Yesterday, we began a new series of messages on faith. Yesterday, we looked at what faith is and the blessings of faith. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheSubstanceofFaith

On Christmas Day, I finished up our series, "The Names of Jesus", with a message titled "The Name of Jesus." In this message, we heard why God chose this name for his Son. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheNameofJesus

Our children's message for this week is a continuation of last week's, and discusses prayer. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumDec27childrensmessage

This week was part 4 of our series, "The Names of Jesus", where we looked at the name Wonderful Counselor. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWonderfulCounselor

Our children's message discussed the prayer chain and can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumDec20childrenssermon

Our look at the names of Jesus continued this week with a look at the name "Prince of Peace". This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryPrinceofPeace

Our children's message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumDec13childrensmessage

The second part of our Advent series, "The Names of Jesus", was on the name "Christ". It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryChrist

I had a family emergency last week, so today I have two weeks of downloads for you.

Yesterday, I began a series of Advent messages titled "The Names of Jesus". The name we looked at was "Immanuel." This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryImmanuel

Our children's sermon for Nov. 29th can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumNov29childrensmessage

Last week, I talked about the fact that there are so many people in the world today who claim to speak for God. So who are we to believe? This message can be downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWhotoBelieve

Our children's message for the 22nd of November, where they kids expressed what they're thankful for, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumNov22childrensmessage

People have all kinds of beliefs about Jesus; they have all kinds of ideas about who he is. But having a right understanding of Jesus is essential. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheFoundationofOurFaith

Our children's sermon, based on the same theme, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumNov15childrensmessage

In 2 Timothy 3, Paul tells Timothy about the difficulties of the last days. He then gives two pieces of advice for living in those times. When we look to Scripture, it's clear that we're living in the last days, so we'd do well to heed his advice. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLivingintheLastDays

Our children's message for the day is about forgiveness. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumNov8childrensmessage

We began a series of messages with Pastor Chuck Sampson titled, "Our Great Heritage." The focus of these messages is the authority of Scripture. For some reason, the host site is giving me problems with these. They're each about 50 minutes long. The first says it's well over an hour and the second that it's 3 hours. For some reason, it's putting his message back to back two or even three times.

His first message is titled "It Is Written" and can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/ChuckSampsonItIsWritten

The second message is titled "Through One Man" and can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/ChuckSampsonThroughOneMan

The third part of this series is titled "Accountable to God" and can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/ChuckSampsonAccountabletoGod

Part 4 of the series is titled "Denfending the Hope That Is In Us" and can be found at http://www.archive.org/details/ChuckSampsonDefendingtheHope

Tolerance has become the greatest virtue of our day. And because of this, when someone we care about falls into sin, we say nothing. We think that tolerating their choices is the loving thing to do. However, as we see in James 5, we must try to bring them back. This is a matter of life and death. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBringThemBack

Most people today entrust the education of their children exclusively to others. They have little, if any, involvement in it. And we've also done the same thing when it comes to instruction in the Word of God. We leave that to pastors, Sunday School teachers, and youth group leaders. But, according to Scripture, this is the role of the father in the home; this is the role of the parents. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWhoseJobIsIt

Our children's message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumOct25childrensmessage

In Deuteronomy 4, Moses tells the people of Israel that they must listen to God. They were not to add to his Word nor take away from it. This is a timely message when we see what's happening in the church in our country. Many within the church are doing exactly what God forbids in this passage. They do not truly listen to God. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryListeningtoGod

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumOct18childrensmessage

So many people today, both in society and in the church, dismiss God's Word. When they don't like what it says, they ignore it and even reject it. But, in Matthew 7, Jesus says that we must build upon his Word. The Word of God is the only sure foundation for our life and faith. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryASureFoundation

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumOct11childrensmessage

We've all been provoked at one time or another. Someone has said something or done something and we felt that we just had to respond. In Acts 17 we read about a time when the apostle Paul was provoked. He was so provoked by all the idols in Athens that he had to do something. We should be provoked, just like Paul, with the idolatry in our nation and, like Paul, seek to do something about it. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryProvoked

During the recession, we've been hearing all kinds of financial advice from experts about how to handle our money. Their advice is intended to keep us from making mistakes, to make sure that we're prepared for the future. In Luke 16, Jesus also gives us financial advice. But it's much different than that we hear from the world. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryUsingWealthProperly

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromSept27childrensmessage

Most people in our society today think of spirituality as a personal matter, as something you pursue by yourself. This attitude is even found among those in the pews of our churches each week. But what we find in Scripture is that our life of faith wasn't intended to be lived alone. God intends for our life of faith to be shared with others, to be lived with others. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryASharedPursuit

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromSept20childrensmessage

Even though most of us would hesitate to consider ourselves wise, we'd like to be thought of as wise by others. If there were a way for us to grow in wisdom, most of us would love to know what it is. In Proverbs 13:20 we find that there is a way for us to become wise. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGrowinginWisdom

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromSept13childrensmessage

Jesus tells us that our heart will be wherever our treasure is. Even though most of us say we love the Lord more than everything else, our heart reveals something much different. It reveals that the Lord is not our treasure; it reveals that his kingdom is not our treasure. It shows that our treasure is found in this world. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWheretheHeartIs

So often, in the church, we fail to realize what a high calling it is to teach the Word of God. According to James 3:1 it's a great responsibility, one that must not be taken lightly. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAHighCalling

Our children's message, using the same theme, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAug30childrenssermon

Even though most people believe in the devil, we take him pretty lightly. We don't really believe that he'll attack us or try to influence us in any way. This, we think, is the stuff of horror movies. However, according to 1 Peter 5:8-11, the devil is out to get us. We must be on guard, and we must resist him. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBeware_0

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromAug23childrenssermon

In Acts 17, we read how Paul and Silas were accused of turning the world upside down. They were greatly influencing people for the Lord as they preached the good news of Jesus. Even though the church today does some wonderful things, it seems that, instead of being an influence on the world, we're influenced by the world. If we're to turn the world around, this cannot be. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTurningtheWorldAround

When we come to faith in Christ, when we receive the grace of God, our lives are changed. But for so many people in the church today, their lives are no different than those of unbelievers. We're supposed to be different, but we're just more of the same. This tells us that there's a problem; it tells us something about our faith. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryANewWayofLife

Our children's message for the day can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromAug9childrenssermon

Many of us come to Jesus only because we want him to meet our worldly needs and concerns. We're not at all concerned about eternity. We come to him for all the wrong reasons. Jesus came to provide us with eternal life. And this gift is found only in him. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAlltheWrongReasons

We all aspire to greatness. And our idea of greatness is that we have more authority than those around us, that we rule over others. But true greatness, according to Jesus, is much different. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTrueGreatness

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJuly26childrensmessage

The fear of the Lord is an idea dismissed by most believers today. They think that this is an outdated concept from the Old Testament. But it is something all believers need. It's something that's desperately needed in the church today. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheFearoftheLord

Last week, I was on vacation. So one of our deacons, Gilbert Sebenste, brought the message. His sermon was titled, "Are You In Training?" It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/GilbertSebensteAreYouInTraining

Many times we think that, as we grow in faith, the struggles we face will get less and less. However, the true measure of Christian maturity is not a lack of struggles, but whether we can be content with the grace of God no matter what we're facing. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAllWeNeed

We all experience suffering in life. But what happens to our faith when we suffer? For so many of us, our faith goes only so far. But Jesus calls us to only believe. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOnlyBelieve

In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Paul gives the church 5 encouragements. And these encouragements are needed today as well. In the church today, men have largely abandoned the calling God has placed on them; they've abdicated their responsibility. So the call in this message is, "Be a man!" This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBeaMan

Our children's message can also be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJune21childrensmessage

As the church, we know the calling God has given us, to make disciples of all nations. But most of us are unwilling to live it out. We're afraid of the world; we're afraid of how people might react. Like Paul, we must focus on the eternal instead of that which is temporary. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWhatReallyMatters

Yesterday was supposed to be our church picnic, but we got rained out. So we ended up at the church, but we still had a great lunch!

Most people in our society today think they'll go to heaven when they die. They think they'll go there because they believe they've lived a pretty good life. But according to Jesus, the only way we'll see the kingdom of God is if we're born again. We must get a life that can only be given by God himself. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGetaLife

Many people in the church today no longer expect God to act; they don't expect him to work in our lives or through the ministry he's entrusted to us. However, just as God worked mightily in and through the early church, so will he today. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryExpectingGod

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMay31childrensmessage

People today will not tolerate conviction. And because of this, many church have come to believe that, if they're to grow, they must only preach and teach "positive" messages; they must not say anything to make people feel guilty. However, accorting to 2 Timothy 4:1-5, right preaching does mean convicting people. God uses his Word to strengthen us in faith, and to equip us for his service. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryRightPreaching

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMay24childrensmessage

In 2 Kings 22 we read how the Word of God had been lost to the people of Judah. In the same way, it's been lost today. And unless we, once again, discover the Word, we're doomed to destruction. We must, like Josiah, hear the Word and believe. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDiscoveringtheWord

Yesterday was Mother's Day, so we heard what it means to truly honor our moms. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryHonoringMom

Our children's message is also available. This is a continuation of Molly's message from a couple weeks ago about finding expressions of faith in our daily lives. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMay10childrenssermon

In much of the evangelical church today, we emphasize the truth of God's Word. We also look down upon those who deny it. But what we fail to realize is that, just as they deny it with the words of their mouth, we often deny God's Word by our actions. We claim to have faith in Jesus, we claim to love the Lord, but we fail to love our brother. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWherestheLove

Yesterday, we kicked off the Love and Respect Conference at Grace. Pastor Steve Heilmann from Grace Lutheran Church in Morris, IL was with us and, for the message, gave us an overview of this series. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/SteveHeilmannAGodPleasingMarriage

I shared on the passage of Scripture that ties in with the conference at Redeemer and preached a message titled "Love and Respect." I had to use a portable recorder, so the sound quality isn't great, but it can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLoveandRespect

Our children's message for the day, looking at expressions of faith we find in our daily lives, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumApril26childrensmessage

Yesterday, I was gone as my family attended my nephew's confirmation. Pastor David Skordahl filled in for me. His message showed us that we can be certain where we'll end up after we die and that we should share this with others. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/DavidSkordahlLeavingOurForwardingAddress_0

The children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumApril19childrensmessage

For Easter Sunday, we looked at a passage of Scripture in John 2. Jesus tells the people that his resurrection will prove his divine authority. His resurrection proves that he's none other than God himself, so this shows us that he has authority over all creation, including us and our lives. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDivineAuthority_0

Our children's message for the day, based on the legend of the Easter egg, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumApril12childrensmessage

Yesterday we finished our other Lenten series, on the Lord's Prayer. We looked at the last two petitions of the Prayer: "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." We saw that, in this prayer, we seek the protection of God. It can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySeekingGodsProtection

Last night, Pastor Randy Nelson of Lisbon Bethlehem Lutheran Church brought our Lenten series to a close. He preached a message by the same name as the series, "Not I, But Christ." It can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/RandyNelsonNotIButChrist

Yesterday, we looked at the fifth petition of the Lord's Prayer, "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." We see that we must seek the mercy of God, but also that this is a very dangerous prayer. If we withhold forgiveness from others then, in this prayer, we're asking God to withhold his forgiveness from us. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySeekingGodsForgiveness

The children's sermon for today can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMarch29childrenssermon

Last night, Pastor Steven Heilmann from Grace Lutheran Church in Morris, IL was with us. He continued our series, "Not I, But Christ", with a message titled "Not I, But Christ and His Grace." It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/SteveHeilmannChristandHisGrace

Yesterday, we heard about the fourth petition of the Lord's Prayer. In it, Jesus instructs us to seek God's provision for our daily needs. As easy as this sounds, most of us fail to do so. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySeekingGodsProvision_0

Yesterday, we continued our Wednesday night Lenten series with Pastor David Skordahl of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris, IL. He continued our series, "Not I, But Christ" with a message titled, "Not I, But Christ and His Life." It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/DavidSkordahlChristandHisLife

Yesterday, we heard our third message in our Lent series on the Lord's Prayer. We considered the second and third petitions of the prayer: "Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." We learned that, when we offer these prayers, we're asking that God would be our Savior and Lord. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOurSaviorandLord

Our children's message, based on the children's book "The Parable of the Lily" can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMarch15childrenssermon

Last night, Patrick Lohse, the intern pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris brought the message. He continued our series, "Not I, But Christ" with a message titled, "Not I, But Christ and His Faith." It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/PatrickLohseChristandHisFaith

Yesterday, we heard the second message of our series on the Lord's Prayer. In it, we focused on the first petition of the prayer, "Hallowed be your name." We saw that we're to pray that God's name might be made holy among us. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySanctifyingGodsName_0

Last night, the second message of our Lenten series, "Not I, But Christ," was brought by Pastor Chuck Sampson of Newark Lutheran Church in Newark, IL. He spoke of the great love God has for us. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/ChuckSampsonChristandHisLove

Yesterday I began a new series of messages that will carry us through the Sundays of Lent. The series focuses on the Lord's Prayer.

Yesterday we heard specifically about the address of the Prayer, and learned that our prayers must be rightly directed. We can't just pray to anyone or to any god. Our prayers must be directed to our Father in heaven, the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheDirectionofPrayer

Last night, we started our Lent series. Several pastors of the Illinois District of the AFLC are participating in a "round robin." Each week, one of us brings the next part of the series. The series is titled "Not I, But Christ".

In the first message, we heard that, as Christians, we've died with Christ. Our old life, our life of sin, has come to an end. If we truly believe in Jesus, we cannot continue to live in sin; we cannot continue to live for the old nature. We must instead embrace death and receive the new life that God has provided for us. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryChristandHisDeath

We all know that we're sinners. But we're usually unwilling to open up about the specific sins we've committed or those we're struggling with. We try to hide our sin, making ourselves seem to be better than we really are. However, God knows all things. There's no hiding our sin from him. Because of this, we must acknowledge our sin, we must confess it and repent of it, that we can receive his grace. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNoHidingIt

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromFeb22childrensmessage

Many people today think that, as long as they don't hurt anyone else, their sin is no big deal. But it is a big deal. According to Scripture, every sinful act is committed against none other than the Lord himself. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAgainstYouOnly

On Saturday, Grace hosted the Mid-Winter Bible Conference of the Illinois District of the AFLC. The theme was "Building a Strong Foundation for Our Youth." The passage used for this discussion was Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

I brought the first message, talking about loving the Lord with our whole heart. If we're to raise our young people in faith, we need to be faithful ourselves. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBibleConf1

The second message was brought by Pastor Chuck Sampson of Newark Lutheran Church in Newark, IL. He talked about the importance of having God's Word in our heart. You can find this message at http://www.archive.org/details/ChuckSampsonBibleConf2

To start off the afternoon, we heard a book review given by Pastor Peter Ward of Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa, IL. He reviewed the book "The Last Christian Generation" by Josh McDowell. Unfortunately, I didn't locate the recording for this presentation. If I find it, I'll post it.

The third and fourth sessions were lead by Pastor Steve Pappillon of Fox River Lutheran Church in Sheridan, IL. He talked about how important it is for parents to share the Word with their children, and how we can talk of God with them at all times. We did have a minor audio glitch in the third presentation, so keep listening if things get quiet for a minute. They can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/StevePappillonBibleConf3 and at http://www.archive.org/details/StevePappillonBibleConf4

Yesterday, on Feb. 8th, we talked about a trap the church has fallen into today. So often, we think that if we can't help people financially, if we don't have the money, to meet their needs, there's nothing we can do for them. However, the reality is that there's a much greater gift we have to give. Touching people with the power of Jesus is much greater than any worldly goods we can give. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheGreatestGift

The church today has lost its sense of purpose; the people seem oblivious to their calling. We see in Scripture that God has called us to make disciples of all nations. But most of us aren't even willing to be disciples, let alone make disciples. The church must regain its sense of purpose; it must receive the call God has placed upon it. And then, like Jesus, we must let nothing keep us from fulfilling it. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryACertaintyofPurpose

We have so many priorities in life that our interests become divided. And, as a result, the Lord is pushed aside in the interest of other things. But, as we see in 1 Corinthians 7, we're to have an undivided devotion to the Lord. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryKeepingtheRightFocus

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryJan25childrenssermon

In our society today, not all life is seen as valuable. But according to Scripture, human life is valuable because we were made in the image of God. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheImageofGod

Our actions flow from what's in our heart; our faith will be displayed in the things we do. But so often today, people profess a faith that's not expressed in their actions. This reveals a need to repent and to surrender ourselves to the Lord. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDoYouBelieve

Our chidren's message is also based on this theme and can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryJan11childrenssermon

Many people like to make New Year's resolutions. They promise themselves that they'll change a bad habit or normal practice in their life. This is good. But the problem with resolutions is that they require self-discipline. Because we're so undisciplined, we indulge our every desire, failing to do what we know is best for us. The same thing is true of our life of faith. Even though we know the calling God's placed on us, even though we know unrepentance leads to judgment, we continue to refuse God. As believers, we must discipline ourselves to fulfill the calling God's placed on our life. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFightingYourself