In this week's message, Pastor Scott explores the extraordinary power of God's grace and its ability not only to save us, but to transform our lives. Drawing from Paul's letter to Titus and the story of Zacchaeus, we discover that God's grace comes to us before we have earned it, before we have repented, and before we have put our lives in order. Through baptism, Holy Communion, and the proclamation of His Word, God pours out His grace upon us, transforming us from the inside out. Rather than relying on willpower, guilt, or shame to change ourselves, we are invited to come as we are, receive God's love, and allow His grace to do the work of transformation.

Bible Verses Referenced

The central Scripture passage is Titus 2:11–15, which Pastor Scott describes as one of the most important yet often overlooked passages in the Bible.

Titus 2:11–15 | The central passage, quoted at the beginning and end of the sermon. God's grace brings salvation and teaches believers to reject ungodliness and live upright, godly lives while awaiting Christ's return.
John 1:16–17 | “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” The Law came through Moses, while grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:16 | Believers are invited to approach God's throne of grace confidently to receive mercy and help in times of need.
Acts 20:32 | Paul commends believers to God and the word of His grace, which builds them up and gives them an inheritance among those who are sanctified.
2 Corinthians 9:8 | God provides grace abundantly so that believers have everything they need to participate in good works. Pastor Scott notes that the translation he is reading uses “every blessing,” whereas the Greek speaks of grace.
Luke 19:1–10 | The story of Zacchaeus, the wealthy tax collector who climbs a tree to see Jesus. Jesus invites Himself into Zacchaeus's home before Zacchaeus repents, demonstrating that God's grace precedes and produces transformation.
Matthew 11:28–30 | Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest, promising that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

The sermon also makes broader references to Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, baptism, and the Lord's Supper, emphasizing these as ways through which God communicates His grace to believers.

One of the sermon's most memorable illustrations is the comparison of trying to change ourselves through willpower to attempting to remove screws with a hammer. Without the proper tool, the task is impossible. Likewise, Pastor Scott argues that God's grace—not guilt, shame, or human determination—is what transforms us.

In this week's message, Pastor Scott reflects on the meaning of All Saints' Day and the extraordinary promise that nothing—not even death—can separate us from the love of God. Drawing from Paul's letters and the Book of Revelation, we discover that the Church is the living body of Christ, united across both life and death. Whether we are grieving those who have gone before us or struggling with the challenges of everyday life, we are never alone. Through Christ's resurrection, we have the assurance that those who have died in faith rest securely in God's love, while those of us who remain are called to encourage one another, persevere in faith, and carry the hope of the Gospel into the world.

Bible Verses Referenced

The sermon focuses primarily on Romans 8:35–39, emphasizing that nothing can separate believers from God's love, along with Paul's teaching about the Church as the body of Christ.

Philippians 4:4 | “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Pastor Scott introduces the apparent contradiction of Paul calling believers to rejoice even while suffering and imprisoned.
Matthew 5:10–12 | Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount that those who are persecuted, insulted, and falsely accused because of Him should rejoice and be glad.
1 Corinthians 12:27 | “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” Pastor Scott emphasizes that the Church is not merely like Christ's body but is His living body in the world.
Ephesians 1:22–23 | God has appointed Christ as head over the Church, which is His body. This reinforces the reality of Christ's presence through His people.
Luke 23:34 | Jesus' words from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Used to illustrate how members of Christ's body should forgive others.
Romans 8:35–37 | Paul asks whether hardship, persecution, famine, danger, or death can separate us from Christ's love, concluding that believers are more than conquerors through Him.
Romans 8:38–39 | The sermon's central promise: neither death nor life, angels nor demons, the present nor the future, nor anything else in creation can separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus.
Psalm 44:22 | Quoted within Romans 8:36: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
Revelation 21:3–4 | God's promise to dwell among His people and wipe away every tear, ending death, mourning, crying, and pain. This passage provides the sermon’s vision of the hope awaiting those who have died in faith.
Hebrews 12:1 | The “great cloud of witnesses” who have gone before us, encouraging believers to persevere in their faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 | Alluded to in the description of the Church Triumphant as those who have fought the good fight, kept the faith, and finished the race.
Matthew 25:21, 23 | Alluded to in the words “Well done, good and faithful servant,” describing the welcome awaiting believers in God's presence.

The sermon also refers to Jesus' death and resurrection, emphasizing that Christ's victory over death guarantees the hope of eternal life.

In this week's message, Pastor Scott celebrates Reformation Sunday by exploring the three foundational principles of the Protestant Reformation: Grace Alone, Faith Alone, and Scripture Alone. Through the story of Martin Luther and his rediscovery of God's grace, we learn that salvation is not something we can earn through good works, but a gift made possible entirely through Jesus Christ. Pastor Scott also explores what it means to embrace Scripture Alone—not by rejecting Christian tradition, history, or other sources of inspiration, but by recognizing the Bible as our ultimate authority for understanding God's truth. Above all, we discover that Scripture is not an end in itself, but a gift that points us toward Jesus, the true Word of God and the source of our salvation.

Bible Verses Referenced

Hebrews 12:1 | Pastor Scott quotes the passage about being surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses” and running the race with endurance, emphasizing the importance of learning from Christians who have gone before us.
Luke 24:25–27 | Jesus' encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Beginning with Moses and the prophets, Jesus explains how the Scriptures point toward Himself. This is one of the sermon's central passages.
John 14:6 | Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Pastor Scott uses this to emphasize that salvation comes through Christ, not through Scripture reading itself.

Ephesians 2:8–9 | Salvation by grace through faith, not by works. This is the foundation of the discussion of Grace Alone and Faith Alone.
Romans 3:21–28 | Paul's teaching that justification comes through faith apart from works of the Law, central to Luther's understanding of salvation.
John 1:1, 14 | Jesus as the Word of God who became flesh. Pastor Scott repeatedly emphasizes that Scripture points us toward Jesus, the living Word.
Luke 2:7, 12 | The infant Jesus wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. This imagery is used in Martin Luther's quotation comparing Scripture to the swaddling clothes that hold Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 | Christ's death for our sins, burial, and resurrection on the third day, reflected in the sermon's concluding description of the Gospel.

Books, Movies, TV Shows, Podcasts, etc. Referenced

The Indwelling Life of Christ — Major W. Ian Thomas

Pastor Scott describes this as an especially important book in shaping his personal understanding of the Christian life and his worldview. He explains that God can inspire authors to communicate spiritual truths, even though their writings do not carry the authority of Scripture.

The Shack — William P. Young

Pastor Scott briefly mentions this novel as another example of literature through which God can inspire readers and teach spiritual lessons. He distinguishes such inspiration from the unique authority of the Bible.

The Chronicles of Narnia — C. S. Lewis

Pastor Scott recounts a story about a young boy who wrote to Lewis because he worried that he loved Aslan, the lion in The Chronicles of Narnia, more than he loved Jesus. Lewis' response illustrates how a fictional character can help readers recognize and love the qualities of Christ. Pastor Scott enthusiastically recommends the series.

Other historical writings and references:

• Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Theses (1517). Pastor Scott recounts how Luther's challenge to the sale of indulgences spread rapidly because of the printing press, helping ignite the Protestant Reformation.
• Martin Luther's Old Testament commentaries. Pastor Scott quotes Luther's description of Scripture as the humble swaddling clothes containing the priceless treasure of Christ, emphasizing that the Bible's greatest purpose is to reveal Jesus.
• The Luther Rose (Luther's Seal). Pastor Scott displays this traditional symbol of Lutheranism while introducing the three Reformation principles.
• Johannes Gutenberg and the printing press. The development of movable-type printing is discussed as an important historical factor in spreading Luther's ideas.

Pastor Scott answers questions from the congregation about some of the Bible’s most challenging teachings. Why does Jesus tell us to hate our families or let the dead bury their own dead? Why does Paul instruct women to remain silent in church? And how can we reconcile salvation by grace with the teaching that faith without works is dead? Through these questions and others, we discover that following Jesus means recognizing the extraordinary value of God's Kingdom, trusting in His grace rather than our own strength, and allowing our faith to transform how we live and love others.

Bible Verses Referenced

The sermon is structured around several questions submitted by members of the congregation, with each question focusing on a particular passage of Scripture.

Luke 14:26 | Jesus' difficult statement that anyone who does not “hate” father, mother, spouse, children, siblings, and even their own life cannot be His disciple. Pastor Scott explains this as a radical call to count the cost of discipleship.
Luke 14:27–33 | Jesus' teaching about carrying one's cross, counting the cost before building a tower, and giving up everything to follow Him.
Matthew 8:21–22 | Jesus tells a prospective disciple, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” The sermon discusses the urgency and cost of following Christ.
Matthew 16:24–26 | Jesus teaches that whoever wants to save their life will lose it, while whoever loses their life for His sake will find it.
Romans 12:20 | Alluded to in the instruction to respond to enemies with kindness, described as heaping burning coals upon them.
John 6:53–69 | Jesus' difficult teaching about eating His flesh and drinking His blood causes many followers to leave. Peter responds, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
1 Corinthians 14:26–40, especially 14:34–35 | Paul's instructions concerning orderly worship, including his statement that women should remain silent in churches. Pastor Scott discusses the historical and cultural context and the importance of orderly worship.
1 Corinthians 11:2–16 | Alluded to in the discussion of women covering their heads during worship in the Corinthian church.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 | Paul's “thorn in the flesh” and God's assurance that His grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness. Pastor Scott suggests that Paul's thorn may have been poor eyesight, while acknowledging that this is only his theory.
Acts 9:1–19 | Paul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, discussed in connection with the possibility of lingering vision problems.
Galatians 6:11 | Paul writes, “See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!” Pastor Scott cites this as possible evidence of Paul's eyesight difficulties.
Ephesians 2:8–9 | Salvation comes by grace through faith, not by works, so that no one can boast.
James 2:14–26, especially 2:17 | “Faith without works is dead.” Pastor Scott explains that good works do not earn salvation but flow naturally from faith and the work of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 13:44 | The Parable of the Hidden Treasure, in which a man sells everything to purchase a field containing treasure.
Matthew 13:45–46 | The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. A merchant sells everything to obtain one extraordinarily valuable pearl, illustrating the incomparable worth of God's Kingdom.

The sermon also refers more broadly to Christian freedom, the Reformation, the relationship between faith and works, and the radical demands of discipleship.

In this week’s message, Pastor Scott explores the fascinating relationship between the Apostle Paul and the church in Corinth, revealing how Paul's letters offer a glimpse into the struggles, disagreements, and growing pains of the early Christian church. Through these letters, we discover that living out the Gospel is not always easy, but that God's grace is sufficient for us, even in our weakness. As Paul reminds us, it is often when we recognize our limitations and learn to depend on Christ that His power is most clearly revealed in our lives.

Bible Verses Referenced

The sermon focuses primarily on 1 and 2 Corinthians, particularly the correspondence between Paul and the Corinthian church and his teaching that God's strength is revealed through human weakness.

1 Corinthians 7:1–2 | The opening reading concerning marriage and sexual relationships. Pastor Scott uses it to introduce the problems Paul was addressing in Corinth.
Acts 9:3–9 | Paul's dramatic encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, where he is blinded and his life is transformed.
Acts 18:1–4 | Paul arrives in Corinth, meets Aquila and Priscilla, works as a tentmaker, and preaches in the synagogue.
1 Corinthians 5:9 | Paul refers to an earlier letter he had written to the Corinthians, revealing that some of his correspondence has not survived.
1 Corinthians 1:11 | Chloe's household reports divisions and disagreements within the Corinthian church.
1 Corinthians 5:1–2 | Paul addresses a serious case of sexual immorality within the congregation.
1 Corinthians 7:1 | “Now for the matters you wrote about.” This reveals that the Corinthians had written to Paul asking for guidance.
2 Corinthians 2:1–4 | Paul describes his painful visit and a letter written with anguish and tears, revealing the emotional difficulties in his relationship with the church.
2 Corinthians 7:5–7 | Titus brings encouraging news that the Corinthians desire reconciliation with Paul.
2 Corinthians 9:3–5 | Paul discusses the collection being prepared for the believers in Jerusalem and encourages generosity.
2 Corinthians 10–13 | Discussed as a possible separate letter incorporated into 2 Corinthians, perhaps corresponding to Paul's earlier “Letter of Tears.” This is presented as a scholarly theory, not a certainty.
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 | The sermon's concluding passage. Paul describes his “thorn in the flesh” and God's response: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Exodus 17:8–13 | Alluded to when Pastor Scott describes Aaron holding up Moses' arms during battle, illustrating how God strengthens us through other people.

The sermon also refers broadly to Acts 2 (Pentecost), Paul's missionary journeys, and his other letters, including Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Romans.

An important distinction in the sermon is that Pastor Scott explains how the Corinthian correspondence may have involved several letters, some of which are now lost. He notes that scholars disagree about whether portions of 2 Corinthians might preserve material from those earlier letters.

In this week’s message, we explore the extraordinary freedom Christ has given us through His death and resurrection. Through the Apostle Paul’s transformation and his letter to the Galatians, we discover that God’s love and salvation are not rewards we must earn, but gifts freely given. When we stop trying to prove ourselves worthy of God’s grace, we are finally free to love and serve others, allowing the Holy Spirit to produce the fruits of faith in our lives.

Bible Verses Referenced

The sermon focuses primarily on Galatians 5, particularly Paul’s teaching about Christian freedom and the fruit of the Spirit.

- Galatians 5:1 — The central verse of the sermon: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Pastor Scott emphasizes that Christ frees us from sin, shame, and the burden of trying to earn God's love.

- Galatians 5:2–5 — Paul warns that seeking justification through circumcision and obedience to the Law means rejecting the sufficiency of Christ’s gift of grace. This passage is quoted extensively.

- Galatians 5:13–14 — Alluded to in the teaching that Christian freedom is not simply freedom from obligations, but freedom to love and serve our neighbors.

- Galatians 5:22–23 — The fruit of the Spirit. Pastor Scott describes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self-control as the natural results of living in God's grace rather than striving to earn salvation.

- Galatians 1:15–18 — Paul describes his calling to preach among the Gentiles and his journey to Arabia before returning to Damascus. Pastor Scott discusses how Paul needed time to reconsider everything he previously believed.

- Acts 7:54–8:3 — The stoning of Stephen and Saul’s participation in the persecution of early Christians.

- Acts 9:1–19 — Saul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, which radically transforms his understanding of God and his own identity.

- Galatians 1:6–9 — Paul warns the Galatians against accepting a different gospel, even if proclaimed by an angel from heaven.

- Galatians 3:1 — “You foolish Galatians!” Pastor Scott refers to Paul's frustration with those who had begun turning away from the Gospel of grace.

- Galatians 5:12 — Paul’s particularly sharp criticism of those insisting that Gentile believers must be circumcised.

The Princess Diaries (2001)

Pastor Scott plays a scene in which Mia Thermopolis learns from Queen Clarisse that she is actually the Princess of Genovia. He compares Mia’s astonishment at discovering her royal identity with Paul's realization that, through Christ, he is already a beloved child of God. Just as Mia cannot earn or change her identity, Christians do not earn their identity as God's children.

Martin Luther — The Freedom of a Christian (1520)

Pastor Scott quotes Luther’s famous paradox:

In this week’s message, guest preacher Tommy Olsen explores the often-overlooked Ascension of Jesus and what it means for Christ’s continuing reign in the world. Through the opening of Acts, we discover that Jesus’ departure was not an absence, but the beginning of a new chapter in which the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to carry the Gospel beyond Jerusalem and bear witness to an alternative kingdom built not on power, wealth, or violence, but on the peace, love, and self-giving way of our risen King.

Bible Verses Referenced

The main text is Acts 1:1–11, particularly the Ascension and Jesus’ commission to His disciples.

• Acts 1:1–11 — The principal passage: the risen Jesus prepares His disciples, promises the Holy Spirit, commissions them as witnesses, and ascends into heaven.
• Acts 1:8 — “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem…Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This is especially central to the sermon.
• Acts 1:9–11 — Jesus is hidden by a cloud as He ascends, and two men in white tell the disciples that He will return in the same way.
• Luke 24:50–53 — Luke’s first account of Jesus’ Ascension, which concludes his Gospel before he retells the event at the beginning of Acts.
• Luke 1:35 — The angel tells Mary, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you.” The sermon draws a parallel between the Spirit coming upon Mary to bring forth the Messiah and the Spirit coming upon the apostles as the Church begins its mission.
• Psalm 47 — Jesus is described as enthroned above all powers and earthly empires.
• Matthew 6:28–30 / Luke 12:27–28 — Jesus’ teaching about the lilies of the field, used to contrast trust in God with anxiety about material needs and appearances.
• Genesis 11:1–9 — Tower of Babel — Humanity gathers together to centralize its power and build a tower to heaven; God scatters them and confuses their languages.
• Genesis 12:1–3 — Abram and Sarai are sent out with God’s promise, beginning a movement that the sermon traces forward to Jesus and the sending of the Church.
• Acts 2:1–13 — Pentecost — Presented as a striking counterpart to Babel: rather than eliminating different languages, the Holy Spirit enables people from many nations and languages to hear the same Gospel.
• Mark 1:1 — “The beginning of the good news about Jesus Christ.” The sermon discusses good news/gospel (euangelion) in contrast with Roman imperial announcements of a new emperor.
• Luke 4:5–8 — Satan offers Jesus authority over the kingdoms of the world if Jesus will worship him; Jesus responds that God alone is to be worshiped and served.
• Acts 27–28 — Paul’s journey to Rome is discussed at length: the storm and shipwreck, Paul sharing food with those aboard, the snakebite on Malta, and eventually his ministry under house arrest in Rome. Sermon October 4 2026
• Jonah 1 — The storm during Paul’s journey to Rome is briefly compared with Jonah’s experience at sea.

In this week’s message, we stand at the foot of the cross and consider how Jesus shattered the expectations of those who thought they knew what the Messiah would do. Through the images of the Passover lamb, the Temple, and Daniel’s Son of Man, we discover that the resurrection reveals a kingdom far greater than anyone expected—one in which Christ conquers sin, death, and the devil and makes us His dwelling place, sending us into the world carrying His hope, light, love, mercy, and grace.

Bible Verses Referenced

This sermon draws heavily on both the Old and New Testaments to show how the crucifixion and resurrection fulfill themes running throughout Scripture.

• John 1:29 — John the Baptist identifies Jesus as “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This is connected directly to the Passover lamb. Sermon September 27 2026
• Exodus 12:46 — The Passover lamb was not to have any of its bones broken. Pastor Scott connects this with Jesus on the cross. Sermon September 27 2026
• John 19:33–36 — Jesus’ legs are not broken at the crucifixion, fulfilling Scripture and reinforcing the Passover-lamb imagery. Sermon September 27 2026
• Psalm 34:19–22, especially Psalm 34:20 — “He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.” Sermon September 27 2026
• John 2:19–21 — Jesus declares, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days,” with John explaining that Jesus was speaking about His body. Sermon September 27 2026
• Exodus 29:45–46 — God promises to dwell among the Israelites, providing the background for the Tabernacle and Temple imagery that the sermon ultimately applies to Jesus. Sermon September 27 2026
• Exodus 40:34–38 — The glory of the Lord fills the Tabernacle, with the cloud by day and fire by night demonstrating God’s presence among Israel. Sermon September 27 2026
• Deuteronomy 21:22–23 — Alluded to in the statement that one who hangs on a tree is cursed, emphasizing how impossible Jesus’ crucifixion would have seemed to those expecting a victorious Messiah. Sermon September 27 2026
• Daniel 7:23–25 — Daniel’s vision of the fourth kingdom that oppresses God’s people. Pastor Scott connects this with the Jewish experience of living under Roman rule. Sermon September 27 2026
• Daniel 2:44 — The promise that God will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed and will ultimately overcome the kingdoms of the world. Sermon September 27 2026
• Daniel 7:13–14 — The vision of “one like a Son of Man” coming with the clouds and receiving authority, glory, sovereign power, and an everlasting kingdom. Sermon September 27 2026
• Luke 24:13–35 — The Road to Emmaus. This is a major backdrop to the sermon. The disciples lament, “We had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel,” before the risen Jesus explains how the Scriptures point toward Him and is ultimately recognized by them. Sermon September 27 2026 Sermon September 27 2026
• The Resurrection accounts — The women arrive at the tomb and discover that the stone has been moved and Jesus is no longer there: “He is not here. He has risen.” Sermon September 27 2026
• John 20:1–10 — Peter and John run to the empty tomb; Pastor Scott humorously notes John’s insistence on telling us that he outran Peter. Sermon September 27 2026
• John 1:14 — Alluded to near the conclusion with the idea that Jesus “dwelt among us,” continuing the sermon’s Tabernacle/Temple theme. Sermon September 27 2026
• 1 Corinthians 3:16 / 6:19 — Paul’s teaching that believers themselves are now God’s temple, the dwelling place of His Spirit. This becomes the sermon’s final application: God does not merely dwell in a building; He dwells in His people.