Waterbrooke Church

"A Heart for Missions" Matthew 9:35-38 by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

As we go into Missions Week, I want to start out by challenging us to pray that we might see the call to missions as the greatest and most beautiful reality and hope that this world could ever imagine. The news constantly bombards us with story after story of heartache, evil, violence, and war. The hopelessness of the world around us can only be countered by the truest and greatest news in the world – The King has returned to reclaim his world.Yet, here is an interesting thought that we ought to consider on Missions Week: Maybe, it isn’t just the world that needs missions. Maybe, it’s the church that needs missions. Maybe, there are things in our hearts and lives that cannot change until we find ourselves in the position of being Christ’s ambassadors and experience not simply how desperate the world is for Christ but how desperate we are for Him as well. Missions aren't simply the place where God changes the world. Missions are the place where God changes me. The sermon this week is called “A Heart for Missions.” I am praying not simply that we will have a heart of missions at Waterbrooke. I am praying that we also might have a heart from missions – the heart of Christ for broken sinners like you and like me. Christ loves to minister to His people as He ministers through His people. He meets our deepest needs as we seek to minister to the deepest needs of others. Let’s pray for that. Looking forward to seeking a real work of God in and through us all as we consider and pray over His mission in this world. See you Sunday, Lord willing!
In Christ, Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor

Easter 2024 "In His Name" by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday, on Easter Sunday, we celebrated and talked about the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
In particular, we looked at Jesus’ encounter with Thomas, at least a week and a half after the crucifixion. Thomas is struggling. When the disciples tell Thomas that they have seen Jesus, Thomas’ response is very strong. He says, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe!”
Thomas’ reaction is not purely intellectual. It is highly emotional. Thomas is often called “Doubting Thomas.” Thomas might more accurately be called, “Devastated Thomas.” There is more going on here than a need for rational evidence. Thomas is a Jew. He believes in God. He is a disciple.
He had high hopes for Jesus. But suddenly, his hopes and his expectations were dashed at the cross. Thomas is wounded, weary, and done. That describes a lot of people that I have known and even know today. Maybe some of you are wounded, weary, and just plain done. In John 20:24-31, the risen Jesus encounters the deeply disappointed Thomas and the encounter is life-changing for Thomas.
Jesus comes to Thomas and Thomas is forever transformed. If you are wounded and weary, we want to invite you to come and meet with Jesus. Let Jesus’ encounter with one of his most discouraged disciples, minister to your heart.
Our prayer is that this Easter Sunday would be truly life-giving to you and to all our church family as we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead… the greatest news in all of history!

"Walking in Wisdom as Spirit-Filled Worshipers" by Pastor Gabe Zepeda

God created us in his image to resemble him and center our lives around him. But when we rebelled against God, we decentered our lives from him and marred God’s image with our disobedience. As a result, we all are children of wrath and without hope in and of ourselves (Eph 2:1–3). But Jesus came to reverse our spiritual predicament. As the image of the invisible God and the firstborn of all creation (Col 1:15), Jesus is the new and better Adam we desperately need. He came to recreate us after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:23). In Christ, we have a new identity as children of God. But with this new identity, the gospel calls us to live differently, not how we once lived––alienated from God and in the darkness (Eph 4:18). Paul describes our new identity in Christ as a Father-son relationship.
As beloved children, the gospel calls us to walk in love and light as imitators of God our Father (Eph 5:1–2, 8). But how can we walk in love and light as obedient children? And how do we imitate God in a time when the days are evil and in a twisted culture that constantly vies for our undivided attention? According to the apostle Paul, we must walk in wisdom and be filled with the Holy Spirit! If we are to attain mature manhood (Eph 4:13) and no longer be children tossed to and fro by everything that the flesh, the world, and Satan throw at us, we must not be foolish but wise (cf. Eph 4:14). And if we are to bear with one another in love and maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:2, 3), and no longer grieve the Holy Spirit, we must be filled with the Spirit as worshipers who speak and sing the gospel, give thanks, and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Eph 5:18–21).
The time is urgent because the days are evil. But God is a good Father who gives his children what he requires. He gives wisdom. He promises the Spirit himself. He is recreating a new community of worshipers who are wise beyond their years and overflowing with the power and joy of the Spirit to walk with Jesus.
So, as we gather this Sunday to celebrate Jesus through worship and communion, come in humility and receive wisdom. Come empty and be filled.
 
We welcome you to join us for Good Friday Service at the Chaska Event Center and for Easter Services at 9 & 11.

"Walk in Love" Ephesians 5:1-14 by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday’s sermon is called “Walk In Love.” In the city of Ephesus, the idea of love had been severely distorted by the worship that was happening at the Temple of Artemis. The temple was considered to be one of the seven great wonders of the world. It was twice the size of the Parthenon in Athens. Emperors and travelers came to behold this incredible architectural masterpiece. As Acts 19 revealed, the worship of Artemis was the major economic engine for the city of Ephesus. Artemis was the goddess of fertility so sexual idolatry and promiscuity was promoted and celebrated. It is no wonder that Paul’s instructions on walking in love in Ephesians 5 is set in direct contrast to the sexual immorality that plagued their culture and continues to plague ours. We know that sexual promiscuity has become the sign of one’s freedom today and the clearest marker of one’s identity in our culture. Loving yourself and being yourself is often tied to being open about your personal sexuality. In Ephesians 5, we are called to understand that God’s design in the gospel produces a very different approach to “love”. Love is not giving yourself over to sexual sin. Love is giving yourself to Christ for the purpose of the gospel. Our identity is found in Christ. Love radically transforms how Christians live in a sexually perverse society with the hope that people might be set free not only from sexual sin but from life without Christ. Our sermon this week is called “Walk In Love.” Pray that God might use Ephesians 5:1-18 to bring many people into both the love and the light of Jesus. 
In Christ, Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor
 
Join us for our Good Friday Service ay the Chaska Event Center, 6pm March 29th
 

"Learning Jesus" Ephesians 4:17-24

This Sunday’s message was called “Learning Jesus.” It is taken from Ephesians 4:17-24 where the apostle Paul is encouraging the Christians at Ephesus to “no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.” The Ephesian Christians were once Gentiles walking in “the futility of their minds.” Futility really describes that downward spiral that the unbelieving world is in towards spiritual and moral catastrophe. The individual believes that he or she is completely fine and in control. They think that they know the way to life, to joy, to peace. In aviation, there is an error called a “graveyard spiral”. It happens when the pilot thinks he is flying with his wings level, but he or she is actually flying in a wide downward circle. Their altimeter and vertical speed indicator tell them that they are getting lower so they simply pull back on their control yoke. They grab the controls. What that does is actually tighten the circle of their descent towards a crash. It’s like water going down the drain. 
Sin does that. It leads us in an ever rapidly descent towards death and calamity. Our tendency sometimes is to grab the controls back from the Lord. This isn’t what we expected to happen and so we try to fix things in the flesh. The truth is that there is only one way out. It isn’t grabbing the controls back. It is giving up our control to Christ. It is looking to the One who alone leads us out of death and into life.One of the spiritual disciplines of the Christian is learning how to fix our eyes on Jesus who can lead us out of sin and death and towards that eternal rest for which our souls long. Do you feel like you are in a downward spiral in your personal life? Are you moving away from Christ? Are you seeing or sensing that you need to grab the control yoke and fix this yourself? Have you been handling difficulties in the flesh? 
Lets study this passage and understand what Paul means when he talks about Christians having “learned Jesus.” Even as Christians, especially as Christians, we need to understand the wisdom and the way of “Learning Jesus.” This is absolutely vital so pray that we might learn and live God’s wisdom together. See you Sunday. Oh, by the way, the snow is beautiful.
In Christ, Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor

How to Pray for Waterbrooke - By Pastor Kevin Dibbley

Dear Waterbrooke Friends,
This week, we studied Ephesians 4:1-16. Our sermon is called How to Pray for Waterbrooke. In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul “urges” the church at Ephesus to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” We will see that in this letter, this exhortation can be summed up in two ways: unity (4:1-16) and purity (4:17-5:20). In Christ, we have been made a special people. Our calling is to be a distinct community of very different people deeply devoted to Christ, to each other, and to the mission of taking the gospel to the nations. Becoming a disciple is kind of like being put on a sports team or being chosen for a music performance. Joining the team is different from becoming a team. God in Christ has chosen us by His grace to be His people. As we pray over what that means for Waterbrooke Church, Ephesians 4 gives us clear guidelines on how to pray that we might become the people that Christ died and rose to make us. Will you pray over this passage for yourself and our church family? We have such a privileged opportunity to bring glory to God through our lives together as we look to the Lord as one people. 
 
In Christ, Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor
 
Join us in the month of February as we pray together.  Do you need prayer?  Please connect with us at www.waterbrooke.church

Kingdom Clarity, One in Christ a study of Ephesians by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

As we enter a New Year, 2024, it is helpful for our church family to spend a few weeks refocusing ourselves on our mission and calling as a local church. Ephesians 3 is super helpful to this end because the apostle Paul interrupts his letter to give clarity to the Ephesian Christians regarding his calling and theirs. Over the next two Sundays, we will study Ephesians chapter three and examine two questions: What should we be pursuing in 2024 and how should we be praying? This Sunday’s message is from Ephesians 3:1-13 where Paul speaks with Kingdom Clarity. That’s the title of our sermon. Paul knows by the power of the Holy Spirit what he has been called to do and how he is to go about pursuing it. As we consider the year ahead for our church family, you are invited to read and to pray through Ephesians 3 asking God to unite us together by the Holy Spirit in His purpose and with His power. God has a purpose for us as His people. May the Lord renew us and encourage us by granting us the kind of kingdom clarity and resolve that the Holy Spirit gave the apostle Paul. Looking forward to worshiping together with you and hearing from the Lord.
Would you like to find out more about Jesus?  Need Prayer?  Go to www.waterbrooke.church

"The Vision and Mission of the Majestic King" Isaiah 6:1-13 by Pastor Gabe Zepeda

What is the mission of the church? According to the Bible, the mission of the church is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt 28:19a) until “the earth [is] filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hab 2:14). That is the high calling upon each of our lives as followers of Jesus. But if I’m honest, sometimes I lose sight of the mission. In other words, I need fresh vision from God to engage in the mission of God.   
As Christians and as a church, it is possible to do what we’re called to do but go through the motions. It is possible to serve the Lord but for all the wrong reasons. It is possible to do ministry and not have our priorities straight. When this happens, rather than seeking first Christ’s kingdom (Matt 6:33), we seek first our kingdom. If we are not building Christ’s church, we will try to build our own Tower of Babel (cf. Gen 11). If Christ is not our foundation (cf. 1 Cor 3:11), then we will build on shaky ground. But the Lord wants far more for us!
As we move into the new year, I am convinced that we need a fresh vision that recalibrates and revives our hearts to fulfill Christ’s mission until he returns. What vision are we talking about? According to Isaiah 6:1–13, we need to have an unforgettable encounter with a holy God through the gospel. When we truly get a glimpse of the majesty of God, we are never the same. The gospel according to Isaiah is this: when you see how holy God is, you will feel how sinful you are. But when you experience God’s grace, you will know how loved you are. And when we encounter this majestic vision, it will propel us to go on mission. That is the vision and mission of our majestic King. 
In light of where we are going this Sunday, the services will look a little different. The message will take place toward the beginning of the service rather than toward the end. Kids will be dismissed to Sunday School just before the message during the second service. After the message, we will spend the rest of our time responding in worship together through singing, praying, and celebrating the Lord’s Table. Who knows what the Lord will do? Would you pray? Ask God to pour out his Spirit, grant the gift of repentance, and give us personal and corporate revival, and give us boldness to make disciples of all nations near and far!   
In Christ, 
Gabe Zepeda

"Conversations Worth Having" by Andy Keppel

Andy will continue his series on Colossians with a sermon from Colossians 3:22-46, called "Conversations Worth Having".
 
Do you need prayer?  Go to www.waterbrooke.church

“The Glory of Immanuel” by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday’s message was called, “The Glory of Immanuel”. In Matthew 1:18-25, Matthew succinctly describes the staggering event where the God of the universe took on our humanity. The God of glory became a living and breathing human baby. Omnipotence took on human weakness. Theologians call this stunning event, the Incarnation. C.S. Lewis called it “The Grand Miracle”. He wrote: “The Central Miracle asserted by Christians is the Incarnation… Every other miracle prepares for this, or exhibits this, or results from this… The fitness, and therefore credibility, of the particular miracles depends on their relation to the Grand Miracle; all discussion of them in isolation from it is futile.” If God did not become one of us, we could not become one with Him. The trajectory of human history completely shifted from hopelessness to glorious hope with God’s presence amongst us not as a military power but as a little child. We invite you to pray for a fresh sense of wonder and amazement this week that God planned and embraced this divine incarnation for our forgiveness and salvation. God really is with us. 
 
To learn more about Waterbrooke Church go to www.waterbrooke.church

”The Infinite Potential in the Church” Ephesians 1:15-23 by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

Hey Church,
This Sunday’s message was called “The Infinite Potential in the Church”. We will be studying Ephesians 1:15-23 where the apostle Paul gives thanks in prayer for the Ephesian church. They might be struggling. They may need to work out issues. However, Paul rejoices knowing that what lies unseen in the church is the power of the risen and reigning Christ. Ministry in a fallen world is challenging. However, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. Let’s begin to pray that we might see the church with the eyes of our hearts being enlightened. Let’s get genuinely excited and engaged in what God has purposed to do through the local church not because of us but because of and for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is a very encouraging passage. Do you need a perspective change? Let’s come together for worship and pray for the Holy Spirit to help and strengthen us for the mission that God has given to us as a church family.
Pray. Prepare. Invite a friend. See you next Sunday!In Christ,Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor

“Heirs Together” by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

One of the great comforts to Christians down through the ages has been the promise of heaven. Even the apostle Paul says that the sufferings of this life are not worthy to be compared to the glory that is to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). Having a rock-solid confidence that your future is secure in the hands of God changes everything. Even more so, having a deep assurance that you yourself will persevere to the end is a great comfort when we are shaken not simply by the world’s uncertainty but by our own instability. Life rattles us. We are often surprised not only by how evil the world is but by how weak and vulnerable we are as Christians.  In Ephesians, the apostle Paul calls Christians of varying backgrounds, both Jews and Gentiles, to work together. We need each other. We are to stand together. We are to pray together. We must persevere together. Paul reminds us in this passage that we have a common eternal destiny. We have a common God-given identity. This Sunday’s message is taken from Ephesians 1:11-14 and it is entitled, “Heirs Together". If you want to be encouraged and if you want to be encouraging, come and worship together this Sunday. Invite a friend. Let’s be the church together. We need it. God commands it.
Find out more about Waterbrooke Church at www.waterbrooke.church

Guest Speaker Justin Lakemacher: With Confidence Draw Near Hebrews 4:14-16

The author of Hebrews tells us that we can go confidently into God’s presence. This would have been shocking to the original readers. No high priest would tell people to walk confidently into the Holy of Holies. Yet this is exactly what God commands his people to do. And he does so because of the work of Christ. Jesus, the Great High Priest, has passed through the heavens and offered to God the once-and-for-all sacrifice: himself. The Priest is also the Lamb. And that sacrifice has given us the necessary righteousness needed to approach God’s throne.Whatever you are going through, the invitation is to come to God’s throne. Come through the blood of Jesus. Come and receive mercy and grace in your time of need.In Christ,Justin Lakemacher, guest speakerJustin Lakemacher is the Program Director at Redemption House, a gospel-centered residential addiction ministry in the Twin Cities serving men from across the US. He is also a pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in Burnsville where he oversees a biblical counseling addiction ministry and community groups. He is passionate about counseling and the church. He and his wife, Megan, live in Shakopee with their compassionate and adventurous son, Ryland.
 

Redemption – Freedom and Forgiveness by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday, we talked about the doctrine of redemption. Our sermon is taken from Ephesians 1:7-10. Redemption is staggering because it is the great truth that God has come to rescue his enemies from captivity at the price of His own Son. At the greatest personal cost to Himself, God has come to set us free from our captivity to sin and to make us His own people. This is the message of the gospel and it is the message of Ephesians: God is making His enemies, not just His friends, but His family through Jesus Christ. However, there is more to redemption than being forgiven. Redemption is the ground out of which we learn to love and to forgive others. God’s mission for us begins with a willingness and a determination not just to announce this forgiveness but to actually love and forgive our enemies. We are to work out on the ground what God has determined in the heavens and for heaven and earth. So, here is the challenge as you prepare for Sunday: Are you willing to extend to others what God has extended to you in Christ? Are you open to considering deeply what redemption means not only for your personal forgiveness but your forgiveness of those around you? Will you start praying for yourself and one another as we come to rejoice in the gift of redemption? This Sunday’s message is called: This Sunday, we are going to be talking about the doctrine of redemption. Our sermon is taken from Ephesians 1:7-10. Redemption is staggering because it is the great truth that God has come to rescue his enemies from captivity at the price of His own Son. At the greatest personal cost to Himself, God has come to set us free from our captivity to sin and to make us His own people. This is the message of the gospel and it is the message of Ephesians: God is making His enemies, not just His friends, but His family through Jesus Christ.However, there is more to redemption than being forgiven. Redemption is the ground on which we learn to love and to forgive others. God’s mission for us begins with a willingness and a determination not just to announce this forgiveness but to actually love and forgive our enemies. We are to work out on the ground what God has determined in the heavens and for heaven and earth. So, here is the challenge as you prepare for Sunday: Are you willing to extend to others what God has extended to you in Christ? Are you open to considering deeply what redemption means not only for your personal forgiveness but your forgiveness of those around you? Will you start praying for yourself and one another as we come to rejoice in the gift of redemption? This Sunday’s message is called: Redemption – Freedom and Forgiveness. In Christ,Pastor Kevin DibbleySenior Pastor 
www.waterbrooke.church

”Jesus Over Everything” - Looking to Glory by Andy Keppel

Thank you for joining us today as Andy Keppel continues his series in Colossians with this sermon titled Jesus Over Everything - Colossians 3:18 - 21
To watch this sermon or reach out for prayer, go to www.waterbrooke.church

”Safe in the Father’s Love” Ephesians 1:5-6 by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

One of the great sources of anxiety that we all face is the feeling that our lives seem to be spinning out of control. Whether we feel like our destiny is being determined by unpredictable forces of nature, inherited DNA, unjust political or military powers, technological advances like AI, spiraling health and housing costs, or worse, demonic and evil forces, Paul reminds the church at Ephesus that their lives and destinies are safe in the hands of sovereign love. This week’s sermon was called “Safe in the Father’s Love.” In Ephesians 1:5-6, the Word of God reminds us that our lives are never spiraling out of control. For the Christian, life is resting in the care of a God who brings us into His family through Christ at the expense of His Son and ensures our future together as one forever family under Christ. We are loved with everlasting love. We share a common destiny. We are forever the family of God. What joins us together is our adoption in Christ. Let’s gather and be reminded that we are safe in the Father’s hands. Invite a friend and let’s rejoice as one family together to the praise of the glory of God’s grace.In Christ,Kevin Dibbley, Senior Pastor
 

September 24, 2023 ”Every Spiritual Blessing” In Ephesians 1:3-14 by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday’s message was called Every Spiritual Blessing. In Ephesians 1:3-14, the apostle Paul writes onelong run-on sentence about the incredible riches of God’s grace in the gospel. One commentator calledthis section of Scripture “a snowball tumbling down a hill, and picking up volume as it descends.” (Sorryto bring up snow in September!)
Paul praises God for the mind-blowing grace that He has shown us in Jesus Christ. For Paul, it really is undeserved. It is riches to rebels. It is lavish love completely at Christ’s expense. As Paul calls the Ephesian believers to pursue unity in gospel love for each other, he sets before them just how much God in Christ loved us when we did not love Him.
The Father chose to give us the opposite of what we deserved. This week we are just going to look at verses 3-4. There we see God made the first move towards us. God was all in for our salvation before we would have or could have moved towards Him. The reason any of us belong to God is because God chose to save us from our hell-bent sin and rebellion and granted us every spiritual blessing in Christ. Let’s come together and considerthe undeserved and stunning riches of God’s initiating grace. We are taking communion this week andcelebrating Every Spiritual Blessing in Christ. Lets worship the Triune God, Father, Son, andSpirit.  
Need Prayer?  go to www.waterbrooke.church

New Summer Series ” Longing for God” in the Psalms by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday morning, began a new summer series in the Psalms called: Longing for God. This week’s Psalm, Psalm 80, is called Longing for God’s Smile. One of the realities in our Christian experience is that we can go through times when God seems to have turned his face away from us. God feels cold and distant.
We can misinterpret this as God forsaking us or God forgetting about us. However, Psalm 80 is a psalm inspired by God, given to His people, so we would have words to pray and sing when God seems distant and we feel cold.
We need to be reminded that the Lord never stops shepherding His people even if when it feels as if He has left us. Are you in a cold place spiritually?
Have you gone through a time when God has seemed to have hidden His face from You?
This Sunday, we gathered to seek and to celebrate the God who seeks us and let’s find the words to cry out to the Lord when we long to see His smile again. Looking forward to worshipping Christ together as we Long for God together this summer.
 
Find out more about Waterbrooke Church www.waterbrooke.church

”Hope Again” by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

We have all heard the phrase, “Seeing is believing”. This Sunday, we learned theThe opposite is true: “Believing is seeing”. In Luke 24:36-53, the resurrected Lord Jesus appears to the disciples, but their reactions are varied. They are terrified. They are troubled. They are conflicted. They don’t have categories for what they are seeing until Jesus opens up God’s Word to them. One of the biggest challenges that we all face in life is making sense out of what God is doing.
Until we can see the big story of the gospel, of the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus, we will be afraid of God or we will be afraid to hope. The resurrection changed the entire narrative of the disciples’ lives. Luke’s gospel ends with a cliffhanger. The disciples are waiting and excited for the next season of life and ministry.
What is it like for you in your life right now? Does seeing what is going on around you make trusting God more difficult? Are you excited about the next season of life that God has for you? Until we see the Big Story of the Gospel, we will live in fear and uncertainty. It is seeing the unfolding purpose of God in all of Scripture that frees us from fear and hopelessness and makes us say “I can’t wait to see what God is up to next.”
This Sunday’s message was called “Hope Again”. Let’s pray that the Lord will meet us with power and show us why we ought to look forward with hope. Looking forward to worshipping Jesus with you all!
We would love to pray for you - go to www.waterbrooke.church
Coming July 2nd - Summer Series "Longing for God"
 

“The Joy of Seeing Jesus” by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday’s message was called “The Joy of Seeing Jesus". In Luke 24:13-35, a couple of disciples are walking on the road to Emmaus and they are joined by the risen Jesus. They can’t see that it is Jesus, not because of some change in Jesus, but because of something in them. The story did not unfold according to their expectations. How has your story gone? Have you had a hard time seeing Jesus at work in the storyline of your life? That is common for many of us. We would never write the story of our lives the way that God has. We have a hard time seeing God’s hand because God isn’t fitting into our story. God is writing a great story of redemption and we find our story in that good news story. Let’s come and ask God if we could see Jesus in our lives and, especially if we are struggling to see Him, that God would help us ask the necessary questions that would free us to have hope and to have joy anew. Whose story are you living for? We are taking the Lord’s Supper this Sunday, so prepare your heart to remember His forgiving grace and be reminded of His love for sinners. Looking forward to worshiping with you.
 
To watch this on online go to www.waterbrooke.church and click Resources.  Need Prayer?  Go to our website.  We would love to pray for you.