Pastor Dirk's Sermons Pastor Dirk Rodgers

History too often records conflict and tragedy when diverse religious traditions try to share the same space at the same time.  If the new community of Jesus is truly to bring these traditions together, then the main thing must remain the main thing.

For God to change a community, He begins by changing people.  Peter’s relationship with Jesus redefines his identity, and, as this relationship grows deeper, it changes his reason for living.  His experience of Jesus can inspire us to reconsider who defines us and what inspires our purpose.

God’s new directions are not self-evident.  He must inspire people spiritually to work outside of their comfort zones.  In this story from the early church, He stretches the boundaries of His people by calling His servants into new levels of service.

Good visions must provide a compelling reason for change.  Through two powerful visions to two different men, God forges a new path forward for those who choose to follow Jesus.

For centuries, many thinkers and educators have sought to convince us that we are nothing more than evolutionary accidents, biological and chemical organisms sharing a planet with other organisms more or less like us.  In this closed system, we struggle to find a meaningful life.  Faith helps us to see that we as humans do have a purpose beyond our biology and chemistry.

History records multiple attempts to confront and overcome injustice.  Some stories are more encouraging than others.  Those engaged in such efforts are often called to make extraordinary sacrifices for their cause.  Were their sacrifices worth the effort?  Faith provides a perspective that inspires us never to give up our fight against injustice and oppression, even when it seems that our efforts are in vain.