Pastor Otterstatter • September 3, 2023

A Church that Takes Up its Crosses

Some churches teach that if one follows God, God responds by granting prosperity and peace. Today Jesus teaches that is nonsense. The Son of God tells us that if we are his disciple, if we are part of his Church, we will have to bear crosses. Believers will suffer in this world, oftentimes for no other reason than they are believers. It is painful to struggle against the temptations and priorities of this world. It can be agonizing to face the same scorn and ridicule Jesus faced.


Why bother? We carry our crosses in gratitude for Jesus carrying his cross, one too heavy for us to bear because it was weighted down with our sin. We carry our crosses because we know that in those moments of struggle, we are forced to turn to Christ and rely on his strength. The church takes up its crosses, because this is the Christian path, the one Jesus himself walked: first the cross, then the crown.

Imminent Arrival of the Judge

By Pastor Quinn • December 7, 2025
The judge is an important person. You stand when he enters the courtroom. What he says must be obeyed. If you are the one on trial, his determinations make a big difference in how your life will continue.  You might be quite nervous if the judge is about to arrive. John invited people to turn their nervousness to repentance. He says that the arrival of the Judge is imminent, and the kingdom of heaven is near! You are invited to hear John, repent, and believe the good news of the coming Savior.

Resurrection/Hope

By Pastor Quinn • November 16, 2025
People think of “hope” as being an optimistic desire. “I hope it doesn’t rain this weekend” simply means that is what you want to happen. Your hope doesn’t mean that will happen. It might pour all weekend. Yet, that is the best the world can offer—an uncertain enthusiasm, a cautious anticipation. Optimism is the cause of that shaky type of hope. In a world as hard as this one, we need more than shaky hope. Jesus gives us better. He has given us the unbreakable promise of resurrection, a promise rooted in his own resurrection. More, he has given us the promise of eternal life in a breathtakingly beautiful heavenly home. What is the effect of Jesus giving us such promises? We are given a better type of hope . . . a certain hope. We watch and wait for the life that is to come, with the certainty that it will come. For Jesus has made a promise. And one thing Jesus never does is lie!

Judgment/Peace

By Pastor Quinn • November 9, 2025
If you were making a list of things that might make society more peaceful, would you include “more judgment”? Likely not. Many people assume that judgment leads to conflict, not peace. However, a lack of judgment is a luxury many cannot afford. Our world is full of victims of abuse, violence, and oppression. In many cases this evil goes unnoticed and unpunished. A future without the hope of judgment means no peace. If there is no hope of judgment, victims would be driven either into total despair or to be consumed by the desire for revenge. A future that includes judgment, however, gives those who are wronged the peace of knowing that one day there will be perfect justice.  When we are horribly wronged, what are our options? Taking matters into our own hands? Despair? Jesus provides a better option. Trust that he will keep his promise to return, bringing judgment. The effect of that promise? We have peace, knowing that every wrong will eventually be righted by the one righteous Judge.
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