Sunrise Ministries

Gender, Sexuality, and the Kingdom of God

This Sunday, Pastor Dennis taught that while Scripture offers a high ethic for gender and sexuality, real people often live in complex places where grace and accommodation are necessary. He warned that legalism in these areas can “shut the door of the kingdom,” and called us to love people as image‑bearers and trust Jesus to do the transforming.

Worship Setlist:

• Who You Say I Am
• Graves Into Gardens
• Christ Be Magnified

Men and Women in the Church (Part 1)

Today, Pastor Dennis moves beyond simple cultural traditions and practices and defines Christian marriage as a gospel-centered witness built on mutual love, cherishing, and respect. This sacrificial relationship ultimately mirrors the way Jesus Christ lived and died for His church, providing a tangible paradigm of God's love to both children and the watching world.  

Worship Setlist:

• Take You at Your Word
• Firm Foundation (He Won't)
• Who Else
• The Blood

What is a “Biblical” Marriage?

In this week's message, Pastor Dennis explores 1 Timothy 2:11–15, challenging the traditional hierarchical views of male headship by arguing that the text must be understood within its specific cultural context. Paul's instructions should be seen not as universal mandates but as targeted correctives meant to counter the dominant Artemis cult in Ephesus. Dennis encourages the congregation to reject the power struggles of the curse and instead live out the mutual love of the kingdom.

Worship Setlist:

• The Father's House
• Same God
• Build My Life
• Make Room

The Blessing That Names Us

Pastor Bill VanderWerp explores how the ancient Aaronic Blessing from Numbers 6 places God's name on His people, connecting it directly to the ethical weight of the Third Commandment against misrepresenting His name. By applying this historical Hebrew covenant to the modern church, the sermon challenges listeners to consider whether their daily lives bring clarity or confusion to the character of the God they claim to represent.

Worship Setlist:

• Praise
• Graves Into Gardens
• Great Are You Lord
• Gratitude

Husbands and Wives in the Home (part 2)

Pastor Dennis explores the cultural and historical realities that shaped the early church's instructions on family and worship. This message looks at the legal structures of the ancient Roman household, original Greek terminology, and the local regional influences Paul was addressing in his correspondence, reframing traditional ideas around authority and relationships between men and women.

Worship Setlist:

• Praise You Anywhere
• Good Plans
• Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me
• Promises

Husbands and Wives in the Home (part 1)

Today's sermon explores the biblical relationship between husbands and wives, framing marriage not as a model for power or decision-making, but as a testimony of Christ’s self-sacrificial love for the church. By examining Paul’s instructions to the early churches, it calls believers to prioritize mutual submission and service, viewing their relationships as a way to push back against the ramifications of the fall.

Worship Song: Firm Foundation

Men and Women in the World

Pastor Dennis explores Genesis 2 and examines the fundamental design of human relationships and the unique, complementary strengths found in the partnership of men and women. By looking at the Hebrew concept of the ezer, or "strong ally," this message challenges us to see one another as peers created to reflect the image of God together.

Worship Setlist:

• House of the Lord
• Christ Be Magnified
• What a Beautiful Name
• Good Good Father

The God Who Moves First

This morning at Sunrise, we celebrated the baptism of Pastor Dennis’ first grandchild, Ellie Lou, drawing together Scripture, covenant, and the long story of God’s faithfulness across generations. Through this sacrament, we were reminded that God moves first in love, keeping His promises from parent to child and from family to family.

Closing Song:

• Victory in Jesus

I am/we are image bearers of God

Today, Dennis shares that every person equally bears the image of God, and Scripture does not teach a universal hierarchy that restricts women from leadership, teaching, or authority. Sunrise Ministries affirms this biblical vision, rejecting male‑headship as a created‑order mandate and embracing men and women as equal partners in every level of ministry, just as the New Testament church modeled.

Worship Setlist: 

• Who You Say I Am
• The Father's House
• So Will I (100 Billion X)
• Build My Life

Who am I?

Today begins the next movement of our Five Big Questions series: Identity. Pastor Dennis explores what it means to be human, to bear God’s image, and to let Jesus shape every part of our lives. Together we'll take an honest look at Scripture, self‑understanding, and the ongoing work of the Spirit in us.

Worship Setlist:

• Holy Holy Holy
• Stand In Your Love
• God With Us