Living Hope Evangelical Free Church Sermons (Sioux Falls, SD)

*John Brueckner - Guest preachingThe Bride is Imperfect and Loved1) The Bride's Imperfection (1:5-6)2) The Bride's Petition (1:7)3) The Bridegroom's Response (1:8-10)

*Guest Preacher: ReeseAcknowledge our current situation.Acknowledge our evaluation.Acknowledge our motivation.*Next week: Song of Songs 1:5-11 (John Brueckner preaching)

*The Holy Spirit gives us a hunger and hope for resurrection life.1) Recognize the limits of this life.2) Long for something better.3) Rejoice in what we're given.4) Put your hope in it right now.*Next week: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10

*Guest Preacher: ReeseFive Traits of a Suffering ChristianTrait 1: The Suffering Christian’s Confident FaithTrait 2: Living for the Glory of God Alone Trait 3: Renewed Day by Day Through the SpiritTrait 4: Affliction is Momentary and LightTrait 5: Setting Our Gaze on Eternal Things

*Although he doesn’t mean much to the spiritually blind, in Jesus Christ, we behold the glory of the Lord.1) We were made for glory.2) Unbelievers can’t see Jesus’ glory.3) The gift of faith is the gift of beholding glory.4) There is nothing better to receive – and we havenothing better to offer others – than the glory of Jesus.

*Life's difficulties don't need to keep us from shining the light of the gospel with courageous simplicity.1) Sometimes losing heart will make sense. Don't.2) Sometimes being manipulative will seem wise. It's not.3) Sometimes convincing others of the glory of Jesus will seem impossible. You're right.*Next week: 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - Living Hope for Hard Lives: Believing is Seeing

*John Brueckner preachingUnderstanding Song of Solomon as AllegoryMediate Literal Meaning and Scriptural AllegoriesPsalm 45 as Christ’s Template; Solomon’s LessonsChrist’s Love is Better than WineWe Love Christ for Who He IsLoving Christ for Himself, Not Just Benefits“Draw Me After You”: A Prayer for RevivalThe King Brings Us Into His ChambersRejoicing, Cultivating Love, and Closing Prayer

*Guest Preacher: ReeseUnderstanding the Spiritual Nature of Our WarfareHow God Strengthens Us to Fight Against EvilGirding Loins with Truth, Righteousness, and Gospel of PeaceExtinguishing Arrows with Faith, Protecting Minds with SalvationWielding the Sprit’s Sword: The Word of GodConstant Prayer and Bold Proclamation of the Gospel

*We can be made mighty in Christ, and only in Christ.1) The Lord brings his Savior low.2) The Lord brings the lowly to his Savior.3) Our Savior makes the lowly mighty.*Next week: Ephesians 6:10-22 (Reese Johnson preaching)

God rescues by taking us from a horrible and helpless place to a secure place, and this gives us an opportunity to call others to turn to him for salvation.

*Jesus is the Good Pastor who continues to shepherd his through pastors.1) Jesus is the inimitably good pastor.2) Jesus' sheep are led by his voice.3) Your pastor's job is to lead Jesus' sheep with Jesus' words.*Next week: Psalm 40: 1-3

*Each local church is God's household - representing his name with loving relationships and godly structure.1) This church is God's household.2) This church should have godly overseers.3) This church should have godly servants.*Next week: John 10:11-16 (What is the Church? The Flock of Christ)

*Marriage is created to be a faint echo of Christ's love for his , the church.1) Christ has a sacrificial love for his bride.2) Christ has a sanctifying love for his bride.3) Christ nourishes and cherishes his bride.*Next week : 1 Timothy 3: 1-15 (What is the Church? The Household of God)

1 Corinthians 12:12 - What is Church? The Body of ChristBeing the spiritual body of Christ, we must embrace the way the Holy Spirit makes us united and yet diverse.1) The body has many parts.2) The body needs many parts.3) The body is built up in love.

1 Peter 2:9-10 (April 26, 2026) - What is Church? A Holy Purpose

What is the Church? A Holy Temple1 Peter 2: 4-8Pastor Dan MontgomeryApril 12, 2026The Church is God's restored temple, built out of living stones centered on Christ. 1) The Church is built on the cornerstone. 2) The Church is built out of living stones. 3) The Church is built together.

Wonder StruckLuke 24: 1-12 Pastor Dan MontgomeryApril 5, 2026Have you really come to grips with the empty tomb? 1) The empty tomb should make us perplexed. 2) The empty tomb should make us remember3) The empty tomb should make us marvel.

Catechism Question 27 & 28John Brueckner

"Hope Fully" 1 Peter 1: 13Pastor Dan MontgomeryMarch 1, 2026As elect exiles with a glorious future, we should put all our hope in God's future grace. We do this by putting our minds to work. 1) The Reason for the Command: "Therefore..."2) The Command: "Set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you.."3) The Route for the Command: "Preparing your minds for actin, and being sober-minded..."

Children of the Holy God1 Peter 1: 14-16Pastor Dan MontgomeryMarch 08, 2026For we who have become children of the Holy God, holiness can and should mark every part of our lives1) Child of God, don't be what you used to be!2) Child of God, be conformed to the one who called you!3) Child of God, you will be like your Heavenly Father!

Trash and Treasure1 Peter 1: 17-21Pastor Dan MontgomeryMarch 15, 2026As we pass through the wasteland and journey to gory, we must fear treasuring trash and trashing treasure. 1) There's a place for fear in our lives..2) ... Because we are passing through the wasteland3) ... Because our Redeemer is our Treasure.

This Church will be an Everlasting Love1 Peter 1: 22-25Pastor Dan MontgomeryMarch 22nd, 2026People who believe the gospel love each other. 1) Love one another. 2) Love for one another comes from believing the gospel3) Imperishable seed produces love for one another.

"He Who Is Mighty"Luke 1:39-56Pastor Dan MontgomeryDecember 14, 2025God's mercy and might for the broken and weak comes through the baby in Mary's womb. 1) It's not too early to recognize Jesus as Lord. 2) It's not too late for God to do what he promised. 3) We're not too weak for God to show his might.

"See! This is New!Luke 1: 26-38Pastor Dan MontgomeryDecember 7, 2025Jesus is both the fulfillment of ancient promises and the start of something new. 1) Another Angelic Announcement... (1:26-31)2) ...About God's Glorious King... (1:32-33)3) ...Who Starts a New Family Tree (1:34-38)

"God's Alarm Clock"Luke 1: 5-25 Pastor Dan MontgomeryNovember 30, 2025 God prepares His people for the dawning of His salvation. 1) Zechariah's Big Day2) Night's Darkness3) God's Alarm Clock

"The Horror & Hope Found in God's Holy Presence"Isaiah 6: 1-13Pastor Dan Montgomery November 23, 2025 God's holiness strikes fear in the heart of sinners. But that same holiness provides real cleansing which prepares us for his call. 1) Humbled in the Presence of God (6:1-5)2) Healed in the Presence of God (6:6-7)3) Sent with the Words of God (6:8-13)

The Lifecycle of StinkfruitIsaiah 5: 8-30 Pastor Dan MontgomeryNovember 16, 2025Take a closer look at sin to understand how it grows and why it needs to be extracted.1) Looking at each "woe" (How the stinkfruit grows)2) Looking at each "therefore" (What the stinkfruit deserves)3) Being shown the Holy God.

What Should God Do with Sour Grapes?Isaiah 5: 1-7Pastor Dan MontgomeryNovember 9, 2025God takes immaculate care of His vineyard - His people - but what should He do if we produce bad fruit? 1) God carefully cultivates His vineyard. (5:1-2,7)2) God's vineyard has produced putrid fruit. (5:2, 7) 3) What should God do about this? (5:3-6)

"The Glory of Going to Church"Isaiah 4: 2-7Pastor Dan MontgomeryNovember 2, 2025After judgement, the Lord promises to be among His people like never before. Although we wait for the final fulfillment of this, we get to experience it right now as The Church. 1) We got to be near God. 2) Because we are made holy by God.3) Through the Glorious Branch.

Perdition by SubtractionIsaiah 3:1-4:1Pastor Dan MontgomeryOctober 26, 2025 God warns he will remove "support & supply" because we defy "His glorious presence". Our phony-glories will be exposed, so let's pursue what will last. 1) God warns he will remove "support & supply"... (3:1-7,12)2) ...Because we defy "His glorious presence". (3:8-11,13-15)3) Our phony-glories will be exposed... (3:16-4:1)4) ...So let's pursue what will last.

"Are you Walking Toward Majesty or a Mirage?"Isaiah 2:5-22Pastor Dan MontgomeryOctober 19,2025Isaiah persuades us to let go of the mirage of man-made saviors and to trust fully in the Lord. 1) The tragedy of getting things backwards. (2: 6-10)2) The emptiness of our lofty pride. (2:11-17)3) The emptiness of our trusty idols. ( 2:18-21)4) Which way will you walk? (2:5, 2:22)

Our Glorious and Gracious FutureIsaiah 2: 1-4 Pastor Dan Montgomery October 12, 2025As the repentant people of God, we can be hopeful and excited for our future. Three features of our future 1) God is lifted up. (2:1-2) 2) People come in (2:3) 3) Blessing goes out (2:4)

God's Game Plan for Raising up DisciplesDeuteronomy 6: 4-9Pastor Donn Hill October 5, 2025God gives you a game plan for family discipleship. 1) Family discipleship must be founded upon who God is . Deut. 6:42) Family discipleship begins with you loving God with abandon. Deut. 6:53) Family discipleship requires you to have God's words on your heart. Deut. 6:64) Family discipleship demands saturating children with God's words. Deut. 6: 7-9

" Redeeming and Restoring Repentant Rebels"Isaiah 1: 21-31Pastor Dan MontgomerySeptember 28, 2025God redeems and restores his compromised and contaminated people. 1) Compromise & Contamination (21-23)2) Good News! God's Refining Fire (24-26) 3) Warning! God's Refining Fire (27-31)

"Playskool Religion"Isaiah 1: 10-20Pastor Dan Montgomery September 21, 2025Because you cannot seek the Lord with a heart that loves sin, we need deep repentance, not shallow ritual. 1) Don't mistake the Lord's patience for permission. (10) 2) See the emptiness of our sin- stained offerings (11-15) 3) Embrace our God's solution (16-20)

"An Honest Assessment" Isaiah 1: 2-9 Pastor Dan MontgomerySeptember 14, 2025God gives His people an honest assessment so that we can know that our hope rests on Him and not ourselves. 1) We should know better. 2) We have wasted our privileges. 3) We cannot be reasoned with. 4) Our hope is in the Lord, not ourselves.

"A Word from the Outside"Isaiah 1: 1-2aPastor Dan MontgomerySeptember 7, 2025We need a word from outside of ourselves to understand ourselves and God. That's what this book of Isaiah is for us. 1) We need a word from outside of ourselves. 2) We need a word about reality. 3) We need a word that connects to our world.

"How the Saints Persevere"Philemon 22-25Pastor Dan MontgomeryAugust 31, 2025These final verses of Paul's letter to Philemon highlight five things that we need to persevere in our life of faith. 1) Hospitality2) Prayer3) Friends 4) Sober-Minded Steadfastness5) Present Grace

"Living in What Jesus Builds"Philemon 8 -21 Pastor Dan MontgomeryAugust 24, 2025Living in Jesus's Kingdom is very different than living according to the patterns of this world. 1) What is Paul's request for Philemon? 2) Paul's Request helps us see ... how foundational forgiveness is for our lives. 3) Paul's Request helps us see ... that Jesus unites even the most divided. 4) Paul's Request helps us see ... the importance of deep, heartfelt obedience.

" Every Good Thing That Is in Us"Philemon 4-7Pastor Dan MontgomeryAugust 17, 2025When you see healthy Christians you should thank God, pray for effectiveness, and appreciate them1) When you see healthy Christians ... Thank God. (God gets the credit for our faith and love.)2) When you see healthy Christians ... Pray for Effectiveness.(We don't want the glories of Christ to remain a secret.)3) When you see healthy Christians ... Appreciate Them. (It's okay to say nice things about each other.)

“This Changes Everything!”Philemon 1-3Pastor Dan MontgomeryAugust 10, 2025 Even in just the opening verses of this letter, we can see that God’s grace changes everything about our relationships and purpose in life. 1.Because of God’s grace, we can have peace.2.God’s grace and peace redefines our relationships.3.God’sgrace and peace redirects our purpose.

"Lasting Change"Colossians 3: 12-17August 3, 2025To have lasting change as a believer, it is helpful to ask 3 questions:1) What are we to "put on/ clothe?" (v12)2) When are we to "put on/ clothe?" (v13-14)3) How are we to "put on / clothe?" (v15-17)

"Prayer Preps Us to Praise"2 Corinthians 1: 8-11Pastor Dan Montgomery July 27, 2025Asking others to pray for our needs helps us share our burdens and increases thankfulness to God. 1) Paul shares about his experience of affliction. 2) We share prayers because we are porous. 3) We share prayers so more of us can praise.

"Praying by Faith when You're Frustrated"Psalm 13Pastor Dan MontgomeryJuly 20, 2025Trusting God doesn't mean we never complain to him. It means our struggles and frustrations are brought to him in prayer. 1) Faith can howl (13:1-2)2) Faith can ask (13:3-4)3) Faith will praise (13:5-6)

"Prayer as Processing"Psalm 73Pastor Dan MontgomeryJuly 13, 2025 Our hearts are not in line with God's truth. We are brought back into alignment with God as we draw near to him in worship and prayer (not before). 1) Anatomy of a heart out of sync (73:1-15)2) Finding a defibrillator in the sanctuary (73:16-18)3) Anatomy of a healthy heart (73:19-28)4) Draw near to God before your heart is healthy.

"The Road to Redemption"Daniel 9: 1-19 Part 2 Pastor Dan Montgomery July 6, 2025Redemption is found on the other side of true repentance. 1) True repentance doesn't point the finger. 2) True repentance doesn't lower the bar .3) True repentance relies on God's Righteousness.

"Promise - Prompted Prayer"Daniel 9: 1-19 Part 1Pastor Dan Montgomery June 29, 2025The prayer life of God's people is healthiest when we are aware of our place in the story and the good promises. God has given us. Why Does Daniel Pray?1) Prayer is prompted by God's promises. (Jeremiah 25: 3-11 / Jeremiah 29: 10-14 / Romans 8: 32 / James 1: 5-6)2) Prayer is aware of our place in God's Story(Leviticus 26: 27-35 / Jeremiah 29:10-14)How does Daniel Pray?3) Your have permission to pray with more than just your mind.

"Kneeling Power" Ephesians 3: 14-19Pastor Dan Montgomery June 22, 2025As children of God, we turn in prayer to our Father for deep power and knowledge. 1) The door of prayer to the Father is open2) Prayer Opens a door for deep power. 3) Prayer opens a door for deep knowledge.

"Teach Us to PrayLuke 11: 1Pastor Dan MontgomeryJune 15, 2025Disciples of Jesus can pray freely, but they also want to learn how to pray well. 1) The Disciple's Request2) The Bible's Freedom3) The Grain of Reality

“Beholding the Glory of Christ”2 Corinthians 3:18John BruecknerJune 8, 2025Beholding the glory of Christ, as held forth inScripture, is the Father’s Ordained means for the progressive transformation of every believer into the likeness of Christ by the Holy Spirit.1. Beholding the Glory of Christ...2. We are being transformed...3. By the Spirit.