Sermon Podcast

Pastor Brent explains the central turning point in the book of Acts that opens the door to the gospel spreading “to the ends of the earth”. Peter enters the house of a Roman Centurion named Cornelius, showing that the gospel is for all people, and revealing that anyone who repents and believes can be in the family of God.

Pastor Brent shows us that gospel is good news for all who are proud and self-righteous. This passage describes the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee of Pharisees. He had sought to prove that he was worthy of God through earning and achieving a works-based piety, only to realize he also was empty and needed Christ.

Pastor Brent continues the account of Philip the evangelist who went into the province of Judea and met a wealthy government official from the ancient region of Ethiopia. This man from North Africa was on a desperate search for God and Philip shared the gospel with him as they intently studied the Scriptures together. This is an amazing account of personal evangelism, and an inspiration for all who are desperately searching.

Pastor Brent looks at the first time when the gospel spread beyond the walls of Jerusalem, fulfilling the next step in Jesus’ commission from Acts 1:8. This passage reveals that “the gospel must capture your heart.”

Guest speaker Mark Revell walks us through the story of Stephen, the first martyr of the church. Mark’s experience as a missionary and pastor helps provide insight into this dramatic account as we consider boldly witnessing about the gospel of Jesus Christ in our day.

Pastor Brent examines a new problem in the early church, something that has the potential to derail and destroy the brand new community of faith in Jerusalem: complaining and competition. There is a pattern of grumbling and murmuring in the Bible that is now redeemed as the early church addresses this potential division in a gospel-centered way.

Pastor Brent explains how this passage is an answer to the specific prayer from Acts 4 for boldness and for signs and wonders. This account is a powerful reminder that God is at work, He is the center of the story, and His purposes through the church to spread the gospel will not fail.

Pastor Brent shares about the importance of generosity, truth, and integrity in the church. These qualities flow from the gospel and are foundations of the church. This passages make it is clear that selfishness, lies, and deception are not welcome in the church of the living God. The gospel of Jesus Christ opens the opportunity for us to be open-handed with our material things, to be honest, and to have integrity. Freely we have received, freely we give. Freely we are forgiven, freely we have integrity to tell the truth.

Pastor Brent continues our series in the book of Acts. This passage emphasizes the authority and power of Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We see the phrase “in the name of Jesus” repeated: healed in Jesus’ name, faith in Jesus’ name, salvation in Jesus’ name, and mission in Jesus’ name.

Listen as Paul Arneberg brings a message for the first time at New Life! We learn about the pillars of devotion and fruits of devotion as the early Christ-followers begin meeting together immediately after Pentecost. Hear this encouraging message from Acts 2:42-47.

Are you thirsty for God? Pastor Brent teaches about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, focusing on Peter’s sermon about the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. The Spirit of God touched the hearts of thousands of people as they were called to repentance and faith.

Pastor Brent shows how the Song of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53 foreshadowed the great exchange that took place at the cross of Christ. Good Friday is when we remember that Jesus Christ died in our place, the perfect substitute and sacrifice, so that we could have peace with God.

Pastor Brent begins a new series in the book of Acts called “To the Ends of the Earth”. We will be studying the book of Acts for the next 6 months, seeing the launch of the church and the incredible ways the gospel spread throughout the world. This opening chapter is like a mission briefing as Jesus commissions his disciples to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Pastor Brent concludes our series on Biblical Church Leadership with a message on Deacons. Deacons serve the practical ministry needs of the church by organizing and mobilizing the Body of Christ to serve one another and achieve the mission God has called us to.

Pastor Brent explains the central role of Elders within the local church. Elders are called to humbly shepherd the church as they protect, feed, lead, and care for the flock of God. The leadership of a team of Elders is modeled after the self-giving model of leadership of Jesus Christ, the Chief Shepherd.

Throw-back Thursday! We go back to our Heaven is Coming series to hear the last message from Revelation 22. Here Pastor Brent describes the future reality of the new heavens and new earth. This glorious picture of centered on the personal presence of God himself as we live forever with him face-to-face as his redeemed people in a renewed creation. Original sermon from November 24, 2019.

Pastor Brent turns now to 1 Timothy to help us understand important priorities for local church ministry. Biblical church leadership must be centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul mentored Timothy to realize that false teachings, pride, lies, outward shows of piety, and a lack of personal integrity will undermine a gospel-centered church.

Throw-back Thursday! We go back to our Heaven is Coming series from 2019 to hear another message about the future hope of the new heavens and new earth from Revelation 21. This passage is foundational in our understanding about heaven, revealing how the Bible describes God’s redeemed people as the Bride of Christ. Original message from November 17, 2019.

Pastor Brent opens a new series called “Biblical Church Leadership” with a foundation-setting message from Colossians 1:1-23. A good theology of the church and church leadership must begin with this: Jesus Christ is the Head of the church! This sermon walks through Paul’s role as a leader, a right understanding of the gospel, and the supremacy of Jesus as the Head of the church.

Throw-back Thursday! Our series on heaven now comes to the climactic chapters of Revelation. Pastor Brent explains what the new heavens and new earth will be like, and reminds us of the truth of the gospel. Original sermon from November 10, 2019.

Pastor Brent presents the dramatic conclusion of the gospel of John! Here Jesus appears for the third time to his disciples. This event recalls the disciples’ original calling and Peter’s denial, and Jesus’ restoration of Peter sets the trajectory for the establishment of the early church. Join us as we learn from this incredible passage!

Throw-back Thursday! Pastor Brent dives into Revelation 20 to explain the judgment and how we get to heaven. We need to understand the severity of our sin, the inability to save ourselves, and the only hope we have through the righteousness of Christ. It is by grace, through faith, that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Original sermon from November 3, 2019.

Pastor Brent walks through the appearance of Jesus to his disciples and then to Thomas specifically. We see the experience of these early believers as they come to believe that Jesus rose from the dead. Yet for the church today, we are blessed even though we have not seen and yet we believe.

Throw-back Thursday again! Our passage for this week is Revelation 7 that describes the multitude of people who will be in heaven. Once again, the gospel is central! Pastor Brent helps us gain a better picture of what heaven will be like. Original sermon on October 27, 2019.

Throw-back Thursday! We now turn to the book of Revelation for the remainder of the Heaven is Coming series. Pastor Brent teaches on Revelation 4 and 5 to describe the throne room of heaven. This message will challenge you to see the unfolding plan of God through Jesus Christ. Original sermon from October 20, 2019.

Pastor Brent turns now to John 20 and the resurrection! This passage explains, in real time, the experience of the first eyewitnesses to Jesus’ resurrection. As the chapter unfolds, we see different reactions as Jesus’ disciples come to believe that he truly is risen.

Throw-back Thursday! We pick up the next sermon in our Heaven Is Coming series from 2019. Pastor Brent teaches on the exclusivity of Jesus Christ as the only way to heaven. We need to know that it is only through Christ’s work on our behalf that we can have any hope. We believe in salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Original sermon by October 6, 2019.

We have now come to the pinnacle moment of the Gospel of John. Everything Jesus has done and said has led to this moment, everything that was foreshadowed in the story of Israel and promised in the Old Testament prophets, everything in God’s plan for redemption hangs on this passage. Pastor Brent describes how Jesus is exalted as King and lifted up on a throne of glory to become the Savior of the world.

Pastor Brent works through the next part of Jesus’ trial, this time focusing on his confrontation with the powers of a worldly kingdom: the Roman governor Pilate. We see that Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world and his purpose is to testify to the truth about his sovereignty and saving work. This passage reveals the intensifying of the rejection of Jesus and the uniqueness authority of his kingship.

Pastor Brent begins a new section of the gospel of John: the passion narratives. Here Jesus is arrested and brought before the Jewish leaders. We see a contrast develop between Jesus and Peter, revealing the unique sovereign power of Jesus to save us.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas turns to another letter from the Apostle John in order to set the stage for a new year. The opening of 1 John 1:1-4 describes the importance of proclaiming Christ, knowing Christ, and having fellowship with Christ.

Throwback Thursday! Pastor Brent now focuses on the effects of the curse of sin and the longing for the redemption of all things. We live in a tension of spiritual rebirth while we await our resurrection bodies. The whole of creation will be transformed in the new heavens and new earth! Enjoy this message from September 29, 2019.

Throwback Thursday! Pastor Brent goes deeper to explain the resurrection body. What will our new bodies be like? What will our experience be like in the new heavens and new earth? Why is it important to contemplate the hope of a resurrection body? These questions and more in this message from September 22, 2019.

Another throw-back Thursday! Pastor Brent explains the doctrine of the resurrection, focusing on one of the central passages about our future hope for a resurrection body. What is the significance of the resurrection in the message of the gospel? Why is this such a foundational truth? Enjoy this message from September 15, 2019.

(November 5, 2023) Associate Pastor Steve Douglas opens up John 15 to walk through Jesus’ 7th and final “I Am” statement: I am the True Vine. This passage reveals our deepest need to abide in Christ as our source of life and our security day-by-day. As the Father prunes and as we draw our life from Christ, we will bring glory to the Father through a fruitful life centered in the gospel.

Pastor Brent shares a message from the end of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17. Here Jesus ends his prayer by praying for the coming generations of believers who will hear the message of the gospel. Jesus prays for unity that is founded on the substance of the gospel, flowing from the oneness of Father and Son, with the purpose of proclaiming the message of Christ to the world.

Throwback Thursday! We are starting something new. We will be posting sermons from previous series on Thursdays for fun! If you’re new at New Life, or if you’d like to be reminded of our past sermons, take time to listen to the ways the Lord has taught us throughout the years. Our first series: “Heaven is Coming” from fall 2019. This series introduces a biblical vision of heaven and dispels some misconceptions about the new heavens and new earth. Enjoy! (original sermon from September 8, 2019)

We continue in Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer as Jesus prays for his disciples who will be sent into the world to be witnesses of the gospel. He prays that the Father would protect them and sanctify them as they embark on this mission, rather than remove them from the difficulties to come. This is a source of joy!

It is the first Sunday of Advent and we will be focusing on Jesus' High Priestly Prayer from John 17 leading up to Christmas. Pastor Brent unfolds the opening of this prayer, helping us see the splendor of God displayed in Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.

Pastor Brent walks through Jesus’ final words to his disciples before he goes to the cross. He says that they will have troubles in this world, but that he has overcome. This passage develops a series of contrasts that illuminate the tension we can feel when we encounter struggles and yet trust in Jesus Christ, the Overcomer.

Pastor Brent dives into a passage that focuses on the work of the Holy Spirit. The disciples are confused and worried as Jesus tells them that he is going to be with the Father after the cross and resurrection. In this passage we learn a critical truth about the Christian life: We are not alone because we have the personal presence of God indwelling in us: The Holy Spirit. He will testify about Jesus, convict the world of sin, and guide Christ’s followers.

Pastor Brent continues our series through the Gospel of John. This Sunday we explore this question: What are your expectations as a Christian? Jesus challenges his disciples’ expectations about what life will be like as one of his followers. On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus encourages his disciples about what it will be like to encounter persecution.

Pastor Brent wraps up our vision series by diving into Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Jesus is describing our witness in the world using powerful metaphors that communicate our role as ambassadors of the gospel. We need to live by the values of the Kingdom of God as a prophetic contrast to this decaying and dark world.

Who are we living for? Whose kingdom are we trying to build? Pastor Brent looks at the parable of the talents to show how God has entrusted us with all kinds of skills, relationships, time, money, and ultimately the message of the gospel!. While we wait for his return, he has sovereignly commissioned us for such a time as this to boldly bear witness to the good news of his cross and resurrection in our community.

Pastor Brent opens a short sermon series on our church’s core values: Welcoming, Transforming, Sending. These three markers of our church are truly centered on the gospel. We begin this week by examining the biblical foundation for why we are a welcoming church where there is a distinct sense of family and commitment to each other. This stems from the gospel: We are sinners saved by grace, we have received a gift, and we have been welcomed into God’s household. Therefore, we extend the same grace for each other and open our lives to follow Christ together.

Pastor Brent circles back to John 14 in order to explain the beautiful truth of the Trinity from this text. John 14 reveals to us the distinct trinitarian shape of the gospel, it unfolds the truth that God is three-in-one, and it invites us to find our hope and joy in the Triune God. In other words, the Trinity is good news!

Pastor Brent opens up the rest of John 14 to help us see our desperate need for the personal presence of God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus promises to send the Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, who will help us and dwell in us so that we can walk in joyful obedience to Christ. We are called to costly love and full devotion to the Lord, and we need the Holy Spirit to empower us and come to our defense when we fail.

Pastor Brent discusses the exclusive truth claims of Christianity centered on the words of Jesus that he is the only way to God. Our culture asserts relative truth and promotes tolerance of everyone’s personal version of what is right and good. Yet because of the uniqueness of who Jesus is, he must be the exclusive way to God. He is the way and the truth and the life. Every single person must be confronted with this reality.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas continues in the account of the Last Supper in John 13. Here we see Jesus’ authority and power as he willingly goes to the cross. It is clear that Jesus is in complete control of the situation. He knows Judas is going to betray him and he knows that Peter will deny him. Yet he uses this opportunity to give the command to his disciples to love one another.

We are back in the Gospel of John! Pastor Brent opens up John 13 to jump back into our series called “Full of Grace and Truth.” This passage is the start of Jesus’ farewell discourse, revealing his motivation for going to the cross, his purpose for going to the cross, and his expectation of his followers in light of the cross.

Pastor Brent walks through a gospel-centered approach to government and politics. How can we be kingdom-minded in public life, remembering that our citizenship is in heaven? We explore a biblical posture toward government (1 Peter 2:11-17), the biblical purpose of government (Romans 13:1-7), and a proper biblical perspective on government (Acts 4:1-22).

Pastor Brent tackles a unique and challenging topic. Why do we have bodies? What are they for? Are we primarily a soul who temporarily inhabits a body? Or is there a deeper design and purpose for being embodied image-bearers? We explore these issues and learn that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit. There is good news in the gospel of Jesus Christ for our whole selves, body and soul.

Pastor Brent shows how the biblical story reveals God’s design for marriage and family. Starting with the created order in Genesis 1-2, moving through the distortion of sin in Genesis 3, and then culminating in the redemption of the curse of sin in marriage in Ephesians 5, this message explains how marriage is a living illustration of the gospel and a signpost to the union of Christ and his Bride, the church.

Guest preacher Pastor Matt Brant from Prairie Hill EFC in Eden Prairie joins us to talk about another important issue in the Christian life: conflict and forgiveness. In this passage in Matthew 18 Jesus reveals the pattern of how the church is to handle conflict, and then Jesus explains what generous forgiveness looks like in light of the gospel as he tells a striking parable about an unforgiving servant.

Pastor Brent tackles the whole book of Jude in order to see how the early church was inspired to “contend for the faith” in an age of compromise. Many scholars call Jude the “most neglected book of the New Testament” and yet this letter is strikingly prophetic for our world today.

Pastor Brent addresses an important topic: suffering. How do we understand suffering biblically? Why does God allow his people to go through difficult times? What does gospel-centered perseverance look like? This message on suffering will help Christians understand God’s grander purposes in the midst of our pain.

Pastor Brent teaches about another foundational things for Christians: worship and generosity. What is a life of worship? How do we view our lives, our resources, and our purpose? What does it mean to cultivate a culture of generosity? In light of the gospel and God’s generous and costly love toward us, we reflect his glory by living generously toward God’s kingdom purposes in this world.

Pastor Brent turns now to the second half of our Summer Seminars series to talk about having a biblical perspective on important issues that we face today. The first topic is how we think about “work and fruitfulness” in light of God’s original design in Genesis 1 and in light of our redemption in the gospel in Ephesians 2. This is a paradigm shifting message that will change our perspective on our purpose as God’s image bearers.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas now digs into the transformational ministry of the church. In light of the gospel, we put off the old self and put on the new self created to be like Christ. Colossians 3 challenges us to live in a totally different way under the Lordship of Jesus.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas dives into the design and mission of the church. The Scriptures reveal how churches should be led by elders and deacons, and Jesus proclaimed the grand mission of the church to make disciples of all nations.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas opens up the book of Ephesians to answer the foundational question: What is the Church? This passage grounds us in the gospel, explains the grand purpose of God to make a new Family of God, and helps us see the goal of growing the love of Christ that surpasses understanding.

Pastor Brent walks through the Sermon on the Mount to see what Jesus desires for our spiritual growth. This important teaching concludes with a challenge to all: either you are on the narrow path that bears good fruit and knows Jesus and is built on the solid rock of his teaching, or you are on the wide path that bears bad fruit and doesn’t know Jesus and is built on the shifting sands of the alternative saviors and gospels of this world. The way you can tell the difference: when the storm comes!

Our theology must be cross-centered and cross-shaped. Pastor Brent explains how we can think theologically, he defines some key terms about theology, and then walks through the book of Galatians to illustrate how we can apply the gospel. “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal. 6:14).

Pastor Brent guides us through a foundational passage about the doctrine of scripture. We cover important issues like inerrancy, inspiration, and the purpose of scripture. Our passage shows how Paul encourages his young protege Timothy to stand firm in the truth of the Bible in tumultuous times. Listen and learn about the sufficiency, clarity, authority, and necessity of scripture.

Pastor Brent answers the fundamental question of the Christian faith: What is the Gospel? In this message we zoom in on Romans 3 to understand the biblical concept of justification by faith. This is the bedrock truth about how we are saved, that we are sinners saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.

Week one of a new series called “Summer Seminars: Foundations of Faith”. Pastor Brent opens this new series with a message from Hebrews 1:1-4 that sets the stage for our understanding of the grand story of the Bible. This series will answer important questions like What Is The Gospel, What Is Theology, What Is The Church, and What Is Spiritual Growth. We will also address how we can have a biblical perspective on current issues in life such as work and fruitfulness, worship and generosity, suffering and perseverance, conflict and forgiveness, worldview and culture, marriage and family, embodiment, and civic engagement.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas helps us understand the dividing line of belief and unbelief. Jesus is one with the Father, sent by Him, and always speaking God’s words and doing God’s work. Some will not believe. How can we search our hearts about whether we trust in Jesus and believe that everlasting life is only found in Him? Jesus’ word in John 12 penetrate the hardness of our hearts and bring us to humble repentance and faith.

Pastor Brent discusses how Jesus’ death on the cross was his exaltation! His faithfulness to die opened the way for our redemption, and Jesus calls us to walk in faithfulness as we die to self. This passage reveals the agony of the cross and encourages us when we face difficulties in this life.

Pastor Brent walks us through Jesus' coronation as King. The humble anointing of Jesus and triumphal procession into Jerusalem reveal the very heart of God. We see the goodness of Jesus that welcomes us to come to him.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas helps us understand why so many people were divided about Jesus. In this pivotal passage, we see the High Priest speaking better than he knew. The showdown is on the horizon between Jesus and the religious leaders, and we need to check our own expectations about Jesus.

Easter Sunday! Pastor Brent walks us through the account of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, an event that foreshadowed his own death and resurrection where Jesus defeated death itself! This account is a preview of the coming attraction, a living parable of the future hope we have in the resurrection at the Last Day.

Pastor Brent launches back into our series in the Gospel of John to look at a passage about the extraordinary claims of Jesus. The most important question we could possibly be confronted with is this: How will you respond to the words and works of Jesus? In order to truly understand this question, we need to grasp with the “perception of our heart” that Jesus is God’s Son.

Vision Sunday! Pastor Brent wraps up our mini-series on the Greatest Commandment by helping us understand how we are transformed through the gospel to embody a whole-life discipleship. This message focuses on how Babylon will try to bend you into its shape, whereas the gospel will transform you into the likeness of Christ.

Pastor Brent digs into an important passage that keeps our focus on the cross of Christ, and reminds us that the inner conviction of the truth of the gospel comes from the work of the Holy Spirit. We are called to love God with all our intellect, to take every thought captive to Christ, and to surrender to the fact that there is objective eternal truth.

Associate Pastor Steve Douglas takes the second installment of our series “Disciple-by-Doing” in which we are learning how to love God with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength. This series will set the foundation for our church’s disciple-making vision. This week’s topic explores how the gospel of Jesus Christ redefines our identity as children of God.

Listen to Pastor Brent’s sermon from March 5, 2023 in our series called Disciple-by-Doing. We are starting this four-part series with a look at the Greatest Commandment in order to envision a whole-life, whole-hearted discipleship that begins with loving God supremely. This series will help us learn how to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.