The First Gospel Sermon

Jubilee of the Liberty Bell

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan In “Jubilee of the Liberty Bell,” Pastor Russel Moldovan begins with the history and symbolism of the Liberty Bell, whose inscription comes from Leviticus 25:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvCSCYPp5mk&t=1510s]: “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” He explains that this verse points back to Israel’s Year of Jubilee, when debts were forgiven, servants were released, property was restored, and the people were reminded that true freedom comes from God. Pastor Moldovan connects this biblical understanding of liberty to the beliefs of America’s founders, emphasizing that rights come from God while government is responsible for protecting the freedom to exercise those rights. He then shows that liberty always carries a cost by highlighting the final pledge of the Declaration of Independence and recounting the sacrifices made by several of its signers, who risked their lives, fortunes, families, health, and reputations for the cause of freedom.The sermon then turns from political freedom to the greater spiritual freedom offered through Jesus Christ. While the founders sacrificed to help secure national liberty, Jesus gave His life to free humanity from the tyranny, condemnation, and eternal consequences of sin. Drawing from Galatians 5:1 and Luke 9:23 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvCSCYPp5mk&t=563s]–25, Pastor Moldovan explains that discipleship also has a cost: believers are called to deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Christ. The sacrifices of the apostles illustrate what it means to live with such commitment. The sermon concludes by declaring that political liberty is precious, but spiritual liberty is greater because it is eternal; since Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, we are called to surrender our lives to Him and live for His ministry and glory.

Happy Birthday America!

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan Pastor Russel Moldovan’s sermon celebrates America’s 250th birthday by tracing the nation’s history through three major phases: the Age of Settlements, the Age of Colonization, and the Age of Revolution. He begins by honoring America’s long-standing Constitution, its legacy of liberty, its unmatched opportunities, and its generosity to the world. From there, he argues that one of the most significant influences on America’s greatness has been its Christian heritage, especially the belief that human liberty, dignity, moral law, and individual rights come from God rather than from government. He points to the Pilgrims, the Mayflower Compact, the Puritans, and the early Christian purpose of institutions like Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Dartmouth as evidence that biblical principles were deeply woven into the nation’s earliest development. The sermon then moves into the Revolutionary era, showing how the Bible, Christian thinkers, colonial founding documents, the Declaration of Independence, and early presidents all reflected an awareness of God’s providence and moral authority. Moldovan highlights the Declaration’s references to God, Benjamin Franklin’s appeal for prayer during the Constitutional Convention, and statements from presidents such as Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, McKinley, and Coolidge. The message concludes with Psalm 127:3—“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain”—as both a historical reflection and a present-day warning. As America marks this milestone, the congregation is encouraged not only to be grateful for the nation’s freedoms, but also to seek God’s wisdom, guidance, and blessing so that liberty, justice, character, and faith may continue to shape the country’s future.

It's Not Just A Little Thing

SPEAKER: Associate Pastor Wally Kocher Pastor Wally Kocher’s sermon, “It’s Not Just a Little Thing,” reminds us that what may seem small to us can be deeply meaningful in God's hands. Beginning with a humorous story about finding “Bigfoot” sitting at his office desk, Pastor Wally shows how a simple act of thoughtfulness can brighten someone’s day and remind them they are seen. From there, he points to Scripture to show that God notices what seems small: He is mindful of human beings in Psalm 8, He sees the sparrow in Matthew 10, He pursues the one lost sheep in Luke 15, and He receives acts of mercy toward “the least of these” in Matthew 25 as if they were done for Him.The sermon calls the church to pay attention to the people God places in front of them and to stop dismissing small acts of love, kindness, encouragement, and invitation as unimportant. Through stories such as the father who sacrificed his son to save another, Billy Graham being invited to a tent meeting, and Bruce Stuckey faithfully giving a young Russel Moldovan rides to church and youth group, Pastor Wally emphasizes that one unnoticed act can have eternal consequences. The message closes with the challenge to ask, “Who is the one God has placed in front of me?” and to remember that a word, a visit, a prayer, an invitation, or a simple kindness may not be “just a little thing” at all.

Parents Rising

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan In this King’s Kids Sunday sermon, Pastor Russ Moldovan shares eight biblical strategies for raising children who love God, respect authority, and value what is right. Drawing on Arlene Pellicane’s book "Parents Rising!", he encourages parents and grandparents to “rise up” to the calling God has given them to lead their families in a culture that often works against Christian values. He reminds parents that constant amusement is not the highest priority, that boredom can actually help children grow in creativity and problem-solving, and that parents must lovingly take the lead in the home. Drawing on Exodus 20:12 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OTYeb7CjOE&t=1212s] and other biblical examples, he emphasizes that children need to learn to trust and obey, even when they do not fully understand every reason behind a parent’s instruction.Pastor Russ also highlights the importance of routines, boundaries, daily Bible reading and prayer, a Christ-centered marriage, family meals, and intentional time spent with children. He explains that children need more than entertainment, possessions, or activities; they need spiritual nourishment, loving structure, and the steady presence of parents and grandparents who are investing in their hearts. The sermon concludes with the reminder that Christian parenting is not simply about raising “good kids,” but about raising godly young men and women who know Christ, think biblically, serve faithfully, and are prepared to stand for Jesus in a challenging world. Ultimately, parents are not merely raising children to succeed in this life, but preparing them to walk with Christ into eternity.

Only Two Things Last Forever

SPEAKER: Pastor Russel Moldovan In this sermon, Pastor Russel Moldovan introduces the book of Ecclesiastes as part of the church’s chronological Bible reading plan and explains its place within Hebrew Wisdom Literature. He highlights the repeated theme of “havel,” often translated as vanity, meaning that life under the sun is like a vapor—brief, temporary, and unable to provide lasting meaning apart from God. Ecclesiastes teaches three major realities: God is the Creator and giver of all good things, God’s ways are often mysterious and beyond our full understanding, and death is the great equalizer that comes to both the wise and the foolish, the rich and the poor, the young and the old.Pastor Russel then points to the final message of Ecclesiastes: because life is brief, death is certain, and much of life remains a mystery, we are called to fear God, obey His commands, and live in light of the day we will stand before Him. He emphasizes that only two things last forever—God and people—so we should stop giving so much attention to temporary worries and earthly possessions and instead focus on relationships, sharing Jesus, and being ready to meet Christ. The sermon closes with a gospel invitation, reminding listeners that judgment is coming, tomorrow is not promised, and every person needs to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.