Be Holy? What does that really look like? How am I supposed to do that? Jesus said some things that were really hard to swallow. Literally he once told a crowd, “...unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.” (from John 6:53). This … Continue reading The Junction of God, Man, and Holiness
Category: truth
The Heart of the Matter
Idioms run rampant in America. I said idioms. Things like “You’ve got ants in your pants,” meaning you can’t sit still. Or “Getting your ducks in a row” meaning making proper plans. How about the “Elephant in the room?” Perhaps my use of idioms at the start of the message is the elephant in the … Continue reading The Heart of the Matter
ONE: From Mission to Vision
Over a year ago, the USA/Canada Region of the Church of the Nazarene sought to understand God’s Vision for ministry in our present day and age. We know the mission: “Make Christlike Disciples in the Nations” but what is it specifically that God has called and equipped us for? (Original message written by Pastor Tim Fisher, Crossroads Community Church. Edited for local context and presented by Pastor Matt Angell of Viroqua Nazarene.)
Easter Text Message
An Easter Sermon from Viroqua Nazarene. Click Here for the podcast of this message. “He is Risen.” “New Phone. Who Dis?” It’s Easter Sunday. People rushing around, dressing up in colorful outfits, going to lunch with their extended families. One would hope they would find themselves in a church, at some point. But why? To … Continue reading Easter Text Message
Palm Sunday Stump and the Hope of Regrowth
They had waited. They had experienced other anointed ones. Told stories of those great figures of their past and the things they did to free and redeem the children of Israel, but somehow, they still ended back in exile, needing not just a savior, but the savior. Who did people put their hope in, looking for new life, but inevitably just left with a stump…the stump of Jesse?
A Poor Sermon About Poverty
Today’s message is entitled “A Poor Sermon on Poverty.” It's not poor because it’s bad or anything…(well perhaps you can judge for yourself when you are done reading or listening to it.) But rather I want to talk about the reality of poverty and what the bible does say about this topic. The first thing might surprise you. In a society so outwardly focused on political policies that herald themselves as a fix for poverty, Jesus gives us these comforting words: You will always have the poor among you.
Trusting in God & The Folly of Fear
The Lord's Prayer. This prayer pattern that Jesus gives his disciples and down through the ages, gives to us through the reading of his Word, it is something that King Ahaz was missing. It wasn’t and isn’t just a religious chore, but rather a reflection of a clear relationship between a person and God.
Listening For Your Calling
I was at Northwestern Illinois weekend youth retreat - I was probably 9th or 10th grade Planned to go to a Christian college after highschool, but I wanted a clear direction as to what I would study before committing all that time and money. I prayed and prayed. Every chapel service I could, I would be down at the altar praying. There were times I wasn’t sure why I felt compelled to pray at the altar. Later I realized I was getting ready, getting quiet. Allowing myself to be available - listening to what God might say.
True in the Light
What's true in the light is true in the darkness. Last week in Sunday School class, my wife, Jacki, shared something that she has shared before with us. Our previous pastor in Oklahoma had a saying “What’s true in the light, is true in the dark.” I had not heard this saying first hand as … Continue reading True in the Light
Noel – Christmas Service
Did you miss out on our Christmas Sunday Service? We've tried to recapture this service in blog form. to listen to the service in it's "entirity" CLICK HERE and listen on Spotify. Sing along, read along and reflect on "What God has Done!" Prelude: “ Come Thou Long-expected Jesus” Reading 158 “Our God Comes” “I … Continue reading Noel – Christmas Service
Viroqua Naz 