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 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!

Promise of a New Heart (Ezekiel 36:22-32)

Mark Revell is back stateside from his missions work in Hungary to train new missionaries through his role as EFCA ReachGlobal Director of Training and Development. Mark prefaces his sermon with an overview of major prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. In this beloved passage from Ezekiel 36, Mark outlines “WHAT will God do?” (vv. 23-30); “WHY will God do it?” (vv. 22-23, 31); and “For WHOSE SAKE will He do it?” (vv. 22-23, 32). Mark bookends his sermon with an illustration of a toddler with a temper tantrum and our parallel need for a new heart through the gospel.

Promise of a New People (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

Director of Discipleship Paul Arneberg continues our Promises of God sermon series with a key passage given through the Prophet Jeremiah. The Mosaic Covenant (handed down through Moses at Mount Sinai) was only temporary; it was fulfilled in Christ when he inaugurated the New Covenant in His blood through His life, death, and resurrection. Paul opens with the example of Martin Luther rediscovering God’s salvation by grace through faith (and therefore being a fruit of the New Covenant) and closes with a call to renewal by trusting in God’s promises and God’s sanctifying work for all who believe. Major supporting texts include Heb. 8:6-13 and 10:1-18.

Promise of a New King (Isaiah 11:1-16)

Having laid the foundation for the Promises of God series from the curse through King David, Pastor Brent shifts to God’s promises through the prophets. Taking a messianic chapter from his favorite book of the Bible, Isaiah, Pastor Brent lays out Jesus’ upward and outward qualities in “Who is the King?” (vv. 1-5); the reversal of the curse in “What Does This King Achieve?” (vv. 6-9); and the New Exodus in “Who is Invited to the Kingdom?” (vv. 10-16). King Jesus is our Banner for the nations! We see His heart through the cross; we can know the Hope-Giver; and we can trust in His sovereign plan.

Promise to David (2 Samuel 7:1-17)

By way of background, Pastor Brent walks us through King David’s character, virtues and accomplishments as outlined in 1 Samuel, culminating with his concern for right worship in 2 Samuel 6-7. David proposed to build a house (temple) for God, but God revealed that He would make a house (dynasty) out of David! In 2 Sam. 7:8-11, God used the word “I” six times, indicating that the kingdom will be under God’s control, established by His power, and filled with His presence by His sovereign will alone. Pastor Brent then recounts the prophetic history and prophetic future of God using the tribe of Judah and the line of David to usher in His kingdom. He ends as David did in 2 Sam. 7:18-29, by calling our congregation to pray. “Let’s go to the throne together.”

Promise to Joshua (Joshua 1:1-18)

As we read the Bible, we need to keep in mind the concentric circles of context: 1) the biblical text/passage; 2) the Bible book in which it is written; 3) the whole canon of Scripture; and 4) the entirety of redemptive history. God’s people have to live under His rule in an actual kingdom. This sermon in Pastor Brent’s “Promises of God” series features land and rest for Israel under Joshua (which means “The LORD saves,” aka “Yeshua,” Hebrew for “Jesus”!). As Joshua was a type of Christ in both name and role, Pastor Brent unfolds God’s presence, rule, and rest by comparing Jesus’ 1st Coming and 2nd Coming. We currently live in “the overlap of the ages,” longing for God’s eternal rest made possible by Jesus, our Savior.

Promise and the Law (Deuteronomy 6:1-25)

Pastor Brent began by repeating the theme of this sermon series on The Promises of God: “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule in God’s holy and loving presence.” After an opening illustration about President George Washington’s Farewell Address in 1796, Pastor Brent used Moses’ Farewell Address in Deut. 6 to reveal the purpose of the law. The law was both functional and redemptive, designed to point us to Christ. Secured by Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, Christians obey God out of love and freedom rather than out of fear and slavery.

Promise to Moses (Exodus 5:22-6:8)

Pastor Brent’s opening illustration is that the Bible is like a historical, theological musical: God used particular people, places and events in order to show us what it means to be saved. God is both a promise-maker and a promise-keeper. In this passage centered on Moses, God reveals His name (Ex. 5:22-6:5) and His role as our Redeemer (Ex. 6:6-6:8). God cares more about our character and our growing Christ-likeness than He cares about our comfort. Pastor Brent also notes the many parallels between the Exodus from Egypt and Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection as the Perfect Israel. Jesus is the I AM—the fulfiller of all of God’s promises!

Promise to Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:1-21)

Part 3 in Pastor Brent’s sermon series “The Promises of God,” today’s featured historical person is Abraham, the man of faith (Gal. 3:9). After opening quotes from theologians Dr. Kevin Vanhoozer (b. 1957) and Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945), Pastor Brent contrasts the sinful striving for security, blessing and identity at the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:4) with the LORD’s promise of security, blessing and identity to Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3. The faith of Abraham was sealed in Gen. 15:1-6 when the LORD further revealed His presence and His word.

Promise to Noah (Genesis 9:1-17)

In his second sermon in our fall series on “The Promises of God,” Pastor Brent Kompelien focuses on Noah. Tying together God’s first promise in Genesis 3:15, Pastor Brent highlights aspects of “Un-Creation” in Gen. 3-7 leading to “Re-Creation” in Gen. 8-9. He also focuses on three complementary authorities ordained by God: Government (the power of the sword and bearer of the rule of law), Family (the power of the rod and bearer of loving discipline), and Church (the power of the keys and the bearer of salvation). Through Christ, God is re-making us, and His redeemed will be with Him in the new heavens and the new earth!

Promise Foreshadowed (Genesis 3:15)

Pastor Brent launches our fall sermon series, “The Promises of God.” After outlining The Pattern of the Kingdom (Gen. 1-2) and The Fall (Gen. 3), Pastor Brent focuses on The First Promise (Gen. 3:15). Redemption is not God’s “Plan B,” it is His “Plan A.” According to Dr. Graeme Goldsworthy, God’s promise and fulfillment can be summarized as “God’s people in God’s place under God’s rule in God’s holy and loving presence.” Pastor Brent ended with a plea that our hearts would burn within us as the Scriptures are opened to us (Luke 24:25-27, 32).

Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 11:1-12:3)

Pastor Brent continues his two-part mini-series in Hebrews to set up our longer fall series, “The Promises of God.” Challenging times should draw us nearer to God’s presence, deeper trust in Him, and closer to our church family, putting Satan on notice that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Hebrews 11:1-12:3 highlights an amazing list of people walking by faith throughout history. Pastor Brent preaches on this deeply encouraging passage in three sections: 1) Defending Faith (11:1-2); 2) Vantage Points of Faith (11:3-40); and 3) Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus (12:1-3).

Persevere in Faith (Hebrews 10:19-39)

By the Lord’s leading, Pastor Brent postpones finishing our Acts series until after the new calendar year. Instead, he pauses and addresses the multifaceted spiritual attacks currently being experienced by many throughout our church family. It seems that Satan is on offense right now, so Pastor Brent sets up our upcoming fall series, “The Promises of God,” by preaching a two-part series on faith in Hebrews 10:19-12:3. Challenging times should draw us nearer to God’s presence, deeper trust in Him, and closer to our church family, putting Satan on notice that nothing can separate us from the love of God. This encouraging passage outlines: 1) what faith is (vv. 19-25); 2) what faith is not (vv. 26-31); and 3) what faith produces (vv. 32-39).