Casper Nazarene Church

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:1-8, Jude 1:1-15, 1 Tim. 6:2-16, Acts 20:28 Summary: There's a battle being waged. This battle is being waged against every Christian and against every church. Satan and his servants are working overtime to destroy pastors and servants in the church; and the church itself. This battle is being fought on all sides. It's fought in the home, the public square, in government, the media, entertainment, the universities, and through ministers in the local church. This message is to better prepare servants of Jesus for these battles.

Scripture: 2 Tim. 2:20-26; 3:16-17; 4:5, Eph. 2:8-10, Titus 2:14 Summary: We were created with purpose; to do good works! So far we've learned that God can create in us a clean heart and that we are to cleanse ourselves, so we can be ready to serve. Then we can do the the work Christ has created us for and called us to. In this message we will learn about these good works.

Scripture: 2 Tim. 2:20-26; 3:16-17, Jer. 18, Is. 1:16-17, Eph. 2:8-10, Titus 2:14 Summary: We were created with a purpose; to do good works! But for us to live out that purpose we must come to Christ to be saved from our sins. So far we've learned that if we've sinned we cry out to God to cleanse us, and more specifically, to create in us a clean heart. Then we learn to cleanse our own lives from sin so we can be vessels of honor, holy, and ready for every good work. In this message, we will learn about these good works.

Hosea 8:1-14

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:19-26, 2 Cor. 7:1, 1 John 1:7 Summary: Don't you desire to be spiritually clean? In last week's sermon, we dealt with King David crying out for God to create in him a clean heart. Yet we also briefly dealt with the fact that Christians are also to cleanse themselves. God forgives and cleanses but we are also responsible for cleansing ourselves. In this message, we will learn to cleanse our own lives from sin so we can be a vessel of honor.

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-10; 11-13, 2 Cor. 7:1, 2 Cor. 5:17, Gen. 1:1, Rev. 21:1-5 Summary: As the Christmas season winds down, and we approach the New Year, people across the country start making New Year's resolutions. For the Christian, we never have to wait to make things right or to start over. God is always calling us to make confessions, to start new, or be cleansed and made new. God wants to cleanse our hearts and restore us to himself. Our God can create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. All you have to do is call on him!

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-7, Matthew 1:23, Eph. 2:7, 1 Pet. 3:18 Summary: We will celebrate Christ's birth in heaven and everything he has accomplished. So far, we have learned that Jesus is the great light that has come, that Mary was in fact a virgin, that Jesus means "God saves", and that he is Immanuel, "God with us". But in this message we will look beyond the present and into the future where we will celebrate him in the coming ages with all of heaven. It will be an eternal family Christmas!

Summary: Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, however many skeptics and false teachers have risen in our churches and have begun to cast doubt on historical Christian doctrines. One of which is the teaching that Mary was a virgin. As Christians, we need to know what we believe and defend it. In this message, we make a defense for the virgin birth of Jesus.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:5-17, Matt. 4:12-17, Acts 26:18, John 8:12, Isaiah 9:1-7, Summary: Each year at Advent we read scripture from the Prophet Isaiah concerning the people walking in darkness having seen a great light. We now live in the days of that light. Christ, the great light has come, and we are partakers of that light, and we continue to share his light to a world that is walking in darkness and living in sin. Overall, as Christians we are to walk as children of the light and demonstrate his love and life to those who are in death.

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-19, Col. 1:23, 2 Tim. 3:14, Summary: We are instructed by Jesus to remain faithful to the end. It's a theme throughout the scriptures. There are those who experience unbelief, some drift, and others fall away. Many truly want to remain and continue to the end and they need to learn the skills that will help them to get there. This message is intended for that.

Scripture: Luke 22:28-34 Summary: Have you left the church? Maybe you felt like God let you down or the expectation to follow Jesus was too high. Or maybe your faith fizzled after missing one Sunday turned into years. Over the last two decades many young people have walked away from Christ and his Church. Even adults are giving up on God later in life; and for various reasons. Yet we don't hear a lot about the ones who have come back. This message is for those who left and want to make the trip back to Jesus.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-17 Summary: We have a new life in Christ and we should live it out, but first we have to literally put off the old person we were. We were sinful and those sinful ways are to be put to death. In this message, we will learn to put off the old and put on the new as we are being renewed in Christ and learn to live a new life in him.

Scripture: Daniel 6:1-10, 1:8, 1:21, 3:18. Summary: The culture in America has radically shifted in the last few decades. And many would say that we are living in a post-Christian culture. That means that Christians do not have the influence and voice they once had. Many have rejected God, Christianity, and the church. Many have rejected the faith and have embraced immorality and called it normal. Even with this radical shift, we are still called to live as faithful Christians in a pagan culture just like Daniel the prophet did when he was forced to live in the pagan societies of Babylon and Persia.

Scripture: John 3:16-21 Summary: Forrest Gump is a comedy-drama released in 1994 that follows the life of a slow-witted, yet kind-hearted man named Forrest. As with many songs and movies, they can carry spiritual truths that we can glean from. With "Forrest Gump", there are several solid theological points that we can all benefit from and we hope you enjoy this light-hearted message.

Scripture: Colossians 3:1-10, Luke 15:7, Matt. 6:19-21, Phil. 3:20-21 Summary: It is easy to look around at how bad things are in the world and be discouraged and depressed. Others are pursuing the things of this world and have no passion for the world to come. The Apostle Paul encourages us to set our minds on heavenly things and not on the things of this earth. The reason is to remind us that this is not our home and that we are in Christ in the heavenly places.

Scripture: Eph. 4:11-16. Col. 2:6-15, Luke 22:31-34, 2 Thess. 2:13-15. Summary: In recent years we have seen an increase in deconversion stories and stories of people deconstructing their faith, where they reject historical Christian teachings. This is nothing new, as there have been many false teachers and apostates throughout history. However, the call of Jesus is for us to fully give our lives to him, and to build our faith on a firm foundation so that it is immovable.

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-10, Romans 1:16, Acts 1:8 Summary: Much has changed in the last 2,000 years since the early church was born. Many methods, styles, and ministries have come and gone. But several things have not changed. The world is still in sin and people need the gospel to be saved. But they need Christians who have the words, that come with power, the Holy Spirit, and full conviction to make a difference. We need confident Christians who live out the Christian faith.

Scripture: 2 Tim. 4:1-8, Rom. 3:23, Prov. 24:16, 1 John 1:9, Ps. 119:71 Summary: We dealt with perseverance and "pressing on" last week. This week we will deal with the reality of failure. All have sinned and fallen short, and we still stumble, but we are called to keep pursuing Jesus. There is forgiveness and cleansing offered to all who call on the Lord, and confess their sins, but we are called to keep the faith; to finish strong!

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21, Matt. 10:22, Rom. 5:3-5, Rev. 2:19.Heb. 10:36. Summary: Perseverance seems to be a foreign characteristic these days. But it's something that faithful men and women throughout history demonstrated well. The Apostle Paul was one who faced many challenges and trials, but he also persevered. He teaches us to press on for the prize in Christ.

Scripture: Matthew 19:22:30 Summary: In our last message we dealt with Jesus calling a rich young man to give up his possessions and follow him; but he left sorrowful. He was not willing to give up his things to embrace the life and adventure Jesus had for him. This week we learn to be faithful in the small things. If we are faithful in little, God will entrust us with greater things. Each day, if we do what's possible, God will do the impossible.

Scripture: Mark 10:17-22; 8:34; 16:15, John 12:24 Summary: Many of us did adventurous and even dangerous things in our youth. There are people that have made careers out of doing dangerous feats for money, fame, or even the thrill of it all. But are you willing to do anything dangerous for God? God calls us to go into a dangerous world to share the gospel and to build churches, yet instead of living dangerously in any new adventure for Christ, many have settled for comfort and protection. Learn to live dangerously for God!

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:13-21, Dan. 6:10, Acts 5:29 Summary: We're immersed in a very political environment. Things are so intense that what one believes can get them socially "canceled" or deleted by friends on social media. Even so, many Christians find themselves wondering how they are to respond as citizens of heaven in our country. However, there are biblical instructions for the Church and how we respond matters to God. At the end of the day, our mission is not to save America, it is to save Americans.

We're immersed in a very political environment. Things are so intense that what one believes can get them socially "canceled" or deleted by friends on social media. Even so, many Christians find themselves wondering how they are to respond as citizens of heaven in our country. However, there are biblical instructions for the Church and how we respond matters to God. At the end of the day, our mission is not to save America, it is to save Americans.

What are you controlled by? Are you controlled by the love of God? Many today talk about the "God of love." and they redefine love and make everything they do acceptable because "God is love". But we need to refocus on the "love of God". How does he demonstrate his love toward us, and how does his love affect us? Paul says that "The love of God controls us." And it should control us as we demonstrate his love in this world.

To be anointed by God, means to have God's hand, blessing, and presence upon your life. In some instances, those who were anointed by God (through a messenger of God), disobeyed, and his Spirit and blessings left them. In today's message we will learn to keep the anointing of God and not become yesterday's man or woman, but remain as today's committed servant.

An idol is anything that diverts our devotion from God. One of the ten commandments that is often overlooked is, "Have no other God before me." and our society is just as idolatrous as it has been throughout history. In this message we will learn how to intercept these idols and in some cases, destroy them, so that we may give all of our love and devotion to the Lord Jesus.

God is calling everyone to be saved and he also calls people specifically for certain ministry tasks and gifts them. Many were called at a young age, but didn't answer the call, but others did because God keeps calling. In this message, learn to answer the call of God on your life and use your gifts for his kingdom.

Christians are people who help those in need. The scriptures are replete with examples and teachings about this. In this message we learn about how hard times have an effect on people, but ultimately they call for holy people to act.

One of the primary missions of the church is to proclaim the good news of Jesus so people come into a relationship with him and be saved. But many modern Christians don't go much further than that. They have gone down to an altar, and maybe prayed a "sinner's prayer". And there's not much beyond that for their life. Some say, "I'm a Christian. I'm good." And many churches have spent a lot of time "getting people saved." But here's the deal, in Christianity, it's not just about being saved, it's about making disciples, and living saved. Many are left wondering what's next for their life. In this message we'll learn what's next.

You can be filled with the Holy Spirit! One of the greatest moments in human history happened when the Holy Spirit arrived and empowered the Church. Yet the Day of Pentecost is largely underemphasized in Christianity and we want to emphasize the fact that we need the Holy Spirit and his wonderful and powerful ministry in and through the Church.

We live in a time where ministry has become very challenging as there are those within the local churches fighting for tradition, religion, and many have good intentions that just aren't fruitful. But as Christians and a church we have been commissioned by Jesus to proclaim his resurrection and continue to make disciples. This means that when there's a collision between mission and tradition, and religion, as well as good intentions, we have to return purely to the Great Commission.

We have been speaking to cultural issues the last couple weeks. This week we will speak to the fact that it's okay to have Jesus and a therapist. Some might say that "All I need is Jesus." But we want to encourage people that they need the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They also need the body of Christ, and gifted people to help mentor them, as well as wise people to help with the needs and cares of life. The church has made some mistakes in making mental health issues something we shouldn't talk about. Mental health is a real issue and Christ, his Church and good counselors are available to help.

In what we would call "recent years" we have seen a rise in "deathworks." A "deathwork" is something that radically rejects what is sacred and tramples upon it, rendering it repulsive and vile. An example of this is abortion. It takes life which is sacred and makes it a right to kill life and celebrates the very act. Another example of this is found in the rise of pornography. It takes the sacredness of purity, marriage, and sex, and perverts it into lust and promotes casual sex while objectifying the participants and ultimately desecrating what is holy.

Stockholm Syndrome happens when a person may have positive feelings toward their hostage-taker. Spiritual Stockholm Syndrome is very similar in that people have positive feelings toward their old life in the enemy's camp. The Israelites often recalled living as slaves in Egypt as a positive thing in contrast to their new freedom with God. Today we will learn to not go back.

Join us for a message from Pastor Mary Schmidt.

We have completed our series on the life of Jesus with celebrating the fact that Christ is alive and in last week's sermon we dealt with the evidence and that Christ invited us into his life. This week we will deal with some extra biblical evidence for the resurrection and the Shroud of Turin, and also emphasize eternal life and evangelism.

It's Resurrection Sunday and we have arrived at the final message in our series, "The Life of Jesus". In today's message, we will talk about the very fact that Jesus is ALIVE and there is much evidence for the resurrection, or as Luke says, "He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs." And we are to believe and join him in the life he lives.

It's Palm Sunday, yet in our series Jesus has already arrived in Jerusalem. The people welcomed him and shouted "hosanna". He would cleanse the temple and teach there daily. Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper. He is betrayed, arrested, denied, mocked, and led through an illegal trial. Even Pontius Pilate knew that Jesus was innocent. Pilate had Jesus scourged and wanted to release him, but the people wanted Barabbas (a known criminal). In this we see a portrait of what Christ came to do. He took our place. The innocent died so the guilty can go free.

Join us this week for a sermon from Pastor Mike.

Jesus is in Jerusalem. The chief priests and scribes were plotting to have him killed and Judas approached them with the opportunity they needed. Though the Last Supper was a wonderful and intimate time with the disciples, everything is about to change. Jesus will be betrayed, arrested, denied, and mocked. As the prophet Isaiah wrote, "He was despised and rejected by men..." And the truth is that all those who choose to follow him will also experience similar things in this world.

The church has been participating in the sacrament of the Lord's Supper for 2,000 years. It's a wonderful time to commune with Christ and with the church. In today's message, we learn a little of the history and seriousness of this sacred time. We will also learn that Jesus desires to do this with us.

Jesus came once, and he is coming again and he often gave us warnings to stay awake and be alert. In today's message we will deal with Jesus telling us to watch ourselves and to not get caught up in drunken parties and the cares of the world because both will prevent us from being prepared for the Day of Christ. We must work to pay attention!

Some people recoil when money is brought up in church, but regardless of the way people respond, money is a major theme throughout the scriptures. And there are many wonderful instructions on the fact that we should give and how to give and even our heart's response when giving. In today's message we learn about a widow who gave all. For Christians, it's not about giving equal amounts, it's about equal sacrifice, faith, love, and obedience. We are under grace and should give accordingly.

Join us for a message about the fact that God changes our very desires through devotion and discipline.

You may have heard someone ask, "Can you lose your salvation?". But it's not about losing salvation as much as it is about leaving. We find in the scriptures that people do in fact depart from the faith. People leave Christ and his church all the time. In this sermon, learn how to fight the spiritual drift that is taking place in our culture. Learn to draw close to Jesus and remain faithful.

Join us for a message from Pastor Jay.

In our last message we talked about Jesus wanting the children to come to him. In today's message we will learn about Zacchaeus who climbed a tree to see Jesus and Jesus comes to his home, which in turns leads to Zacchaeus experiencing salvation.

In our last message we dealt with Jesus showing us that we have full access to God. And he goes even further. He even wants the children to have access to him; that we shouldn't hinder them. In this message we will learn that we must do everything possibly to make a way for children to come. And that we must become like children.

Jesus often uses parables to teach us about God. Sometimes they are comparisons and sometimes they are contrasts. In this message, we will learn that we have full access to God. We have access into his throne room, as it were, and we get to come to him as children. He loves to hear from us, but first we must strip away our external religious fronts and come as repentant sinners, that we may be saved.

A message from the book of Nehemiah about serving God and strong prayer.

As Christ followers we are in the world, but we are not to conform to the ways of the world. We are called out to live like Christ. In recent years profanity has become "popular" but the scriptures teach Christians to have self control over what they say and to not engage in filthy and foolish speech or crde jokes. Those who don't believe in Christ should see and hear something different in the life of Christians.