Category Archives: Encouragement

Baptism (sermon video)

Posted on August 4, 2024 by salooper57

When you think about it, that is a strange thing to do. “You want to begin a new life? That’s fantastic! Let’s stick your head under water.” Continue reading →

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Baptism: What Is It All About?

Posted on July 25, 2024 by salooper57

Note: We are changing the way we post videos, so I will wait until that is completed before I post the video of this sermon. I will post the manuscript (which always differs a little from what it actually said) … Continue reading →

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Hope Wins in the Battle of Worldviews

Posted on April 6, 2024 by salooper57

The battle for worldviews – religious, atheistic, and materialistic – is nothing new. Today, it is dominated by monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, along with materialistic atheism, and the postmodern rejection of absolute truth. In the first century, … Continue reading →

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Do Not Grow Weary (Galatians 6)

Posted on November 8, 2023 by salooper57

This 29-minute sermon from Galatians 6:1-10 encourages us not to give up when things get tough. Click the link Do Not Grow Weary to listen or read the manuscript below. Emmet Smith, the great running back for the Dallas Cowboys, … Continue reading →

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Saying Farewell to the Church We Love

Posted on November 3, 2023 by salooper57

This past Sunday, I finished up my work as the lead pastor at Lockwood Community Church in Coldwater, MI. I have been in this role, in this place, with these people for 35 years. I did not end my service … Continue reading →

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Is This the Bible’s Most Difficult Verse?

Posted on October 14, 2023 by salooper57

St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonian Church is one of the earliest books in the New Testament. Toward the end of the letter, the Apostle Paul throws in a list of instructions – a sort of church member’s checklist … Continue reading →

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Finally, Brothers and Sisters (2 Corinthians 13:11)

Posted on September 10, 2023 by salooper57

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. I want to remind you of something we learned a couple of weeks ago. … Continue reading →

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The Surprising Place God Shows Up

Posted on September 2, 2023 by salooper57

…it is often when we’re stuck at the intersection of unfair and inconvenient that God shows up. Continue reading →

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I Thessalonians 5:1-11- Don’t You Know?

Posted on August 13, 2023 by salooper57

I want to close by speaking to those who have used distrust and hatred to protect themselves. I know that you’ve had to protect yourself from some bad things. You didn’t choose distrust and hate; you were forced into it. But distrust and hate are killing you. There is another way. Continue reading →

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How to Get Caught Up (1 Thess. 4:13-18)

Posted on August 6, 2023 by salooper57

Writers have used lots of ink and preachers have spoken millions of words to talk about “the rapture.” This is the passage behind all that teaching. Paul did not write this to satisfy people’s curiosity about what will happen in the future, but to encourage people in the present. Continue reading →

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