Immanuel URC of DeMotte

Rev. Joel Wories

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CHRISTIANITY
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The newest sermons from Immanuel URC of DeMotte on SermonAudio.

MAR 29

How We Worship Part Four: Singing To The Lord

The sermon centers on the theological significance of singing in corporate worship, emphasizing that our songs are not merely expressive or stylistic but are directed vertically to God as an act of worship rooted in His redemptive work. Drawing from Psalm 98, 1 Corinthians 14, and Colossians 3, it argues that singing must be biblically grounded, theologically rich, and focused on God's character and salvation rather than human preferences or emotional appeal. The preacher underscores that all believers, regardless of musical ability, are called to sing because God delights in their voices as an offering of praise, not performance. Furthermore, the liturgical nature of worship in the Reformed tradition is affirmed, where songs are intentionally chosen to reflect the sermon's theme and Scripture, fostering spiritual formation and unity. Ultimately, the practice of singing is presented as a profound privilege that glorifies God, deepens faith, and unites the church in worship that is both reverent and transformative.

35 min
MAR 29

Original Sin

The sermon presents a profound theological exploration of original sin, rooted in Romans 5:12–21 and the Belgic Confession Article 15, emphasizing that sin and death entered the world through Adam's disobedience and are imputed to all humanity, not merely by imitation but by federal representation. It affirms that this inherited depravity corrupts every aspect of human nature, even affecting infants, and is so severe that it alone condemns the entire human race, yet is not imputed to believers for condemnation due to God's grace in Christ. The doctrine is not meant to induce despair but to deepen awareness of human helplessness apart from grace, fueling a longing for redemption and a proper appreciation of Christ's righteousness, which is imputed to believers, enabling them to groan under their sin while anticipating eternal purification. The sermon concludes by linking this truth to the believer's hope in Christ's return, where they will be clothed in spotless righteousness, not by their own merit, but by divine grace.

40 min
MAR 22

Foretaste and Foretelling

The sermon presents a profound reflection on the dual nature of Christ's mission—his exaltation and his impending humiliation—revealed through the transfiguration in Matthew 17:1–13. It portrays the transfiguration as a foretaste of Christ's future glory, where Moses and Elijah appear to affirm that Jesus fulfills the Law and the Prophets, while the divine voice declares Him the beloved Son to be heeded above all. This moment of divine glory is immediately followed by a call to humility, as Peter's desire to prolong the mountaintop experience is corrected by the command to listen to Christ, underscoring that true glory follows obedient suffering. The passage also foreshadows Christ's crucifixion through the disciples' question about Elijah, which Jesus answers by identifying John the Baptist as the prophesied forerunner, thus linking the Old Testament promise to the present reality of rejection and sacrifice. Ultimately, the sermon affirms that Christian hope is rooted not in fleeting worldly glory, but in the sure promise that, through faith in Christ, everything will be made right in the end, as suffering precedes resurrection and faith becomes sight.

35 min
MAR 22

From Glory To Unbelief: What Is Needed On This Side Of Glory

This sermon, drawn from Matthew 17:14–23, centers on Christ's enduring presence and provision on this side of glory, where believers live amid faithlessness, suffering, and spiritual darkness. It highlights three essential realities Christ offers: His long-suffering patience in the face of human unbelief, His unwavering compassion that never fails even in the midst of affliction, and His faithful instruction that corrects misplaced confidence and calls for humble, prayerful dependence on God's will. The passage reveals that true faith is not measured by size but by trust in Christ's character and authority, and that spiritual power comes not from self-reliance but from alignment with God's purposes. The sermon calls the church to embrace this reality—not as a time of despair, but as a season of grace, where Christ's presence, mercy, and guidance sustain believers until the fullness of glory is revealed.

37 min
MAR 15

Christian Commitment to the Shema

The sermon centers on the Christian commitment to the Shema—Deuteronomy 6:4–9—as a living, covenantal call to wholehearted devotion to God, rooted in His grace and fulfilled in Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that the law is not abolished by faith but upheld, as the New Testament affirms its enduring purpose in shaping godly lives and pointing to Christ as the true fulfillment of God's commands. The passage is presented as profoundly covenantal, extending God's promises to families and children, and calls believers to intentionally and diligently teach Scripture in daily life—through conversation, worship, and visible practices—within the home as the primary arena of spiritual formation. The preacher underscores that this commitment is not legalistic but arises from gratitude for salvation, requiring personal faithfulness, parental responsibility, and the church's communal support, all grounded in the gospel of grace. Ultimately, the Shema is not a Jewish relic but a Christian imperative, calling the church to live as a family that hears, obeys, and proclaims God's Word with joy and conviction.

47 min
MAR 15

Our Relation To Sin

The sermon presents a profound theological exploration of humanity's relationship to sin, rooted in the biblical narrative of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification. Beginning with the original goodness and moral capacity of humanity as image-bearers of God, it confronts the reality of Adam's fall, which resulted in total depravity—where humanity, though once able to choose righteousness, now possesses a nature inherently hostile to God and incapable of pleasing Him apart from divine grace. This condition is affirmed in both Romans 8 and the Belgic Confession, which reject the notion of human free will in spiritual matters, emphasizing instead that salvation is entirely God's work, not human effort. Yet the message pivots to hope: through the Spirit's indwelling, believers are no longer slaves to sin but adopted children of God, empowered to live in righteousness and peace, with the promise of a future where sin will be utterly eradicated. The ultimate comfort lies in the assurance that, in Christ, believers are not only forgiven but progressively sanctified and will one day be glorified, free from sin's presence and power forever.

41 min
MAR 8

How We Worship Part Three: God's Welcoming Word

The sermon centers on the theological significance of God's greeting in worship, emphasizing that it is not a mere formality but a divine, vertical exchange where God speaks first through Scripture, affirming His grace, peace, and covenantal presence to His people. Drawing from the opening salutations of 1 and 2 Peter, it highlights how these words—grace and peace multiplied—are rooted in God's sovereign election, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, and the atoning blood of Christ, offering assurance to both believers and unbelievers. The liturgical structure of worship is defended as intentionally dialogical, with God's word initiating the encounter, ensuring that all elements flow upward in reverence and response, preserving the vertical nature of true worship. This divine greeting, delivered through the ordained minister with raised hands, is likened to a sacred handshake—personal, firm, and life-giving—reminding the congregation that they are known, forgiven, and welcomed by the triune God despite their sin. The sermon calls the congregation to receive this greeting with humility, faith, and attentive hearts, recognizing that it sets the tone for the entire worship service and anchors all subsequent elements in the gospel's truth and mercy.

36 min
MAR 8

Sir, We Wish To See Jesus

The sermon centers on Jesus Christ as the glorified Son of Man, whose ultimate glory is revealed not in triumphalism but in sacrificial death, as foretold in Daniel 7 and fulfilled in His crucifixion. Drawing from John 12, it emphasizes that the hour of Christ's glorification has come, not through worldly power, but through the paradoxical way of the cross—where death yields life, self-denial brings true fulfillment, and service to Christ leads to eternal honor. The message calls believers to a life of radical discipleship, marked by dying to self and sin, embracing the narrow path of Christ's example, and living in faithful service despite worldly cost. This life of glory is not earned by works, but flows from faith in Christ, resulting in eternal life and divine honor. The sermon concludes with a pastoral challenge: to ensure that every sermon and every life points clearly to Jesus, the only source of true glory and salvation.

32 min

The newest sermons from Immanuel URC of DeMotte on SermonAudio.

Creator

Rev. Joel Wories
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

102
Rating

Clean
Copyright

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Immanuel URC of DeMotte