Enumclaw Church of the Nazarene

Are you bearing fruit that lasts—or fruit that repels?In Fruitful, Pastor Ian explores Jesus’ call to remain in the true vine and Paul’s warning about where we’re really rooted. Through vivid Scripture and honest reflection, this sermon challenges us to examine what fills our lives, what shapes our character, and what kind of fruit we’re offering the world. Discover how abiding in Christ transforms us into a blessing—bearing sweet fruit that draws others to Jesus.

Growing apples takes time—and so does growing in Christ.In this message from Matthew 5:48 (“Be perfect,therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”), Pastor Joni unpacks what Jesus really meant by “perfect.” Is He demanding flawless performance—or calling us to spiritual maturity? Using the picture of green apples vs. ripe red apples, we explore the difference between saving grace (newlife) and sanctifying grace (ongoing transformation), and why God’s goal isn’t perfectionism—it’s wholeness, ripeness, and Christlike character.You’ll also hear practical, Scripture-grounded signs ofmaturity: hungering for God’s Word, moving from “milk” to “meat,” growing through Christian community and accountability, bearing lasting fruit, and living out the Great Commandments and the Great Commission.If you’ve ever felt discouraged by the word “perfect,” thissermon reframes it as an invitation: not to pretend you’re flawless, but to keep becoming who God is shaping you to be.

Freedom is one of America’s most celebrated words—but do we even agree on what it means? In this message, “Mark of Freedom,” Pastor Ian examines how our culture’s definition of liberty (“the power to do as I please”) often collides with real life—where my “freedom” can become someone else’s harm.Drawing from John 8:23–36, we hear Jesus’ unsettling claim: people who insist they’re free can still be enslaved—not bygovernments or circumstances, but by sin, shame, and distorted aims.With Scripture spanning Romans 5–6, 1 John 4, Genesis 1, and Jesus’ greatest commandment, this sermon argues that true freedom isn’t rule-breaking or rule-keeping. It’s something deeper:The real mark of freedom is the ability to love as Godloves—loving God and loving our neighbor. And that kind of love isn’t powered by willpower, politics, or moral performance, but by the transforming work of the Holy Spirit.If you’ve ever wondered why “freedom” feels so contested—and what Jesus means by “free indeed”—this sermon is for you.

What does it really mean to be great?In a world that celebrates power, recognition, and success, Jesus turns greatness upside down.Using the gripping story of the Chilkoot Pass and Jesus’ words in Matthew 20:20–28, Pastor Joni challenges our self-focused definition of greatness. When James and John push for the best seats in God’s kingdom, Jesus offers a surprising truth: the path to greatness is humble service.Pastor Joni calls us to examine our motives, resist pride, and embrace the Christlike way of becoming less so that Jesus can be seen more. True greatness isn’t about being noticed—it’s about living unseen faithfulness for God’s glory.If you’ve ever struggled with comparison, ambition, recognition, or the desire to be “first,” this sermon is for you.

What does it really mean for the resurrection to matter?In this thought‑provoking message, Pastor Ian invites us to wrestle honestly with doubt, time, and transformation. Drawing from Scripture and everyday imagery, he reminds us that doubt is not the enemy of faith—but often a doorway to deeper trust.Using the powerful metaphor of an hourglass, Pastor Ian explores how God breaks into our linear view of time, freeing us from being trapped by the past and inviting us into a life of ongoing transformation. Faith, he argues, isn’t proven by owning a Bible or rehearsing familiar stories—it’s revealed through lives that are genuinely changed.This sermon challenges us to ask:Does the resurrection change how we actually live?Are we being discipled more by culture than by Jesus?What would it look like to let the Holy Spirit continually reshape us?Whether you’re navigating doubts, feeling stuck spiritually, or longing for a faith that impacts everyday life, this message offers both honesty and hope—pointing us back to Jesus as the true source of lasting change.Watch, reflect, and consider how God may be breaking into your time.

Pastor Ian continues our Advent series with Love: Changed in the Waiting. Pastor Ian talks about how love is often an aspect of patience and waiting and that God's love is steadfast. He also speaks on how love, or true love, is fully expressed through a covenant of mutual relationship.

Pastor Joni begins our Advent Series with Hope: Changed in the Waiting. This special service is also our Greening service as presented in our Fellowship Hall.

Pastor Ian explores the themes of gratitude and thanksgiving in Colossians 3:14–17, Acts 27:33–38, and Exodus 20:12–17. He shares how gratitude and thanksgiving begin with satisfaction and contentment, and how that impacts a life with God, and how the Christian's life is to be lived.

Pastor Joni concludes our B.L.E.S.S. series with Story. She shares how it is not our wisdom or our learning that will create the space to talk about Jesus to others; it is our story. Pastor Joni points out that unless people hear, how can they really know who we follow. From John 9:1–25, she provides a story template through the man cured of blindness, and how he shared his story with those in power, and how it applies generally. [Content Note: this service was held in our Fellowship Hall while the Sanctuary is under construction.]

Pastor Ian continues our B.L.E.S.S. Series with Serve. He explores how Jesus' washing of his disciples' feet is an example to follow regarding serving others. Pastor Ian talks about how serving impacts worship and our relationships with others, and even how serving is also about being served. He also talks about the place that serving has in the life of a follower of Jesus. [Content Note: this service was held in our Fellowship Hall while the Sanctuary is under construction.]

Pastor Joni shares about how eating can be part of the practices to bless people and our community. Through Matthew 9:9-13, she shows us how one of Jesus' primary times to teach his disciples, and even those who were not Jesus' disciples, was through food. Pastor Joni also shows us that meals were one of Jesus' ways to show that all are welcome to the table where God is.

Pastor Ian continues our B.L.E.S.S. series with L for Listen, in the sermon "Listen to Him." Pastor Ian shares how one of the greatest blessings we can offer to people and our community is to listen to their stories. He starts with the Transfiguration where 3 of Jesus' disciples are told to listen to him (Jesus). He shows that God shows that God desires us to listen to God. As such, we should be prepared and willing to listen to people and their community. Pastor Ian shares four things to listen for in a shared story, and how listening to stories help people feel heard, known, and loved.

Pastor Joni continues our B.L.E.S.S. series with B, Beginning with Prayer. Starting with Abraham's commission to bless people, Pastor Joni shows how Jesus is the example to follow regarding a life of prayer. She calls upon us to change our perspective regarding prayer, both in how we prepare, but also how we live out a life of prayer.

Pastor Ian explores the pivotal moment in Genesis 12:1-3, where God calls Abram (later Abraham) to leave his homeland and promises to make him a great nation. This call marks a significant shift from Abram’s past, symbolizing a break from his family’s pagan traditions and the beginning of a new lineage blessed by God. He discusses the importance of surrendering to God’s will, drawing parallels to Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 10:37-39 about prioritizing one’s relationship with God over familial ties. Pastor Ian further discusses the concept of being a blessing to others, as highlighted in Genesis 12:2-3, challenging us to reflect on our own lives and consider how we can be a blessing to those around us, not just within our comfort zones but also in broader, more challenging contexts.

Looking at Luke 11:5–13 and Luke 18:1–8, Pastor Joni delves into the importance of persistent prayer. She illustrate how we can boldly approach God with our needs, trusting in His responsiveness emphasizing that waiting on the Lord does not mean passive inaction, but rather an active, expectant faith. Joni also unpacks the true meaning of biblical patience, which is about persevering in purpose rather than simply remaining calm. Throughout, she encourages the congregation to maintain a vibrant relationship with God, persistently bringing their requests before Him, confident in His care and provision. This sermon offers a powerful message about the transformative power of unwavering, faith-filled prayer.

Pastor Ian explores salt in the context of Mark 9:33-50, emphasizing the importance of humility, service, and purity in the Christian life. Pastor Ian reflects on the disciples’ argument about greatness and Jesus’ response that true greatness comes from being a servant to all, including children. He discusses the metaphor of salt, highlighting its role in purification and preservation, and how losing one’s “saltiness” equates to losing one’s spiritual integrity and effectiveness. Pastor Ian also addresses the challenges of sin and the need for radical measures to avoid it, and how true discipleship involves both personal sacrifice and communal harmony.

Pastor Joni explores how it's easy for us to become distracted in our spiritual lives and wander off the path that Jesus has set for us. She discusses the importance of receiving the kingdom of God with childlike faith and simplicity, as well as the challenge of denying ourselves and fully following Jesus, even when it requires giving up things we value. Pastor Joni calls on us to examine our lives to see what God may be asking us to deny or give up in order to follow Him more closely.

Pastor Ian explores the theme of denial in the Christian faith, focusing on Peter’s denial of Jesus as depicted in John 13:36–38. He discusses how denial can manifest in rejecting, withholding, or disowning, and draws parallels between biblical examples and modern-day actions of Christians. Political and social pressures influence how Jesus’ teachings are interpreted and followed. Pastor Ian emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Jesus fully and highlights the possibility of restoration through Jesus, using Peter’s story as a key example.

Pastor Joni discusses the significance of names and how God reveals Himself through various names in the Bible. Names reflect relationships and identities, and God wants to be known intimately by His people. Pastor Joni explores the meaning and importance of God's names, such as Elohim, Yahweh, and the many Jehovah names that describe His character. She also discusses how God changes people's names in the Bible to reflect their new identities, like Jacob becoming Israel. The central story is about Jacob's encounter with God, where he wrestles with God and receives a new name. This represents how God desires to transform us, even through painful experiences, to align us with His purposes and bless us, and the depth of God's desire to be in a personal relationship with each of us.

Discover the untold layers of Samson’s story beyond his legendary strength and bravery. Join us as we explore how his life challenges us to understand true love and divine purpose in our own lives. We delve into the story of Samson, exploring his life as a Nazirite and the complexities of his character. We look Samson’s struggles with his vows, his impulsive actions, and how his story reflects broader themes of human fallibility, divine plans, and the nature of true love. We also examine how Samson’s life serves as a metaphor for our own spiritual journeys, emphasizing the importance of aligning our actions with God’s will and the transformative power of love.

Join us as we uncover the extraordinary story of Samson’s birth—a tale of divine promise, unwavering faith, and the beginning of Israel’s deliverance from the Philistines. Discover how a barren woman became the mother of a Nazirite, and what this ancient story teaches us about God’s unexpected interventions in our lives. Are we ready to say ‘yes’ to God’s call, even when it leads us down a path of sacrifice and challenge? Pastor Ian looks at the biblical narrative from Judges 13, focusing on the miraculous birth of Samson. The story begins with the Israelites once again turning away from God, resulting in their subjugation by the Philistines for forty years. Amidst this turmoil, an angel of the Lord appears to Manoah’s barren wife, announcing that she will conceive a son who will begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. This child, Samson, is to be a Nazirite from birth, adhering to strict vows that set him apart for God’s service. We explore the implications of these vows, the faith and obedience required from Samson’s parents, and the broader message of God’s rescue plan, which often comes in unexpected ways. The narrative challenges us to reflect on our own faith journeys, the sacrifices we are willing to make, and the unique ways God calls each of us to serve.

Pastor Joni preaches from Judges 4:1–23 and the unexpected heroes that Scripture reveals. These heroes can be what isn't culturally normal, but honoring and following those heroes is a sign of our trust toward God. Expanding upon the passage, Pastor Joni draws in Psalm 137:10–11; Judges 5:4, 20–21; Ezekiel 33:11; Psalm 18:2.

Pastor Joni preaches from Judges 2:6-23. What exactly are we paying attention to? To what do we give the priority of our attention? Pastor Joni unpacks these questions and their impact our on our Christian walk. As part of this, Pastor Joni will also be addressing these questions from the perspectives of Joshua 23:11-13, John 15:19, John 17:11-15, Exodus 19:5, Joshua 2:10-11, Titus 1:16, Galatians 6:7.

Pastor Ian preaches from 1 Samuel 6:1–7:2 and 2 Samuel 6:1–11.  We often view the great stories of the Scriptures as adventures and success. In so doing, we often miss the warnings and cautions aimed at the people of God, while missing the grace God bestows on those who do not believe.

Pastor Joni brings the message on Communion and what it really means to a disciple of Jesus. Pastor Joni brings the message with the Scriptures Matthew 9:9-13, 1 Corinthians 11:17-29, Isaiah 53:7, 10-11, John 6:35, Matthew 26:28, Psalm 139:23-24, Philippians 2:3-5

Pastor Ian unpacks one of the most important teachings that Jesus had for his disciples (and us), "…pick up your cross…" Pastor Ian focuses on Mark 8:31–38, but also speaks using Galatians 5:19–21; Daniel 7:13–14; Matthew 10:16; Deuteronomy 21:22–23; Proverbs 16:17.

Pastor Ian continues the Sermon on the Mount series with Matthew 7:1–12. We start judging and the application to eternal destinies of others and ourselves. We then continue with how this applies to our holiness and justification journey, including how we are to be seeking healing and wisdom through asking and searching. Then we conclude with how we ought to live.

As Pastor Joni continues our series on the Sermon on the Mount with Matthew 6:19–34, she asks us to consider the relationship between mental health and spiritual wellness. How does our valuation—by others or ourselves—impact how we receive God's love? She continues with asking us to consider whether we value God or earthly treasures, and even our prioritization of God rather than earthy things. This then leads us to think about how or whether we trust God and God's timing. She concludes with how our focus impacts spiritual darkness and it's impact on mental health.

Pastor Ian continues our Sermon on the Mount series, preaching from Matthew 6:1-18.

Preaching from 1 Peter 1:3–9, 13–25, Pastor Ian speaks about resolutions, new life, and how we are to continually be changing to be more like Jesus.

Pastor Ian speaks about INRI on #ChristTheKing / #ReignOfChrist Sunday. The Scripture focus of the day is Luke 23:33–43.

Pastor Ian preaches on real Christian clothing from Colossians 3:12–17.

Pastor Joni brings a message from 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10

Pastor Ian speaks on Ephesians 4:11–16.

Pastors Joni and Ian speak on Luke 8:1–8, 2 Timothy 3:16–4:5, 2 Corinthians 9:10

Pastor Ian preaches about reliance on God reading Joshua 7:2–26; Joshua 9.

Pastor Joni talks about Joshua 4:19–5:12

Pastors Joni and Ian Kirk preach on Ezekiel 37:1–14 and John 11:1–45