2010 Sermons

These are the sermons preached in 2010 in our Sunday morning worship services. They are in chronological order.

To listen to a sermon, click on its title.    To download a sermon, right-click on its title and then click on ”Save Target As” or ”Save Link As.”

The Gospel Worker’s Work–Out
Text: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Date: 01/03/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: What kind of spiritual shape are you in? Here is an exercise plan that will keep you spiritually fit.

Relationships in the Family
Text: 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Date: 01/10/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Family relationships — what blessings… but also what burdens! So much depends on how we relate to one another. Paul gives Timothy such excellent practical counsel.

A Widow's Right
Text: 1 Timothy 5:3-16 Date: 01/17/2010 Speaker: Neal Patel
Description: God challenges us to care for widows and others in need.

Honoring Our Elders
Text: 1 Timothy 5:17-25 Date: 01/24/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Elders in the church have a daunting responsibility — how they need our respect and help (including help in holding them accountable to living godly lives).

Estimated download times:   Dialup: 15 min   /   DSL: 75 sec   /   Cable: 15 sec.

God’s Local 612
Text: 1 Timothy 6:1-2 Date: 01/31/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: How’s the atmosphere at work these days? How’s your attitude contributing to it? When we do our work with a godly perspective, our labor glorifies God. We’re in God’s labor union!

Money Matters
Text: 1 Timothy 6:6-10,17-19 Date: 02/07/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Some words to the rich and to those who really want to be rich — a practical theme indeed!

Guarding the Deposit
Text: 1 Tim. 6:3-5, 11-16, 20-21 Date: 02/14/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: What does it mean for us as a local church, here in Galena, IL, in 2010, to “guard the deposit” (1 Tim 6:20) entrusted to us?

From Guilt to Gladness
Text: Psalm 32:1-11 Date: 02/21/2010 Speaker: Neal Patel
Description: We discover the happiness that is ours when we confess our sins and find the LORD’s forgiveness.

To listen to a sermon, click on its title.    To download a sermon, right-click on its title and then click on ”Save Target As” or ”Save Link As.”

The Prime Mover
Text: Ezra 1:1-11 Date: 02/28/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Philosophers say that everything that happens has a cause. Those causes, in turn, are the result of earlier causes. Following this chain back they ultimately come to a first cause, or Prime Mover. Christian philosophers say that God is this Prime Mover. But God is so much more. He didn’t just get the universe started long ago. He is still at work today.

Tears of Joy and Sadness
Text: Ezra 2:1-3:13 Date: 03/07/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: What was a day of great rejoicing for many as the temple’s foundation was rebuilt, was a day of sadness and weeping for the old-timer’s. Why?

“He Who Began a Good Work...”
Text: Ezra 4-6 Date: 03/14/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: As God’s people put their hands to the hard work of rebuilding the temple, guess what? There were set-backs — enemies, technicalities, discouragement — just like in our lives, as well, as we try to do something of significance for the Lord.

The Journey Home
Text: Luke 15:11-32 Date: 03/21/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: The cherished “Prodigal Son” story, told by Jesus, really is the story of every sinner who returns to the Father. Where are you in your journey home?

Estimated download times:   Dialup: 15 min   /   DSL: 75 sec   /   Cable: 15 sec.

The Humble King & His Humble Kingdom
Text: Matthew 21:1-11 Date: 03/28/2010 Speaker: Neal Patel
Description: The very unusual “triumphal entry” of King Jesus.

Christ Among Other Gods
Text: Acts 17:16-34 Date: 04/04/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Just like the people of Athens, we live in a world with many, many gods. It is the resurrection that sets Jesus apart. The Athenians had a hard time with the thought of a man rising from the dead. Do you?

The Teacher God Uses
Text: Ezra 7-8 Date: 04/11/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Ezra shows us what it looks like to be a faithful teacher of God’s Word. Is this kind of biblical teaching still needed today? And what exactly is “biblical” teaching?

Those Who Tremble at His Word
Text: Ezra 9-10 Date: 04/18/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: How do we react when God’s Word points out sin in our lives? Do we ignore it, explain it away, excuse ourselves, or like Ezra, commit to doing what’s right?

To listen to a sermon, click on its title.    To download a sermon, right-click on its title and then click on ”Save Target As” or ”Save Link As.”

Prevailing Prayer
Text: Nehemiah 1:1-2:8 Date: 04/25/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: How do we react in a crisis? God’s good work in and through us is a story of real problems, real prayer, and real progress.

What We Know and Believe vs. What We Do!
Text: Jonah 1-3 Date: 05/02/2010 Speaker: Sammy Murimi
Description: How much of what we believe do we put into practice? Jonah shows us what God being God can do through us when we choose to obey.

Honoring Mom
Text: Matthew 15:1-9 Date: 05/09/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Jesus’ affirmation that honoring parents reveals true godliness.

The Sanballats of Our Lives
Text: Nehemiah 2:9-6:19 Date: 05/16/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: A major road-block in our Christian growth and service is often other people. Nehemiah shows us how to rise above the demoralizing and dangerous opposition of others.

Estimated download times:   Dialup: 15 min   /   DSL: 75 sec   /   Cable: 15 sec.

“Bring the Book”
Text: Nehemiah 8:1-18 Date: 05/23/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Nehemiah describes one of those rare, refreshing Scriptural instances in the life of God’s people when they seem to be hitting on all their spiritual cylinders. What was the central component of this spiritual revival?

A God Worth Celebrating
Text: Nehemiah 12:27-43 Date: 05/30/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: What should be a characteristic distinctive of the Christian life? The dedication of the finished Jerusalem wall gives us an answer.

Lessons in Leadership
Text: Nehemiah 1-13 Date: 06/06/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Besides our Lord Jesus, and perhaps Moses, Nehemiah emerges from the pages of Scripture as the model leader. In his life we can see the qualities and convictions of the type of leader that God uses for his glory.

Prepared for the Plague   (Sorry, there is no audio available.)
Text: Joel 1:1-2:17 Date: 06/13/2010 Speaker: Tim Wagner
Description: “The Day of the Lord” — what does that make you think of? Something to fear? Something to eagerly anticipate?

To listen to a sermon, click on its title.    To download a sermon, right-click on its title and then click on ”Save Target As” or ”Save Link As.”

Blessed Assurance
Text: Joel 2:18-3:21 Date: 06/20/2010 Speaker: Tim Wagner
Description: As God’s people respond to Him in repentance, how do they know He has heard and forgiven them?

Two Dinner Invitations
Text: Proverbs 9:1-18 Date: 06/27/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: You have received two dinner invitations, but you can only accept one. Choosing which one isn’t a matter of convenience or expedience; it’s life and death.

A Declaration of Dependence
Text: Proverbs 3:5-8 Date: 07/04/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: As our forefathers in this land sought independence from what they viewed as an unjust overlord, they expressed dependence upon the ultimate, righteous Authority. That declaration is appropriate for every people of every age.

Fool-Proofing Our Lives
Text: Proverbs (Selected) Date: 07/11/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: So much pain and frustration can be avoided in this life if we learn to recognize “fools” and avoid them. Here is how you can spot them.

Estimated download times:   Dialup: 15 min   /   DSL: 75 sec   /   Cable: 15 sec.

The Treasure of a Good Friend
Text: Proverbs (Selected) Date: 07/18/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: Lots of people have multiple acquaintances, but a true spiritual friend is a rare find. The Proverbs acknowledge the tremendous value of spiritual friendship and exhort each of us to be a friend.

Wisdom for Our Wallets
Text: Proverbs (Selected) Date: 07/25/2010 Speaker: Gary Kirst
Description: The Bible, and Proverbs in particular, has a lot to say about money. We have to think about money a lot, and it too needs to come under the Lordship of Christ in our lives.