Recent
Sermons
Fear of the Lord: Week 3
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series called “The Fear of the Lord”, which is part of our theme for this year, “Year of the Lord”. Andrew used different scripture in each sermon. The first sermon can be watched as video below. The second can be listened to below or on our podcast. NOTE: We had an issue with our audio during our livestream on Sunday. We are currently uploading the videos of both of these services and will post the video links as soon as they are ready. In the meantime, both sermons can be listened to as audio only below. We will update as soon as possible!
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Fear of the Lord: Week 2
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series called “The Fear of the Lord”, which is part of our theme for this year, “Year of the Lord”. Andrew used different scripture in each sermon. The first sermon can be watched as video below. The second can be listened to below or on our podcast.
Sermon begins at about 25 minutes. This sermon is from our 9am service.
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Fear of the Lord: Week 1
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins a sermon series called “The Fear of the Lord”, which is part of our theme for this year, “Year of the Lord”. Andrew used different scripture in each sermon. The first sermon can be watched as video below. The second can be listened to below or on our podcast.
Sermon begins at about 21 minutes. This sermon is from our 9am service.
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Epiphany
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins 2024 with a sermon focusing on Epiphany. On this day we are called to remember that Jesus came for ALL people.
Sermon begins at about 24 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Scriptures:
Things To Remember:
Year of the Lord
Pastor Andrew Schmidt finishes 2023 with a sermon that calls us to look toward 2024 in such a way that makes Jesus Lord of our life. What does Lord mean to us today? What does it mean to call Jesus Lord? He covers this in this message!
Sermon begins at about 24 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Get Ready for Relating Well
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues our Advent 2023 series “Get Ready!”. This series focuses on the life and ministry of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. This week we focus on what it means to prepare the way for the Lord (GET READY!) by lovingly relating to others while also doing the right thing in a gracious way. We are encouraged to ask ourselves: How am I responding to the messengers God is sending me? How am I responding to the reality that He wants me to be His messenger?
Sermon begins at about 24 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Scriptures:
Things To Remember:
Action Steps
Get ready (what does that mean for you personally)Get ready to share teh good news with others
Get ready by owning your decisions before the Lord and being gentle with others
Would you like to be baptized?
Get Ready for the Holy Spirit!
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins our Advent 2023 series “Get Ready!”. This series focuses on the life and ministry of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. This week we focus on what it means to prepare the way for the Lord (GET READY!) by being baptized, and the joy that comes with being immersed in the Holy Spirit. We are encouraged to consider how we can get ready in a personal way, by sharing the Good News, by being baptized/professing our faith and asking the Holy Spirit to fill us.
Sermon begins at about 23 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Get Ready for Fire!
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins our Advent 2023 series “Get Ready!”. This series focuses on the life and ministry of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. This week we focus on what it means to prepare the way for the Lord (GET READY!), and the hope of good news that God’s salvation is available to all. Repeated themes this week include calls to repentance and the peace that comes through the message of fire. We are encouraged to consider how we can get ready in a personal way, get ready to share the good news, and to get ready by fasting during Advent.
Sermon begins at about 35 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Get Ready!
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins our Advent 2023 series “Get Ready!”. This series focuses on the life and ministry of John the Baptist and his role in preparing the way for Jesus. This week we focus on what it means to prepare the way for the Lord (GET READY!), and the hope of good news that God’s salvation is available to all. We are encouraged to consider how we can get ready in a personal way, get ready to share the good news, and to get ready by fasting during Advent.
Sermon begins at about 20 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Jesus Story: Daniel and the Scary Sleepover
Pastor Andrew Schmidt is back from sabbatical! He continues the sermon series called, “Jesus Story”. This series will take us through scripture with the help of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This children’s Bible tells the Story in a beautiful way for both children and adults. This week we read the story “Daniel and the Scary Sleepover” which covers the story of Daniel. Andrew teaches on this story and shows us how we can see Jesus’ life within it. As the Jesus Storybook Bible says, “every story whispers His name”, even from the very first book of the Bible.
Sermon begins at about 20 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Jesus Story: The Teeny, Weenie, True King
Pastor Andrew Schmidt is back from sabbatical! He continues the sermon series called, “Jesus Story”. This series will take us through scripture with the help of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This children’s Bible tells the Story in a beautiful way for both children and adults. This week we read the story “The Teenie, Weenie, True King” which covers the story of David. Andrew teaches on this story and shows us how we can see Jesus’ life within it. As the Jesus Storybook Bible says, “every story whispers His name”, even from the very first book of the Bible.
Sermon begins at about 20 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Jesus Story: “A Terrible Lie”
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins a sermon series called, “Jesus Story”. This series will take us through scripture with the help of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This children’s Bible tells the Story in a beautiful way for both children and adults. This week we read the story “A Terrible Lie”, which covers the story of the Fall found in Genesis. Andrew uses this story to teach on the story of the Fall and the impact it had on both God’s children and creation itself. Ultimately this shows us how, as the Jesus Storybook Bible says, “every story whispers His name”, even from the very first book of the Bible.
Sermon begins at about 40 minutes (we had Baptisms this morning before the Sermon)
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
God created everything good in the beginning (Genesis chapter 1)
He gave Adam and Eve a command to eat from any trees in the garden except just one.
Humans are still tempted today the same way Eve (and Adam) were in the garden:
To not trust God's word (Genesis 3:1)
To think of God as more strict than He really is (compare Genesis 2:15-17 with 3:2-3)
To believe that God is holding back on us, that we will miss out on something if we trust and obey him (Genesis 3:4-6)
To hide in shame and/or blame others when we are in the wrong. (Genesis 3:7, 12-13)
To hide from God or act as if He isn't there, even though that's not possible. (Genesis 3:7-10)
The result is that humanity is cursed:
with pain and in our relationships (Genesis 3:16)
in our work & in nature itself(Genesis 3:17-19)
and ultimately in death (Genesis 3:19)
But God didn't leave things that way:
Something had to die in humanity's place as a temporary covering (Genesis 3:21)
Jesus died in our place as covering for what we did wrong in a way that defeats evil. (Genesis 3:15, Galatians 3:13)
Not to all who receive him and call upon his name he gives the right to become children of God. (John 1:12)
The whole creation is eagerly awaiting revelation of the children of God when Christ returns. (Romans 8:19-21)
Until then the birth pains of creation are increasing. (Genesis 8:22)
We can see this in the statistics of natural disasters.
And we should be ready for what is to come by receiving Jesus and following Him. (Luke 21:10-11, 25-28, 34-36)
Other Links and References:
Learn more about The Jesus Storybook Bible
Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Jesus Story: The Beginning: A Perfect Home
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins a sermon series called, “Jesus Story”. This series will take us through scripture with the help of The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones. This children’s Bible tells the Story in a beautiful way for both children and adults. This week we read the story “The Beginning: A Perfect Home”, which covers the story of creation found in Genesis. Andrew uses this story to teach on the Creation story and shows us how, as the Jesus Storybook Bible says, “every story whispers His name”, even from the very first book of the Bible.
Sermon begins at about 30 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
“There are lots of stories in the Bible, but all the stories are telling one Big Story. The Story of how God loves his children and comes to rescue them.” ~The Jesus Story Bible
“It takes the whole Bible to tell this Story. And at the center of the Story, there is a baby. Every Story in the Bible whispers his name. He is like the missing pieces in a puzzle - the piece that makes all the other pieces fit together, and suddenly you can see a beautiful picture.” ~The Story Bible
Genesis 1:1-25 there is repetition and pattern:
"And God said...and it was so."
"And God saw that is was good"
Day 1 Light
Day 4 Sun, Moon, & Stars
Day 2 Waters & Sky
Day 5 Fish & Birds
Day 3 Dry Land
Day 6 Animals & Humans
Genesis 1:26-30 (uniqueness of humans)
Genesis 1:31-2:3 (It is finished)
John 1:1-3 (In the beginning, Creation)
John 1:4-17 a pattern like Genesis 1
Part 1 The Word & light (Genesis/creation)
Part 4 The Word & glory (Exodus/tabernacle)
Part 2 John testifies
Part 5 John’s testimony
Part 3 Receiving Him? (become children)
Part 6 We receive Him (grace upon grace)
literal Greek ends without a finish "has made known..."
John 19:30 Jesus on the cross says "It is finished"
Jesus brings new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15)
To all who receive Jesus he gives the right to be called children of God and part of his new creation.
Other Links and References:
The Bible Project Podcast Episode 273: In the Beginning John 1
Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher Watkins: Chapter 2: Creation
Learn more about The Jesus Storybook Bible
Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible
Let’s Go: Be Shepherds
Pastor Andrew Schmidt concludes our sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message is: LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Acts 20:25-38 (Instructions to elders) . See sermon notes and resources linked below.
Sermon begins at about 27 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Maps
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE.
(You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)
Let’s Go: Encourage
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues our sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message is: LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Acts 19:23-20:3 (riot & aftermath). See sermon notes and resources linked below.
During this series, Andrew also highlights Baptism.
Sermon begins at about 21 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Maps
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE.
(You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)
Let’s Go: Drive out Evil
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues our sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message is: LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Let’s Go: Drive out Evil Acts 19:13-22 (responses to idolatry). See sermon notes and resources linked below.
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with representatives of the Abaco Team. You can see this interview here.
Sermon begins at about 20 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Paul continued to go in the name of Jesus to bring the name of Jesus (Acts 19-20).
As he did he had a wide variety of traveling companions who also were intentionally going in the name of Jesus.
There was pressure (economic, cultural, communal, spiritual, to reputations) in Ephesus to not put Jesus first (Acts 19:24-28). Having others around was good for Paul to make a wise decision in the midst of pressure.
Paul went from place to place and he "encouraged" people in their faith (Acts 20:1-3). He is able to encourage because he had people with him to encourage him.
We need to travel in life with people who help us intentionally keep the Lord our top priority.
This will help us deal with the pressure of life that can beat us down and cause us to look to others things more than the Lord.
This will also help us encourage others in their faith, because are with people who will encourage us in ours.
Let’s Go…
…with others who are contagious with Jesus…
…to resist pressure & encourage people in their faith.
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Maps
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE.
(You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)
Let’s Go: Supernaturally
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues our sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message is: LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Let’s Go: Supernaturally Acts 19:1-12 (Holy Spirit power). See sermon notes and resources linked below.
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with the Judd Nelson and Jamie Ball. You can see this interview here.
Sermon begins at about 32 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Paul stayed in Ephesus for two years so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord (Acts 19:10) AND the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power (Acts 19:20).
How was the word of the Lord heard by all in a region?
How did the word of the Lord spread widely and grow in power?
Paul and other followers committed to gathering daily (even at the most inconvenient time) to hear from and grow in Jesus.
To grow in spiritual power and authority we make our goal to know Jesus personally (Acts 19:15) and to hold Jesus' name in high regard (Acts 19:17).
The goal of evil powers is to prevent us from doing the above two things. But Paul and his companions did them. As a result the world of the Lord was heard by all, spread widely and grew in power.
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Maps
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE.
(You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)
Let’s Go: Stay in the City
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues our sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message is: LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Acts 18:1-17 (Paul in Corinth). See sermon notes and resources linked below.
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with the Fopma family. You can see this interview here.
This video is the sermon only. It was uploaded later due to a sound issue in our livestream. To see the full service, go here.
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Maps
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE.
(You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)
Let’s Go: Eagerly Examine
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues our sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message is: LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Acts 17:1-15 (Thess/Bereans & Scripture), and how we are called to eagerly examine God’s word. See sermon notes and resources linked below.
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with the Bender family. You can see this interview here.
sermon begins at about 29 minutes.
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Paul and Silas continue to go through Macedonia to proclaim the gospel. Traveling about 95 miles from Philippi to Thessalonica and then about 35 miles from Thessalonica to Berea.
The time of ministry is meant to be compared. In both Thessalonica (vs. 4) and Berea (vs. 12) many Greeks and quite a few prominent women were persuaded by Paul's message and believed. But only some of the Thessalonian Jews were persuaded compared to the many Berean Jews who believed.
Acts 17:11 clearly and explicitly contrasts the character and actions of the Berean Jews from those of the Thessalonian Jews (which can be seen in more detail from the previous verses).
Thessalonian Jews
Jealous
Rejected Jesus as Messiah
Appeal to human authority
Scripture once a week
Someone else teaching
Berean Jews
Noble (well-pleased)
Received Jesus as Messiah
Appealed to Scripture as authority
Scripture every day
Examining for themselves
Which list above is more true of you?
Let's Go...
examine the Scriptures...
...and eagerly receive Jesus.
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Maps
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE.
(You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)
Let’s Go: Help
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a new sermon series at Celebrate called “Let’s Go”. This series is based on the book of Acts. The message will be LET'S GO strengthen and encourage people! This week’s focus is Acts 16:6 -10 (Vision from Macedonia), and how we are called to go and HELP others.
During the sermon, we watched a video that was brought to us by our Ukrainian brothers and sisters. It detailed how Celebrate’s support has impacted the refugees in Ukraine. We were all moved and grateful to see this video!
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with Jackie McLain. You can see her interview here.
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
The books of Acts has stories of believers going to spread the word of good news about Jesus.
Acts 16:6-10 shows Paul and his companions going from place to place with the same aim.
Maps can help us see the extent to which Paul and companions were willing to go for the sake of the gospel.
Acts 16:9 indicates that they were going to help.
They tried to do this in Asia and Bithynia, but were prevented from doing so. The concluded after seeing a vision that they were being called by God to Macedonia.
There are many ways we can "go help where God has called us".
In this passage the specific way they did this was to preach the gospel.
The phrase "preach the gospel" is one word in Greek; the same where from which we get "evangelize".
Evangelize = bring glad tidings, share good news
When we are excited about something we look forward to communicating it with others.
So in summary this passage is saying:
Let's Go...
...help and evangelize...
where God has called us!
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Find Jennie’s Google Maps Presentation of Paul’s 2nd Missionary Journey HERE. (You may have to be logged into your Google Maps account to see it.)