Whispering Pines Church

As human beings we are often drawn to formulas. What is the best recipe for a good chili? What is the formula for the perfect day off? What is the best way to raise a child? How many books have been sold: recipe books, self-help books, etc. that are meant to teach us these formulas? But life is often more complex than that. There is not often one formula that will solve the problem for us. And the same thing is true of the church. There is no one, singular, formula. Every church needs to navigate their given cultural context. You can’t copy and paste a church model that works in one geographic area to another and expect the same results. This is part of why Paul writes his epistles uniquely each time. Different churches have had different struggles, and different gifts. But at the end of Philippians chapter 2, we find some guidance that is useful anywhere and everywhere. Paul wants the church to “shine…like stars in the sky.” Join us this week as we explore both the “how” and the “why” of this encouragemen

This week, in one of the most familiar passages of the book of Philippians, Paul makes a further plea for the Christians of Philippi to concern themselves with their witness to the world. The beginning of Philippians two is one of the strongest arguments for humility and a gospel-centered life found within Scripture, and this week we’ll dive into the context of this passage. Paul does not base his plea on a good business strategy or the latest research. He bases his ask on the person of Jesus Christ. This might sound like a big commitment, an impossible task… But if our target must be Christ. As Christians we commit ourselves to follow after Christ, not Paul or Apollos, or any other human figure. Join us as we examine Paul’s words here, and apply them to our lives. -Pastor Nate Roschen

This week, as we move beyond Paul’s introduction to the Philippians, we come to the main portion of his letter. The first century, while certainly different from our own time, left Christians facing many of the same challenges that we do today. There were so many potential battles to be fought, causes to stand for or against, issues to be raised among people who genuinely wanted to follow Christ as nearly as they could. But for Paul, as we’ll see, it was all about witness. Everything was an opportunity. Every challenge was another chance for the Christian to respond in such a way that Christ would be made known. The important thing was to ensure that “In every way… Christ is preached”! Join us this Sunday as we explore this letter together! -Pastor Nate Roschen

This week we begin our new study of Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. We will spend some time this week digging into the historical context of this letter. Why was it written? What was happening in Philippi at the time? What we’ll find is a thoughtful and caring letter sent to a church that was suffering - from an author who was also going through his own struggles. This week, as we explore the context and introduction to this letter, we’ll be encouraged by an early church that seemed to emphasize the right things, put their faith in action, and found joy even in the midst of the suffering they were experiencing. The message of Philippians is needed today. You and I need to be reminded to hold fast to the gospel – and embody it! Join us this Sunday as we journey through this letter together! -Pastor Nate Roschen

What is it that Jesus is inviting you to not lose heart over in your life, as you trust God for His timing, especially in anticipation of His return? Join us as we explore Jesus' words to us from Luke 18:1-8 this Sunday. - Barry Vegter

What does it look like to trust God? Is it just saying the words? I believe that one of the complicating factors to the act of trusting in God is that we hear of it so often, ourselves declare it so often, that we can believe it is actually happening when little evidence exists that it actually is. To trust God is a holistic act. It would be foolish to say that one entrusts God with their soul, but not their finances. But as ridiculous as that sounds, is it not commonplace? In Luke 12, Jesus speaks out against greed and arrogance concerning the future with a very direct parable. What is so compelling here is that we find our own words, the way we speak so freely about life – coming out of the mouth of Jesus. He cuts us to the quick. He takes us to task. We live with an arrogance about tomorrow. Our trust in God must become more holistic, more vibrant, more honest about the concerns of our lives. Join us this Sunday as we look into this final parable. – Pastor Nate Roschen

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This week we turn to the only parable ever offered by Jesus that names any of its characters. We find in Luke 16, a named beggar – poor and desperate, and an unnamed (and therefore representative) rich man. This story is interesting, even captivating as Jesus does not tell another story quite like this one. This parable has been used to draw conclusions about the afterlife, and salvation itself. But as we’ll see, this parable mostly has things to tell us about God and what He desires. So, what is this parable about? It defines compassion. It tells us what compassion ought to look like and indeed, feel like. Our God is a God of compassion, and as we see His heart, and remember what He has done, we will grow hearts of compassion as naturally as a plant growing new leaves. Join us this Sunday as we reflect on and remember our God of compassion! -Pastor Nate Roschen

The three main points of the sermon are: 1. This promise applies to believers in Christ, those that have trusted in His redemptive act on the cross, that rely on His sacrifice to pay for their sins. 2. This promise is fully available to those of us that meet the conditions of the first point, to those of us that are believers. 3. We willingly give up this promise on a regular basis. The basic premise is that Abundant Life looks like Galatians 5:22-25 and that we allow ourselves to be robbed of Abundant Life when we allow Galatians 5:19-21 to rob us of it. Benediction from Deuteronomy 30:11-20

Most things have a cost to them – burgers, gym memberships, a new car. We know that salvation does not have a price tag attached to it. Romans 6:23 tells us that eternal life with Jesus Christ is “the gift of God.” But what is the cost, is there a cost, to follow Christ? What should our expectations be? In Luke 14 – placed thoughtfully between a number of other parables that tell us of God’s kindness and compassion, is a section about the cost of discipleship. It’s here that we find two parables where Jesus is upfront with His disciples about the cost that comes with following His way. Join us this Sunday as we gather around these words of Christ, and appreciate together Jesus’ willingness to share what is required for those who choose to follow after Him. -Pastor Nate Roschen

If you’ve ever been to the zoo, then you’ve probably met a strange creature that I would call a “mopey zoo lion.” Mopey zoo lions are strange creatures because they are at the same time, the king of the jungle and a lazy and disinterested creature - an animal having an existential crisis. Mopey Zoo Lion Christianity ™ - a term I’m attempting to coin and get into widespread use, is a very real concern – so concerning that Christ addressed it 2,000 years ago. The parable we’ll be looking at this week, is called the parable of the shrewd manager. It is one of the most perplexing stories that Jesus ever tells – at least at first glance. But Jesus was concerned about His followers slipping into a sort of mopey zoo lion existence. Instead of being shrewd, cunning, and wise stewards – there is a real danger that followers of Christ can spend their time in complacency, sitting on fences, leading a lackadaisical life of “faith.” Join us this week as we look at what is perhaps Jesus’ most perplexing parable that is me

Have you ever wondered why Jesus does what He does? Join us this Sunday as we explore the common thread in all that Jesus does. Jesus’ intention in acts of kindness, in forgiveness, in his confrontations with various people, always seems to be the same. Come and join us as we look at passages from John 8, Luke 9, and Luke 19 to see the heart of Jesus and what it was that consistently led him to be “moved with compassion” toward people. This Sunday is Community Sunday, so please remember to reach out to someone that would benefit from being a part of our community, sharing in Christian fellowship, and learning about the heart of Jesus. -Pastor Nate Roschen

This week we turn to another parable that at first glance seems to be a critique of you and I. In the parable of the workers in the vineyard, we find a grumbling and complaining workforce – representing us. They are upset about what is in their view, unfair treatment of the workers. Like the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son, they feel slighted – they’ve been working hard all day and deserve certain things from the landowner. But the main thrust of this passage is not our attitudes or our doing. The main point is about the landowner. Who is He? What is He like? What does He value most? When we learn the true heart of the landowner, we’ll understand why He does what seems at first glance to be unfair. Join us this Sunday as we take a look at one of my favorite parables! -Pastor Nate Roschen

Many of Jesus’ parables are spoken out in the open air, to whatever crowd happened to be gathered there. This week’s parables are the first ones recorded of Jesus speaking only to His disciples, in a home. These two short parables are beautiful for their simplicity, but also because they teach us so clearly and directly about what we can expect from God. Far from a transactional, workplace-like relationship with a cosmic employer, God is presented here as a joy to find. A treasure that once discovered, changes everything. Join us this Sunday as we shift the paradigm, and remember anew what we have found in Christ! -Pastor Nate Roschen

This week we turn to one of the last parables that Jesus ever offers to us. When we think of the parable of the talents from Matthew chapter 25, we typically think that it is a parable about how we ought to do more – for God and for others. And while this parable is certainly about being productive rather than miserly or unambitious, it is about so much more! This parable teaches us that what will determine what sort of servant we are (and we are all servants to something or someone) – is not necessarily our own ability, talent, or ambition. It actually has far more to do with how we perceive our master. Join us as Jesus teaches us about who God is, and how we are to relate to Him. -Pastor Nate Roschen

A couple of weeks ago we looked at Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son. This is one of the most well-known and dearly loved parables of Jesus because it reminds us of the love of God the Father. The Father is so loving, so quick to forgive, and we cherish this about our God. This week, we finish this parable, because the story doesn’t end with the return of the younger son. In fact, the main point of this parable is not the younger son, but the older son. We know this because of who Jesus is directing this parable to – Pharisees who lived and operated as the older son does in this parable. Here, Jesus confronts our arrogance, and questions our motivations. Join us as we explore the parable of the lost sons! -Pastor Nate Roschen

This Sunday, we’ll be looking at three parables that put on display the nature of God. These stories of Jesus fly in the face of what our world typically has to say about God. In these stories we see a God who is searching, looking, desperate to find that which has been lost. You may not see God in the way that He is described in these parables. Our God is missional! He is on the move. And nothing will stop Him from pursuing what has been lost. Join us this Sunday as we continue to align our vision of God with the God who actually is. Come and see that our God is missional! -Pastor Nate Roschen

Our good and gracious God has given us everything. Our time on this earth, our abilities and gifts, and our finances, are all gifts from God. God expects us to be good stewards of the resources he provides for us. Our image we project as a Christian is a reflection of our stewardship. Join us this Sunday to explore what good stewardship looks like and how it is an act of faith. -Elder Jason Moat

One interesting thing to note as we make our way through the parables of Jesus, is that some of His parables will trouble us more than others. You and I may be troubled by different parables. This week we turn to a parable that may be troubling for some – may raise issues that need to be addressed. The Parable of the Sower is one of Jesus’ more well-known parables, but I’m not convinced that it is always well-understood. This story gets into the messy idea of human beings receiving the gospel – as seeds fall upon various types of soil. But what is the point of this parable? What instruction do we gain from it? Join us as we explore the original intention of this parable, and what instruction it has for us today. -Pastor Nate Roschen

“And who is my neighbor?” What does that question mean to you? It’s a question about limits. “How far outside of my bubble must I venture?” “How far am I required to go?” Jesus responds with one of His most famous parables. It’s a parable so-well known that it is well-received and shared far beyond Christian circles – the parable of the Good Samaritan. In order to grasp the weight of this story, we will need to do a deep-dive into the historical background presented here – and we will. But for now, know that through the use of this story, Jesus is going to expand our ideas of hospitality and being neighborly. In fact, He will ask us a far better question than, “And who is my neighbor?” Come and join us as we grapple with Jesus’ instruction! -Pastor Nate Roschen