Recent
Sermons
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: Explain
Guest Speaker Klayton Korver 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 18:18-28. See sermon notes and resources linked below.
Sermon begins at about 31 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: 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: Reason with Them
Ali Cranmer 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 17:16-34 (Paul in Athens), and how we are called to move idols out of our life and give our attention to Jesus. 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 Shelly Braley. 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:
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: Worshipfully
Aubrey Schneider 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 16:16-40 (Paul & Silas in Prison), and how we are called to go to Worshipfully as we encounter the world. 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 Jonah and Liv and their FCA Worship Night. You can see this interview here.
sermon begins at about 28 minutes.
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Paul & Silas were most likely in pain, hungry, tired, and simply exhausted. And at midnight, in prison, they chose to pray and worship the Lord.
What if the miracle of this account wasn't the earthquake, but the fact that the jailer and his entire family came to know and accept Jesus?
When we follow the nudge, we live in the F.O.G. (favor of God). And living in God's favor won't prevent bad things from happening in our lives, but supernaturally, we're able to experience the JOY of the Lord in the midst of hard things.
If you're worried about your ability to share the gospel, keep in mind that the Lord is the one who prepares and opens people's hearts. He saves, we don't. We can just be open to however he may need to use us to speak to someone.
80 some percent of unchurched people are open to the fact that God is real, they just need someone to tell them about him. And of those 80%, most have at least one Christian that they deeply trust.
"Every day, everyone one step closer to Jesus" ~Barry Meguiar
Scripture References:
Other Links and References:
Interview with Pastor Jack Hibbs of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California with Barry Meguiar:
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: Places
Matt Van Sant 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 16:11-15 (Lydia in Philippi), and how we are called to go to PLACES that need Jesus.
During the sermon, Matt asks everyone to take a moment to discuss their favorite movies that they recommend to others.
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with Isaac Short and Justin Kingrey. You can see her interview here.
sermon begins at about 25 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:
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.)
Let’s Go: Strengthen
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins 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 from Acts 15:36 - 16:5 (Paul, Silas, Timothy), and how we are called to go and STRENGTHEN others.
This sermon series also highlights people who are going in our own communities. This week’s interview was with Michael and Jacque Moats. You can see their interview here.
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.
Things To Remember:
In Acts disciples of Jesus go to places share the gospel
Acts 11:19-30
Nameless disciples go share the gospel in Antioch and a great number of people believe and turn to the Lord.
When Jerusalem church leaders hear about Antioch they send Barnabbas to go to Antioch where he encourages the disciples to remain true to the Lord with all their heart.
Then Barnabas decides to go get Saul in Tarsus and Saul decides to go back to Antioch with him where strengthens a great number of believers by teaching God's Word.
Acts 13:1-3
The leaders are gathering in God's Presence through worship, prayer and fasting when they receive a message to set apart Saul and Barnabbas to go spread the gospel.
Acts 14:21-22
Saul and Barnabbas go to Cryprus and Galatia sharing the good news, then they go back to those places where they have founded "strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith.
Acts 15:30-35
The Jerusalem sends Judas and Silas to go to Antioch with an encouraging message for Gentile believers.
Through prophecy Judas a Silas encourage and strengthen the believers.
Then are sent to go back to Jerusalem with the blessing of peace from the Antioch church.
Acts 15:36-41
Paul and Silas decide to go back through Syria and Cilicia to Galatia strengthening the churches.
Acts 16:1-5
Paul and Silas go through Galatia taking Timothy with them and "the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers."
Encourage = Parakaleo (used over 100 times in the New Testament)
Para = come to the side of, come close to
Kaleo = to call
Parakaleo -> translated as: encourage, comfort, console, exhort, beg, urge, plead, appeal
(with a stronger force than normal: urge)
Parakaleo — Parakletos
Parakaletos is the word used by Jesus to describe the Holy Spirit in John 14 and 16 (translated Advocate or Helper or Comforter or Counselor)
Summary:
Let’s Go…
…strengthen and encourage others…
…in their faith in Jesus with Holy Spirit’s help!
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
Kingdom Hospitality: Jayson Henry
Teaching Elder Jayson Henry finishes up the Kingdom Hospitality series at Celebrate Church.
Sermon begins at about 45 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 Sermon Notes and References:
Kingdom Hospitality: Pentecost
Aubrey Schneider dives into the Kingdom Hospitality series. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, and the day of Pentecost. Aubrey shares about how Jesus gave the disciples peace, purpose, and power.
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.
Kingdom Hospitality: The Good Samaritan
Pastor Andrew dives into the Kingdom Hospitality series. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, as teaches the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37
Sermon begins at about 31 Minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
This week we learn about receiving and giving hospitality from Jesus (the LORD of hosts) through the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37).
There are two things that help us better understand the points Jesus was making with this story.
First, the story is framed by a conversation Jesus has with an expert in the law. Two times the lawyer as Jesus a question. Each time responds to the question with a question and then gives his answer after the lawyer answers.
Lawyer Q1: “...what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Jesus Q2: “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
Lawyer A2: “Love the Lord your God and your neighbor”
Jesus A1: “Do this and you will live”
Lawyer Q3: “And who is my neighbor?”
Jesus Q4: “Which of the three was a neighbor?”
Lawyer A4: “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus A3: “Go and do likewise”
Kingdom Hospitality: You become a neighbor to others
The lawyers question is about what qualities in other determine who he has to love as a neighbor. Jesus' response through the use of the Good Samaritan story is that he should focus on the qualities/actions of himself to become a neighbor to others.
Second, there is a pattern in the story of seven scenes that compares and contrasts the characters in the story and provides the main point through the climax in the middle.
1. (Robbers) Injure/Steal Money
2. (Priest) Sees & does nothing
3. (Levite) Sees & does nothing
4. (Samaritan) Sees & takes pity
5. (Samaritan) Treats Wounds
6. (Samaritan) Transports
7. (Samaritan) Cares/Gives Money
Kingdom Hospitality: Does Something
The contrasts show that
1) A Samaritan (the outsider who the lawyer would never consider a neighbor), becomes a neighbor through loving actions
2) Becoming a neighbor occurs through seeing and doing something out of compassion.
Reflections Questions:
When is the last time you have done something for a neighbor?
When is the last time you have become a neighbor to someone?
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
Many of these insights were gained through the book Jesus through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey
Kingdom Hospitality: The Banquet
Pastor Andrew dives into the Kingdom Hospitality series. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, as teaches the parable of the banquet in Luke 14.
Sermon begins at about 50 Minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Kingdom Hospitality in review - some things we have learned from the LORD of hosts about giving and receiving hospitality.
Kingdom Hospitality: Jesus receives hospitality
Kingdom Hospitality: Jesus receives outsiders
Kingdom Hospitality: focus on listening not anxiety
Kingdom Hospitality: focus on loving not analyzing
Kingdom Hospitality: welcomes people even when inconvenients (speaks to people)
Kingdom Hospitality: gives thanks for what we have to offer
Kingdom Hospitality: asks God to bless what we have to offer
Kingdom Hospitality: intentionally and directly, gently & humbly enters other people’s stories
Kingdom Hospitality: isn’t just for people we are comfortable with
In the midst of a conversation about who will share in the messianic banquet in the coming age Jesus tells a story (Luke 14:16-23).
The host of the banquet prepares everything and says to the many who are invited "Come for everything is now ready." (Luke 14:16-17)
In the same we are invited into God's kingdom or in another way of life (filled with God) and it has all been paid for by Jesus.
Kingdom Hospitality: costs us nothing
But in the story those invited make excuses based on possessions, work, & relationships (Luke 14:18-20).
In the same way, it is easy for these things to take priority over God and prevent us from receiving the invitation into the life God offers us.
The host extends the invitation to many outsiders and the story ends with the listener being invited to consider whether they are accepting the invitation of the life God offers (Luke 14:24).
Jesus goes on to say that to be his disciple we must give him top priority and not let other things or relationships compete (Luke 14:25-34)
Kingdom Hospitality: costs us everything
We are invited to receive the life God offers. The question is do we want it? Will we prioritize God in a way to receive what he offers.
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
Kingdom Hospitality: W.A.I.T. : What Am I Thinking?
Pastoral Care Pastor Judd Nelson teaches in the Kingdom Hospitality series. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, as He teaches about the banquet in Luke 14. During this message, Judd invites the congregation to write “WAIT” on their hand, an acronym for “What Am I Thinking”. This is to encourage us to think about how we think about others, and who we are inviting into our hospitality.
Sermon begins at about 22 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 Sermon Notes and References:
Kingdom Hospitality: Woman At The Well
Director of Hospitality Ali Cranmer teaches in the Kingdom Hospitality series. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, as He interacts with the woman at the well. During this message, Ali uses a video from The Chosen to help teach the message. Scroll down to watch that video (it is muted during the sermon broadcast).
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:
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
To watch The Chosen on your phone or smart tv for free, visit this link for info on how to download.
Ali uses this video from The Chosen in her sermon.
Kingdom Hospitality: Jesus Feeds the 5000
Pastor Andrew dives into the Kingdom Hospitality series. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, as He feeds the 5000.
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.
Things To Remember:
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
Kingdom Hospitality: Focus on Loving Not Analyzing
Pastor Andrew dives into the Kingdom Hospitality series. This week our focus is on loving, not analyzing. We learn from the Lord of Hosts, Jesus, as He encounters Mary and Martha, and as he interacts with a Pharisee named Simon as a woman washes His feet with her tears.
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:
Romans 12:9 &13 "Be Devoted to One Another" & "Practice Hospitality"
Giving and Receiving Hospitality in Jesus’ Name: Learning from the LORD of HOSTS
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus receives hospitality
Jesus receives outsiders (those often overlooked or excluded)
Kingdom Hospitality: focus on listening not anxiety
Luke 7:36-50
Jesus receives hospitality
Jesus receives outsiders (those often overlooked or excluded)
Jesus receives 'insiders' (even when they don't see clearly)
Kingdom Hospitality: focus on loving not analyzing
Let's Practice Hospitality with another so that we show it better to others
Kingdom Hospitality: focus on Jesus
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
Easter Sunday 2023
Pastor Andrew preaches an Easter Sunday message over John 21:1-22, challenging us to think about Jesus’ question to Peter, “Do you love me?”. This series begins a new sermon series, “Kingdom Hospitality”, which we will dive into fully next week.
Sermon begins at about 22 Minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
For notes on this Sunday’s message, please email jennie@celebratechurch.com
Scripture References:
Other Sermon Notes and References:
Brokenness And Suffering: Innocence Protected
Pastor Andrew continues the sermon series titled “Brokenness and Suffering”. In this series, Andrew focuses on how Jesus suffered for us. He then addresses an aspect of human sexuality, and the suffering and brokenness that comes with sexual immorality. See the notes below for more.
Sermon begins at about 18 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
For notes on this Sunday’s message, please email jennie@celebratechurch.com