The message of Christmas is absolutely incredible. It's so incredible that, like the shepherds in the Christmas story, we should want nothing more than to share this good news with others. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/MakingJesusKnown

According to the angel who spoke to Mary, it was because Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit that he was called holy, the Son of God. Apart from the miracle of Christmas, salvation would not be possible. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/SonOfTheMostHigh

As Mary praised God because she would bear the Son of God, she says that God's mercy is for those who fear him. Why is the fear of the Lord the key to mercy? This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/TheKeyToMercy

Just as we prepare ourselves for Christmas, the people of Jesus' day had to be prepared for his coming. God prepared them by sending John the Baptist, who proclaimed to the people a baptism of repentance, and who pointed them to the coming Savior.

In these two ways, through repentance and the message of Jesus, we are also prepared for him. We're prepared to receive his salvation, we're prepared for his return, and we can use this message to prepare others for Christ as well.

This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/PreparingForJesus

Yesterday, we started the season of Advent with a message titled "Longing for Salvation." We heard how, during the Christmas season, we not only remember Jesus' birth, but we also long for him to come back; we long for him to deliver us from this world of sin and evil. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/LongingForSalvation

On Thanksgiving, we heard a message titled "The Blessing of Thanksgiving". We learned that, by expressing thankfulness to God, by remembering what he's done for us, we're enabled to trust in him in the present. This message can be found at http://www.archive.org/details/TheBlessingOfThanksgiving

Yesterday we heard the fourth and final part of our series, "Living In the End Times". We heard that, as we await the Lord's return, we're to use our gifts to serve one another. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/UseYourGifts

Yesterday, we heard the third part of our series, "Living in the End Times." We heard that, as we await the Lord's return, we've been called to show hospitality to one another. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/Hospitality_401

Yesterday, we heard part 2 of our series, "Living In the End Times". We heard that, as we anticipate the return of Christ, we're to love one another earnestly. Even though this sounds common sense, and even though it seems easy to obey, it's much more difficult than we realize. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/EarnestLove

Last week, we joined with the other churches in Northwood for a community service, put on by a group known as Harvest for Kids.

Yesterday, we began a series of messages that will take us up to Thanksgiving. We're told in Scripture that Jesus will soon return; we're told that the end will come. And we're told that we're to be prepared. So, how are we to live in the end times?

In this first message, based on 1 Peter 4:7-11, we hear that we're to be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of our prayers. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/SelfControl_111

We all want the grace of God for ourselves. We want it also for our family and friends. We even want it for many people that we don't know, for those we deem good people. However, there are certain people we believe to be unworthy of God's grace. If God is generous with them, we resent his grace. However, we should never resent the grace of God. We should always rejoice in it. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/RejoicingInGodsGrace

Yesterday, we heard from missionaries Steve and Alberta Knudtson. They shared with us about missionary life and also about the vision they have for ministry. Their message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/SAKnudtson

In the church today, even though we can articulate the gospel message, and even though we can recite John 3:16 from memory, many of us are depending on ourselves to earn forgiveness; we're depending on our obedience to the law to earn salvation. However, according to Galatians 3, by doing so, we remain under the wrath of God. We're saved only by the grace of God through faith in Jesus. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/InGodWeTrust_414

Most people in our society know of Jesus. But they have many different ideas about him. And many of these ideas are not Scriptural. We sometimes think these differences are no big deal. But they are a big deal. Believing Jesus to be the Christ, the Son of the living God, is the foundation of the Church.

We had some audio glitches during this message, which you will hear in the recording. We were attempting to fix them, and eventually switched microphones. I hope it's not too distracting, but the entire message is available. It can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/WhoIsThisJesus_386

Our God is deserving of worship; the Lord is worthy of our praise. And we're called to worship him. However, no matter what we do, his praise will go forth. No one and nothing can stop his praise from going forth. But are we giving him the praise he's due? This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/HeWillBePraised

Young people have been leaving the church at an alarming rate. What can we do to stop the bleeding? This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/PassingItOn

We often declare that our life is our own; we say that this is our body. And what we're saying is that no one can tell us what to do; we're saying that we're in charge of our own life. However, in Colossians 1 we're told that we were created by Jesus and for Jesus. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/CreatedByHim

We all have many things that we value in life. But what is most important to you in life? Jesus tells us that the kingdom of heaven is so valuable, that we should be willing to sacrifice everything in order to possess it. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/OurGreatestTreasure

The church in our nation is heading in many different directions; their are many different priorities on which they focus. But what does Jesus tell us about the mission of the church? What should be our primary focus? This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/TheMissionOfTheChurch

This week, Pastor Elden Nelson, president of the AFLC, was with us to install Pastor Kent at Ebenezer. He delivered a message about the call of God that can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/Installation

Here is my first message as pastor of Ebenezer Free Lutheran Church. We all have limitations. This includes me, as a pastor. If I try to do it all, it will take away from my primary calling, which is the ministry of the Word. So, as a church, we need everyone to pitch in. The more who serve and use their gifts, the more lives we'll touch for Christ. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/Limitations

Below is the link to my final sermon as pastor of Grace Free Lutheran Church in DeKalb, IL. In it, I focused on the call of God and how, as his people, we must follow his call. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/PastorKentsFinalSermonAtGflcDekalb

We often fail in our calling because we don't feel qualified to carry it out. However, as we see in 1 Corinthians 1, this is how God intends it to be. He calls and uses those who aren't qualified. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryUnqualified

In the church today, we too often fail to expect God to work through us as we serve him. We don't believe that God will do the miraculous through us. However, because of God's calling, we should expect him to do great things. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryExpectingGreatThings

Yesterday, we heard the last message in our series on Christian parenting. We heard how we must find the right balance. Just as we must not be permissive, neither must we provoke our children to anger. We must not do this because it hinders our ability to train them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryRightBalance

Yesterday, we heard the third part of our series on Christian parenting. And we learned that discipline is essential if we're to raise godly children. Even though no one enjoys disciplining their children, they do it out of love for their children and out of a desire for their salvation. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDiscipline

Yesterday, we continued our series on Christian parenting. We heard that, according to Scripture, it's the parents' responsibility to instruct their children in the Word of God. God says that we're to immerse our kids in his Word. So, even though others might help us in this, it's our responsibility first and foremost. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySharingtheWordofGod

Yesterday, I started a series of messages on Christian parenting. We heard that the goal of Christian parents is to raise their children in faith. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheGoalofChristianParents

On Easter, we heard that we're not without hope. Even though with all of the pain and suffering in our world today, and even with that which we experience, we always have hope in Jesus. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryNotWithoutHope

On Maundy Thursday, we finished up our series, "Disciplines of Grace", with a message on the sacraments. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheSacraments

On Good Friday, we had one more message of our series: "The Attitude of Christ". It's about Jesus' brokenhearted spirit. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryBrokenhearted

Yesterday, we concluded our series, "The Attitude of Christ", by looking at the attitude of submission. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySubmissive

This past Wednesday, we heard another message in our series, "Disciplines of Grace", by looking at the blessing of God received through ministry. It can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryMinistry

Part 3 of our Lenten series: "The Attitude of Christ". It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryForgiving

Last night, we heard part 5 of our Wednesday night Lenten series, "Disciplines of Grace", where we heard about the blessing of generosity. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGenerosity

Yesterday, we heard the second of our Sunday Lenten messages on the attitude of Christ. The attitude we focused on this week was love. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLove

Last night, I delivered part 4 of our Wednesday night Lenten series: Disciplines of Grace. This time, we heard about worship. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWorship

Part 3 of our Wednesday evening Lenten series is on the topic of fellowship. In it, we see that God doesn't desire for our relationships within the church to be shallow. And we see that, through fellowship, we receive great blessing. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryFellowship_0

On the Sundays of Lent, I'll be delivering a series titled, "The Attitude of Christ." We'll be looking at the attitude displayed by Jesus during the passion and how we, as believers, are called to reflect that attitude. The first message of this series, delivered on March 13, is on humility. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryHumility

On Wednesday nights, during Lent, I'm giving a series of messages titled "Disciplines of Grace." The first, delivered on March 9, is on Scripture. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryScripture

The second message, delivered on March 16, is on prayer. It can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryPrayer_0

As believers, we know we've been called to honor Christ. However, so often, we're unwilling to honor Christ because of fear. We're afraid of how the world might respond to us if we live out our faith; we're afraid of how the world will respond to the gospel if we proclaim it. However, because of our faith, we have no reason to fear. We know what God has prepared for us. And this enables us to serve Christ by life or by death. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryHonoringChrist

We get so worried about the needs of this life. They consume us. We seek to fulfill them before all else. But Jesus tells us not to worry about the things of this life. He tells us to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness. And he promises that, when we do so, he'll supply all of our needs. This message can be heard and downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperrySeekingtheThingsofGod

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromFebruary27childrensmessage

From the time we're small children, we hate rules. We long to be free from the rules laid down by those in authority over us. This is even true when it comes to the Lord, when it comes to his law. We ignore his commands because we want to do things our own way. However, the true believer will love God's law; he'll long for the ways of God. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryLongingfortheWaysofGod

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromFebruary20childrensmessage

None of us want to be doormats. We don't believe that we should let people walk all over us. But, when we read the words of Jesus in Matthew 5, it sounds like this is what he wants for us. Is this true? This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryDoormats

We all find things in our home that no longer serve their purpose, things that are good for nothing. But have you considered the fact that the same thing might be true of us, that we might we good for nothing? This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryGoodforNothing

So many people in our nation claim to believe in God, they profess faith in Jesus, but they live in rebellion against him. Because of this, we deserve God's wrath. We can bring nothing to God to appease him. He calls on us to repent that we might receive his mercy. This message can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryWhatstheProblem

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJanuary30childrensmessage

Yesterday, we talked about the dreaded question every parent hates to hear: Where do babies come from? This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryTheDreadedQuestion

Our children's message for the day can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJanuary23childrensmessage

Last week, we had a recording glitch. So our message was lost.

This week, we heard about John the Baptist. He told the people that the reason he came baptizing with water was that Jesus might be revealed to Israel. And just as this was his purpose, so should it be ours. Our purpose is to reveal Jesus to those who don't yet know him. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryRevealingJesus

Our children's message for the day, about our ticket to heaven, can be heard at http://www.archive.org/details/MarkFagerstromJanuary16childrensmessage

If you could have anything you wanted what would it be? If you could ask for anything you desired, what would you ask for? We learn from Solomon in 1 Kings 3 that it pleases God when we make an unselfish request; it pleases God when we ask for the ability to serve others effectively. This message can be heard or downloaded at http://www.archive.org/details/KentSperryOurGreatestWish