mattangell Christian Living, pride, truth

Children of God

From a street corner, a protester’s sign can be seen “We’re ALL God’s Children!” Shouts of support for the cause for which they are gathering, bringing God to side with them. I wonder who are “God’s children?” To find out, I decided to read the Bible. In this post I will share what I discovered and what the scripture says we should do about it. [To Listen to the podcast, CLICK HERE]

mattangell Christian Living, holiness, sermon, truth

The Junction of God, Man, and Holiness

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

mattangell Christian Living, leadership, missions, sermon, truth, Vision

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.)

mattangell Christian Living, Christmas, easter, family, food, holiness, leadership, Lent, sermon, truth

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

mattangell easter, family, food, humilty, Lent, sermon, truth

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? 

mattangell holiness, leadership, poverty, sermon, truth

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.

mattangell prayer, sermon, truth

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.

mattangell prayer, truth

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.