Lessons of Liberty

Why is it impossible for law keeping to save us? Why must we trust Christ for our salvation? Pastor Nate explains from Galatians 3:10-14 that the law brings a curse while faith brings salvation. Christ bore the curse for us on the cross, so that we might be freed from the curse through faith.

Where does the power to live as a Christian come from? Pastor Nate explains from Galatians 3:1-9 that the power to save and sanctify cannot come from the works of the law, but must come through faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is foolish pride to think we can somehow be good enough in our own strength.

How should we respond when we feel far from God in the depths? Pastor Seth explains from Psalm 130 that we must draw near to Him because He hears us; He forgives us; He answers us; He loves us; and He redeems us. Instead of letting our sin keep us from God, we can remember who He is and draw near to Him.

Pastor Nate reminds us from Galatians 2:11–21 that the gospel leaves no room for confidence in ourselves or division among God's people. The sufficiency of Christ compels us to stand firm in this gospel by learning to rely on Christ for our justification and to live by faith in the One who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Is there hope when we deserve God's judgment? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 9:11-15 that any hope we find must be grounded in God's good character. God promises mercy even when he promises judgment; He loves us, so He works to reverse our fortunes; and His strength helps us stand even in judgment.

Living for ourselves is not freedom; it's slavery. In Galatians 2:1–10, the Apostle Paul reminds us that the freedom we have in Christ is inseparably connected to the truth of the gospel. Pastor Nate demonstrates from the text how enslaving the subtle legalistic demands we allow can compromise the gospel that frees us.

Grace is not merely a message that calls us to live better—it is transformational. Pastor Nate explains from Galatians 1:13–24 that true grace turns us from self-righteousness to Christ, from human approval to God's Word, and from living for ourselves to living for God's glory. Grace changes everything!

How can we be ready for the the judgment that God's just character demands? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 8:4-9:10 that we will be ready if we have a right relationship with God through Christ. Only then will God's just character draw us to trust, submit, rest, and repent instead of tremble, seek, run, and perish.

What is our responsibility when it comes to preaching the gospel? Pastor Nate explains from Galatians 1:6-10 that true believers in Jesus Christ will remain true to the genuine gospel of Jesus Christ and not be led astray to other so-called gospels.

When God announces His judgment, how should we respond? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 7:1-8:3 and the bad example of Amaziah and Israel that the reality of God's judgment should drive us to respond in wisdom by appreciating God's mercy as He patiently warns and accepting our responsibility in the sin that deserves God's judgment.

What can we do to avoid the destruction and mourning of God's judgment on sin? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 5:1-6:14 that our only hope is not in seeking to self-improve but to seek God. Only by seeking the One who is seeking us can we escape God's judgment.

How can we prepare to meet God? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 4:1-13 that God may smite us to draw us to repentance so that we are prepared to meet Him. Our recognition of our sin, rejection of it, and rest in God will prepare us to meet Him.

Does it make a difference where the message of the gospel originated? Pastor Nate explains from Galatians 1:1-5 that the hope of the gospel is intricately connected to its source in God. If the gospel originates from man, it loses its power over sin and its message to all people.

How should we respond when God speaks? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 3:1-15 that when God's speaks, we must listen and believe especially when He reveals the reality of coming judgment on sin. When we listen to God we'll believe that sin is evil and it's punishment is horrible moving us to turn to Him.

How do we evaluate the growth of the church? Pastor Nate explains from Ephesians 4:11-16 that church growth is less about average attendance and more about spiritual ability. We grow as we use our equipping to help each other grow.

What is the point of gathering together week-in-and-week-out as the church? Pastor Nate explains from Acts 2:42-47 that the church can only grow as it ought to if it is gathered together. There is no such thing as a lone ranger Christian; we grow by gathering.

How does the church become what God created it to be? Pastor Nate Wagner explains from 1 Peter 2:4-10 that what the church is defines what the church does. When remember who we are, we will function as God intended us to function.

How does Jonah fit into the overall story of Scripture? Pastor Nate explains in this biblical theology of Jonah that the book highlights the compassionate, merciful, and gracious heart of God in saving sinners from destruction. It points to us to the saving work of Jesus Christ for even the worst of sinners.

What can we do about the self-righteousness that comes naturally to all of us? Pastor Nate explains from Jonah 4:5-11 that a renewed focus on God's grace toward us will turn our focus off of ourselves and how good we are, and turn it to dependence on God.

What happens when we let pride rule in our hearts? Pastor Nate explains from Jonah 4:1-4 that pride develops into bitter resentment and anger that destroys our relationships. Instead we need a steady of diet of God's mercy to help us think rightly of ourselves and others.

How should we respond to the fact that our hearts are "factories of idols"? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 2:6-16 that the if we do nothing, we will face God's judgment. But if we recognize God's goodness and reject our self-sufficiency our idolatrous hearts can be transformed.

What kind of hope and confidence does Easter provide? Pastor Nate explains from Romans 8:31-39 that our confidence rests completely in Jesus Christ. He is the one who delivers us from opposition, abomination, condemnation, and separation. All of God's promises are guaranteed because of the love shown in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead.

Does Palm Sunday and the triumphal entry have any impact our daily lives? Pastor Nate explains from Romans 8:1-11 that Palm Sunday reminds us that as the King, Jesus has a right to each of our hearts and lives. His reign in our hearts is even more significant than His reign on a throne.

Many people don't like to think about or consider the judgment of God. But assuming it's real, how can we prepare? Pastor Rory explains from Amos 1:3-2:5 how God's oracles of wrath to the nations teach us to respond to God's judgment with awareness, fear, and humility. These attitudes will lead us to the gospel and repentance.

How should repentance impact our lives? Pastor Nate explains from Jonah 3:1-10 that the repentance both drives and demands a lifestyle change that will make the gospel's impact clear to those around us.

How does God's relentless mercy impact us? Pastor Nate explains from Jonah 2:1-10 that God's mercy invites us to whole-hearted surrender as Jonah's example shows us what genuine surrender looks like.

How can we think rightly about the trials and storms that arise in our lives? Pastor Nate explains from Jonah 1:4-17 how the storm in which Jonah found himself was evidence of God's relentless mercy. The storms aren't sent to ruin us, but to rescue our souls.

How should we respond to God? Pastor Rory explains from the opening verses of Amos (Amos 1:1-2) that God is God, we are not, and how that reality should change our lives.

What is it that makes people resistant to obey God and His Word? Pastor Nate explains from Jonah 1:1-3 that only faith that God is who He says He is can move us to obey Him.

How does Luke present Jesus Christ in his gospel? In this, the last sermon in our Luke series, Pastor Nate recaps the entire gospel to show that Luke presents Jesus as the Son of the Most High who will sit on the throne of David.

Jesus's last few days with His disciples were transformative for them. Pastor Nate explains from Luke 24:36-53 how the transformation of the disciples reveals the resurrection's power to change everything including our own lives.

Jesus's resurrection from the dead had a huge impact on the world. Pastor Nate explains from Luke 24:13-35 that Jesus's resurrection revealed His power to transform everything even our fears and doubts into life-giving hope.

Jesus is alive. Three days after He died, He was raised from the dead. But what difference does it make? Pastor Rory explains from Luke 23:50-24:12 that the resurrection gives us more hope than any New Year resolution and it lasts forever.

In a world that is longing for peace, where can we find it? Pastor Nate explains from Ephesians 2:13-18 that Jesus Christ is our peace. Peace became flesh and dwelt among us, a reality that begins with Christmas and the incarnation. Our only hope for peace within ourselves and with each other is for Christ to create it.

Our expectations of Christmas often leave us restless and dissatisfied when the holiday is past. Pastor Nate explains from Haggai 2:6-9 that peace and satisfaction are found not in the gifts or the experiences, but in the Jesus who was promised to come and bring peace with Him.

We can't end up neutral after the cross of Christ confronts us. Pastor Rory explains from Luke 23:26-49 that Luke uses the people around the cross to show his expectation that we will respond in faith and repentance when we see the cross rather than in mere tears or scorn.

Jesus Christ stands in stark contrast to the rest of humanity. Pastor Nate explains from Luke 22:66-23:25 that we, like Barabas, are the guilty who get to go free because Jesus, the innocent, was condemned in our place.

When we fail, we might be tempted to give up. Pastor Nate explains from Luke 22:54-65 that even when we fail, God's compassion lasts forever. We ought not think God's love is like ours, that changes when someone lets us down.

It is common for people to fear and dread when we think about trials. This affects even Christians. But Dr. Lee Ormiston explains from Isaiah 43:1-7 how God's sovereignty can help us trust Him even when circumstances aren't what we would expect or want.

When our way in dark, we can struggle with where to turn. Pastor Nate explains from Luke 22:39-53 that Jesus committed Himself to God even in the dark days before His death. As we consider His example, we can trust God confidently when we face darkness ourselves.

What is the right attitude to have as we pursue faithful discipleship? Pastor Nate explains from Luke 22:21-38 that we must resist our hearts' urge toward being served and lording over others. Faithful disciples requires an attitude of service and humility that imitates Christ.

How does Luke want the Jesus's last supper to impact us? Pastor Rory explains from Luke 22:7-20 that Jesus's last supper helps us trust God's plan in the details of our world and our lives as we see the wisdom in His path and His plan for the future, and remember Christ's sacrifice on the cross.

What is God's plan to save people? Missionary Roberto Coelho explains from Acts 16:5-40 that God sends, saves, and knows what is best as He uses His people to share the good news of the gospel. We must be a part of His plan to share this good news.

What was behind Judas's betrayal of Jesus? Pastor Nate explains from Luke 22:1-6 that Judas's betrayal wasn't so much different from our own unfaithfulness when we are lured by the world to follow our own agenda rather than remain true to Christ.

Does the future return of Christ impact our lives today? Pastor Nate explains from Luke 21:5-38 that Christ's return drives us to live faithful lives today because only faithfulness will have us ready to meet Him when He returns.

Where can we find true satisfaction in this life? Pastor Seth explains from Psalm 84 that we are truly satisfied by drawing near to God in Christ Jesus. Only by dwelling with Him can we find the meaning we are searching for.