by Derek Fekkes | Feb 18, 2025 | Uncategorized
We have been introducing a “new” hymn, “I Asked the Lord That I Might Grow.” These lyrics were written by John Newton, author of Amazing Grace, in 1779. You may have found yourself a bit taken aback by some of the phrases of this hymn, so I wanted to give a little...
by Derek Fekkes | Feb 12, 2025 | Uncategorized
This past Sunday, we began Ephesians 4, which transitions from the proclamations of God’s grace and glory in chapters 1-3 to the ethical and moral commands for the church of chapters 4-6. It begins: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner...
by Derek Fekkes | Jan 29, 2025 | Uncategorized
This past week in our Roots 101 class, we discussed the doctrine and beliefs of Roots Church. Part of what we cover in this session are the Doctrines of Grace, aka Calvinism or Reformed Theology. It is always a challenge trying to sufficiently explain these doctrines...
by Derek Fekkes | Jan 9, 2025 | Uncategorized
This past Sunday we jumped into a new section of Ephesians, as Nate preached on Ephesians 2:11-18. This section (which we’ll continue in this coming Sunday) deals with the relations of Jews and non-Jews (known as Gentiles) and how those relations are transformed in...
by Derek Fekkes | Dec 11, 2024 | Uncategorized
John Mark Comer is one of the most widely-read Christian authors currently, if not THE most widely read. While formerly a pastor in Portland, OR, he now seems to be focusing primarily on his writing. I have only read one of his books, Practicing the Way, but this book...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 30, 2024 | Uncategorized
There is, understandably, lots of conversations about politics happening right now. At work, around the dinner table, at gatherings and parties, online, and in the news. But what about in the church? Should political conversations within the church be any different?...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 23, 2024 | Uncategorized
We spent Sunday looking at the doctrine of election, or predestination. We did this because the word and doctrine come up at least three times in Ephesians 1, which we are going through. The focus of our Sunday morning sermons is to hear and give ourselves to God’s...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 17, 2024 | Uncategorized
Sunday morning sermons are focused on looking at and unpacking God’s word, which is entirely true and trustworthy, and so I try to keep quotes from other sources at a minimum. But there are a number of statements on God’s providence from pastors and...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 16, 2024 | Uncategorized
We dove in to the deep end of God’s providence on Sunday, considering what Scripture has to say about this massive and important and practical doctrine. One of the things that is clear is that Scripture does not present God’s overarching providence as a doctrine to...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 7, 2024 | Uncategorized
I have said on numerous occasions that there is a huge need for solid, Christian counselors. For individuals trained to address specific areas of the human condition, who are grounded in and led by God’s word and Spirit as the ultimate cure. At the same time, I am...
