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.”
Righteousness Given Through Faith (Romans 3:21-31)
It’s time for some good news! After investing seven weeks focusing on the bad news of human sin in Rom. 1:18-3:20, Pastor Brent shifts gears to the glorious GOOD NEWS—the gospel—in Rom. 3:21-31. This foundational passage for the Christian faith defines “Righteousness Given” (vv. 21-26) and “Boasting Taken Away” (vv. 27-31). In addition to reviewing common objections to Christianity and the two dangers of becoming Rebels or Pharisees, Pastor Brent challenges us with three questions about God’s justification of sinners: 1) How is it received?; 2) Who can receive it?; 3) What do we receive? Justification (the same Greek word as righteousness) is received by faith; available to anyone who admits to being an unworthy sinner; and provides atonement for our sin! Faith is the MEANS of our salvation; Christ is the SOURCE of our salvation!
No One is Declared Righteous By Works (Romans 3:9-20)
Pastor Paul tackles the last in a series of “bad news” passages which began with Romans 1:18 and continues through 3:9-20. We are all sinners, whether unrighteous or self-righteous. The hard truth in this text is that we are all under “The Power of Sin” (v. 9); we all experience “The Pervasiveness of Sin” (vv. 10-18); and we all know the clear verdict of our condition through “The Perspective of Sin” (vv. 19-20). We are all guilty before God. To emphasize the cliffhanger of this bad news, Pastor Paul uses a literary reference to The Lord of the Rings; a cinematic-historical reference to the 2017 film Darkest Hour; and biblical references to Isa. 53:6, John 11:38-44, and the lives of Old Testament saints Isaiah and Job. Christianity offers a clear diagnosis, but also the remedy—the Redeemer—in Christ. Pastor Paul ends with two encouraging texts from Heb. 3:12-13 and Phil. 2:3-5.
God is Faithful and Just (Romans 3:1-8)
Pastor Brent opens this week’s sermon by quoting Matt. 5:17-20. This sets the stage for his examination of Rom. 3:1-8: “Is God’s Promise of Salvation Conditional or Unconditional?” (vv. 1-4); “How is This Fair?” (vv. 5-6); and “Why Does It Matter How I Live?” (vv. 7-8). The gospel destroys both legalism and license, as both the conditional and unconditional are fulfilled in Christ! Because Jesus perfectly kept the law, He gives us His righteousness; because Jesus went to the cross, He takes away our sin. Because He fulfills both, only He gets the glory!
God Looks at the Heart (Romans 2:17-29)
Rounding out our 3rd week in Rom. 2, Pastor Brent opens with Matt. 23:25-28 and a convicting illustration that salvation precedes true moral and behavioral change. He then preaches on “Self-Righteousness of Moralism” (vv. 17-24); “Self-Deception of Moralism” (vv. 25-27); and “Solution to Moralism” (vv. 28-29). Within his three main sections, Pastor Brent also outlines “Symptoms of Moralism” (false humility; over-sensitive; judgmental; anxious; anger) and the errors of righteousness and superiority as often seen through legalistic churches, experiential churches, and sacramental churches. A key to this passage and this entire chapter is the Apostle Paul’s assertion that the gospel requires a “circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit” (v. 29).
Divine Justice (Romans 2:5-16)
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!