Pastor Otterstatter • July 3, 2022

Through the Word, the Lord Halts the Progress of Death

When sin entered the world, death entered with it. With sin, death marches forward from one generation to the next, so that the story of every human life ends the same way: “and then he died” (Genesis 5:5ff).


Death separates body and soul. It separates loved ones from each other. The shadow of death can make it hard to enjoy life. Picture any joyful activity. How joyful would that activity be if you knew that fifteen minutes into that activity, you would die? Well, it is simply a matter of timing. It might take a little longer than fifteen minutes, but in the end, death spares no one.


Today, we see what happens when death’s unstoppable march reaches the feet of Jesus. In the face of death, Jesus does not retreat. He is not moved. He demonstrates that his words have power even over this enemy of death. Christ’s love for us means death’s power over us has been drained. For the Christian, death is a shell of its former self.

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.

No Detours Allowed

By Pastor Quinn • March 23, 2025
The door to God and the glory he has prepared for us stands wide open. However, he has mapped out a very specific pathway to that door. It is not an easy one. As it did with Jesus, this route takes us through opposition, suffering, and even death. While our human nature may cause us to want to take a detour around these things, Jesus own life shows us that no detour is allowed. His cross came before his crown. The same path lies ahead of us. However, at the end of it, through the open door, we are offered a reward far superior to anything the world can offer.

Always Present, Always Patient

By Pastor Quinn • March 16, 2025
The heavenly Father is always present in the lives of his children. He sees every sorrow we endure. He also sees every sin that we commit, even if it’s only in our thoughts. He is always present. Yet, he is also always patient. God does not snap at us the second we turn from him. He gives us time to see the error of our ways. He assures us that the door back to him remains always open. By giving us room to share our struggles and shortcomings, he works in us the very repentance he desires and saves us from the judgement that would otherwise be ours.
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