Valley Life Church - Yakima

Valley Life Church - Yakima
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Sunday Service messages from Pastor Jon Verwey, Pastor Joe Hite, and other guest speakers at Valley Life Church in Yakima, WA.

Episodes

  1. 1D AGO

    Why We Want To Be Rich

    The Rich and the Kingdom of God Mark 10:17-31 New Living TranslationThe Rich Man17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!”24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”  What It This Scripture Really Saying? ✅ Simple Summary:This passage teaches that following Jesus requires wholehearted trust in God rather than in wealth, possessions, or status. True life in God’s Kingdom comes through surrender, generosity, and faith.   Here is How I Have Lived With The Themes In This Scripture 1. It’s About TrustWho do you trust for:Your futureYour identityYour security 2. Selflessness vs Self-CenterednessKingdom living means:GivingForgivingServing others  3. How We Handle Money Reveals Our HeartMoney tests:TrustControlFaith Healthy actions that I use to remind/help me to trust and release control:Bless others (tip generously, help people)GiveAvoid debtPlan and budgetSave wisely (no get rich quick schemes)  4. Kingdom Living Expands Your LifeLiving for God moves us from:Self-focused life vs Kingdom-sized life  5. Gratitude and StewardshipAppreciate what you’ve been given and use it to bless others.

    43 min

  2. MAR 8

    Salted with Fire (Part II)

    Pastor Jon Verwey 42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.  43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.  [44]  45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  [46]  47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,  48 where “ ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’  49 Everyone will be salted with fire.  50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” — Mark 9:42–50 NIV  Does what I am doing move me toward Jesus or away from Him? Does what I am doing make me more like Jesus or less? Everyone will be salted with fire. v. 49 Being “salted with fire” happens when we offer ourselves to Jesus by submitting to Him and His ways. Then the trials of life become a fire that strengthens, purifies, and preserves us instead of destroying us. …let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. — Galatians 5:16 NLT  But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. — Galatians 5:22–23 NLT  Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other. v. 50b And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…— Hebrews 10:25 NLT  “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? v. 50a Don’t manage sin—fight it, so that we can be a purified people who bring the life-giving presence of Jesus to the world.

    38 min

  3. MAR 1

    Salted with Fire

    A War Against Sin through the Call to Be Salty 03/01/26 42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.  43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.  [44]  45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.  [46]  47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,  48 where “ ‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’  49 Everyone will be salted with fire.  50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.” — Mark 9:42–50 NIV If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble…  v. 42 …encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. — Hebrews 3:13 NIV theft, hatred, jealousy, envy, sexual immorality, witchcraft, greed, murder, rage, selfish ambition, causing division, lying, drunkenness, orgies, slander, gossip, arrogance and boastfulness, lack of mercy, obscenity and filthy speech… Does what I am doing move me toward Jesus or away from Him? Does what I am doing make me more like Jesus or less? “All sin leads to spiritual ruin and death — and that drastic measures are necessary to fight it.” We can’t just do sin management; we need to fight it aggressively. Everyone will be salted with fire. v. 49 …let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. — Galatians 5:16 NLT But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. — Galatians 5:22–23 NLT Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other. v. 50b And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another…— Hebrews 10:25 NLT “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? v. 50a Don’t manage sin—fight it, so we can be a purified people who bring the life-giving presence of Jesus to the world. How do we fight sin instead of managing it? We start with questions Does what I am doing move me toward Jesus or away from Him? Does what I am doing make me more like Jesus or less? We offer ourselves to Jesus every day. We submit to His authority. We walk in step with the Holy Spirit. Why do we fight sin instead of managing it? So we become “salty” So our lives make people thirsty for Jesus. So our homes, our tables, and our relationships reflect His love and peace.

    33 min

  4. FEB 22

    This is the Way

    Pastor Jon Verwey Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. — Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV  The way of the Kingdom is not striving for greatness through power and control but choosing last place through humility and service. 30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. 33 They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. — Mark 9:30–34 NIV 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” 36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.” — Mark 9:35–37 NIV  “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last… and servant of all.” 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.  41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward. — Mark 9:38–41 NIV  “…those who face the mess they’ve made of their lives, repent of it, and trust [Jesus] as Lord and Savior [will] receive eternal life — something far beyond anything humanity can manufacture.” — Professor John Lennox The way of the Kingdom is not striving for greatness through power and control but choosing last place through humility and service.

    37 min

  5. FEB 15

    The Same Jesus

    Glorious on the Mountain, Gracious in the Valley 02/15/26 His face shone like the sun … and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. — Matthew 17:2a; Luke 9:29b NIV  2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them.  3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.  4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.  5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.”  6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)  7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” — Mark 9:2–7 NIV  “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” vs. 7b 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. — Mark 9:8 NIV No one lives on the top of the mountain. It’s fine to go there occasionally -for inspiration, for new perspectives. But you have to come down. Life is lived in the valleys. That’s where the farms and gardens and orchards are, and where the plowing and the work is done. That’s where you apply the visions you may have glimpsed from the peaks. —Arthur Gordon Webster. 14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. — Mark 9:14–15 NIV  As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder… vs. 15 The stories are connected because the God who we experience on the mountain top is the same God who walks with us in the valley. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” 19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? — Mark 9:16-19 NIV 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” — Mark 9:22 NIV  23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” — Mark 9:22 NIV 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” — Mark 9:24 NIV 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. — Mark 9:25-27 NIV …Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. — Mark 9:27 ESV The God we meet in moments of glory on the mountain is the God who walks with us through moments of desperation in the valley.

    32 min

  6. FEB 8

    Why Only Jesus Is Worthy of Our “Everything”

    Pastor Jon Verwey Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? — Mark 8:34-37 NIV “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship To bind a Roman citizen is a crime;  to flog him is an abomination; to slay him is like killing a relative;  to crucify him is—what?  There is no fitting word that can possibly describe so horrible a deed. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it,  but whoever loses their life for Me and the gospel will save it. v. 35 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? vv. 36-37 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. — 2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT Jesus alone is worthy of our “everything”—because only He can turn it into something good, beautiful, and lasting. As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it.  Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood, which is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. …you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup. — 1 Corinthians 11:28 NLT  Have I surrendered my life to Him—given Him my “everything”? Do I believe all that we are remembering and proclaiming in communion?

    35 min

  7. FEB 1

    Pause – Worship

    Valley Life Church - Yakima

    11 min

  8. JAN 25

    Come Sit at the Feet of Jesus

    Pastor David Pietsch Luke 10:38-42 NIV Practice 1: Come Sit Practice 2: Follow Practice 3: Delight

    33 min

  9. JAN 18

    Who Do You Say I Am?

    The Question That Defines Our Eternity 01/18/25  Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. — Mark 8:27-30 NIV Who do you say I am? v. 29 But what about you?Who do you say I am? v. 29a You are the Messiah v. 29 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”  — Mark 8:31–33 NIV the Son of Man v. 31 Get behind me, Satan! v. 33 Who do you say I am?

    33 min

  10. JAN 11

    Jesus Is Enough

    Learning to Live Like It’s True 01/11/26   “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.”— C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity We don’t need more signs, more stuff, or more control—we need to stay connected to Jesus and trust that He truly satisfies because He is more than enough. During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” 4 His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?” 5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied. 6 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. 7 They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 9 About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. — Mark 8:1–10 NIV … because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. — Mark 6:34 NIV  “…they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat “ v. 2b “There is a God–shaped vacuum in the heart of each man, which cannot be satisfied by any created thing but only by God the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ.” — Blaise Pascal “I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it’s not the answer.”— Attributed to Jim Carrey (commonly quoted; source uncertain) “Why do I have three Super Bowl rings and still think there’s something greater out there for me?… I think, God, there’s got to be more than this.”— Tom Brady, 60 Minutes interview, 2005 (CBS News with Steve Kroft) 11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side. — Mark 8:11–13 NIV …without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. — Hebrews 11:6 NIV  14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod.” 16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.” 17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” “Twelve,” they replied. 20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?” They answered, “Seven.” 21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?” — Mark 8:14–21 NIV They all ate and were satisfied… — Mark 6:42 NIV  …the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. — Mark 6:43 NIV The people ate and were satisfied v. 8a …the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over v. 8b We don’t need more signs, more stuff, or more control—we need to stay connected to Jesus and trust that He truly satisfies because He is more than enough.

    33 min
  • 10 Episodes

About

Sunday Service messages from Pastor Jon Verwey, Pastor Joe Hite, and other guest speakers at Valley Life Church in Yakima, WA.

Information

  • Creator
    Valley Life Church - Yakima
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2022 Valley Life Church
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    Valley Life Church - Yakima