this past sunday

June 21st Sermon

Sermon recap

This past Sunday, Pastor Gustafson delivered a heartfelt sermon that touched on the profound themes of family, forgiveness, and our identity in Christ. As we gathered to celebrate Father's Day, we were reminded of the spiritual bonds that unite us all as children of God. Here are some key takeaways from the sermon:

The Dad Tax and Family Bonds: Pastor Gustafson humorously explored the concept of the "Dad Tax," using it as a metaphor for the cherished moments and life lessons shared between fathers and their children. He reminded us that just as earthly fathers seek time with their children, our Heavenly Father desires an eternal relationship with us.

Our Imperfect Families: The sermon candidly addressed the reality of sin within families, acknowledging that no family is perfect. Yet, through Christ, we find forgiveness and the strength to overcome our shortcomings. Pastor Gustafson emphasized that our true identity is found in the phrase "I belong to Christ," which offers us hope and renewal.

Living as a Christian Family: We were encouraged to live out our faith together as families, supporting one another through life's challenges. Pastor Gustafson highlighted the importance of forgiveness within the family, urging us to say "I forgive you" as often as "I love you," to foster healing and unity.

As we reflect on these messages, let's strive to embody the love and forgiveness that Christ offers us, extending it to our families and communities. May we approach each day with a renewed sense of belonging to Christ, knowing that we are part of His household of faith.

Sermon Study GUide

June 21, 2026 Sermon

Reading
  • Romans 6
  • Matthew 10
  • Genesis 4:1-16 (Cain and Abel)
  • Luke 15:11-32 (The Prodigal Son)

Warm Up
  • Reflect on a time when you felt like you learned a valuable life lesson from a parent or mentor. What was the lesson, and how did it impact you?
  • How do you currently view the concept of family within the context of your faith?
  • Have you ever experienced a "dad tax" moment in your life? How did it make you feel, and what did you learn from it?

Scripture Exploration
  • Read Romans 6. How does Paul describe the relationship between sin and grace in this chapter?
  • Reflect on Matthew 10. What challenges does Jesus say his followers will face?
  • In Genesis 4:1-16, what were the consequences of Cain's actions, and how does this story reflect the theme of sin within families?

Personal Reflection
  • What does the phrase "I belong to Christ" mean to you personally, and how does it influence your daily life?
  • Consider the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32. How does this parable illustrate God's forgiveness and grace?
  • How do the themes of forgiveness and belonging in the sermon resonate with the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels?

Personal Application
  • Identify one area in your family relationships where you need to extend forgiveness. What steps can you take this week to address this?
  • Think about how you can follow Jesus together with your family or community. What are some practical ways you can implement this in your life?
  • Reflect on a situation where you felt separated from God. How can the assurance that "I belong to Christ" help you overcome this feeling?
  • Plan an action step to engage more deeply with your church community, focusing on supporting and strengthening Christian families.