John 3:31-36 - The Testimony of Jesus

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at the final words of John the Baptist in the Gospel of John (John 1:31-36). As the last of the prophets fades from the scene his farewell address calls us to a faithful obedience to Christ. To believe in the Son is to have eternal life, to not obey the Son is not to see life, but the wrath of God remains on him (v36).

Listen Online: John 3:31-36

Read Online: John 3:31-36

John 3:22-30 - The Answer to a Competitive Christianity

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel takes a look at how John the Baptizer instructs his disciples as to the supremacy of Christ in all things. In John 3:22-30, John’s disciples bemoan the loss of influence as Jesus attracts more attention, to which John utters the great response: “He must increase, but I must decrease.” What we are given is not on the basis of what we think we deserve, but only by God’s gracious hand. This allows us to hold lightly His gifts and to point others to the work of His Son.

Listen Online: John 3:22-30

Read Online: John 3:22-30

John 3:16-21 - The Heart of the Gospel

In this sermon, Rev. Ben Sinnard looks at John 3:16-21 where we see the heart of the Gospel, the love of the Father to the world. Nicodemus asked in 3:9, "How can these things be?" and Jesus later in 3:15 states, "that whoever believes in him (the Son of Man) may have eternal life." We see in our text further explanation of how these things can be, that in the giving of the Son of Man those who believe in him can have eternal life. We revisit the theme of light and darkness as this gift of the Son divides those who are entrusting themselves to the light with those who want to stay in the darkness fearing the exposure of the light.

Listen Online: John 3:16-21

Read Online: John 3:16-21

John 3:9-15 - That's Just the Way It Is

In this sermon, Rev. Mike Wenzler looks at John 3:9-15, where the dialogue between Nicodemus and Jesus turns into a monologue; Jesus teaches and Nicodemus listens. Nicodemus wanted to know "how can these things be" and Jesus will tell him, though our Lord's answer is not what Nicodemus expected. Part of the answer includes mention of an Old Testament story of Moses and the Israelites as they wandered through the wilderness.


Listen Online: John 3:9-15

Read Online: John 3:9-15

John 3:1-10 - New Birth

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at John 3:1-10. Nicodemus comes to see Jesus at night and discovers first hand the insufficiency of his own understanding of who Jesus is and why He has come. This passage introduces us to familiar verses in John’s Gospel. Jesus’ response to Nicodemus’ compliment (“We know that you are a teacher come from God…”) is met with the call that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” The supernatural new birth that comes from above forms the basis of their discussion, taking us to Old Testament passages to show us what it means to follow Christ.

Listen Online: John 3:1-10

Read Online: John 3:1-10

John 2:13-25 - Commercialized Christianity

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at John 2:13-25, where Jesus clears the temple of those selling the animals for sacrifice and the moneychangers. More than just a frustration with avarice or a statement against commercialism, Jesus is setting the stage for a renewed worship. His death for our sins and resurrection on the third day establishes a whole new way of approaching God the Father.


Listen Online: John 2:13-25

Read Online: John 2:13-25

John 2:1-12 - Renewing Our Joy

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel looks at John 2:1-12, where Jesus performs his first miracle, turning water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana. Here we see how Jesus comes with grace and truth, replacing the emptiness of self effort with the graciousness of God’s pleasure.

Listen Online: John 2:1-12

Read Online: John 2:1-12

Luke 2:22-35 - The Wait Is Over

In this sermon, Rev. Mike Wenzler looks at Luke 2:22-35 and Isaiah 60:1-3 in conjunction with the Christ Candle. The salvation Jesus brought is played out in His presentation in the Temple. There His conformity to the Law and His complete revelation calls us to account. The music of this season began on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflected longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we moved closer to Christmas Day, the music focused more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:22-35

Read Online: Luke 2:22-35

Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 9:2-7 - Treasuring Jesus

This Sunday, Rev. Ben Sinnard will look at Luke 2:8-20 and Isaiah 9:2-7 in conjunction with the Angel Candle. This revelation and proclamation from the angels led those who heard it to wonder and treasure up this newborn baby. May we treasure Jesus above all else. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 9:2-7

Read Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 9:2-7

Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 40:9-11 - Shepherds

This Sunday, Rev. Chris Vogel will look at Luke 2:8-20 and Isaiah 40:9-11 in conjunction with the Shepherd Candle. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 40:9-11

Read Online: Luke 2:8-20; Isaiah 40:9-11

Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:1-5a - Bedlam in Bethlehem

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel will look at Luke 2:1-7 and Micah 5:1-5a, which is in conjunction with the Bethlehem Candle as we reflect on the Messiah’s birth in David’s city. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:1-5a

Read Online: Luke 2:1-7; Micah 5:1-5a

Matthew 1:18-23 & Isaiah 7:10-17 - The Promise of God's Presence

In this sermon, Rev. Chris Vogel will look at Matthew 1:18-23 and Isaiah 7:10-17 in conjunction with the Prophecy Candle as we reflect on the promise from ages past in which a virgin will give birth to a son, whose name will be Immanuel, God with us. The music of this season begins on a note of reflection in anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. Just as Israel longed for redemption in the midst of darkness, so the advent songs reflect longing for the need of deliverance and redemption. As we move closer to Christmas Day, the music focuses more on the joy and hope realized by Christ’s birth, the deliverance and hope that it brings.

Listen Online: Matthew 1:18-23; Isaiah 7:10-17

Read Online: Matthew 1:18-23

Read Online: Isaiah 7:10-17