Derwood Alliance Church

In this sermon, Pastor Mark addresses the topic of suffering as part of the "Follow and Formed" series. He begins by acknowledging that pain and hardship are inevitable in life, and the crucial question is how we respond to it. Trinkl introduces the concept of trauma and its impact on our maturity, explaining five stages of growth that can be stunted by painful experiences.The pastor emphasizes the importance of inviting God into our suffering rather than avoiding or suppressing it. He references Romans 5:3-4, highlighting how trials can develop endurance, character, and hope. Trinkl encourages listeners to name their pain, feel it, and allow God to work within it. He also discusses how our healed pain can become a source of comfort for others, as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. The sermon concludes with the idea that while suffering is not inherently good, God can redeem it for His purposes and use it to impact others positively.#suffering #trauma #healing #followandformed #discipleship #jesus #p

In this sermon discussion, Pastors Mark and Devin delve into the concept of spiritual practices or disciplines as essential tools for following Jesus and becoming more like Him. They outline nine classical practices: Sabbath, prayer, solitude, fasting, scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness. The pastors emphasize that these practices are not legalistic rules or only for "professional Christians," but rather blessings from God intended for all believers to intentionally shape their spiritual formation.Mark and Devin highlight how these practices counteract what Richard Foster calls the enemy's tools of "noise, hurry, and crowds." For example, Sabbath counters hurry by providing time for rest, worship, and delight. Prayer and solitude combat noise by creating space for connection with God and self-reflection. The pastors stress the importance of disconnecting from distractions, particularly technology, to fully engage in these practices.They also discuss the challenges o

In this sermon, Pastor Devin Calhoun explores the concept of spiritual practices or disciplines as intentional shaping forces in our lives. He introduces nine classical practices: Sabbath, prayer, solitude, fasting, scripture, community, generosity, service, and witness. Calhoun emphasizes that these practices are not measures of spiritual maturity or ways to earn God's grace, but rather means for the Holy Spirit to transform us to be more like Jesus. The pastor then focuses on three practices - Sabbath, prayer, and solitude - as ways to counteract the unintentional shaping forces of hurry, noise, and crowds in our modern world. He explains how Sabbath provides rest and worship, prayer offers intimacy with God and relief from anxiety, and solitude allows for undistracted time with God. Throughout the sermon, Calhoun uses personal anecdotes and Biblical references to illustrate his points, such as Jesus' example of prayer in Gethsemane (Mark 14). Calhoun concludes by encouraging the congregation to i

In this episode, Mark & Devin expand on the concept of intentional shaping forces that can help form us more into the image of Jesus. He identifies six key areas based on, "Practicing the Way," by John Mark Comer:1. Teaching and Scripture: Immersing ourselves daily in God's Word to renew our minds.2. Spiritual Practices: Engaging in disciplines like prayer, generosity, Sabbath, and fasting to counteract cultural forces.3. Christian Community: Surrounding ourselves with fellow believers for support and encouragement.4. The Holy Spirit: Inviting God's presence into every area of our lives for internal transformation.5. Time: Using our days intentionally to become more like Jesus.6. Suffering: Allowing hardships to refine us rather than define us.It is emphasized that these practices are not about legalism or earning God's favor, but about developing a deeper relationship with Jesus. Listeners are encouraged to start by reading Scripture daily as a way to shape their lives around God

In this sermon, Pastor Mark delves into the topic of intentional living and spiritual formation, drawing from John Mark Comer's book "Practicing the Way." He begins by reminding the congregation that everyone is being formed into a certain type of person, whether intentionally or unintentionally. As followers of Jesus, we are meant to have our lives formed and centered around Him.The pastor outlines six shaping forces in our lives: habits, relationships, stories, environment, experiences, and time. He then challenges listeners to become more intentional about who they are becoming. Using Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), he emphasizes the importance of not just hearing, but practicing what we learn.Pastor Mark presents six ways to counter-form our lives around Jesus: teaching and scripture, spiritual practices, community, the Holy Spirit, time, and dealing with suffering. He particularly emphasizes the work of the Holy Spirit in producing fruit in our lives (Gala

In this episode, Mark & Devin delve into the concept of spiritual formation, focusing on the difference between being conformed to the world and being transformed by God. They reference Romans 12:1-2, which states, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Mark emphasizes that everyone is being formed by different forces in their lives, whether they realize it or not. He discusses six main factors that shape us unintentionally: habits, relationships, stories we believe, environments, experiences, and time. The podcast episode encourages listeners to be aware of these influences and to intentionally seek transformation through renewing their minds and offering themselves as "living sacrifices" to God (Romans 12:1).The importance of being intentional about our spiritual formation is stressed, highlighting practices such as spending time with Jesus, engaging with Scripture, and surrounding ourselves with positive influences. He also to

In this sermon, Mark Trinkl delves into the idea of spiritual formation, highlighting that everyone is being formed by their past, present, and future. He uses Romans 12:1-2 as a foundation, which says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Mark explains that we have all been shaped by our personal history and the world around us, often unconsciously.Six key areas that form our lives are discussed: habits, relationships, stories we believe, environment, experiences, and time. He encourages listeners to bring these formative factors "above the waterline" and become aware of how they have been shaped. The ultimate goal, Mark argues, is not to passively conform to these influences but to invite God into the process and allow Him to transform us. This transformation is a gradual process that requires consistent effort and obedience over time.#SpiritualFormation #TransformedByJesus #PracticingTheWay

In this episode, Mark & Devin discuss the concept of following Jesus and being formed as His disciple. They highlight that everyone is following and being shaped by something, but Jesus calls us to follow Him specifically. They explain that in Jesus' time, being invited to follow a rabbi was a prestigious opportunity, and we should view Jesus' invitation with similar reverence.Being a disciple involves three key aspects: being with Jesus, becoming like Him, and doing what He did. This requires intentional effort to spend time in prayer and Scripture study to know Jesus better. It's emphasized that while community is important, ultimately discipleship is about one's personal relationship with Jesus. Listeners are encouraged to make a clear decision to be a disciple of Jesus and to invest time in knowing Him through Scripture and prayer.

In his sermon, Mark Trinkl explores the concept of discipleship, asking, "Who are you following and who are you being formed into?" He provides historical context for rabbinical discipleship in Jesus' time, explaining the rigorous educational system and the honor of being chosen as a disciple. Mark then applies this to modern Christian discipleship, emphasizing three key aspects based on John Mark Comer's book, "Practicing the Way": being with Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and doing what Jesus did. Mark challenges listeners to examine their core identity, arguing that for followers of Jesus, it should be rooted in being a child of God and a disciple of Christ. He stresses that being a disciple is a noun, not a verb – it's something you are, not something done to you. This places the responsibility for spiritual formation on the individual, not on others. The sermon concludes with a call to practice prayer as a way to be with Jesus, encouraging both seasoned believers and newco

In this episode, Devin and Mark discuss the biblical foundation and practical implications of church planting. They unpack the Great Commission in Matthew 28, highlighting Jesus' call to make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience to all he commanded.The conversation emphasizes that true church planting is not merely about acquiring a building or location, but about forming Christ-centered communities focused on reaching the lost and investing in people. Both pastors underscore the importance of the Holy Spirit's empowerment, noting that church planting requires boldness and a willingness to step out in faith, relying on the Spirit's power rather than human strength alone.They also address common objections to church planting, such as the concern about "stealing" from other churches. The pastors clarify that the goal of church planting is to reach the unchurched, those who are not currently being ministered to effectively. They highlight the missional adaptability of new church plant

Discover how church planting fulfills the Great Commission and transforms communities. Learn about the biblical foundation for church planting and how you can be part of this mission to reach the lost and multiply disciples.This sermon emphasizes the biblical foundation for church planting, rooting it in the Great Commission. It challenges believers to be actively involved in the mission of reaching the lost and multiplying disciples. Devin Calhoun shares personal experiences and scriptural references to illustrate the importance and impact of church planting.The message highlights the need for "holy desperation" - a deep desire to see lives transformed by Christ. It also stresses the importance of Holy Spirit empowerment and the role of the entire church community in the church planting process.The sermon concludes with a call to action for Church Planting Month, encouraging listeners to learn more about church planting, discover their role in it, and commit to prayer for specific aspects of the ch

In this powerful sermon, Pastor Mark explores God's eternal plan for the multiethnic church, challenging believers to embrace diversity and create a taste of heaven on earth. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical foundations, he presents a compelling case for why the multiethnic church is not just a modern trend, but God's heart from the beginning.The message begins with Pastor Mark sharing his journey from a small, predominantly white town in Wisconsin to serving on an international mission team in England. This experience gave him a taste of Revelation 7:9-10, where people from every nation, tribe, and language worship God together.Pastor Mark then presents eye-opening statistics about changing demographics in the United States:By 2045, there will be no ethnic majority in the U.S.For those under 18, this is already a realityThe Hispanic population is expected to grow from 18% to 25% by 2045The multiracial population increased by 276% between 2010 and 2020These changes present both challen

In this insightful podcast episode, Mark and Devin reflect on their recent sermon series on the book of James, focusing particularly on the final chapter's teachings about prayer, healing, and faith.The conversation begins with a discussion of James 5, which addresses how believers should respond to various life circumstances through prayer. Whether in times of trouble or joy, the emphasis is on turning to God in all situations. The hosts stress that prayer should be viewed not just as an activity, but as a relationship with God.A significant portion of the discussion centers on the controversial topic of faith healing. Pastor Mark provides a nuanced perspective, differentiating between "faith healing" and "divine healing." He cautions against the idea that healing is guaranteed if one has enough faith, instead emphasizing trust in God's character and will. The hosts acknowledge the complexity of this issue, referencing biblical examples of faithful individuals who experienced on

In this powerful conclusion to our series on the book of James, we explore the transformative power of prayer in the life of a believer. Drawing from James 5:13-20, Pastor Mark delivers a compelling message on why prayer should be our first response in every situation.The sermon begins by emphasizing that prayer is fundamentally about developing a relationship with God. Whether we're experiencing joy, sorrow, or anything in between, we're called to turn to God in prayer. This aligns with our denomination's core value that "prayer is the primary work of God's people."Pastor Mark illustrates this point with a reference to Olympic athlete Sydney McLaughlin Lavrone, who sees her athletic performances as opportunities to glorify God. Her approach exemplifies praying in all circumstances, not just in times of need or victory.The message then transitions to the importance of inviting godly people into our lives, especially during times of hardship. James encourages believers to call on

In this episode of Pause, Mark and Devin discuss a recent sermon on finding patience and perspective in the midst of pain, based on the book of James. They explore practical applications, personal experiences, and biblical wisdom on enduring suffering with faith.Key Points:1. The Importance of a Theology of Pain- Many Christians and Western culture lack a robust understanding of pain and suffering- Hospitals and clinics serve as reminders of widespread pain and suffering- James addresses various forms of suffering in his epistle2. Waiting Patiently for Christ's Return- Christians are called to wait patiently for Jesus' second coming- God's timing is perfect, allowing more people to come to salvation- Delayed gratification and trusting in God's plan3. The Farmer's Patience: An Analogy for Faith- James uses farming analogies to illustrate patience- Farmers depend on seasons and weather patterns for harvest- Christians must trust God's faithfulness in life's seasons4. Attitude

In this powerful sermon, we explore the challenging topic of maintaining faith and patience in the midst of pain and suffering. Drawing from James 5:7-12, we uncover practical wisdom for navigating life's difficulties while holding onto hope in Christ.The sermon begins with a poignant quote: "I choose to believe God is good even when my life tells me he's not." This sets the tone for a message that acknowledges the reality of pain while affirming God's unchanging goodness.Key Points:Be Patient for Jesus' Return: James encourages believers to be patient as they wait for the Lord's return. This reminder serves as an anchor of hope, assuring us that one day, all injustice, suffering, and pain will end. We're challenged to cultivate patience as an internal attitude, not just an external action.Wait Like a Farmer: Using the analogy of a farmer waiting for harvest, we're taught to trust God's timing and faithfulness in all seasons of life. Just as farmers plant seed