Sermons by Pastor Daniel Wiersema (Page 13)
“The Judgment of God: Rest & Retribution”
Often we hear about the judgment of God through TV and movies. We don’t often get the correct facts though as people use their creative liberties rather than sticking to the truths of God’s Word. Other venues and people simply laugh at it and make mockery of it. Paul makes it clear though that the judgment of God is coming and that the situation the Thessalonians are going through is evidence of its coming. There are two groups that he…
“An Example to Other Believers”
The Thessalonian church was undergoing some intense persecution in their day. Their endurance as well as their growth as a group of believers was impressive to Paul. To him, they were great examples that other churches around them should look to and follow. The question before us as we go through this passage though is this–are we that same example? What are our lives communicating to other believers and are we living in such a manner as to encourage and…
“The Fish Bowl Effect – Being Living Testimonies”
How many times as a child did you drag mom and dad (or perhaps your kids or grandkids are dragging you) to the fish section at Walmart or any pet store. It is always so much fun to see all the different kinds of fish and how they interact with the other fish and even just move around the tank. Tanks are often made out of clear material for the very purpose of being able to do this. Have you…
“For this Is the Will of God…”
People often question what the will of God is. They search for decades, spend hours in prayer listening for a distinctive voice. However, the Word of God gives us His will pretty explicitly. In 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul conveys what the Word of God has said all along about sexual immorality. We live in a world that worships it though. The world approves of it as we see the pornography industry gross billions of dollars each year. Hollywood glorifies affairs…
“Excel Still More”
For many people who played sports, you remember the coach and knew the abilities that were contained within you and challenged and encouraged you to push and on strive to be better. They brought out the absolute best skill and crafted in within you. The Apostle Paul encouraged the Thessalonians in their walk with God. He was pleased to see how they were following their Savior. He commended them for their walk. Yet he challenged and encouraged them to excel…
“God’s Word Changes Lives”
We all have witnessed this as we hear people’s testimonies of faith and see changes in people’s lives. Let’s bring a question close to home though. Do you believe that the Word of God is true? Do you believe it is really real? Your actions reflect your belief. We can take a lesson from the Thessalonian believers and what the Apostle Paul writes about their faith its reflection into their lives. God’s Word does changes lives. The most important question…
“Encouraging the Church”
The church at Thessalonica had been through “much tribulation”. There were in need of some encouragement and that is exactly what we see Paul doing here. He had heard the report from Timothy and testimonies from area residents. He also remembered his time with them. Combining all that, he uses those reports and knowledge to lift up this body of believers. From it we are challenged as well to encourage each other as a church as well as follow the…
“A Letter from Corinth”
The Apostle Paul throughout his many years of ministry had the opportunity to proclaim the gospel all throughout the Roman Empire and start a number of churches. Most of his epistles in the New Testament are letters to those churches that he started over the years. Thessalonica, located on the Agean Sea, next to Philippi, was one of those churches. Over the course of the next weeks, we will be walking through both 1st & 2nd Thessalonians and studying the…
“Isaiah’s Messiah – His Identity”
The Old Testament tells us much about Jesus Christ before He came. What does Isaiah 9 have to say about His identity? We will be looking at the four famous names of title so of the chapter – Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. As we examine these we will see how Christ has fulfilled them in His character already and what things are yet to come. It has been a fascinating study this week and one…
“Loving God. Loving Others.”
We have spent the last few months talking about the “one anothers” found in the Scriptures. We now look back and review what we have learned these past months and focus on applying them in our lives. The focus of this church, this local body, for many years has been Loving God. Loving Others. The “one anothers” are at the core of this. The love we have for one another is seen as we practice these things from Scripture. And our…
“Service – A One Another Not Just A Department”
We are still talking about the one anothers and for good reason. The one anothers are vital to the health and ministry of the church. Service is one of the most important. It is through service one another that we even have the ministry of the church. Christ, Himself, set the example and manner in which we are to serve. How does that look in a present day context and why should I even be motivated to serve? We look…
“The One Anothers Continued”
Take a listen as we continue to work through the one anothers not only found in the book of Ephesians but throughout the New Testament. One anothers like encourage and build up one another, admonish one another, comfort one another, and assemble together with one another.
“Keep on Becoming…”
We have learned what we need to put off in Ephesians 4:31. Now let’s look at the one anothers and what we are to become as the Apostle Paul explains how this is to be a pursuit in our lives.
“Being Doers Means Putting Off the Old”
Have you ever considered that the old self, as the Apostle Paul mentions in Ephesians 4, might just be hindering your practice of the one anothers? Spend some time reading Ephesians 4 and take a listen to what God has to say about letting go of the old self (the habits, practices, etc.) and putting on the new self which emulates Christ.
“What Does It Mean to Be a Doer?”
We looked at why we need to be doers of the Word of God last week. Now let’s dig deeper and discover what it means to actually be a doer of the Word of God.
“Why Be a Doer?”
What’s the point? Why invest my time, my energy, my resources in this pursuit that James discusses in his epistle? Take some time to find out what God has to say about the subject.