Text Messages

Text Messages focus on the backstory of the upcoming text for this Sunday’s sermon. Provided by our pastors, these messages will give some background on that section of scripture text and give a few hints about where the sermon might be going. We hope you find these Text Messages helpful!

Sunday, June 15, 2025

MESSAGE SERIES:
“Alive Together: Living Our Vision”

MESSAGE THEME:
“Known by the Father, Son and Holy Spirit”

TEXT(S):
Romans 5:1–5

Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

John 16:12–15

[Jesus said], “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

REFLECTION:
From Pastor Chris Enstad

Jesus promises his disciples—and us—that the Spirit will continue to guide us, even when we can’t see the way ahead. Paul reminds us that this same Spirit sustains us in suffering and grows in us a hope that does not disappoint. We live not alone, but accompanied. Not aimlessly, but with purpose. And not in despair, but in Spirit-filled hope.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:

• Where do you most need the Spirit’s guidance today?
• What recent experience has helped grow endurance or character in you?
• How have you seen hope emerge, even in challenging situations?

PRAYER:
Spirit of truth, guide us into the wisdom we need for this day. When we struggle, sustain us. When we fear, comfort us. And when we feel lost, remind us that we belong to you—known, loved and never alone. Amen.