You should be a hedonist. The God of the universe means for you to find unending pleasure in the only thing that can so satisfy: God himself. This is what the gospel is about. Do you make that connection between finding your satisfaction in God and the gospel? Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on 1 Peter 3:18 at the outdoor service marking Westview's fifth anniversary as a church.
As Westview marks its fifth anniversary as a church, listen to a few member testify of God's faithfulness and give attention to Pastor David's exhortation to adorn the doctrine of God through our own faithfulness.
How is it that you decide to do what it is that you do? You could use a framework of comparative virtues and vices or one focused on adhering to stated rules. But could you make a decision from your own joy in doing the thing? Would such a motive undermine the inherent value or goodness of the deed? Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on 2 Corinthians 8:1-7 and 9:6-8 to hear how we are encouraged to do good for others for our joy.
Is there ever a situation or context where it is good and right for you to say, "No," to the Lord? Consider that our God made humanity in a "garden of yes" or that the Lord Jesus always said, "Yes," to his Father's will. Listen to Pastor Zach's exhortation to never say, "No."
Titus 3:1-7 connects our conduct with one another to the saving work of Christ. Listen to that same connection and "heed the parable" that Pastor David shares in this exhortation.
There are two ways you can evaluate an idea or experience—you can look at it or you can look along it. In considering why we should seek happiness, we do well to do both as we are commanded, promised, and modeled to be most satisfied in God that he would be most glorified in us. Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on Philippians 1:20-23 for more.
Here is an article titled, "Finding Identity," written and read by Annie Chase. You can read this article at https://westviewchurchmn.com/blog.
If God needs nothing, ultimately acts for his own glory in all things, and eternally delights in himself, why should we worship? Listen to Pastor Zach's sermon on John 4:23-24 for more.
Here is an article titled, "Pursuing Joy in Generosity," written and read by Pastor Brett. You can read this article at https://westviewchurchmn.com/blog.
The wrath of God against sin was famously and rightly highlighted in Jonathan Edwards’ sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” We do well to reflect on such truths. Listen to Toby Phillips’ exhortation for more.
Why are certain men called “father”? It isn’t a mere biological reality, nor is it a projection for us to refer to God as Father. Men are fathers because God is. And God is Father means he pursues happiness. Listen to Pastor Brett’s sermon on John 17:24-26 and God’s delight in God for more.
We have begun publishing articles on our website, westviewchurchmn.com/blog. To make these resources more broadly accessible to our members, equipping you in following Christ in all of life, here is “The Market Demand for Chaplains” written and read by Pastor Brett.
"All men seek happiness." That is conclusion of 17th century philosopher Blaise Pascal. We experience happiness when we function according to our design. However, if we're going to do that, we need to know our Designer's purpose. Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on Ephesians 1:3-6 in answering the question, "What is God's greatest purpose?"
Are you walking according to the Spirit? How would you know? Listen to Pastor Brett's exhortation for more. [Tag: Romans 8:1-8, Galatians 5:16-26]
The brief book of Jude exhorts us to keep ourselves in the love of God by building, praying, and waiting. Doing so moves us to overflow in evangelistic joy, "snatching them out of the fire." But we are not left to ourselves to attain this—God is the one who keeps us (v.24). Listen to Gabe Johnson's exhortation for more.
As we listen to the prophet Joel, we hear him speak of devastating judgment, redeeming restoration, and sharing in the blessing that comes through repentance that is inward, outward, and Godward. Listen to this reading of the book of Joel and Pastor David's sermon on the whole book.
The commendation for being a fellow laborer is invalid if we do not commit ourselves to any activity sanctioned by Jesus for his disciples. We must exert ourselves in the things Scripture exhorts us in with gospel sweat. Listen to Pastor David's exhortation to do the work for more.
Hell is real. Unity is hard. Christ is coming. In verses that can too easily be glossed over, we see the apostle brings 1 Corinthians to a close in a similar way to how he began it: giving attention the theological reality of God's blood-bought people and the preciousness of Christ himself. Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on 1 Corinthians 16:19-24 for more.
If you walk into a dirty room that is just utterly filthy, you will quickly recognize that the occupant needs to learn how to clean. The same is true in seeking and offering forgiveness. We can't just offer up a generic, "Sorry." We need to confess fully. Listen to Pastor Zach's exhortation for more.
In a passage like 1 Corinthians 16:10-18, we need to do the diligent work of moving from the original context, across the bridge of the universal principle, in order to land on application for our lives. In doing so, we see we ought to be subject to fellow workers and act like men. Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon for more.
Robert Moffat spent fifty-four years laboring for the advance of the gospel among the Tswana people of South Africa. He saw little fruit of his labors. What could keep him at such work for so long? The perfect patience of Christ to save sinners. Listen to Connor Kennedy's sermon on 1 Timothy 1:15-17 for more.
There is a place for godly ambition—doing great things, daring great things in the name of the Lord. But we must not, particularly moms, be discontent with the simple faithfulness of our place in life. Listen to Pastor Brett's exhortation for more.
You give it away and try to get more every day. You have argued about it, but you don’t talk about it with others. What is it? Money. The love of which is the root of all kinds of evils (1 Timothy 6:10). There are a number of ways to safeguard against such a danger, one of which is planned generosity for gospel partnership. Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on 1 Corinthians 16:1-9 for more.
We ought to be stirred up in our diligent labors by looking to the ant. It requires no parent, no supervisor, no authority, yet labors faithfully. Work is good, and no small work should be despised. Listen to Michael Urch's exhortation to not walk in idleness for more.
"Preach the gospel, die, and be forgotten." Is that a motto you would ascribe to for your life? It comes from an 18th century German count who saw no disconnect between the resurrected Christ and the work to be done today. Neither does the Apostle Paul. Listen to Pastor Brett's sermon on 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be challenged be steadfast in the hope of the resurrection by abounding in the work of the Lord knowing such work will not be in vain.
Are you ready for the world to come? Are you ready to engage in that life that Christ has secured for eternity? There will be no one in Heaven who does not want to be there, so is there even now a growing desire for the Kingdom of God? Listen to Pastor David's exhortation for more.
The Tenth Commandment might not be climactic but it is different as it takes place in the heart. What happens in your heart when a friend receives something good? Listen to Pastor Zach’s exhortation to not covet for more.
When was the first time in your life you experienced death? How do you make sense of this world in light of the problem that is death? First Corinthians 15:51-57 not only provides the solution but provokes us to the boldness of confident hope that God is giving us the victory. Listen to Pastor Brett’s sermon for more.
Wake up, and know your God! The reality of the resurrection of the dead transforms how God’s people live: we are to proclaim the resurrection through a life of sacrifice, and we have hope and contentment now as we fix our eyes on Christ, our ultimate treasure. Listen to Pastor Zach’s sermon on I Corinthians 15:29-34 to learn how to live in the knowledge of the resurrection.
Why is stealing wrong? Because when we take what we haven’t worked for and what we don’t deserve, we tarnish the image of God that we bear. And even if you’ve never shoplifted, you still might be a thief; stealing takes many forms, but it always robs God of something he has entrusted us or others to steward. Listen to this week’s exhortation from Toby Phillips for more.
