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Sermons
MARKed By Good News- Week 4
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a new sermon series called, “MARKed by Good News”. This is part of our MARKed: A Year in the Gospel of Mark. This week’s passage centers on MARK 1:21-28. Kodis Rawlings begins this sermon by reading the passage from Mark.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Sermon Notes:
Mark 1:21-28
The first place Jesus goes with the disciples he just called to learn to fish for people, is the synagogue. This is like going to church to reach people far from God.
While teaching evil manifests as an impure spirit speaks through a man it possesses. (vs. 23-24).
The question it asks “What do you want with us?” is likely referring to the other evil spirits in the region. However, there also could be a sense that it is speaking what is in the hearts of many of those who are present.
When Jesus, who is Lord, proclaims the good news of God’s kingdom he says “Repent and believe” (1:15) which means “change” to align with God’s ways you can trust me. When Jesus asks us to change we too, often, internally respond with resistance “What do you want with us?”
But our choice is to align with Jesus or to align with evil. Evil is at work in our lives seeking to influence and control us. In order to respond well to Jesus in the midst of this evil two helpful things to remember:
Jesus has authority and we have authority in his name (Ephesians 1:20-23; 2:6). Like a police officer directing traffic in New York city. Drivers have power to flatten the officer with the vehicles they are in and don’t necessarily want to listen, yet they obey the officer’s signal. This is because the officer has the authority of New York City behind them due to her position. We have authority in the name of Jesus over evil.
Second, we are to resist evil by trusting in, submitting to, and relying on God (James 4:7-8, 1 Peter 5:8-9, Ephesians 6:10-20)
Resources:
Lectio Davina Approach to Scripture PDF
Free Online Bible: BibleGateway
Free SmartPhone Bible App: YouVersion
MARKed By Good News- Week 3
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a new sermon series called, “MARKed by Good News”. This is part of our MARKed: A Year in the Gospel of Mark. This week’s passage centers on MARK 1:14-20. Ali Cranmer begins this sermon by reading the passage from Mark.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Sermon Notes:
Mark 1:14-20
Jesus announces the good news that God’s kingdom (his presence, his reign, his goodness) is available and calls for a response: repent (step into it, live into it). (Mark 1:14-15)
eutheos = “at once” or “without delay” or “immediately” is a Greek word Mark uses over forty times.
The Good News calls for a response and there is an urgency to responding to it and in Jesus call to others. (Mark 1:18 & 1:20)
Communal God -> called into Jesus’ community (from 4/27 message: Mark 1:10-11)
Missionary God -> called into Jesus’ mission (Mark 1:17)
Reviving Mission (Reviving Mission by Jon Hietbrink, et. al.:
Revive our concept of mission
Mission that revives those we are sent to
Mission that revives those who are sent
If we respond to being on Mission with Jesus here are some practical helps:
Motivated by love/compassion. God so loves the world he sent his Son (John 3:16). We are seeking to join this mission in God’s love.
Empowered by prayer. We are trying to accomplish things that only God can do, so we seek his help in our mission. Prayer over time often sees results (even if we don’t see results at first)
Importance of listening. People don’t care what we know until we know that we care. Listening well to a person with questions and concern, builds trust and eventually often leads to curiosity.
Speak the name of Jesus. If we are on mission with Jesus we will show courage to made an invite, to share our faith in Christ, to offer to pray aloud for a person, to speak the name of Jesus. Because His name has the power to help people in their deepest place of need.
Resources:
Lectio Davina Approach to Scripture PDF
Free Online Bible: BibleGateway
Free SmartPhone Bible App: YouVersion
MARKed By Good News- Week 2
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a new sermon series called, “MARKed by Good News”. This is part of our MARKed: A Year in the Gospel of Mark, which began on April 20th. This week’s passage centers on Mark 1:1-13. Camille Schmidt begins this sermon by reading the scripture passage for this week.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Sermon Notes:
Mark 1:1-13
In Jesus baptism, we see the mystery of the trinity: one God in three persons (Mark 1:10-11)
Voice of the Father
Descent of the Spirit
Jesus, the Son
Why does Jesus get baptized by John, when John offered a baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4-5)?
Because Jesus was identifying with sinful humanity completely even in the depths of our sin, darkness and evil. In doing so, he was willingly taking on one we deserve.
When we get baptized or confirm our baptism through public profession of faith we are identifying completely with Jesus taking on his life and in the end will get what he deserves.
We respond to Jesus by:
Receiving God’s grace he loved us before we ever loved or reached out to him (while we were still in the depths).
Acknowledging what’s true about God/Jesus and about ourselves including where we miss the mark.
Taking steps to change and actually making decision(s) to follow Jesus way and what he wants.
Rely on God’s grace including the Holy Spirit with whom we are baptized when we give our life to Jesus.
Resources:
Lectio Davina Approach to Scripture PDF
Free Online Bible: BibleGateway
Free SmartPhone Bible App: YouVersion
MARKed By Good News- Week 1
Pastor Andrew Schmidt begins a new sermon series called, “MARKed by Good News”. This is part of our MARKed: A Year in the Gospel of Mark, which began on April 20th. This week’s passage centers on Mark 1:1.
There were two sermons on Easter Sunday, April 20th. The first service is available to watch above. The second service sermon is the audio version you will find below or on our podcast.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Sermon Slide Notes:
Mark’s Gospel starts “The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah the Son of God.” As we spend a year in this Gospel we note that it will be all about Jesus and it will be good news.
God’s people at the time Jesus lived needed to be prepared in order to receive the Messiah.
John the Baptist is the one who prepared them. Three aspects of John’s preparation:
They confessed their sins (1:5) that is they acknowledged what’s true about their life in relation to God and his ways.
He preached a baptism of repentance (1:4) that is they were to take steps to change.
This baptism was for the forgiveness of sins (1:4) that is they receive God’s grace to do for them what they could not do for themselves.
Story after story in Mark’s gospel presents people, both religious and irreligious, being called to respond to Jesus. They are described in such a way as to invite us to decide how we will respond to Jesus.
If we are to receive Jesus we need to respond in the same ways as those who were prepared by John the Baptist that is with:
Confession: Acknowledging what’s true
Repentance: Taking steps to change
Forgiveness of sins: Receiving God’s grace
Possible Action Steps are:
Baptism (Sign up for Faith Commitment class if you have not been baptized or confirmed your child baptism as an adult through public profession of faith)
Bible (Read the Gospel of Mark during the coming weeks and months)
Resources:
Lectio Davina Approach to Scripture PDF
Free Online Bible: BibleGateway
Free SmartPhone Bible App: YouVersion
The Call- Week 15: The Call to Holiness
Pastor Andrew Schmidt concludes a sermon series (week 15) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 13:1-31, with emphasis on the Call to Holiness.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 14: The Call to Worship
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 14) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 11:1-12:47, with emphasis on the Call to Worship.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 13: The Call to Give
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 13) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 10:1-39, with emphasis on the Call to Give.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 12: The Call to Confession
Pastor Judd Nelson continues a sermon series (week 12) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 9:1-37; Ezra 9:1-10:1, with emphasis on the Call to Confession.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 11: The Call to Celebration
Sermon begins at about 17 minutes
Director of Ministry Aubrey Schneider continues a sermon series (week 11) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 8:1-18, with emphasis on the Call to Celebration.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Sermon Slide Notes:
Key points to remember:
Be a person who talks to God
Be a person who walks with God
Questions to consider with God this week:
When I read his Word, worship, pray, or come to church on Sunday mornings am I hungry? Expectant?
Do I spend time remembering all the Lord has done in my life? And am I thankful?
Am I burdened by something?
If so, what am I going to do about it?
Resources:
The Call- Week 10: The Call to Scripture and Celebration
Sermon begins at about 38 minutes
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 10) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 8:1-18, with emphasis on the Call to Scripture and Celebration.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 9: The Call to Persevere
Sermon begins at about 22 minutes
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 9) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passage centers on Nehemiah 8:1-18, with emphasis on the Call to Persevere
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 8: The Call to Justice
Sermon begins at about 10 minutes
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 8) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Nehemiah 5:1-19 and Zechariah 7-8:23, with emphasis on the Call to Justice.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 7: The Call to Work and Protect
Sermon begins at about 10 minutes
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 7) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Nehemiah 4:1-23, with emphasis on the Call to Work and Protect.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 6: The Call to Rebuild
Sermon begins at about 25 minutes
Pastor Andrew Schmidt continues a sermon series (week 5) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Nehemiah 2:11-3:32, with emphasis on the Call to Rebuild.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 5: The Call to Seek God
Sermon begins at about 25 minutes
Worship Ministry Leader Matt Van Sant continues a sermon series (week 5) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Nehemiah 1:1-2, with emphasis on the Call to Seek God.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 4: The Call to Renewal
Sermon begins at about 30 minutes
Pastor Andrew continues a sermon series (week 4) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Ezra 7:1-8:36, with emphasis on the Call to renewal.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Sermon Slide Notes:
Ezra lead God’s people into renewal. His example can move us toward renewal today.
Ezra 7:6-10
Ezra knew, obeyed, and taught God’s Word
Ezra relied on God’s gracious hand to be with him
Ezra 7:7-26
Ezra was committed to the worship of God
Ezra 7:27-8:1; 8:15-20
Ezra was committed to the people of God
Ezra gathered, assembled, summoned leaders for God’s purposes
Ezra 8:21-23; 31-32
Ezra fasted & prayed for protection
Ezra proceeded with courage
Ezra 8:24-29; 33-34
Ezra raised funds and stewarded them with integrity
Ezra 9:1-15
Ezra humbles himself and confesses sin
Ezra 10:1-16
Ezra led people to repentance
The Call to God’s people:
God’s Word
Rely on God’s grace
Worship & pray
Commit to community
Assemble for God’s purposes
Fast & pray
Proceed with courage
Steward $ with integrity
Confess sin
Repentance
Ezra 8:35
The Old Covenant required sacrifice of animals for relationship with God
12 bulls, 96 rams, 77 male lambs, 12 male goats
The New Covenant Jesus is the once for all sacrifice for our sins providing the opportunity for relationship with God
Resources:
The Call- Week 3: The Call To Prioritize
Sermon begins at about 30 minutes
Pastor Andrew continues a new sermon series (week 3) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Ezra 4:24-5:2; Haggai 1:1-2:9.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 2: The Call To Prayer
Sermon begins at about 14 minutes
Pastor Andrew continues a new sermon series (week 2) called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Ezra 3:1-13.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Call- Week 1
Sermon begins at about 30 minutes
Pastor Andrew begins a new sermon series called, “The Call”. The Big Theme of this series centers on the call of committing to be a covenant community when the surrounding culture seeks to eliminate your identity as the people of God. This week’s passages center on Ezra 1:1-6 and Ezra 2:67-70. As we are celebrating the 25th Anniversary as a church, In this sermon Pastor Andrew also talks with founding Pastor Gary Roozeboom about God’s call on his life and the beginning of Celebrate Church.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.
Resources:
The Lord’s Servant: Week 5
Sermon begins at about 16 minutes
Pastor Judd Nelson concludes our Advent series “The Lord’s Servant”, which is part of our “Year of the Lord” focus for 2024. In this sermon series, we will hear about people like Mary who chose to be the Lord’s servant. We’ll ask ourselves, “Am I the Lord’s Servant”? These week we focus on Simeon and Anna as well.
You can listen to the sermon below, or you can subscribe to our Celebrators Podcast wherever you listen.