Pastor Brent continues in “The Glorious Gospel,” our year-long sermon series in the Book of Romans. Ch. 2 continues unfolding the bad news—and the good news—of the judgment of God. After Pastor Brent sets up this passage with v. 5, we see “Criteria for Judgment” (vv. 6 -11); “Conditions for Judgment” (vv. 12-15); and “Cure for Judgment” (v. 16). God is just in His judgment because all people are culpable for knowing right and wrong. For those in Christ Jesus, we rest in the truth that the criteria for judgment has been met and the conditions have been satisfied! Believers’ names are written in the Book of Life, and Judgment Day for Christians is good news, as we’ll be vindicated in Christ!
The Danger of Self-Righteousness (Romans 2:1-4)
On the same morning as his commissioning, Associate Pastor Paul Arneberg preaches from Romans 2:1-4. After his introduction glorifying the Lord for His guidance and will in bringing him and Wendy to this area, church, and role, Pastor Paul outlines this passage as follows: “No Excuse” (v. 1); “Inescapable Truth” (vv. 2-3); and “Contempt or Repentance?” (v. 4). Using the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) as a main supportive text, Pastor Paul warns against comparing oneself with others since we’ll all be judged by God’s standard of perfect righteousness. The solution to both unrighteousness (Rom. 1:18-32) and self-righteousness (2:1-29)? Repent and trust CHRIST ALONE for forgiveness and HIS righteousness (2 Cor. 5:21).
Commissioning of Paul Arneberg - October 12, 2025
Pastor Brent Kompelien leads the commissioning of Paul Arneberg as Associate Pastor at New Life EFC. Comments by elders Ernest Stellingwerff, Glenn Olson, Scott McCall and Terry Szymanski are included. The Elders and other ministry leaders gathered around Paul and his wife, Wendy, to commission him to this new role which, as written in the Elders’ letter, “…will bring greater intentionality to Paul’s shepherding, especially as he will now be expected to support the Senior Pastor and share the load of pastoring the congregation”.
Consequences of Sin (Romans 1:21-32)
Continuing in our 2025-2026 series, Pastor Brent reminds us that the Book of Romans is all about the gospel, which includes the bad news. Building off of the thesis statement of 1:16-17, this week’s passage focuses on unrighteousness, and the next three messages will focus on self-righteousness (2:1-29). Pastor Brent’s opening illustration from The Prodigal Son (Luke 15) reminds us that both unrighteousness and self-righteousness are equally sinful in the sight of our holy God. This week’s outline features “Defining Unrighteousness” (1:21-23); “Descending Into Unrighteousness” (vv. 24-31); and “Defeating Unrighteousness” (v. 32). Referring to his “Master List of Cultural Idols” he’s been working on since 2020, Pastor Brent admonishes us to confess our personal idols, including a self-examination: “What makes me angry, sad/depressed, worried, prideful? What do I strive to achieve every day? To what do I turn for comfort? What makes me fearful of failure?” We need to stop moralizing, rationalizing, and to turn from idols, looking only to Christ for our salvation and joy!
Without Excuse (Romans 1:18-20)
Having covered the thesis statement of Romans last week (1:16-17), Pastor Brent now focuses on three powerful verses that serve to introduce Rom. 1:21-2:29. In 1:18-20, we see “God’s Wrath” (v. 18); “God’s Revelation” (vv. 19-20a); and “God’s Righteousness” (v. 20b). All are sinners, whether through rebellious unrighteousness (1:21-32) or pharisaical self-righteousness (2:1-29). We are dead in our sins; God gave us His own righteousness through Christ to save and give life to all who believe. That’s why the gospel is so GOOD!
A Righteousness That Is By Faith (Romans 1:16-17)
In the third week of our Romans series scheduled through late 2026, we’ve arrived at the letter’s thesis statement. Pastor Brent explains “What the Gospel Does” (v. 16); “What the Gospel Is” (v. 17a); and “How the Gospel is Received” (v. 17b). Among his key lessons, he asserts that this short passage is intensely practical, driving us to trust in the power of God much like an ice skater (regardless of skill) trusts in the security of solid ice. He also defines “righteous” as both an attribute of and an action by God, and he points to Heb. 11 as a chapter which debunks the myth that salvation in the O.T. was by works. The righteousness of God is found in His Person (justice), His promises (faithfulness), and His power (justice and faithfulness applied to us).
Mutual Encouragement (Romans 1:8-15)
Pastor Brent continues our new series by reminding us of the overview of the gospel as seen through the entire Book of Romans. The gospel: REVEALS our sin and God’s righteousness (ch. 1-4); TRANSFORMS us into a new humanity (ch. 5-8); FULFILLS the OT promises to Israel (ch. 9-11); and UNIFIES the church under Christ (ch. 12-16). After defining what faith is and what faith is not, Pastor Brent outlines Rom. 1:8-15: “Faith is Visible” (vv. 8-10); “Faith is Encouraging” (vv. 11-12); and “Faith is Sharable” (vv. 13-15). Both “the wise” and “the foolish” come on level footing to the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ to receive saving faith. We, as the church, have a treasure that has been entrusted to us in the gospel. Share it with all ages, from nursery to nursing homes!
The Gospel of Promise (Romans 1:1-7)
Pastor Brent launches a sermon series on The Letter of Paul to the Romans. With breaks for Advent 2025 and Summer 2026, this series will last 15 months and focus on “the gospel of God" (Rom. 1:1). After overviewing this masterpiece written by the Apostle Paul through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Pastor Brent walks through the first seven verses: “Gospel Call” (v. 1); “Gospel Message” (vv. 2-4); and “Gospel Task” (vv. 5-7). Pastor Brent asserts a key of this opening passage: “Paul has encountered the risen Jesus, been commissioned by the risen Jesus, and has a message of good news about the risen Jesus.” Just as this letter was pivotal in the lives of church history figures such as Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and John Bunyan, we are challenged to trust, relate to, speak to, marvel at, submit to, encounter, and KNOW Jesus.
Most Worthy of Praise (Psalm 145)
Pastor Brent wraps up our 17-week Summer in the Psalms series with Psalm 145. Old Testament scholar James Mays describes this psalm as “the overture to the final movement of the Psalter,” and Psalms 145-150 are symphony of praise to the LORD! The theme of Psalm 145 is testimony: testifying to God’s work, who He is, and what He has done. This acrostic poem of the entire Hebrew alphabet is a “Guide for Testimonies” (vv. 1-7) and an “Example of a Testimony” (vv. 8-21). There is a missional purpose of testimonies, and Pastor Brent offers one chapter of his own testimony from the difficulties of church planting as a young pastor in San Francisco. His lesson learned and offered is to be restful in one’s identity in Christ as the Father’s beloved child in whom He is well pleased (see Matt. 3:17).
Unity of God's People (Psalm 133)
Back in the pulpit for the first time in 15 weeks, Pastor Brent brings the penultimate message in our Summer in the Psalms series. After recapping his sabbatical with a few examples of adventures with his family, he opens Psalm 133 and describes “What Unity is Not” (neither harmony nor uniformity), “What Unity Is” (founded, focused, and fixing our eyes on Christ), and “Why Unity is Important”. Pastor Brent asserts, “Unity comes when each of us are growing closer to the Lord Christ and to His throne” (Rev. 4-5). He also shares a powerful anecdote of advice given to someone praying for peace with an estranged loved one: “Don’t necessarily pray for peace, but pray that he or she will grow closer to Christ.” In tying together vv. 1 and 3 of this psalm, Pastor Brent reminds us that when we dwell in unity together, it is there we see the Lord bestow His blessing.
Will God Forgive Me? (Psalm 51)
The last in a series of 11 different preachers spanning 14 weeks through Pastor Brent’s sabbatical, New Life welcomes Carlton Harris, acting president of the EFCA. Drawing on his 46 years as a husband, father, grandfather, and church leader, Carlton offers fatherly wisdom from a shepherd’s heart through Psalm 51. After a personal introduction, Carlton welcomes back Pastor Brent and admonishes the congregation to give the Kompeliens space to ramp back up into the inevitable stresses of church ministry. As he opens Psalm 51, Carlton asks a very personal question: “What is the most terrible thing you have ever done?” He then encourages listeners to read 2 Sam. 11-12 for historical background on this psalm. Written in four stanzas, Ps. 51 features multiple words for sin; multiple pleas for mercy; and a reminder that all sin is ultimately rebellion against God. The end result of all repentance is restoration, and Carlton offers a key statement: “No one is so holy that he or she can’t fall, nor so fallen that he or she can’t be forgiven.” God’s heart is for the repentant believer, and Carlton ends by leading a responsive reading with excerpts from Ps. 32.
My Help Comes from God Alone (Psalm 121)
Psalm 121 is precious to many people who love the Lord and love Psalms, which preacher Paul Arneberg prays applies to all who are listening. Paul shares personal stories from his recent and distant past of how the Lord has powerfully used Psalm 121 in his own life and through three women who died in faith in Christ. The second in a series of 15 “songs of ascent” sang by ancient Jewish pilgrims journeying up to Jerusalem for three annual feasts, Psalm 121 features include “The LORD is our Helper” (vv. 1-2); “The LORD is our Protector” (vv. 3-8); and “The LORD is our Preserver” (vv. 7-8). Rather than looking to creation, worthless idols, or even our loved ones for our ultimate help, protection and preservation, we are challenged to more and more to the Lord our God both now and forevermore.
Loving the Word of God (Psalm 119:33-48)
Frank Lanier is the Director of Leadership Development for the North Central District of the EFCA. In this message, Frank begins with his family background and a personal announcement that he and his family are soon leaving the NCD for a church planting call in his home state of North Carolina. After overviewing Psalm 119 as an acrostic of the entire Hebrew alphabet and highlighting several terms representing God’s Word, Frank preaches on “The Blessing of Hunger” (vv. 33-35); “The Blessing of Perspective” (vv. 36-37); “The Blessing of Fear” (vv. 38-40); “The Blessing of Promise” (vv. 41-43); “The Blessing of Perseverance” (vv. 44-45); and “The Blessing of Joy and Worship” (vv. 46-48). Frank concludes by extolling Jesus, the Word of God (John 1:1-5, 14-18). “The hinge point of all reality is Jesus Christ.”
Resting In God Alone (Psalm 62)
Just three weeks into his retirement from four decades of service through and to the EFCA as pastor, president, and TEDS president, Kevin Kompelien preaches God’s Word in Psalm 62. While Kevin purposefully avoided any “Brent stories,” he offered heartfelt appreciation to New Life EFC for loving Brent and his family these past seven years (and counting) and sending him on his current sabbatical. Kevin also transparently shared how Psalm 62 has been deeply impactful in his life, most notably in the last lap of his career with restless nights over difficult decisions in Fall 2024. Kevin emphasized the “drumbeat” of Psalm 62 (NIV): “truly…surely…yes.” Kevin concluded with a powerful exegesis of vv. 11-12: “We Can Trust God Because He Is: 1) Powerful. 2) Loving. 3) Just.” His closing illustration came from Jesus calming the storm in Mark 4 and presenting the gospel through 2 Cor. 5:21.
Sing a New Song! (Psalm 96)
Halfway between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2025, Paul Arneberg reminds New Life to keep reading Psalms as we continue our summer sermon series. After exploring the phenomenon of singing (by angels, birds, people, and in films), Paul highlights three themes from Psalm 96: “Sing to the LORD” (vv. 1-6); “Ascribe to the LORD Worship and Reverence” (vv. 7-9); and “Share the LORD by Declaring His Glory, Rule, and Judgment” (vv. 10-13). Supporting texts and quotes are taken from Romans, Acts, Isaiah, Revelation, C.S. Lewis, John Piper, Ralph Winter, and both old and new songs. Some Christ-followers are called to missions (here, near or far), but ALL who bear His name are called to testify of the marvelous works of the Lord God to all the peoples!
The Fortress of God's Presence (Psalm 46)
Mark Revell, EFCA Director of Training and Development for ReachGlobal, returns stateside from his missionary work in Hungary and brings us this sermon on Psalm 46: “Water Scene #1” (vv. 1-3); “Water Scene #2” (vv. 4-7); and “The Choice: Be Still” (vv. 10-11). As a member of New Life who has preached several times but is living overseas, Mark included updates on his and Jodi’s work in Hungary; the challenges of stepping up for ReachGlobal during a leadership transition; and transparent illustrations about being still and trusting the Lord amidst the real chaos right now surrounding the heavy lift of many responsibilities.
Rest in the Shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91)
Glenn Olson rounds out June where all four elders took turns preaching during Pastor Brent sabbatical. In addition to being a long-time elder, Glenn was New Life’s youth pastor for 23 years and now serves as Director of Student Ministries through the EFCA’s North Central District. In emphasizing the need for believers to truly dwell in God’s presence, Glenn preaches through Psalm 91: “The Believer Declaring Trust” (vv. 1-2); “God’s Protection Described” (vv. 3-8); “Conditions of Protection” (vv. 9-13); and “God’s Promise” (vv. 14-16). In addition to heartfelt stories from his 38 years of marriage to Anne and their top priority to keep encouraging their six kids (and 14 grandkids) to continually “take one step closer to Jesus,” Glenn reminds us of the gift of the gospel; to fear God and nothing else; and to persist in a vibrant prayer life with the Father through Jesus.
Waiting On The Lord (Psalm 130)
Scott McCall is a long-time elder at New Life EFC and has made this his family’s church home for 25 years. Along with Glenn Olson and James Galland, Scott helped New Life to survive as a church for several years before Pastor Brent Kompelien and his family were called here in 2018. In this sermon, Scott teaches on God’s Word from Psalm 130: “Our Need for God” (vv. 1-4); “Waiting on the Lord” (vv. 5-6); and “God is Our Only Hope and Redeemer” (vv. 7-8). Scott interweaves his personal testimony with church history and challenging questions: "What is our first reaction when we are in a desperate situation? What is our posture when waiting on God? What or who do we put our hope in? Do we fully understand God’s love?” His call to action: “Don’t trust in ourselves. Trust in God alone.” Scott ended by encouraging groups of three to pray for the lost in our lives.
The Good Shepherd (Psalm 23)
Paul Arneberg brings a Father’s Day message by first honoring his own 91-year-old dad, Ron Arneberg, and tying together God’s design for fatherhood with Psalm 23. Using illustrations from the film “Cinderella Man” (2005) and the books “Durable Trades” (2020) and “Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table” (2021), Paul outlines this beloved psalm (perhaps the most well-known passage in all of Scripture) as follows: “Yahweh as Shepherd: He Provides, Leads, Protects” (vv. 1-3); “Yahweh as Host: He Prepares, Anoints, Fills” (vv. 4-5); and “Jesus is the Good Shepherd-Host: He Pursues, Sacrifices, Dwells” (v. 6; John 10). Paul ends with an illustration of how the Lord applied Ps. 23:3 to restore, direct and correct his life and marriage for His Name’s sake in 2007.
Lament and Deliverance (Psalm 22)
Ernest Stellingwerff of our Elder Team makes his New Life preaching debut in Psalm 22. Ernest sets the tone for this thoroughly Messianic psalm with an opening illustration of a woman who suffered from debilitating migraines for many years. As her suffering intensified, she described her prayer through pain as “not a worshipful whisper but a cry of desperation.” That reflects Psalm 22 as written by King David and ultimately fulfilled by Jesus Christ in His passion on the cross. Ernest highlighted the structure of this psalm: alternating laments (vv. 1-2, 6-8, 12-18) and praises (vv. 3-5, 9-11, 22-31) with a plea for help in the middle (vv. 19-21). Ernest began and ended his sermon with this application: “Hope and encouragement for the forsaken is founded in the sovereignty of God.” The OT looks forward to the cross; the NT looks back to the cross. Jesus quoted/ fulfilled the very first and very last phrases of Ps. 22 while on the cross. By faith, we can agree with David about what Jesus accomplished for us: “HE HAS DONE IT!” (v. 31). And Jesus is coming again for us!