Bethel New England Sermons

Faithfulness needs to be walked out in our lives. In John's letter 3 John, he shows Gaius three areas where faithfulness can be put into action- hospitality, generosity, and honor. These principles were embedded into the Jewish understanding of what it meant to love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

Society talks about being vulnerable; however, that does not mean being gullible and open to everyone and everything that is out there. We need to guard our hearts and our doctrine (the teaching of the Bible). Some areas that help us do this are having a strong understanding of the Word of God, the Presence of God, and the People of God. Don't go about it alone.

In order to walk in God's justice and righteousness, ideals need to become reality. The letters of John show us what it truly means to walk in faithfulness - no more lies, only truth, and Biblical love. We cannot live under lies and deception when we have the Word of God and the Spirit of God who lead us in all truth.

God is the very heart and enforcer of morality. We cannot toy or play with God, especially when He is trying to get our attention to turn from our bad ways and turn to Him, as well as turn to help our fellow man. It's not too late to turn and do what is right, and it's not too late to share Jesus with those around us.

God is not looking for lip service, or automatic polite, or even entertainment-based worship. He is looking for worship from the heart that is in spirit and truth, devoid of meaningless rituals, heartless endeavors, and lack of a true outlet for change. He wants overflow worship that touches His heart and changes the world around us.

Sin influences society. Every culture (nation) is guilty of collective sins which impede God's true justice and righteousness from shining through - sins like pride, conceit, and contempt. Jesus shows us a way to counteract these sins by being sensitive to the silent cry of those around us and by ministering to people in their need - we are ultimately ministering to Him.

The modern church in the West has relinquished its place to being a pebble in the shoe of extreme liberalism or a pawn in the chess game of extreme conservatism. We are more than pebbles or pawns- we are citizens of heaven meant to be a prophetic people who speak to, against, and for the people and issues that represent God's mercy and justice.

We can look at Jesus' return as something we genuinely want to happen. So it be the case, we need to live lives that honor Him - lives with anxiety but trust, lives with accountability instead of spiritual latency, and lives that are rooted in/connected to Christ the sources of our strength. By getting rid of our old ways of doing things, we become vessels of honor for God to use and work through for the sake of His return.

Easter Sunday reminds of the true hero of the salvation story! Jesus is the foundation which brings each person who believes hope, security, and a new life in Him.

Holiness is the beginning of a new life with Jesus. Entering into His holiness gives us spiritual restoration, helps our faith endure, and a holy love for one another. We are not aiming to be happy or healthy but rather to fulfill Gods original purpose- to be holy!

We are not left defenseless when it comes to the daily struggles we face- the Holy Spirit has given us His Word, the Bible, to serve as an offensive weapon against all attack of the enemy. Don't do battle on your own- do it in God's strength, with God's word and in an attitude of prayer!

The Holy Spirit also desires to engage the inner world of every believer in Jesus. He has power yet He is a person and should not be neglected or avoided. He wants to bring us identity through his indwelling presence, assurance through his sealing, and connection back to the Godhead through his abiding. We're definitely not in this alone because the Holy Spirit is our active helper!

The Holy Spirit gives us exactly what we need as a church to do the ministry of Jesus in our day and age - he gives us supernatural gifts, he gives godly character and he commissions us with a divine function. When these elements work together for the common good - the church is build up and people are equipped for the work of the ministry.

New England can be a tricky landscape for evangelism. We value community, longevity, and autonomy. The Holy Spirit is able to give us three essential forms of boldness to help us bold in speech, bold in interruptions, and bold in going where the Lord sends.

The Christian life was never meant to be lived powerless, purposeless, and aimless. Jesus promised the infilling of the Holy Spirit to ALL who believe in Him. His presence transforms us from powerless to powerful, orphan to witness, and deflated to filled to overflowing! Do you want to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

Pastor Maria unpacks the powerful story of Onesimus in the book of Philemon. This message challenges us to see how Christ's transformation isn't just about changing external systems—but about changing hearts. Through faith, the broken are made whole, the oppressed become conquerors, and radical love leads to true reconciliation.

Some friends are formed when people chose to be peace makers which means they are willing to broker peace between people and parties that would not come on its own.

This sermon emphasizes the importance of moving from transactional to deeply relational friendships within Christianity, mirroring Paul's appeal for Onesimus to be received not as a slave but as a beloved brother. True Christian love is not based on obligation but on an overflow of Christ's love, transforming relationships into lifelong bonds that reflect God's divine purpose and eternal significance.

As part of our Vision Sunday, we spoke about the three key areas of commitment we need as a church to move from a gathering of Christians to a movement of God in our region/world - evangelism, missions, and discipleship. We can only attempt these things when we have committed ourselves in prayer to the work and leading of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible speaks of blessings and curses associated with each covenant. In the New Covenant surrounding the cross of Jesus the Bible promises blessing for those who are “in Christ.” Being in Christ is not a latent process it requires spiritual disciplines like giving, praying and fasting which all bring about Kingdom dynamics in our everyday life.

The kings of the O.T. show us the rise and fall of human leaders who let idolatry get the best of them (or not); but eventually, King Jesus came with the directive to seek Him first. No idols like comfort, sexuality immorality, and self can stand in the heart of a Christian who truly seeks King Jesus first and foremost.

As a church, we are more than just a local group of believers. We are part of God's bigger plan for His Kingdom, which is revealed in the Scriptures from the teachings of Moses (OT) to the teachings of Jesus (NT). As a church we should be primarily defined as people who love and seek God and love our neighbor as Christ has showed us by example to do.

The first coming of Jesus has unique qualities to it such as humility. Though humble Jesus was still the King. This theme and reality of Kingship still are present realities that we can benefit from as believers. Ultimately, we can trust that King Jesus will come again.

Pastor Maria's sermon, The King is Revealed, explores the profound theme of light breaking through darkness, drawing parallels from creation to Christ's arrival as the Light of the World. Through scripture and vivid examples, she highlights how Jesus overcomes sin's shadows, offering redemption, hope, and the promise of eternal illumination. This Advent message calls us to arise, embrace His light, and reflect His glory to a world still yearning for it.

The first coming of Jesus was announced by John the Baptist, who had a simple and strong prophetic voice that called people to repentance and the forgiveness of their sins. We have a responsibility just like John the Baptist and that is to prepare people for Jesus' Second Coming.

The first coming of Christ shows us areas in which God's way of fulfilling promises can be depended upon. It requires quietness and trust, because he is working things out for His masterplan of salvation; which cominates with Him fulfilling all His prophecies for the His Second Coming. If He said it, He will do it, and I believe it!

"The Power of Discipleship" highlights the transformative impact of intentional spiritual growth and the fulfillment of Jesus' Great Commission. The sermon emphasizes the importance of moving beyond merely identifying as Christian to embracing discipleship as a way of life, requiring effort, intentionality, and accountability. Through a commitment to learning, vulnerability, and replication, believers can experience personal transformation and effectively impact others, reflecting the true power of following Christ.

Do you know what the most effective way of leading people into a relationship with Jesus is? 80% of people come to faith in Jesus because they are invited.

Talks about how to deal with the common hindrances associated with sharing one's faith in Jesus with others. Fawning, fear, and waiting for green lights are unnecessary barriers to the work of evangelism.

Learning to intercede in prayer for our region moves us beyond confessional and wish list types of prayer into what is called spiritual warfare. There are four keys how to break demonic influences in a region and see the power of Jesus breakthrough, when Christian begin to pray.

Jesus' washing of His disciples' feet shows us a lesson in sanctification. “You are clean” has a relevance of great importance to those willing to experience the meaning of those words.

Singing is an act of proclaiming who God was and is and it's also a prophetic act of declaring the wonderous acts and plans of God before they even happen. Psalm 138 shows us that God preserves our life - it's truly in His hands. He proactively hears us, He generously looks to us, and He confidently vindicates us. He's got your back!

Worship helps us understand and believe the things of God with the same reservations as normal speech. We can accept and proclaim things about God without anxiety, fear, doubt or too much emotion getting in the way. The Psalmist shows us in Psalm 121 that God is always awake, alert, and aware, we truly can trust in the one who created all things!

Join us for the start of a new sermon series, "SING: Finding God in Worship," as we explore the power of worship through Psalm 23. Learn how worship transforms from passive observation to active engagement, revealing that a true worshiper of Jesus is never helpless, hopeless, or homeless. Discover how the presence of God provides leadership, restoration, and guidance in every season of life.

Pastor Maria Hovsepian's sermon emphasizes the call for a Spirit-filled church to reach the next generation by fulfilling the assignment given by Jesus. Empowered by the Holy Spirit and the authority of Jesus, believers are called to go beyond their cultural boundaries to make disciples. The sermon highlights that this mission requires reliance on God's Spirit, who equips the church with wisdom, power, and boldness to continue spreading the gospel.

The method of church can change and should but the message of the church should always remain the same: Jesus focused, Spirit infused, and community driven.

Generosity has always been a necessary tool of advancing the church. God gives entrusts us with the resources of the tithe, time and talents for us to steward and use them wisely to advance the work of His Kingdom (which is the ministry of the local church we attend).

The book of Acts shows us a “roadmap” for what it looks like to be a church on a mission. There are 7 key factors to being missional.

This sermon emphasizes the  importance of engaging in a church community as an integral part of the Christian faith. It challenges the notion that one can have a "me and Jesus" approach, arguing that Christians are called to be part of the body of Christ, which is diverse by design and essential for spiritual growth. Although there may be challenges when interacting with people who are different, these relationships can be vital for a healthy and thriving spiritual life.

Jesus shows of three ways to grow as believers; all have to do with a continuous connection to Him - be United with Christ, rest in His Father's love, and let Christian community sharpen you versus dull you.

Any true believer in Jesus can thrive no matter what context they are in if they learn that it's not the person, place or circumstance that defines or determines their outcome. There has always been hope and empowerment through multiplication, a victor's mindset and the “secret sauce” of prayer.

It's very easy for people to divert responsibility for others. Jesus shows us that we are responsible and how important it is to show compassion through acts of service and generosity. They actually make us spiritually vibrant! Warning: Message does not apply to those dealing with abusive relationships or drug addicts.

In this sermon "The Tale of Two Brothers," Pastor Maria dives into the Prodigal Son parable. She looks at both the younger son's reckless choices and the older son's bitterness. While the younger brother's mistakes are obvious, the older brother's resentment is just as problematic. Both brothers need their father's grace. The message encourages us to reflect on our own flaws and seek God's forgiveness and compassion, whether we relate more to the younger or older brother.

The Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids talks about being ready for the Second Coming of Jesus, but it does not say how we do that. By bringing in information for the chapters before and after this parable, we better understand what it means to be ready for Jesus' return. Not fearful, but ready and full of anticipation!

The presence of God was once reserved and limited to the High Priest alone, but no more! Through Jesus, who has now become our Perfect Priest , each believer has full access to the presence of God and can come closer into relationship with Him!

In this message, Pastor Zach addresses the congregation at Bethel New England, emphasizing the importance of diligent parenting in raising godly children based on Proverbs 22:6. He urges parents to prioritize church and godly influence over societal distractions, stressing that active, intentional guidance is crucial for the next generation to stand firm in their faith.

Judy talked about the value of passing things down through generations.  She contrasted how while certain traditions change over time, the truths of loving the Lord God with all your heart, and loving your neighbor never changes.  With great excitement, Judy presented her animated children's projects that she wrote and is currently producing in partnership with International Media Ministries, an Assemblies of God World Missions organization.

In this sermon titled "Prove It!,” Pastor Maria discusses the reality of spiritual warfare, using the story of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-13). The devil repeatedly tried to make Jesus prove His divinity, but Jesus, full of divine authority, refused and used Scripture to respond.  Believers do not need to accept the lie that they need to prove themselves to the enemy. Instead they are to stand firm in their faith, trust in God's authority, and remember that the ultimate victory has already been won through Jesus Christ.

Forgiveness is often seen as the supreme action of the Christian attitude; however the Bible shows us forgiveness is the baseline for Christian conduct and living. We know forgiveness is not always easy yet Jesus shows us to forgive quickly because it not only frees the person we forgive - it frees the one forgiving too.

Humility is one of the key ingredients to building healthy, Biblically based relationships. Humility helps us decentralize our "me-culture" and learn to focus on seeing ourselves as part of a whole - "we-culture." Ultimately our goal is to express the command of Jesus to love one another as He has loved us.

Community and Belonging are important aspects of a growing church community. It requires loyalty to build such relationships. However, this Biblical loyalty is formed by friendships that are committed, encouraging, and just plain “anointed”!