Terry Szymanski of our Elder Team at New Life returns with this message on Psalm 19. Terry shares his fascination with the universe through his degree in Aerospace Engineering and his ongoing interest in solar eclipses and the vastness of the universe. After quoting Charles Spurgeon (“He is wisest who reads both the Word book and the world book”), Terry walks us through Psalm 19 as “God Revealed Through Creation: General Revelation” (vv. 1-6); “God Revealed Through His Word: Special Revelation” (vv. 7-11); and “David’s Response: Repentance and Prayer for Grace” (vv. 12-14). Our response? We are small and sinful, but we trust in God through Jesus Christ, our strength and Redeemer!
God's Design for Humanity (Psalm 8)
Paul Arneberg continues our Summer in the Psalms with this sermon on Psalm 8. Paul began by acknowledging Memorial Day and the price paid for our earthly liberties, adding that Jesus paid the ultimate price for our debt of sin in order to restore us both spiritually and physically. Tying in his challenge to read all 150 psalms over summer 2025, Paul outlined Psalm 8 as “GOD’S NAME: Magnify Yahweh, Our Lord God” (vv. 1a, 9); “GOD’S GLORY: Infinite and Intimate” (vv. 1b-4); and “GOD’S WILL: Design, Deliverance, Dominion” (vv. 5-8). God establishes His strength in our weaknesses (Ps. 8:2), backed up by precious passages from Matt. 11:25-30; 21:16; Phil. 2:5-11; 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9-10; and key parallel passages in Heb. 2:5-9; 4:14-16.
Refuge In The Sovereign King (Psalm 2)
Pastor Dan Ford of Faribault EFC brings this message from God’s Word on Pastor Brent’s first Sunday of sabbatical. After sharing examples of his personal encouragement from our congregation (notably Glenn Olson, Director of Student Ministries for our North Central District of the EFCA), Pastor Dan outlines four voices in Psalm 2: “1st Voice—The World Speaks” (vv. 1-3); “2nd Voice—God Speaks” (vv. 4-6); “3rd Voice—The Anointed Speaks” (vv. 7-9); and “4th Voice—The Psalmist Speaks” (vv. 10-12). Pastor Dan also shares his “B.L.E.S.S.” acronym in bringing the gospel to the nations: Be in prayer; Listen well; Eat together; Serve and be served; Share a story.
Delight In God's Ways (Psalm 1)
Pastor Brent launches into our 17-week sermon series, Summer In The Psalms, just before his three-month sabbatical. Psalm 1 kicks off our series while serving as a introduction to the entire book of Psalms. With bookended illustrations from legendary Olympic track star Eric Liddle, Pastor Brent outlines Psalm 1 with “Two Paths” (vv. 1-3) and “Two Outcomes” (vv. 4-6). A key admonishment from Pastor Brent on the brink of his 14-week absence from the pulpit: “Delight in the Word of God so that we can relate to the God and Christ of the Word!” We are to seek Him, delight in Him, and LOVE Him with all our hearts.
Prayer Offered In Faith (James 5:13-20)
This final sermon in our 11-week series on James coincided with Vision Sunday, a combined worship service with the second half focusing on staffing changes, budget adjustments, and renewal of our building campaign. Pastor Brent tied together the history of New Life (and the centrality that prayer has always had in our church family) with this last passage by the half-brother of Jesus with “Call to Prayer” (vv. 13-16); “Example of Prayer” (vv. 17-18); and “Purpose of Prayer” (vv. 19-20).
Patiently Waiting For Fruit (James 5:7-12)
Terry Szymanski serves on our Elder Team here at New Life, and this is his first time preaching! After sharing a bit about his family and background, Terry reviews some keys to the Book of James, including God’s definition of patience in James 1:2-4. Terry outlines this short but powerful passage as “A Call to Action,” “Enduring Patiently,” “You too…Stand Firm,” “Don’t Grumble,” and “Examples—Look to the Prophets.” In addition to Terry’s use of humor and personal experiences, he ends with an illustration of the faith and patient endurance of Corrie ten Boom, author of The Hiding Place.
You Will See Him (Matthew 28:1-10)
In this Resurrection Day message, Pastor Brent challenges us how to respond to Jesus’ resurrection through the invitation, command, and promise of Matt. 28:1-10. “Come and see…go and tell…you will see Him.” The proper response to the resurrection of Jesus Christ is to humbly come to Him, fall at His feet, and worship Him with one’s whole self and whole life. Jesus was raised to life so that you could become a new creation. You will see Him. He is the risen King, and He deserves our total devotion!
The Whole City Was Stirred (Matthew 21:1-11)
Pastor Brent takes a break from our James series for Holy Week. In his Palm Sunday sermon on Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-11), Pastor Brent outlines “Specific Instructions” (vv. 1-3), “Prophetic Fulfillment” (vv. 4-5), and “What Kind of King?” (vv. 6-11). Jesus alone will stir one’s heart to the things that matter. We must ask ourselves: “Am I deeply moved by the revelation of Who Jesus is?” The Lord Himself is here to save His people, His flock. Our only proper response is worship and praise of King Jesus!
Warning to the Rich (James 5:1-6)
With a recurring challenge for our stated values to match our lived values, Pastor Brent preaches on the prophetic warning of James 5:1-6. We need to change our perspective and remember that God is on the throne. My money doesn’t exist to build my kingdom; it exists to build God’s kingdom. Helpful resource: Redeeming Money: How God Reveals and Reorients Our Hearts by Paul David Tripp.
Boasting In Our Plans (James 4:13-17)
Pastor Brent opens with an illustration from science fiction author H.G. Wells, a humanistic optimist at the turn of the 20th century who became a cynical pessimist about the depravity of man by the mid-20th century. Pastor Brent outlines James 4:13-17 with “Misunderstanding” (vv. 13-14) and “Missed Opportunity” (vv. 15-17). Just as the Puritans signed their plans with “D.V.” (Deo Volente, or “God willing”), a key to this passage is that worldly boasting is an exercise in pride, but biblical boasting is an exercise in humility. Supporting texts: Deut. 8:11-14, 17-19; Matt. 6:33; Ps. 90:12; Dan. 4:29-32; and Jer. 9:23-24. Quoted theologians: Kent Hughes, Os Guinness, John Piper, and Mark Sayers.
Humble Yourself Before the Lord (James 4:1-12)
We’re more than halfway through our sermon series in the book of James, and God’s Word continues to convict and compel His followers in 2025. In James 4, Pastor Brent challenges us to “Search Your Heart” (vv. 1-3), “Check Your Heart” (vv. 4-6); “Soften Your Heart” (vv. 7-10); and “Show Your Heart” (vv. 11-12). There is power in humility. There is corruption in pride. The remedy to thwart Satan’s attacks is humble repentance. Confession and repentance is a regular part of the Christian life.
Wisdom From Heaven (James 3:13-18)
Director of Discipleship Paul Arneberg continues our series in James by contrasting two kinds of wisdom: demonic and divine. These six verses in the middle of James’ letter represent the heart of his message to us as he wrote God’s inspired words. Paul outlines his sermon as “Call to Wisdom: Humility” (v. 13); “Wisdom From Below: Pride” (vv. 14-16); and “Wisdom From Above: Purity” (vv. 17-18). He also contrasts King Solomon succumbing to wisdom from below with the Apostle Paul bearing the fruit of wisdom from above. We desperately need to cling to Jesus through the Holy Spirit in devotion and dependence as we sow peace in deeds done in humility. Jesus is Wisdom and Peace personified (1 Cor. 22-24, 30; Eph. 2:14)! Other key cross-references include Ps. 37:11; Prov. 8; Mic. 6:8; Matt. 5:5; 11:29; Mark 10:45; Gal. 5:16-23; Jas. 1:5; 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5.
The Power of Words (James 3:1-12)
Pastor Brent’s outline of this convicting passage from James 3 consists of “Teaching in the Church” (vv. 1-2); “Dangers of the Tongue” (vv. 3-8); and “Integrity and Purity” (vv. 9-12). Illustrations include The Boxer Rebellion of 1900 in China; the characters Talkative and Faithful in Pilgrim’s Progress; Mister Fred Rogers; and the tragically low percentage of America’s pastors (senior, associate, children’s, youth) who hold to a biblical worldview. A key takeaway from Pastor Brent: “Check your heart and check your words—because your life depends on it.”
Living Faith (James 2:14-26)
Pastor Brent continues his sermon series in James with a self-examination challenge: Why do I claim to be a Christian? Moral values? Going to Heaven? The benefits only? He asserts, “Legalism makes Christ useful to me; the gospel makes Christ beautiful to me.” Pastor Brent outlines this passage as “Identifying the Problem” (vv. 14-17); “Faith and Deeds” (vv. 18-19); and “Living Faith” (vv. 20-26). He ends with three personal application challenges: 1) Examine my heart (Is God merely useful to me, or is He beautiful to me?); 2) Examine my life; 3) Examine my prayer life. Real saving faith has integrity and is often forged in the fire, such as with Abraham (Gen. 22) and Rahab (Josh. 2).
Rich In Faith (James 2:1-13)
In this third sermon in our series in the book of James, Pastor Brent outlines “The Problem of Favoritism” (2:1-4); “The Heart of the Gospel” (2:5-7); and “Consequences of Favoritism” (2:8-13). Two key takeaways: 1) a primary way to live out the gospel is in the way you publicly and privately treat others; 2) you can’t love some people and not love other people, remembering that in the gospel, you too were underserving! Pastor Brent uses illustrations from classic hymn writers William Cowper and Augustus Toplady, the latter of whom wrote “Rock of Ages” in 1776.
Disciple-By-Doing (James 1:19-27)
Pastor Brent continues our 11-week series in the book of James through this highly practical passage. In addition to insightful quotes from theologians Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer and Dr. Douglas Moo, Pastor Brent shared his recent conversation with Dr. Mimi Larson, Executive Director of the Center for Faith and Children and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS). Schools like TEDS and churches like NLEFC can learn from each other in making the Bible come alive for disciples young and old! After his outline on discipleship that “Begins by Hearing” (James 1:19-21) and is “Proven through Doing” (James 1:22-27), Pastor Brent ends with our vision for discipleship: “Discipleship is a matter of hearing, believing, and doing the truth that is in Jesus Christ.”
Joy In Suffering (James 1:1-18)
Pastor Brent Kompelien launches a new series for winter-spring 2025 on the book of James. The central theme is “God has ordained the local church to be the context in which He forges faith in you and displays the gospel in living reality.” In outlining James 1:1-18, Pastor Brent addresses “What Do Trials Produce?” (vv. 1-4, 12); “What Do Trials Reveal?” (vv. 5-11); and “How Do Trials Change Our Perspective?” (vv. 13-18). Pastor Brent includes a personal story of the goodness of God through his family’s local church amidst the trial of his twin brother Brad’s bone cancer at age 12.
Paul In Rome (Acts 28:11-31)
We’ve made it “To the Ends of the Earth,” aka Rome, in the book of Acts! Pastor Brent Kompelien outlines his final sermon on this critical historical narrative by outlining Why Rome? (vv. 11-16); Why Did Many Reject? (vv. 17-28); and What’s Next? (vv. 30-31). In addition to commentary on the achievements and atrocities of the Roman Empire, Pastor Brent touches on The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark (1997); Paul’s unique ministry in Rome; and reminders that God Himself is the main character in Acts, and nothing can stop the advance of the gospel! “Acts ends with an ellipsis (…), not a period (.). It asks, ‘What are YOU going to do next?’”
Shipwreck on Malta (Acts 27:1-28:10)
In this penultimate sermon in his series on Acts, Pastor Brent opens by comparing the acronyms FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) and FOBO (Fear Of Better Options). The counter-cultural Christian calling is to make a commitment and follow through! “When we have chosen Christ, there is no better option.” This passage follows the remarkable historian Luke’s eyewitness account of Ancient Sailing (27:1-12) and the various ways that God is Glorified through Paul’s calmness amidst the sailors’ desperation (27:13-28:10). God promised, preserved, protected, and provided! The Best has chosen Paul and those in Christ. He love us and offers true contentment, joy and restfulness, especially through sanctifying situations.
Turning From Darkness to Light (Acts 25:1-26:32)
Pastor Brent continues concluding his Acts series, “To the Ends of the Earth.” In this sermon covering two full chapters, Pastor Brent outlines Festus and Agrippa II (ch. 25) and Paul’s Speech (ch. 26). We find a vast contrast between the holy and humble Apostle Paul and the prideful power of the worldly magistrates. Pastor Brent pays particular attention to the history of the Herods in Israel and the specifics of Paul’s testimony. Formerly a self-justified, strict Pharisee and fanatical persecutor of Christians, Paul was saved and justified by Jesus! Paul articulated a three-fold call of the gospel in ch. 26: Jesus appeared to him (v. 16); He rescued him (v. 17a); and He sent him (v. 17b-18). Christianity isn’t merely a set of ideas. It’s an encounter with the living God! The only proper response? “What would You have me do, Lord? I am yours.”