Living Word Community Church Sermons

Ryan Skolrud
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Sermon Podcast for Living Word Community Church

  1. 1d ago

    God Equips His People

    The God of peace equips His people. That is the final word of the book of Hebrews, and it's a benediction, not a command. After thirteen chapters of argument showing that Jesus is a better priest, a better sacrifice, and the mediator of a better covenant, the author ends not by telling us to try harder, but by asking God to do for His people what we cannot do for ourselves. In this closing passage, the author calls God "the God of peace" the same peace that was broken in Eden and that God Himself has been restoring ever since. He points to Jesus as the great Shepherd of the sheep, raised from the dead by the blood of an everlasting covenant. And then he asks God to equip His people with everything good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight. The Greek word for "equip" is katartizō to prepare, to fit out, to restore. The law could never make anyone perfect. But God's grace equips us to obey. The book closes with one final word: grace. The answer to spiritual drift is not your grip on God. It is His grip on you. Most Notable Points: Hebrews ends with a benediction, not a command the author asks God to do for his readers what they cannot do for themselves. God is "the God of peace." Peace isn't the absence of conflict; it is the end of enmity. Jesus is the "great Shepherd of the sheep," pointing back to Ezekiel 34. The resurrection happened by the blood of the everlasting covenant God's receipt that the sacrifice was sufficient. The Greek word for "equip" is katartizō, not teleioō. The law couldn't perfect us, but grace equips us to obey. The warnings in Hebrews are all about drift. The final word of the book is grace. Scripture Passages Used: Hebrews 13:20-25; Hebrews 10:19-22; Hebrews 2:9; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 9:15; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 7:25; Hebrews 11:5-6; Hebrews 12:28; Hebrews 4:16; Hebrews 12:15; Hebrews 13:9; Ezekiel 34:23; Ezekiel 34:25; Ezekiel 37:26; Jeremiah 32:40; Romans 15:33; Romans 16:20; Philippians 4:9; Philippians 1:6; Philippians 2:13; 2 Thessalonians 3:16; 1 Peter 5:10; Galatians 6:1; Matthew 4:21; Acts 16:1-3; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:1; Philemon 1 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-282398.html Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/give Text-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings,Living Word Community Church

    God Equips His People

  2. Oct 18

    A Life of Sacrifice

    As God's people, our lives should be offered as sacrifices of praise. Join Pastor Ryan Skolrud at Living Word Community Church as we continue our series, The Supremacy of Christ, looking at Hebrews 13:15-19. Discover how pilgrims in an unenduring world are called to live out their faith through continuous praise, active generosity, respectful deference to leadership, and powerful prayer. Notable Points in the Sermon The Sacrifice of Praise (v. 15): Our praise goes through Christ, acting as the modern "fruit of our lips" referencing Hosea 14:2, making worship a continuous habit rather than a one-time event. The Sacrifice of Generosity (v. 16): Believers are called to do good and share with those in need, serving as a visible outpost of the enduring heavenly city. The Posture of Submission (v. 17): A call to willing deference and respect toward godly leadership, balancing the serious accountability placed upon spiritual watchmen. The Practice of Prayer (vv. 18-19): Recognizing the need to pray for ministry leaders so they can serve with a clear conscience and be restored to their communities. Scripture Passages Used Hebrews 13:15-19 Hebrews 13:14 Hosea 14:2 Jeremiah 6:20 Romans 12:1-2 1 John 3:18-22 Hebrews 6:10 Galatians 6:10 Luke 2:8 James 5:16 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-282039.html Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/give Text-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings, Living Word Community Church

    A Life of Sacrifice

  3. Oct 11

    Jesus or the Approval of Men

    Discover why Jesus Christ never changes, how grace alone strengthens your heart, and what following Jesus costs when peoples approval is at stake. Whose approval matters most to you? In this message from The Supremacy of Christ series, Pastor Ryan Skolrud explores the call to trust Christs grace and follow Him outside the camp, even when doing so brings rejection or social discomfort. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His unchanging character gives us a firm foundation when our circumstances shift, and the pressure to fit in grows. Our hearts are established by gracenot religious performance, spiritual experiences, or political affiliation. Following Jesus means refusing divided allegiance, turning from sin, and accepting the cost of belonging to Him. We do not seek rejection for its own sake; we seek Christ, trusting that the eternal city He promises is worth more than the temporary approval of this world. Whether you are exploring Christianity, struggling with people-pleasing, or seeking courage to stand firm in your faith, this sermon invites you to examine what you are trusting and whom you are following. Christ never changes. So trust His grace and bear His reproach. Notable points in this sermon: Remember faithful spiritual leaders and imitate their faithnot merely their personalities or platforms. Find stability in Jesus Christ, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Recognize teachings that add requirements to Gods saving grace. Examine divided allegiance: following Christ calls us to repent rather than excuse our sin. Understand how Jesus suffering outside the city fulfills the Old Testament sacrificial imagery. Follow Jesus even when obedience costs you acceptance, comfort, or social standing. Live for the enduring city to come rather than the approval of a world that is passing away. Scripture passages used in this sermon: Hebrews 13:714 Main passage James 3:1 Hebrews 2:3; 6:19 Ephesians 2:89 1 Corinthians 10:1821 Leviticus 16:27 Deuteronomy 21:23 Galatians 3:13 Hebrews 10:10, 14, 33; 11:26 1 Corinthians 13:47 Galatians 1:10 Additional chapter references: Hebrews 1; 9; 11; 12; 13:16; Acts 15; John 15 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-281366.htmlConnection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/giveText-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the promptsMail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings,Living Word Community Church

    Jesus or the Approval of Men

  4. Oct 4

    Having Strong Faith

    What does it take to have strong faith? In John 4:4654, a royal official comes to Jesus begging Him to heal his dying son and he comes with a faith built on signs and wonders. Jesus rebukes him: "Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders, you will never believe." But watch what happens next. That same man takes Jesus at His word, and his superstitious faith becomes a strong faith, and his strong faith becomes a saving faith. In this message, Craig Spear walks verse by verse through the healing of the official's son and shows the four steps of strong faith: hear the Word of God, believe the Word of God, obey the Word of God, and rest in the Word of God. If you have ever wanted a sign so you could finally believe or wondered why God does not always answer the way you asked this message is for you. Faith is not naming and claiming; faith is accepting from God what He gives. Believe in miracles, but trust in Jesus. Most notable points in this sermon: In the kingdom of heaven, faith is the medium of exchange whatever we receive from God is according to our faith (Matthew 9:29) Without faith it is impossible to please God, no matter how beautifully we sing, give, walk, or serve (Hebrews 11:6) The problem of a superstitious faith: the royal official's faith was built on signs and wonders, not on the Word of God Demanding a sign is dishonoring to God He has already spoken, and unbelief makes Him out to be a liar (1 John 5:10) Seeking signs and wonders is dangerous because it can deceive the Antichrist and the false prophet will authenticate their ministries with counterfeit miracles (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13:1314) Why Jesus did signs and wonders: to authenticate His ministry and the apostles' ministry, and that we might believe and have life in His name (Acts 2:22; John 20:3031; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:34) The progression of strong faith step one: he heard the Word of God (Romans 10:17) Step two: he believed the Word of God our problem is not intellectual, it is moral; faith is a response to the character of God Step three: he obeyed the Word of God real faith is belief with legs on it (James 2:26; Romans 1:5) Step four: he rested in the Word of God twenty-four hours passed and he still had not rushed home; the rest of faith is the mark of real faith (Psalm 37:57; Isaiah 28:16) The provision of saving faith: he and all his household believed not in a miracle worker, but in a Messiah (John 4:53; John 20:31) Jesus did not come as a healer; Jesus came as a Savior (Luke 19:10) the miracles point to the greater miracle, the new birth Why I follow Christ: not for promised healing, protection from disaster, prosperity, or personality enhancement, but because in Jesus we behold the face of God Scripture passages used in this sermon: John 4:4654 John 2:2325 Matthew 9:29 Matthew 12:39 Matthew 24:24 Matthew 9:12 Hebrews 11:6 Hebrews 2:34 Acts 2:22 Romans 10:14, 17 Romans 14:23 Romans 1:5 Romans 5:10 Romans 8:39 1 John 5:10 2 Corinthians 12:12 2 Corinthians 5:18 2 Thessalonians 2:9 Revelation 13:1314 John 20:25, 2931 James 2:26 Psalm 37:57, 25 Isaiah 53:2 Isaiah 28:16 Luke 19:10 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-280791.html Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/giveText-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings, Living Word Community Church

  5. Sep 27

    Acceptable Service

    God's presence changes everything. In this message from Hebrews 13:1-6, Pastor Ryan Skolrud shows what acceptable service to God actually looks like love generously, live purely, and hold loosely. Discover how the promise "I will never leave you or abandon you" frees you from fear, greed, and distance from others, and how the presence of God empowers real, ordinary faithfulness. Big Idea: God's presence allows us to love generously, live purely, and hold loosely. Notable Points From This Sermon: We don't get to define "reasonable service" for ourselves Scripture tells us what acceptable service to God looks like. Brotherly love (philadelphia) is covenant loyalty, not sentimentality. It's a call back to who you already were, not a new burden. Hospitality is not a nice gesture it's obedience. Some have welcomed angels without knowing it (Abraham, Lot, Gideon, Manoah). Remembering those who suffer is a call to solidarity. When one member of Christ's body suffers, all suffer with it. Marriage is to be honored by all and the standard for purity in the marriage bed is the purity of Christ Himself. The love of money is fundamentally a fear of abandonment. Contentment says, "I have enough. God has provided." "I will never leave you or abandon you" is covenant, not a slogan. His presence not your performance is your security. Bold speech ("What can man do to me?") flows from God's character, not our circumstances. It's what drove missionaries to the nations. Scripture Passages Used: Hebrews 13:1-6 Hebrews 12:28 Hebrews 10:32-34 Matthew 25:35-40 1 Corinthians 12:26 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Ephesians 5:28-32 Genesis 2:24 Hebrews 7:26 Matthew 5:27-28 Ephesians 5:3-6 Deuteronomy 31:6 Joshua 1:5 Leviticus 23:42-43 John 1:14 Psalm 118:6 Psalm 46:1 Isaiah 41:10 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-280166.htmlConnection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/give Text-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings, Living Word Community Church

    Acceptable Service

  6. Sep 20

    The Unshakable Kingdom

    In this powerful message fromHebrews 12:25-29, Pastor Ryan Skolrud delivers the climactic warning of the entire book: Do not reject the voice of Christ. The author of Hebrews contrasts the terrifying, temporary shaking of Mount Sinai with the eternal, unshakable kingdom we receive in Christ. If the old covenant brought judgment for rejection, how much more will we face if we turn away from the final, heavenly revelation in God's Son? This sermon is a call to stop drifting, to recognize that everything temporary will be removed, and to respond to God's grace with grateful, reverent worship. Learn why our God being a "consuming fire" is not just a warning, but a refining reality for every believer. Key Points from the Sermon: The primary danger for Christians is not a sudden fall, but a slow, gradual drift away from the truth. Rejecting the voice of Christ is more serious than rejecting the law given at Mount Sinai, because we have a greater revelation. A final "shaking" is coming that will remove all temporary thingscreated things, the old covenant, and anything we cling to outside of Christ. Believers already belong to an eternal, unshakable kingdom that cannot be destroyed. Our proper response to this unshakable kingdom is to live in grace, serving God with gratitude, reverence, and awe. God is a "consuming fire" who burns away what is false and temporary in our lives to refine us and secure our allegiance to Him. Scripture Passages Used: Hebrews 12:25-29 Hebrews 1:1-2 Hebrews 2:1 Hebrews 3:13 Hebrews 4:16 Haggai 2:6 Daniel 2:44 Daniel 7:14 Deuteronomy 4:24 Ephesians 2:8-9 2 Samuel 6:6-7 Acts 5:1-11 Link to sermon notes: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-279558.html Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online:https://www.living-wordcc.org/giveText-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings,Living Word Community Church

    The Unshakable Kingdom

  7. Sep 13

    Christ Builds His Church (Revisited)

    In this challenging message fromEphesians 2:19-22, Pastor Ryan Skolrud revisits the foundational truth that Christ alone builds His church. We explore what it means to be "living stones" built upon the cornerstone of Jesus and the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Are we guilty of "spectator Christianity," waiting for the pastor or a few volunteers to do the work of ministry? Or are we actively praying, serving, and proclaiming the Gospel? This sermon addresses the danger of modern-day apostles and prophets, the necessity of daily prayer, and the urgent call to invite our community to hear the gospel. Key Takeaways from this Sermon: The Cornerstone:Christ is not an accessory; He is the defining center of the church. We cannot build on personality, programs, or politics. False Foundations:A biblical warning against modern "apostles and prophets" who build their own empires rather than submitting to Scripture. Spectator Christianity:The church cannot be sustained by a few people doing the work while everyone else watches. Every member is a living stone with a role. Prayer The Word:Before we ask God to move in our community, we must ask Him to expose our own apathy and self-reliance. The 200 Challenge:A tangible goal to invite 200 people to join us for worship before Christmas. Evangelism vs. Invitation:Inviting someone to church is a good first step, but it does not replace speaking the Gospel with actual words. Scriptures Referenced: Ephesians 2:19-22 Matthew 16:16 John 15:4-5 Matthew 28:18-20 Romans 10:14 1 Timothy 3:15 1 Peter 3:15-16 Romans 12:1 Link to sermon notes:https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/46257/note-278785.html Connection Card:https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online:https://www.living-wordcc.org/giveText-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the prompts Mail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings,Living Word Community Church

    Christ Builds His Church (Revisited)

  8. Aug 30

    The Better Mountain

    In this message from Hebrews 12:14-24, Pastor Ryan Skolrud explores the contrast between Mount Sinai and Mount Zion. Many Christians live in the terror of Sinaitrying to earn God's approval through strict rule-keeping (moralism). But the gospel tells us we have already arrived at the joyful city of the Living God through the blood of Jesus. If you belong to Christ, you belong to the better mountainnow, live like it. Key Takeaways:- Peace vs. Holiness: We must pursue both "peace" and "holiness" simultaneously. Peacekeeping ignores problems; peacemaking addresses them with truth and gentleness.- WWJD vs. WHJD: Christianity isn't primarily about "What Would Jesus Do?" (moralism), but "What Has Jesus Done?" (the gospel).- The Bitter Root: We have a corporate responsibility to guard one another against bitterness and immorality, like Esau, who traded his eternal birthright for temporary comfort.- Sinai vs. Zion: Sinai represents the terror of the Law and our inability to meet God's standard. Zion represents the grace of the New Covenant, where Jesus mediates for us.- Better Blood: Abels blood cried out for justice; Jesus blood declares, "It is finished." Scripture References:- Hebrews 12:14-24- Romans 12:18- Matthew 5:9- 1 Peter 1:15-16- Deuteronomy 29:18- Exodus 20:18-19- Romans 3:23- Ephesians 2:4-6- Hebrews 7:23-25- Hebrews 9:11-12- Genesis 4:8-10 Link to sermon notes: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card Connection Card: https://livingwordcc.breezechms.com/form/connection-card If any of our resources have blessed you, please consider giving to the mission of Living Word Community Church. Give Online: https://www.living-wordcc.org/giveText-to-Give: (855) 397-6291 and follow the promptsMail Your Gift: PO Box 502, Carnation, WA 98014 Don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this message with someone who might need it today. Blessings, Living Word Community Church

    The Better Mountain
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