Jan. 25, 2026

On Faith's 20th Anniversary, Pastor Dave implores us to avoid the "Martha Syndrome" (Luke 10:41).

Pastor Dave's sermon begins at 21:36 min into the video. The music "Everlasting God", "My Jesus", "Be Still My Soul (In You I Rest)", and "A Thousand Hallelujahs" are licensed under CCLI Copyright #2723035 and Streaming Media #22024223 licenses.

Pastor Dave began by diving into 1 Peter 4:8-11, asking a simple but profound question: Now that we're saved, how should we live differently? He reminded us that before Christ, we lived in "unsavedness"—reckless, aimless. But now? We're called to live as saved people, marked by love, hospitality, and service.

His sermon opened with a sweet story about little Theo being surprised so many "old people" showed up on a cold Sunday—classic kid honesty that had everyone chuckling. Pastor Dave then honored the founding members still present, acknowledging their sacrifice in building what we enjoy today. "Maybe 20 years from now, there'll be a group celebrating what we've done to provide a place for them. It's all God's faithfulness, isn't it?"

Above All Things, Have Fervent Love - Pastor Dave started with verse 8: "Above all things, have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." He explained that "fervent" means stretching yourself—like a runner lunging for the finish line—because not everybody is easy to love. "Don't look at the person next to you," he joked. True love seeks someone's highest good, even when it costs us. And when we love like that, we cover their "misses"—not excusing sin, but choosing not to expose every fault. "You have a lot of misses of your own that somebody else is overlooking," he reminded us gently.

Be Hospitable Without Grumbling - Hospitality isn't just opening your home—it's using your resources to meet needs and bring refreshment. Pastor Dave pointed to the simple act of someone preparing coffee Saturday night so it'd be ready Sunday morning. "You never know what kind of week they've had. You offer them a cookie, a cup of coffee, a warm handshake—you never know how that might minister to them." But here's the catch: do it without grumbling. Here he referenced Martha's complaint to Jesus and warned us not to do the right thing with the wrong attitude. "Before you grumble, think: Is this the place God put me? If He did, let me do it with a good attitude."

Serve One Another with Your Gifts - Each of us has received gifts—abilities, capacities, deposits of God's grace. Pastor Dave urged us to ask: What am I capable of? What's my capacity? He shared how God gave him preaching and leadership, while his mechanically-brilliant brother would never stand behind a pulpit. The point? Use your gift. Serve at home first, then in your church family, then everywhere—your neighborhood, workplace, daily life. "You are a steward of God's manifold grace. There's nobody gifted exactly like you." He encouraged us to sign up when we see needs, not waiting to be asked, because serving together makes the body work.

Do All for God's Glory - Pastor Dave closed with verse 11's call to glorify God in everything. When someone thanks you for serving, reflect that praise back to Him. "The light shines on you for your capabilities—let it be reflected back to Him." He led us in a closing prayer, asking God to help us love and serve without grumbling, so others see His goodness. His message left us thinking about our week ahead—not just what we'd do, but how we'd do it, and for whom.