by Derek Fekkes | Apr 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
We sing a lot of hymns at Roots. Old hymns. New hymns. Old hymns put to new music. Joyful hymns. Lament hymns. (We also sing many songs that are not in the typical hymn form.) And we do this for a reason. Matt Redman wrote a (non-hymn) worship song titled...
by Derek Fekkes | Mar 18, 2019 | Uncategorized
Dear refuge of my weary soul, on Thee, when sorrows rise, On Thee, when waves of trouble roll, my fainting hope relies. (Lyrics by Anne Steele) Sometimes we have the impression that life as a Christian ought to be full of joy, peace, and contentment, and that...
by Derek Fekkes | Feb 11, 2019 | Uncategorized
You’ve likely heard Jesus’ statements known as The Beatitudes: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth…. Blessed are those...
by Derek Fekkes | Jan 21, 2019 | Uncategorized
This past Sunday we attempted to grasp a biblical view of love. In that, we worked through some of the insufficient views of love in our culture. But the truth is, there are also insufficient views of love in the church, and these are often more subtle, and thus more...
by Derek Fekkes | Dec 31, 2018 | Uncategorized
If I had the opportunity to plead with you to make one resolution this new year, it would be that if you’re not already in a healthy church, find one and commit to it. I can’t think of a life change that offers more significant and more lasting benefits. So let me...
by Derek Fekkes | Dec 27, 2018 | Uncategorized
If you attended a church service on Christmas Eve, you likely heard John 1:14, which begins, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” And if you heard a sermon on this verse, you likely learned that John is referring to Jesus as “The Word.” In doing so, John is...
by Derek Fekkes | Dec 18, 2018 | Uncategorized
A couple of Sundays ago, we looked at 1 Peter 1:6-8, where God, through Peter, calls us to view our suffering and trials in a radically different way than we are accustomed: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 29, 2018 | Uncategorized
There are three convictions that largely guide me in life and ministry: God is to be greatly feared. As in, he should be the weightiest and most significant thing in our lives. God is to be greatly enjoyed. As in, life’s greatest and most-lasting joys and satisfaction...
by Derek Fekkes | Oct 25, 2018 | Uncategorized
I’ve been reflecting on evil a lot lately. Let me explain. A few weeks ago, our sermon text forced us to consider the death penalty. Without commenting here on what the Bible has to say about capital punishment, I recognize in myself some natural opposition to the...
by Derek Fekkes | Jul 23, 2018 | Uncategorized
As we’ve been going through our sermon series on evangelism, I have been considering more often than normal how a non-believer would feel in our Sunday gatherings. I’m aware that talking about evangelism might present an awkward situation for a non-believer to sit in...
