Erin Church of the Nazarene

Real Ones in Christ: Wearing the Cross With a New Heart

Pastor Daniel Medders begins by reflecting on how people introduce themselves, noting that men often lead with jobs and hobbies while women often mention family and their role in the home, which reveals what they believe gives them value. He then turns to Philippians 3:1–9 and explains Paul’s command to rejoice despite suffering, along with his warning about “dogs” and “mutilators of the flesh,” people who rely on outward circumcision instead of true inward transformation. Using Old Testament language about uncircumcised hearts, Pastor Daniel explains that the covenant sign was meant to point to a changed heart and he contrasts “real ones” who genuinely belong to God with posers who only display religious symbols, illustrated through humorous stories about hunting gear, cowboy hats, and surface level identities. He applies this to the way Christians decorate their bodies and homes with crosses, reminding the church that the cross was a brutal instrument of torture and asking whether they truly live in sacrificial obedience to the One who died on it. Pastor Daniel concludes that all the things we brag about, such as career, success, or hobbies, are rubbish compared to knowing Christ, and he prays that God would circumcise their hearts so that the cross they wear or display reflects a real inward change that points others to Jesus.

Gambling for Christ: Risking Our Lives for Jesus' Gain

The sermon, preached by Pastor Daniel Medders, centers on Philippians 2:25–30 and the often overlooked figure of Epaphroditus, whose common Greek name contrasts with his uncommon faithfulness. Paul’s descriptions of him as a brother, co-worker, fellow soldier, messenger, and caretaker are unpacked to show deep relational loyalty, shared work for the gospel, spiritual struggle side by side, high personal trust, and sacrificial service. Pastor Daniel then explains that the word translated “risked” in verse 30 comes from a Greek term with a gambling flavor, and uses Scripture along with data on lotteries and sports betting to show how the Bible warns against dishonest gain, the love of money, and practices that harm the poor. He clarifies that Epaphroditus was not a gambler for personal profit but someone who “rolled the dice” with his own life for Christ’s sake, and he calls believers to become that kind of gambler, going all in so that God and others, not themselves, are the ones who gain.

Meekness and Power: Jesus' Body, Humility, and Life Issues

Pastor Daniel Medders preaches from Philippians 2 about the mystery of the Trinity and the nature of Jesus as fully God and fully man, emphasizing that our inability to fully understand or explain God does not invalidate His existence. Using the analogy of looking through windows and doors, he explains that we only see partial but true glimpses of who God is, then focuses on Paul’s description of Christ’s humility, that although Jesus was in very nature God, He did not use His divine status to His own advantage but took on human likeness and the role of a servant. Pastor Medders teaches that biblical meekness is not weakness or passivity but controlled strength, shown in Jesus’ capacity for power and even violence that He kept under control, such as when He cleansed the temple or restrained Himself when provoked and mistreated. He reflects on Jesus entering the world through a uterus and offering His body “for you,” contrasts this with modern abortion rhetoric of “this is my body, I’ll do what I want,” calls that stance the “anti-Eucharist,” and urges Christians to side with the voiceless unborn while speaking with compassion and care toward those who have experienced abortion.

Scared Yet Called: Trusting God When You Feel Inadequate

The sermon explores why following Jesus is hard, including walking the narrow path, dying to self, forgiving others, and discerning God’s will versus our own ideas, illustrated by Moses, David, Paul, and Gideon who felt inadequate or doubted amid hardship. Pastor Daniel Medders shares his 2014 calling to ECN, describing providential moments at camp and the YES Conference, confirmation through leadership conversations, and arriving in town with a strong sense of “coming home,” while remaining “scared to death and excited” in a way that keeps him dependent on God. Marking 4,010 days since his first sermon and beginning year 12, he urges believers to expect feelings of unworthiness and inadequacy yet to move forward because God’s presence, “I AM,” makes them sufficient. He notes the aging pastoral workforce and calls the church to accept, pursue, and persevere in ministry callings, contrasts eternal impact with fleeting pursuits, invites people to speak with church leaders, and closes with a prayer for discernment and trust in God’s sufficiency.

Faith That Works: Don’t Just Signal, Turn

Pastor Daniel Medders teaches from James 2:14–26, using a driver who signals a turn but never turns to ask when faith is genuine. He affirms salvation by grace, citing Acts 16:31 and the thief on the cross, yet argues that real belief must produce action since even demons believe. Drawing on Abraham, Rahab, John the Baptist, Paul, and Jesus, he shows that Scripture links faith with visible fruit and that people are known by what they do. He concludes that we are not saved by works but saved for works, urging listeners to stop signaling and actually turn by serving others, and then closes in prayer.

Dealt a Different Hand: Moving from Past Pain to Future Purpose

Pastor Daniel Medders reflects on how people are born into different life circumstances—what he calls “the hand we’re dealt”—and how those experiences shape identity and understanding. He shares personal memories, stories from international mission trips, and biblical examples like Moses, David, and Jesus to highlight that hardship is not uncommon, even among those God uses greatly. Medders compares Freud’s focus on the past with Adler’s forward-looking philosophy, expressing concern that an overemphasis on past trauma can hinder healing and spiritual growth. He urges listeners not to let their past define them, but to allow God to use those experiences to serve others and build His kingdom. The message ends with a call to shift focus from regret to purpose, trusting that God can use every life—no matter the past—for good in the future.

Taming the Heart: Learning to Trust God Over Ourselves

Pastor Daniel Medders begins by sharing a story from a mission trip to Albania to illustrate how difficult it can be to discern who or what to trust. This leads into a broader message challenging the modern advice to "follow your heart," arguing instead that the heart is deceitful—a view supported by Scripture, particularly Jeremiah 17. Pastor Daniel emphasizes that relying on personal desires often leads us away from God's will, using biblical examples like David, Jonah, and even Jesus to highlight the tension between human wants and divine purpose. He urges believers to guard their hearts, not follow them, and to seek God's guidance over self-interest. The sermon concludes with a prayer asking God to replace personal desires with His will, reminding listeners that discernment comes through time spent with God and a willingness to surrender.

Gloriously Stubborn: Celebrating a Mother's Strength and Faith

Pastor Daniel and his brother Blake celebrate their mother's strength, adventurous spirit, and unwavering presence, sharing humorous stories and heartfelt reflections about their experiences growing up. Blake shares a deeply personal testimony of his struggle with substance abuse and credits his mother's steadfast faith and prayers for helping him survive a severe health crisis. Daniel connects their mother's qualities to the biblical example of Mary, illustrating how mothers sacrificially prepare their children for life's challenges and then courageously release them into the world. He closes the service with prayer, expressing gratitude for all mothers and asking God to bless and encourage them.

Confronting Evil: Understanding Christ’s Power Over Darkness

Pastor Daniel Medders explores the nature of evil and demonic activity, focusing on Jesus' encounter with a demon-possessed man in Luke 8:26–39. He reflects on cultural beliefs, personal experiences, and theological insights, including how curiosity and trauma can create vulnerabilities to spiritual oppression. The discussion highlights the progressive nature of possession and the undeniable reality of evil in the world. Despite the unsettling subject, Pastor Medders emphasizes Christ’s absolute authority over evil, offering reassurance that darkness stands no chance against the power of God.

In the Waiting: Lessons from Lazarus and Trusting God’s Timing

Pastor Daniel Medders reflects on how closeness in relationships can be recognized through everyday actions, linking it to the deep bond between Jesus, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He reads John 11 in detail, emphasizing the cultural context of the original Eastern audience and highlighting that Jesus’s raising of Lazarus was the catalyst for the plot against Him. The disciples’ growing faith is seen in Thomas’s willingness to follow Jesus, even if it means dying with Him. Mary and Martha’s experience illustrates how painful waiting can lead to a deeper understanding of God’s power and purpose. Ultimately, Pastor Medders encourages listeners to trust God in their own periods of waiting, believing that His presence remains constant, even when answers are delayed.