< Back Heroes of the Faith Pt. 2: Identity Pastor Nate Brosher Aug 10, 2025 Genesis 17:1-6 NLT - 1 When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, "I am El-Shaddai--'God Almighty.' Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. 2 I will make a covenant with you, by which I will guarantee to give you countless descendants." 3 At this, Abram fell face down on the ground. Then God said to him, 4 "This is my covenant with you: I will make you the father of a multitude of nations! 5 What's more, I am changing your name. It will no longer be Abram. Instead, you will be called Abraham, for you will be the father of many nations. 6 I will make you extremely fruitful. Your descendants will become many nations, and kings will be among them! 1. God’s Identity El-Shaddai – God Almighty Yahweh – I AM El Shaddai emphasizes God's power and ability to provide, while “I Am” Yahweh emphasizes God's covenant relationship and active presence with his people. We allow doubt to slow down our process. Charles Spurgeon: “I believe that the happiest of all Christians and the truest of Christians are those who never dare to doubt God, but take His Word simply as it stands, and believe it, and ask no questions, just feeling assured that if God has said it, it will be so.” James 1:4-8 NKJV - 4 But let patience have [its] perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting , for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 [he is] a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Are we willing to allow the Lord to change our identity? Genesis 17:9, 15-17 NLT - 9 Then God said to Abraham, "Your responsibility is to obey the terms of the covenant. You and all your descendants have this continual responsibility. ... 15 Then God said to Abraham, "Regarding Sarai, your wife--her name will no longer be Sarai. From now on her name will be Sarah. 16 And I will bless her and give you a son from her! Yes, I will bless her richly, and she will become the mother of many nations. Kings of nations will be among her descendants." 17 Then Abraham bowed down to the ground, but he laughed to himself in disbelief. "How could I become a father at the age of 100?" he thought. "And how can Sarah have a baby when she is ninety years old?" 2. God’s Infinity When God is in it, there is no limit! How do we deal with Identity Theft? Romans 8:28 NLT - 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 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 Letters from Paul Pt. 13: Deeply Rooted Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 12, 2024 Colossians 2:6-7 NLT - 6 And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. 7 Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. 1. What are we following? Follow/Walk – peripateō - to make one's way, progress. ■ What is trending in our lives? Proverbs 26:11-12 ESV - 11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. 12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 23:12 NLT - 12 Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge. Proverbs 14:12 NKJV - 12 There is a way [that seems] right to a man, But its end [is] the way of death. Overflowing – perisseuō - to exceed a fixed number of measures. Exodus 3:17 NLT - 17 I have promised to rescue you from your oppression in Egypt. I will lead you to a land flowing with milk and honey--the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live."' Living in the Land of Overflow. Ephesians 6:11 NLT - 11 Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 2. The enemy is always strategizing Colossians 2:8-10 NLT - 8 Don't let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. 9 For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. 10 So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:12-15 NLT - 12 For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead. 13 You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. 14 He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. 15 In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. 3. Victory belongs to Jesus Colossians 2:20-23 NLT - 20 You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, 21 "Don't handle! Don't taste! Don't touch!"? 22 Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. 23 These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person's evil desires. To conquer our evil desires, we must devote our lives to following Jesus. Colossians 3:2 NLT - 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Previous Next

< Back Preparation: There’s Nothing! Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 31, 2024 John 19:1-6, 15-20, 28-30, 32-34, 36-37 NLT 1 Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip. 2 The soldiers wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and they put a purple robe on him. 3 "Hail! King of the Jews!" they mocked, as they slapped him across the face. 4 Pilate went outside again and said to the people, "I am going to bring him out to you now but understand clearly that I find him not guilty." 5 Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said, "Look, here is the man!" 6 When they saw him, the leading priests and Temple guards began shouting, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" "Take him yourselves and crucify him," Pilate said. "I find him not guilty." ... 15 "Away with him," they yelled. "Away with him! Crucify him!" "What? Crucify your king?" Pilate asked. "We have no king but Caesar," the leading priests shouted back. 16 Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So, they took Jesus away. 17 Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, [Golgotha]). 18 There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. 19 And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 20 The place where Jesus was crucified was near the city, and the sign was written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, so that many people could read it. ... 28 Jesus knew that his mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, "I am thirsty."29 A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. 30 When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!" Then he bowed his head and released his spirit. ... 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn't break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. ... 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and "They will look on the one they pierced." 1. The Journey Flogging/Scourging was used as a Roman art of punishment. Flagellum - consisted of three separate thongs, each ending in a set of two lead balls or sharp pieces of sheep bones were tied at intervals. The Crown – Believed to have come from the jujube tree. Thorns would have been 2-3”. The Cross – was estimated to be 2 meters wide and 3 meters long at the weight of 165lbs. The Walk – 2/5 of a mile over 600 yards (6 football fields). The Nails – 6 to 8” long into the wrist and foot. Crucifixion – difficulty breathing, constrained blood circulation, organ failure and asphyxiation. 2. The Finale: “It is FINISHED!” Matthew 27:51 NLT 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, Jesus came to fulfil the law. What was finished? There’s NOTHING that can prevent us from receiving eternal life. Previous Next

< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 7) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford Jun 12, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back Sacrificial Living Pt. 4: The Space Between Pastor Nate Brosher Feb 2, 2025 Exodus 3:7-10 NLT - 7 Then the LORD told him, "I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey--the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt." 1. The Promise is revealed. What has God promised you? Matthew 20:28 NLT - 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45 NLT - 45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." Luke 22:27 ESV - 27 For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. John 15:13 ESV - 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. Sacrificial living starts with giving of ourselves for the greater good. Christians are called to have a personal relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, and to serve others . John 13:14-15 NLT - 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other's feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 2. What do we do when we are in between? Exodus 13:17 NLT - 17 When Pharaoh finally let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, "If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt." 1Corinthians 10:13 NLT - 13 The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. Exodus 14:31 NLT - 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses. ■ Don’t forget what God has spoken. Previous Next

< Back The Journey Series Pt. 5: Any Way You Want It Pastor Nate Brosher Dec 1, 2024 Matthew 24:4-14 NLT - 4 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don't panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won't follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come. 9 "Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. 10 And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. 11 And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come. 1. My Way is the Right Way. - “Don’t offend me.”. (My feelings outweigh truth.) Matthew 15:11-12 ESV - 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person." 12 Then the disciples came and said to him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?" - “I’m comfortable in my lifestyle of sin.” (You can’t judge me!) Matthew 7:1-2 ESV - 1 "Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 ESV - 33 Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals." 34 Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 NLT - 3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4 They will reject the truth and chase after myths. - “I go to church, I’m ok.” (Form of Godliness) 2 Timothy 3:5 NLT - 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that! 1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV - 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. ■ Abstain – Refrain, hold yourself back from. - “I don’t have to share my faith.” (God knows my heart.) Matthew 10:32-33 NLT - 32 "Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Ephesians 4:25 ESV - 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Romans 12:1-2 NKJV - 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, [which is] your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what [is] that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 2. Don’t be Misled! Matthew 24:4 Jesus told them, "Don't let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am the Messiah.' They will deceive many. Matthew 24:11 - And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. 12 Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Previous Next

< Back Guardrails Pt. 6: Maturity Pastor Nate Brosher Apr 6, 2025 1Samuel 16:13, 21-23 NLT - 13 So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. ….21 So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, "Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him." 23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. 1Samuel 17:44-51 NLT - 44 "Come over here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!" Goliath yelled. 45 David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven's Armies--the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 Today the LORD will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off your head. And then I will give the dead bodies of your men to the birds and wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! 47 And everyone assembled here will know that the LORD rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the LORD's battle, and he will give you to us!" 48 As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. 49 Reaching into his shepherd's bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground. 50 So David triumphed over the Philistine with only a sling and a stone, for he had no sword. 51 Then David ran over and pulled Goliath's sword from its sheath. David used it to kill him and cut off his head. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they turned and ran. 1Samuel 18:5 NLT - 5 Whatever Saul asked David to do, David did it successfully. So Saul made him a commander over the men of war, an appointment that was welcomed by the people and Saul's officers alike. 1. Your beginning doesn’t define you. Are you content with where you are at? Luke 12:15 ESV - 15 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." David’s desire was to please God and serve Saul. Hebrews 13:5-8 ESV - 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" 7 Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 2. The Wilderness Experience. David was still a man after God’s heart. 1Samuel 27:1 ESV - 1 Then David said in his heart, "Now I shall perish one day by the hand of Saul. There is nothing better for me than that I should escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will despair of seeking me any longer within the borders of Israel, and I shall escape out of his hand." We must not give up! Isaiah 40:28-31 ESV - 28 Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. 29 He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. 15 years after the promise. 2Samuel 2:4 NLT - 4 Then the men of Judah came to David and anointed him king over the people of Judah. When David heard that the men of Jabesh-gilead had buried Saul, 2Samuel 5:4 NLT - 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. Previous Next

< Back Letters from Paul (1 Timothy): A Good Servant Pastor Nate Brosher Nov 20, 2025 1Timothy 4:1-5 NLT - 1 Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. 2 These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead. 3 They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. 4 Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. 5 For we know it is made acceptable/holy by the word of God and prayer. 1Timothy 4:6-7 NLT - 6 If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7 Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. ■ Why are we wasting our time arguing with the Godless? Matthew 7:6 NLT - 6 "Don't waste what is holy on people who are unholy. Don't throw your pearls to pigs! They will trample the pearls, then turn and attack you. 1. Discernment 1Corinthians 15:32-33 NLT - 32 And what value was there in fighting wild beasts--those people of Ephesus--if there will be no resurrection from the dead? And if there is no resurrection, "Let's feast and drink, for tomorrow we die!" 33 Don't be fooled by those who say such things, for "bad company corrupts good character." Hebrews 12:15 ESV - 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled. Proverbs 13:20 NLT - 20 Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. 2. Self-awareness A crowd can either pull you up, pull you down or push you off course. 1Timothy 4:8-11 NLT - 8 "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." 9 This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. 10 This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. 11 Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. ■ How do we train for godliness? ■ Train - “Gynmazo” - to exercise, discipline, practice with effort. Scripture Intake: • Daily Reading • Applying what you read. • Meditation • Memorization We can’t become what we don’t consume. Prayer: • Set times of prayer • Short prayers throughout the day • Honest prayers (not just eloquent ones) • Listening as much as speaking Prayer is not only communication, it’s formation. Worship: • Personal worship • Corporate worship • Consistent gathering with believers What you embrace consistently shapes what you become. 1Timothy 4:12-13, 15-16 NLT - 12 Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. 13 Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. ... 15 Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. Previous Next

< Back Pathways: The Gifts of the Spirit (Session 1) Pastor Nate Brosher and Chase Radford May 1, 2024 Link to study guide: https://estd.craft.me/gifts Previous Next

< Back Sabbath Series Pt. 1: The War Chase Radford Jan 16, 2025 *All Scripture is from ESV unless noted otherwise. Genesis 1:31–2:3 (NRSV; condensed) God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. ... And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested... So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation. That's where sabbath began via God's eternal decree of a day of stopping and celebrating Him and the life He created for us. Word Study: Sabbath The Hebrew word(s) translated to sabbath literally means to stop, to cease (labor), to rest, to celebrate — which the Greek word is a transliteration of and carries the same definition. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Word Study: Flesh Matthew 11:28-30 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” This is what John Piper calls "the sweetest invitiation." It's also a call to examine the burdens and yokes we have allowed to be placed on us, or placed on ourselves. “Jesus is not glorified or seen as beautiful or desirable if his followers are exhausted and stressed and worn out in the exact same way of the world — he's just not. […] A restful spirit is spiritual warfare in a culture of exhaustion. And so we have to learn how to live in the rhythm of rest. We do this by examining the yoke on our life.” — Jon Tyson I want to focus on these three gods of our age, what I believe are the three most prominent sources of yokes in our day: Accomplishment Accumulation Amusement. Accomplishment Accomplishment, like anything, can be distorted into a burdensome yoke that leads people away from the presence of God, and becomes a form of worship to the god of self. GotQuestions.org writes: "The god of self arises in us when we think we know better than God. We disagree with His Word and elevate our own opinion above His... The god of self is very much active within the church today. Self-help, self-esteem, self-love, and self-fulfillment are topics once left to secular psychologists. Now they are regular themes in mainline Christianity. The awesome, holy God described in Scripture as a “consuming fire” (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29) and who will “smite the nations with the sword of His mouth” (Revelation 19:15) is considered important only inasmuch as He validates our worth or makes us feel good about ourselves. The god of self will gladly worship a God of love but resists learning about His other qualities because those will dethrone self." Accumulation We aren't as a society only obsessed with ourselves. We are obsessed with our networks , our money and our stuff . Matt. 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt. 6:2-4 "...when you give to the needy , sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." [rewards; treasures in heaven] 2 Cor. 8:1-5 "We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints — 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us ." Amusement In 1985, Neil Postman wrote a groundbreaking polemic titled, Amusing Ourselves to Death . It's about the corrosive effects of television and couldn't ring more true 40 years later. A Call to Consecration + Rest in Christ Accomplishment, accumulation, and amusement satisfy the flesh but leave the soul empty, leading to what John Piper calls a "malaise of the soul." These false gods, often elevated as sacred even by believers, become strongholds that hinder a consecrated life set apart for God's glory. True worship belongs to God, not to the idols of work, entertainment, or possessions — a truth Jesus addressed when teaching us the Lord's prayer , to hallow God’s name above all. Our Father, who is in Heaven, Let Your name be hallowed to us. Let Your Kingdom come and Your will be done, Here as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us and we forgive others. Do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from all evil. Yours is the Kingdom, all power and glory. Amen. Practice the Way: Sabbath https://www.practicingtheway.org/sabbath Previous Next

< Back Sermon on the Mount: Series "The Palm Sunday Tension" Pastor Nate Brosher Mar 29, 2026 Matthew 21:1-11 ESV - 1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Bethphage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, 2 saying to them, " Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Untie them and bring them to me. 3 If anyone says anything to you, you shall say, 'The Lord needs them,' and he will send them at once." 4 This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, 5 "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" 6 The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and put on them their cloaks, and he sat on them. 8 Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!" 10 And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the crowds said, "This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee." 1. Hosanna to the Son of David Hosanna - Save us Now Son of David - Messianic Title Matthew 27:22-23 ESV - 22 Pilate said to them, "Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said, "Let him be crucified!" 23 And he said, "Why? What evil has he done?" But they shouted all the more, "Let him be crucified!" Matthew 7:21-23 NLT - 21 " Not everyone who calls out to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. 22 On judgment day many will say to me, 'Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' 23 But I will reply, 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws. ' - Verbal Confession doesn’t equal True Conversion . - Public Enthusiasm doesn’t equal Surrendered Obedience . 2. Close, But Not Known. Matthew 7:23 - 'I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God's laws. ' · Do you know Him or do you only know of Him? Matthew 7:24-27 ESV - 24 " Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it. " - Are we building our faith on the rock or are we building our faith on the sand? 1Corinthians 3:11-13 NLT - 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have-- Jesus Christ . 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials--gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. 3. Christ is our Firm Foundation! Matthew 15:8-9 NLT - 8 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 9 Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.' " Fans vs Followers John 6:66-69 NLT - 66 At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. 67 Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, "Are you also going to leave?" 68 Simon Peter replied, "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. 69 We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God." Previous Next