Dutilh Sermons Podcast

Every follower of Jesus has doubts, fears, and questions. They are part of everyone’s faith journey. Alone one night, Jacob wrestles with God, struggling to receive God’s blessing amid the murkiness his life. His story teaches us that it is ok to openly and honestly struggle with God, bringing all our questions before him. Like Jacob, we can emerge from our spiritual wrestling with new identity, renewed faith, and the a...

Jacob’s dream at Bethel reminds us that even when our lives feel like a wilderness, God is at work, connecting heaven and earth and guiding our path. This message challenges us to trust God with our vision, ambitions, and next steps—believing that God’s promises are sure and His presence is constant. It calls us to open our hearts to God’s unfolding plan and to live courageously, knowing that the Creator of ...

The story of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a simple meal teaches us of the consequences of impulsive decisions. We make poor choices when our eyes our fixed on temporary needs rather than God’s eternal promises. In this message, we are encouraged to ask whether we are making decisions that honor God’s plan, or settling for the fleeting comforts of the moment. Based on Genesis 25:19-34

The Genesis of Grace, Wee...

The story of Isaac and Rebekah teaches us that God is involved in the intimate details of our lives. When Abraham’s servant sets out to find a wife suitable for Isaac, he has no idea where to begin. But God works through the details of the stories and brings Isaac and Rebekah together. In this message, we reflect on God’s faithfulness to bring the right people, opportunities, and purposes together for his glory. Based o...

Sometimes God calls us to trust beyond our understanding. Such was the case when God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac. It is a moment when Abraham’s faith collides with his reason, and when his trust in God is stretched to the limit. In this message, we wrestle with one of the most difficult stories in the Bible, considering what impossible commands God may ask us to obey, and learning to trust God even when it makes ...

Hagar and Ishmael were cast out into the wilderness – abandoned, thirsty, and hopeless. Their story paints a vivid picture of what it looks like to feel alone, forgotten, and in despair. Yet, because of God’s grace, despair never gets the final word. The same God who met Hagar in her wilderness meets us in ours. When life feels dry, when we cannot see a way forward, God’s presence and provision remain steady. He s...

God’s promise to Abraham seemed impossible. Although they were well past child-bearing years, they would have a son who would carry on their family name, the first of Abraham’s descendants, who would be as numerous as the stars. Such a promise seemed so unbelievable that Sarah laughed out loud at the thought. But in the end, God got the last laugh, delivering a miracle child named Isaac. In this message, we talk about t...

By Genesis 12, the good world that God made was on the brink of destruction. Human sin and brokenness spread across the globe, infecting everything with a sickness unto death. God’s plan to redeem the world begins with his gracious calling of a man named Abram. Abram’s willingness to obey by packing up his family and going to a new land is the beginning of the story of God’s saving grace. In this message, we disco...

As a Boy Scout, I learned a motto that has stuck with me through the years, “be prepared.” In life, it is important to prayerfully prepare for the variety of circumstances we may face. Peter knew the importance of spiritual preparation, especially in light of the hardships he knew he would encounter because of his faith in Jesus. Rather than react to hardships when they arrived, Peter prepared himself to see each challe...

Too often, we see our sufferings as a sign that God is not on our side. Nothing could be further from the truth. God’s Word is clear that when we follow Jesus there will be times when we suffer, just as Christ suffered. While we do not wish for suffering, Peter teaches us to interpret our suffering as an opportunity to deepen our truth in Christ. In this message, we look at the suffering Jesus endured as a model for how we ca...

When life presents us with challenges, it is important to remember that the world as we know it is not our permanent home. As followers of Jesus, we are awaiting the day of his return when he will establish the fullness of his Kingdom. We are citizens of heaven and not of this earth. Peter reminds us of these truths, call us to shine as though redeemed by Christ in a world that can sometimes pull us in the opposite direction than C...

Following Jesus is not a ticket to an easy life. Every Christian will face trials and struggles. 1 Peter is written to Christians experiencing hardships that are testing their faith. In the opening of the letter, Peter reminds them of the hope that is theirs in Jesus Christ. It is this hope that can energize them to move forward and press on amid trials and uncertainties. In this message, we are invited to lift our eyes beyond our ...

Our Maundy Thursday service will be a traditional service of worship, featuring music from our choir, the Holy Week version of the Great Thanksgiving with sung responses, and will conclude with the traditional stripping of the altar and departing in silence. The message will focus on the words of institution from 1 Corinthians, which are said at every communion service. We will talk about the last supper and how it shapes our under...