Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church WEPC

There have been many times over the years where we have gone out for a nice meal, but where I haven’t been able to finish it all. When that happens, I come home with a box of leftovers ready to be taken to church with me for lunch the next day. Yet on countless occasions, I open up the fridge the next morning only to discover that someone has eaten my lunch! When that happens, 9 times out of 10, I call out, “Nathaniel!!!!”

But I’ve noticed that even when we’re down to 2 kiddos in the house, there is still a well-worn spot in front of our refrigerator because of all the foot traffic! I’m exaggerating, but it certainly seems like trips to the grocery store have not decreased! If anything, our food budget is just as high (we’re all complaining about that now, right?!).

However, I’ve also been in places and countries where hunger is a daily problem. I have seen desperate parents begging for food, starving themselves so that they can feed their children, or feeding them with whatever scraps they can pull together. While not to that same extreme, perhaps you have had moments where you question if you will have enough to satisfy the grumbling in your stomach.



When Jesus sat on a hillside and began teaching the crowds around him, the people were also hungry. Though they may not have been hungry for physical food, they did have a spiritual hunger (whether they realized it or not). Jesus reminded them (and us) that true hunger for God would make them full. When we search for God, the righteousness of God will fill our hearts.



Are you hungry? Do you need to be filled? Are there others in your life who need to be filled that you need to invite? Then, I look forward to seeing you, either in person or online, as we learn where we find our true satisfaction.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Aaron

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:3,10



The Sermon on the Mount begins with a series of “blessing” statements. These are often called the Beatitudes. Each statement begins with the Greek word ­macarios, which can be translated as “blessed” or “happy.”



Some people wear #blessed t-Shirts. Some of us might say we are #blessed because we got a bonus or because we didn’t have to stop for a red light on the way to work. But being blessed is about more than just feeling good or making a gain on our bank account. True blessing is about living in line with God’s will, the way we are created to live. In the Bible, one who is blessed is described as whole and flourishing through a strong connection with God. Living in tune with God, or in step with the Spirit, may not bring us more money or an easier life, but it will lead to peace and wholeness as we walk with God.



As we begin a new sermon series together this week, we will see what a kingdom lifestyle looks like; one that is truly “blessed.” However, what we will also see is how difficult this lifestyle pursuit is. Jesus makes some puzzling and provocative statements, and we may not always feel so happy about putting His commands into practice. Yet what we will also see is that the Sermon on the Mount is a picture of what it means to flourish in relationship with God and our relationships on earth. As we await the coming kingdom, we can seek to be kingdom builders here.  



Grace & Peace,

Pastor Aaron

For a couple of hours on Monday, April 8th, we will be transfixed by the movement of heavenly bodies as much of North America is plunged into blackness. A dark celestial glory will be on display as the moon blocks the sun’s rays from reaching the earth. During that brief window, we will be impressed, gobsmacked, mesmerized, and in awe. Perhaps we will marvel at how little we control in our own lives and in the world at large. Nevertheless, at some point following this glorious display, we will recover and return to our daily routines.



The Apostle Paul recognized that glory comes in many forms. His reference to the mystery of bodily resurrection testifies to this diversity: “There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another” (1 Cor. 15:40).



In 2 Cor. 3, Paul contrasts the fading glory of the covenant administered by Moses with the unfading glory of the covenant administered by Christ. The Sinai covenant could be thought of as our pending solar eclipse; both feature an overwhelming glory that reigns for a time but ultimately fades. Meanwhile, the covenant anchored in Christ’s redemptive work is altogether set apart; its glory is heavenly, spiritual, and unfading.



Equally marvelous, Paul reminds the Corinthian believers that they have been made competent ministers of this greater covenant. Yes, the very same of whom he would observe “…not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth” (1 Cor 1:26). How about you? Do you identify as a minister of this covenant of unfading glory? Join us as we explore the biblical concept of glory and this highest of callings together.



Grace and peace,

Matthew Liethen

On the first Easter Sunday morning, a couple of women were in for the surprise of their lives. Instead of finding a closed tomb, they found an open grave, and an angel greeting them with the words, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” For them and for every follower of the Lord Jesus, life would never be the same. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead changed the course of history.



The resurrection is God's way of announcing that our life does not have to be a one-way journey to the cemetery. God is saying we don't have to be stuck in our past. The risen Savior broke the chains that bind us, that cause us to live in fear, and that cause us to question what is ahead. Because Jesus is alive, “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:39).



It is the greatest news in all of human history; and so as we gather together this weekend, may we join in celebration. May we sing aloud, “Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!” And may we be able to believe and profess that Jesus breaks the chains of sin and death. “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!”



I look forward to seeing you either in person or online. And let’s not forget, this is the time of year when people are open to invitations. Let’s be thinking and praying for the people we can invite to join us this Easter Sunday! And then let’s make those invitations! 



He is risen! He is risen, indeed! Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!



Grace & Peace,

Pastor Aaron

How should we view Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem? Was it an event to celebrate, or a day of sadness?



For many who saw Jesus riding into the city, it was a day of rejoicing. They lined the streets, shouting, “Hosanna!” (a shout of praise), expecting Jesus to restore Israel to its former glory. With excitement and religious fervor, the people shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!” (Mark 11:9)



Today we look differently on Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. We know that the people shouting “Hosanna” had false expectations. They expected Jesus to set up an earthly kingdom, with them at the top. But that wasn’t his mission, and they were soon disappointed. In fact, just a few days later, the mood became ugly. A disciple of Jesus betrayed him; religious leaders called for his execution; soldiers mocked him, flogged him, and spat on him; and the Roman governor had him crucified.



Why, then, do Christians still call it a “triumphal entry”? Because we’ve learned from the Scriptures the purpose of Jesus’ suffering and death. Though innocent, he suffered for the guilt of our sins. What’s more, he did not remain dead but arose triumphantly from the grave—and that’s something to celebrate!

For us, Christ’s entry is truly a sign of glory to come!



Grace & Peace,

Pastor Aaron

“And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” - Jonah 4:11



Though Nineveh was a great city, its people had wandered far from God. Jonah didn’t care much about that, though, because Nineveh’s people were enemies of his own people. Still, God was concerned about Nineveh’s people. So he sent Jonah to teach about him, and they “turned from their evil ways” (Jonah 3:10).

Contrast that many years later with another great city of God’s people - Jerusalem. That city had wandered as well; and as Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.’” (Luke 19:41-42). Jerusalem’s leaders had rejected many of God’s prophets, and they soon would reject Jesus as the Son of God who could bring them peace with God.



Jonah missed out on the heart of God. Jerusalem missed out on the heart of God. We miss out on the heart of God. For Jonah, Nineveh was full of “those people.” Immoral, sinful, rebellious people—people who certainly didn’t deserve God’s grace. Jerusalem did not deserve it, either. And neither do we.

But that’s the odd thing about grace. By its very definition, grace is for undeserving people. Grace is compassion for people who don’t deserve mercy. The Ninivites didn’t deserve it. The people of Jerusalem didn’t deserve it. And we don’t deserve it. 



As we come to the conclusion of Jonah, God asks the question, “Should I not have concern for the great city…?” This is a question for all of us. We all know some of “those people”—people who have made a mess of their lives, people who don’t deserve God’s love. Just like us. Should we not be concerned about them?



Grace & Peace,

Pastor Aaron