Waterbrooke Church

When Heaven Celebrates - Luke 15

This week’s message is called: When Heaven Celebrates. Luke 15 is one of the all-time favorite passages of Scripture in the Bible primarily due to the parable of the “prodigal son.” We will look at that parable next week. However, this Sunday, we will see that this passage (Luke 15:1-10) draws back the curtain and reveals to us the impact that Jesus’ earthly ministry was having not merely in Israel but, more importantly, in heaven.What on earth creates the greatest stir in heaven? The drama of redemption, of which we are all a part, unfolds before the eager eyes of the angels in heaven. The elation of the angels is something we should all be amazed at. Heaven is absolutely ecstatic over one sinner that repents. Are we? What does this passage teach us about how Waterbrooke should go about its ministry and mission on earth? What great hope does this offer to those who feel that they are too guilty, too broken, and too ashamed to come to God? Let’s come and rejoice with the angels this Sunday over the glorious hope of the gospel offered to a world full of broken and weary sinners.
 
Find out more about our church at www.waterbrooke.church 

Everybody Loves a Parade, Luke 14:25-35

This Sunday, our sermon was entitled “Everybody Loves a Parade.” In Luke 14:25-35, the multitudes, being impressed by Jesus, begin to flock to him on His journey towards Jerusalem. As one writer put it “Everybody loves a parade.” However, this is no parade. This is the road that leads to the cross.To join Jesus as a disciple is to align yourself with the Prince of Peace who lays down his life to save sinners. Jesus stops and calls them and us to carefully consider the cost of following him. That’s what we are going to do together this week. The Lord’s Supper is the perfect occasion to remember Jesus and His sacrifice for us and to recalibrate our expectations of what it looks like to follow Him. Would you prepare your hearts by praying “God, help me to count the cross and follow Christ …for He is worthy!” Our hearts are drawn to easier paths but the way of the cross is the miraculous and powerful instrument that Christ used to rescue us and it is how He intends to save the world.

Fostering Gospel Humility, Luke 14: 7-24

This Sunday, our message was called “Fostering Gospel Humility”. In Luke 14, Jesus is making it really clear that you can’t be His disciple if you won’t humble yourself and serve God by sacrificially serving others. He tells three banquet parables to address three different groups of people who manifest three different expressions of pride. What He shows us is that pride really is a failure to believe in the goodness and grace of God. One of the most freeing things that you and I can know is that God has got your back forever. God is for you. God is with you. God will never let you go. In this passage of Scripture, Jesus calls for humble Christian disciples by pointing out the goodness of God. It is, of course, that goodness that enables Jesus to humble Himself and go to the cross. If we are going to truly follow Christ and serve others, we must believe what the cross displays – God is so good. Come as we continue to prayerfully seek the kind of humility that only the gospel can produce.

Healing Our Spiritual Edema, Luke 14: 1-6

This Sunday’s message is called “Healing our Spiritual Edema”. Edema is a symptom/complication in our health where we become puffed up by fluid in our limbs, abdomen, and/or face. It can be a mild effect of medication or other health issues. It can be a consequence of something more serious.In Luke 14, the edema that Jesus must address is cruel spiritual pride. It is that, unfortunately too common, problem in the religiously self-righteous and the cynical. Instead of looking and praying for Jesus to be gracious and merciful, we sit in judgment. We watch and wait to see flaws and point out sins. We stop seeing those in need of grace and mercy with hearts of compassion and kindness. What do you see when you are around others? What is your posture when you are with Christians or attend worship? Do you show up looking for those in need of the restoration of Jesus, praying for the privilege of being an instrument of mercy? Or, do you show up seeing flaws and failures and waiting and expecting to be disappointed?May the compassion of Jesus come and heal our spiritual edema through the worship and testimony of Teen Challenge and the words and ministry of Jesus this Sunday. Will you pray for the Holy Spirit to work powerfully in Waterbrooke Church?
 
To find out more or to watch this sermon online, go to www.waterbrooke.church

Life in the Kingdom for the Next Generation, Matthew 5:1-16

This Sunday as we gather for worship we are going to take a step away from Luke's gospel and move over to the gospel of Matthew. The fall season is full of launching ministries and this week we are jumping back into Youth Group and Sunday School for elementary students. For the Youth Group at the beginning of the year we are going to be studying Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which is Jesus' proclamation as to what life in the kingdom of God is like in a fallen world. We live in a cultural moment that is loudly telling us what we should value, what we should pursue, who we are... and as followers of Jesus, we realize much of it is totally upside and backwards in comparison to what Jesus says.For the sermon this weekend, we are going to take a big picture look at the Sermon on the Mount and go back to the basics of life in the kingdom. If we are going to pass on the faith to the next generation, we need to continually reestablish and live in light of what God says, rather than what our culture is saying. The Sermon on the Mount is the good news of what God is producing in us and through us by the power of His gospel.
 
Want more information on Waterbrooke Church go to www.waterbrooke.church

The Fox and the Hen Luke 13:31-35

This Sunday’s message was entitled “The Fox and the Hen.” It comes from our passage in Luke 13:31-35 when Jesus angrily calls Herod “that fox” and Jesus sorrowfully compares himself to a hen seeking to gather her chicks under her wings. When Jesus uses these words, He is on fire for the lost! He is expressing in the strongest way how passionate He is about rescuing us, as His people, from our sins.Often, Jesus is depicted as this passive, peaceful Savior who seems to serenely make his way through life to Calvary. Thank God, Jesus is nothing like that! As he makes his way to Jerusalem on our behalf, he has fire in his soul to deliver you and me and nothing will stop in His way.The question that we are going to ask this Sunday is how do we kindle a passion for the lost like Jesus? Do we have the fire of the gospel in our hearts like Jesus does? I invite you to start praying now that the Lord might be pleased to fuel your zeal and my zeal to see lost sinners rescued and brought into the kingdom of heaven. If your heart has grown cold in a lost and broken world, may the Holy Spirit place within you a passion to passionately pursue the salvation of others. I am looking forward to being captivated again by Jesus and being compelled to love and pursue others, the way Jesus has loved and pursued me. We will be taking communion so prepare your hearts to remember and to rejoice in the Savior’s redemptive love.
 
To find out more about Waterbrooke Church go to www.waterbrooke.church

The Wide Kingdom With the Narrow Door, Luke 13:18-30

This Sunday, The message was from Luke 13:18-30. It is called “The Wide Kingdom with the Narrow Door.” In this passage, Luke tells us that Jesus is still determined to make his way to Jerusalem (Luke 13:22). We should be amazed that despite the hostility and accusations that increasingly mount against Jesus and his ministry, Jesus doesn’t lose focus and He doesn’t lose faith. His resolve to be our Savior and to go to the cross never wanes. Despite the fact that there are few serious disciples around Him, Jesus is absolutely confident in His calling, His cause, and His kingdom. As we enter into the Fall, how is your level of resolution, confidence, and hope for what God has called you to be and to do? As you seek to return to school, how hopeful and energized are you to live as a faithful disciple and witness for Christ? As you teach Sunday School, or jump into small group ministry, or homeschool your kids, what is it that gives you confidence and resolve?
Don’t you find that at times, you really wonder if you are ready, willing, or able to press on in what you have been called to do? Most of us find that our zeal can wane because the demands never stop, the difficulties may multiply, or the results can be less than what we have hoped. 
Thank God that Jesus perseveres. Our goal this Sunday is to ask the question, “What does Jesus know that we don’t?” Our goal in the midst of the demands of kingdom life and ministry is to learn from Jesus, to look to Jesus, and to lean upon Jesus as He blazes the trail of the kingdom of heaven on our behalf. If you are weary, uncertain, hesitant, or even mildly hopeful, Luke has a good word for all of us. Looking forward to worshiping with you on Sunday!

A Clash of Kingdoms, Luke 13:10-21

Have you ever found yourself being greatly annoyed that someone does something that doesn't fit your expectations? Of course we all have. That's an experience that we all go through. If we slow down long enough and actually consider what's happening in the moment, oftentimes we realize we respond that way because we are bent towards self-righteousness and building our own kingdoms. We inevitably see people as either helps, or hindrances to our kingdom building projects. This is dangerous.In our sermon text this weekend, Jesus goes face to face with the self-righteous hypocrisy that is in all of our hearts. And what we see is that Jesus has come to set us free and keep us free from the unrelenting tendency towards legalism and in the process he is determined to build his kingdom.Read ahead Luke 13:10-21 as we prepare to study God's word together, and be in prayer as we prepare to partake in the Lord's supper as a church family.

Repent Before It’s Too Late, Luke 13:1-9

With September drawing closer, it is astonishing to think that 9/11 happened almost 21 years ago. I was a sophomore in high school when I heard that “airplanes flew” into the Two Towers in New York City while I was in gym class. It is an unforgettable atrocity. Like everyone on that day, I was shocked, scared, and saddened by the thousands of lives lost. During this time, people––both religious and irreligious––rushed to churches to try to make sense of it all. The questions on people’s minds were, “Why did this happen? How could an all-loving God allow this evil to happen? Why are there disasters at all? Why do bad things happen to good people?”In Luke 13:1–5, some people confront Jesus with similar questions above. Two disasters are mentioned. In the first one, Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor of Judea, slaughtered a bunch of Galileans while they were sacrificing in the temple in Jerusalem. In the second one, the Tower of Siloam––also in Jerusalem––accidentally fell, crushing eighteen people. What does Jesus have to say when disaster strikes? Jesus responds, “If you don’t repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3, 5). The answer is not what you would expect, especially coming from “gentle and lowly” Jesus. Jesus responds this way––not because he is harsh, but because he is loving. He lovingly and urgently warns us that if we do not turn away from our sin and turn toward God in faith, we will perish and face God’s judgment. In other words, all the disasters that we witness and face in life point beyond themselves to a greater disaster to come. God’s judgment is imminent. We don't know when our last breath will be, so we all need to repent before it’s too late. But there’s also hope. What is the positive way of saying, “If you don’t repent, you’ll perish?” It is, “If you do repent, you’ll be saved.” That’s why Jesus came. It is because of him that any of us has time to repent today. Because of his death and resurrection, anyone can be forgiven of their sins––if they repent and believe in Jesus. In a sense, we need to ask ourselves, “Are you ready? Have you repented of your sins? Is there an area of your life that you have not surrendered to King Jesus?”   

Disruptive Reign: How the Kingdom of God Shakes up the Status Quo, Luke 12:49-59

Sometimes Jesus says things that we don’t expect. Sometimes the things that Jesus says are hard for us to grasp and make sense of. The sermon text for this weekend is one of those times.  There is nothing greater than following Jesus by faith. It’s what we are created for. While at the same time we have all experienced hardships as a direct result of following Jesus. What do we do with this?  This weekend we are going to study Luke 12:49-59 and the sermon title is Disruptive Reign - how the Kingdom of God shakes up the status quo.  The big question this text brings up is, how should we live in a world that is deeply loved by God, but wants to put God in a manageable box? 

Glorious Disruption - Are we Ready?

This weekend we are picking up where we left off in our study through the Gospel of Luke. Last week Jesus ended by telling us,  "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also," and this week He is going to tell us why that matters so much. Jesus says that there is coming a time, and it could be any moment, that He is going to return and make all things new. The big question is..."Are we ready?"There are so many things in our day to day lives that distract us from living in light of the second coming of Jesus. We are daily met with crazy circumstances, demanding jobs, unending homework, schedules packed with sports and various activities. Not to mention the suffering we face, the sin we struggle with, and the confusion we encounter in our personal lives. This week's sermon, from Luke 12:35-48, is called "Living Wisely and Faithfully While We Wait" and we are going to see how Jesus encourages us to be ready for the day when He will return to judge the living and the dead and to make all things new. 

Tremble and Trust By Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday, we studied Luke 12:1-12. The message is called Tremble and Trust.As Jesus’ ministry becomes enormously popular, the opposition becomes intensely hostile. Instead of being filled with fear of men, Jesus reminds His disciples that they need to see things from His perspective. Jesus sees the awful consequences of sin, hypocrisy, and religious pride. Jesus points out that we ought to fear falling into hypocrisy rather than facing opposition. It’s not the children of God who are in danger. God is jealously protective over His own. The greatest danger is to turn against Christ and His disciples. When we face opposition and religious hypocrisy – we need to tremble and trust. May this passage drive us to Jesus and embolden us to live as courageous witnesses to the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Cultivating a Truly Gospel Culture by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

Our sermon this week is entitled Cultivating a Truly Gospel Culture.We will be looking at Luke 11:37-54. In this passage, Jesus prophetically speaks several “woes” over the Pharisees and the lawyers. His strong words are a warning against the incipient nature of religious hypocrisy and pride.We all have the temptation of trying to pretend that we have it together better than we do. The problem, of course, is that we can inoculate ourselves against the hope of the gospel when we try to prove that we are in deep daily need of Jesus. We also injure the weak and the wounded who need the message and the ministry of the grace and mercy of Jesus. We don’t need spiritual super-heroes. We need a humble church with a solid hope in Christ. Come as we listen to Jesus and pray to become the kind of church that becomes a refuge for the broken and guilty.
 
To find out more about Waterbrooke Church go to www.waterbrooke.church

Deadly Indecision – A Word to Gospel Hold-outs.

We are very excited this weekend to celebrate the baptisms of several of young men and women. Whenever anyone responds to Christ in faith and love and obedience we rejoice together as a church family for the grace of what God has done and for the promise of grace that lies ahead. The Christian life is not easy but it is a progressive journey into ever increasing glory.We are also reminded that their obedience in faith is a call to all of us to respond in faith and obedience to the message of Jesus Christ. It is a word to those who have yet to receive Christ by faith that now is the time to respond. It is fitting this weekend that we are studying Luke 11:27-36.
Our sermon is called: Deadly Indecision – A Word to Gospel Hold-outs.Jesus clearly warns that developing a posture of delaying and demanding more and more evidence is not acceptable in God’s eyes. Today is a day of salvation and we ought to respond. Would you pray that this weekend many people would give up being spiritual hold-outs to Christ and salvation? Would we pray that the Holy Spirit would remind us that no decision is a decision and that decision has present and eternal consequences? Looking forward to a celebratory time together and praying for a work of grace in all of our lives together.
To find out more about our church go to www.waterbrooke.church

The End of Tyranny by Pastor John Hall

This weekend is Independence Day weekend and it is a fitting weekend for our message in Luke 11 called The End of Tyranny.Last week, Pastor John asked the question “Have you stopped dreaming Kingdom-size dreams?” It is clear from our passage this week, that the kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ has come and the tyranny of Satan is coming to an end. If we asked the question last week, what do you want Christ to do through you?… this week’s question – What does Christ want to do in you?The end of Satan’s tyranny in the world includes those areas of our lives where we still believe that lie he uttered in the Garden of Eden, that we can be like God. Liberty and freedom in the gospel isn’t the freedom to live as we please. It is freedom from guilt, and shame, from sin and Satan. It is the freedom from the dangerous and debilitating Satanic lie that we are masters of our own lives and destinies.Here’s the question that we are going to ask this weekend and maybe you can begin to pray about it now: What area of your life have you been unwilling to relinquish to King Jesus? As his Kingdom expands in the world ousted all of Satan’s tyranny, may His kingdom push out any remnant of rebellion and resistance and radical autonomy that remains in my heart and in yours. Let’s pray Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done in me and in you.

Teach Us to Pray: Knowing and Loving God as Our Father Part 1 - Pastor John Hall

In the classic book, 'Knowing God' J.I Packer famously wrote, "What is a Christian? The question can be answered in many ways, but the richest answer I know is that a Christian is one who has God as Father."This Sunday is Father's day! As we continue to move forward in our study through the gospel of Luke, Jesus is going to teach us to pray in light of the wonderful reality that God is our Father.Jesus continues to welcome us into his mission to claim the nations as his own and this weekend we are going to see that one of the ways we can stay engaged in mission over the long haul is by knowing and loving God as our Father.Before we ever do anything for God, we are invited to enjoy God.Join us this weekend to worship our gracious Savior as He teaches to pray to our heavenly Father who loves us.
 
Do you need prayer?  Contact us at www.waterbrooke.church/prayer

No Turning Back - Glorious Disruption by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

Here’s the question for this Sunday’s sermon: What’s really holding you back? In the passage that we are studying this week, Luke 9:51-62, the whole narrative of the gospel shifts to Jesus making His way to Jerusalem and the cross. The next 10 chapters is a journey narrative. Luke says that Jesus “set his face toward Jerusalem.”As Jesus begins to get more and more volunteers for his ministry, he makes the gospel call more challenging and not less. He reminds those that want to come and follow Him that there is no turning back. Thank God that Jesus’ resolve to rescue sinners is unshakeable.Yet, we have to admit that the bumps along the way have caused many of us to look back, turn back, or just put our commitment in neutral gear. We are sitting the mission out. We are holding back. And we are miserable or at least numb.This week, we are going to rejoice in the resolve of Jesus to go to the cross for sinners. We are also going to see that His resolve is the fuel for our resolve. What is holding you back from jumping into the mission of the church and the mission of the gospel? Let’s pray for the grace of Christ to free us to follow him joyfully and without reserve. This week’s message is called No Turning Back.

Cruciform Me -Glorious Disruption by Pastor John Hall

This week we are going to continue our study in the Gospel of Luke. The last time we were in the gospel we got a glimpse at the glory of Jesus, the True and Greater Moses and Elijah. This glimpse of glory should have deeply humbled the disciples. What we are going to see, however, is that rather than humbling the disciples, they double down on their pride and self-sufficiency.Jesus is showing the disciples and us what true discipleship looks like. He is showing us what kind of King he really is. He is a king who reigns from the cross.The sermon title this weekend is "Cruciform Me" and I hope that we all walk away amazed at the grace of Jesus and are encouraged to embrace the way of the cross for ourselves.As we prepare for Sunday let's be praying along with John the Baptist, "He must increase, but I must decrease."

Something Old, Something New Colossians - Andy Keppel

As we continue the study in Colossians, Paul reminds the church that Christ has ascended to heaven, but He has not left us to the world (we are hidden in Him,) and He has not left us to ourselves (He has left us to each other.)  Join us in a celebration of Christ's sufficiency as we remember the grace shown to us individually and learn to stand on the foundation of Gospel hope as we live out our renewal corporately.
 
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“The Transfiguration” - Glorious Disruption by Pastor Kevin Dibbley

This Sunday, we studied one of the most powerful revelations of Jesus’ triumphant purpose in Luke’s gospel. In Luke 9:28-36, Luke recounts the details surrounding what is famously called “The Transfiguration.” We are calling it “Exodus 2.0.” It is a fascinating moment in the life of Jesus.
It is clear from this passage that the Old Testament story of Israel’s exodus out of Egypt and their encounter with God at Mount Sinai was a powerful dramatization of the coming of a greater Exodus under a greater Moses – Jesus Himself. Luke shows us that all of the language of Israel’s Mount Sinai experience foreshadows what happens here in the life of Jesus. For the disciples who have just been called to take up their cross and follow Jesus, this is a gracious and glorious encounter. They, like us, are spiritually inconsistent.
We can easily lose heart and grow discouraged at the cost of discipleship when we are such struggling half-hearted souls. In the grace of God, the call to a life of discipleship is followed by a much needed vision of the glorified Jesus. Let’s come together and with the disciples get a glimpse of Jesus and his glory so that we can recognize that His story is our story.
Our hope as Christians rests not in our weak, weary, and wandering selves but in the Christ who is a better Moses leading us out of the wilderness of our sin. There is hope. There is help. There will be glory.
 
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