Mark 5:1-20

This Sunday, we welcomed Chris VanderZee from Intervasity to our pulpit. Chris and I have gotten to know each other over the past few years as we have been working on a partnership between Intervarsity and several churches in our Classis to raise up future leaders for the church at both Grand Valley and Davenport. Chris brings a deep passion for evangelism, discipleship, and young adults. His message will be on Mark 5:1-20.

Preacher: Mr. Chris VanderZee

Sermon begins at 33:58.

Matthew 22:34-40 ~ Love God and Others

This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost! Next week as we enter what is commonly called Ordinary Time, we will be spending the next couple of weeks thinking about how God’s mission for the world has a church. As we think about the role of the church in God’s mission, his deep longing to see people from every tribe, people, and language returning to God in worship, we will be looking at three key teachings from Jesus that inform our role in this mission. Last week, we focused on the Great Commission in Matthew 28, In two weeks, we will focus on the Great Mission of Jesus in Luke 4. And this week, we will be thinking about the Great Commandment to love God and others given in Matthew 22.

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Sermon begins at 58:00.

Matthew 28:16-20 – Go and Tell

This Sunday is the end of the Easter season as the church celebrates Ascension Sunday (the actual Ascension day is Thursday, May 26 this year). As we enter what is commonly called Ordinary Time, we will be spending the next few weeks thinking about how God’s mission for the world has a church. As we think about the role of the church in God’s mission, his deep longing to see people from every tribe, people, and language returning to God in worship, we will be looking at three key teachings from Jesus that inform our role in this mission. The last two weeks of this series we will focus on the Great Commandment and the Great Mission of Jesus, but this week, as we celebrate ascension day, we turn our attention to the great Commission given in Matthew 28.

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Sermon begins at 34:45.

Mark 1:9-11 ~ Questions Christians Avoid: If I am spiritual, why should I care about church?

During the Easter season, we will be considering questions Christians often avoid that many young people as well as people wondering about Christianity frequently want to ask. Some of these topics may be uncomfortable for us as believers as young people often see through the masks and inconsistencies of our lives, but I hope in considering these questions we can humble acknowledge our own weaknesses and point each other to the glory and beauty of our God. This week, we consider why people identify as “spiritual but not religious,” how Christians have impacted their faith, and what it is about church or religious practices that could benefit those who identify as “spiritual but not religious.”

Preacher: Mr. Jeremy Zoet

Sermon begins at 43:15

Psalm 73 ~ Questions Christians Avoid: Can I be a Christian if I doubt?

During the Easter season, we will be considering questions Christians often avoid that many young people as well as people wondering about Christianity frequently want to ask. Some of these topics may be uncomfortable for us as believers as young people often see through the masks and inconsistencies of our lives, but I hope in considering these questions we can humble acknowledge our own weaknesses and point each other to the glory and beauty four God. This week, we consider how we can not only hold onto our faith, but even grow a deeper faith as wrestle with both God and our doubts.

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

Sermon begins at 36:50

Pie in the Face begins at 1:13:02

Matthew 6:1-6, 23:1-12 ~ Questions Christians Avoid: What about hypocrisy in the church?

During the Easter season, we will be considering questions Christians often avoid that many young people as well as people wondering about Christianity frequently want to ask. Some of these topics may be uncomfortable for us as believers as young people often see through the masks and inconsistencies of our lives, but I hope in considering these questions we can humble acknowledge our own weaknesses and point each other to the glory and beauty four God. This week, we consider the painful reality of hypocrisy among our Christians leaders and our own lives.

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

The sermon begins at: 35:50

2 Timothy 3:10-17 ~ Questions Christians Avoid (Week 1)

During the Easter season, we will be considering questions Christians often avoid that many young people as well as people wondering about Christianity frequently want to ask. Some of these topics may be uncomfortable for us as believers as young people often see through the masks and inconsistencies of our lives, but I hope in considering these questions we can humble acknowledge our own weaknesses and point each other to the glory and beauty four God. This week, we consider a less emotionally fraught question, but one that influences so much of how we live as believers: what do we mean when we say the Bible is the inspired word of God? To guide us in these refections, we will be considering 2 Timothy 3:10-17.

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

The sermon begins at: 37:47

Luke 24:1-12 ~ An Easter Reality Check

The deepest love poured out of the greatest sacrifice in history. A love that heals. A love that forgives. A love that welcomes. This Easter we celebrate the reality of Christ’s resurrection!

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

The sermon begins at: 45:15

Luke 19:28-44 ~ Palm Sunday

During Lent we have been looking at the life and ministry of Jesus to see both how he was tested and found true and how we have been given a faith that can both endure and help carry us through every test of life. This Sunday, we join the disciples as they enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Hearing their story, we will encounter the hope of the disciples, the worry of the pharisees, and the grief of Jesus. Each invites to give more of ourselves to Jesus and deepen our hope in the gospel of grace.

Preacher: Rev. Greg Brower

The sermon begins at 1:04:35

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 ~ Tested Faith: The Parable of the Lost Son

During Lent we will be looking at the life and ministry of Jesus to see both how he was tested and found true and how we have been given a faith that can both endure and help carry us through every test of life. This Sunday, we consider The Parable of the Lost Son, often referred to as The Parable of the Prodigal Son. As we look at this story, we contemplate which characters we relate to most, and what we can learn about who God is and who we are from these characters and their story.

Mr. Jeremy Zoet

Sermon starts at 46:25