I love God, my girlfriend, our families, our friends, our music, our art, and of course posting my and all of my friend’s music on YouTube.

Rick Barrett

James 2:15-16 
 
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 
 
Hebrews 13:1-2 
 
13 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

James 2:15-16

15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

Hebrews 13:1-2

13 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Pastor Roger Biada's sermon based on James 2:15-16 and Hebrews 13:1-2 - 05/19/13

When we live in the light, what we do is pleasing in to God...we do not have to hide anything...we cannot do that apart from love 
 
Ephesians 5:1-2 
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 
 
If we make love the priority in our relationship with our kids...we can begin to do some things that unleash the power of God's love into our relationship with our children 
 
Look at several suggestions from the book and put my own spin or perspective on them 
First thing we can do is to... 
 
Be a modeling parent 
Follow God's example...(Imitate Him) 
John 13:15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. NLT 
Easier said than done...but if love is my top priority...I can begin to sense that there is great power in loving my children 
 
We can't just verbalize stuff to our kids...we have to live it...model it in the flesh 
Don't do as I do...do as I say...never works 
So many parents say one thing...than act in a contrary manner Dad 
 
A parents model will be the most powerful model in your child's life...There is tremendous power in modeling-good or bad 
Paul says to model God 
 
Even if we have not had a good earthly example...our heavenly example is pretty good and Paul tells the Ephesians-imitate your heavenly Father...you will see the power of God in your relationship with your children 
So what should we be modeling...how can we be an example of God to our children 
Lot of things we could model...let me give you three that I think are pretty important 
 
A second thing that we should is... 
Model sacrificial love 
1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 
The ultimate sacrifice is the definition of love 
Literally 100s of verses that speak to God's love for us...here is one 
Romans 5:5 ...God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Literally poured like the Gatorade bucket when a coach wins a championship 
 
If we do not have that buried in our own hearts...as it pours into our hearts...it overflows onto our children...with power 
 
Then when we get a grasp on that, we are able to establish a new pattern of parenting 
Establish a new pattern 
And that new pattern is to actually...walk in the way of love... It's not enough to break a bad pattern...in order to change the way you love, you must find a new pattern 
 
Paul talked in Romans that the world has a pattern...scripture tells us that Jesus Christ also has a pattern 
 
2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 
 
Paul is saying "walk in the way of love"...John says it a little more forcefully...that it is a command to walk in love...but John also tells us that His commands are not burdensome 
 
So we walk towards greater love for our children...and it is easier to do so...it is not a burden...if we quit trying harder to love our kids better...and start trusting Jesus for the strength to do so...to let His pattern dominate our life 
And His pattern is this: 
John 13:34-35 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." 
 
 "To love like Jesus, you need His power in your daily life." Holladays 
the only way to do that is to stay plugged into the same source of power that powered Jesus 
 
Paul says walk in the way of love...how do we do that with power?...Paul tells us...just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us... 
When Jesus was moving ever-closer to the cross...when he was preparing to face His death...time and time again, he withdrew to talk to His Father...to pray and to receive 
Power from His Father 
 
Heb. 5:7 God had the power to save Jesus from death. And while Jesus was on earth, he begged God with loud crying and tears to save him. He truly worshiped God, and God listened to his prayers. CEV 
 
Even Jesus did not try to accomplish His mission on His own power...He knew He needed power from His Father...why would we think we could handle the most important job on the planet without that same power 
 
Great prayer "Jesus, love me through the day...and help me to love my kids as You love me." 
 
Conclusion to put a bow on this 
Be a modeling parent...modeling God's example...model unconditional love, sacrificial love and truth...in order to model successfully have as your foundation, the heart knowledge that God truly loves you...establish a new pattern of walking in the way of love as Jesus walked...and daily plug into the same power that Jesus plugged into when he gave Himself up for you...and you will see the power of God's love transform your relationship with your children...pretty much everyone in your life 
 
Not easy...but oh so worth it...

When we live in the light, what we do is pleasing in to God...we do not have to hide anything...we cannot do that apart from love

Ephesians 5:1-2
Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

If we make love the priority in our relationship with our kids...we can begin to do some things that unleash the power of God's love into our relationship with our children

Look at several suggestions from the book and put my own spin or perspective on them
First thing we can do is to...

Be a modeling parent
Follow God's example...(Imitate Him)
John 13:15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.   NLT
Easier said than done...but if love is my top priority...I can begin to sense that there is great power in loving my children

We can't just verbalize stuff to our kids...we have to live it...mod

Pastor Roger Biada's sermon based on Ephesians 5:1-2 "Live in Love" - 04/14/13

Shea Murrell's part sermon, part testimony may very well be the best sermon and testimony you will ever hear given by one of the youngest persons you will ever hear give a sermon and testimony. 
 
Exodus 3:1-10 
King James Version (KJV) 
 
3 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. 
 
2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. 
 
3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. 
 
4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I. 
 
5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. 
 
6 Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God. 
 
7 And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; 
 
8 And I am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey; unto the place of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 
 
9 Now therefore, behold, the cry of the children of Israel is come unto me: and I have also seen the oppression wherewith the Egyptians oppress them. 
 
10 Come now therefore, and I will send thee unto Pharaoh, that thou mayest bring forth my people the children of Israel out of Egypt.

Shea Murrell's part sermon, part testimony may very well be the best sermon and testimony you will ever hear given by one of the youngest persons you will ever hear give a sermon and testimony.

Exodus 3:1-10
King James Version (KJV)

3 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.

2 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.

4 And when the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

6 Moreover he sai

Shea Murrell's sermon and testimony based on Exodus 3:1-10 - 12/02/12

This weekend's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 12/01/12), based on Matthew 1:18-25, will be "Get a Grip, Not a Gripe". 
 
Matthew 1:18-25 
 
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 
 
23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 
 and they shall call his name Immanuel" 
 
(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.

This weekend's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 12/01/12), based on Matthew 1:18-25, will be "Get a Grip, Not a Gripe".

Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:

23 "Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
    and they shall call his name Immanuel"

(which means, God with us). 24 When Josep

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Matthew 1:18-25 "Get a Grip, Not a Gripe" - 12/01/12

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 08/18/12), based on Nehemiah 8:1-12, will be, "Reveal, Refocus, and Renew". 
 
Nehemiah 8:1-12 
 
When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel. 
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law. 
 
4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah and Meshullam. 
5 Ezra opened the book. All the people could see him because he was standing above them; and as he opened it, the people all stood up. 6 Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 
7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law while the people were standing there. 8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read. 
9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law. 
 
10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." 
11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve." 
12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 08/18/12), based on Nehemiah 8:1-12, will be, "Reveal, Refocus, and Renew".

Nehemiah 8:1-12

When the seventh month came and the Israelites had settled in their towns,1 all the people assembled as one man in the square before the Water Gate. They told Ezra the scribe to bring out the Book of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded for Israel.
2 So on the first day of the seventh month Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, which was made up of men and women and all who were able to understand. 3 He read it aloud from daybreak till noon as he faced the square before the Water Gate in the presence of the men, women and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the Book of the Law.

4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform built for the occasion. Beside him on his right stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah and Maaseiah; and on his left were Pedaiah, Mishae

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Nehemiah 8:1-12 "Reveal, Refocus, and Renew" - 08/18/12

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 07/07/12), based on Matthew 9:35-38, will be, "Following His Example" with a special message on the power of praying together by Julie Barnhart. 
 
Matthew 9:35-38 
 
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 07/07/12), based on Matthew 9:35-38, will be, "Following His Example" with a special message on the power of praying together by Julie Barnhart.

Matthew 9:35-38 

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Matthew 9:35-38 "Following His Example" - 07/07/12

This sermon's message by Rev. Mike VanArsdale (given on 06/24/12), based on Matthew 9:35-38, will be, "The Study of Splagxnizomai (to feel the compassion of Jesus)". 
 
 
 
Matthew 9:35-38 
 
 
 
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

This sermon's message by Rev. Mike VanArsdale (given on 06/24/12), based on Matthew 9:35-38, will be, "The Study of Splagxnizomai (to feel the compassion of Jesus)".
 
 
 
Matthew 9:35-38
 
 
 
35  And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37  Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest."

Rev. Mike VanArsdale's sermon based on Matthew 9:35-38 "The Study of Splagxnizomai"

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 06/09/12), based on Luke 8:4-15, will be, "Where Will You Choose to Focus?". 
 
Luke 8:4-15 
 
4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown." 
 
When he said this, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." 
 
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, 
 
"'though seeing, they may not see; 
 though hearing, they may not understand." 
 
11 "This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Saturday, 06/09/12), based on Luke 8:4-15, will be, "Where Will You Choose to Focus?".

Luke 8:4-15

4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown."

When he said this, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." 

9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that,

"'though seeing, they may not see;
    thoug

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Luke 8:4-15 "Where Will You Choose to Focus?" - 06/09/12

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on 05/06/12), based on Judges 16:1-22, will be, "What You Don't Know Can Hurt You". 
 
Judges 16:1-22 
 
Samson and Delilah 
 
16 One day Samson went to Gaza, where he saw a prostitute. He went in to spend the night with her. 2 The people of Gaza were told, "Samson is here!" So they surrounded the place and lay in wait for him all night at the city gate. They made no move during the night, saying, "At dawn we'll kill him." 
 
3 But Samson lay there only until the middle of the night. Then he got up and took hold of the doors of the city gate, together with the two posts, and tore them loose, bar and all. He lifted them to his shoulders and carried them to the top of the hill that faces Hebron. 
 
4 Some time later, he fell in love with a woman in the Valley of Sorek whose name was Delilah. 5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her and said, "See if you can lure him into showing you the secret of his great strength and how we can overpower him so we may tie him up and subdue him. Each one of us will give you eleven hundred shekels[a] of silver." 
 
6 So Delilah said to Samson, "Tell me the secret of your great strength and how you can be tied up and subdued." 
 
7 Samson answered her, "If anyone ties me with seven fresh bowstrings that have not been dried, I'll become as weak as any other man." 
 
8 Then the rulers of the Philistines brought her seven fresh bowstrings that had not been dried, and she tied him with them. 9 With men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the bowstrings as easily as a piece of string snaps when it comes close to a flame. So the secret of his strength was not discovered. 
 
10 Then Delilah said to Samson, "You have made a fool of me; you lied to me. Come now, tell me how you can be tied." 
 
11 He said, "If anyone ties me securely with new ropes that have never been used, I'll become as weak as any other man." 
 
12 So Delilah took new ropes and tied him with them. Then, with men hidden in the room, she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" But he snapped the ropes off his arms as if they were threads. 
 
13 Delilah then said to Samson, "All this time you have been making a fool of me and lying to me. Tell me how you can be tied." 
 
He replied, "If you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom and tighten it with the pin, I'll become as weak as any other man." So while he was sleeping, Delilah took the seven braids of his head, wove them into the fabric 14 and[b] tightened it with the pin. 
 
Again she called to him, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" He awoke from his sleep and pulled up the pin and the loom, with the fabric. 
 
15 Then she said to him, "How can you say, 'I love you,' when you won't confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven't told me the secret of your great strength. " 16 With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. 
 
17 So he told her everything. "No razor has ever been used on my head," he said, "because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother's womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man." 
 
18 When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines , "Come back once more; he has told me everything." So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. 19 After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him.[c] And his strength left him. 
 
20 Then she called, "Samson, the Philistines are upon you!" 
 
He awoke from his sleep and thought, "I'll go out as before and shake myself free." But he did not know that the LORD had left him. 
 
21 Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison. 22 But the hair on his head began to grow again after it had been shaved. 
 
Footnotes: 
a. Judges 16:5 That is, about 28 pounds or about 13 kilograms 
b. Judges 16:14 Some Septuagint manuscripts; Hebrew replied, "I can if you weave the seven braids of my head into the fabric on the loom." 14 So she 
c. Judges 16:19 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts and he began to weaken

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on 05/06/12), based on Judges 16:1-22, will be, "What You Don't Know Can Hurt ...

Pastor Don Poest&#39;s sermon based on Judges 16:1-22, &quot;What You Don&#39;t Know Can Hurt You&quot;- 05/06/12

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on 04/21/12), based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, will be, "Who Was Buried Under the Cross?". 
 
1 Corinthians 15:12-28 
 
The Resurrection of the Dead 
 
12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. 
 
20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he "has put everything under his feet."Now when it says that "everything" has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on 04/21/12), based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, will be, "Who Was Buried Under the Cross?".

1 Corinthians 15:12-28

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to 

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on 1 Corinthians 15:12-28, "Who Was Buried Under the Cross?"

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Easter Sunday, 04/08/12), based on Matthew 27:62-28:15, will be, "He's Loose!" 
 
Matthew 27:62-28:15 
 
The Guard at the Tomb 
 
 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 
 
 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. 
 
Matthew 28 
 
Jesus Has Risen 
 
 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 
 
 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 
 
 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 
 
 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." 
 
The Guards' Report 
 
 11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, "You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble." 15 So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

This sermon's message by Pastor Don (given on Easter Sunday, 04/08/12), based on Matthew 27:62-28:15, will be, "He's Loose!"

Matthew 27:62-28:15

The Guard at the Tomb

 62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first." 

 65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. 

Matthew 28

Jesus Has Risen

 1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 

 2 There was a violen

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Matthew 27:62-28:15, "He's Loose!" - Easter 2012

Due the placement of my video camera I accidently cut Rev. Chris Poest in half on the left side of the video screen. I decided to try something new to salvage his video sermon and when I got home from service I videotaped the windy trees in my backyard and put the image to the "stormy" sermon that Chris gave. 
_____________________________________________________________ 
 
Exodus 14:19-31 
19 The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night. 
 
21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 
 
23The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. 24At the morning watch the Lord in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25He clogged* their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, 'Let us flee from the Israelites, for the Lord is fighting for them against Egypt.' 
 
26 Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers.' 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the Lord tossed the Egyptians into the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. 29But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 
 
30 Thus the Lord saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great work that the Lord did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the Lord and believed in the Lord and in his servant Moses. 
_____________________________________________________________ 
 
The Wellington-Oakdale Old Glory Marching Society (WOOGMS) parade, a Memorial Day tradition in Chicago's Lake View neighborhood, steps off from Pine Grove and Wellington at 11 a.m. on Monday. It will end with entertainment that includes the Jesse White Tumblers on the lawn of St. Joseph Hospital, 2900 N. Lake Shore. Visit www.44thward.org. 
 
Remember -- everybody walks; nobody watches! 
 
A special recognition of the Illinois Gold Star Families who have lost loved ones in military conflicts since Sept. 11, 2001, will be part of the Chicago Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony and parade on Saturday. The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the Eternal Flame on Daley Plaza, Dearborn and Washington. The annual Memorial Day Parade steps off at noon on State and Wacker, and heads south to Van Buren. Call (312) 744-3315 or visit www.cityofchicago.org/specialevents.

Due the placement of my video camera I accidently cut Rev. Chris Poest in half on the left side of the video screen. I decided to try something new to salvage his video sermon and when I got home from service I videotaped the windy trees in my backyard and put the image to the "stormy" sermon that Chris gave.
_____________________________________________________________

Exodus 14:19-31
19 The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for the

Rev. Chris Poest's sermon based on Exodus 14:19-31 "This Is Our Story:  A WOOGMS Parade"

This sermon's message by Pastor Don, based on Luke 1:46-55 and Psalm 34:1-3, will be, Mary's Song, Part 1. 
 
Luke 1:46-55 
Mary's Song 
 46 And Mary said: 
 "My soul glorifies the Lord 
 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
48 for he has been mindful 
 of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 
 holy is his name. 
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, 
 from generation to generation. 
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 
 he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones 
 but has lifted up the humble. 
53 He has filled the hungry with good things 
 but has sent the rich away empty. 
54 He has helped his servant Israel, 
 remembering to be merciful 
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, 
 just as he promised our ancestors." 
 
Psalm 34:1-3 
1 I will extol the LORD at all times; 
 his praise will always be on my lips. 
2 I will glory in the LORD; 
 let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 
3 Glorify the LORD with me; 
 let us exalt his name together.

This sermon's message by Pastor Don, based on Luke 1:46-55 and Psalm 34:1-3, will be, Mary's Song, Part 1.

Luke 1:46-55
Mary's Song
 46 And Mary said: 
   "My soul glorifies the Lord 
 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 
48 for he has been mindful 
   of the humble state of his servant. 
From now on all generations will call me blessed, 
 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— 
   holy is his name. 
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, 
   from generation to generation. 
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 
   he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones 
   but has lifted up the humble. 
53 He has filled the hungry with good things 
   but has sent the rich away empty. 
54 He has helped his servant Israel, 
   remembering to be merciful 
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, 
   just as he promised our ancestors." 

Psalm 34:1-3
1 I will extol the

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Luke 1:46-55 and Psalm 34:1-3, "Mary's Song, Part 1" - 12/04/11

This sermon's message by Pastor Don is, "A Joyful, Lifelong Journey", based upon 2 Mark 1:1-39. 
 
Mark 1:1-39 (New International Version) 
 
Mark 1 
 
John the Baptist Prepares the Way 
 
 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 
 "I will send my messenger ahead of you, 
 who will prepare your way"— 
3 "a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 
'Prepare the way for the Lord, 
 make straight paths for him.'" 
 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." 
 
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus 
 
 9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased." 
 12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him. 
 
Jesus Announces the Good News 
 
 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!" 
 
Jesus Calls His First Disciples 
 
 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 
 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. 
 
Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit 
 
 21 They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. 22 The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, 24 "What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!" 
 25 "Be quiet!" said Jesus sternly. "Come out of him!" 26 The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. 
 27 The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, "What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him." 28 News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee. 
 
Jesus Heals Many 
 
 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 
 32 That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. 33 The whole town gathered at the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was. 
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place 
 35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: "Everyone is looking for you!" 
 38 Jesus replied, "Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come." 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

This sermon's message by Pastor Don is, "A Joyful, Lifelong Journey", based upon 2 Mark 1:1-39.

Mark 1:1-39 (New International Version)

Mark 1

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

 1 The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, 2 as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 
   "I will send my messenger ahead of you, 
   who will prepare your way"— 
3 "a voice of one calling in the wilderness, 
'Prepare the way for the Lord, 
   make straight paths for him.'" 
 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was his message: "After me comes the one more powerful than I, the straps of whose sandals I am not wor

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Mark 1:1-39, "A Joyful, Lifelong Journey"- 09/25/11

This sermon's message by Pastor Don is, "Cooking Minute Rice in 30 Seconds", based upon 2 Timothy 4:1-8.

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on 2 Timothy 4:1-8, "Cooking Minute Rice in 30 Seconds"- 08/21/11

This sermon's message by Pastor Don is based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 "How's Your Body Image?"

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 "How's Your Body Image?" - 06/12/11

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Colossians 2:6-15 is called "Marked for Life". 
 
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 
 
 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 
 
 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 
 
 13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Colossians 2:6-15 is called "Marked for Life".

6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 

 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 

 13 When you were dea

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Colossians 2:6-15, "Marked for Life" - 5/15/11

Pastor Jay Carroll's sermon based on Acts 2:14-41 from Sunday, May 8th, 2011 
 
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 
 17 "'In the last days, God says, 
 I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, 
 your young men will see visions, 
 your old men will dream dreams. 
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, 
 I will pour out my Spirit in those days, 
 and they will prophesy. 
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above 
 and signs on the earth below, 
 blood and fire and billows of smoke. 
20 The sun will be turned to darkness 
 and the moon to blood 
 before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 
21 And everyone who calls 
 on the name of the Lord will be saved.'[a] 
 
 22 "Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men,[b] put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him: 
 
 "'I saw the Lord always before me. 
 Because he is at my right hand, 
 I will not be shaken. 
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; 
 my body also will rest in hope, 
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, 
 you will not let your holy one see decay. 
28 You have made known to me the paths of life; 
 you will fill me with joy in your presence.'[c] 
 
 29 "Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. 33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, 
 
 "'The Lord said to my Lord: 
 "Sit at my right hand 
35 until I make your enemies 
 a footstool for your feet."'[d] 
 
 36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah." 
 
 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 
 
 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." 
 
 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. 
 
 
Footnotes: 
a.Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32 
b.Acts 2:23 Or of those not having the law (that is, Gentiles) 
c.Acts 2:28 Psalm 16:8-11 (see Septuagint) 
d.Acts 2:35 Psalm 110:1

Pastor Jay Carroll's sermon based on Acts 2:14-41 from Sunday, May 8th, 2011

14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: "Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 
 17 "'In the last days, God says, 
   I will pour out my Spirit on all people. 
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, 
   your young men will see visions, 
   your old men will dream dreams. 
18 Even on my servants, both men and women, 
   I will pour out my Spirit in those days, 
   and they will prophesy. 
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above 
   and signs on the earth below, 
   blood and fire and billows of smoke. 
20 The sun will be turned to darkness 
   and the moon to blood 
   before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. 
21 And everyone who 

Pastor Jay Carroll's sermon based on Acts 2:14-41 from Sunday, May 8th, 2011

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Matthew 27:11-16, 62-66 "You Might Be A Pilate If..." Pilate did what he knew was wrong in order to protect his own neck.  He tried to absolve himself from guilt by blaming others.  And like the others, he wanted to make sure Jesus stayed out of the picture.  Do you fit?

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Matthew 27:11-16, 62-66 "You Might Be A Pilate If..." - 04/10/10

Pastor Don Poest's sermon based on Matthew 26:6-13 "You Might Be An Honored Person If..." The woman in this story loved deeply, gave generously, and paid no heed to the opinions of others. Do you fit?

Rick Barrett Videos