Passage: James 1:12-25

Based on James 1:12-25, this week's message helps us to discern between a "trial" that draws us closer to Christ and a "temptation" that Satan uses to entice us away from Him. Called to simply "be who we are," Pastor Jeff's message focuses on the blessings the Lord brings upon us through the hard times we face. Declared righteous through faith in Jesus, we live righteously, that is, we walk in obedience to God's Word.

Passage: Ephesians 5:1-20

We follow Jesus. He is the perfect example for us, showing what love for God and love for neighbor looks like. But in order to understand Jesus as our perfect example, we first look to Him as the perfect offering and sacrifice to God. For us and for our salvation Jesus gave up His life that we might be His own and live under Him in His kingdom. "We do because we are," is a phrase from this week's message, summing up the life of obedience to which we've been called. Take a listen and enjoy this journey through Ephesians 5:1-20.

Passage: Ephesians 4:17-32

A new day. A new start. A new school year. A new job. You name it. When you begin something new, life is good and full of endless possibilities. So it is with those who are in Christ--we are made new each day as we trust in Him. Enjoy this week's message from Ephesians 4:17-32 as we learn how the saving work of Jesus changes the "default settings" of our hearts to give us new attitudes and actions as we are rooted in His forgiveness.

Passage: Ephesians 4:1-16

He walloped the Evil One and his minions by His death, descent and resurrection. Ascended to the Father's right hand, Jesus now equips His people to know Him AND to make Him known! Dig into God's Word as you listen to this message based on Ephesians 4:1-16. Be rooted. Be equipped. Be part of Jesus' "body" to do His Kingdom Work through the "calling you have received" (Eph. 4:1).

Passage: Ephesians 3:1-21

We'll never fully understand our God and the ways He works. "Mystery" is the word the Apostle Paul uses to describe our saving God and His life-giving Gospel. In this week's message from Ephesians 3:1-21, Pastor Jeff Alexander helps us to see how this "mystery" reaches back into the past, reveals itself in the present, and ranges into the future to create one family, one community in Christ. In response to this "mystery," we trust and praise Him even when we can't understand all of His ways.

Passage: Lamentations 3:22-33 & John 11:17-27

In this service of remembrance, we pray for a servant leader in our church family, Alice Pollert, as she grieves the tragic loss of her daughter, Jill, and grandsons, Branson and Aidan Buck. The people of Mount Olive join with our larger Center Grove and Greenwood community in praying for and supporting the Buck family. Together, we cling to Jesus as "the Resurrection and the Life" and sing of Him, "How Great Thou Art!"

Passage: Ephesians 2:1-22

Paul pulls no punches in Ephesians 2. "All of us" are spiritually dead, objects of wrath, and on a path to destruction. Without Christ, there's no hope. With Christ, there's life and hope and a guaranteed future in the Father's presence for all who believe. Today's sermon by Pastor Jeff Alexander helps us to better understand the grace of Jesus--grace that not only saves us, but also enables us to be the "handiwork" of our Savior.

Passage: Ephesians 1:3-14 & John 6:38-40

Even before the Lord said, "Let there be light," He chose to include you in His family, on His "team." Both mysteriously and graciously, the Father elects you as you hear, believe, receive and wait for the work of Jesus in your life. He's speaking. Are you listening? Enjoy this week's message from Pastor Jeff Alexander based on Ephesians 1:3-14.

Passage: 2 Corinthians 8:1-11

Jesus is generous. When you're rooted in Him, He makes you generous as well. Today's message walks us through Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 8:1-11, as the example of the Macedonian believers is set before us. God's Word calls us to generously offer our whole lives: first to the Lord, then to others. In so doing, we learn what a life of "excellence" looks like as we are rooted in Jesus' generosity, which is His saving grace.

Passage: 2 Corinthians 6:1-13

Rooted in God's gifts, we're commended to one another and sent forth by Jesus to be co-workers in the ministry of the Gospel. Today's message by Pastor Jeff Alexander is based on Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 6:1-13, where we see how the Lord works in and works through the lives of His servants, His co-workers, even through times of trial and hardship. There's no room for delay! "Now is the time of God's favor!" (2 Cor. 6:2) | Follow on Twitter @Root66Route

Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Reflecting on God's grace to us as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, today's message by Pastor Jeff Alexander examines Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 5:1-10. Take a listen as we unpack God's truth and apply it to our lives of discipleship as we "Faith Forward" and are equipped to receive and to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Passage: 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1

Pastor Jeff is no David Letterman, that's for sure. Yet in this week's message, he shares his own "Top Ten List" of things the Lord has taught him in his first 10 years as a pastor. As today's message highlights: "God's Word works!" When we're at our weakest, He's at His strongest. Sometimes we simply need to get out of the way.