Sunday Morning Preview - July 6, 2014

I hope you will all join me this Sunday at Dakota Community Church for the kick-off of our Summer Series for 2014 entitled; “The Ten Commandments”.

How exciting is the prospect of spending the summer digging into the law? Don’t you just relish the mere thought of discovering additional rules and regulations you may have missed? 
Think outside the Bible for a second. 
Who hasn't thought at year end, “Oh boy I hope the tax laws have been expanded.”
Who doesn’t get excited when the boss announces a meeting to discuss new policies & procedures?

If just the thought of greater regulation exhausts you, you may not be alone; but is this how we should feel about the law of God? 

Is it possible that we are missing something important in our unending demand for unfettered freedom?

Sunday June 29, 2014 at Dakota Community Church

The plan for tomorrow at Dakota is to take an honest look at the state of affairs financially and ministerially at this, the mid-way point of 2014. 
I am excited that there is some good news to report, but I think we all know there are also a number of challenges to be faced.

What are the common indicators that a church is unhealthy or even dying?
Are we exhibiting any of these signs at Dakota Community Church?
Can anything be done to reverse the decline of an unhealthy church?

I hope you will all join me for this mid-year “State of the Church Address”

Welcome - June 22, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning as we continue to work our way though the Book of Ephesians. Today's sermon is entitled, "Spiritual Warfare"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 6:10-18; 1 Peter 5:8-9

Sunday June 22, 2014 at Dakota Community Church

And so the letter to the Ephesians winds down with this final stirring passage.
Paul has taken us on an incredible journey.
Beginning with the ultimate plan and purpose of God, laid down in eternity past before the foundation of the world. 
Good news; a plan of redemption for all mankind, to bring about a single new human race through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, to unite Jew and Gentile, male and female, slave and free.  Different, but equal in value. 
To unite the church and all of creation under His Lordship that we might live lives “worthy of the calling” in Christ.
Demonstrating unity, diversity, purity, and love in mutual submission for His Glory in the church, in our marriages and families, in our vocations, and in all the world. That the world might be drawn to Him, that they might know Him, that He might be glorified!

What a vision, what a plan! 

We stand ready to walk it out. “Amen, and amen, let’s get to it; Your kingdom come, Your will be done.” 
And they all lived happily ever after…

Not quite…   

Welcome June 8, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning as we continue to work our way though the Book of Ephesians. Today's sermon is entitled, "Christianity on the Job."

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 6:5-9; 1 Corinthians 7:20-24; Isaiah 64:6; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Colossians 3:22-24

Sunday Morning Preview - June 8, 2014

This week at Dakota the plan is to share a brief and encouraging report on the PHCC national conference, we will celebrate communion; and finally feed upon the Word from Ephesians 6:5-9.

Have you ever felt that you are so busy with work and family activity that you have no time left over for involvement in the Kingdom of God? Do you ever fear that you are wasting your precious life on mundane or ordinary things instead of fulfilling God’s great plan for you?

Relax, I have good news for you this Sunday.

Sermon: Grace Based Parenting 3

Sermon: Grace Based Parenting 3

Welcome - May 25, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning as we continue to work our way though the Book of Ephesians. Today's sermon is entitled, "Grace Based Parenting 3."

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 6:1-3; Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6

Sermon: Grace Based Parenting 2

Sermon: Grace Based Parenting 2

Welcome - May 18, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning as we continue to work our way though the Book of Ephesians. Today's sermon is entitled, "Grace Based Parenting 2."

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 6:1-3; Ephesians 6:4; Romans 7:18-19; Deuteronomy 6

Sunday May 18, 204 at Dakota Community Church

The plan for this Sunday morning at Dakota is to dive back into the Ephesians Series with Part 2 of “Grace Based Parenting.”

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”

Two simple instructions, one thing to NOT do; one thing TO do, and yet isn’t it oh so easy to provoke; but so very difficult to discipline and instruct?
Has any parent ever had to try even a little bit to provoke their children to anger? And why is it so hard to be consistent in discipline or to find time for the instruction of the Lord? For that matter what does it even look like to do these things correctly? Is it possible to go to far with this whole grace thing and wind up spoiling our children?

I hope to see you this Sunday at DCC.

Sermon: Grace Based Parenting 1

Sermon: Grace Based Parenting 1

Sunday Morning Preview - May 11, 2014

I hope you will join me this Mother’s Day morning at Dakota as we share communion and then begin to look at the power of the gospel to infiltrate and influence the almost always complicated parent/child relationship.

The law is beyond clear on the point that children are to hold their parents in high esteem and to show them honour, but what exactly does that mean? 
Do we have to honour parents that behave dishonourably or is it possible for a parent to be so dishonourable that the child gets a pass on this command? 
Paul points out in our passage that this is the first commandment that holds a promise for obedience; “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” What does this mean for the children of bad parents? 

Looking forward to a rich time in God’s Word - Pastor Dan 

Sermon: Biblical Family 6

Sermon: Biblical Family 6

Welcome - May 4, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week 6 of our current series entitled; "Biblical Family"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 5:21-33; Matthew 19:3-9; Proverbs 5:15-19; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Sunday May 4, 2014 at Dakota

The plan for this Sunday morning at Dakota is to spend one final week on the topic of Christian marriage before moving on to “Grace Based Parenting” next Sunday. (May 11, 2014)

We are working our way through the Book of Ephesians in this series, as you know; however, marriage is so central to God’s will for man that I feel we must take the time to consider a few other key passages of scripture in order to gain a more complete understanding of the topic.

I think you will find it beneficial to take the time to read “Sunday’s Key Scripture” (1 Corinthians 7:1-16, Matthew 19:3-9, Proverbs 5:15-19) and to spend some time in contemplation as you prepare to receive God’s Word this week.

Sermon: Biblical Family 5

Sermon: Biblical Family 5

Welcome April 27, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week 5 of our current series entitled; "Biblical Family"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 5:21-33; Proverbs 12:16-18; Romans 8:1-4; Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Proverbs 5:15-19;Hebrews 13:1-4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

Sunday April 27, 2014 at Dakota

This Sunday morning the plan is to jump back into the book of Ephesians picking up where we left off on the topic of biblical family life. 

Hopefully you will recall that our focus over the past four weeks is on Christian marriage in general; [missed sermons are available here: http://decormie2551.sermoncampus.info], and on characteristics that identify law driven marriage as opposed to the gospel centred variety specifically. 

I hope you will join me this Sunday as we take a look at score keeping, shaming, selfishness and reactive extremes within a marriage and how the gospel works in us to resolve these issues.

Sermon: If Christ Is Not Risen

Sermon: If Christ Is Not Risen

Welcome - April 20, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday!

If Jesus did not rise from the dead He is a complete fraud, and Christianity is of no value whatsoever to anyone.

Please enjoy the message and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

1 Corinthians 15:12-20; John 11:17-27; Psalm 14:1; John 14:6; John 8:31; Exodus 20:16; John 8:42-47; Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:3-10; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Easter Sunday 2014 at Dakota

I am hoping you will all come out to celebrate Easter this Sunday at Dakota Community Church. The message I have prepared is in keeping with the holiday and is (not surprisingly) entitled; “He is Risen!”

Just how important is it to the Christian faith that Jesus rose from the tomb on that third day? Does it really matter all that much? Doesn’t Christianity still have plenty to offer without all those supernatural and/or miraculous elements? Think of all the great teaching Jesus did; the golden rule, the importance of love and forgiveness and let’s not forget about turning the other cheek.

The truth is that a Christianity without a resurrected Christ is of no value whatsoever to anyone. For more on this I look forward to seeing you Sunday morning. 

*Please Note: This Sunday will be a “family service” which means no Sunday School will be provided

Sermon: Palm Sunday 2014

Sermon: Palm Sunday 2014

Welcome - Palm Sunday 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Today we celebrate Palm Sunday with the sharing of communion and fellowship over a pancake breakfast.

Please enjoy the message and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 3:20-21; Jude 1:24-25; 1 Timothy 1:17; Romans 11:33-36; Romans 16:25-27; Isaiah 7:14; Psalm 22:1-18; Psalm 45:6-7; Zechariah 12:10; Zechariah 9:9

 

Palm Sunday 2014

I hope you will join me this Sunday at DCC as we prepare our hearts to focus on the most important event in human history; the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It all begins with the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem on the first day of His final week of earthly ministry, soon the joyous shouts of “Hosanna” and “Glory to God” will turn to angry cries of “Crucify Him”. 

Friday looms large on the horizon, but Sunday is coming right behind it.

Besides the usual Sunday morning festivities this week we will share communion and the sermon will be followed by a pancake brunch. Remember to arrive a little early if your food items need warming.

Sunday Morning Preview - April 6, 2014

This Sunday at Dakota we will continue with our study of the book of Ephesians focusing on the topic of biblical marriage.

What happens when Christians make the mistake of basing their marriages on law rather than gospel? (Many do) 
How does that look where the rubber meets the road?

Are there any identifiable characteristics of law dominated marriage, and if so; what are they?

Are Christian spouses meant to discover their partners faults and flaws in order to apply pressure, control behaviour, and do everything in their power to help the Holy Spirit bring change?

I hope you will join me for this 67th instalment in the Ephesians Series entitled; “Biblical Family 4”

Welcome - March 30, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week 3 of our current series entitled; “Biblical Family”

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Genesis 2:18; 1 Corinthians 7:6-35; Philippians 3:17; Philippians 2:19-30; Ephesians 5:21-33; Hebrews 12:1-2; Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:3-9; Proverbs 5:15-19; Hebrews 13:1-4; 1 Corinthians 7:1-16

 

Sunday Morning Preview - March 30, 2014

This Sunday at Dakota we will begin to consider the ramifications of the gospel on married life as outlined in Ephesians 5:21-33 as well as a few other passages.

A few of the points I hope to cover include:

• Unmarried adults and their role within the Body of Christ; do we need to be in the match making business in order to help these poor folks find fulfillment?
• Does the Bible really require sexual abstinence outside of marriage, what about inside it?
• When disagreements arise in a marriage, who gets the final word, I mean whose will is obeyed or… um… what I’m trying to say is who “wins”; who gets what they want every time?
• What is a wife’s submission to look like and how is a husband’s love to mirror Christ’s love?

I hope you will join me for this 66th instalment in the Ephesians Series entitled; “Biblical Family 3”

Welcome - March 23, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

So glad you could join us this morning for week 2 of our new series entitled; "Biblical Family"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 5:21-6:9; Jeremiah 17:9; Colossians 3:9-11; Galatians 3:24-28

March 23, 2014 at Dakota Community Church

Last Sunday we wound up spending our time establishing the foundational idea that the New Testament teaches a gospel which is to completely infiltrate the lives of believers and their relationships both within the Church and without.

This week the plan is to tackle the interrelated concepts of spiritual authority, obedience and submission. 

A few of the more popular highlights:

Wives, submit to your own husbands (vs. 22)

Children, obey your parents (vs. 1) 

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters (vs. 5)

Please join me Sunday morning for “Biblical Family Pt. 2” 

Sunday March 16, 2014 at Dakota

A few key directives from the passage of scripture we will begin to unpack this Sunday at Dakota Community Church:

Wives, submit to your own husbands (vs. 22)

Children, obey your parents (vs. 1) 

Bondservants, obey your earthly masters (vs. 5)

Few things have the ability to get the blood boiling in many contemporary believers like the suggestion that we may be required by God to submit to some form of earthly authority or another. The very notion is so out of vogue today that for many of us our gut reaction upon encountering the idea is to immediately cry “foul”. This is, after all, a day of liberation, a day of freedom and a day of equality; especially for women, children and the working class.

Is Paul calling us here to revert to some former oppressive time when women “knew their place," children were “seen and not heard” and workers “kept quiet; just happy to have a job”? 

Please join me Sunday morning for “Biblical Family Pt. 1” 

Welcome - March 9, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

This morning the plan is (And this time I really mean it!) to wrap up our study of Ephesians 5:3-21 with part four of “In the Fellowship of Saints”

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 5:3-21; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 13:19 

 

Day Light Saving Time Begins

Sunday Morning Preview - March 9, 2014

I hope you will join me this Sunday for the Fourth and final (really!) instalment of “In the Fellowship of Saints” based on Eph. 5:3-21.

To date we have looked at the various behaviours that Paul describes as either inappropriate or appropriate for Christians in light of the salvation we have received in Christ. Sprinkled throughout the passage he drops a few reminders as to our motivation for following these behavioural directives and I plan to close the series with a closer look at a few of these.

Are the exhortations to avoid “foolish talk” or “crude joking” meant to be a prohibition against humour?

How important is this idea of “submitting to one another”, and what if I do not respect the person I am being asked to submit to?

I hope to see you Sunday as we delve into these important issues and more. 

Welcome - March 2, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

This morning the plan is to wrap up our study of Ephesians 5:3-21 with part three of "In the Fellowship of Saints"

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Ephesians 5:3-21; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1; Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 13:19

Sunday March 2, 2014 at Dakota

I hope you will join me this Sunday for the third and final instalment of “In the Fellowship of Saints” based on Eph. 5:3-21.

To date we have looked at the various behaviours that Paul describes as either inappropriate or appropriate for Christians in light of the salvation we have received in Christ. Sprinkled throughout the passage he drops a few reminders as to our motivation for following these behavioural directives and I plan to close the series with a closer look at a few of these.

Are the exhortations to avoid “foolish talk” or “crude joking” meant to be a prohibition against humour?

Is the reminder of the “coming wrath of God on the sons of disobedience” a warning that poor Christian performance may result in eternal damnation?

How important is this idea of “submitting to one another”, and what if I do not respect the person I am being asked to submit to?

I hope to see you Sunday as we delve into these important issues and more. 

Welcome - February 16, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

This morning’s sermon marks a return to our walk through the Book of Ephesians with a sermon entitled “In the Fellowship of Saints 2”.

Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today’s sermon:

Ephesians 5:3-21; Colossians 3:1-17; Galatians 6:1-3

Sunday February 16, 2014 at Dakota

This Sunday we will return to our study of Paul’s Epistle to the Church at Ephesus, picking up where we left off two weeks ago. 

Hopefully you will recall that we were looking into the wide ranging and daunting list of inappropriate behaviours for Christians as outlined in Ephesians 5:3-21. 

Sexual immorality, drunken debauchery, covetous idolatry, and even filthy language and/or joking were all seen to be things that are not only to be avoided; but in fact - must “not even be named” amoung the congregation of saints.

Now we will examine the other side of that coin - (appropriate behaviours for christian gatherings) - in a sermon entitled; “In the Fellowship of Saints 2”  - I hope you will all join me.

Welcome - February 9, 2014

Welcome to Dakota Community Church

Grace, Freedom, Laughter

Today's sermon is entitled "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood" Please enjoy the service and follow along in the scriptures using the links below.

Scripture for today's sermon:

Genesis 4:1-10; Leviticus 17:11; Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 12:18-24; Acts 20:28; Titus 2:11-14; Romans 5:6-9;Hebrews 13:8-12; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

February 9, 2014 at Dakota

We have a great Sunday planned at DCC this weekend.

First, it is Communion Sunday and I am so excited to share the good news of what God has accomplished for us through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. Come, be refreshed by the gospel, and encouraged and fed by the powerful Word of God on this most central sacrament of the Christian faith.

After the service we will share a pot-luck meal together. (Contact me if you don’t know what to bring & whatever you do - don’t stay home if you don’t have a contribution) 

Please plan to stay as we build community by getting to know one another better.

Finally, bring your skates if you have them - those who do will be going for a skate before returning for hot chocolate. There will be people staying at the church so no need to rush home if you won’t be skating.

I sincerely hope to see all of you!