In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira are a powerful illustration of the Holy Spirit's divinity and the seriousness of lying in the Lord’s presence. Peter confronts Ananias, pointing out that lying to the Holy Spirit is equivalent to lying to God, underscoring that the Holy Spirit is not just a force but God Himself. We are humbled as we consider th…

Luke 8:40-56 describes two miracles of Jesus: healing a woman with a long-term illness and raising Jairus' daughter from the dead. The story begins with Jesus returning to a welcoming crowd. Jairus, the leader of a synagogue, asks Jesus to heal his dying twelve-year-old daughter. On the way, a woman who has bled for twelve years touches His garment…

In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-5:11, Paul addresses the Thessalonian Christians' concerns about the fate of those who have died before Christ's return. Paul reassures the Thessalonians that believers who have died will not miss out on Christ's return. Instead, when Jesus comes back, those who have died in Him will rise first, and then those who are alive …

Jesus overcomes the storm showing that the Lord of life is the Lord who is the Word that ordered this creation. The abyss of the sea will not overpower Christ's word. The disciples are to see that their faith and confidence is not a sentimental thing. It is rather having a heart tuned into the conviction that the Lord prevails. Christ moves to the …

The Levitical priesthood, instituted under the Mosaic Law, could not bring perfection or complete access to God. It was always meant to be temporary and preparatory. Jesus is a priest in the order of Melchizedek, not Aaron. Melchizedek's priesthood is eternal and not based on ancestry. Jesus, like Melchizedek, holds His priesthood permanently becau…

Jesus uses the parable of the lamp to drive home the principle of hearing the words of Christ. Just as a lamp is not lit to be hidden but placed on a stand to illuminate the room. The fertile soil of the heart is to be tuned into the Lord's purpose eager to live out the Gospel. Jesus then underscores the importance of listening carefully. What we h…

Paul argues that if Christ has not been raised from the dead, our faith is futile, and we are still in our sins. Without Christ's physical resurrection, there's no victory over sin and death, leaving us without hope. For those who have died in Christ, their faith would be in vain. Paul insists that the resurrection is essential because it confirms …

Paul calls us to have the same mindset as Jesus, who, despite being divine, didn't cling to His status. Instead, He emptied Himself, becoming a servant and embracing human vulnerability. Christ's obedience went all the way to death, and even death on a cross. Because of this, God exalted Him, giving Him a name above all names, so that every being w…

In the parable of the Fertile Soil, Jesus illustrates how different people respond to the Gospel. The seed represents God's Word, and the various soils depict different hearts. Some hearts are hard, indifferent, and quickly lose the message. Others receive it with joy but lack depth, falling away when difficulties arise. Some hearts are choked by l…

God saved us by His mercy, not our good deeds. The Holy Spirit renews us, showing His grace, not based on what we do. Baptism signifies we belong to God. We don't follow our old ways as Christians. We've been saved from death and raised to new life in Christ.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Mr. Roy Kim fills our pulpit as Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off.By Mr. Roy Kim

We welcome Mr. Roy Kim to our pulpit as Pastor Paul Lindemulder enjoys a week off.By Mr. Roy Kim

This passage focuses the circumcision and naming of Jesus, which took place eight days after His birth, fulfilling the Law of Moses. This act symbolizes Jesus' full identification with humanity and His submission to God's Law from the very beginning. Naming Him Jesus, which means 'the Lord saves,' foreshadows His mission to save His people from the…

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, Paul explains the transformative power of the gospel and the ministry of reconciliation given to believers. He begins by stating that we no longer view anyone from a worldly perspective, including Christ. If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has passed away, and the new has come. Paul emphasizes that al…

Jesus dines at Pharisee Simon's house. A sinful woman anoints Jesus' feet with perfume. Jesus responds to the shock of this woman’s attention with a parable about forgiveness and love. Jesus contrasts woman's love with Simon's judgment. Jesus emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and humility. The pharisees respond by judging Jesus rather than submitting …

The hypostatic union is the Christian doctrine that in the one person of Jesus Christ, there are two natures: fully God and fully human. These natures are united without mixing, changing, or dividing. This means Jesus is completely divine, with all the attributes of God, and completely human, with all the attributes of humanity. This union is essen…

John the Baptist, in jail, asks if Jesus is the promised Savior. Jesus performs and calls attention to His miracles, like healing the sick and resurrecting the dead. He also praises John as a top prophet but says even the humblest in God’s realm is special. This shows how God's realm brings unexpected changes to society and religion, fulfilling His…

A Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant in Capernaum. Despite being a Gentile, he shows strong faith. Jesus praises his faith, healing the servant from afar. In Nain, Jesus sees a widow mourning her only son. He comforts her and resurrects her son. These events reveal Jesus' compassion, power, and ability to confer true life to his citizen…

The Angel of the Lord speaks as God, the Angel promises to be the redemption that Christ promises, and ultimately this Angel is God or pre-incarnate Christ. Angels are often perceived as weak messengers, this angel is actually the spoken word, messenger, and even an envoy of God who manifests His presence as a theophany.…

John introduces Jesus as the eternal Word of God, emphasizing His role in creation, bringing light and life to humanity. Jesus takes on the flesh and tabernacles among us. It is God walking in the midst of the human race. However, Jesus does not become the Son of God at that moment, but is Son from eternity. We are assured that as we receive him by…

Jesus teaches a new way of living, valuing love and kindness. He warns the wealthy, satisfied, joyful, and earthly esteemed about an earthly reward. Followers are urged to love everyone, love enemies, pray for abusers, and forgive offenders. Believers are encouraged to show God-like mercy, being confident that Christ’s kingdom is present, and they …

Jesus commanded his Apostles to spread His message worldwide, baptize people in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teach disciples to obey His teachings. Christ also gives the remarkable promise that he will be with them always until the end of their age.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

In Luke 6:12-23, Jesus goes to pray on a mountain before choosing His twelve apostles. He blesses the poor, hungry, and sorrowful, showing that real blessing comes from God's Kingdom, not material wealth or status. Jesus' message gives hope to the oppressed and challenges the privileged, assuring all that blessing comes in the midst of turmoil.…

Revelation 3:14-22 speaks to the church in Laodicea, highlighting their useless faith and encouraging them to repent turning unto Christ. Jesus cautions them about their lack of spiritual awareness and advises them to acquire genuine faith, purity, and spiritual understanding. He waits for them to welcome Him into their congregation. Now, he patien…

In Luke 6:1-11, Jesus faces criticism for not following Sabbath rules when he picks grain and heals a man on the Sabbath. He explains that the Sabbath is meant for true restorative life, and not to celebrate death. Jesus challenges the religious customs, and shows the deeper meaning of resting in God’s glory. This incident demonstrates Jesus's auth…

Revelation 3:7-13 highlights the promise of God's protection and favor for those who remain faithful amidst challenges. In these verses, the message to the church in Philadelphia emphasizes the importance of perseverance and obedience to God.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

In Luke 5:27-39, Jesus asks Levi (Matthew) to follow him, eats with tax collectors and sinners. He tells the Pharisees he came for sinners, not the righteous. Jesus talks about fasting, using parables to say new wine goes in new wineskins and people don't fast with the groom around. This is a passage that is making clear why Christ has to come to r…

Paul refers to some children as clean, rather than unclean. Is baptism the cleansing bath? Does baptism make the child clean, or does Paul refer to something more fundamental and traditional? Why does Paul use Old Testament terms like clean and unclean?By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

We might fall into a routine and forget about Christ, losing sight of His importance. Sardis trusted in their fortress. They assumed they were safe because of their fortress. However, the city fell two times because they were too complacent to check their fortress. The church in Sardis is urged to wake up and pursue Christ.…

The Church in Tyatira struggles to balance faith and daily life, torn between its Christian values and worldly temptations. They are compromising their beliefs, and losing focus on their spiritual goal. they are exhorted to cling and live for the conquering Christ who forced Balaam, the great prophet, to speak his words.…

Two men go to Jesus Christ for healing. One understands Jesus' power despite his mental barrier, while the other realizes his paralysis is not his real problem as his friends cut through the barrier. Jesus demonstrates the genuine healing in the kingdom.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Mr. Cole Lindsay opens the word of God for us, and exhorts us from 1 Peter 1:3-12.By Mr. Cole Lindsay

The church in Pergamum faced martyrdom as one member died for their faith. They were praised but cautioned against Balaam's mistake. Ephesus is overly strict, while this other church is too accepting and risks diluting the gospel.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Christ obeys the father and dies on the cross to fulfill his father’s mission. Without being raised, his perfect obedience would be pointless. Christ's prayer in John 17 is confirmed because he has finished his work from the father. His resurrection testifies that he has completed the work His Father gave Him to do. His resurrection validates the G…

Peter courageously wields his sword for Christ, then denies Him. He discovers Christ sacrifices for His followers, not vice versa. Our lives are to be centered on our savior, not ourselves. That's why Christ must go to the cross to secure his disciples, and to empower his disciples to live for him.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

The church in Smyrna is encouraged to stay strong despite challenges. They will endure hardships, but should know they are spiritually wealthy in Jesus Christ, even if they lack material wealth.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Christ came to liberate the imprisoned. We expect the demon-possessed and the sick to turn to Christ. Peter was chosen as a disciple. Peter's response challenges the idea that the healthy are self-sufficient.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Mr. Roy Kim exhorts us from 1 Samuel so Pastor Paul can have a week off.By Mr. Roy Kim

Roy Kim exhorts us this morning giving Pastor Paul a week off.By Mr. Roy Kim

John brings a message from the angel to the church in Ephesus, praising their convictions but urging them to live according to it. The church is encouraged to see the resurrection power that they possess in Christ Jesus.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Christ enters a synagogue in Capernaum to preach the gospel. There is a man possessed by a demon. Christ commands the demon to leave and even the demon obeys. Christ not only drives out demons but also cures illnesses. He has authority over everything and aims to not only free us from sin but also bring healing.…

John, the apostle in exile, is granted a profound revelation encompassing messages directed towards the seven churches. Within these divine edicts lie cautionary messages aimed at the historical churches of yore, yet their significance transcends the boundaries of time and directly warns the modern-day church.…

Christ travels to different synagogues preaching the gospel. He is praised in Galilee but faces danger in his hometown of Nazareth. Christ escapes a near-death situation by slipping away from the crowd. We might think that this is an act of cowardice, but it testifies to the reality that Christ is simply following his father's plan.…

We finish studying Belgic Confession Article 1: The Nature of God. We are created good but we fall short of God's perfect goodness since we are sinners. Christ points out that only God is truly good, highlighting our need to live more in line with His kingdom.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

In the biblical narrative, Jesus confronts the Devil in the wilderness, a crucial moment establishing Christ’s integrity over the Devil. The Devil attempts to manipulate Scripture in order to deceive Jesus, testing His resolve. Despite facing these challenges, Jesus remains steadfast and overcomes the temptations presented to Him, emerging triumpha…

We believe that God is completely just. It's scary because God can see into our hearts and know our hidden wants. If we're even a tiny bit wrong, God is bound to punish us. That is why we rely on Christ and the Spirit to give us faith. If we're not connected to Christ, his work will not benefit us.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Luke tells us that John was arrested. This shows us that God's plan continues with the arrival of Christ, despite Rome's apparent world peace. We understand that God's plan and victory are different from what this world sees, and are seen through our heavenly eyes by faith.By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

We know that wisdom is applying knowledge. Knowledge is just learning things, but wisdom is using that knowledge. God has perfect knowledge and wisdom. We are supposed to have wisdom too, but it's not perfect like God's. How can we, as mere mortals, have wisdom like God?By Pastor Paul Lindemulder

Luke reports Christ's growth in wisdom, stature, and favor of his father. 20 years later, John, son of Zechariah, begins his holy call for people to repent and believe in Christ, which is the radical call of the Gospel. This is God’s holy war going forth in this age: the call of the gospel to repent and believe in Christ Jesus.…

We believe that God is all-powerful. God communicates this truth through his name El-Shaddai which means God-All-mighty. In Psalm 139, David asks the Lord to examine his heart. Job struggles with God searching his heart because Job believes there is no appeal. Job wants to appeal his case to God, but he claims that God is so mighty that one cannot …