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Welcome to the official sermon podcast of Church at Bergen, a vibrant and diverse, Christ-centered community in northeast New Jersey. Each episode features biblically sound, gospel-driven sermons preached by our pastors and guest speakers. Be equipped, encouraged, and challenged as we dive deep into God’s Word, exploring its relevance to our everyday lives and its power to transform hearts. Whether you’re a part of our church family or tuning in from afar, join us as we glorify God and grow ...
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Have you ever found yourself questioning what it truly means to be holy? In this sermon, guest preacher, Pastor Eddie Zaldana dives deep into Isaiah 6:1-8, where the prophet encounters God's divine holiness in a moment that transforms his life and mission. As Israel stands in uncertainty following King Uzziah's death, Isaiah enters the temple and i…
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Have you ever found yourself staring blankly out a window, gripped by the unsettling questions of your own existence? In this thought-provoking sermon, Pastor Mike dives deeply into the nature of life crises: those moments when our status quo shatters, leaving us to confront fundamental questions like, "Who am I?" and "What is my purpose?" Drawing …
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Pastor Mike concludes our sermon series in Haggai by examining the prophetic message given to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah. He highlights how this message vindicated Zerubbabel amid the challenges faced by the Jewish people after their exile, while also humbling him as a chosen servant of God. Pastor Mike draws parallels to Christ, who is the …
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Pastor Mike shares a powerful message about the concept of holiness and defilement as presented by the prophet Haggai. He explains that defilement spreads more easily than holiness and that even the most sacred actions can be tainted if they come from a defiled heart. He emphasizes that all of humanity has been affected by original sin, making our …
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Pastor Mike shares a personal testimony of his recent health scare involving a heart attack, which led him to a deeper understanding of God's love and assurance. He reflects on Romans 5:1, emphasizing the peace we have with God through faith in Christ, and how this truth has become crucial in overcoming his fears about mortality. Throughout his exp…
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Pastor Dave focuses on the themes of discouragement and renewal from the book of Haggai, urging the congregation to reflect on their priorities and the significance of their actions in their spiritual walk. He reassures them that even when their efforts feel small or inadequate, God is present and actively working through them, and they should not …
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Pastor Peter Ochoa shares a powerful message centered on Mark chapter four, emphasizing the importance of living as lights in the world and not hiding our faith under a "basket." He warns that putting our light under a basket can lead to a wasted life and urges listeners to examine how they measure their actions against God's Word. By actively enga…
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Pastor Dave explores the book of Haggai, focusing on how the people of God responded to God's rebuke with repentance, obedience, and a renewed reverence for Him. He emphasizes that true transformation begins when we recognize our delays and turn back to God, who promises His presence to empower us in our mission. The sermon highlights that spiritua…
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In this sermon, Pastor Mike explores the start of the book of Haggai, emphasizing the spiritual neglect of the people of Judah who prioritized their own homes over the rebuilding of God's temple. He points out that their frustrations in life result from their misplaced priorities, as they seek fulfillment in earthly comforts instead of the presence…
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Pastor Dave explores John 21, focusing on how Jesus calls his disciples to follow Him after His resurrection. He emphasizes that true discipleship involves dependence on Jesus, which leads to devotion of Jesus, which then leads to direction from Jesus. Through three scenes in John 21, Pastor Dave examines the obstacles of self-reliance, pride & pas…
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Pastor Mike discusses the source of true peace, highlighting that it emanates from the resurrection body of Jesus, who overcame death and offers hope for a future resurrection for believers. He emphasizes that peace comes not from human efforts or religious rituals, but from accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, who died for our sins and rose again, …
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Pastor Mike focuses on the miraculous story of Lazarus' resurrection from John 11, highlighting its deeper significance as a testament to the profound love of Jesus. Despite witnessing grief, Jesus intentionally delays his arrival to emphasize that suffering can serve a greater purpose in strengthening faith and revealing His glory. Through interac…
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This sermon focuses on the healing of a man born blind from John chapter nine, emphasizing that this miracle is a sign revealing the spiritual blindness inherent in all of us. Pastor Mike explains that while we may recognize our imperfections, we often fail to see the true depth of our sinfulness without the illuminating grace of Jesus. This spirit…
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Pastor Mike continues the "Signs" series by highlighting the significance of Jesus' miracles as revelations of His glory, particularly focusing on the story of Jesus walking on the wavy sea. He emphasizes that moments of darkness and absence of Jesus' presence are a normal part of the Christian life and serve to deepen one's experience of Jesus' gl…
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Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of self-discovery through faith, urging believers to recognize their inherent need for Jesus rather than relying on their own confidence. He discusses how Jesus' miracle of feeding 5,000+ reveals His capacity to provide for all needs, drawing parallels to God's provisions in the Old Testament. Instead of merely…
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Pastor McKinney emphasizes the significance of the miracles in John's Gospel, referring to them as signs that reveal the glory of Jesus. In his sermon, he focuses on the story of a man paralyzed for 38 years, showcasing how Jesus offers true healing and rest that transcends the limitations of self-help superstitions and religious legalism. It is il…
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In this sermon, Pastor McKinney discusses the second sign from the Gospel of John, where Jesus heals a royal official's son, highlighting the value of the soul over physical health. The transformation of the man's faith, moving from seeking a mere miracle to trusting in Jesus' words, illustrates the essence of true belief. Pastor McKinney encourage…
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Pastor McKinney introduces a seven-week series exploring the "signs" or miracles of Jesus in the Gospel of John, emphasizing that these miracles are meant to reveal the glory of Jesus and strengthen faith. He discusses the first sign where Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding, illustrating that this miracle speaks to deeper spiritual truths abo…
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Pastor Peter Ochoa emphasizes the importance of truly listening to the Word of God by exploring the parable of the Sower from Mark chapter four. He highlights four types of soil representing different responses to the Gospel: the hardened path represents those who are unresponsive to God's message, the rocky soil illustrates those with temporary fa…
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Pastor McKinney concludes our series in Titus, emphasizing the significance of good works in the Christian life as a response to salvation rather than a means to achieve it. He outlines four key truths: good works result from being saved, should define a disciple's life, can be hindered by distractions, and require the church's collective contribut…
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Pastor McKinney emphasizes that the Gospel is not only about achieving eternal life but also about shaping how we live our lives today. In his sermon, he points out that while many may agree doctrinally with kindness and respect towards others, the real challenge lies in the motivation to act this way, especially in difficult circumstances. He disc…
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In this sermon, Pastor Mike discusses Paul's letter to Titus, emphasizing the importance of living a life shaped by the Gospel while navigating the challenges of work. He highlights how a Christian’s attitude in the workplace (specifically being submissive, well-pleasing, and trustworthy) can effectively reflect the worth of Jesus and attract other…
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In his sermon, McKinney emphasizes the importance of self-control for young men, rooted in the teachings of Paul in Titus. He highlights that self-control is not just a matter of discipline, but a reflection of a man's relationship with God and how the gospel shapes his life. Pastor McKinney urges young men to grapple with their sinful desires seri…
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Pastor McKinney discusses the critical role of healthy individuals in building strong churches, as outlined in Paul's letter to Titus. He emphasizes that while culture may push contrary views, the biblical design for women is to love their husbands and children, maintain purity, and foster self-control, which aligns with The Gospel's teachings. Pas…
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In this sermon, Pastor McKinney delves into the teachings from the Book of Titus, focusing on the gospel as a transformative blueprint for life. He emphasizes the importance of older men and women embodying godly characteristics like sober-mindedness, dignity, and self-control, aiming to set a Godly example within the church community. By reflectin…
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In this sermon, Pastor McKinney revisits the Book of Titus, focusing on how the Gospel serves as a blueprint for life. He shares the background of Titus, explaining that Paul wrote this letter to guide him in establishing a strong church on the island of Crete, amidst a culture that contradicted the message of Jesus Christ. Pastor Mike emphasizes t…
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In the final sermon of our Advent series, "Hope", Pastor McKinney discusses how we typically respond to bad news, focusing on the progression from fear and detachment to doubt and ultimately despair. He emphasizes that doubt is a natural part of faith, but this doubt must remain in the passenger seat and faith must stay in the driver's seat. Pastor…
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In this sermon, Pastor Mike discusses the theme of hope during the Advent season, focusing on our human responses to bad news, such as fear, hiding, and numbing ourselves. He emphasizes that the pain we experience is a natural part of life and that while it's tempting to seek quick relief, numbing prevents us from experiencing the transformative wo…
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Pastor Mike discusses the Advent season as a time to reflect on the significance of Christ’s coming amid the world's suffering and pain. He emphasizes that the brokenness of life should not be ignored but acknowledged, as it reveals the need for salvation and cultivates a longing for future glory. Using Romans 8, Pastor Mike contrasts current suffe…
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Pastor Mike McKinney emphasizes that Advent is a time to reflect on the hope brought by the arrival of Jesus Christ, particularly in the face of bad news that we often encounter. He uses Psalm 112 to underscore that the righteous, who trust in the Lord, will not be shaken by life’s uncertainties and challenges, but will remain steady and unafraid. …
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Associate Minister Dave Levesque Jr emphasizes the need to confront false teachings within the church, comparing it to addressing a medical infection that can threaten the health of a congregation. He outlines characteristics of false teachers, such as distorters of the gospel, whose teachings can lead to spiritual decay and unhealthy families. He …
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Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of men stepping up and raising up other men as spiritual leaders, based on teachings from Titus 1:5-9. He discusses the qualifications for elders / pastors, highlighting the need for integrity in their relationships with family, themselves, and the Word of God. Pastor Mike calls for men to courageously take…
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From Titus 1:4-5, Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of godly masculinity and the role of men in the church, referencing Paul's letters to Titus and Timothy. He encourages men to "man up" by stepping into chaotic situations in their lives to bring order, highlighting the necessity of grace, peace, and reliance on God the Father and Jesus as …
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Pastor McKinney shares a personal story from his high school football days to illustrate the importance of future hope in shaping present discipline and actions. He connects this to the Gospel, emphasizing that the hope found in Jesus Christ is not dependent on our discipline but rather on the grace of God, which instructs us toward godliness and s…
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Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of prayer and outlined key characteristics of what it means to be a "salty Christian"—a disciple of Jesus. He referenced a powerful parable from Luke 18 about a widow who persistently sought justice from a godless and indifferent judge. Despite her vulnerability as a woman and a widow in a male-dominated so…
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In this sermon series "Salty Church," Pastor Mike emphasizes the importance of being "salty" Christians—followers of Jesus who bring out His desirability in their lives and communities. He highlights that before Jesus calls us to fish for men, He calls us to fellowship with Him, stressing that discipleship is more about relationship than task. The …
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Pastor McKinney discusses the concept of a "salty church," where Christians embody the flavor and love of Christ in their lives, making it harder for people to ignore Jesus. He emphasizes the importance of serving others, drawing from Jesus’ example of humility and sacrifice, highlighting that true greatness in the kingdom of God comes from serving…
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Pastor McKinney emphasizes the importance of understanding what it really means to be a disciple of Jesus and the characteristics of a "salty" Christian. In week 2 of our Salty Church vision series, we focus on "fearless generosity". We are warned against the spiritual dangers of covetousness and Pastor McKinney explains how money can interfere wit…
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In week 1 of our brand new vision series, "Salty Church", we explore what it means to be a church where Jesus cannot be ignored - a salty church. Over the next 5 weeks, we set out to explore some essential traits of true disciples of Jesus: First In Love, Fearless Generosity, Freedom to Serve, Fishers of Men, Faithful in Prayer. In this sermon, Pas…
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