Weekly teaching audio from the Sunday Morning services at West Side Church in Richland, WA.
Pastor Ralph continues our new series, "I'm Just Asking For A Friend - Why I Am A Christian" today with the topic, "Jesus, Politics & Nationalism - What Should We Do?" The last thing any Christian should ever say is: “Don't ask questions, you are just supposed to believe.” Jesus invites us to trust him, because He is the way, the truth, and the life. We should never be afraid of finding the truth, because if Jesus is who he says he is, then we find truth when we ultimately find him. Still there are times when people wonder, “Is it okay to ask?” In this short little series of talks, we are going to deal with four questions that looking for answers. Our dominant culture is becoming more hostile to Christian faith, and as we are being influenced by the larger culture, we may not know how to respond. We'll explore the following topics: 10/30 – How do we engage with difficult questions? 11/6 – Wouldn't the world be better off without religion? 11/13 – Jesus, politics, and nationalism - What should we do? 11/20 – Isn't Christianity sexually oppressive?
Pastor Ralph continues our new series, "I'm Just Asking For A Friend - Why I Am A Christian" today with the topic, "How Can You Say There Is Only One True Faith?" The last thing any Christian should ever say is: “Don't ask questions, you are just supposed to believe.” Jesus invites us to trust him, because He is the way, the truth, and the life. We should never be afraid of finding the truth, because if Jesus is who he says he is, then we find truth when we ultimately find him. Still there are times when people wonder, “Is it okay to ask?” In this short little series of talks, we are going to deal with four questions that looking for answers. Our dominant culture is becoming more hostile to Christian faith, and as we are being influenced by the larger culture, we may not know how to respond. We'll explore the following topics: 10/30 – Aren't we better off without religion? 11/6 – How can you say there is only one true faith? 11/13 – Isn't the Bible sexually oppressive? 11/20 – How could a loving God allow so much suffering?
Pastor Ralph begins our new series, "I'm Just Asking For A Friend - Why I Am A Christian" today with the topic, "Aren't We Better Off Without Religion?" The last thing any Christian should ever say is: “Don't ask questions, you are just supposed to believe.” Jesus invites us to trust him, because He is the way, the truth, and the life. We should never be afraid of finding the truth, because if Jesus is who he says he is, then we find truth when we ultimately find him. Still there are times when people wonder, “Is it okay to ask?” In this short little series of talks, we are going to deal with four questions that looking for answers. Our dominant culture is becoming more hostile to Christian faith, and as we are being influenced by the larger culture, we may not know how to respond. We'll explore the following topics: 10/30 – Aren't we better off without religion? 11/6 – How can you take the Bible literally? 11/13 – Isn't the Bible sexually oppressive? 11/20 – How could a loving God allow so much suffering?
Today Pastor Ralph finishes our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus - Lesson #7 Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose. There are no sermon notes for this series.
Today Pastor Ralph continues our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus - Lesson #6 Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose. There are no sermon notes for this series.
Today Pastor Ralph continues our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus - Lesson #5 Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose. There are no sermon notes for this series.
Today Pastor Ralph continues our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus - Lesson #4 Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose. There are no sermon notes for this series.
Today Pastor Ralph continues our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose. There are no sermon notes for this series.
Today Pastor Ralph continues our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose. There are no sermon notes for this series.
Today Pastor Ralph kicks off our Fall Sermon Series: Finding our Purpose - Seven Messages from Jesus Jesus is calling you to follow Him. You have a divine purpose, a reason for your existence. At the very same time, Jesus has a call on us together to follow Him. He has a divine purpose for our community of believers at West Side. Aligning with our purpose is both life giving and world changing, because God's purpose for us is cosmic in scope even as it is intimately personal. I believe Jesus wants to lead you into a life where you experience a profound sense of fullness and peace. It is the feeling of things fitting together the way they are supposed to. It is a feeling of passion but also assurance. It is the feeling of knowing, “this is what I was made for!” In this series of talks, we are going to discuss seven messages of Jesus that he spoke to congregations that we were facing pressure and sometimes even persecution. In the midst of the pressure Jesus called them to trust him by living a certain kind of life. The life he calls us to live, is one where individually and together, we choose God's call and purpose.
Join us as we finish our Blessed to be a Blessing sermon series. We will be hearing about Choosing Joy this Labor Day weekend. No sermon notes in the summer.
Join us as we finish our Blessed to be a Blessing sermon series. We will be hearing about the blessing of the Alpha program and hearing testimonies from our brothers and sisters!
1 Peter 4:8-11 was the passage that the High School Deputation Team focused on throughout their mission trip. Each morning, they spent quiet time reflecting on the passage and each day had a different focus: Monday – love; Tuesday – share; Wednesday – gifts; Thursday – serve; Friday – glory/praise; Saturday – loved. As we wrap up our Blessed to be a Blessing series, in preparation for our time serving the community of Marcus Whitman for the Back2School Party, I thought it fitting to review these concepts. If we're truly going to be a blessing, we need a deep understanding of what it means to love, how to share what we have, what gifts each of us is given, how we all can serve others, all in the name of praising God. And this only happens as we truly understand in our heads and in our hearts that we are loved. So, today I pray that you are encouraged, challenged, and blessed by the Holy Spirit to continue being a blessing. There are no sermon notes in the summer.
The Summer Trainee program is a 50+ year tradition of investing into a few college students that they might be a blessing to the people in the church. The Roátan partnership with Dwellings is a new and developing tradition that has seen a number of families be blessed through West Side's financial donations and labor to help build homes. Today, we get to hear about both of these amazing ministries and the impact they have had. no sermon notes in the summer
Progressive Mission Trip: Youth Deputation 2022 With the opportunity to return back to some of our normal rhythms, the youth leadership team planned to pick up where we left off with our Deputation plans. We had planned the summer of 2020 to be a trip to the Yakama Nation and this is what we presented to students in January 2022. What we discovered was little interest so we pivoted, asking the question, “What will help spark some life into the ministry?” We came up with a “Progressive Mission Trip.” Instead of going to one place and serving for a week, we spent a week traveling to numerous places and partnering with various churches and organizations to make a difference in their respective communities. Today, you'll get to hear from the kids about their experiences, who we partnered with, the ways God used the kids to be a blessing, and the ways that God grew each of us. We truly were Blessed to be a Blessing.
Join us as we kick off our new series Blessed to Be a Blessing. This week you will hear a message from Shari Grover.
This Sunday, we celebrated the culmination of a week of VBS. All week long the kids learned about the tabernacle in the wilderness and how it foreshadowed Jesus and ultimately His dying for our sins. Today, we got to hear from the drama team, be reminded of what the tabernacle represented, and receive a special blessing from high priest Aaron (Karel).
In this series, we are going to look at this wonderful gift with all of its challenges and problems, but with a decidedly optimistic view. We really do need to embrace our church family if we want to experience the life God has given us. This week's topic is "Praying". Churches have buildings, but churches are not their buildings. The church is very much God's idea, but it is also God's gift. When Jesus saves us into life, he joins us into a family. While the family of God is spread out across centuries and around the world, the Church takes on flesh in an actual community of people who gather to share life together. The church can be and is called to be a little bit of heaven on earth. Let me remind you that this is God's idea. But. Sometimes, we broken people actually struggle to get along, and yet this seems to be part of God's idea as well. We are called to work out our salvation, and the most obvious way we are to do that is in community. There will be no sermon notes during the summer.
Churches have buildings, but churches are not their buildings. The church is very much God's idea, but it is also God's gift. When Jesus saves us into life, he joins us into a family. While the family of God is spread out across centuries and around the world, the Church takes on flesh in an actual community of people who gather to share life together. The church can be and is called to be a little bit of heaven on earth. Let me remind you that this is God's idea. But. Sometimes, we broken people actually struggle to get along, and yet this seems to be part of God's idea as well. We are called to work out our salvation, and the most obvious way we are to do that is in community. In this series, we are going to look at this wonderful gift with all of its challenges and problems, but with a decidedly optimistic view. We really do need to embrace our church family if we want to experience the life God has given us. This week's topic is "Listening". There will be no sermon notes during the summer.
Churches have buildings, but churches are not their buildings. The church is very much God's idea, but it is also God's gift. When Jesus saves us into life, he joins us into a family. While the family of God is spread out across centuries and around the world, the Church takes on flesh in an actual community of people who gather to share life together. The church can be and is called to be a little bit of heaven on earth. Let me remind you that this is God's idea. But. Sometimes, we broken people actually struggle to get along, and yet this seems to be part of God's idea as well. We are called to work out our salvation, and the most obvious way we are to do that is in community. In this series, we are going to look at this wonderful gift with all of its challenges and problems, but with a decidedly optimistic view. We really do need to embrace our church family if we want to experience the life God has given us. This week's topic is "Reconciling". There will be no sermon notes during the summer.
Churches have buildings, but churches are not their buildings. The church is very much God's idea, but it is also God's gift. When Jesus saves us into life, he joins us into a family. While the family of God is spread out across centuries and around the world, the Church takes on flesh in an actual community of people who gather to share life together. The church can be and is called to be a little bit of heaven on earth. Let me remind you that this is God's idea. But. Sometimes, we broken people actually struggle to get along, and yet this seems to be part of God's idea as well. We are called to work out our salvation, and the most obvious way we are to do that is in community. In this series, we are going to look at this wonderful gift with all of its challenges and problems, but with a decidedly optimistic view. We really do need to embrace our church family if we want to experience the life God has given us. This week's topic is "Forgiving". There will be no sermon notes during the summer.
Pastor Ralph concludes our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that was preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Renew", we'll talk about the Glory of God with focus on 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." There are no sermon notes today.
Pastor Ralph continues our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that will be preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Redeemed and Refilled", we'll talk about how to accept Paul's Witness of grace and redemption (Ephesians 1-3) and how not to lose hear because "It's all GRACE!" We'll also look at how to practice His presence through love and power because you've got a job to Shine.
Rev. Karel J Coppock continues our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that will be preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Finding Strength: Remind, Remember, Reflect", we'll explore how we find strength in confusing times by receiving grace, reflecting on faith, and remembering Jesus Christ. What does it mean for you to walk in the Spirit?
Patrick Grover continues our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that will be preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Redeem", we'll explore how Christ's redemption of us is born out of His love for us and how this might affect the way we live by faith.
Pastor Ralph continues our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that will be preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Reveal", we'll explore how to understand how God's guidance works through Radical Commitment (Who are you? I'm a follower of Jesus Christ), Biblically shaped Worldview (What do you do? I live by God's revealed will), and Embracing the Family of God (Where do I belong? I belong with God's family).
Pastor Ralph continues our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that will be preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Rename", we'll explore how God has the power to change our name and our destiny. We'll talk about the struggle with accepting that you belong to God and the grace and peace He brings to your life. Go all out for God!
This is the beginning of our Spring sermon series, "RE: Living a Grace-Saturated Life". that will be preached April 24 - June 5, 2022. With this week's topic, "Rebuild and Restore", we'll explore how Jesus rebuilds and restores our life from ruins and how to ask to be filled by the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Ralph preaches the end of the 2022 Holy Week series: "Jesus is the Way." Today is Resurrection "Easter" Sunday, the culmination of Holy Week. This series was preached for Holy Week: April 10-17, 2022. With today's topic, "The Way of Hope", we'll rejoice and worship our Risen Lord Jesus! He invites us into a new life, marked by peace, joy, service, purpose, hope and love.
Pastor Ralph preaches the beginning of the 2022 Holy Week series: "Jesus is the Way." Today is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. This series will be preached through April 17 (Easter). With today's topic, "The Way of Peace", we'll celebrate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem as the true Prince of Peace. We'll discuss what we can learn from Jacob, Zechariah, and Jesus as we explore the peace of Jesus Christ.
Patrick Grover finishes the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. With this week's topic, "Build His Kingdom", we'll explore how to know our Why, our What, and our How - our purpose and call as Jesus works in and through us. And we'll look at how we're living on mission to build God's kingdom.
Guest speaker Kristin Jackson continues the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. With this week's topic, "Better Brothers and Sisters", we'll explore how to have healthy discussions about disputable matters with people who have different opinions. We'll also talk about how we can put into practice being the stronger person which means to be strong in our faith and sometimes have more grace for others.
Pastor Ralph continues the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. With this week's topic, "Good Citizens", we'll explore how to be good citizens and claim our identity in Jesus as we are Christian ambassadors to those around us, living in peace whenever we can but knowing when we must resist.
Pastor Ralph continues the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. With this week's topic, "Love", we'll explore the purpose of Christian Spirituality and why Godly love is the only standard to measure Christianity. We'll also talk about living a live of love (agape) and how to love like Jesus (loving your enemy).
Pastor Ralph continues the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. This week's topic, "Embrace Community", we'll explore why embracing Christian community is so important for being transformed into the likeness of Jesus and how to develop a proper self-image.
Pastor Ralph continues the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. This week's topic, "Be Transformed", we'll explore why there is such a focus on the mind as the place of our transformation as well as what part we have to play in our transformation into Christlikeness and if our part is necessary.
Pastor Ralph continues the series "The Best News Ever PART 2: Paul's Words from Romans". The first part of the series was preached Sept. 19-Nov. 14, 2021. Part 2 began Jan. 9, 2022. This week's topic, "Consider", we'll explore both the goodness of God and the severity of God as we refuse the way of coercive power, receive discipline from God, and exult in the goodness of God.
Rev. Ralph Kieneker preaches this stand alone sermon, "Called" on this first Sunday of the New Year. There are no sermon notes today. Mark 1:14-20 14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Jesus Calls His First Disciples 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Ben Downey preaches this stand alone sermon, "The Greatest: Love God - Love Your Neighbor" on this Sunday after Advent. There are no sermon notes today. Mark 12:28-31 28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” 29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.”.
Pastor Ralph continues our Advent sermon series, "Still Hope in His Name" on this Fourth Sunday of Advent. Today's message, "Prince of Peace", focuses on how choosing peace means understanding conflict and accepting the finished work of Christ.
Pastor Ralph continues our Advent sermon series, "Still Hope in His Name" on this Third Sunday of Advent. Today's message, "Everlasting Father", focuses on how Jesus is the door through which we come to know God as our Father.
Pastor Ralph continues our Advent sermon series, "Still Hope in His Name" on this Second Sunday of Advent. Today's message, "Mighty God", focuses on Biblical hope which is the confident expectation that God is willing and able to fulfill the promises He has made to those who trust in Him.
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
