Recent
Sermons
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: “God’s Messenger”
Pastor Marty Schmidt joins us from The Bridge Church in Ottumwa. 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 “God’s Messenger”, which covers the story of Jonah. Marty 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 42 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: “The Warrior Leader”
Matt Van Sant 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 Warrior Leader”, which covers the story of Joshua at Jericho. Matt 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 35 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: “God to the Rescue”
Ali Cranmer 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 “God to the Rescue”, which covers the story of Moses and the plagues of Egypt. Ali 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 30 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: “The Forgiving Prince”
Ali Cranmer 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 Forgiving Prince”, which covers the story of Joseph. Ali 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 23 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: “The Girl No One Wanted”
Aubrey Schneider 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 Girl No One Wanted”, which covers the story of Leah. Aubrey teaches on this story and shows us how we can see Jesus’ life within it. She focuses on how it feels to be “set aside”, and encourages us to see our situation differently. 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
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Scripture References:
Genesis 29:14-35
John 1:11
Luke 19:14
Matthew 27:21
Isaiah 53:3
Additional Resource: Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst
Quotes (both from Uninvited):
“Rejection isn't just an emotional feeling. It's a message that alters what you believe about yourself.”
“You aren't set aside, you're set apart”
Questions to consider:
Is God good?
Is God good to me?
Do I trust God to be God?
Things to Remember:
Jesus understood Leah's pain. He felt all of these same things when he walked the earth: being set aside, replaced, and rejected. He knows our pain and he loves us more than anyone else in the world ever could.
When Leah turned her attention to the Lord and looked to him for her identity and purpose, he blessed her immensely. What started as a painful situation for Leah led to two beautiful Old Testament institutions: {through Levi} the Levitical Priesthood (Moses & Aaron) and {through Judah} the Monarchy, King Jesus.
October is Pastor Appreciation Month. Would you consider gifting our pastors with your prayers? Cover them daily. Pray for their marriages and their kids.
Other Links and References:
Learn more about The Jesus Storybook Bible
Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible
Jesus Story: “The Present”
Pastor Judd Nelson 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 Present”, which covers the story of Abraham and Isaac. Judd teaches on this story and shows us how we can see Jesus’ life in the story. As the Jesus Storybook Bible says, “every story whispers His name”, even from the very first book of the Bible.
Sermon begins at about 19 minutes
Audio:
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Things To Remember:
Other Links and References:
Learn more about The Jesus Storybook Bible
Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible
Jesus Story: “A New Beginning”
Pastor Judd Nelson 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 “A New Beginning”, which covers the story of Noah and the Flood. Judd teaches on this story and shows us how we can see Jesus’ life in the story of the Ark. As the Jesus Storybook Bible says, “every story whispers His name”, even from the very first book of the Bible.
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.
Things To Remember:
Other Links and References:
Learn more about The Jesus Storybook Bible
Purchase The Jesus Storybook Bible
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: Comfort
Pastor Judd Nelson 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 20:13-24 (raising of Eutychus) . See sermon notes and resources linked below.
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: 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: 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.)