Whispering Pines Church

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

The goal of Women’s Bean Project is Supporting and Inspiring women through Social Enterprise. The Women’s Bean Project provides job training and employment to women facing significant barriers to work, selling high-quality food products made by these women to support their mission. Women’s Bean Project is a nonprofit social enterprise. We have a food manufacturing business tied directly to our transitional employment program. One cannot exist without the other. We believe all women have the power to transform their lives through employment. So we hire women who are chronically unemployed and we teach them to work making nourishing products that we sell across the U.S. Through their work at Women’s Bean Project, women learn to stand tall, find their purpose and break the cycle of poverty. Because when you change a woman’s life, you change her family’s life. VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.womensbeanproject.com/stories/

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

This week, in our new study of the Parables of Jesus, we turn to Luke’s gospel to find our next pair of parables. Where Jesus asks of us some deep questions on the issue of importance. How important are you? How much does that matter to you? On several occasions, the Son of God, Himself, was “accused” of being a friend of sinners. For the religious leaders of the time, this label was considered a disgrace. Yet, the designation was well-deserved. Jesus was a friend of sinners. How we think of ourselves will often determine the sort of company we keep. Jesus embodied hope for a hopeless world. Who are we? What purpose do we have? Whose company do we keep? Join us as we explore the stories of Jesus! -Pastor Nate Roschen

This week we launch our new sermon series on the parables of Jesus. In the gospels are recorded 46 parables that Jesus told to His disciples and anyone who was there to listen. He most likely told many more. This is how He communicated much of the truth that He came to share with the world. These parables were spoken to the ordinary, using everyday situations that anyone could understand. Jesus shared them along the highways and byways of life. He told stories that surprised, with unexpected heroes and villains. He told of characters that defied expectations. Masters and fathers that surprised Jesus’ listeners with their mercy or wisdom. Jesus was throwing these stories down alongside their everyday lives as they traveled the road together. His audience had no idea what they were in for. Because like little time bombs, these stories would ruminate in their minds. Unexpectedly, they realized who they were in the story. They came to understand that the story was for them, confronting them, challenging the

Join us this Mother’s Day as we celebrate mothers! As a community of believers, we are so grateful for the mothers in our lives who have led a life of faith, inspired us, motivated us, and have demonstrated passionate loving kindness to each of us. Join us as we pause to acknowledge and appreciate mothers in our community! This week we will also be wrapping up our journey through the book of Romans, which will tie in very nicely with our Mother’s Day celebration! Romans 16 is a collection of Paul’s final greetings to individuals in the Roman church that he has known. Paul commends Phoebe to the Roman church as the messenger of the letter and a benefactor of Paul (16:2). Paul uses this chapter as an opportunity to show connections that he has with Christians in Rome as a way to gain credibility. Of the 28 names that Paul mentions, 10 are women. This fact should change the way that modern readers understand the impact, role, and place of women in the early church. Paul closes his letter by speaking again of t

In Romans 15, Paul concludes his commands for the weak and the strong in the Roman church. Paul urges us to be inclusive and to edify one another with our actions. He strengthens his argument by appealing to the attitude of Christ. The Christians of Rome could not glorify or love God without finding unity and love for one another. Paul refers again to the promises made to the patriarchs, connecting to Romans 4. Paul also connects back to Romans 5 by encouraging the Christians in Rome with the hope given to them by God. Paul says that God has given him the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel to the Gentiles, bringing them into an acceptable standing before God, sanctified by the Spirit. Paul then expresses his hopeful desire to visit the church in Rome. Join us this Sunday as we continue to apply this letter to our lives! – Pastor Nate Roschen

Romans 14 begins the longest single discourse in all of the Pauline letters. It is Paul’s final instruction to the Roman church. Here Paul speaks of the weak and the strong. Paul identifies himself among the “strong”, which means that the “strong” are not exclusively Gentile believers. Paul is being subtle in his language as a way to encourage both the weak and strong to welcome each other without identifying them by their ethnicity. In this way, he undermines the hierarchy shrewdly. The strong are to welcome and keep from quarreling with the weak, making sure to keep them from stumbling. Paul calls on the strong to sacrifice more than the weak. The Jews and Gentiles glorify God with what they do and are received by God with equal mercy. Neither the weak nor the strong are to be prideful or feel superior because of their beliefs. Their acceptance is to flow from the hope they have found in God. Join us this Sunday as we continue to apply this letter to our lives! – Pastor Nate Roschen