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This is a very significant day in the life of our congregation together. Perhaps the most significant day came way back in 2009, seventeen years ago, when we gathered for worship as a church for the very first time. That was the day we were established. Another significant day was in April 2016, when we became a particular church, one recognized by the presbytery as self-governing through its own plurality of local elders. Now, more than a decade after that moment, we arrive at the morning of worship together in a building that we can call our own. We have crossed the desert. We have pitched and taken down the tabernacle for the last time. This morning, like Solomon did so long ago, we gather in a permanent structure and praise our God for His faithfulness to His Son and to us. We are His temple, and in His generosity, He has provided a permanent place in which we can gather to worship Him. We are the temple of God, who dwells in our building because He dwells in us.

This sermon explores the book of Philemon as a portrait of the gospel manifested in everyday family life, focusing on the first three verses to highlight the character of Philemon, Apphia, and Archippus. The central message emphasizes that faith is not merely a religious observance but a practical reality that transforms relationships within the home. Philemon is presented as a model of self-sacrificial love and active labor in ministry, while Apphia exemplifies loyalty and support for her husband and children. Archippus is described as a young believer who endures the hardships of spiritual warfare as a fellow soldier of Christ. The exposition concludes by asserting that even such a devoted family requires God's grace and peace to navigate the challenges of ministry and domestic life, urging believers to rely on divine help rather than human effort.

Has modern Christianity created a version of God who never gets angry with His own children? In an age when biblical masculinity, fatherly authority, and accountability are increasingly under attack, even our understanding of God's character has been distorted. Modern psychology and feminism have helped undermine the biblical role of fathers, while popular religious teaching often portrays God as a Father who is never angry with His children, regardless of their disobedience. But what does the Bible actually teach? Scripture commands, "Be ye angry, and sin not" (Ephesians 4:26). There is sinful anger, but there is also righteous anger. This message examines how much of today's parenting substitutes repeated threats, frustration, yelling, and uncontrolled anger for consistent biblical discipline. God's pattern of the rod and reproof, administered calmly and lovingly, teaches children to obey without endless arguments and threats, bringing peace and rest to the home. Yet there are also times when anger itself is justified, provided it remains governed by righteousness. And what about our heavenly Father? The Scriptures repeatedly reveal that God became angry with His own people. Paul specifically tells New Testament believers that these Old Testament accounts were written as warnings for US! From Israel's rebellion in the wilderness to the solemn warnings of Hebrews, Corinthians, and the teachings of Jesus Christ, the Bible presents a sobering truth: God's love does not mean He is indifferent to the sins of His children. But the message does not end with God's anger. There is a wonderful difference between God's temporary displeasure and His everlasting covenant love!

Bible Reading: Judges 6:1-16 "Impoverished is an adjective meaning reduced to poverty, very poor, or lacking essential resources, strength, or quality." Sin brought Impoverishment to Israel. 1. An Impoverished People. 2. A Repentant People. 3. A Delivered People. This sermon examines the spiritual and physical consequences of sin by analyzing Israel's subjugation by the Midianites in Judges 6. It argues that sin leads to a state of spiritual impoverishment, stripping believers of the joy and peace of walking with God, much like Israel lost their material blessings and security. The message highlights that God often uses hardship or chastening to reveal this internal poverty, driving His people to recognize their desperate need for Him. Through the conviction of His Word, believers are called to repentance, which is the necessary precursor to true deliverance and restoration. Ultimately, the sermon affirms that God's enduring love ensures that He will repeatedly bring back those who fall, offering abundant pardon and renewed fellowship in Christ.

The latest message from Peace Reformed Church in Napoleon, OH. In this message, Pastor Carl continues his sermon series through the Gospel of Matthew by looking at Matthew 10:26-33 in a sermon titled, "Confessing the King."

This sermon explores the pastoral letter Jeremiah sends to the exiles in Babylon, emphasizing that their displacement is the sovereign hand of God rather than mere historical accident. The central instruction is to settle into their circumstances by building homes, planting gardens, and seeking the welfare of the Babylonian city, thereby rejecting rebellion and embracing a life of obedience in a hostile culture. The text warns against false prophets who promise immediate return, urging believers to test spirits and rely on God's true word rather than charismatic lies. By connecting this exilic experience to the New Testament concept of Christians as sojourners, the message highlights the call to live as a new creation people who bring peace and hope to the world around them. Ultimately, the sermon encourages trust in God's appointed timeline, affirming that His promises are sure and that waiting upon Him in faithfulness leads to a future filled with divine purpose and restoration.

Romans 8:5–8 teaches that people who live according to the flesh focus on worldly desires and remain separated from God, while those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on spiritual things and experience true life and peace. This Bible teaching explains that a fleshly mindset is hostile to God and cannot submit to His will, but a Spirit-led life reflects faith, obedience, and a growing relationship with Christ. Romans 8:5–8 encourages believers to surrender their thoughts and actions to the Holy Spirit, knowing that spiritual transformation leads to peace with God and a life that pleases Him.

Do you truly trust and believe that God has the power and the love to help you in whatever you are struggling with today? This sermon explores the Westminster Confession of Faith on the assurance of salvation, addressing the common struggle of doubt among believers. By examining David's song of praise in 2 Samuel 22, the text highlights God's power as a refuge against both physical enemies and the final enemy of death. The exposition clarifies the theological concept of being 'clean in God's sight,' explaining that believers are counted righteous not by their own merit but by the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ. The message encourages the audience to rest in the certainty of God's protection and delight in them, finding peace in the knowledge that their standing before God is secure through faith in Christ alone.