In this message, we receive four encouragements to help us to take our focus off of others, so that we don’t end up in either envy-fueled ambition or quitting on life. Instead we learn we are to focus on surrendering to God, trusting that His choices are better than ours. When we do this we can experience the blessings of contentment. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 24th, 2024.
Nov 24, 2024•34 min
In this sermon, Jim preaches on Ecclesiastes 4:1-3. We are reminded of how oppression is very present in the world. We discover that our call as a church is to draw attention to cases of oppression, to call people to repentance, and to comfort the oppressed. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 17th, 2024.
Nov 17, 2024•29 min
This sermon explores Ecclesiastes 3:18-22, where Solomon reflects on the similarities between humans and animals. However, Pastor Jim emphasizes the distinction of humans from animals by explaining what it means to be made in the image of God. We realize that humans are made for relationship, dominion, and to be indwelled by God. As we walk by the Holy Spirt, we understand the privilege of what it means to be truly human. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1...
Nov 10, 2024•34 min
In Ecclesiastes 3:15-17, we see Solomon distressed about injustice in the world. Pastor Tom teaches that we find hope in the midst of injustice, by remembering that God is the ultimate judge. We find that our call to love leads to significant change. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:15-17 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on November 3rd, 2024.
Nov 03, 2024•37 min
In Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 and John 1, Pastor Jim explains how the eternal God places eternity in our hearts. Everything God does lasts forever, and that includes the endurance of our souls. We recognize that our response to Jesus is directly linked to how we spend eternity. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 27th, 2024.
Oct 27, 2024•34 min
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Solomon points out the many different seasons of life. Through this teaching, we discover the importance of discerning what season we are in, how to accept the season, and when to ask God to change our season. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 20th, 2024.
Oct 20, 2024•32 min
In this message from Ecclesiastes 2:12-26, we find that the best legacy is living a life that is pleasing to God. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 13th, 2024.
Oct 13, 2024•31 min
In this sermon, we find that obedience to God and the fear of God are the solution to a spirit of accumulation. We discover that this is the path to experiencing fullness of joy. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 2:4-11 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on October 6th, 2024.
Oct 06, 2024•30 min
This week’s message explores the theme of true happiness and satisfaction, using the biblical story of Solomon from Ecclesiastes. We reflect on how people often seek happiness in temporary pleasures—such as wealth, laughter, projects, or relationships—but find them unfulfilling. We find through the scripture that lasting happiness can only be found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ! And that true joy comes not from worldly pursuits but from living in, through and from, the person o...
Sep 29, 2024•40 min
In this message we study Ecclesiastes 1:12-18. We read that Solomon finds wisdom to be burdensome. We are reminded that just like our inability to obey the law, we are also unable to walk out our wisdom. We are invited to experience the wisdom of God through daily communion with Christ. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on September 22nd, 2024.
Sep 22, 2024•37 min
In Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Solomon declares that he feels like everything is meaningless, a sentiment we can all resonate with. As explore this passage together, Pastor Jim helps us see that God is always doing something new, he meets us where we are, and he wants to transform our lakes into rivers. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on September 15th, 2024.
Sep 15, 2024•40 min
In this message, Pastor Jim began a new sermon series on the book of Ecclesiastes. The story of Naaman and Elisha, found in 2 Kings 5, is used to reveal the message of Ecclesiastes. Through this passage, we find that true meaning for our lives is found in faith and obedience to God. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Second Kings 5 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on September 8th, 2024.
Sep 08, 2024•47 min
Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Acts & Ephesians 2:11-19 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on September 1st, 2024.
Sep 01, 2024•40 min
In this message, we look at how Jesus demonstrates for us true love for neighbor, which asks what is the most that I can do for someone and still meet the other obligations that I have. Pastor Jim walks through multiple examples in the life of Jesus that show how he loved his neighbors with regard to race and ethnicity. As we leave, we are encouraged to go and do likewise. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Luke 10:25-37 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on August...
Aug 25, 2024•41 min
In this message, we have the opportunity to be able to see how in God’s grace he allows obedience in the present with regard to the issue of race and ethnicity to bring healing for injustices in the past. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Second Samuel 21 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on August 18th, 2024.
Aug 18, 2024•39 min
The Bible testifies to the truth that God absolutely hates racial oppression and is always at work to overcome it. In this message, we see that He was at work in Joseph’s life amid great suffering. And He was at work in the nation of Israel amid even greater suffering. And He is at work today in all the racial oppression that has happened and is happening throughout our world. Ultimately, this sermon reminds us that our sins will not overcome God’s faithfulness. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pa...
Aug 11, 2024•49 min
This sermon begins a five-week series on a Biblical Theology of Race and Ethnicity. Through passages from Genesis to Revelation, we see that God’s plan for humanity to diversify, allows us to collectively reflect His image more fully. Through this series, we are called to align our thoughts and actions with God’s heart for multiethnic unity and to build relationships that reflect His diverse creation. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Genesis 1-12 This was recorded live i...
Jul 28, 2024•42 min
In our last sermon in the gospel of Matthew, we hear Jesus giving his disciples the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20. These are Jesus’ last words to his disciples in the closing section of the gospel of Matthew. In these words, Jesus assures us of his power, he explains the commission, and he promises his presence. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 28:18-20 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 28th, 2024.
Jul 28, 2024•39 min
In this sermon, we look at Matthew 28:16-20, what is commonly known as the Great Commission. We hear the answer to this question: What does it actually mean to be a disciple of Jesus? Through examples from the original disciples and passages throughout Scripture, we learned some of the distinguishing characteristics of a disciple. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 28:16-20 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 21st, 2024.
Jul 21, 2024•42 min
In this sermon, we see what God has to say in Matthew 27:62-66 regarding the Pharisee’s false claim that Jesus’ real, physical resurrection was alternatively deception. We considered some of the responses to refute this false claim and some of the evidence of the real, physical resurrection of Jesus. We are reminded that what you believe about Jesus’ resurrection is crucial. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Matthew 27:62-66 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on J...
Jul 14, 2024•34 min
Death is a reality of life in this world. What is our response to it? As we see in this message, through Jesus death is defeated. However, we must decide if this is a fictional story we disregard or a historical event that changes our lives forever. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Matthew 27:27-66 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on July 7th 2024.
Jul 07, 2024•33 min
In this message, we follow along with Jesus at his trial before Pilate in Matthew 27:11-26. Jesus shows us the positive value of silence; that silence truly can be golden. During His trial, we see Jesus is silent because of three things: because he knows his Father, because He submits to his Father’s plan, and because He is committed to his Father’s purpose for him. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 27:11-26 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on June 30th 2...
Jun 30, 2024•45 min
In this sermon, we read Matthew 26:36-56 depicting Jesus and his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. We get a peek into Jesus’ prayer life in one of his darkest of hours. Through this we see how he shares his big emotions and desires with God the Father in prayer. And ultimately, we learn how Jesus’ example can speak into our own darkest moments. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Matthew 26:36-56 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on June 23rd, 2024.
Jun 23, 2024•29 min
In this sermon, we read Matthew 26:17-30 which describes Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. Through this text, we discover the important contrast between Judas and Peter. We looked at Jesus’ institution of Communion with a focus on the blood and the cup. There is significance in Jesus telling us to drink his blood, which is poured into us, not out onto the ground. Speaker: Minister & Senior Pastor, Jim Samra Passage: Matthew 26:17-30, 31-35, 69-75 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, ...
Jun 16, 2024•41 min
This message looks at Matthew 26:14-16 and 27:1-10. In it we see how Judas takes his eyes off Jesus; laying his gaze instead on one of the three Ps of temptation. We see how we should deal with our guilt by looking at how Judas dealt with his. This is an example of how our worship can become disordered. Content Warning: This message mentions death by suicide, as seen with Judas in Matthew 27. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 26:14-16, 27:1-10 This was recorded liv...
Jun 09, 2024•39 min
In this sermon, we read Matthew 26:6-13 about Mary of Bethany's extravagant act of worship. We learn more about the source of Mary's worship, how the disciples responded to witnessing her extravagant act, and about how Jesus affirmed Mary in her worship of him. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 26:1-13 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on June 2nd, 2024.
Jun 02, 2024•40 min
This message comes from Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus’ teaching of the sheep and the goats. Framed with a more positive view of judgement we are drawn deeper in love and knowledge of Jesus through this teaching. Pastor Tom draws upon the image of a courtroom where we see a judge, defendants, evidence, verdict and sentence, to help us better understand our position in this scripture. Speaker: Minister & Lead Pastor, Tom Olsson Passage: Matthew 25:31-46 This was recorded live in Grand Rapids, MI on ...
May 26, 2024•39 min
In this Pentecost Sunday message, we look at the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer.
May 19, 2024•17 min
In this message, we read and considered Matthew 25:14-30, which is the Parable of the Bags of Gold. We are reminded that God provides us as followers of Jesus with unique abilities and opportunities. We learned that God expects us to use them to serve His kingdom in this world.
May 12, 2024•43 min
In this message we are called to think deeply about what it means to be ready for the second coming of Christ. This is a posture that can be somewhat complicated and scary to consider. However, it doesn’t have to be. Thankfully, Jesus doesn’t leave us to fend for ourselves in this matter, and through this text you’ll see that Jesus is for us and will help prepare us.
May 05, 2024•39 min
