthian Christians the details of what is means to love. This is sometimes referred to as the "Love Chapter", and is often read at weddings. The message of love is so important for us because love is more important that any accomplishments we may have in our Christian life. Anything done for Christ without love is actually nothing. Jesus is the epitome of love in that he died for us while we were yet sinners and he deals with us gently. Love must always be the standard we use to assess how we are doing in the Christian life. We must honestly ask ourselves "Am I doing all things in love?" While grace gifts will pass away in the heavenly kingdom, love will continue into eternity when we see the source of love face to face in Christ. This is what we are called to—love of God and love of our neighbor as supremely important and which can only be done by His power at work in us.

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, Greg Taylor brings us a message from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 titled “The Gift of Interdependence”. In our text this morning Paul is telling us that God made the human body and its parts different and they all play a vital part in the health, life, and longevity of the person. In a similar way God has arranged the different members of the body of Christ, within local churches to function in cooperation with each other, to care for each other and to achieve his purposes in the church. When you were converted to Christ by the grace and work of the Triune God, (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) you were made a member of the church and each of you is an important part of the whole, you have been gifted, and hold a place in the church in order to serve the body. This finds its fulfillment within local churches that are gifted by the Spirit with members and gifts to serve and meet the unique needs of each church.

Welcome to our current podcast series, "Christian Living In The Current of Culture," where we study the timeless and relevant truths of 1 Corinthians. Each week, we explore how the Apostle Paul's words guide us in navigating the complexities of living for Christ in today's world.This week, Jan Verbruggen brings us a message from 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 titled “The Spirit's Gracious Gifts for the Church”. This text begins Paul's discussion on spiritual gifts. We see that the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to bring glory to Christ, so that no one may boast, and for the common good as the Spirit sees fit. The working of the Spirit must lead to the affirmation of who Christ is—Lord of all. Even if you do not know what your gifts are, be willing to get involved in serving the church which is often a key way you will distinguish what gifts the Spirit has given you. Let us strive to build up the church which will enable you to use the gifts God has given you and bring glory to Christ.

This sermon is from our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Discerning The Body” is from 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 and was preached by Pastor Josh Petersen.In our text this morning Paul begins to correct the Corinthians for their division and lack of care for each other in the church. They were not properly discerning the church when they took the ordinance of the Lord's Supper. The ordinance is when Christians come together in unity to remember the Lord Jesus and identify with Him as one, in unity. Paul warns the Corinthians they first needed to examine themselves and ensure they were not sinning against their Christian brothers and sisters—to repent if need be. You must be thinking about the needs of others in the life of the church when you take communion. You must discern your life in Christ and deal with sin prior to taking communion. The Lord's Supper is to be done in unity as the church proclaims and declares the reality of Jesus into all of our lives.

This is the 19th sermon in our current series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Glorifying God When We Gather” is from 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 and was preached by Pastor Josh Petersen.In our text this morning Paul moves into a new area related to corporate worship which will continue through chapter 14. Paul begins this section by holding up Christ and his submission to the Father as the model for wives living in submission to their husbands. The real issue was that the Corinthians were not taking care to avoid distracting each other in worship. We are to be careful so that all we do begins and ends with giving glory to God. We should always be pointing to Christ and building up one another as a good witness to Christ and for the church's reputation.

This sermon is from our current series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Escaping Idolatry" is from 1 Corinthians 10:1-22 and was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor.In our text this morning Paul is challenging us to choose sides. He will use the people and events found in the Exodus narrative of the Old Testament as a warning to us from God that we must avoid falling into sin, into idolatry the way the Israelites did. Paul is going to tell us that we must live carefully to avoid the sin that caused God to destroy an entire  generation of Israelites. Ultimately you must understand that you cannot accept God and His blessings and also practice idolatry. God will not share His glory—he is a jealous God. But there is mercy even for idolaters who will turn from their sin and confess to Christ. The Gospel is enough to cover any sin and forgive any sinner.

This morning we had a guest preacher, Shai Linne who preached our sermon titled “The Lord of Our Joy” from John 2:1-11.In our text this morning we see the earliest miracle Jesus performed by turning water into wine at a wedding. This event reveals to us that Jesus has great power, He is generous, and He is good. It also demonstrates that our resources run out and only Jesus can provide the greatest need we have which is to find our fulfillment in Him and in things that are not dependent upon temporal things.

This is the 16th sermon in our current series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Right Reasons” is from 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry.In our text this morning we see Paul remind the Corinthians that he was indeed an Apostle which afforded him certain rights to have financial support and a wife should he choose to marry. Paul then shares how he relinquished his rights to financial support so as to not equate gospel preaching with the paid philosophers of the day, knowing his reward would come from God. Paul closes this section by using the illustration of athletic competitions to call us to be willing to condition ourselves to serve people for the gospel and obtain a reward that is imperishable. This text demands a response from us to keep ourselves under control to not risk being disqualified or causing others to set a course that might cause them to become disqualified.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Free To Love” is from 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 and was preached by Andrey Gorban.In our text this morning we see Paul answer another issue from a letter the Corinthians sent to Paul. The Corinthians had confusion about food sacrificed to idols, and whether they can eat it and continue to visit temples now that they were Christians. Paul is teaching us to always practice love over our freedoms. This requires us to know our brothers and sisters so we never do anything to wound their consciences. The Christian way is to love each other and show deference to the weaker believer. Our actions should always help our brothers and sisters to walk closer to Jesus.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Single-Minded Devotion” is from 1 Corinthians 7:25-40 and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry.In our culture, two modern secular movements have influenced many Christians. The first movement is the modern Entrepreneurial Movement that over-emphasizes self empowerment and individual achievement, thus undervaluing marriage. The second movement is the Traditionalist Movement that sees marriage as the most beneficial way to achieve financial success and human flourishing. People in this movement view marriage as superior to singleness and the impetus for all the great things life has to offer. For Christians we must view both marriage and singleness as gifts to be kept in an eternal perspective and to be used to glorify God. This should cause all of us in the church to create a synergy between married people and single people knowing we need each other.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Beauty of Your Calling” is from 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 and was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor.In our text this morning we see Paul's message to the Corinthians is emphasizing that all believers should embrace their current circumstances, seeing it as their divine calling, serving God faithfully in their given roles and situations. God has gifted and blessed each one of us in unique ways and we are to use these gifts and blessings to obediently serve God with a content heart that trusts God.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Beauty of Marriage” is from 1 Corinthians 7:1-16 and was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor.We moved into chapter seven today and we see the Apostle Paul answering questions he received from the Corinthians in a letter they’d sent him. His answers center mostly around the marital relationship and sex, singleness, and divorce. Paul encourages them to live the life for which God has gifted them and to avoid falling into temptation. This is so applicable to us because we face many of the same issues in our culture which has some resemblance to Corinth. We as Christians must get our ethics about sex, marriage and divorce from Scripture, not from the culture. 

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Beauty of the Body” is from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry.As we finish chapter six, the Apostle Paul moves into pointing out the beauty and sacred nature of the body. The Corinthians were subjected to a Platonic culture that minimized the importance and transcendence of the human body. This led to pagan practices that were sinful, so these new Christians needed to be lovingly corrected in their thinking and lifestyle to align with scripture. We live in a culture where it has become acceptable to live as if our bodies don’t matter. So, as Christian’s we must live in a way that counts our bodies as important, transcendent, and sacred because we have been purchased by God in Christ.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Our Future Reign and Past Redemption Changes Our Present Relationships” is from 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 and was preached by a guest preacher, Pastor Alex Duke from Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, KY.In chapter six, the Apostle Paul moves into pointing out how wrong it is that the Corinthians are taking each other to court because some Christians are cheating other Christians. Paul is saying that rather than suing each other it would be better to be cheated. This is because a church that fails to deal with its internal conflicts loses its ability to stand out and to speak up in a fractured, disunified, and litigious world. Paul points out that because God will use his people to one day help in judging the angels they can now begin deciding trivial matters rather than taking these matters to civil courts. Finally, Paul reminds them that their past redemption is what qualifies them to now decide matters of importance. They have been washed, sanctified, and justified by the Lord Jesus. This is the impetus of how to cut out the root of the petty sin we struggle with. Remember what Jesus has done for you!

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Harder Side of Church Discipline” is from from 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor.The apostle Paul in writing this part of his letter to the Corinthians is seeking to show them the importance of not allowing unrepentant sin to gain a foothold in the church. Because to not deal with unrepentant sin brings harm to Christ’s church, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Church discipline is one of the mechanisms God uses to bring wayward Christians to a place of restoration, and this leads to greater purity in the church, where God is obeyed and Christ is glorified.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Spiritual Parenthood In Pagan Times” is from from 1 Corinthians 4:14-21 and was preached by Pastor Jan Verbruggen.In this text the apostle Paul is writing as a spiritual parent and lets the Corinthians know he is willing to correct them, to check them, and to chastise them. Paul commands the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ. Paul prefers to come to them in a spirit of gentleness because they have responded in repentance and faith, but if not he is willing to come in discipline, as a stern father. The spiritual parent will love enough to correct and to point their spiritual children to Christ and the hope of the gospel. This is what we all need and this must be done in the power of the kingdom of God.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Let God Be the Judge” is from from 1 Corinthians 4:1-13 and was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor.In this text the apostle Paul explains to the Corinthians that Christian service requires servanthood, stewardship, and sacrifice. It is God who equips his people for service so that we can serve well and steward the resources God puts in our care faithfully. We must also remember to be cautious to not put ourselves in the place of judging the service others because it is God alone who holds that place.

This morning we continued in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, an exposition of 1 Corinthians. This sermon titled “Church Unity Through Church Identity” is from from 1 Corinthians 3:10-23 and was preached by a frequent guest preacher at Trinity Church, Pastor Cody Cannon who is the Lead Pastor of Life Pointe Church in Woodland, CA.In this text the apostle Paul reminds the local church who they are and encourages them that they will find unity when they realize their identity in Christ. This unity is worth fighting for because it honors God and glorifies Jesus and it is God's will for the church.

This morning we arrived at our fifth sermon in our current series, Christian Living In The Current of Culture. This sermon titled “Big Babies” was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from 1 Corinthians 3:1-9.Because the Corinthians were living with an attitude of spiritual superiority, Paul starts this section with a reproof telling the Corinthians he could not affirm them as spiritual people but rather as people of the flesh. They were spiritual babies living as people who were spiritually immature without an appetite for the deeper things of God. Many Christians in our context have no appetite for the things of God, instead they substitute worldly wisdom and are apathetic toward God’s wisdom.If you are not growing in spiritual maturity receive this reproof and lay aside your worldliness, apathy, and stop feeding your flesh and instead turn to the Lord—ask him to help you change, and build you up in his word.

This morning we continued in our series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. This sermon titled “God's Better Wisdom” was preached by Andrey Gorban from 1 Corinthians 2:6-16.This sermon text teaches us the great importance of God's wisdom versus human wisdom. We must not allow ourselves to prefer human wisdom over God's wisdom because human wisdom is incomplete and always changing. God's wisdom does not change and is made effectual by the Holy Spirit to equip us for service through His scriptures to bring glory to Christ.

This morning we celebrated Resurrection Sunday and continued our series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Message of the Cross” was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:5.This sermon text helps us see the power in the preaching of the cross of Christ—the gospel, which Paul brought to Corinth and preached to both Jews and Greeks. Despite the fact that many in Corinth and in our own day view this message as foolishness, it is the wisdom of God which he uses to save people. God also calls people to salvation through this message who are seemingly unimpressive according to the world’s standards. This must cause us to boast only in God—never can we boast in ourselves or anything we have done.

This morning, we continued in our series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Key to Dividing A Unified Church” and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from 1 Corinthians 1:10-17.This sermon text points us to the importance of church unity in order that the mystery of God's glory to be made known. Jesus prayed for this unity and Paul prioritized correcting disunity in the Corinthian church. This sermon considered the struggle with unity present in Corinth in two areas, divided doctrine and divided leadership. The local church must be united in doctrine that is Biblical as well as by leaders who are unified in teaching and accepting that doctrine.

This morning we continued in our series Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching through Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. This sermon titled “The Key To Dealing With Difficult Christians” was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from 1 Corinthians 1:4-9.This sermon continued to unpack the initial greeting of Paul to the Corinthians. In this text Paul reveals the key to dealing with difficult Christians which is to be thankful to God for the things that God has done in His people. Paul acknowledges that God had enriched this church with gifts related to speech and knowledge, the very things that were being misused and over emphasized by some of the Corinthians Christians. This is so often a problem for Christians because we take good gifts from God and misuse them and even sin with them. Nevertheless, God in his infinite wisdom sustains us to wait for the return of Christ, and while we wait we are to work, love, worship, evangelize, and maintain faithfulness and thankfulness to God, all the while remembering our salvation is because of His grace, not our faithfulness. In fact this entire letter represents God’s faithfulness to Christians who often times were not faithful. Let us remember His faithfulness and rely on His grace and look forward to Christ’s imminent return.

This morning we began a new series titled, Christian Living In The Current of Culture, preaching expositionally through Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians. This sermon titled “The People, Paul, & the Purpose For It All.” was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from 1 Corinthians 1:1-3.This sermon laid the groundwork for coming months we will be preaching through the letter of First Corinthians. Corinth was the Roman gateway to Greece and a crossroads for people traveling all directions. This made Corinth a city and in turn made the church one that was wealthy and gifted. Even though this church was full of sin and messiness they were still God’s church. Paul focused closely on preaching Christ to move the Corinthian Christians from the culture of Corinth to the cross of Christ. Paul was telling the Corinthians, you are members of God’s church called to be different, called out from the world. As you approach this letter ask yourself whether your life looks like a Christian should look? And does your life reflect the truth of your identity, focused on remembering who you are and whose you are?

This morning our sermon titled “Walking In The Truth" was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor from 3 John 1-15.This letter showed us the importance of walking in Biblical truth because truth is inextricably connected to love and how we live the Christian life. We also saw that we are to support people who do gospel ministry—especially missionaries. This helps fulfill the mission of the church to go and preach the gospel and make disciples. Finally, we learned that when we stand firm for Biblical truth we will face opposition. 

This morning we completed our short series titled, The Twelfth Chapter, expositing Romans 12. This sermon titled “A Transformed And A Renewed Mind In Action” was preached by one of our faithful members, Andrey Gorban from Romans 12:9-21.This text unpacks how we are to live for Christ once He has changed us. This section is often referred to as the marks of a true Christian. These marks God has called us to are not legalistic, they are the outworking of God’s inward work in our lives so we can then outwardly live out the Christian faith with each other. This cannot be done in our own strength, but must be done in the power God provides. 

This morning we continued our series titled, The Twelfth Chapter, expositing Romans 12. This sermon titled “Gifted For The Good Of Others” was preached by one of our faithful members, Andrey Gorban from Romans 12:3-8.This text points us toward the spiritual gifts God gives to all of his people. We are told not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think, but rather we are to use our gifts to serve each other in the church. It should also be noted that the gifts God gives are diverse and vary according to the grace God gives. So, let us deeply consider how it is God has gifted us and how we may contribute to the needs of the saints.

This morning we began a new series titled, The Twelfth Chapter expositing Romans 12. This sermon titled “A Life Of Worship” was preached by one of our faithful members, Andrey Gorban and is from Romans 12:1-2.This sermon focused us on how Christians are to live lives of sacrificial worship by presenting ourselves in totality to God. In addition to worship we learned that we are to avoid conformity to the world but instead we are to renew our minds and be people who love what Jesus loves and to seek his will in all things.

This morning Pastor Thomas Terry brought to a conclusion our series “The Word of God and the People of God”. This concluding sermon is titled “Every Member Ministry” and is from Ephesians 4:7-16.This sermon focused us on how God gives us grace to serve in His church. He has given us the gifts of offices in the church to equip the people of the church to serve with the goal that the members grow into maturity and find protection from false doctrine and the worldly deceit that comes against us. Ultimately this is equips the members to do the work of the ministry.

This morning our sermon titled “Every Member Holy" is from Matthew 18:15-20 & 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 and was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor and part of our series “The People of God & the Word of God.”This sermon focused on the subject of church discipline which is found in our two main texts where we see that church discipline is a necessary device the Lord has given us to maintain purity and order in the church when members stumble or fall in such a way it requires the other members to get involved. We practice church discipline for the sake of the person who has stumbled, always with the goal of seeking that person to be restored to a right place with Christ as well as with all of us, in the church. 

This morning our sermon titled “The Keys of the Kingdom” is from Matthew 16:13-19 and was preached by Pastor Thomas and part of our series “The People of God and the Word of God.”This text begins with Jesus asking who the disciples think he is. Peter correctly replies with the accurate confession that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus makes it clear that only because of the Father's spiritual intervention can Peter (or any other person) be able to make this confession. Jesus then goes on to proclaim that he would build his church on the rock that is Peter's true confession of Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God. This means we in the church must be actively seeking to be members who love and care for one another and be about the work of the church.

This morning our sermon titled “Gardeners In The Garden” is from Genesis 1:27-28 was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry as part of our series “The Word of God & The People of God.”This sermon focused us on the church and the role of church members. By going back to the beginning we see Adam and Eve were commissioned to work and garden as part of God’s covenant. Similarly, these are the things we are commissioned to do in the church as we seek to glorify God, work, guard, and live within the new covenant community as chosen people who are saved by the person and work of the Lord Jesus. So, as a local assembly of the new covenant community, this church is our garden and it is the job of each and every member to glorify God in unity by reflecting the very image of God so that those outside the covenant might peer in and see what God is like. We are to seek to grow the church through evangelism, and we are to guard and protect the church to ensure that those who come into the church are in fact regenerate people so we can ultimately keep the church sacred and holy.

This morning we closed out the year with a sermon titled “So That Your Cup Overflows” from Romans 15:13 preached by Pastor Josh Petersen.From this text we looked back on the closing year able to rejoice in the forgiveness of our sins and looking at God’s work in our lives. We also looked ahead to the coming year to think through the disciplines of our faith and the importance this should have in our daily lives and in our Christian walk. So, let us be committed in the new year to be fully submitted to Christ, and then seek unity, care, and service to one another.

This morning we concluded our 2023 Advent series "The Light Has Come” focusing on the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sermon is titled "God With Us" and was preached by our lead pastor, Thomas Terry from Luke 15:11-32.In this text we see a picture of a loving father and two lost sons, one who is an unrighteous sinner, and one who is a self-righteous sinner. This father was so gracious he gave his younger son his portion of the inheritance, he was so merciful he welcomed this son back after the son experienced repentance and faith. When the son is still far off the father welcomes him back and restores him to his sonship. Conversely, the older brother in his self righteousness refuses to celebrate the return of his younger brother. The father exhorts this brother to celebrate that his younger brother was dead but is now alive. This parable is a beautiful parallel to Christmas in how God as our loving father saves us when we were far off by sending Jesus to be our Emmanuel—God With Us. 

This morning we continued our Advent series "The Light Has Come” focusing on the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sermon is titled "Jesus, the Light of the World" and was preached by Trinity Church member, Andrey Gorban from John 1:4-5.In this text we see the contrast between light and darkness—that Jesus came to us as the light of men. Just as a lack of sunlight will adversely affect our health and cause us to not function as we were created, without the Light of Christ we also cannot function and remain in darkness, spiritually dead. People hate the Light and reject the Light unless they are given new hearts by God’s Spirit. So, let us marvel at this Light, that Jesus came to give us life, and that life is in Him.

This morning we continued our Advent series "The Light Has Come” focusing on the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sermon is titled "God Is Love" and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry is from 1 John 4:7-10.In this text we see the importance of properly defining the word “love” according to God’s definition. We believe in truth and therefore we know that words have meaning. Love in our culture has been distorted and misdefined using circular confusion and sentimentalism. John is teaching that God is the source of love, and the origin of love. God’s love lives in the tension of grace and holiness as we learn that God gave so that we could live—that is he sent the Lord Jesus to love us and cause us to live by taking away his wrath. 

This morning we continued in our Advent series "The Light Has Come” focusing on the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sermon titled "The Peace Jesus Brings" was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor from Ephesians 2:13-17.In this text we see the peace Jesus brings. Jesus brings peace between sinners and God, peace between Jews and Gentiles, and peace within His body—the church.

This morning we began our Advent series "The Light Has Come” focusing on the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. This sermon is titled "The Hope Of Advent" and was preached by Pastor Josh Petersen from Hebrews 11:1-3.In this text we see faith defined and understand that we are trusting in something and someone we cannot see. But, we have a secure hope in what Christ came and did for us in his life, death, and resurrection.In this Advent season we should look beyond our circumstances, remain strong in our faith in Christ, and look forward to the hope we have in Christ.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon" an exposition through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes, this morning in 8:2-9:1. This sermon titled "The Beauty, Frustration, and Freedom of Sovereignty" was preached by one of our Trinity Church members, Andrey Gorban.In this text the Preacher shares his deep frustration that God is sovereign and God is in control, yet evil and injustice is all around us. The Preacher unpacks how we must submit to the authorities, even ungodly authorities because of God’s sovereignty. We must know that despite the fact that our world is full of injustice, God in his infinite wisdom is using these things to achieve his purposes in this world. While earthly justice is often delayed, limited, or worse—non-existent; God will one day put all things right and execute divine justice in the world. As Christians we must live joyfully, knowing God is good and he has blessed us with his good gifts to enjoy even while we live in the midst of a world full of paradox.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon" going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes 7:23-8:1. This sermon titled "I Will Be Wise And Other Pipe Dreams" was preached by one of our Trinity Church members, Andrey Gorban.In this text the Preacher tells us that just doing the right thing, seeking to live wisely is not something we can truly grasp, it is vanity. This is because wisdom doesn’t explain all the paradoxes and pain of this world. It is to live under the vanity of self-dependency. The Preacher warns that he looked for wisdom in many men and women but it was an illusion. The real wisdom we need has to come from outside of us, which can only come from the Lord Jesus and His gospel. It is from God through Christ that we can live in the tension of a world where things are outside our control, our wisdom, and ultimately are vanity. Let us be people who trust in God and what He is doing in our lives, knowing He is faithful and will give us the wisdom we need for each circumstance in our lives, even if we can’t fully understand what God is doing.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon" going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes chapter seven. This sermon titled "Living The Better Life " was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry. The Preacher gives us practical principles of how to live the better life in a world where putting your trust or hope in anything temporary is vanity. To live a better life under the horizon, instead of trusting in accumulation of wisdom, or trusting in your own righteousness, or focusing on the past, focus on long term character and integrity. Don't run from life's painful and difficult parts, rather lean into them. Live into each moment patiently and humbly, not letting your anger get the best of you. Live in light of God's providence which will allow you to sit in the tension of trials, while tasting the joys of life, knowing God providentially provides both. Embrace life's paradoxes, and avoid self-righteousness and hypocrisy. Finally, lean into wisdom despite it's limitations, let wisdom lead you toward the better life.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon" going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes in 5:10 through 6:9. This sermon titled "The Myth of Wealth Under the Sun" was preached by our guest, Pastor Cody Cannon from Life Pointe Church in Woodland, CA.In this text we see the Preacher’s observation that he saw one group of people who had wealth but God did not give them the power to enjoy it, then he saw another group of people who also had wealth and God gave them the power to enjoy it. This is because God alone is the only source of joy in a life lived under the sun now, and for all eternity.The lack of enjoyment and fulfillment under the sun is because of sin and that we loved something not worthy of our love. Therefore, we must abandon all those temporary things we seek to give us enjoyment and fulfillment and seek the only source of fulfillment and joy—God. If you have done that then be reminded that it is worth it to put God first.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon" going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes. This sermon, the sixth of the series is titled "The Myth of Sacred Politics & Casual Church" and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from Ecclesiastes 4:13-5:9In this text the Preacher exposes that many people have placed their ultimate hope in politics to the point that politics has become a religion, it is often treated as something sacred. Meanwhile church has become less sacred and bends toward being treated as casual by many in the church.When Politics is elevated to the level of the sacred, it is vanity and when church is downgraded to a place that is casual it too is vanity. We as God's people must be people who put church in its right place approaching God with reverence. Practically we must hear what is said, be careful to watch what we say, and be people who do what we say.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon" going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes. This fifth sermon of the series is titled "The Mtyh of Having Other People’s Lives" and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from Ecclesiastes 4:4-12In this text we see the Preacher expose the vanity of envy and desiring the lives other people seem to be living. Human envy will often lead to either laziness or over work. Both of these sinful responses from our envy produce vanity, they are worthless and harmful to human flourishing. The way God would have His people live is to work hard yet also avoid envy by being content with what God has given you and how God has blessed you. God has given Christians each other to walk through this world socially integrated within the church and family relationships. There is a safety in numbers which we should see also as a blessing from God.

This morning our sermon was preached by Pastor Sean Demars from Sixth Avenue Community Church in Decatur, Alabama. The title of this sermon is Zeal For Your House and was preached from John 2:13-17.In this sermon we learned why Jesus cleansed the temple. It was because of the overemphasis on convenience and the greed of the money changers which led to such irreverence that Jesus in his zeal cleaned out the mess. This is a good lesson for the church that we be willing to live with inconvenience, avoid greed, and acknowledge the holy, in order to live with zeal for Christ. 

This morning we continued our series “Hevel Under the Horizon” through the book of Ecclesiastes. This fourth sermon of the series is titled "The Mtyh of Human Goodness" and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3.In this text we see the Preacher begin to make some observations about the wickedness in our world with the goal of exposing the myth of human goodness. He starts by telling us that even in the places where justice should be ensured there is instead wickedness. He brings into view the terrible oppression that people without power often face. These are the result of sin in humanity. God allows the wickedness in our world to remain as way of exposing the realities of our condition (being in sin) and our position (we all will die). But despite the rampant wickedness in our world God will one day be the judge of all these oppressions and injustices. This should be a comfort to you, to know one day God will repay.

This morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon", going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes. This sermon titled "The Myth of Time Management" and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.In this text we see the providence of God as it relates to the times and seasons of our lives. We do not control most of these things but rather respond with the limited freedom we have. Too often we attempt to manage time as a way to create our own destiny, to gain a sense of control. This often reveals a heart either of trust or autonomy. There is great profit when we experience what God has given us, the good gifts that come when we accept our limitations and live in light of God who is, the One who is in control and the giver of every gift we possess. So, let us live every moment in light of God’s loving care for us trusting Him even in the times of sorrow and loss, when things don’t go as we had hoped. 

On this beautiful September morning we continued our series "Hevel Under The Horizon", going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes. This sermon titled "The Experiential Experiments" was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26.In this text we see Solomon on a quest for meaning from life. He gives his assessment of this quest in the early verses of our text—he says that self indulgence of pleasure, projects, and possessions are hevel and a striving after wind. After seeing how these things do not provide any satisfaction or meaning Solomon then seeks to find satisfaction from wisdom, work, and wealth. He then finds these to be unable to fill him with any meaning and satisfaction. At the end of this text we see that pleasure, projects, possessions, wisdom, work, and wealth are incapable of giving a person ultimate meaning but are to be seen as good gifts given by God, who is the source of all satisfaction. In light of this the wise person will enjoy them for what they are and be drawn to God and live for and pursue Him which will be the only way to find real meaning from life.

This morning we began a new series titled, "Hevel Under The Horizon", going through the wisdom book of Ecclesiastes. This sermon is titled, "The Myth of Human Progress" and was preached by Pastor Thomas Terry from Ecclesiastes 1:1-11.We learned that the preacher speaks truth when he says everything in the world that moves toward human progress is vanity or "hevel", meaning it is something like smoke that vanishes quickly and cannot be grasped. Moreover, all the toil we exert for all kinds of things that are also hevel weary us. Ultimately, life is full of weariness and hardships, we work but are never satisfied and in the end what will account for all this weariness of life—nothing, we will not even be remembered.Now all this may seem depressing, but what the preacher wants you to feel is the meaninglessness of these things that are hevel in order to break their allure to keep you from trying to find ultimate meaning in anything or anyone not the Lord. The preacher's words are not altogether different from what Jesus said, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeit his soul? Or what shall a man give for his soul?" So, ask God to help you focus on heaven not hevel.

This morning our sermon was preached by Pastor Sean Demars from Sixth Avenue Community Church in Decatur, Alabama. The title of this sermon is Faith Versus Flesh and was preached from Philippians 3:2-11. In this sermon we learned that God is warning you to avoid false teachers who will seek to convince you that you must trust in your flesh for your righteousness. There were false teachers who were teaching the Philippians to put confidence in the flesh which is to trust in or rely on anything other than Christ and Christ alone for your righteousness. Paul is saying in this text that a person’s righteousness can only be that which comes through faith in Christ, it is a righteousness from God that depends on faith.

This morning our sermon was preached by one of our faithful members and is titled, “Masculinity, Femininity, and Other Relics of the Ancient World” from Titus 2:1-10. In this sermon we learned that sound doctrine must be what directs our training as mature men and women teach younger men and women to walk in self control, love, and good works.Whatever your station in life is, seek to join the church and learn from those in your church community who are a few steps ahead of you in their Christian walk. 

This morning we concluded our current series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon titled "Prayer, Wisdom, and God’s People" was preached by one of our faithful members, Andrey Gorban and is from Colossians 4:2-18. Paul concludes his letter in these verses by encouraging us to prayerfully walk the walk and talk the talk of the Christian life. This is to be done in a community of other Christians—the church, making the best use of time. Paul ends his letter with, “Grace be with you” because it is the grace of the gospel that allows us to stand and live for Him.

This sermon was part of our current series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon titled "Put Christ First In Your Relationships" was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor from Colossians 3:18-4:1. In this text, Paul applies the putting on of our new self to include our family and household relationships. As your new identity in Christ defines your responsibilities you must put on the new self in your relationships, following the example given to us by Jesus as we seek to submit, to love and to obey because of who we are in Christ.

This morning we continued in our current series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon titled "Become Who You Are" was preached by Pastor Greg Taylor from Colossians 3:1-17. In this text, Paul grounds us in the fact that our new identity in Christ dictates our new responsibilities to set our minds not on earthly things but on the heavenly. We also must constantly be putting off the old self and putting on the new self which is really to become who we are because we are now in Christ.

This morning we continued in our current series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon titled "Christ: The Source and Substance of Life" was preached by one of our faithful members, Andrey Gorban and is from Colossians 2:6-23. In this text, Paul teaches that because the Colossians had received Christ they simply were to walk in Christ being careful to avoid being deceived. This should bring us to a place of gratitude because our record of debt has been nailed to the cross, we no longer owe the debt of our sin. Jesus also disarmed the devil, and he is now our vanquished foe. When we live by these truths we will avoid being people who try to add a man made religion of self-reliance or self sufficiency to the gospel. Ultimately, Jesus is enough.

This morning we continued in our current series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon titled "Seeing Each Other, Teaching Each Other, Treating Each Other" was preached by one of our faithful deacons, Nkosana Moyo and is from Colossians 1:24-2:5. In this text, Paul starts by telling the church in Colossae that he is rejoicing in his afflictions for them. He then focuses on exhorting the church on how they see each other—that they are the body of Christ. He then reminds them that how they teach each other must include the gospel, Paul reminds them their privilege having been given the message that formerly was hidden but to them has been revealed. Finally, he encourages them that they treat each other with love, being knit together.

This morning we continued in our current series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon titled Supreme Reconciliation was preached by Pastor Josh Petersen from Colossians 1:21-23. In this text Paul Paul first reminds the Colossians who they once were, alienated and hostile to God, but Jesus reconciled his people by his bodily death which places us in a reconciled position, holy and blameless before God. Paul then reminds them also to continue in the faith, to not be moved by the hope of the gospel. Let us heed this teaching and remain steady in our faith, to not drift from Christ and the hope he gives us in the gospel. 

This morning we continued in our summer series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. This sermon, The Supremacy of Christ was preached by Pastor Jan Verbruggen from Colossians 1:15-20. This text focuses on Jesus as the redeemer, that Jesus is enough, and that He alone is preeminent in creation, and the church. Any depiction of Jesus as less than God is not Biblically accurate, He is fully God, and fully man and has reconciled all things to Himself making peace by the blood of His cross where He made forgiveness of sin. This is the gospel, providing great hope for people.

Today we began our new summer series, Above All Else: Discovering the Supremacy of Christ in the book of Colossians. In our first sermon preached by Pastor Greg we learned about the themes in this letter and then focused on verses 1-14 of chapter one. This text teaches us that it is the preaching of the gospel that brings lost people to faith in Christ, then by living in the power of the gospel and growing in our knowledge of God by the Holy Spirit’s work in us we can live holy lives that please God.

This morning we heard a sermon titled “How You Listen Is Everything” from Mark 4:1-34, preached by our guest preacher Daniel Schreiner, who is a pastor at Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, OR.In this text Jesus talks about listening over ten times, which becomes a moral choice for all people. How you listen determines both your identity and your future. How you listen also says a lot about who you love and how you love. Let us be people who grow to be good listeners, especially to Christ and His word. Remember how merciful and faithful God has been to us, in how he draws us and enables us to be able to hear His word.

This week we continue our current sermon series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Thomas Terry preached from Ephesians 2:19-21 on the Apostolic foundation of the church. This sermon is titled “The Foundation”.

This morning we continued our current sermon series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Thomas Terry preached a sermon titled “What Are We Doing Here?” from Ephesians 2:1-19.In this sermon we learned about the church, that the church is an assembly of God’s people—the called out ones from the world who have been placed together for a specific purpose. God brings all kinds of people together in unity to put on display the mystery of God’s glory and God’s supernatural power in saving people to love and care for one another. 

This morning we heard a sermon titled “I Once Was Blind, But Now I See” from Mark 10:46-52, preached by one of our members, Andrey Gorban.In this sermon we saw that even though Bartimaeus was blind he sees something most of the people around him couldn’t see. It was that he was in the presence of Jesus, the Son of David who he knew could restore his sight. We see mercy asked for by blind Bartimaeus and we see mercy abundantly given by Jesus. Bartimaeus was given faith to be made well and to become a follower of Jesus. The lesson for us is that often God uses our afflictions to put us in a place that lets us see God and search for and receive the spiritual sight we need.

This morning we continued our current sermon series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Cristian Boanca preached a sermon titled “Deacons: The Servants of the Church” from 1 Timothy 3:8-13.In this sermon we learned about deacons—who deacons are, what deacons do, and how deacons serve.

This morning we continued our current sermon series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Thomas Terry preached a sermon titled “A Good Shepherd” from 1 Timothy 3:1-7. In this sermon we learned about God’s design for those who lead the church—pastors. This role is to be fulfilled by qualified men who are both pastors and members of the church. Pastors are not to do all the work of the church but are to equip the church for the work of its ministries. We see the pastoral qualifications through five categories: calling, character, conduct, competency, and consistency. We can be thankful for pastors knowing that Jesus is the chief Shepherd of the church and has delegated specific authority to pastors. We should all desire to submit to our pastors knowing they are accountable for our souls as men who give an account to God.

This morning we continued our current sermon series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Thomas Terry preached a sermon titled “The Wisdom of the Word Versus The Wisdom of the World” from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. In this sermon we learned about the wisdom of Scripture from 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Just like Corinth in the First Century, our world views the message of the cross as foolishness and it puts more stock in the wisdom of the world than it does the wisdom of God’s word. This is why the Corinthians had so many problems with sin that prompted Paul to write this letter. We must be people who seek God’s wisdom found in God’s word above the world’s wisdom because God’s wisdom always proves to be the reliable source given to us by God and comes with God’s power so we can grow into greater spiritual maturity.

This sermon continued our current series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Greg Taylor preached a sermon titled “Let The Word Of God Transform You" from Psalm 19:7-11. In this sermon we learned about the transformative power of Scripture. The word of God brings God's truth to God's people and offers the power and promise to transform us into godly living. Some Christians neglect this blessing to their own detriment. We must be people who take advantage of God's promise and read, meditate upon, study, and obey God's word as we live the Christian life.

This morning we continued our current sermon series, The Word of God & the People of God. Pastor Thomas Terry preached a sermon titled “This Is The Word Of The Lord” from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. In this sermon we learned about the inspiration of Scripture. The fact that divine authorship of scripture is so connected to divine authority that to undermine divine authorship is to undermine divine authority. Satan did this in the beginning when he tempted Eve saying, “Did God really say?” The scriptures were breathed out by God yet written by human authors. The Scriptures are able to make us complete and train us for service in the church. So, let us take in the word of God and allow it to grow us into greater spiritual maturity and godly living.

This morning we began a new sermon series, The Word of God & The People of God. Pastor Thomas Terry preached this sermon titled “Love Language” from Hebrews 1:1-3. In this sermon we learned a practical and comforting reality that no matter what you feel in the dark moments of life, God does speak. We see a clear statement in this text that God is a speaking God. We learned that it is through Jesus that God speaks in our days. Because Jesus has all authority, and God made everything through Jesus, he will hold you and your life together by his power.

This morning in our Easter Service we gathered to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. Pastor Thomas Terry preached a sermon from 1 Corinthians 15:3-10 titled The Resurrection and the Hope. We learned that the resurrection is not just a supernatural event but it is also a factual and historical event. This makes us people who are blessed to know Jesus has died for our sins and he has been raised from the dead by God the Father and defeated death for us, offering us the promise of salvation—forgiveness of sins, acceptance with God, and eternal life, which makes our future secure.

This morning we concluded our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, Benediction For The Church is from 2 Thessalonians 3:16-18 and was preached by Trinity Church pastor Josh Petersen. In this text, Paul signs off this letter by reminding the Thessalonians where their peace comes from and how it is to be applied in all aspects of their lives. It is the peace that comes from grace found only, exclusively in Jesus Christ.

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, Your Work Matters is from 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 and was preached by Trinity Church pastor Greg Taylor. In this text we learned that God's design for humanity is to work, and this even before the fall. God cares about our work, it matters to Him and Christians should be hard workers remembering we are to do our work as unto the Lord.

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, Prayer and Confidence In Difficult Times is from 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 and was preached by Trinity Church pastor Greg Taylor. In this text we learned that we must constantly seek the Lord to empower us, to protect us from evil opposition, and to allow the gospel to spread and to be effectual in the lives of the people who hear it, all the while remembering that God is faithful, he will do it—he must do it.

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, The Art of Spiritual Discernment from 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17 preached by Trinity Church member Ahshuwah Hawthorne. In this sermon we learned from the text what spiritual discernment is—the training within the community of the church to recognize and love truth rather than falsehood. We also learned the two primary reasons why spiritual discernment matters—it is because false teaching leads to false living, and true teaching leads to true living.

This morning we welcomed guest preacher Eric Bancroft, lead pastor of Grace Church in Miami. Pastor Eric preached on the subject of the church’s mission from Acts 14:1-23. The church has been entrusted with the gospel and our primary goals must be to preach the gospel and make disciples. The church has always been viewed by the world as weird and even foolish. Despite this, the church must keep on mission and desire to see Christ proclaimed and glorified in and through us as we preach the gospel and make disciples.

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, A Day of Glory and Judgment from 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 and was preached by Pastor Cristian Boanca.Has the thought of Jesus’ coming ever brought you fear? The people in this church were being told they’d missed the return of Christ which proved to be quite an affliction for these saints. So, Paul provides this church an urgent word of encouragement that Christ's return was still future and when he returns God will give them perfect justice and rest. But until then they must continue to live faithful to the Lord Jesus. Paul then makes a stark contrast between what Christ’s return will be for Christians—relief, versus unbelievers—judgment and eternal destruction. Paul closes this section of the letter by praying that God would help these new Christians to live worthy of their calling as Christians.

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, A Beautiful Benediction from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-28 and was preached by a Pastor Cristian Boanca.In this text we see that God’s plan of peace is to make you holy and to bring into peace with your brothers and sisters in Christ. God is the source of our peace, and he uses holiness that comes through sanctification to make Christians more Christlike. Believers are to be connected to a local church, to pray for each other, and to be inclusive of the people in our churches. This is a small preview of the future we will all share for eternity when Christ returns and for which we patiently wait.

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon titled, A Church That Encourages Is A Church That Endures from 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 and was preached by a guest preacher, Pastor Cody Cannon from Life Pointe Church.In this text, Paul exhorted the church that meaningful participation in a local church is an essential means of endurance in the Christian life. We are not meant to live the Christian life solo, it requires the local church where we find and give encouragement, love, and care for each other. 

This morning we continued our series Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon preached by Pastor Thomas is titled “Hope For The Dead Holiness For The Living” and is from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11. In this text, we see Paul giving the Thessalonians hope for the dead, and hope for the living. There is a different way a believer deals with death versus the way an unbeliever deals with death. The believer has hope that is based in Jesus—his resurrection, and his future coming when we will all be united forever with Jesus and he will bring a better world into being. Paul goes on to exhort the Thessalonians to be ready for Christ’s return, he also reminds them that those who are in Christ need not fear the wrath that is coming on the Day of the Lord because Jesus has obtained your salvation. May you be encouraged by this glorious truth and may it motivate you to always live in such a way that you are ready for our Lord's return.

This week we continued our series, Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon preached by Pastor Thomas is titled “An Exhortation For Sanctification” and is from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12. In this text, we see Paul exhorting the Thessalonians to grow in holiness and live in a way that is pleasing to God. What Paul was calling this church to is sanctification—the process by which a believer grows in their desire to please God and in Christlikeness. Paul gives these believers practical exhortation and encouragement to live sacred and self-controlled lives in peace and to have a love for the brethren.

This morning we had a guest preacher from Hinson Church, Pastor Neil Woollard to continues our series, Life Letters, an exposition of the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon is titled “Like Eternity Is On The Line” and is from 1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13. In this text, we see Paul’s great concern for the church while he is separated from them. This shows Paul’s primary concern for these new believers and what should be the primary concern for pastors and their church members is to see believers persevere in the faith. Another of Paul’s concerns is that affliction may have been so hard for this new church that they did not keep going in the faith. All of us in the church must care for one another and our faith because eternity is on the line. Let us have concern for each other so that we all finish the race of faith and together and behold the Lord Jesus.

Trinity Church Pastor Thomas Terry continues our series, Life Letters, an exposition of letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonians. This sermon is titled “God Makes His Message Move” and is from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. In this text, we see the mysterious means by which God makes his gospel message move. The gospel message doesn’t spread the way other messages move in our world. This gospel is both otherworldly—transcendent and also earthly using natural means to be communicated. The Thessalonians received, heard, and accepted the gospel message about Jesus. Their acceptance was evidenced in how they imitated Paul, the other churches, and suffered for the gospel. This is often how God spreads His gospel message, when the people of God suffer for the sake of the gospel, the gospel spreads. This should motivate us to boldly proclaim the gospel, then pray for God to open hearts to received it. 

Trinity Church Pastor Greg Taylor continues our current series, Life Letters: A Sermon Series on Thessalonians. This sermon is titled “Sincere Servants" and is from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. We see in this text Paul making a defense against charges that his motives in ministry were insincere. Paul reminds this new church how he, Silas, and his companions loved and cared for these new believers treating them as a kind father would care for his children. Paul also reminds the Thessalonians that gospel ministry brought conflict but God empowered he and his companions to successfully preach the gospel he had been entrusted with by God. 

Trinity Church Pastor Thomas Terry begins our new series, Life Letters which will take us through the two letters Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church. This sermon is titled “The Defining Features Of A Gospel Formed Church” and is from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. In this text, we see that this new church already has a gospel reputation, they are showing the signs of authentic conversion. They are also imitating Paul, Silas, and his companions as they imitate Jesus. This leads them to receive the gospel and Christian teaching joyfully even as they find themselves in much conflict. This church is a beautiful example of how God uses gospel preaching along with the Holy Spirit's power to bring sinners into saving faith in Jesus.

Trinity Church Pastor Thomas Terry concludes our our Advent series, Unto Us A Child Is Born, preaching a sermon titled “Wise Men Seek Him” from Matthew 2:1-12. In this text, we see the details of the Magi who came seeking Jesus and bringing their gifts to Him. The way they respond to Christ is the way people 2,000 years later still react to Jesus—either spiritually seeking, religious indifference, or agnostic hostility. This text leaves humanity with a blueprint how to respond to Jesus Christ today—it is to seek him and to worship him. 

Trinity Church Pastor Greg Taylor continues our our Advent series, Unto Us A Child Is Born, preaching a sermon titled “Shepherds We Have Heard” from Luke 2:8-20. In this text, we see miraculous appearance of the angel of the Lord and the heavenly host proclaiming the birth of Jesus to lowly shepherds in a field. We see the reaction of the shepherds as they go to Bethlehem and share what they've been told. Once the shepherds see Jesus and realize their long-awaited Messiah has come they worship even as they return to care for their sheep. This story should remind us that Christmas is all about the good news of great joy found in the coming of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Trinity Church Pastor Cristian Boanca continues our our Advent series, Unto Us A Child Is Born, preaching a sermon titled “God With Us” from Matthew 1:18-25. In this text, we see the details of Joseph and his unique place in the birth of Jesus. Joseph goes from secretly planning to divorce Mary from their engagement to showing tender mercy to her, still taking her to be his wife and keeping her a virgin until after Jesus’ birth. Ultimately, Joseph was faithful and obedient to what God commanded him through the angelic dream. Joseph was an ordinary man who was used by God to bring about the incarnation—to bring Immanuel, God with us to birth.

Trinity Church Pastor Josh Petersen continues our our Advent series, Unto Us A Child Is Born. This sermon titled “Humble Belief” is from Luke 1:26-50. In this text, Mary receives the call from the angel that she would be the young woman God would choose to give birth to Jesus. God provides enough details to calm Mary’s concerns. Then God provides comfort for Mary showing her he was in control and sent her to Elizabeth for encouragement. This resulted in Mary humbly submitting to God despite what would be a very hard path to walk. Like Mary, we can trust God to provide what we need to do what He has called us to do.

Trinity Church Pastor Jan Verbruggen begins our Advent series preaching a sermon titled “God Remembers” from Luke 1:5-25. In this sermon, Jan shows us how we can trust God to guide us through whatever obstacles we face just as Zechariah and Elizabeth could trust the angel’s prophecy that they would have a son in their old age—John the Baptist. John was to be the forerunner of Jesus, preparing the way for the Christ by preaching the word of God to the people calling them to repentance. God exalts his sovereign reliability in this text by giving an elderly barren couple the very child who would grow up to preparing the way for Christ, so that we too may trust Him with our obstacles. God promises are always reliable because he is the God of the impossible.

Former Trinity Church Pastor Andrew Pack preaches our sermon titled “Others-Centered Church” from Philippians 2:1-11. Paul in this text is inviting Christians to respond to the reality of Jesus and what he has done so that we practice others-centered living. To be an others-centered church requires us as members of the church to consider Jesus, to worship Jesus, and to copy Jesus. We will tend to become like what we put at the center of our lives, and even worship that thing, so we must place Jesus at the center of our lives to live out being an others-centered church and people.

Pastor Greg brings to a conclusion our series, The Eighth Chapter, an exposition of Romans 8, preaching from Romans 8:31-39. In this text we learned that Paul uses a series of rhetorical questions to provide objective gospel truth for the fears Christians often have related to their relationship with God and assurance of salvation.

Trinity Church member, Ahshuwah Hawthorne continues our current series, "The Eighth Chapter" an exposition of Romans 8. This sermon is titled “It Was Only The Beginning Of The Real Story…” and was preached from Romans 8:28-30. This sermon teaches all that is happening in your life is because of God’s purpose for you to both bring you to Jesus and to make you more like Jesus. In God’s plan and purpose we know the ending has already been written and God’s people will one day be with God in glory for all eternity.

Pastor Thomas continues our series, "The Eighth Chapter" an exposition of Romans 8. This sermon is titled “On Earth As It Is In Heaven” and is from Romans 8:26-27. We learn in his sermon that one aspect of the Holy Spirit’s ministry to us is that he helps us when we do not know what to pray given two or more choices that seem possible. This is when the Holy Spirit helps us with our words of prayer, interceding for us. Though we pray prayers with fallen lips and minds, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us according to the will of God, so that our prayers are properly prayed and properly heard.

Pastor Thomas continues our current series, "The Eighth Chapter" an exposition of Romans 8. This sermon is titled “The Hallway of Hope”, which points us to the hope we have beyond our suffering. Because God sent His Son for the sole purpose of suffering for us, he will deliver his people and his creation from it’s futility and suffering. We have a hope in Christ that is a guarantee of future glory after the suffering of this world gives way to the next world where we will always be with God. Until then we persevere and eagerly wait for our glory.

Pastor Isaac Adams preaching to us on the subject of the freeness of salvation, from John 6:37. This sermon points out how widely and indiscriminately salvation is offered to sinners. Jesus says whoever will come to me I will never cast out. What a blessing to know anyone can come to Jesus and all kinds of different people will come to Jesus. It is our prayer that if you are listening to this podcast you too realize YOU can come to Jesus if you have not yet done so. If you are a believer, please remember to accept and love all of God’s people because God saves a vast group of different people into His eternal family.

Pastor Cristian Boanca continues our current series, "The Eighth Chapter", an exposition of Romans 8. This sermon is titled “The Children of the Spirit” and reminds us that the Holy Spirit leads us into flourishing by walking in Him, not in our flesh. The Spirit leads us into fellowship with our Father, pointing us to our adoption in Christ and we now relate to God as our Abba, Father! Finally, the Spirit points us to our future, to know we are heirs of God and of Christ, and we will suffer with Jesus so that we may be glorified with Jesus.

Pastor Thomas Terry continues our current series, "The Eighth Chapter" an exposition of Romans 8. This sermon starts with a brief overview of the first seven chapters of Romans. We then learned that because of what God has done for people who are in Christ we will never suffer condemnation. Then we saw a beautiful summation of the gospel in verse three, followed by a contrast between people who walk by the flesh and people who live by the Spirit, we then concluded with the certainty Christians have of eternal life, both in body and soul.

Pastor Thomas Terry begins a new series for titled, "The Eighth Chapter" from Romans 8. This opening sermon focuses on the subject of what it means to be more of a Roman’s chapter eight saint as opposed to a Romans chapter seven sinner. We learned there is infinite safety from the condemnation sinners deserve for those who are in Christ.

Guest preacher, Shai Linne preaching from John 1:35-51 on the subject of what it means to have an encounter with Jesus. We learned in this sermon that there are common elements to every encounter with Jesus. An encounter with Jesus requires first hearing about him and it requires spending time with Jesus. A true encounter with Jesus will also challenge our motives, identity, and priorities.

Trinity Church member Nkosana Moyo preaching from Hebrews 4:16 on the subject of prayer. We learned in this sermon why a church prays, how a church prays, and what happens when a church prays. We learn that Christ washed away our sins thus restoring the broken relationship between God and man. So, we can now pray at all times in confidence because of our position before God through Christ and receive grace and mercy. The ultimate end of our prayers should be to better know God.

Guest Preacher Michael Lawrence from Hinson Baptist Church in Portland, Oregon guest preaching from Psalm 121. We learned that this Psalm is pointing us to trust in the Lord because he will lead us to heaven. The alternative is to trust in our idols which promise big and deliver little. We must know what our idols are in order to turn away from them and turn toward the Lord and trust only in him.

Guest Preacher Bryan Winchester from Saving Grace Church in Milwaukie, Oregon guest preaching from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. This text teaches us the great importance of love in the Christian life, that the church needs our love far more than it needs our gifts. Therefore, Christians are to pursue love as defined in the Scriptures, for it is the greatest Christian virtue.

Trinity Church Pastor Andrew Pack preaching from Hebrews 1:1-4. This letter was written to call the recipients back from trying to blend Judaism with their newly found faith in Jesus Christ. This was their reaction to the intense pressure being exerted on Christians in the first century. Because the law never made anything complete, the author of Hebrews is directing these people and us to the greatness of Jesus and the completion of his work on our behalf. He is the one we must remain closest to in life because he is the better King, Prophet, and Priest.

Trinity Church Pastor Emeritus Norm Thiesen preaching from Matthew 6:9-13 using the Lord's Prayer to teach us about our relationship with God often has everything to do with our disposition and can be spiritually diagnostic as to how we are doing in our walk with the Lord. Ultimately, our disposition is far more important than our words, both with God and people. We can bring our struggles to God, but we must do it with utter dependency focusing on first seeking His name, His kingdom, and His will, then we can be honest with Him about our desires and needs.

Pastor Greg Taylor concludes our summer sermon series, Made Like Him: Spiritual Disciplines for Jesus's Disciples. This sermon, from Luke 18:1-8 brings us to the spiritual discipline of prayer.Prayer is a vital part of the spiritual disciplines enabling us to better know Jesus. We are commanded to pray all the time because of our great dependency, and God's willingness to listen. If you are lacking in this area begin with a plan to meet with God daily praying with an expectancy that He will move.

Pastor Jan Verbruggen continues our summer sermon series, Made Like Him: Spiritual Disciplines for Jesus's Disciples. This sermon, from Matthew 9:14-17 brings us to the subject of fasting. Many people fast for many reasons but this amounts to nothing more than dieting. Biblical fasting is going without food for kingdom purposes, striving to advance God’s kingdom here on earth. Fasting is a way of abstaining from something that sustains us in order to seek God, to expose things we may depend on in place of God, it is to open oneself to the work of God. Fasting should always be done with a spiritual goal in mind. Fasting is a long established practice that tests where your heart is, and may well be the means God uses to bring spiritual correction and strength to you.

Pastor Cristian Boanca continues our summer sermon series, Made Like Him: Spiritual Disciplines for Jesus's Disciples. This sermon was preached from Mark 10:42-45 brings us to the subject of Service And Evangelism. Because Jesus came to serve people, we, his people should also serve, using the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us for the common good of the church and our community.We also need to be people who go about evangelizing our neighbors using simple words that speak to the love of God for sinners, then leave the results to the Lord. He can use our gospel chatter to save people and build his kingdom.

Trinity Church member, Josh Petersen continues our summer sermon series, Made Like Him: Spiritual Disciplines for Jesus's Disciples, preaching on the subject of Silence and Solitude.This sermon, from Matthew 14:22-23 helps us see that as Jesus was frequently intentional about spending time alone with God, we need quiet time with God too. Being silent before God should be a hopeful expectancy that God will come and meet with us, it is an outward reality of an inward expectancy of the heart. So, let us begin to remove some of the noise of our modern culture and begin a discipline of alone time with God, especially time to reflect on all He has done for us in the gospel.

Pastor Ryan Lister preaches his last sermon as a pastor at Trinity Church and also lays the foundation for our summer sermon series, Made Like Him: Spiritual Disciplines for Jesus's Disciples. We learn in this text and from this sermon that life doesn’t center on us, it centers on knowing Jesus. This means we give up as Paul did trying to earn favor from God and find our worth in Jesus who has done all for us that we couldn’t do ourselves. You must ask yourself, What is your surpassing value? If it something is other than Jesus that something will always prove to be short lived. So let the spiritual disciplines be not a reward in themselves, but rather tools to keep the reward of Jesus ever before our eyes. Spiritual disciplines cannot replace Jesus, but rather they keep showing us that knowing Jesus is our surpassing worth.

Pastor Andrew finishes a two part series, Salt & Light preaching through Matthew 5:13-16. In this second sermon we learn what it means to be light. Jesus tells the people of God, “You ARE the light of the world.” This is true because Jesus is the light of the world. This text is teaching it would be an absurdity to not shine our light and be a gospel influence to the people where God has placed us. So, we must remember we have been blessed to be a blessing to the people around us by shining the light of the gospel to our neighbors. We do this by speaking truth to people, showing up to provide help to our neighbors, and being part of a gospel community to give and receive care.

Guest preacher David Sundman preaches to us on the importance of the church, its people, and why it is so special—because we have in common Jesus Christ.

Pastor Thomas Terry preaches to us on the sixth commandment, “You shall not murder,” as we continue the short detour in our preaching schedule to hear what God says about murder from Exodus 20 and other Biblical texts.This sermon helps us understand the definition of murder, why the command matters, how the command plays out in our modern culture, and what lies at the heart of this command.

We hear from a guest preacher, Dr. Todd Miles on the fifth commandment, honor your father and your mother from Exodus 20:12. Living in a way that honors your parents is not optional for the Christian. The New Testament even elevates this command, and it can be extended to other authoritative relationships. Jesus was not impressed with people who sacrificed care for their parents for other things, even for ministry. Jesus even from the cross provided for his mother as he placed her John's care. So, honor those God has placed over you as way of honoring God.

Former Trinity Church Pastor, Norm Thiesen was our guest preacher, his sermon "Living Wisely" is from Luke 12:13-21. Norm helps us see that life is full of choices that require us to exercise wisdom from God's word to avoid foolishness. A life lived that is honoring to God will be one that lives aware of God daily, one that makes eternity a priority, and one that lives content knowing God is in control.

Pastor Andrew Pack brings our series Follow The Son to a conclusion preaching on The Great Commission from Matthew 28:18-20. Because Jesus has been given all authority and promises to be with us to the end of the age we are blessed by Him to go, to baptize, and to teach people to become disciples wherever God has placed us. Often this involves both formal church programs and informal work done within discipleship relationships. Remember, Jesus always empowers His people to do the things he commands, so go and make disciples.

This week Pastor Thomas finishes the Gospel of Mark with the resurrection of Jesus found in Mark 16:1-8. The story of Jesus’ resurrection in these verses highlights feelings of sorrow, fear, and hope that the women who went to anoint Jesus’ body experience. Their encounter with an angel who announces that Jesus has been raised gives them evidence of Jesus’ resurrection and sends them to tell the disciples of this fact. The resurrection is an historical event that is to be believed by faith, which is to believe in a person—Jesus Christ, the Son of God who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day in order to save sinners.

Our Good Friday sermon preached by Pastor Andrew Pack is from Isaiah 53:3-5. Andrew draws out for us from this text that Jesus saves us from our rejection of God, he saves us with his finished work on the cross, and he saves us to healing from our sins being forgiven. This leads us to a life of peace, and a life that is truly abundant.

This week in our series Follow The Son, Pastor Thomas preaches from Mark 15:42-47. This sermon brings us to the burial of Jesus when the Lord Jesus after dying for the sins of his people is wrapped in linen and laid in the hewn rock tomb that is sealed with a very large stone.

This week in our series Follow The Son, Pastor Andrew preaches from Mark 15:33-41. In this sermon we see Jesus being forsaken as he suffers God's wrath in our place, giving us full and unfettered access to God. Remember, Jesus died so we can live...so live for Him.

This week in our series Follow The Son, Pastor Thomas preaches from Mark 15:15-32. This sermon shows us the terrible abuse and mockery Jesus suffered at the hands of his Roman executioners. This was a divine drama with prophetic precision as Jesus endures the humiliation, mockery, and crucifixion unto death, long before predicted by the Old Testament and by Jesus. In Jesus' perfect obedience to the Father to die for his people, we are saved from God's wrath, our sins forgiven, and we receive eternal life, which should draw us into a deeper worship of and love for the Lord Jesus.

This week we continue in our series Follow The Son from the Gospel of Mark. In this sermon Pastor Andrew Pack preaches from Mark 15:1-15. This text gives us the profile of individuals who respond to Jesus in different ways. First, we see Pilate who takes an agnostic approach toward Jesus. Then we see the crowd who are fully antagonistic demanding Pilate crucify Jesus. When it comes to what each person believes about Jesus, ambivalence or antagonism are not options, each person must be either for Jesus or not for Jesus. There is no neutral position when it comes to each person's belief in or rejection of Jesus Christ.

This week in our series Follow The Son, Pastor Thomas preaches from Mark 14:66-72. This sermon brings us to Peter’s denial of Jesus. God often uses unimpressive people to accomplish his work and will in the world. Peter is just this kind of person, a man who was untrained, yet trained and made ready by Jesus and the three years he spent with him. Peter's pride is likely the biggest cause of his denial and downfall but Jesus restored him and Peter went on to great ministry success, even writing two New Testament epistles. This should serve as an encouragement to people like us living in in a cancel culture world. God never cancels His children who have stumbled—rather once we repent in humility, God prunes us and restores us for service in His kingdom.

This week we continue in our series Follow The Son from the Gospel of Mark. This sermon preached by Pastor Andrew Pack is from Mark 14:12-25. Andrew unpacks The Last Supper Passover meal which was the first Communion. Passover is a reenactment and a reminder of God saving the people out of Egypt; Communion is a reenactment and a reminder for us of what Jesus has done for us, his death on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. This should cause us to be serious when we come to the table and we should let the gravity of what God has done for us grow us in our devotion to Jesus.

This week we continue in our series Follow The Son from the Gospel of Mark. This sermon preached by Pastor Thomas Terry is from Mark 14:1-11. This text places the story of the woman anointing Jesus with costly perfume between the story of Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed the Lord Jesus. The betrayal story is split in order to show the great devotion and faithfulness of the woman contrasted with Judas and his betrayal. Jesus not only defends her when she is rebuked but calls to our attention to the beauty of her gift and its significance that helped to point to Jesus’s coming death. Similarly, we never know how our gifts might be used by God, this should compel our devotion to Jesus as we realize he alone is our Passover Lamb who died to forgive us and make us right with God. If we are honest, we must admit we all have a price or a thing for which we might betray Jesus, this must guide us to pray, trust, and seek the Lord to help us avoid ever betraying him.

This week we continue in our series Follow The Son from the Gospel of Mark. This sermon from Pastor Andrew Pack preached from Mark 13:1-37 draws attention to Jesus’s discourse on the Mount of Olives. This text as well as much in our Bible has a lot to say about the future. The main takeaways for us is that Jesus wins, Jesus’s people win, and Jesus is coming—so we are to be ready as people who stay awake. If you’re a person who isn’t living in light of these truths ask yourself, what is the first and main thing you need to do to wake up and be ready?

This week we continue in our series Follow The Son from the Gospel of Mark. This week Pastor Thomas Terry preaches from Mark 12:28-40. This sermon draws attention to what it means to love. Jesus using the Old Testament lays out The “Who” and the “How” of what it means to love. The call from Jesus is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This command actually condemns us because we cannot do it perfectly. But God, has provided Jesus to give his life in order to save us from our lawbreaking, to rescue us from our lovelessness—forgiving all of our sins.

We continue in our series Follow The Son from the Gospel of Mark. This week Pastor Andrew Pack preaches from Mark 12:18-27. This sermon draws attention to a big question. What happens when you die? As the answer to this question gets unpacked we learn that Jesus is alive, Jesus makes dead people alive, Jesus makes living people live, and Jesus will make living people who have died live again.

This week we return to our series Follow The Son working our way through the Gospel of Mark. In this sermon Pastor Thomas Terry preaches from Mark 12:1-17. This sermon draws attention to the first time Jesus uses a parable to reveal truth to the religious leaders, in fact he tells a parable about them and they know it. The parable of the tenants is a call to recognize that God will remove and judge the religious authorities who refuse to submit to God. This parable also draws our attention to God’s long-suffering with sinners, and that he sent his one and only Son to save his people. After the parable discussion, the religious leaders withdraw from Jesus yet return to try to trap Jesus using a political strategy, that if successful would put Jesus in conflict with the Romans. But Jesus diffuses their strategy and leaves the people marveling at his answer and logic.

Andrew Pack preaching from Mark 11:12-26. In this text, Jesus curses the fruitless fig tree and cleanses the fruitless temple. Jesus then commands us to have faith in God, to pray for very large things, and to forgive one another. Apart from God and his power these things are impossible and it is right for us to ask for the impossible and seek his power and help to make sure our accoutrements match the foundation of God’s design.

Andrew Pack preaching from Mark 11:1-11 the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry when the people shouted, Hosanna—which means “Save Us.” This is a text that demands a response when we consider Jesus is our faithful Savior, our humble Savior, and our worthy Savior. What would it look like if we actually lived like we trust in Jesus's faithfulness, took more seriously His humility, and if we counted Him worthy of our trust? Instead of the frequent delays in trusting Jesus we would be quick to trust and obey Him, and it would change how we pray, how we evangelize, and how we spend the time and resources He has entrusted to us. Jesus is indeed our faithful Savior who longs to help His people, and to save sinners.

Pastor Thomas preaching from Mark 10:46-52 about the interaction between Jesus and Bartimaeus, the blind beggar. Despite the crowd seeking to hinder Bartimaeus, he confidently shouts to Jesus in search of mercy he knew only Jesus could provide. Bartimaeus receives his sight becoming physically well, he also receives from Jesus spiritual salvation and becomes a follower of the Lord Jesus. This is a beautiful example of the Lord using suffering in the life of a person in order to bring them to saving faith. Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus calls out to the Son of David and becomes a son of God.

Thomas Terry preaching from Mark 10:32-45, Jesus shares the future he faces to complete God's redemptive plan and make the gospel a reality for sinners—his death, burial, and resurrection. It should be easy for Christians to answer the question, “What Is the Gospel?” But this is not always the case because the true gospel has been hijacked in our day, leading to confusion for many people. There are many so-called gospels that add or subtract something from the true gospel, and thus have no power to save. The Apostle Paul taught that any corruption of the gospel must be resisted at all cost. Then our text turns to the ridiculous and insensitive request James and John make of Jesus as they jockey for position. Jesus responds by telling them they will suffer after him, but he kindly withholds any details. Jesus then teaches that servanthood for His glory is what real greatness looks like. The proper gospel of Jesus as our ransom should drive everything we do, especially that we become servants for his glory.

Ryan Lister preaching from Mark 10:17-31 about Jesus's interaction with the Rich Young Ruler. In this sermon we learn how not to follow Jesus, how not to be like people who walk away from Jesus because they misinterpret Jesus, or misinterpret themselves or misinterpret their desires. Jesus offers an invitation by calling people to follow him, to properly understand who Jesus is, who we are, and be able to discern our true desires. Accepting the call to follow Jesus will have a worldly cost but that cost will pale in comparison with what Jesus offers us—eternal life.

Thomas Terry preaching from Mark 10:13-16 asks and answers the question, “Are we helping or hindering our children to come to Jesus?” This starts with parents and extends to the local church to create an environment that makes Jesus foremost in our homes, and makes the church a vital, and important place in the life of each family.

Preaching from Mark 10:1-12, Thomas puts before us the beautiful blueprint God has given people for marriage. In our text, Jesus confronts sinful people seeking loopholes to sever their marriages by exposing the hardness of their hearts. Jesus takes them back to creation where we see God's original, intentional design for marriage. As Christians we must affirm this teaching and never take our que from the culture who has corrupted marriage. Let us remember that there is no sin outside the forgiveness found in the shed blood of Christ as proclaimed in the gospel.

The text of our sermon displays the side of Jesus preaching about the seriousness of sin related both to causing other Christians to stumble, and sin that jeopardizes our relationship with Jesus. Jesus warns that hell is a reality for the one who embraces sin. The good news of the gospel reminds the true believer, they need not fear hell; but the one who has embraced their sin over Jesus must be willing to go to extreme measures to mortify their sin. All true believers can expect to be salted with the fire of trials and suffering that will ultimately refine us, season us, and help us be a preserving influence upon a rotting culture.

In this sermon, Jesus reminds the disciples that he will soon die on the cross and be raised back to life. Jesus uses review and repetition of the gospel with his disciples to challenge their pride and emphasize the danger of pride and tribalism. Pride cannot be easily self-diagnosed and is one of the killers of Christian community. Jesus concludes by teaching his disciples that he has other followers doing mighty works in His name that are not opposed to the disciples. Jesus taught that the greatest of all is a servant, something he modeled for his disciples and for us.

Jesus heals a boy who is mute. The crowds are amazed. What does it mean for us today ?

The Transfiguration. It's a big deal in the Bible. But it's often overlooked by most Christians. Thomas Terry dives into the story this week.

We live in an age where people consider themselves to be their own gods. Yet, Jesus asks his followers to follow another God. Listen in as Thomas Terry unpacks the true cost of following Jesus in today's american culture.

In Mark 8, Jesus heals a blind man.... by rubbing dirt into his eyes?Listen in as Thomas Terry breaks down this remarkable scripture.

Why does Jesus constantly use bread and light imagery in his teachings? Listen in as Pastor Thomas Terry delivers insights on Mark's gospel.

Jesus miraculously feeds 4,000 people. Why? What does it mean that this story is in the Bible? Listen in as Thomas Terry delivers insights to this passage.

Jesus heals a man who was both mute and deaf and he told his followers to not say anything about it... but no one listened. Hear Pastor Thomas Terry break down this beautiful passage of Mark's gospel.

What does true faith in Jesus look like? Hear Thomas Terry unpack the miracle of Jesus with the daughter of the Phoenician woman.

Jesus says the problems in the world start in the human heart. Hear Thomas Terry unpack Jesus' diagnosis of the human condition.

In Mark 7, Jesus interacts with Jewish religious leaders. Hear Thomas Terry deliver key insights to understand this message.

The human condition is a constant search for hope and healing. Listen in as Pastor Thomas Terry walks through Jesus and his message in Mark 6.

Jesus walks on water. This story has puzzled and fascinated people for millennia. What does Jesus want us to understand about this story? Thomas Terry delivers insight.

Jesus feeds the five thousand. Was it just a spectacular miracle to ease peoples' hunger, or did it have a deeper meaning? Listen in as Thomas Terry breaks down this iconic passage of Scripture.

Lust. Murder. Infidelity. Power. It's all here in this disturbing passage of Mark's gospel. Listen in as Thomas Terry breaks down the passage and examines what it means for followers of Christ.

What is discipleship? And why did Jesus think it was so important? Listen in as Pastor Ryan Lister delivers these insights.

Jesus commissions his disciples and tells them to go into the countryside and spread the news of the Kingdom of God... but he told them to take nothing with them. Why? Listen in as Thomas Terry delivers this engaging sermon.

A woman touches Jesus' robe and is healed. A young girl is raised from the dead. Listen in as Thomas Terry breaks down a beautiful passage of Mark's gospel.

Jesus heals a man with multiple demons outside of Israel. Here why this is a significant moment in his ministry.

Jesus calmed the storm. But Jesus wasn't just trying to get back to his nap, he was making a huge claim about who he was and what he was about. Listen in as pastor Thomas delivers insight about this famous story of Jesus.

The Kingdom. It's a huge theme in the Gospel of Mark. Pastor Ryan Lister overviews the theme and how understanding it can help us better understand the gospel.

Listen in as Thomas Terry preaches about some of Jesus' most well known parables.

Listen in as Thomas Terry delivers interesting reflections on Jesus' parable of the sower.

Was Jesus crazy? A liar? God? Listen in as Thomas Terry delivers a message examining the question of who Jesus said he was.

Listen in as Thomas Terry breaks down the Sabbath controversies in the gospel of Mark.

Listen in as Thomas Terry examines two key themes in the Bible and how Jesus calls his followers to a different kind of feasting and fasting.

Jesus has always been a controversial figure. And one of the primary reasons for the controversies? It's Jesus' insistence on associating with all people regardless of their societal standing. Listen in as Thomas Terry gives a message that challenges and confronts our notions who the ideal Christ followers are.

In Mark 2, Jesus performs a remarkable miracle. He heals a paralytic man who cannot walk. But then he does something confounding, He sees into others' thoughts and diagnoses the real problems in the room. Listen in as Pastor Thomas Terry delivers a thoughtful reflection on one of Jesus' most famous miracles.

The Bible says that Jesus healed people. But often these healings came with unexpected outcomes and controversies. Here Thomas Terry breakdown some of Jesus' healings in Mark.

Jesus has a different take on authority and the authority of the Scriptures. Listen in as Thomas Terry breaks down a passage in Mark where Jesus displays his authority over the Scriptures and his authority over evil.

This week Pastor Thomas Terry continues to preach through the Gospel of Mark in the series Follow The Son.

This week Pastor Thomas Terry continues to preach through the Gospel of Mark in the series Follow The Son.

This week Pastor Thomas Terry continues to preach through the Gospel of Mark in the series Follow The Son.

This week we began a new series, Follow The Son which will take us through The Gospel of Mark. In this sermon Ryan Lister taught an introduction to this cherished Gospel.