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In Exodus 5 and 6, we see the first recorded time when Moses intentionally goes to God. Moses was transformed by meeting regularly with the Lord, and you will be too. Pastor Dan explains the benefits and the need to meet regularly with the Lord: to stay grounded in times of trouble, learn truths, be reminded of what you already know, and see what God is doing. Topics and Questions Discussed: Personal Quiet Time with the Lord Meeting with God The Benefits of God’s Promises What are the benefits of meeting with God personally? Moses’s struggle and God’s truth applied How do we deal with our struggles? How God changes people over time

Courage and boldness that can only come from an understanding of God’s authority and power allow Moses and Aaron to stand before Pharaoh, a man who considers himself a god. They did not deliver a message Pharaoh wanted to hear: “Let my people go!” However, this obedience did not lead to the results you would hope for. Pastor Luke explains Pharaoh’s reaction to Moses and Aaron’s request and how this story will help us shape our expectations in following the Lord. What questions / topics discussed: Israelites' oppression in Egypt The devil’s strategy Why are Christians characterized by boldness and courage? What should you expect as you follow the Lord?

Moses hesitated. God called him to go to Egypt but he was overwhelmed by the task. Dan Rude explores how God responds to Moses's excuses and what we can learn about God's ability to call and equip His people.

In Exodus 3, Moses encounters God in a powerful, mysterious, and clear way. Moses is given an impossible-sounding task, but with it comes a promise that Christians still have today: "Behold, I AM with you."

In Exodus 2, we see the birth and early life of Moses, the most pivotal character in the entire book. Moses's birth and childhood deliverance from death foreshadow God's rescuing of His people. His rescue attempt, which turned to murder, points to his imperfection. His humbling in the wilderness shows us how God uses ordinary, humble people to do extraordinary things.

When worldly powers demand compromise, where does your ultimate allegiance lie? In this opening message of our Exodus series, we look at Exodus 1:1–22 and the incredible courage of two Hebrew midwives, Shiphrah and Puah. Facing a paranoid Pharaoh determined to crush God’s people, these women chose to fear God rather than man—taking a stand for the sanctity of human life and demonstrating what unconditional obedience looks like. Join us as we explore what it means to honor God as our supreme authority, trust Him with the outcomes of our faith, and find ultimate freedom through Jesus Christ—our true Redeemer who delivers us from the pit of sin and death. 📖 Scripture: Exodus 1:1–22 📍 Speaker: Walnut Creek Church Downtown Teaching Team 📍 Location: East Village, Des Moines, IA

People don't reject Jesus just because of evidence. In John 12, we see why people reject Jesus. Pastor Luke talks about the reality of God hardening hearts, man's culpability, and the mystery of how the two interact. One thing we do know: there are consequences to rejecting Jesus. Topics / Questions Discussed: God's Sovereignty Rejecting Jesus Why People Reject Jesus Consequences to Rejecting Jesus Man's Culpability God Hardening People's Hearts John 12's Isaiah Reference

In John 12, Jesus enters Jerusalem, but it isn’t what the crowd expects! Instead of Jesus claiming an earthly throne, He enters knowing that He is going to die for the sins of His people and the world. Pastor Dan Rude explains what it means for Jesus to be glorified and how you can’t have your old life and new life at the same time. Topics and Questions Discussed: Sin Must Die What does it mean for Jesus’s hour to come? The Seed of Wheat Analogy Whoever Loves His Life Will Lose It What does it mean to lose your life to save it?

In John 12, we have Jesus right before the Passover gathering together for a secret dinner with some of His followers. Then Mary does something no one expected her to do. Through it, we see the heart of true worship. We see that true worship is costly, offering ourselves to God, Christ-centered, and false worship hates it. Questions and topics discussed: Characteristics of True Worship What is true worship? Perfume customs of the day How do we love God? What is a phylactery? How do you consider Christ every day?

One would think that after witnessing Jesus raise someone from the dead, they would choose to believe Him. However, some people's response to this miracle was unbelief and total rejection of Jesus. Pastor Dan Rude explains the nature of unbelief, one of its roots, and how it can affect our lives in practical ways. Questions / Topics Discussed: How is fear connected to unbelief Examining implications vs truth Who is Jesus What fear does to our lives

The shadow of death looms over the second half of John 11, where we see Jesus’ response to Mary and Martha’s grief. Yet death does not have the final word. Pastor Dan Rude explains what Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead means for us today. Message Notes: What to do with your guilt and doubts What grief can look like Why was Jesus troubled? Develop the habit of pouring out your heart How to defeat death What happens when you die? The nature of ministry

John 11 begins with a confusing situation: Jesus receives news of a friend, Lazarus, who is dying, but He does not immediately leave to go to him. In this message, Pastor Caleb Thompson looks at three interactions: the family's request, the disciples, and Martha's response. Showing us how this situation is perfectly timed for us to see more clearly the awesome glory of God. Topics / Questions Discussed: Pain and Suffering is not Pointless Is Jesus God? Why did Jesus wait to go to Lazarus? Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life

Because Jesus is a good shepherd, He leans into the opportunity to clarify who He is to the Jews. Making sure they have every opportunity to understand who He is. Topics / Questions Discussed in this Sermon: Jesus' Claim to be God Jesus and the Jews' relationship What is blasphemy? "You are gods" quote - Psalm 82 reference

A hostile question: if you are God, tell us plainly! After Jesus declares Himself a good shepherd (https://youtu.be/iFBh2e49KKs), the religious leaders approach Him with a question. In this message, we explore why this question is asked with hostility, why the Jews reject Jesus (both the human reason and the divine reason), Jesus’ solution to this problem, and what our response to this solution is! Some questions/topics discussed in this sermon: Why don’t the Jews believe? What does it mean to believe? Being an eyewitness to Jesus does not give an advantage Religion is not the way to life - don’t trust religion Can you sin your way or get tricked out of salvation?

In a world full of competing voices promising comfort but delivering despair, Jesus stands alone as the perfect Good Shepherd. He doesn't run when danger approaches; instead, He willingly sacrifices His life to bring us true reconciliation, deep peace, and lasting contentment. By listening to His voice, we find safety and community where we are truly known. Pastor Luke Hukee helps us understand what it means for us to be sheep and why it is profound that Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd.