Saints Peter And Paul Sermons

In Daniel 9, Daniel cries out to God in a prayer of repentance confessing his sin and the sins of the people of Israel. At this point, it's been 66 years since Daniel was taken into captivity. We find out in chapter 9, that Daniel had been reading the words of the prophet Jeremiah where Jeremiah had prophesied to the people of Israel that their captivity would last 70 years. When Daniel recognized these words of Jeremiah were coming true, he searched the Scriptures and he prayed. Daniel modeled to us a life of devotion and obedience to God despite what the circumstances in the world through at him. In this sermon, Pastor Aaron encourages us to live lives of obedience as well. Not to purchase or win our way to heaven or salvation, but simply because obedience to God's Word is a better way to live - for us, and for the world.

In Daniel 8, we are introduced to another beastly vision (after the vision of beasts in chapter 7). This time, Daniel sees two beasts duking it out: a Ram and a Goat. Thankfully, in this chapter, an angel interprets some of the symbolic language for Daniel (and for us!). In this sermon, Pastor Kevin utilizes the 4 tips offered by Pastor Aaron on how to interpret Apocalyptic Literature (see Daniel 7 sermon) to walk through an interpretation of Daniel 8. In the process, we see that this vision speaks directly concerning events that unfolded from Daniel's life (550 BC) - all the way to Jesus' life and beyond (70 AD).

Daniel chapter 7 is a shift in writing style from the first half of the book. Daniel 1-6 was written more as a historical recording of events from Daniel's life in Babylonian captivity. Chapter 7 begins visions that Daniel had concerning the life of God's people. Biblical scholars would classify this type of writing (beginning in Daniel 7 and continuing to the end) as apocalyptic literature. It is prophecy about the future. This kind of writing can get confusing to interpret and understand what the intended meaning is. In this sermon, Pastor Aaron helps us unpack Daniel 7, but also gives some helpful hints about how to interpret apocalyptic literature in general. This is helpful because this kind of writing appears all throughout the Bible.

This is finally the chapter we've been waiting for. Daniel chapter 6 with Daniel in the lions' den. If you didn't know much about the book of Daniel, you likely had at least heard the phrase, "Daniel in the lions' den." But, why was he put in the den? Who made the decision that Daniel should be put to death? And what does this have to do with me? Listen to this sermon where Pastor Aaron puts this story in historical context and applies it to our reality - that God is the only one who can and will deliver us from certain death.

In Daniel chapter 4, King Nebuchadnezzar needs to be taught a lesson. You could say he needs to be, "put in his place." You see, 30 years have passed since Daniel chapter 3 happened. In that time, the King has become more powerful than ever and he's sitting pretty high and prideful. It seems as though all those lessons he learned about Daniel's God have faded away and he is giving himself all the glory. Well, God will teach him his lesson through a significant "fall from grace." But in the end, Nebuchadnezzar admits, "Those who walk in pride, God is able to humble." In this sermon, Pastor Aaron applies the reality of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling experience to the necessity of all Christians to live in humility.

In chapter 3 of Daniel - it's Daniel's friends who take center stage: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. King Nebuchadnezzar has set up a golden "image" that he demands the citizens of Babylon worship. But these 3 boys resist. They won't bow down, and so they face the consequences: to be thrown into the burning fiery furnace. In this sermon, Pastor Kevin highlights the pluralistic nature of the society of Babylon (that they worshiped many gods). He compares this with the pluralistic nature of America - where the hearers live. By drawing this comparison - the question is posed: what will we do when the music plays? To hear how the 3 boys respond, how God responds, and what God is up to in the midst of our trials - check it out. You can watch it, listen, or click "read it" to read the manuscript.

In Daniel chapter 2, King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that troubles him deeply. He demands that the wise men tell him his dream and then offer an interpretation. No one can do it, so the King orders all the wise men in Babylon to be killed. Daniel hears of it. And, with nothing but a deep faith to trust in God's deliverance, Daniel stands up to seek an audience with the king. In this sermon, Pastor Aaron spends time walking through the text of Daniel chapter 2, pointing out the importance of prayer, and also offering application on Nebuchadnezzar's dream for our present day situation. Watch it, listen, or even click "read it" to read the manuscript.

In this opening sermon for our sermon series walking through the Book of Daniel, we begin where the story begins - Daniel chapter 1. Daniel chapter 1 sets the stage for the rest of the book. It gives the context for who the main characters are, the protagonists, the antagonists, and an opening drama. Daniel begins in 605 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian Empire (which has just risen to immense power) comes to Jerusalem to take captive young men who will be trained in the way of the Babylonians.

Advent is over...technically. Christmas Day is over...but the season continues for a few more weeks. The waiting we've been doing through the Season of Advent...it's over. What now? As Luke shows in his Gospel narrative - the birth of Jesus is not the end of the story. It's only the beginning. In this section of Luke 2, Mary + Joseph will encounter a seemingly ordinary man named Simeon. He is going to point to the life & work of Jesus, even His death + resurrection. Though Christmas is over and through Christ really did come - this is not the end of our story. We are sent - just like Simeon - to share the Good News of Jesus' birth, life, death, and resurrection with the world.

Christmas Eve worship at Saints Peter and Paul was a bit out of the norm. But, God's Word was still preached and shared by both Pastor Aaron and Pastor Kevin throughout the worship service. The message was broken down into 3 different sections following 3 sections of Luke chapter 2. What you will hear/watch in this recording is 3 sections each beginning with a Bible reading followed by the Pastors preaching on that section.

In this final week of Advent, we conclude our sermon series "I Can't Wait" with this sermon called "Waiting with Love." In it, we consider the announcement of the angel Gabriel to Mary that she would give birth to a son. Gabriel was clear with Mary who this child would be. Pastor Aaron, in this sermon, focuses on 5 key statements that Gabriel makes to Mary. Ultimately we are reminded how true love has come to us in Jesus Christ. And, as we await the 2nd Advent of Jesus, we wait with love. We don't need to go looking for love. For love has come to be with us.

In this 3rd Advent sermon, we are still following Moses & the Israelites. They have left Mt. Sinai (where they failed to wait on God at the Golden Calf incident) and are now at the doorstep of the promised land. But it doesn't look like how they expected it to. The people fear and suggest returning to Egypt where things were comfortable. God reproves them for this and declares they will wander in the wilderness for 40 years. Then the people try to immediately go into the promised land - against God's will. Moses intercedes (again) for the people. God forgives. And the rest of the story demonstrates how God faithfully walks with an unfaithful people - showing them WHO they need to look for in order to find rest & JOY.

In this 2nd Advent sermon, we encounter Moses and the Israelites as they are wandering in the wilderness. God has made himself known to his people and each day he is giving them more and more instruction and formation about how to live as his people. Moses is called up on Mount Sinai one day and while he is there, the people become restless because Moses is gone for days. Instead of waiting, like Moses asked them to do, they asked Moses' brother Aaron to build them a golden calf to worship. They were supposed to be patient and wait. But they couldn't wait. Can you?

This sermon kicks off a sermon series called "I Can't Wait!" The first sermon of Advent, 2020. "Advent" means "to come" and it's the time of the year we remember how Israel waited for the coming of the Christ & how we too - await Christ's second and ultimate coming. Throughout this sermon series, we're taking a look at all sorts of biblical characters who were called to wait. In this sermon, we take a look at Noah - who was called "to wait" in his day. But we learn that "waiting" on God looks much different than the kind of "waiting" we're used to. It's not simply distracting ourselves until whatever we're waiting for comes to pass. It's a waiting that calls us to HOPE.

In this final sermon on the Book of Ephesians, we look at the final greetings that the Apostle Paul sends to the people in Ephesus. He mentions a man (who is not too well known) named Tychicus that is mentioned also in the Book of Colossians, Acts, 1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus. Both here in Ephesians and also in Colossians, Paul says that he is sending Tychicus for the purpose of "encouraging their hearts." Tychicus was an encourager. This final message on Ephesians from Pastor Aaron is meant to be an encouragement for all who hear it. It's no doubt that 2020 has been a rough year and we need to be encouraged to stand firm in Christ until life everlasting. Watch until the end - there's even homework to do!

Not many people pay much attention to what's going on behind the scenes of the chaos in this world. And that's exactly how Satan would like to keep it. He wants to convince you that he is not real, that there's no spiritual warfare going on, and that ultimately God himself is not real. As Christians, we must be aware and attentive to these crafty schemes of the devil. And then - most importantly to stand firm in Christ. Putting on the full armor of God, we will withstand all the schemes of the devil. Christ has already risen and is victorious over the devil.

The Apostle Paul warned the Ephesians of the "waves" of this world (4:14). In Chapter 5, he goes into detail about some of those "waves." Cultural influences that the Ephesians would walk into each day. We walk into our own world that is shaped by ungodly influences. Like the Ephesians, we must not be "tossed to and fro" (4:14), but instead BE LIGHT to the world. Thankfully, this is our identity in Christ. He has made us light (5:8) to the world by the gift of faith. We live in this world as reflections of the One True Light - Jesus Christ - who has enlightened us with His gifts.

On this All Saints Day, Pastor Aaron encouraged people to take a step back from what is right in front of us to gain a greater perspective of what the full story of the Scripture is. All Saints Day points us to the resurrection from the dead and imagine that in eternal life there will be people from every tribe, tongue, and language united in crying out, "Salvation belongs to God!" As Christians, we have been called to live as one body with Jesus Christ as our head. With the right perspective, we will desire to bear with one another in love, eager to maintain unity in the bond of peace.

In Ephesians 3, the Apostle Paul prays for the Christians gathered in Ephesus that they might "comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth of God's love" (v. 18). In Christ, we are united to all the saints. We have a history. Our faith spans over thousands of years. Just as God's love preserved HIs Church and His people over centuries of hardship, He preserves His Church and His people today.

In Ephesians 2, Paul is addressing the "wall of hostility" that the Jews and Gentiles still kept building between themselves over issues such as circumcision. Paul reminds them that in Christ, they are one. Not two. One. In a contentious world that we live in, we are so quick to build walls of hostility. We are quick to judge. We are quick to assassinate people's character. When in actuality, we should really just be looking to the cross. It's at the cross of Jesus where there is No More Hostility.