UNEXPECTED 

Most of us have a picture in our heads of how life is supposed to be. But when the unexpected happens, what do we do? This Christmas season at Parkgate, learn how to deal with the jolts of life from the original Christmas story – and enjoy some unexpected surprises along the way. You won’t want to miss a moment!


Dec 26, 2021
The Greatest Treasure
Series: Unexpected
The Kingdom of God is something worth losing everything for. What is God asking you to sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom?
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  • Dec 26, 2021The Greatest Treasure
    Dec 26, 2021
    The Greatest Treasure
    Series: Unexpected
    The Kingdom of God is something worth losing everything for. What is God asking you to sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom?
  • Dec 19, 2021Unexpected Visitors
    Dec 19, 2021
    Unexpected Visitors
    Series: Unexpected
    Unexpected things happen all the time in life; sometimes they are good, sometimes not so much. In this week’s advent story, Mary and Joseph receive unexpected visitors who bring an unexpected blessing and also a dangerous reality. Join us as we unpack this story and learn how we, too, are part of the blessing and the reality of Christmas.
  • Dec 14, 2021Unexpected Voices
    Dec 14, 2021
    Unexpected Voices
    Series: Unexpected
    The shepherds and angels we encounter in Luke 2:8-20 remind us that God uses both ordinary and extraordinary voices to communicate his message. Are we as willing to listen to the ordinary as we are the extraordinary?
  • Dec 5, 2021Unexpected Story
    Dec 5, 2021
    Unexpected Story
    Series: Unexpected
    Have you ever seen an angel? And we’re not talking about your spouse or kids either! Luke describes an important scene in which angels appeared to the shepherds. But the significance of this story is not the appearance of angels but their message. This Sunday, we'll explore the unexpected and hopeful story given by angels. It’s not a story just for shepherds but for you, too. Come experience the Unexpected with us at 9:00 am and 10:45 am.
  • Nov 28, 2021Unexpected Hero
    Nov 28, 2021
    Unexpected Hero
    Series: Unexpected
     

HOW TO BE CHRISTIAN IN
A NON-CHRISTIAN WORLD?

How can we be Christians in a non-Christian world? In a world that continually rejects the values of God, how can we reflect those values and remind faithful to God? That’s what this walk through of 1 Peter is all about.


Nov 21, 2021
A Gratitude Problem
Pastor John Ortberg wrote, "Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It opens us up to wonder, delight, and humility. It makes our hearts generous. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation." Gratitude is the currency of a heart set free! In this message, we'll see how to live with Gratitude.
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  • Nov 21, 2021A Gratitude Problem
    Nov 21, 2021
    A Gratitude Problem
    Pastor John Ortberg wrote, "Gratitude is the ability to experience life as a gift. It opens us up to wonder, delight, and humility. It makes our hearts generous. It liberates us from the prison of self-preoccupation." Gratitude is the currency of a heart set free! In this message, we'll see how to live with Gratitude.
  • Nov 14, 2021What is a Biblical Pastor
    Nov 14, 2021
    What is a Biblical Pastor
    The culture, and sometimes even the church, misunderstands what a pastor really is. Fortunately, the Bible gives us some keen insight into this important office in the church. This Sunday we’ll open up the Scriptures and learn what the Bible actually says about the role of a biblical pastor
  • Nov 7, 2021Christian Leadership
    Nov 7, 2021
    Christian Leadership
    What does Christian Leadership look like? What is it really about? What do we need to do to lead well as leaders in our Churches, our lives, and our homes? Today we look to 1 Peter 5 for answers.
  • Oct 24, 2021Jesus Makes all the Difference
    Oct 24, 2021
    Jesus Makes all the Difference
    Christians live differently because of the difference Christ makes in us. If you claim to have faith, what are you doing with it? If your faith doesn't require you to do anything, are you living according to the will of God? In this sermon, we'll explore the difference Christ makes in us.
  • Oct 17, 2021Christ and Righteousness
    Oct 17, 2021
    Christ and Righteousness
    The first epistle Peter wrote addressed Christians living in a non-Christian, hostile, pagan world. In chapter 3, he provides practical principles for peaceful living. His insights were not only helpful then, but they are especially relevant now. 
  • Oct 10, 2021Christ and Marriage
    Oct 10, 2021
    Christ and Marriage
    Peter pulls no punches when it comes to living our faith in a distinctly Christian way. While the culture around doesn’t always embrace our world view, we don’t let this stop us from being the new people of God. This Sunday, Peter provides poignant insight into the operation of the home. Don’t miss his instruction that will help us find the keys to a happy — and holy! — home.
  • Oct 3, 2021Christ and Authority
    Oct 3, 2021
    Christ and Authority
    This week, we are faced with a difficult text in 1 Peter 2:13-25. How do we respond to those in authority over us, specifically the government? The good news is that this text actually offers us a positive way forward in living as a Christian in a Non-Christian World. Join us this week to discover an exciting new way to live for Jesus.
  • Sep 26, 2021This is the Church
    Sep 26, 2021
    This is the Church
    "This is the church, this is the steeple ... " We've been told what the church should look like for years. But does our society's interpretation of church align with what scripture teaches? Peter unpacks the hallmarks of the godly, unique community the church can offer in 1 Peter 2:1-12.
  • Sep 19, 2021Motivation for Living a Holy Life
    Sep 19, 2021
    Motivation for Living a Holy Life
    The imminent return of Christ should motivate us to live a holy life. This means to be mentally alert, disciplined, and focused on the teaching of Jesus. Our holy God expects us to imitate him by following his high moral standards. Like him, we should be merciful and just, as well as sacrifice ourselves for others.
  • Sep 12, 2021Hold Onto Jesus
    Sep 12, 2021
    Hold Onto Jesus
    : How can you be a Christian in a non-Christian world, in the midst of trials and sufferings? 1. Hold on to the Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3) – God will not disappoint 2. Hold on to your inheritance in Christ (1 Peter 1:4-5) – there are better things to come 3. Greatly Rejoice (1 Peter 1:6-7) – worship God even in the pain! 4. Love God (1 Peter 1:8-9) – in every moment and every season of the soul, love God.
 

Don’t Miss It

There are approximately 936 weeks to influence a child’s life from the time he or she is born until the time he or she graduates high school. As a church, we’ve got a responsibility to strategize faith development for the next generation of believers. But what does this look like? Don’t miss DON’T MISS IT – a 2-week series on discipling the next generation for Jesus.

 

Sep 5, 2021
Kingdom Investments
Today’s sermon is all about investment. We look at how the people of Israel were called by Moses to invest in their future generations, and then look at what we can do to invest in the lives of the younger generations of our church.
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  • Sep 5, 2021Kingdom Investments
    Sep 5, 2021
    Kingdom Investments
    Today’s sermon is all about investment. We look at how the people of Israel were called by Moses to invest in their future generations, and then look at what we can do to invest in the lives of the younger generations of our church.
  • Aug 29, 2021Losing Our Marbles
    Aug 29, 2021
    Losing Our Marbles
    In his farewell address to the Israelites, Joshua challenged the people to choose this day who their family would serve. Many of us claim that our family serves the Lord, but our actions indicate otherwise. The next generation is watching. Time is of the essence. So what can we do? Strategize faith development, own our roles, make Sunday a non-negotiable, and come before God in total surrender.

The Power of the People of God

Peter’s epistle unveils a powerful reality: God’s people are a unique collection of imperfect humans called to a world-changing mission. But is this even possible? In this mini-series, we’ll unearth the power of ancient wisdom and explore how one of the Sons of Thunder experienced the life-changing work of Jesus. And once we see this, we’ll also learn how our church – and us as individuals – can unleash the true power of the people of God for the good of the world.
 

Aug 22, 2021
The Power of the Truth
Truth is a rare commodity. It seems hard to find into today’s world, but once found, it’s worth more than gold or silver. This was also the experience of the early. In this week’s message, we will see that truth when spoken in word and witness is powerful to change lives.
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  • Aug 22, 2021The Power of the Truth
    Aug 22, 2021
    The Power of the Truth
    Truth is a rare commodity. It seems hard to find into today’s world, but once found, it’s worth more than gold or silver. This was also the experience of the early. In this week’s message, we will see that truth when spoken in word and witness is powerful to change lives.
  • Aug 15, 2021The Power of the Transformation
    Aug 15, 2021
    The Power of the Transformation
    Spiritual power infuses the gathering of God’s people, but it also changes the way we live together. This week, we’ll unearth the muscle of ancient wisdom and explore how the people of God changed the world through their togetherness. We’ll also discover how you might experience the same thing.
  • Aug 10, 2021The Power of the People of God
    Aug 10, 2021
    The Power of the People of God
    Spiritual power infuses the gathering of God’s people, but it also changes the way we live together. This week, we’ll unearth the muscle of ancient wisdom and explore how the people of God changed the world through their togetherness. We’ll also discover how you might experience the same thing.
  • Aug 1, 2021When a Leader Leaves
    Aug 1, 2021
    When a Leader Leaves
 

Judges: Broken Saviors

Even by today’s standards, the book of Judges is a rated R text – full of raucous violence, flagrant sexual immorality, and hard-hearted, lawless people. It’s a book we don’t often talk about in church, but it’s one that merits attention. In Judges, we see a cycle of depravity – of imperfect human beings in recurrent disobedience to a perfect God. We also see a loving, compassionate, merciful God willing to forgive and rescue repeat offenders. And how does God achieve this? By using broken saviors – men and women struggling with anger, lust, greed, insecurity, and more – to bring the people back to him.

Sometimes these broken saviors – better known as judges – lead a decent season of peace and obedience. Other times, the duration of their moral victories runs short. Still, these broken saviors of the past have tremendous teaching power for our present that informs our future. Join us this summer as we look explore how our perfect God uses imperfect people to accomplish his kingdom purpose.  
 

Jul 27, 2021
A Proper Farewell
Listen as Pastor Jim shares his final message at Parkgate
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  • Jul 27, 2021A Proper Farewell
    Jul 27, 2021
    A Proper Farewell
    Listen as Pastor Jim shares his final message at Parkgate
  • Jul 18, 2021How to Make a Bad Situation Worse
    Jul 18, 2021
    How to Make a Bad Situation Worse
    If you are trying to form your identity around your net worth, career, position, reputation, group, family, race, sexual orientation, etc. you will just end up making a bad situation worse. You will hurt yourself and others. The identity problem isn’t out there, in accomplishment or status! It’s in here, in your heart! You need to live out of who you are in Christ.
  • Jul 11, 2021How to Fall Away from God … and Take Others with You
    Jul 11, 2021
    How to Fall Away from God … and Take Others with You
    We're wrapping up our study on Gideon's life with a look into the part of his story that's often skipped over in children's Bibles and Sunday School classes.
  • Jul 4, 2021How to Trust God
    Jul 4, 2021
    How to Trust God
    Gideon's journey to trust in God completely gives us much insight into our own journeys of faith and dependence on God.
  • Jun 27, 2021The Dos and Don’ts of Responding to God
    Jun 27, 2021
    The Dos and Don’ts of Responding to God
    Curious what a true follower should and shouldn't do when God shares His direction for their lives? Pastor Chelsea introduces us to Gideon, a judge who gives us a veritable "Dos and Don'ts List" of responding to God. 
  • Jun 20, 2021How to Depend on God
    Jun 20, 2021
    How to Depend on God
    We're looking at the story of Deborah, Barak, and Jael - and learning what they can show us about depending on God.
  • Jun 13, 2021How God Works in Unexpected Ways
    Jun 13, 2021
    How God Works in Unexpected Ways
    The world measures value, worth and success in very expected ways: beauty, power, wealth, fame. It awards value and worth on very expected people: athletes, models, billionaires, politicians, influencers. That is how the world works, but it’s not how God works. God’s ways are not our ways and that’s good news! God works in unexpected ways and uses unexpected people.
     
  • Jun 6, 2021Undeserved Compassion
    Jun 6, 2021
    Undeserved Compassion
    The people of Israel were caught in a cycle of ignorance and rebellion against God. It's easy for us to see their patterns of disobedience and sin - but can we see our own? God can - and, despite our complete unworthiness, he extends compassion to us.

 

 

Engage

There is a dramatic difference between being disengaged and engaged. When a transmission is disengaged, the car isn’t moving. When it’s engaged, you are going somewhere. When an athlete is disengaged, they are not in the game. When they are engaged, their whole body active. When a warship is disengaged it isn’t in the fight. When it is engaged, it is. The same is true in our walk with God. When we are disengaged, nothing is happening. In fact, we are sliding backwards. But when we are engaged, we are actively fighting to put off the old and put on the new, to grow in His will and way. Engagement is everything!
 

May 30, 2021
How to Be Used by God
Series: Engage
The world says we should live to glorify ourselves. Everything is bent toward that. But Jesus says those that belong to Him, live to glorify God. That is radically different. We all must choose.
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  • May 30, 2021How to Be Used by God
    May 30, 2021
    How to Be Used by God
    Series: Engage
    The world says we should live to glorify ourselves. Everything is bent toward that. But Jesus says those that belong to Him, live to glorify God. That is radically different. We all must choose.
  • May 23, 2021How to Be Filled with God’s Word
    May 23, 2021
    How to Be Filled with God’s Word
    Series: Engage
    You will either be absorbed in the LIES of our world or the TRUTH of God's Word.
  • May 16, 2021The Point of Prayer
    May 16, 2021
    The Point of Prayer
    Series: Engage
    Some of us have missed the point of prayer because we think the goal of prayer is to get things from God and if we use the magic words or the right combination then our prayers will be answered. But that’s not the goal of prayer. The goal of prayer is not to get stuff from God but to know God.

 Running on Empty

Ruth is a story about being at the end of the tether! Loss, bitterness, anxiety and impatience are all throughout this powerful story. But it’s also a story of realizing that God is at the other end! We can be people of hope because He is always working behind the scenes for our deliverance and redemption.
 

May 9, 2021
Running on Redemption
Redemption is beautiful and necessary for us all, but it isn't free. Nor is it cheap. Redeemers always pay the price.
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  • May 9, 2021Running on Redemption
    May 9, 2021
    Running on Redemption
    Redemption is beautiful and necessary for us all, but it isn't free. Nor is it cheap. Redeemers always pay the price.
  • May 2, 2021Running on Empty – Impatience
    May 2, 2021
    Running on Empty – Impatience
    Waiting is hard. No one likes it. But waiting for God’s kindness to bear fruit in your life is some of the most important work we will ever do.
  • Apr 25, 2021Running on Empty – Anxiety
    Apr 25, 2021
    Running on Empty – Anxiety
    As we continue through the book of Ruth, this Sunday we will be looking at Ruth’s life circumstances at the start of chapter 2. How could someone who is widowed in a foreign land have dealt with the stress and anxiety that came along with such dire circumstances? How does God call us to handle our lives when we are burdened by anxiety?
  • Apr 18, 2021Running on Empty – Bitterness
    Apr 18, 2021
    Running on Empty – Bitterness
    Bitterness warps your heart. It warps the hearts of others. And it warps how you see and relate to God. The only way not to be consumed by bitterness is to place your life in the hands of God, the All-Sufficient.
  • Apr 11, 2021Running on Empty – Loss
    Apr 11, 2021
    Running on Empty – Loss
    Losses come in all shapes and sizes. They all matter. And no one can escape experiencing loss in this life. The good news of Jesus is that even when we are at the end of the tether, God is at the other end!

 Flip the Script

Good stories capture our attention. They stretch our imagination. They make us think in ways we haven’t thought before. They shape the way we see the world. They teach us important lessons that we would have otherwise missed or ignored. They even cause us to live in radically different ways. Jesus was a tremendous storyteller! One of the most effective ways that He taught us was through telling stories that turned the lives of people upside down, making clear who God was, what His Kingdom was like and what kind of people we were to be as we followed Him. His stories will still turn our world upside down today too.
 

Apr 4, 2021
The Resurrection is Everything or it’s Nothing
No respected, mainstream historian would deny that Jesus was a remarkable historical figure. Our world celebrates some of Jesus' teachings and is offended by others. But whether you celebrate or are offended by His teachings isn’t the issue. The issue is whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. If He didn’t, ignore Him. If He did, then the only option is to surrender to Him in worship and obedience. Jesus’ resurrection is everything or it’s nothing.
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  • Apr 4, 2021The Resurrection is Everything or it’s Nothing
    Apr 4, 2021
    The Resurrection is Everything or it’s Nothing
    No respected, mainstream historian would deny that Jesus was a remarkable historical figure. Our world celebrates some of Jesus' teachings and is offended by others. But whether you celebrate or are offended by His teachings isn’t the issue. The issue is whether or not Jesus rose from the dead. If He didn’t, ignore Him. If He did, then the only option is to surrender to Him in worship and obedience. Jesus’ resurrection is everything or it’s nothing.
  • Mar 28, 2021Parable of the Two Sons
    Mar 28, 2021
    Parable of the Two Sons
    It's pretty easy to have a godly image, but that is not the same as having the reality of a right relationship with God. Jesus makes clear how to go from image to reality
  • Mar 21, 2021Parable of the Prodigal Son
    Mar 21, 2021
    Parable of the Prodigal Son
    If you’re running today: Your sin, no matter how bad it is, won’t lock you out. Your Father is looking for you, longing for you to come home. Your good works, no matter how good they are, won’t get you in. Your Father is pleading with you, come home.
  • Mar 14, 2021Parable of the Good Samaritan
    Mar 14, 2021
    Parable of the Good Samaritan
    The world we live in acts as if loving our neighbor is undesirable and maybe even impossible. They may give it lip service, but they act as if love is a nice idea that doesn't really work. But Jesus says loving our neighbors as ourselves is the only way to truly live and its possible only through Him. The power of Jesus' love has literally transforms lives and situations big and small.
  • Mar 7, 2021Parable of the Rich Fool
    Mar 7, 2021
    Parable of the Rich Fool
    Every dollar we received is both a blessing and a test from God. It's a blessing because its a sign of God's provision and love. It's a test because it shows if we will honor Him with it or not.
  • Feb 28, 2021Parable of the Talents
    Feb 28, 2021
    Parable of the Talents
    One of the fundamental marks of a growing Christian life is that we live more and more for God's Kingdom and less and less for our own. How we handle our wealth, our abilities, our relationships, and the time we have every day reflects what our true beliefs about God are and which Kingdom we are living for.
  • Feb 21, 2021Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
    Feb 21, 2021
    Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
    Forgiveness is something that we all long to find, but it can seem so allusive. But because of Jesus, it’s a gift right there in front of us . . . just ready to be received. And once received, we have the power to extend it to others.
  • Feb 14, 2021Parable of the Sower
    Feb 14, 2021
    Parable of the Sower
    What is the soil of your heart like? Is your heart HARD? Is it SUPERFICIAL? Is it DIVIDED? Or, is it FRUITFUL?

Sore Subject

We live in a world filled with controversy and outrage. That may not be anything new, but it should raise our awareness of how we need to walk as Christians today. We are going to deal with several sore subjects that everyone knows about, but we often find easy to ignore the teachings of Jesus on. Subjects like living and dealing fear, living peaceably with Christians we disagree with, the controlling power of money, the dangerous web of sexual sin, being people of justice for the poor and oppressed, and helping to create a culture of life in a world of death.

Feb 7, 2021
Christianity and the Rules
Series: Sore Subject
Are there limits to what Christians should or shouldn't do other than what is legal? How can we be sure to follow God's will and way first? How can we live peaceably with someone we disagree with?
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  • Feb 7, 2021Christianity and the Rules
    Feb 7, 2021
    Christianity and the Rules
    Series: Sore Subject
    Are there limits to what Christians should or shouldn't do other than what is legal? How can we be sure to follow God's will and way first? How can we live peaceably with someone we disagree with?
  • Jan 10, 2021Our Keeper When We Are Afraid
    Jan 10, 2021
    Our Keeper When We Are Afraid
    Series: Sore Subject
    Whether everyone is afraid or just you. Whether your fears are big or small, rational or irrational, they are still real. And God cares and He will keep you.
  • Jan 4, 2021God is Bigger than Your Storm
    Jan 4, 2021
    God is Bigger than Your Storm
    Series: Sore Subject
    We will all face hard times and all kinds of storms but let’s remember this: God (Jesus) within you is bigger than the storm around you.

 The Rest of the Week 
All in All the Time

Your heart is your compass for living. If it’s set in the wrong direction, it will lead you to destruction. If it’s set in the right direction, it will lead you to life. You will spend your life trying to satisfy what your heart wants. That one decision will effect thousands of other decisions you make every day, consciously and unconsciously, forming or deforming your character and soul along the way. And you won’t be part time either. You will be ALL IN. ALL THE TIME.

Jan 31, 2021
Love Now
We all live in a right now season whether it is good or bad. Whether we like it or not, God calls us to honor him in the right now we are living in. That means being driven by the urgency of Jesus' love.
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  • Jan 31, 2021Love Now
    Jan 31, 2021
    Love Now
    We all live in a right now season whether it is good or bad. Whether we like it or not, God calls us to honor him in the right now we are living in. That means being driven by the urgency of Jesus' love.
  • Jan 24, 2021Love People
    Jan 24, 2021
    Love People
    Abiding means being formed and reformed in Jesus' love. Out of that, we hunger to love by praying for all kinds of people (even our enemies), loving our spiritual family and sacrificially serving others in Jesus name.
  • Jan 17, 2021Love God
    Jan 17, 2021
    Love God
    Your heart is your compass, your guidance system for living. If it’s set in the wrong direction, it will lead you to destruction. If it’s set in the right direction, it will lead you to life.

Past Sermon Messages