Pastor Mattek • October 16, 2022

Faith that Helps a Hurting Neighbor

“Love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).


We know that’s what God’s Word says, but how hard it is to put it into practice. So often instead of eagerly serving those around us we ask, “Who is my neighbor? (Luke 10:29) Who do I really need to love as myself?” Because of the way our fallen nature works, we see our neighbor’s value only as a means to justify ourselves. That leads to showing love for our neighbor only insofar as that love helps us look good in our own eyes and the eyes of others. Any neighbor we could be excused for not loving will be avoided.


But, Christ came to destroy our need for self-justification. Our need to justify ourselves has been eliminated by the justification God freely offers us at Christ’s cross—the greatest act of loving a neighbor ever. As a result we are freed to live lives of faith that seek to help our hurting neighbors—no matter the neighbor, no matter the need. We are free to help hurting neighbors in ways that seem senseless to this world—no matter the cost, no matter the distance, no matter the time. Lord, increase our faith that we might love our neighbors as you have so perfectly loved us!

We Know Jesus is Trustworthy & True

By Pastor Quinn • May 11, 2025
The world is full of talkers. There are plenty of people who say they care about you. But we are aware of what many of those people will do when it comes time to put those words into action. Jesus tells you in His Word that He cares for you dearly...that He would do anything for you...that He's leading you into the green pastures of paradise. How do you know you can trust Him? Simple. Jesus followed up His words with action. Jesus promised He would die to save you from your sin. He did. Scripture promised the Savior would rise from the dead, proving the payment for sins was complete. It happened. Jesus always does what he says. His every promise fullfiled. Jesus once illustrated that point in a striking metaphor, that of the Good Shepherd. All shepherds use words, calling to the sheep hoping they will follow. What sets the Good Shepherd apart is the fact that His words are followed by action, including His willingness to lay down His life for His sheep. Because He lives, we know Jesus is trustworthy and true.

We Have a Meaningful Mission

By revjquinn • May 4, 2025
If Jesus remained dead, all He would provide is an example of a beautiful life. Therefore, if Jesus remained dead, the mission of his followers would simply be to share advice. "Here is how Jesus would want us to love one another." Or "Jesus would want us to think about money like this." Or "This is how Jesus would pray." But because he lives, his followers now have a meaningful mission. It is not to share advice, but to testify to what we have seen and know to be to be true. Christ has risen! Thus, Jesus is not a standard, but our Savior. Jesus is nor primarily an example for this life, but the doorway into eternal life. His resurrection to glory will be the resurrection of all who put their faith in Him. Sharing that good news - that's our mission. The Sundays after Easter can seem like a bit of a letdown. Chances are the church isn't quite as full. There might not be a choir or special instruments to go along with our hymns. Even the lilies have begun to wilt or been pitched or planted. It might feel like the fun is all over. Wrong! The adventure as just begun. Because He lives! Therefore, we have a meaningful mission. Let us open our eyes to the privilege and the opportunity.

Hiding Treasure in the Trash

By Pastor Quinn • March 30, 2025
This week we see how our Father makes the treasures of his house available to any and all. He places them in the last place we’d expect—the trash. In God’s family, the things the world prizes and pursues are counted as worthless. Conversely, what the world rejects and discards is considered priceless and worth pursuing. The best example of this is Jesus Christ himself. The Father sent his greatest treasure—God the Son —to earth. And many considered Jesus to be a trash that needed to be taken out. . . a troublemaker that needed to be killed. In truth, Christ is the precious cornerstone that God used to build his house, the one with the open door.
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