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.”
Paul's Trial Before Felix (Acts 24:1-27)
For January 2025, Pastor Brent returns to conclude his 2024 sermon series on The Book of Acts, “To the Ends of the Earth.” Acts 24 consists of two sections: 1) The Trial (vv. 1-9); and 2) Integrity, Hope, Opportunity (vv. 10-27). Like the Apostle Paul in Caesarea around A.D. 57 and Martin Luther before the Diet of Worms in 1521, every generation of Christians will be put on trial for our faith in unique ways. Pastor Brent admonishes and encourages us to live with integrity, live for Jesus, and respond with confidence. The verdict of our lives has already been declared—we are righteous, innocent, beloved, and forgiven in Christ!
Teach Us to Number Our Days (Psalm 90:1-17)
As calendar years change, Director of Discipleship Paul Arneberg marks the milestone by reflecting on the brevity of life and the need for the Lord’s mercy and eternal work in and through our lives. Before launching into Psalm 90, he opens with illustrations of numbering the days of his beloved cat and the devastating experience of losing a parent to death in childhood. Paul outlines this sobering yet hope-filled psalm—“A Prayer of Moses, the man of God”— as follows: God is Eternally Praiseworthy (vv. 1-2); We are Lamentably Lost Under God’s Wrath with Numbered Days (vv. 3-12); and We are to Pray for Wisdom, Compassion and the Lord’s Favor that Our Work and Lives Be Established Forever with Him (vv. 13-17). The gospel of Jesus is the answer for turning our temporal lives into eternal LIFE! “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.” —C.T. Studd
Promise Fulfilled in Christ (Revelation 5:1-14)
Pastor Brent wraps up our 15-week sermon series “The Promises of God” by examining the awesome text of Revelation 5: History Has a Problem (vv. 1-4); History Has a Savior! (vv. 5-10); and History Has One Object of Worship (vv. 11-14). Everything points to Jesus! The only proper response is worship. Christ has conquered; sin is defeated; our future is secure in Christ!
Promise Received By Faith (Romans 4:1-25)
In his penultimate sermon in his fall series “The Promises of God,” Pastor Brent turns to Romans 4 in a study of faith vs. works and gospel transformation. We learn that faith wasn’t invented in the New Testament! Case in point: Abraham. Pastor Brent cautions against a reductionist view of either the OT or the NT. Receiving God’s promise means we can only be made righteous by grace through faith. Trying to produce righteousness on our own results only in anger (not joy), disdain (not love), grudges (not forgiveness), bitterness (not graciousness), despair (not hope), and the list goes on. We can never be enough. JESUS IS.
Promise Arrives in Christ (Matthew 1:1-25)
Pastor Brent shifts to the New Testament in “The Promises of God" sermon series through the inaugural N.T. chapter, Matthew 1. This genealogy-dominant passage covers the 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus, including several negative, sinful, and shameful aspects of Israel’s history. The problem? We are NOT able to save ourselves! The solution? “Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21b, NIV). Pastor Brent structures his message by outlining God’s Plan (vv. 1-17); God’s Solution (vv. 18-21); and God’s Presence (vv. 22-25). Jesus is the promised Seed through Abraham, the promised King through David, and He will gather His people in exile due to our sins!
Promise of a New Shepherd (Ezekiel 34:1-16)
Pastor Brent helps to usher in Advent 2024 through “The Promises of God" as seen in Ezekiel 34. This passage is an invitation to know God in a deeper way—a window into the very heart of God. With examples from Joseph in Genesis 46, David in Psalm 23, and Jesus in John 10, Pastor Brent covers “Why Shepherding?” (Ezek. 34:1-6) and “Judgment and Fulfillment in Christ” (Ezek. 34:7-16). Shepherding helps us understand the nearness and tenderness of God and shows His self-giving love, care, and protection.
Promise of Judgment and Vindication (Daniel 7:1-28)
Pastor Brent is back for this pre-Advent message from Daniel 7 in our fall sermon series “The Promises of God.” The theme of the Book of Daniel could be summarized as follows: “Despite present appearances, God is in control.” In this apocalyptic chapter, Pastor Brent outlines the Churning of Nations (vv. 1-7); Sovereign Authority and Saving Power of God (vv. 8-14); and Hope in the Son of Man (vv. 15-28). Keys to remember: 1) we live in the overlap of the ages: the “already” and the “not yet”; 2) there will be judgment on evil, and the people of God will be vindicated when the Messiah returns!