Monday, December 27, 2010

On Christmas morning, we finished up our Advent series with a message titled "Jesus Is: Our Reconciliation." It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOurReconciliation

Yesterday, we looked at Genesis 12:1-9 and we observed how Abram built altars wherever he went. This shows us the priority he placed on worship. We're called to worship God as well. So why don't we give it the same priority? This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheAltar

Our children's message for yesterday, about an unopened gift, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromDecember26childrensmessage

Monday, December 20, 2010

Yesterday, we heard in part 4 of our series "Jesus Is...", that Jesus is the head of the church. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryHeadoftheChurch

Monday, December 13, 2010

This week, we come to part 3 of our Advent series: "Jesus Is..." We learn this week from Colossians 1 that Jesus is the creator and the sustainer of all things. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheCreator

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromDecember12childrensmessage

Monday, December 06, 2010

In our Advent series, "Jesus Is...", based on Colossians 1:15-20, we learned that Jesus is the firstborn. This does not mean that he was created or that he had a beginning. It's referring to his position and status. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheFirstborn

Monday, November 29, 2010

We began a series of messages that will carry us through Advent and Christmas. We're looking at Paul's description of Jesus in Colossians 1:15-20 and seeing who Jesus is. In the first message of this series, we saw that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheImageofGod_0

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromNovember28childrensmessage

For Thanksgiving, we heard about giving thanks in all circumstances. We had a series of mini-sermons delivered by myself, Mark Fagerstrom, Roger Seldal, and Shawn Blobaum. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGivingThanks_0

Monday, November 22, 2010

According to Scripture, believers will suffer persecution. We tend to think that persecution hinders the work of ministry. But, in reality, it provides opportunity for us to bear witness. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAGreatOpportunity

Our children's message for the day, focusing on encouraging one another, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromNovember21childrensmessage

Monday, November 15, 2010

A vast majority of people in the United States say they're Christian; they say they believe in Jesus. But is this true? A disciple of Jesus, a Christian, will abide in his Word. This message can be downloaded and heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDisciplesofJesus

This week, the message was brought by Gilbert Sebenste, one of the deacons at Grace. He shares how true believers will demonstrate love by serving others. He wants the disclaimer added that he jumbled the order in one of the Scriptures he shared. But it didn't alter the meaning or the message of the passage. It can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/GilbertSebensteSincereLoveThroughService

Monday, November 01, 2010

Pastor Connely Dyrud, former missionary to Brazil, was with us at worship this week and brought the message. He spoke about the basics of prayer. His message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/ConnelyDyrudTheBasicsofPrayer

Monday, October 25, 2010

As Paul approached the end of his life, and as he evaluated his life and ministry, he is confident that he's fulfilled God's call on his life. Do we have this same confidence? This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFulfillingtheCall

Monday, October 18, 2010

We all know that prayer is an essential part of the life of the believer. However, we often become frustrated in prayer. We become frustrated because, at times, it feels like our prayers are falling on deaf ears. What are we to do in times like this? We find the answer in Luke 18. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryKeepFaith

Our children's sermon for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromOctober17childrensmessage

Monday, October 11, 2010

We tend to think that we should be rewarded for our efforts; we like to think of ourselves as free men. And this way of thinking creeps into our understanding of the Lord; it creeps into our understanding of salvation. According to Scripture, we're undeserving servants. And even though this sounds demeaning, in reality it's a great blessing. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryKnowYourPlace

Monday, October 04, 2010

People today are hard to convince; people are skeptical. And, because of this, we don't think that simply teaching and preaching the Word of God will bring people to faith. We think they need more; we think they need some evidence. But if people will not hear the Word of God, nothing will convince them. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheSourceofFaith

Monday, September 27, 2010

This week, the message was brought by Gil Sebenste. He talked about genuine love. His message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/GilbertSebensteGenuineLove

Our children's sermon for the day can be found at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromSeptember26childrensmessage

Monday, September 20, 2010

No matter how much wealth we have, we always want more. We're never satisfied. But we fail to realize that this love of money can destroy our relationship with God. True blessing is found in godliness with contentment. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryEnoughAlready

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromSeptember19childrensmessage

Monday, September 13, 2010

Even though the Lord loves those who are his, he's never satisfied. He desires the salvation of all people. And because of this, he actively reaches out to them. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNeverSatisfied

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromSeptember12childrensmessage

Tuesday, September 07, 2010

Last week, a power outage during the sermon wrecked our recording. This week, the record button didn't get hit until late, cutting out the first couple minutes of the message. But it's only part of the intro that was lost. You can definitely get the point of the message.

We know that God's salvation is a free gift. But it doesn't come without cost. Jesus taught that, if we're to follow him, we must renounce all else. If we're to be his disciple, we must count the cost; we must see if this is a price we're able to pay. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryKnowWhatYoureGettingInto

Monday, August 23, 2010

Scripture tells us that Jesus is the only way of salvation. But many people have trouble accepting this. They have trouble accepting that so many people will go to hell because they don't know Jesus. The Bible says that the door to salvation is a narrow one and, because of this, we must strive to enter it. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheNarrowDoor

Our children's message for the day, about rules, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumAugust22childrensmessage

Monday, August 16, 2010

Many believers today fret because our leaders seem so ungodly; they fret because the laws being passed and the decisions being made seem so ungodly. However, we're assured in Scripture that God is in control. He can even use ungodly leaders to accomplish his purpose. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGodIsinControl

Our children's message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumAugust15childrensmessage

Monday, August 09, 2010

In Scripture, we're called to be righteous; we're called to be holy. But we're also told that we're unrighteous and sinful; we're told that our hearts are corrupt. How, then, are we to live the righteous life? How are we to become righteous? This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheSourceofRighteousness

Our children's message for the day, about being rooted in Christ, can be found at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromAugust8childrensmessage

Monday, August 02, 2010

As believers, even though we know that the things of this life are only temporary, we seek after them, we pursue them, like everyone else. However, as people who've been given new life by God, we've been called to set our mind on things above. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWhatAreYouSeeking

Monday, July 26, 2010

It's important for believers to grow in faith, to grow in their knowledge and understanding of Christ. This was Paul's concern for the Colossian church. He wanted them to grow that they might have the full assurance that comes with this growth, and that they might not be led astray. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWalkinginChrist

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJuly25childrensmessage

Saturday, July 24, 2010

I've been on vacation and at camp recently. Here is the sermon I delievered on July 4, before leaving on our trip. We've all heard Jesus statement that the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. And, because of this, we're called to pray that the Lord will send out laborers. We're willing to do this; we're willing to pray. But we fail to realize who it is that Jesus called to prayer. It was those he sent that he called to pray. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDontStopatPrayer

While I was gone, two of our deacons filled in. On July 11, Gilbert Sebenste delivered a message titled "I Came to Serve." It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/GilbertSebensteICametoServe

Paul Parry filled in on July 18. His message, about the assurance we have as believers, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/PaulParryWeHavetheTape

Our children's message for July 18 can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumJuly18childrensmessage

Monday, June 28, 2010

It's easy to get frustrated in ministry. This is especially true when people seem unresponsive or even hostile to the gospel. However, as we see in 1 Kings 19, we're called to continue on even when times are difficult. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryContinueOn

Monday, June 21, 2010

When we talk about sin, we usually talk about those we consider to be big sins. We all know that we sin by what we say. But we consider these sins to be no big deal. But, as we see in James 3, these sins are a very big deal. Not only do they harm others, but by them we also cause great harm to ourselves. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySayNoEvil

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumJune20childrensmessage

Sunday, June 13, 2010

We're constantly faced with various choices. We often rely on our feelings or our reason in order to make them. But we find in Scripture that we cannot trust ourselves. To hear or download this message, go to http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFollowingHisHeart

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

There are many people out there preaching what they call "truth" and a message they call the "gospel." But is the message we believe, is the message we proclaim, truly the gospel. Is it man's gospel or the Lord's gospel? This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheLordsGospel

Monday, May 31, 2010

In our day and age, we fail to realize the value of remembering. But remembering is important. When it comes to our faith, remembering is essential. If we fail to remember, we won't trust in the Lord. And without faith, we cannot receive his blessings. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLestWeForget

Monday, May 24, 2010

Most of us say we love the Lord. But the reality is that we love the things of this life more. But as we see in Scripture, nothing is to be more precious than the Lord and his kingdom. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNothingMorePrecious

Monday, May 17, 2010

There is a lot of fear in the church today. With the direction of our society, the world, and even the church, we fear that the ministry God has entrusted to us may be stopped. However, as we see in Scripture, there is no stopping it. No matter what they try, the world cannot put an end to the ministry of the church. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNoStoppingIt

Monday, May 10, 2010

What do motherhood and evangelism have to do with one another? Motherhood, parenting, is an important form of evangelism. God has called us to fill the earth. And we accomplish this by having children and by bringing them to the Lord. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFillingtheEarth

Our children's message for the day, based on Mother's Day, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMay9childrensmessage

Monday, May 03, 2010

In our society, it's politically incorrect to try to convert someone to the Christian faith. We're supposed to acknowledge that all beliefs and practices are good and valid. Because of this, the church has changed its tactics when it comes to outreach. It's become much more subtle. However, as we see from the example of Paul in Acts 26, we must not be so subtle. We must be open and direct. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNotSoSubtle

Monday, April 26, 2010

Yesterday, I continued our look at evangelism. We all know we're called to reach out with the gospel, but most of us don't do it. Most say that they don't do it because of fear. But when we look at Scripture, we see that the prophets, apostles, and the early church continued in their calling despite the persecution they faced. Why were they willing? And why should we be willing? This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFaithfulUntoDeath

Our children's sermon for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumApril25childrensmessage

Monday, April 19, 2010

We have a lot for you to hear and digest this week.

First of all is the message I delivered at Redeemer in Ashton. We see in Acts 20 that Paul declared himself innocent of the blood of the Ephesian church. He was innocent because he'd declared to them the full counsel of God. If they strayed from the Lord, their blood would be on their own head. Can we say the same thing, that we're innocent of the blood of those God has placed in our path? This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryInnocent

Our children's message for the day, focusing on Daniel and the lion's den, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumApril18childrensmessage

We began a series of revival meetings at Grace with Pastor Paul Nash, the home missions director of the AFLC. He's preaching on Romans 12:1-2. The series is titled, "Be Transformed." The first of his messages can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/PaulNashBeTransformed1

His second message, delivered Sunday night, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/PaulNashBeTransformed2

The third message, delivered Monday night, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/PaulNashBeTransformed3

The final message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/PaulNashBeTransformed4

Monday, April 12, 2010

As believers, we've all been called to serve the Lord. But many of us resist his calling; we refuse it. We fail to realize that serving the Lord is a great honor, and that we should thank him for the privilege. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryThankfultoServe

Monday, April 05, 2010

Our Easter message ended our series on brokenness. We heard that the person with a spirit of brokenness will live the resurrected life. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheResurrectedLife

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromApril4childrensmessage

Our Holy Thursday we heard that the person with the broken spirit will humble himself and serve others. This message can be found at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTrueHumility

Monday, March 29, 2010

Our message yesterday continued our series on brokenness. We saw that, if we have a broken spirit, we will not try to claim ownership of our life, but will offer it to the Lord. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOfferingOurselves

Our children's message, focusing on Palm Sunday, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromMarch28childrensmessage

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Last night, Pastor Randy Nelson concluded our Wednesday Lenten series with a message titled "The Christ of the Cross." It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/RandyNelsonTheChristoftheCross

Monday, March 22, 2010

As we continued our look at brokenness, we saw that our sin affects not only us, but other people as well. And if we have a broken spirit, we'll be concerned about this. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLovingOthersinBrokenness

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumMarch21childrensmessage

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Last night, Pastor Peter Ward from Faith Lutheran Church in Ottawa, IL brought the fifth message of our Wednesday night series. He brought a message titled "The Challenge of the Cross." It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/PeterWardTheChallengeoftheCross

Monday, March 15, 2010

Yesterday, we continued our series on brokenness. We saw that, if we have a broken spirit, we know we can't depend upon ourselves if we're to be justified before God. The one who's forgiven is the one who looks to Christ for mercy. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheOneWhoIsForgiven

Our children's message for the day talked about the fact that Jesus holds all things together. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromMarch14childrensmessage

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Last night, Pastor Ed Strom, from rural Ottawa, IL brought the message at our Lent service. His message, the fourth in our series on the Christ of the Cross, he talked about the cancellation of the cross. His message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/EdStromTheCancellationoftheCross

Monday, March 08, 2010

Yesterday, I continued our series on brokenness, the attitude God desires of us, with a message titled: "The One Who Loves Jesus". Even though so many people in our society today claim to believe in Jesus, there is no love for him evident in their lives. Even though the people of the church claim to love Jesus, it all seems very cold. Why is this? We see in Luke 7 that the one who loves Jesus is the one who sees his sin. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheOneWhoLovesJesus

Thursday, March 04, 2010

Last night, Pastor Steve Heilman delivered part 3 of our Lenten series on the Christ of the Cross. His message was titled "The Conquest of the Cross" and can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/SteveHeilmanTheConquestoftheCross

Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Sunday, I was extremely sick, so one of the guys filled in last minute. Shawn Blobaum delivered a message, sharing with the church Jesus' invitation to take his yoke. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/ShawnBlobaumFeb28message

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumFeb28childrensmessage

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Last night, Pastor Patrick Lohse, from Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Morris, IL was at Grace. He preached the second message of our Lenten series focusing on the cross. His message is titled "The Centrality of the Cross" and can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/PatrickLohseTheCentralityoftheCross

Monday, February 22, 2010

Yesterday, we began a Lenten series on brokenness. We looked, in yesterday's message, at the spirit of brokenness. Many people in the church today simply go through the motions. It looks like they're living a life of faith, but the reality is much different. If our repentance is to be accepted by God, it must flow from the heart. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryASpiritofBrokenness

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Last night, several pastors from the Illinois district of the AFLC began a Lenten series that'll be shared in each our churches. The first message, heard last night at Grace, is titled "The Crime of the Cross." We looked at the fact that Jesus was completely innocent of any crime when he was convicted to death and that a murderer was released in his place. We also looked at the fact that each one of us are guilty and deserving of death, but Jesus, even though he was without sin, took the penalty of sin upon himself. He died in our place that we might have life. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheCrimeoftheCross

Monday, February 15, 2010

We all know that we're imperfect, but most of us take our sin too lightly. We don't understand that our struggle with sin is a life and death struggle. We see this reflected in the life of Cain as we look at Genesis 4:1-7. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryRulingOverSin

Our children's message for the day, focusing on Valentine's Day, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumFeb14childrensmessage

Monday, February 08, 2010

In Psalm 139 we see that God is the author of life. He creates each person who is born into the world, and he decides when our time in this world is over. Because of this, life belongs to him and we are his. We have no right to decide who should live and who should die; we have no right to decide how long a person should be allowed to live. We must respect the author of life and the gift he's given. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheAuthorofLife

Monday, February 01, 2010

What attitude should be possessed by those in church leadership? We see it in three commands that Peter gives to the elders of the church in 1 Peter 5. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryChurchLeadership

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumJan31childrensmesssage

Monday, January 25, 2010

Yesterday, we finished up our series on faith. What are we to do when we find that our faith is lacking? What do we do when we find that we have doubts? This question is answered in an encounter Jesus had with the father of a demon possessed boy. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLimitingGod

Sunday, January 17, 2010

This week's message is part four of our series on faith. In Mark 4 we learn that fear reveals a lack of trust in Jesus. We must instead look to him regardless of our outward circumstances. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNoReasontoFear

Our children's message for the day, about paying attention, is found at http://www.archive.org/details/MollyBlobaumJan17childrensmessage

Monday, January 11, 2010

This week we looked at yet another aspect of faith. We saw that faith means believing the unbelievable. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBelievingtheUnbelievable

Our children's message for this week can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJan10childrensmessage

Monday, January 04, 2010

This week, we continued our series on faith. Looking at Hebrews 3:12-19 we saw that faith is not something we believed a long time ago; it's not a decision that we made at one point in our life. It's a continuing belief that we hold to every moment of our life. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryAContinuingBelief