Matthew 25 is a hard but clarifying word from Jesus. Through it we explore what the Gospel is, what the Gospel produces, and what judgment means. Listen to Pastor Jordan Kologe’s sermon on the lectionary Gospel text from Christ the King Sunday ..read more

In The Parable of the Talents, Jesus describes the Kingdom of God in terms of a faithful Master and servants. What can we, as members of the kingdom, learn from the servants’ actions and from the Faithful One? How can we be found faithful? Pastor Jordan Kologe expounds Matthew 25:14-30 ..read more

The story of the walk to Emmaus in Luke 24 is a story of redemption. Counter to the Fall, where humankind walks away from God in shame and exile, Emmaus invites man to walk with him in salvation and communion. Hear the call to God’s table in this sermon by Pastor Jordan Kologe ..read more

In Life of the Beloved, Henri Nouwen writes, "my only desire is to make these words reverberate in every corner of your being -- 'you are the beloved.'" Knowing we beloved of God is fundamental to our life in Christ, and yet so many of us struggle to receive and live into this title. Pastor Jordan Kologe looks at our concept of identity -- how we begin with a framework of insecure identity, witness Christ's secure identity, and finally walk in our secure identity as beloved of God in Christ. This is the final sermon in our Backyard Pilgrim series.  ..read more

Continuing the backyard pilgrimage, Pastor Jordan Kologe explores the significance of Jesus being found in the womb, as a teenager, and in Nazareth ..read more

This parable appears to be a critique of the Pharisees who rejected the Lord’s summons to new life, refusing to let go of personal priorities and ambitions. But actually, it is a warning to all of us who pursue our own wills while taking the Father’s grace for granted. What could possibly be more important in your life than answering when the King of Kings calls? Especially with an invitation to become part of a joyful celebration? Put everything else on hold and answer that call! The Lord’s invitation is for us to turn to him, repent and be forgiven, then enjoy a renewed life and adjusted pri ..read more

Like Adam and Eve in their sin and shame, we too need to be found by God. However, our willingness is sometimes hindered by harmful stories that auto-play in our brains. In this sermon, James Steinbach identifies some of those harmful stories and highlights some aspects of God‘s true story to help us reshape our thinking and draw closer to God.  ..read more

Of the many devastating effects of the fall, shame is one we face regularly that can be particularly painful and confusing to understand and deal with. By examining the biblical fall narrative and contemplating our own experience, we come to see why Adam and Eve first lived and loved without shame, how they (and we) fall into shame, and what Jesus does about our shame. Deacon Lisa Elmers preaches from Backyard Pilgrim Week 3 & Genesis 2-3.  ..read more

People tend to move toward their conceptions of God. If God is our Father, what kind of parent is he? Rightly understanding God’s nature as parent is crucial to a healthy spiritual life. As we begin a sermon series journey inspired by Matt Canlis’s book Backyard Pilgrim, Pastor Jordan Kologe answers that God our Father is present, he’s love, and he delights in his children ..read more

For many people, conflict is uncomfortable and to be avoided. In Matthew 18, Jesus instructs his followers not to avoid conflict, but to healthily handle conflict within the community. To whom does this instruction apply? What is the goal of conflict resolution in the church? What process should we follow to attempt conflict resolution? What empowers forgiveness? Pastor Jordan Kologe addresses each of these questions in this sermon ..read more