Good News Church Yukon, Ok

In John 8:29, Jesus declares, “I always do what pleases Him,” revealing His unwavering commitment to honoring the Father in every aspect of His life. This verse highlights the profound truth that our highest calling is to live in a way that brings joy and glory to God. Pleasing God isn’t about seeking approval through performance but about cultivating a heart that desires His will above all else. This message will explore how Jesus’ example guides us to align our priorities, make decisions that reflect His character, and live with the confidence that comes from walking in obedience. When pleasing God becomes our greatest aim, our lives are transformed, and His presence becomes our sustaining peace.

In 2 Timothy 2:19-21, the Apostle Paul uses the imagery of vessels in a great house to illustrate the importance of living a life set apart for God. Just as some vessels are made for honorable purposes and others for common use, God calls His people to be pure and useful for His work. This passage reminds us that cleansing ourselves from sin and worldly distractions isn’t just about avoiding wrongdoing—it’s about being prepared for every good work God has planned for us. A pure vessel is one that is ready, willing, and available for God’s purposes. This message challenges us to examine our hearts, pursue holiness, and commit ourselves fully to being vessels of honor in God’s hands.

Friendship with God is one of the most profound invitations found in John 15:13-16. In this passage, Jesus reveals the depth of His love by declaring that true friendship is marked by sacrifice, even to the point of laying down one’s life. He goes further, calling His followers friends rather than servants, emphasizing a relationship built on love, trust, and shared purpose. This friendship isn’t passive—it calls us to remain connected to Him, follow His commands, and bear lasting fruit. Through these words, we see not only the privilege of being called friends of God but also the responsibility to live in a way that honors this sacred connection.

This sermon explores the powerful message found in James 2:14-26, where the Bible teaches that faith without works is dead. True faith, as described in this passage, goes beyond mere belief or words—it is demonstrated through action. Just as a body without spirit is lifeless, so is faith without corresponding deeds. This sermon will unpack the relationship between genuine faith and good works, showing how they are not opposing forces but two sides of the same coin.

As a pastor, the number one prayer request I get is people seeking direction. The Bible is given to us to help guide us by communicating what God's will is. As you get closer to the Word of God, you get closer to God. It is amazing to me how in prayer I am constantly brought back to a verse in the Bible to communicate an insight. My hope in this message is to communicate to you how you can ascertain God's will for you by maturing spiritually. 

It's a beautiful thing to find what you're good at. God has a special role for you and you will feel most satisfied when you discover it and adapt to it. Our culture shows us that people are most productive and happy when they have a sense of belonging and purpose. God will enable you to live out his purpose for your life with a special grace on you. He will not just call you to your role but also give you the spiritual tools and mindset to carry it out.

The concept of peace as described by the Hebrew word "shalom" is a very deep concept with much meaning carried by the one word. It describes a holistic peace that comes over someone operating in the Lord's favor. The kind of peace that applies to all parts of their life: familial, relational, bodily, communal, etc. Peace represents ultimate harmony with God's natural order and it is God's will that the Christian would live in it.

What are the main things we need to be focused on? What do we need to prioritize? The Bible has answers to these questions, and they are not obscure -- the Bible answers quite plainly. The primary call of the believer is to reach others and answer the Great Commission, to fulfill evangelism. Just as we were once sinners but have been raised to life in Christ, we are called to spread God's word to help bring about this second birth for others.

We all need to be reminded of the importance of walking in faith. As Christians, we don't always cover the basics. One of the basics is that we are to walk by faith and not by sight. We don't always want to hear this: human nature is to want immediate comfort and answers versus traversing the unknown sometimes. It is a difficult thing to go against your natural feelings. God calls us to walk in faith and doing so will grow our relationship with him.

The Christian has a tendency to do one of two things: they either over-spiritualize everything, or under-spiritualize. While you must be careful not to attribute normal parts of living in a physical world to demonic activity, you must also be aware of the events that are likely orchestrated by our adversary — Satan. The entity of Satan exists in both the Old and New Testament, always as someone who opposes God’s people. Being not just aware but prepared for his attacks is paramount for healthy Christian living.

It's important to understand what the term Christian means. We are not simplify talking about someone who follows a creed or code of conduct, but rather someone who loves God. Love of God and his love to his children is central to the Christian faith. God has done so much for us, whether saving us from eternal damnation or placing us into his kingdom. All he asks in return is that we love him and follow his commandments.

Judges 6 describes the calling of Gideon by God. Gideon was a seemingly ordinary man called to lead Israel against overwhelming odds. Despite Gideon's fears and feelings of inadequacy, God assures him that He will be with him, empowering him to accomplish what seems impossible. This message reminds us that God doesn’t expect us to have all the strength or resources; rather, He calls us to trust Him with what we do have. Through Gideon’s story, we learn that God can work mightily through our weaknesses when we step forward in faith.

I have wanted to speak on this topic for a long time to you all. The Old Testament is littered with several stories involving the nation of Israel's battling against giants who opposed God's people. These giants represent the great spiritual giants that still exist in this modern day, obstacles propped up by Satan that would hinder God's people. We must adopt the courage of David to conquer these giants and trust in God's empowerment of believers.

Tonight I'd like to share about healing and some testimonies of it. Over the past 44 years I have had a journey of faith in seeing God's constant provision for us and others we know. The Bible is full of scriptures that if spoken in faith are applicable to us and the health ailments we may be facing. God's desire is not that we would live our lives sick and unwhole but rather be strong and healthy in his power.

Why world missions? Why do we go and reach people in countries less exposed to the gospel? We live in a nation where there is a great abundance of Bible-based churches. The other nations of the world are not as privileged as we are, whether because of government limitation or cultural resistance. I will be travelling soon to the Czech Republic in order to minister to a number of pastors there. I would like to share today on the impact that our work there has and why I believe it is God's plan for us to outreach there.

An election is coming up, which raises questions as to the role of a Christian in a society governed by a government. Are we to be activists or to be separate? The Bible has answers as to the Christian's appropriate response to decisions from their government that they agree or disagree with. This election is especially important and thus it is essential that believers be informed on how God would desire that we find our place in the civic and national systems.

From a Christian perspective, not being conformed to the world means rejecting the values and behaviors that contradict God's will. Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as an act of worship. It calls Christians to renew their minds and not follow the patterns of the world, which are often driven by selfishness, materialism, and sin. Instead, through transformation, believers are to discern and pursue what is good, pleasing, and perfect according to God's will. This transformation is a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ, standing apart from worldly influences.

Jesus has simple words on giving: "Give, and it will be given back to you." It is important for the Christian to view giving as an exciting opportunity, as God has great rewards for the generous. The Bible describes a proportional relationship between the amount we give and what we receive back. Therefore it is important to examine your attitude and perception of giving and ensure that you are cultivating a giving spirit within yourself rather than a stingy spirit.

When Jesus was on the earth, the most common way he talked was with parables. He would use these story tools to parallel a physical truth to a spiritual one. One parable Jesus told was given great importance by Jesus, as he described it as being the keystone to understanding the kingdom of God. This is the parable of the sower. We are all familiar with this story and the description of different ground types' reception to seed being cast. Each of these examples describe the way in which the gospel may be received by listeners. We should strive to be the receptive soil that earnestly hears God's word and prospers.

Psalm 100 tells us to enter into God's gates with thanksgiving. The Bible's command to the believer is to be thankful for what God has done with us. An attitude of thanksgiving is not only the right attitude to have toward your creator but also something that will change your entire outlook on life and make your day so much better.