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< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 7: Perfect Love in an Imperfect World Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 22, 2026 Matthew 5:43-48 NLT - 43 "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. 1. Loving Your Neighbor Neighbor - plesion - a friend, thy fellow man (a believer who believes like me.) Enemy - echthros - hostile, hating, and opposing another, opposing (God) in the mind. Matthew 5:44 NLT - 44 But I say, love your enemies (echthros)! Pray for those who persecute you! Love - agapaō - the action of showing or practicing selfless love. Agape - unconditional, selfless love of God. Matthew 5:46-47 NLT - 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 2. Presentation of the Gospel How are we presenting the Gospel? Romans 12:1-3 NLT - 1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. 3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Is our worship only face value? Matthew 5:48 NLT - 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect. Perfect - teleios - brought to its end, finished. wanting nothing necessary to completeness, Mature. Philippians 3:12 ESV - 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Press - dioko - to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after. Dependent on Grace Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul: Addressing Division Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 19, 2026 1Corinthians 1:10-17 NLT - 10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose. 11 For some members of Chloe's household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brothers and sisters. 12 Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ." 13 Has Christ been divided into factions? Was I, Paul, crucified for you? Were any of you baptized in the name of Paul? Of course not! 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 for now no one can say they were baptized in my name. 16 (Oh yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas, but I don't remember baptizing anyone else.) 17 For Christ didn't send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News--and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power. 1. One Mind, United Division - Disagreement between two or more groups, typically producing tension or hostility. Division across the board: Race & Ethnicity: Socioeconomic: Church History: Major Contemporary Branches: Genesis 11:1-4, 6-9 NLT - 1 At one time all the people of the world spoke the same language and used the same words. 2 As the people migrated to the east, they found a plain in the land of Babylonia and settled there. 3 They began saying to each other, "Let's make bricks and harden them with fire." (In this region bricks were used instead of stone, and tar was used for mortar.) 4 Then they said, "Come, let's build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world." ... 6 "Look!" he said. "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them! 7 Come, let's go down and confuse the people with different languages. Then they won't be able to understand each other." 8 In that way, the LORD scattered them all over the world, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why the city was called Babel, because that is where the LORD confused the people with different languages. In this way he scattered them all over the world. “When unity is built around pride and self-exaltation, separation can become an act of mercy.” - Zack Eswine, Author & Lead Pastor of Riverside Church EPC Verse 6: "The people are united, and they all speak the same language. After this, nothing they set out to do will be impossible for them!” “God will disrupt any structure that replaces dependence on Him with dependence on ourselves.” - Priscilla Shirer, author/speaker/Bible teacher John 19:30 ESV - 30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, "It is finished," and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. “God is not afraid of our strength - He is concerned about our direction” - Marianne Williamson, Author 2. Redemptive Trajectory 1Corinthians 1:18, 21-25 NLT - 18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. ... 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. 24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. Two key aspects of the Gospel: Accessibility: The message is simple enough for a child to understand, yet deep enough for a lifetime of study Focus: It removes the "clutter" of unnecessary traditions, focusing on the core message to avoid diminishing its power. Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 6: Breaking the Cycle Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 15, 2026 Matthew 5:38-42 NLT - 38 "You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.' 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. 40 If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. 41 If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. 42 Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow. 1. An Eye for an Eye ■ Lex Talionis - The law of retaliation. Exodus 21:22-25 NLT - 22 "Now suppose two men are fighting, and in the process, they accidentally strike a pregnant woman, so she gives birth prematurely. If no further injury results, the man who struck the woman must pay the amount of compensation the woman's husband demands and the judges approve. 23 But if there is further injury, the punishment must match the injury: a life for a life, 24 an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot, 25 a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound, a bruise for a bruise. ■ The Code of Hammurabi 2. Offering the other cheek Matthew 5:39 NLT - 39 But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. Breaking the Cycle: Proverbs 15:1-2 NLT - 1 A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. 2 The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. De-escalation “Being right is overrated” - Dr. Keith O’Neal Active Resistance, Not Passivity: 3. Our Response Luke 17:3-4 NLT - 3 So watch yourselves! "If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive." Rebuke - Epitimoa - To show honour, reprove, admonish or charge sharply. Forgive - aphiēmi - To let go, let alone, disregard, keep no longer. 1Corinthians 16:13-14 NLT - 13 Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 14 And do everything with love. ■ We must be courageous and strong! Hebrews 11:6 ESV - 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Faith - Pistis - belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ. Active Seeking Previous Next

< Back Hebrews: The Power of the Message Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 12, 2026 Hebrews 1:1-4 NLT - 1 Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. 2 And now in these final days, He has spoken to us through His Son. God promised everything to the Son as an inheritance, and through the Son He created the universe. 3 The Son radiates God's own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven. 4 This shows that the Son is far greater than the angels, just as the name God gave him is greater than their names. • Jesus didn’t appear out of nowhere - He stepped into a story God had been writing for thousands of years! Matthew 27:50-53 NLT - 50 Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. 51 At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart, 52 and tombs opened. The bodies of many godly men and women who had died were raised from the dead. 53 They left the cemetery after Jesus' resurrection, went into the holy city of Jerusalem, and appeared to many people. Hebrews 2:14-15, 18 NLT - 14 Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying. ... 18 Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested. Hebrews 5:12-14 NLT - 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God's word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. ■ The Ultimate Sacrifice Hebrews 7:27 NLT - 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people's sins. ■ We have a sin problem! Hebrews 3:12-14 NLT - 12 Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. 13 You must warn each other every day, while it is still "today," so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 14 For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Hebrews 4:12-13 NLT - 12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable. ■ We MUST resist the Devil! Hebrews 9:11-12, 15 NLT - 11 So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world. 12 With his own blood--not the blood of goats and calves--he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever. ... 15 That is why he is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, so that all who are called can receive the eternal inheritance God has promised them. For Christ died to set them free from the penalty of the sins they had committed under that first covenant. Hebrews 10:20-22 NLT - 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. 21 And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God's house, 22 let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ's blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Galatians 4:4-7 ESV - 4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. ■ “Jesus stepped into our family tree so we could be adopted into God’s!” - Max Lucado Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 5: Scrolling into Sin Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 8, 2026 Matthew 5:27-30 NLT - 27 "You have heard the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.' 28 But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your eye--even your good eye--causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand--even your stronger hand--causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 1. Adultery Adultery - moicheuō - Unlawful relations with another’s wife. Luke 6:45 NKJV - 45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. What’s your heart storing up? 2. Gouge your eye and cut-off your hand. Matthew 5:29-30 NLT - 29 So if your eye--even your good eye--causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your hand--even your stronger hand--causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. “You may chain the lion, but if you feed it, it will grow strong again. A Christian does not toy with lust; he kills it, because Christ died to free us from it.” - Charles Spurgeon Cut it off or delete it! Hell - (Geenna) refers to final judgement. “You don’t defeat lust merely by saying “no” to desire, but by saying a greater “Yes” to Christ.” - John Piper Galatians 5:16-17 NLT - 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. “Delayed repentance is often disguised as “self-control” but is actually self-deception.” - J.D. Greear 1Corinthians 10:13 ESV - 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 3. How do we escape? James 5:16 NLT - 16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Why are we trying to manage our sins? Hebrews 12:1 NLT - 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Previous Next

< Back Table Scraps Devon Fouch Feb 5, 2026 2nd Samuel 9:3-8 NLT “The king then asked him “Is anyone still alive from Saul’s family? If so, I want to show God’s kindness to them.” Ziba replied “Yes, one of Jonathan’s sons is still alive. He is crippled in both feet.” “Where is he?” The king asked. “In Lo-Debar, “ Ziba told him, “At the home of Makir, son of Amiel.” So David sent for him and brought him from Makir’s home. His name was Mephibosheth; he was Jonathan’s son and Saul’s grandson. When he came to David, he bowed low to the ground in deep respect. David said, “Greetings, Mephibosheth.” Mephibosheth replied, “I am your servant.” “Don’t be afraid!” David said. “I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the property that once belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will eat here with me at the King’s table!” Mephibosheth bowed respectfully and exclaimed, “Who is your servant, that you should show such kindness to a dead dog like me?” Mark 7:25-28 NLT “Right away a woman who had heard about him came and fell at his feet. Her little girl was possessed by an evil spirit, and she begged him to cast out the demon from her daughter. Since she was a Gentile, born in Syrian Phoenicia, Jesus told her “First I should feed the children- my own family- the Jews. It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.” 1.) Labels The name Mephibosheth means “from the mouth of shame”. 2nd Samuel 4:4 NLT - “Saul’s son Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was crippled as a child. He was five years old when the report came from Jezreel that Saul and Jonathan had been killed in battle. When the child’s nurse heard the news, she picked him up and fled. But as she hurried away, she dropped him, and he became crippled.” Merriam Webster defines labels as “a descriptive or identifying word or phrase”. What are your labels? 2.) Are We Letting Our Labels Become Limitations? Lo-Debar translates to “no pasture, no thing, or no word”. It was a place of shame, rejection, and brokenness. A place to go to be forgotten. An identity shaped by limitations always leads to Lo-Debar. The Gentile woman didn’t let her labels dictate her faith. Mark 5:27-29 NLT “She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition.” What barriers have we let separate us from the King? Will you be the person who is pursued? Or will you be the person who pursues? 3.) A Seat At The Table Even the table scraps in the kingdom have power! Romans 8:38 NLT “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow - not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 4: The Heart of the Matter Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 22, 2026 Matthew 5:21-26 ESV - 21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.' 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. 25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison. 26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny. A Righteousness of the Heart My external self is right standing with God. Unchecked anger is spiritually dangerous. Anger that is nurtured leads to broken relationships and spiritual judgement. Luke 6:43-45 NLT - 43 "A good tree can't produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can't produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart. What is your mouth saying? Matthew 5:23-24 ESV - 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. Our words carry eternal weight. Reconciliation - restoring harmony to a broken relationship, moving from discord to peace through forgiveness, mutual understanding, and rebuilding trust. Today’s unresolved anger becomes tomorrow’s bondage! James 4:1-2 NLT - 1 What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul: The Spread of Misinformation Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 29, 2026 2Corinthians 11:3-5, 12-15 NLT - 3 But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. 4 You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 5 But I don't consider myself inferior in any way to these "super apostles" who teach such things. ... 12 But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. 13 These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve. 1. Corrupted Devotion 2Timothy 4:3-4 ESV - 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. Denial of God’s Holy Ordinance 2 Corinthians 11:4 NLT - You happily put up with whatever anyone tells you, even if they preach a different Jesus than the one we preach, or a different kind of Spirit than the one you received, or a different kind of gospel than the one you believed. 2. What is Dominating you? Romans 8:5-8 NLT - 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. The sinful nature is always hostile to God. Are we operating solely in our sinful nature or are we allowing the spirit of God control our lives? James 4:4-8 NLT - 4 You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? 6 But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." 7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Enmity/Enemy - echthra - A reason for opposition, hatred. World - Kosmos - Ungodly multitude, world affairs, the aggregate (the total sum) of things earthly. 3. What you consume will disciple you. You are always being formed - by scripture or by your feed. 2Thessalonians 2:2-4 NLT - 2 Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don't believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. 3 Don't be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed--the one who brings destruction. 4 He will exalt himself and defy everything that people call god and every object of worship. He will even sit in the temple of God, claiming that he himself is God. Paul teaches us to verify the source, not just trust the tone. "No matter how big the lie; repeat it often enough and the masses will regard it as the truth." - John F. Kennedy/Joseph Goebbels (unknown source) “What spreads fastest is often what feeds curiosity, not truth.” - (Unknown source/Psychology of information spread) Matthew 16:24-26 ESV - 24 "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 24:11 - many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 3: Completion, Not Cancellation Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 18, 2026 Matthew 5:17-20 NLT - 17 "Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. 19 So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20 "But I warn you--unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! His Purpose Jesus is the promised Messiah. Jesus was without sin. Jesus came to give us His Spirit. Romans 10:4 NLT - 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 8:3-4 NLT - 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So, God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Charles Spurgeon: The commands of Christ are not upon the legal tenor of "this do and live," but upon the gospel system of "live and do this." Are we following the Spirit or are we following the Flesh? 1Corinthians 13:11 ESV - When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. Galatians 5:16-17 NLT - 16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. Matthew 5:20 NLT - 20 "But I warn you--unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven! What kind of righteousness allows a person to enter God’s Kingdom? Isaiah 29:13 ESV - 13 And the Lord said: "Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men, Matthew 15:7-8 ESV - 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; Romans 6:6-8 NLT - 6 We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christwe were set free from the power of sin. 8 And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. Previous Next

< Back Intimacy with God Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 15, 2026 Luke 7:36-39 NLT - 36 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. 37 When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there; she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. 38 Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She's a sinner!" Our Approach Matthew 26:6-13 NKJV - 6 And when Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, 7 a woman came to Him having an alabaster flask of very costly fragrant oil, and she poured [it] on His head as He sat [at the table]. 8 But when His disciples saw [it], they were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 "For this fragrant oil might have been sold for much and given to [the] poor." 10 But when Jesus was aware of [it], He said to them, "Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. 11 "For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. 12 "For in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did [it] for My burial. 13 "Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her." Simon’s approach to Jesus Luke 7:44-47 NLT - 44 Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, "Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You didn't greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume. 47 "I tell you, her sins--and they are many--have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love." The Disciples approach Matthew 26:7-11 NLT - 7 While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume and poured it over his head. 8 The disciples were indignant when they saw this. "What a waste!" they said. 9 "It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor." 10 But Jesus, aware of this, replied, "Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? 11 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me. “God is looking for intimacy, and we’ve treated our relationship with him as a mutual agreement.” Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount Pt. 2: Light of the World Pastor Nate Brosher Jan 11, 2026 Matthew 5:13-16 NLT - 13 "You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 1. Are we being salt? Salt - (Halas) - salt with which food is seasoned, and sacrifices are sprinkled, wisdom and grace exhibited in speech. Are we being salt or are we being salty? Salty - (Gen-Z slang dictionary) Being "salty" means being bitter, angry, irritable, or resentful, often over something trivial, a loss, or a slight, like being upset after losing a video game or feeling annoyed by someone's attitude. Colossians 4:6 ESV - 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. 2. Are we shining our lights? Matthew 5:14-15 NLT - 14 "You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. We are to shine our lights before men. Matthew 5:16 NLT - 16 In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. The aim is not self-promotion . The goal is God-exaltation . Previous Next

< Back Unwavering Faith Isaiah Brosher Jan 8, 2026 Romans 4:18-21 ESV 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall your offspring be." 19 He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. 20 No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, 21 fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. 1. What does your faith look like? Unwavering- means being steadfast and firmly committed to God and His promises, without doubting or faltering, even thru trials, temptations, or suffering. Wavering- being unsteady, indecisive, or going back and forth in faith, belief, or loyalty to God. 2. Faith that trusts God over circumstance Abraham’s faith didn’t depend on his circumstance---it depended on God’s character. Your circumstance should not dictate the way you serve God! 3. What is your response? Dan 3:15-18 NLT 15 I will give you one more chance to bow down and worship the statue I have made when you hear the sound of the musical instruments. But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?" 16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego replied, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. 18 But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." We are so focused on the result instead of the one that can give your result! Is your faith based on getting the result or on the one who can make it happen? 2Co 12:6-10 NLT 6 If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it, because I don't want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, 7 even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. 8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 9 Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 10 That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. Are you going to remain faithful in God if he doesn’t answer your prayer the way you want him to? Obedience is the key to your breakthrough! Kings 5:10–14 (ESV) “And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman was angry and went away, saying, ‘Behold, I thought that he would surely come out to me… Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them, and be clean?’ So he turned and went away in a rage. But his servants came near and said to him, ‘My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, “Wash, and be clean”?’ So he went down and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God, and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.” Previous Next