I belong to a multiethnic body of believers called the Church of Jesus Christ. I was baptized into this new family, and I don’t get to choose and select who my siblings in Christ are. The waters of baptism are more binding than the blood running through my veins and any artificial national borders. “When one part of the body hurts, we (should) all hurt” (1 Cor. 12:26-27). … More A Word On Immigration
It’s the anniversary we never wanted, nor will ever forget. One year ago we rushed Isaak (11) to the ER with abdominal pain, and ended up in the ICU at Children’s for 31 agonizing days. To mark the anniversary, I’m instead sharing a podcast episode celebrating his baptism this summer and the sermon I gave on that occasion. Listen as Sarah and Doug do a Deep Dive into my message. … More Podcast #176 – Let’s Get Ready to Rumble (Deep Dive)
This Sunday we baptized our son, Isaak David, in a beautiful service under an oak tree next to our chicken coop in our neighbor’s horse water tank. The weather was beautiful, the music was fun, and I was nervous as I shared a message God had placed on my heart for Isaak. Instead a water-themed Scripture, I was led to a desert text where Jacob wrestles all night with God and walks away with a holy hobble and new name. … More Isaak’s Baptism
Our son Isaak will be baptized this August. This has me asking: When is the right time, age, and maturity for baptizing a child? My theological view of baptism has shifted back and forth over the years. Here’s where I am at these days. … More Is My Child Ready for Baptism?
This exposition of 1 Peter 3:18-22 emphasizes a spiritual battle between good and evil forces, urging Christians to be aware of this cosmic struggle. It highlights the role of Jesus in overcoming evil and calls for believers to resist being manipulated by worldly powers. The text also stresses the importance of having a clear conscience before God, rather than pursuing selfish desires or political victories. … More An Appeal for a Clear Conscience
Our tour bus pulled into the parking lot and joined other groups from around the world. Were we souls on pilgrimage or shoppers on holiday? We were at the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized and we could be too – if we could find our way through the gift shops, concession stands, and observation decks to the river below. … More Tour Buses in the Jordan Wilderness
Let’s talk about hobbits and dwarves, wine barrels and baptism today, asking Paul’s question: “Into what were you baptized?” Like the Bilbo and the dwarves held captive by the Wood-elves, we need to be dunked into the barrel of baptism to rescue us from the bonds of the World, the Flesh and the Devil. … More Barrels Out of Bonds
What message does a father preach at his firstborn’s baptism? Well, if his name is Peter, he loves adventurous sea stories, and desires to be a bold disciple, how about Matthew 14:22-33? … More Waters of Faith: A Baptism Sermon
This week we observe Epiphany and commemorate the Baptism of the Lord with a message on the song God placed in our heart at our own baptism, and the need for “godparent” figures in our lives (friends, mentors, pastors, parents) who will remind us of the song when we forget or lose our way. … More WATCH: God’s Song in Your Heart
Jesus offers more than a small puddle of spiritual refreshment that appears momentarily but vanishes quickly in the afternoon sun. … More When the Waters Stir
Shannon’s first time at MainStreet was attending her 36-year old brother’s funeral. Few words were exchanged that day but I (Jeremy) could tell she was weighed down by more than brother’s passing. I ran into her sometime later and she informed me that she was going into treatment to get sober. I promised to pray … More Shannon’s Story
One of the highlights of my ministry in my hometown is also one of the most painful experiences. In the summer of 2012, the City of Mound celebrated its 100th birthday during our annual City Days festival in July. A group of pastors I met with regularly began to coordinate with city leaders to organize … More Me & Billy G – Evangelistic & Ecumenical
We gathered at the beach for our annual baptism service and potluck. Always a highlight to preach in the open air with the lapping waves and morning breeze coming off of Lake Minnetonka. I resisted making mention (this time!) that just a few hundred yards down the shoreline Bill Bright housed the Campus Crusade headquarters … More Imagine a World: Treasure Seekers (Matt 13:44-46)
God continues to make MainStreet a place for “new beginnings” and a place where amazing grace is proclaimed and experienced. Brandon was a freshman at Crown College back in 201o when we were just beginning to gather a launch team to start MainStreet. He performed at our open mic event for youth and I had … More BRANDON’S STORY: A Cry From the Pit
Baptism’s No Big Deal, Is It? Jun 07, 2011 by Craig Blomberg at Denver Seminary Blog “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Rom. 6:4 NIV) “I know … More On Baptism (Craig Blomberg)
I was blessed to be sitting at a table having breakfast yesterday with a fella who was baptized in a high school pool the evening before. Sadly, this is rare for me. By God’s grace I hope to be surrounded by a constant flow of newly baptized believers in the years ahead — and may … More A Cruciform Perspective
“Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are … More PHILIPPIANS 23: Rely on Christ, Not Human Effort (3:1-4)
Jeremy L. Berg 