In Sermons: showing 1-15 of 17

Ready Or Not Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Dec 12, 2006

The Creed says "from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead". Jesus’ coming and judgment go hand in hand. How should we be living our lives in the light of this?

The Apostle’s Creed Together: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:36-51

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Return Of The King Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Dec 12, 2006

The Creed says that "from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead". Jesus is coming again. What does that mean to us?

The Apostle’s Creed Together: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:1-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God On Trial Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Sep 20, 2006

the creed says that Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate. Why is this mentioned? What kind of suffering was this?

suffered under Pontius Pilate Q: Why is this phrase included in the creed? I. -demonstrates that the crucifixion of Jesus is a historical event -- Pilate really did live, and really was governor of Judea at the time of Christ, from AD 26-36. -there are references outside of the Bible of ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What If God Was One Of Us Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Sep 20, 2006

The creed says Jesus was conceived by the Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. Is it really necessary to believe in the virgin birth?

In the TV show thirtysomething Hope, a Christian, argues with her Jewish husband, Michael, about the holidays. Michael exploded…. “Do you really believe an angel appeared to some teenage girl who then got pregnant without ever having sex and traveled on horseback to Bethlehem where she spent the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why People Can't Stand Jesus Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Sep 7, 2006

"Who do you say that I am?" This is the most essential question Jesus asked, and for us to answer.The creed says, "Jesus Christ, His only Son our Lord"

"Who do you say that I am?" -- the most essential question Jesus ever asked, and for us to answer. And not just any answer will do. In the end, every person must deal with Jesus Christ. No one can escape him. You can avoid the question, or delay it, or postpone it, or stonewall it, or pretend you ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Rest Of The Story Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Aug 30, 2006

"Maker of Heaven and Earth". Our personal life story makes no sense outside of the ultimate story. Why did God create?

"I had always felt life first as a story,” said G.K. Chesterton. “And if there is a story, there is a story teller.” From his childhood Chesterton knew in his heart that somehow he had stumbled into a great Tale. His life was a journey to understand that Tale, and his quest took him - quite ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-27

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The God You're Looking For Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Aug 30, 2006

The Creed says that we believe in "God the Father Almighty". Do we really?

French philosopher Blaise Pascal observed: "In every person’s life there is a God-shaped vacuum." Each of us tries to fill that vacuum with a god of some sort. Christians are almost atheists. There are thousands and even millions of gods we DON’T believe in. When someone tells you that they ...read more

Scripture: Acts 17:15-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

I Believe Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Aug 30, 2006

"I believe" are perhaps the hardest words of the Apostle’s Creed to state. Faith is under attack, but it is absolutely essential.

During World War II allied armies marched into Germany on their way to Berlin. Retreating German soldiers switched road signs and destroyed landmarks in an effort to confuse their enemy. And, to an extent, it worked, for many a G.I. followed a false marker only to end up in the wrong place. That ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-23, Jude 1:4

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Wake Me Up Inside

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Jul 7, 2006

We are frozen and dead until Jesus touches us and brings us life.

Wake Me Up Inside how can you see into my eyes like open doors, leading you down into my core, where i’ve become so numb. without a soul, my spirit sleeping somewhere cold, until you find it there and lead it back home. wake me up inside, wake me up inside, call my name and save me from the ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-21

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

It Doesn't Matter What You Believe?

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Jul 7, 2006

Many argue that what you beloieve doesn’t matter and all faiths are equal. Is this true?

"In talking about religion, if you’re well known, anything you say sort of ticks off a bunch of other people and sort of attacks their belief. So I always try to say that, first and foremost, I think that whatever anybody believes, as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, it’s fair enough and ...read more

Scripture: John 6:25-57

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What's So Good About Good Friday?

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Mar 30, 2006

How you view the cross makes all the difference.

I wasn’t raised a Catholic, but I used to go to Mass with my friends, and I viewed the whole business as a lot of very enthralling hocus-pocus. There’s a guy ... nailed to a cross and dripping blood, and everybody’s blaming themselves for that man’s torment, but I said to myself, ’Forget it. I had ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:14

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Victorious Defeat Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Feb 10, 2006

Samson’s greatest victory followed his greatest defeat.

Intro. FINDING NEMO Dad, Marlin, warns Nem: don’t go to drop off (he does); don’t go to boat(he does); don’t touch boat -- he does ... and is captured! -shows the consequences for disobedience and toying with temptation Audience: "You should have listened to your dad Nemo" -in Samsom you ...read more

Scripture: Judges 16:1-31

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God's New Year's Resolution

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Jan 11, 2006

What is God’s priority for our lives?

God’s New Year’s Resolution: v. 8 -- To be effective; make a difference; clear to others that God is at work through you v.10 -- to be secure, at peace, content -- within How do we make a difference? Where does security lie? Key is found in the words, v.8: "For if you possess these qualities in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Embracing Grief And Loss Series

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Dec 15, 2005

Some see grief as something to get over with as quick as possible, but God wants to deepen us through it.

Grief is typically treated as something to be "gotten over with" as soon as possible, or certain things are not seen as worthy of grief. If others were not impacted the same way as you then you have the problem. There doesn’t seem to be any room for people responding differently when it comes to ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Christmas Complicates Things

Contributed by Dave Bootsma on Dec 15, 2005

How you respond to Christmas depends on how you view Jesus as well as how you view yourself.

ILL. THE DANGERS OF CHRISTMAS Dr. Mateen Elass grew up in Saudia Arabia. In his youth he associated Christmas with reindeer, stars, colorful lights, sleigh bells, parties, and decorated trees. He remembers being told that the deeper meaning of Christmas was love and good will shown by giving and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed