Pastor Otterstatter • January 12, 2025

Steward the Truth as the Greatest Good

The landscape of truth in our culture encompasses the highly subjective and personally perceived to the objective and universally real. What of biblical truth? Grasping the nature of God’s truth is a critical first step if we are to be effective stewards of it. 


Biblical truth doesn’t only concern itself with accuracy, facts, and honesty. The message of Scripture reveals truth that is real—and at the same time truth that is good. Being a steward of the truth means grasping this characteristic of truth above all else. The goodness of God’s truth is ultimately revealed in Jesus Christ. It is in the truth of the gospel that God’s goodness to fallen humanity shines most beautifully. Simply put, God’s truth is life. This connection between God’s truth and goodness and life is also a critically important aspect of humankind’s beginning. Since the fall, people have been in rebellion against God’s intent for humanity, and yet the early chapters of Genesis reveal how very good this design was and the disappointment human beings have ultimately encountered in pursuing their own ideas. 


God calls us to steward his truth as that which is true and that which is truly good. It is, as Jesus said, life—and life to the full. This means that our stewardship of truth is not one grand debate over what’s right; nor is our goal to win the argument or have the last word. Rather, we’re stewards intent on holding to what is actually in the best interests of the people God has placed in our lives.

Lord, Have Mercy - Lent Week 3

By Pastor Quinn • March 13, 2026
We use the word “integrity” to refer to something being in good condition. So, we talk about the structural integrity of a building or of a ship’s hull. We mean those things are “sound” and “whole.” We use “integrity” in reference to people too. Generally, if we speak of someone having integrity, we mean that there’s a wholeness to their character. Their morals are sound. If someone lives with integrity, it is not simply that they talk and behave decently. We would say the reason their behavior is proper is because their values and desires are proper. The first six Commandments deal with our relationships with others: God and our fellow man. The final four Commandments get at the question of personal integrity. When someone steals, lies, or covets, it is a clear indication that their values and desires are highly improper. Such a person lacks honesty, empathy, and contentment. They say and do bad things because they are bad, not “sound and whole.” It is harsh, yet unfailingly true. Thus, when we break one of these Commandments, it is pointless to make excuses. Let us simply cry out, “Lord, have mercy, for failing to live with integrity!” And let us trust the Christ, who died so that we might be made “sound and whole.”

Exactly What I Need: Faith

By Pastor Quinn • March 11, 2026
I recognize that I need to be saved. When Jesus said, “No one can enter the kingdom of God,” that included me. I do not deserve God’s blessing. But long ago, God declared that I would be blessed by a descendant of Abraham who turned out to be Jesus. The blessing is salvation. I receive that salvation by faith in Jesus as my Savior. The good news is that faith is also God’s gift, imparted to me through the gospel.

Lord, Have Mercy

By Pastor Otterstatter • March 5, 2026
When we use God's name flippantly...when we take God's reputation lightly...when we are apathetic about his Word...when we have little interest in the spiritual rest he offers...we demolish the Commandments. That hurts us way more than it hurts God. Disobedience of the Commandments are attempted acts of spiritual suicide. If we continue in this rebellion, we are guaranteeing that hell is our eternal home. So, this week, we ask the Spirit to give us the ability to sincerely pray, "Lord, have mercy, for demonstrating irreverence for your name and despising your Sabbath rest."
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