Kingdom Life

Peter

Pastor Chris's sermon on John chapter 21 focuses on Jesus's restoration of Peter and the calling to continue following Him. The sermon begins by reflecting on the awkwardness of chapter 21 in the flow of the Gospel of John, as it appears to serve as an epilogue to the book. The passage details the interaction between Jesus and the disciples after His resurrection, highlighting Peter's leadership and the subsequent fishing trip. The sermon explains how Jesus's appearance and command to cast...

Thomas

Pastor Chris's sermon focuses on the journey of Thomas, the disciple who initially doubted Jesus's resurrection until he encountered the risen Christ. The sermon explores how Thomas missed the initial appearance of Jesus to the other disciples, leading to his skepticism about the resurrection. Pastor Chris emphasizes how Jesus meets Thomas where he is in his doubt, inviting him to touch his wounds as proof of his resurrection. This personal encounter transforms Thomas, who then exclaims, "M...

A Garden Encounter With the Risen Jesus

Pastor Chris delivers a sermon focused on the encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Jesus at the Garden Tomb, as depicted in the Gospel of John. He begins by dispelling myths about Mary Magdalene, emphasizing her role as a devoted follower of Jesus. He then explores the significance of the garden setting, drawing parallels to the Garden of Eden and the reversal of the curse of sin through Jesus' resurrection. Pastor Chris delves into Mary's initial inability to recognize Jesus and h...

Mary (the Sister of Martha and Lazarus)

Pastor Chris tells a story of a group of men troubled by their female pastor's lack of fishing skills. Inviting her along, they witness her walking on water to retrieve her jacket, but still find fault. This leads to reflecting on Mary of Bethany's extravagant act of pouring expensive perfume on Jesus. Despite criticism, Jesus commends her, recognizing her heart of worship. The sermon emphasizes worship as the foundation for service, drawing parallels to Jesus' sacrificial love. The message ...

Martha

In this sermon by Pastor Chris, the focus is on the biblical character Martha and her encounter with Jesus during the illness and death of her brother, Lazarus. The sermon emphasizes Martha's initial frustration with Jesus for not coming immediately to heal Lazarus, but it delves deeper into her faith journey and understanding of Jesus' divinity. The sermon highlights Martha's theological beliefs about Jesus as the Messiah and the Son of God, as well as her acknowledgment of a future resur...

I Once Was Blind But Now I See

In this sermon by Pastor Carolyn, the focus is on the story of the blind man from the scripture passage who encounters Jesus and receives his sight. The sermon explores the significance of the event, emphasizing how Jesus noticed the man's suffering despite societal indifference. The Pharisees' reaction to the healing, focusing on Sabbath rules rather than the miracle itself, highlights their spiritual blindness. The sermon then transitions to a modern-day testimonial of a Muslim woman's e...

The Women Caught In Sin

In Pastor Chris's sermon, he explores the dramatic interruption of Jesus teaching in the temple when the scribes and Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery before him. The Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus by asking if the woman should be stoned according to the law of Moses. Jesus responds by writing in the dust and then challenging those without sin to cast the first stone. As the accusers leave one by one, Jesus tells the woman that he does not condemn her but instructs her to sin no mo...

Jesus and His Brothers

Pastor Chris's sermon explores the complexities of family dynamics and the experience of tension within families, drawing parallels with the familial challenges Jesus faced. He discusses how even Jesus's own brothers initially struggled to comprehend his divine mission, highlighting the pain of being misunderstood and unsupported by one's own family. Throughout the sermon, Pastor Chris emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's timing and remaining faithful in sharing the hope of Christ,...

The Man Beside the Pool

The sermon by Pastor Chris Romig focuses on the biblical account of Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda, as depicted in John chapter 5. He begins by describing the historical and cultural context of the pool, known for its healing properties and the superstitions surrounding it. Pastor Chris emphasizes Jesus' compassionate ministry to the marginalized and suffering, exemplified by his encounter with a paralyzed man who had been by the pool for 38 years. The sermon delves into the significance of...

The Rights of Children

Rev. Allen delivered a sermon emphasizing the transformative power of experiencing God's love through the Holy Spirit. He began by reflecting on the concept of revival and the desire for spiritual renewal within the church. Allen, along with his wife Debbie, shared their journey as retired Presbyterian pastors, highlighting their passion for spreading the message of God's love. Allen emphasized the importance of recognizing that children have rights, including access to the love of God as th...

The Rest of the Story

The sermon begins with a story about a young boy questioning his father, a pastor, about how he prepares his sermons. The father explains the process of discerning what God wants him to share and the challenge of condensing God's vast message into manageable portions. The sermon then reflects on the themes explored over the past months, focusing on loving God, oneself, and others, inspired by the biblical command to love your neighbor as yourself. The narrative shifts to a story about Roge...

The King's Nobleman

In this sermon by Pastor Chris, the central theme is the journey of faith, focusing on thirst, trust, and transformation. The sermon begins by addressing areas of dissatisfaction and desperation in life, encouraging listeners not to despair as these moments can lead to a fresh encounter with Jesus. The biblical story of a king's official seeking Jesus' help for his dying son is discussed. Despite an initial unusual response from Jesus, the official persists in his request. The sermon highl...

Jesus Encounters

In this sermon by Pastor Chris Romig, he reflects on the aftermath of taking down Christmas decorations and connects it to the traditional Christian celebration of Epiphany. He explains that Epiphany is the revelation that Jesus is the Messiah, bringing light to the world. Chris highlights the global tradition of celebrating Epiphany with special cakes and pastries and emphasizes the wise men's role in recognizing Jesus as the Son of God. The sermon then delves into the Gospel of John, par...

Christmas Eve Message 2023

In this Christmas sermon by Pastor Chris, he reflects on the 200th anniversary of the publishing of "A Visit from St. Nicholas" and shares a Christian parody inspired by the famous poem. The sermon presents a modern retelling of the night before Christmas, where the narrator experiences an unexpected encounter with a scene reminiscent of the nativity. The story unfolds as the narrator discovers a group of people and animals gathered around a newborn baby under the Christmas tree. The baby is...

The Original Christmas Carols: The Song of the Angels

This sermon by Pastor Chris focuses on the original Christmas carols found in the Gospel according to Luke. The sermon specifically delves into the song of the angels, emphasizing the connection between giving glory to God in the highest and the peace brought to humanity on Earth. It discusses the profound hope of peace, not just as a seasonal summons for kindness but as something much more significant. The sermon addresses the dual nature of the angelic message, highlighting the ultimate pe...

The Original Christmas Carols: The Song of Simeon

In this sermon by Pastor Chris, the focus is on the Song of Simeon, also known as the Nunc Dimittis, found in Luke chapter 2. The sermon explores the background of Simeon, a righteous and devout man, who, led by the Holy Spirit, recognizes the baby Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon expresses his readiness to depart in peace, having seen the salvation of the Lord. The sermon draws parallels between Simeon's acceptance of mortality and the faith-filled attitude of believers facing deat...

The Original Christmas Carols: The Song of Zechariah

In this sermon by Pastor Chris, he explores the song of Zechariah, known as the Benedictus, found in the Gospel of Luke. The sermon delves into the background of Zechariah, an old priest from the hill country of Judea, and how he was chosen to offer incense in the temple. During this sacred moment, the angel Gabriel appeared to him, announcing that his prayers had been heard, and his wife Elizabeth would bear a son named John. The sermon emphasizes Zechariah's initial doubt, leading to his...

The Original Christmas Carols: The Song of Mary

Pastor Carolyn's sermon is a reflective and spiritual narrative centered around the biblical story of Mary, the mother of Jesus. It starts with Mary's expression of praise and gratitude to God, acknowledging His mighty deeds and mercy across generations. The sermon narrates Mary's encounter with an angel, her initial confusion, and eventual understanding and acceptance of her role as the mother of Jesus, a momentous task given to her by God. Carolyn emphasizes the humility and obedience of...

Armor of God

Pastor Chris's sermon focused on the Christian spiritual journey, highlighting key aspects of the faith through the metaphor of the armor of a Roman soldier, as described in Ephesians 6. In the first part of the sermon, he emphasized the significance of the church calendar, noting the progression from Advent to other significant Christian events and seasons. He lamented the removal of certain hymns like "Onward Christian Soldiers" from hymn books, stressing the non-violent spiritual battle C...

Battle Ready

The sermon by Pastor Chris begins by acknowledging veterans and their service, then transitions into a spiritual metaphor about being dressed for battle, drawing from the Bible's concept of the "armor of God." Pastor Chris references the Apostle Paul's words in Ephesians, emphasizing spiritual strength and the need to stand against evil forces, not just human adversaries. The sermon stresses the reality of the devil and demons, as acknowledged by Jesus in Scripture, and warns against underes...

Living in the Light of Eternity

In Pastor Chris's sermon, he urges the congregation to lead lives reflective of their identity in Christ by living with an eternal perspective. He draws on Colossians 3 to emphasize the importance of shedding negative behaviors and embracing virtues such as compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, patience, and love. The metaphor of taking off old clothes and putting on new ones symbolizes this transformation. Pastor Chris cites Leonard Ravenhill, an influential British evangelist, to ...

The Priesthood of All Believers

In the 16th century, before the Reformation, only priests were allowed to read the Bible, and the general populace heard it in Latin, a language they didn't understand. The belief was that sins could only be forgiven through a priest's confession and absolution. At the time of death, a priest's presence was essential for the last rites. The medieval Catholic Church viewed priests as a higher, holier class of Christians, intermediaries between God and people. This perspective persists in mode...

Living in the Gap

In his sermon, Doug Pratt discusses the constant struggle between spiritual aspirations and human fallibility, using the analogy of a 'gap' to describe this. He references the Apostle Paul's words in Romans about the internal struggle between sin and righteousness, relating it to everyday frustrations faced by individuals. Pratt mentions the tendency of people to either give up due to the difficulty of living up to spiritual standards or to lower these standards to attain comfort. He advises...

Finding God in Pain and Suffering

Pastor Carolyn's sermon is based on 2 Timothy 4:5, which says, "But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." She begins by sharing a story about an evangelist from Australia who came to speak at Asbury Theological Seminary. She says that after hearing him speak, she went home and told her husband that she wanted to be an evangelist. But at the time, she didn't really know what that meant. She thought i...

The Bible in 3 Words

Rev. TJ Thompson discusses a passage from Mark chapter 12, verses 28-34, which is also found in Matthew 22:34-40 and Luke 10:25-28. In this passage, a scribe asks Jesus about the greatest commandment. Jesus responds by emphasizing the importance of loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself. The scribe agrees with Jesus, acknowledging that these commandments are more important than any ritual or sacrifice. Jesus commends the scribe's wisdo...

The Point Of It All

Pastor Chris elaborates on the significance of acknowledging Jesus as the Son of God and recognizing His divinity. He challenges the notion that some hold, suggesting that Jesus' divinity was invented by early Christians, emphasizing that Jesus openly proclaimed his divinity in the New Testament. Pastor Chris also discusses practical ways to deepen one's relationship with Jesus. He suggests beginning and ending each day with a focus on Jesus through prayer and scripture, reminding the cong...

Jesus the Bridegroom

In this sermon, Pastor Chris talks about the significance of Jesus being called the bridegroom in the Bible. He begins by explaining the role of the friend of the bridegroom in ancient Jewish marriage customs. The friend of the bridegroom was a trusted friend who worked closely with the groom and his family to make all the wedding preparations. He also helped to protect the bride's purity during the engagement period. Pastor Chris then points out that John the Baptist refers to himself as ...

The Most Difficult Instrument to Play

Pastor Chris discusses the difficulty of playing different instruments such as flute, oboe, harp, and pipe organ. The oboe requires incredible breath control and perfect conditioning, while the harp has 47 strings and seven-foot pedals. Bagpipes require incredible skill to press the bag just right to get the air going and release the air in the proper way. The pipe organ has all the pistons and stops to make different sounds and different manuals. Leonard Bernstein once said that playing sec...

Assurance

The sermon by Pastor Chris is an in-depth exploration of the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus as recorded in the third chapter of the Gospel of John. It focuses on the concept of being "born again" and clarifies that being born again is not a category of Christian but a necessity for all who wish to attain eternal life. Pastor Chris emphasizes that Jesus is offering a gift of eternal life, not posing a daunting demand. This eternal life is not something one earns but rather a gift ...

Wrapping Up The Conversation

Pastor Chris's sermon centers on the profound conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus from the Gospel of John. Jesus highlights the scripture's message of salvation, emphasizing the importance of believing in Him for eternal life, while those who disbelieve are already condemned. The sermon questions why some reject Jesus' promise of eternal life, citing three main reasons: refusal to admit personal shortcomings, an internal existential crisis, and an inherent inclination towards sin. Jesus...

Deep and Wide

Pastor Carolyn's sermon focuses on a continuation of the dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus in the book of John, particularly John 3:16-17. She underscores God's profound love for the world, which serves as the driving force behind sending His Son, Jesus, to save humanity. The sermon highlights the gospel message, portraying it as the nucleus of Christian beliefs, expressing God's love and Christ's mission to rescue rather than condemn. It underscores how this message binds the Old Testame...

The New Birth

In this sermon, Pastor Chris focuses on the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3:1-12. He emphasizes the importance of being "born again" or "born from above" as a necessary experience for anyone to enter the kingdom of God. The concept of being born again is not limited to a particular religious denomination or lifestyle. It is about humbly accepting our powerlessness to save ourselves and receiving the new life that Jesus offers through the Holy Spirit. Pastor Chris explain...

Religion is Hazardous to Your Health

In this sermon, Pastor Chris focuses on the interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus in John chapter three. He highlights that Nicodemus, a devoutly religious man, comes to Jesus seeking knowledge and acknowledges the signs that Jesus has performed as evidence of God's presence with Him. However, Jesus points out that true entry into the kingdom of God requires being "born again" or experiencing a spiritual rebirth through water and the Spirit. Pastor Chris emphasizes that being a Christian...

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

Pastor Chris's sermon is based on the passage from the Gospel of John, chapter 2, which describes Jesus cleansing the temple in Jerusalem. The sermon begins by highlighting the significance of this event as the first public act of Jesus' ministry and its timing during the Jewish Feast of Passover. It emphasizes John's focus on Jesus' ministry in Jerusalem and the importance of the temple in Jewish religious practices. He explains that while there were merchants selling animals and money ch...

Scripture Meditation

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Pastor Chris begins by emphasizing the importance of listening to God's word and its transformative power. He mention that every word of Scripture has the potential to speak directly into o...

God's Timing

Pastor Chris discusses the details and symbolism found in the Gospel of John in chapter 2. He begins by noting the significance of the phrase "on the third day," connecting it to the resurrection of Jesus and the joy of the Christian faith. Pastor Chris also highlights the reference to the third day in the Old Testament, specifically in Exodus, where God revealed Himself to the people of Israel on Mount Sinai. He then examines the seven-day timeline presented in John's Gospel, with each day ...

Life of the Party

In this episode of the Kingdom Life Podcast, Pastor Chris delves into the Wedding at Cana in Galilee, which marked the first of Jesus' signs. At this joyful event in the village of Cana, the wine runs out, prompting Mary to take the problem to Jesus. Jesus, although initially hesitant, responds to his mother's request. This encounter marks a new chapter in his life and mission, even though his hour has not yet come. The presence of six stone water jars used for Jewish purification rites sign...

Meditation On God's Words

Pastor Carolyn introduced the practice of Lectio Divina, a meditative approach to reading the Word of God. The sermon focused on 1 Corinthians 13, commonly known as the "love chapter." Pastor Carolyn read the passage in The Message translation to provide a fresh perspective. She emphasized that without love, even eloquence, spiritual gifts, and acts of sacrifice are meaningless. Love is described as enduring, selfless, humble, patient, forgiving, and truthful. It is contrasted with self-ce...

Spirit-Filled Community

Pastor Chris Roaming is preaching a message on Pentecost, the day when God gave birth to the church as a new community. Pastor Roaming has been teaching about the Holy Spirit in midweek studies and will continue the study through the summer. The summer Bible study will look at the Holy Spirit's work in the Book of Acts, and how it applies to the life of the modern church. Pastor Roaming hopes that as people listen to these messages, they will grow in their understanding of the Triune God and...

Can Anything Good Come Out Of Nazareth

Pastor Chris explores the interaction between Jesus and Nathanael as recorded in the Gospel of John. Nathanael initially expresses doubt about anything good coming out of Nazareth, a despised place. Pastor Chris highlights the irony that Jesus, who came from Nazareth, was indeed the promised Messiah. He encourages listeners to reflect on their own tendencies to doubt or question if anything good can come out of certain situations. He emphasizes that even in the darkest circumstances, God is ...

Under the Fig Tree

Summary/Abstract Jesus encounters Nathaniel and tells him that he saw him under the fig tree before Philip called him. Nathaniel is surprised and expresses his belief that Jesus is the Son of God and King of Israel. Jesus responds by saying that Nathaniel will see even greater things than what he has seen. He then talks about how Nathaniel will have the opportunity to witness heaven open and angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man. This exchange between Jesus and Nathanie...

Meditation on God's Word

Inviting Others To Know The Hope Of Jesus Through Our Own Witness In the first chapter of the Gospel According to John, two of John’s disciples, Andrew and Philip, follow Jesus. Andrew runs to tell his brother Simon about Jesus and brings him to meet Jesus. The next day, Jesus finds Philip and tells him to follow him. Philip then finds Nathaniel and tells him about Jesus and invites him to come and see. Nathaniel scoffs, but Philip remains excited and inviting. This conversation highlig...

Bringing Our Loved Ones to Jesus

Pastor Chris’s sermon is a reflection on the Gospel of John, specifically chapter one, verses 40 to 51. Pastor Chris notes the excitement and enthusiasm that Andrew and Philip display in bringing their friends and loved ones to Jesus after they themselves have encountered him. Andrew brings his brother Simon to Jesus, who becomes known as Peter, one of the most important apostles of the early Christian church. Philip similarly brings Nathanael to Jesus, who becomes a disciple. Pastor Chris...

Gospel of John: A New Name

Pastor Chris discusses the story in the Bible where Jesus changes Simon's name to Peter, which signifies the role Peter will play in the establishment of the church. The speaker emphasizes that name changes in the Bible represent significant transformations in a person's life and that Jesus offers all people the opportunity to receive a new name in Him that reflects who they truly are as precious children of God. Pastor Chris encourages listeners to remain faithful and draw closer to Jesus t...

What Are You Seeking?

The sermon explores the question of what we are seeking when we say we follow Jesus and come to church. Pastor Chris argues that this is a profound and personal question that we often overlook in the busyness of our daily lives. The risk of not asking ourselves this question is that we may end up like the man who spent his life climbing a ladder only to discover it was leaning against the wrong wall. Pastor Chris suggests several reasons why we may avoid asking ourselves this question. One r...

Behold the Lamb of God

Today's sermon is based on the Gospel According to John, where we witness the beginning of Jesus' ministry. John the Baptist, who was baptizing and preaching to throngs of people on the eastern banks of the Jordan River, sees Jesus walking towards him. He then proclaims Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. The Lamb of God refers to the sacrificial lambs that were a central part of religious life for the people of ancient Israel. These lambs were ritually sacrificed a...

Preaching to the Choir

Pastor Carolyn discusses the challenges of following Jesus in a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity. She stresses the importance of loving God and one's neighbor and notes that everyone is broken and in need of love and mercy. Pastor Carolyn then cites examples of how society has drifted from God's word, citing violence, slavery, abortion, drug use, and pornography as harmful to individuals and families. She emphasizes that sin brings judgment and urges listeners to...

Self Perspective

Grace And Truth

The Fourth Quarter of Life