Sunday, April 13, 2025 – Covenant Community Church

Scripture Text: Luke 19:37-40 NRSV

Today is Palm Sunday, which is the beginning of Holy Week, in which we commemorate the last week of the earthly life and ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Today is called Palm Sunday because of the reference in John’s Gospel of the people of Jerusalem welcoming Jesus coming to their city by strewing palm branches on the road in front of His procession. The Gospel of Luke is able to convey to us through this travel narrative a sense of urgency and critical importance of becoming committed disciples of Jesus Christ and join following after Jesus. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace challenges us to: 1) never criticize others for their praise; and 2) don’t stop praising God! Amen. If you have been blessed from hearing this message, please sow a seed into our ministry by visiting us at: www.indycovenant.org.

Support the show

Scripture Text: Matthew 16:13-19 NRSV

The world has lots of descriptions of who Jesus Christ was and is. But who do we say He is? This will determine how we deal with life and how we face the future. The question of Jesus was not simply about His identity, it was about their allegiance. Today, we are faced with the same question, and we must ask who ourselves, who will we give our allegiance to. Your greatest confession about Christ should always be your latest confession about Christ. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace warns us that the time has come for each of us to stand up and be counted. Sincere confessions of faith are what the Savior asks of us, because the world needs to see bold authentic witnesses once again. Amen. If you have been blessed hearing this message, please sow a financial seed into our ministry by visiting us at: www.indycovenant.org.

Support the show

In the Gospel of John, we learn that Lazarus was very sick, and his sisters knew that Jesus was his only hope. Therefore, they sent for Him to come and heal their brother. They were desperate. They needed the presence of the One whom they loved and on whom they depended. They expected Him to do what all friends would do: drop everything and run to their aid. We often have expectations that have nothing to do with what God is saying to us or others. We ask the Lord to bless us within our mental framework or within our parameters of comfort, but the Lord’s desire is to give us a “take away the stone” experience. Are you willing to get out of the way so God can do what He is willing and able to do? If you were blessed from hearing this message, please sow a seed offering into ministry by visiting us at: www.indycovenant.org.

Support the show

Sunday, March 23, 2025 – Covenant Community Church

Scripture Text: Luke 4:1-4 (NRSV)

In this world, we face temptation all the time. Whether you are a Christian listening this morning or not you know that temptation is real. You can think of times or circumstances in your life where you have been tempted to do the wrong thing, and you have either done it or resisted it. In today’s message, we will learn how Jesus came out of the wilderness victorious and how we can live a victorious life. Jesus’ temptations and struggles in the wilderness were about clarifying and deepening His life. Lent is intended to be a time for self-reflection and examination; looking at who we are becoming, how we are living, where our life is headed. In other words, it is the struggle to clarify who you are, and the values that orient and drive your life. We may find ourselves in the wilderness. But even in the wilderness, we are not alone! And in the temptation, too, we have what we need. God has equipped us to fight off our sinful desires with His Word. If you are blessed after hearing this message, please seed into our ministry by visiting us ta www.indycovenant.org. Amen

Support the show

Sunday, March 19, 2025 – Covenant Community Church

Scripture Text: Mark 12:1-11 (NRSV)

Many of us grew up hearing the overly used adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones,” but words will never hurt me.” But the truth is: words do hurt. Words can break hearts, ruin relationships, deflate confidence and self-esteem, and crush hopes and dreams. In today’s message we find examples and lessons learned from this experience from our text as Pastor Wallace continues our sermon series: “Journey of Stones.” In this passage we find two things: 1). Jesus confronted the accusers (8:1-9) and 2). Jesus confronted the accused (8:10-11). When you come to Jesus “caught in the act,” you expect the full weight of the law to crush into you. It’s what you deserve. But thanks be to God, with Jesus, you get what you don’t deserve – God’s amazing grace! If you are blessed after hearing this message, please seed into our ministry by visiting us at www.indycovenant.org. Amen.

Support the show

Scripture Text: Mark 12: 1-11 (NRSV)

As we start our Lenten Sermon Series: The Journey of Stones, this morning we will focus on “The Rejected Stones.” Drawing on the rich imagery of rocks and stones in Scripture, these messages center around the compelling metaphor of stones as representative of our sins. In today’s text Jesus offers a parable that speaks both of the past and of the future. The parable recounts the history of the nation of Israel and then prophesies of the judgment that is coming against them. While the main point of this parable is to announce judgment and foretell the work of Christ, it’s also a great reminder of the character of God. As Jesus recounts the ways God has dealt with Israel in the past and the way He will act in the future we get a clear view of God’s goodness, patience, love, and grace. Pastor Wallace tells us when you feel rejected, remember the Stone, and remember the Vineyard. If you are blessed after hearing this message, please seed into our ministry by visiting us at www.indycovenant.org. Amen.

Support the show

Scripture Text: Nehemiah 8:9-10 (NRSV)

Black History month is a time for us to reclaim the joy and strength of African American people’s identity. It celebrates overcoming grief, tragedy and triumphs through the power of God. One of the greatest intellectuals for the Christian Church in the 20th century aptly noted “if it had not been for the been for the black church, there would probably be no church in this country.” In today’s message Pastor Wallace shares insights from Nehemiah 8:9-10 to better understand the meaning of history as related to God in our Black History. The essence of our collective faith in these difficult times is grounded in the words of Ezra to the people for us not to “grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your (our) strength.” The Lord centers joy and strength in us from day to day. That’s why we must celebrate! Amen

Support the show

Scripture Text: Hebrews 13:15-16 (NIV)

Today’s message brings us to the end of our sermon series: Making Your Life Count: “Live Life as a Sacrifice of Praise.” Our Christian aspiration, individually and collectively, is to live life as a sacrifice of praise to God. That’s what our sermon text (Hebrews 13:15-16) today is all about. It’s exhorting us to live life as a sacrifice of praise to God and that ought to be an aspiration for us. It ought to be something that we want to do, that we long to do, that we desire to do! That is, because of what Jesus has done for us. Now what does that mean and how do we do that? Pastor Wallace teaches us what that means and we are enabled to do that as we see the five parts of this one exhortation. We live life as a sacrifice of praise: 1) Through Him; 2) Continually, 3) With Thanks; 4) Doing Good; and 5) Sharing Generously. In other words, the author of Hebrews is saying God does not leave you in suspense wondering what a life that pleases Him look like. May your life reflect His wishes. Amen. If you are blessed after hearing this message, please share it with others and seed into our ministry by visiting us at www.indycovenant.org by giving.

Support the show