Pastor Brent opens with a praise and call to prayer for our growing Youth Group, many of whom attended District Blitz in Duluth. He then dives into another passage in our walk through Rom. 8, encouraging the church that “You Are Not Alone” (vv. 26-27); “Your Life Has a Purpose” (vv. 28-29); and “Your Future is Secure” (v. 30). Two lies that we are tempted to believe are that Christians don’t suffer and no one understands our suffering. Similar (but not identical) to our own desperation, when all we can pray may be, “Please, Lord”, “…the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans” (v. 26, NIV 2011). As our good Father, God cares for our character more than our comfort. As John Newton wrote, “He tests and prunes you, for He is working for your good” (see v. 28). In addition to deeply focusing on the words of this text (such as the five completed action verbs in v. 30), Pastor Brent uses figures from church history to explain and apply this passage, including Charles Spurgeon, John Owen, and St. Patrick and his famous prayer as missionary to Ireland.
Creation is Groaning (Romans 8:18-25)
Pastor Paul continues our series in Rom. 8 with a six-month update on his increase in groaning—and joy—since being commissioned as associate pastor. After an opening illustration of creation groaning from the true-story film “Only the Brave” (2017), Pastor Paul outlines this passage as “Suffering vs. Glory” (vv. 18-19); “Slavery vs. Freedom” (vv. 19-22); and “Adoption and Hope” (vv. 23-25). A personal illustration of the animal kingdom groaning can be seen through the Arnebergs’ cat, Chip; Paul asserts that at least indirectly, the groaning of the environment, animals, and all creation is our fault. But just as creation was cursed in Gen. 3 due to Adam’s sin, creation itself will be resurrected (v. 21) once the redeemed children of God are finally resurrected through the power of Jesus’ resurrection! Christ was raised; Christians (and O.T. saints) will be raised; then Creation will be raised! A closing admonishment is to grieve more over our sin than the groaning of creation, and long more for the Lord Himself than for merely relief from pain and suffering. Supporting Scriptures include 2 Cor. 4:16-17; Eph. 1:13-14; Col. 3:3-4; Heb. 11:1; 2 Pet. 3:10-13; and 1 John 3:2.
The Savior Who Fulfills The Promise (Luke 24:1-35)
In this Resurrection Sunday message, Pastor Brent unfolds Luke 24 and the initial events occurring after Jesus rose from the dead—“Seeing is Believing: Part 1” (vv. 1-12) and “Seeing is Believing: Part 2” (vv. 13-35). A key to both parts of this long account is that the words of Jesus brought clarity to the confusion of the tomb visitors and the Emmaus road walkers. Their physical sight became spiritual sight! Kevin Vanhoozer puts it this way: “The word of God is not simply the content of the Bible, but the voice of God speaking to us through it.” And Pastor Brent offers this summary: “True seeing is seeing Jesus Christ in all His glory, and then responding in repentance and faith.”
Flesh vs. Spirit (Romans 8:1-17)
After services were cancelled on 3/15/26 due to a March blizzard, Pastor Brent kicks off Holy Week with Rom. 8 and a glimpse into the life of the late Herb Brooks, legendary coach of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Gold Medal Hockey Team. Underlying Brooks’ coaching success was a desire to prove something and pay a debt. By contrast, Romans 8 teaches us about our “Debt Paid” (vv. 1-11) yet we still have a “Debt Owed” (vv. 12-17). We who are in Christ have no condemnation, but we do have an obligation to live according to the Spirit. Pastor Brent quotes from modern-day authors Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Blake Glosson, Ed Welch and James Montgomery Boice and from church history figures Martin Luther, John Owen, George Whitfield, and Jonathan Edwards.
Another Law at Work Within Me (Romans 7:7-25)
Pastor Brent continues our year-long series in Romans with an opening illustration from the late Christian apologist G.K. Chesterton. When asked to write an editorial answering the age-old question, “What is wrong with the world?”, Chesterton answered the conundrum with two words: “I am.” With the premise that the questions raised in Rom. 7 have plagued all world religions, Pastor Brent addressed two of those questions: “What is the Purpose of the Law?” (vv. 7-13) and “What Does the Law Reveal in Me?” (vv. 14-25). God uses the Law to reveal what is in our hearts. The Law forces us to ask ourselves, “What is our functional savior?” Dying to self leads to deeper transformation in God. We need a deep, heart-level renovation through Christ alone, His atoning work on our behalf, and His imputed righteousness. Christianity is NOT a religion of willpower. We are justified AND sanctified by God’s grace!
The New Way of the Spirit (Romas 7:1-6)
Pastor Brent opens his sermon with a rare supplementary announcement sharing the good news of our Building Project’s recent approval by the Cottage Grove City Council! Our architect even witnessed to the assembly, saying that approving a restaurant is good, but approving a church project helps to bring the Bread from Heaven to our area! (The audience warmly laughed.) Pastor Brent then shares wisdom from C.S. Lewis and applies it to Rom. 7: “Look along the Law rather than at the Law.” In this chapter, we see that Christians are “Released from the Law” (vv. 1-3) and “Bound to Christ” (vv. 4-6). One key is that Jesus obeyed the law but took on the curse of the law; He then gave the blessing of obedience to us! After sharing insights from Kevin DeYoung and Kevin Vanhoozer, Pastor Brent contrasts the equally dangerous ditches of unrighteousness (licentiousness) and self-righteousness (legalism). In the gospel, Jesus Christ offers His righteousness to all who admit our desperate need for a Savior!
Earning or Gift? (Romans 6:15-23)
Pastor Brent continues in Romans 6 culminating in one of the most well-known gospel verses in all of Scripture. He outlines “Two Masters” (vv. 15-18); “Two Trajectories” (vv. 19-22); and “Two Approaches” (v. 23). Outside of Christ, we are all captive to sin; in Christ, we obey from the heart. Christianity is not a behavioral change that results in a new status; faith in Christ is a new status that results in behavioral change! Pastor Brent quotes from theologians Augustine, Thomas Oden, and Kevin Vanhoozer. He also employs illustrations from our nation’s founding (the purpose of our freedom); the bishop showing undeserved mercy to Valjean in Les Miserables; and the Parable of the Lost Sons in Luke 15.
Buried and Risen With Christ (Romans 5:20-6:14)
Pastor Brent begins by reviewing where we’ve been and previewing where we’re going in the book of Romans. We need a power from the outside to save us, and Christianity is about following the Person of Christ, not a set of ideas. This passage shows us the “True Function of the Law” (5:20-21); “Good News of Union with Christ” (6:1-7); and “Living for a New Master” (6:8-14). The gospel redeems us from the penalty of sin and frees us from the power of sin, but we still live with the presence of sin. Pastor Brent explains the symbolism of baptism as highlighted in this text and invites some from our church family to be baptized on Resurrection Sunday this year! He ends with a thorough explanation of how the gospel is the only answer to the two extremes of legalism (e.g., “God is holy. Beware!”) and license (e.g., “God is love. Be free!”). In the gospel, God is holy and loving. REJOICE!
The Second Adam (Romans 5:12-19)
As a gift to our church amidst his first year of retirement after four decades of ministry as a local church pastor, Reach Global director, and president of the EFCA and then TEDS, Kevin Kompelien brings us this message from Rom. 5:12-19. With affection for New Life EFC for loving his son and his family for more than seven years, Kevin reminds us that the Holy Spirit is our ultimate teacher, bringing clarity to the truths of Scripture far better than any blurred lines of doubt such as in a standard eye exam. Kevin offers three “major ideas” in this text: 1) We are born with a fallen sin nature, not a blank moral slate; 2) the evil and brokenness of the world and our own hearts cannot negate the effectiveness of Christ’s work on our behalf; and 3) Christ’s power as the Second Adam more than reverses the consequences of the First Adam’s sin so that all in Christ experience forgiveness and eternal life. We have SECURITY and HOPE in JESUS!
While We Were Still Sinners (Romans 5:6-11)
“The gospel is received, not achieved.” After an opening illustration from the great Reformer Martin Luther and his desperate need for the assurance of his salvation in Christ, Pastor Brent presents a “3-2-1” outline for his sermon on Rom. 5:6-11: “Three Types of People” (vv. 6-8); “Two Reasons for Assurance” (vv. 9-10); and “One Person Gets the Glory” (v. 11). Using further illustrations from American history, European literature, and film, Pastor Brent asserts that we are recipients of God’s love while we were powerless, ungodly, sinners, and enemies. Assurance is both backward-looking to Christ and forward-looking to Christ. “Christ didn’t die for you because you were worthy; He died for you to make you worthy.”
Hope in the Midst of Suffering (Romans 5:1-5)
Pastor Brent brings us many encouraging truths from this precious passage in God’s holy Word in the beloved book of Romans. In addition to the rarity of him sharing two film illustrations (“Apollo 13” and “It’s a Wonderful Life”), Pastor Brent shares three reasons why the gospel is good news: status through peace with God; relationship through access to God; and certainty of the hope of the glory of God. He also shares the foundation of a Christian’s hope through the three “tenses” of the gospel: past, present and future. One key in this powerful passage: “Because our hope is rooted in the objective reality of the gospel, our hope can endure any subjective reality in this life.” Other illustrations are taken from a biography of Abraham Lincoln and “Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn’t Make Sense” by Paul David Tripp.
The True Offspring of Abraham (Romans 4:13-25)
The Book of Romans continues as our primary sermon series in 2026, and Pastor Brent finishes ch. 4 today. After an opening illustration from the ministry of 20th century British preacher Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, Pastor Brent preaches “Trust in God’s Promise” (vv. 13-17) and “Hope in God’s Power” (vv 18-25). Salvation by works is dependent on the enduring validity of one’s own goodness; salvation by grace is dependent on the enduring validity of God’s goodness. Saving faith can only endure if it’s rooted in who God is and what He has promised!
Abraham - The Man of Faith (Romans 4:1-12)
Pastor Brent returns to our Romans series after our hiatus for Advent and the holidays. He begins by once again honoring the life and recent passing of long-time Hastings pastor and chaplain Jim Bzoskie, whose recent funeral featured many public officials testifying to Pastor Jim’s influence on them for Jesus and the gospel through his prayer, pastoral care, and encouragement. Pastor Brent outlined today’s passage in Rom. 4 as “Righteousness Credited” (vv. 1-8) and “Righteousness Received” (vv. 9-12). He asserts that everyone lives by faith; it’s a matter of who and what we put our faith in. Using Abraham and David as examples, Pastor Brent offers a key truth: “Neither were saved because they achieved a righteous status before God, but because they received a righteous status before God.” Saving faith is a trust transfer from ourselves to Jesus.
Rejoice Prayerfully in the God of Peace (Philippians 4:4-9)
Pastor Paul rings in the New Year with a stand-alone message about Christ-centered attitudes and disciplines even in the midst of suffering. These six verses from Phil. 4 offer timeless wisdom for followers of Christ: “Rejoice Always in the Lord Our God” (vv. 4-5); “Pray Expecting God’s Peace and Protection” (vv. 6-7); and “Think and Practice Empowered By God’s Presence” (vv. 8-9). After sharing a film illustration through which he learned physical disciplines as a young man, Pastor Paul reminds us that the letter to the Philippians was written from prison to Christians suffering for Christ. We’re to rejoice even in dire circumstances; pray in the confidence of God’s peace and protection; and think and practice the things of the Lord and of Christian role models, confident in the very presence of God.
Finding Faith in the Midst of Doubt (Matthew 11:1-15)
Elder Team member Terry Szymanski is back in the pulpit for the third time in 2025 to bring us a topical sermon about struggles with doubt among the people of God. After sharing precious and personal good news about the recent birth of his first granddaughter, Terry centers his message on John the Baptist in Matt. 11:1-15: “Our Response to Doubts” (vv. 1-3); “Jesus’ Response to Our Doubts” (vv. 4-6); “Jesus’ Love for Us” (vv. 7-10); “Responsibility to Spread the Gospel” (vv. 11-14); and “Building Faith Through Our Doubts” (v. 15). Terry contrasts truth seekers (e.g., John the Baptist) with skeptics and cynics (e.g., Pharisees) in their respective approaches to doubts. Terry also quotes Charles Spurgeon and ends with an illustration from the film “Remember the Titans” (2000) from which he adopted his family motto, “Leave No Doubt.” Terry concludes, “Jesus is the only Truth in which we can have no doubt…He is our Single Source of Truth” (see John 14:6).
God's Plan for a King (Ruth 4:13-22)
Pastor Brent brings us his final Advent sermon in the book of Ruth. This precious OT book features Boaz as a type of Christ; Ruth as representative of Gentiles being graciously brought into the family of God; and the genealogy of King David which foreshadows the genealogy of Jesus Christ (see Matt. 1:1-17). This final passage has “Hope for Renewal” (vv. 13-17) and “Hope for a King” (vv. 18-22). God works through imperfect people and redeems sticky situations for His glory! Jesus Christ, our Messiah and Redeemer, is Prophet (final revelation from God), Priest (final mediator to God) and King (final ruler and Lord). Pastor Brent ends by honoring the life of Jim Bzoskie, long-time Hastings pastor and Dakota County chaplain who died suddenly at age 76 on 12/19/25 while helping a person stuck in a snowbank. Pastor Jim was a mentor to Pastor Brent through the Hastings Ministerial Association and he played a leading role in the Hastings Prayer Breakfast each May, bringing together some 200 community leaders from churches, police, fire, local government, and the school district. His life mission was to tell others about Jesus and to “keep the main thing the main thing”.
Costly Redemption (Ruth 3:1-4:12)
On this third Sunday of Advent, Pastor Brent brings his fourth sermon in the book of Ruth. By way of introduction, Pastor Brent reminds us that the purpose of giving gifts is relational, costly, and caring on the part of the giver—all ultimately reflecting Jesus’ sacrificial love in redeeming us. In this longest passage in our Advent 2025 sermon series, Pastor Brent preaches that “Redemption is Relational” (Ruth 3:1-18) and “Redemption is Costly” (Ruth 4:1-12). We need to approach our Redeemer with repentance and humility, knowing that in the gospel, we have the greatest news that Jesus Christ paid the price for us! Pastor Brent ends with a parallel passage in Rev. 5:9-10: the redeemed have a family LINE and a family LAND!
Grace in the Pain (Ruth 2:1-23)
Pastor Brent brings us the third of five Advent sermons in the book of Ruth. He opens with an illustration of the life of Susanna Wesley, who through may hardships and trials committed herself to daily Bible reading, prayer and journaling and raised two giants of the Christian faith, John and Charles. Similarly, the hardships of Ruth 1 have led to “God’s Providence” in Ruth 2:1-7; “God’s Favor” (vv. 8-16); and “God’s Kindness” (vv. 16-23). Boaz is introduced not only as a central figure in Ruth, but he points ahead to Christ in several ways! His worthiness to serve, protect, provide, and redeem all reflect Jesus (see in order Mark 10:45; John 10:11; 4:14; 6:51; Gal. 4:4-7). Celebrate Jesus, our great Redeemer-King, as seen through the book of Ruth and in the line of her great-grandson David!
Faithfulness in Pain (Ruth 1:6-22)
We continue our Advent series in Ruth. Pastor Brent’s opening illustration focuses on a family from within our congregation, the Killams, who are faithfully enduring painful trials. This leads into Ruth 1:6-22, where the word “return” is repeated 12 times, reflected in this sermon’s outline: “Returning Home” (vv. 6-7); “Returning or Turning?” (vv. 8-18); and “Returning Empty” (vv. 19-22). Key lessons in this passage are: 1) Walk toward God; 2) Be willing to give up everything; and 3) Let God be sovereign. As the same root word in Hebrew for “return” is “repent,” the Redeemer welcomes all who will return (or turn) to Him! NOTE: For further commentary on this Ruth sermon series, you may listen to our Roots & Branches podcast Episodes 130 and 133.
Hope in Tragedy (Ruth 1:1-5)
On this pre-Thanksgiving Sunday, Pastor Brent begins our 2025 Advent sermon series in the book of Ruth. Key theological themes in Ruth include Suffering and Pain; Trust and Commitment; Redemption and Restoration; and Unworthy and Worthy. In this opening passage, Pastor Brent sets the stage with “Troubles” (vv. 1-2) and “Tragedy” (v. 3-5). A key to this passage is that “God’s lovingkindness, his wisdom, and his gracious forgiveness enter into the story in the midst of our foolishness and lack of faith!” He concludes by addressing head-on a few of the troubles of our current day (assassinations, wars, personal tragedies) and asserts that rather than quick takes and social commentary, what we need most as a church family is maturity in Christ, contending for the faith, and resting not in human wisdom but in God’s power. As we talk about Ruth and the Redeemer over the next few weeks, we need to recommit ourselves to “the centrality of the gospel, the sacred teaching of God’s Word, the allegiance to God’s kingdom above all, and glorifying risen Lord Jesus.”