Hays Christian Church

A Woman's Place: Part 1

Where is a woman's place in the church? In this message, Joanne Tramel begins a scriptural study to discuss this controversial topic. Churches over time have debated and discussed and even split over the proper role of women in the church. To answer this age-old question, one must begin with the way that Jesus treated women and continue to learn how the first century church incorporated women in its early ministry.

American Idols Part 4: Money

The final message in the American Idols: Tuning Out Distractions to Authentic Faith, Pastor Kevin Daniels speaks on the idol of money. Greed is all around us and is something that drives cultures around the world. What does the Bible say about how to interact with money? Instead of saying that having money or not having money is the issue, Scripture tells us that our attitude and actions with our resources are what matter.

American Idols Part 3: Selfishness

In Part 3 of the American Idols: Tuning Out Distractions to Authentic Faith series, Pastor Kevin Daniels tackles the issue of selfishness. When we put our own desires and wants ahead of what God would have us to do or be, we put ourselves into the position reserved only for God. We make ourselves an idol by not allowing God to lead and direct our lives. The clip from the Big Bang Theory can be seen here. The music at the beginning of the message is by Chelsea Staub from the Bratz album. The video with lyrics is here.

American Idols Part 2: Fear

In Part Two of the American Idols: Tuning Out Distractions to Authentic Faith, Pastor Kevin examines how Fear is one of the idols that many don't realize they are worshiping. When we put safety and comfort above our calling by the Lord, we have elevated fear to the status of an idol. A classic symptom is that we are unable to make decisions.

American Idols Part 1: Busyness

This is part 1 of the series American Idols: Tuning Out Distractions to Authentic Faith. Part 1 is about the idol of busyness. In this sermon, Pastor Kevin Daniels speaks about how we sabotage ourselves into being busy most of the time. He speaks to the characteristics of authentic faith and provides some specific steps that we can take to help curb our appetite for busyness.

Testimony of Rhonda Westerman

For our February Testimony Sunday, Rhonda Westerman describes how she came to know God through her many personal struggles and how He helped her find peace.

What's the Difference? Jehovah's Witnesses

In the final part of "What's the Difference?", Pastor Kevin Daniels tells us the origin of the Jehovah's Witnesses cult, pointing out how it deviates from Christianity. The better informed you are, the easier it is to share God's word to those who believe differently.

What's the Difference? Islam

In part two of the "What's the Difference?" series, Pastor Kevin Daniels gives us a brief history of Islam and explains ways Islam differs from Christianity and why Allah is not the same God we serve.

What's the Difference? Mormonism

In the first of the three-part series "What's the Difference?", Pastor Kevin Daniels teaches how the Mormon cult got its start and what it teaches that strays from Christianity, for our understanding. 

The Road to Hell

"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions". In this message, Dr. Steve Tramel reminds us that we cannot rely on neither faith nor good works alone to get to Heaven and that we must strike a balance of both in order to be saved for eternity.

A Response to the Tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary

This is the audio podcast of Pastor Kevin Daniels' message about the Sandy Hook Elementary Shooting which took place on Friday, December 14, 2012. The full text of the sermon is below.

"When something like this happens, we are left wondering why.

We search for answers about how a loving God could allow this to happen, and we come up empty.

I’ve seen people on Facebook and Twitter who are using this tragedy for their own purposes. Whether it is banning guns or arming teachers, one thing is sure, everyone has been touched by this violence.

As a father, I am shocked that this can take place – especially to ones so young.

There were 12 girls and 8 boys murdered. They were all 6-7 years old – the same age as Logan.

I cannot help but be saddened at the injustice.

As a pastor, I am compelled to offer some words of encouragement and comfort, but I am at a loss.

I think about the milestones that these children will miss. Graduation. Marriage. Having kids of their own. And I mourn this loss. I mourn alongside the parents and teachers and family members of those who were killed.

I also mourn for the survivors. I can’t imagine having to explain to Logan or Kamryn what had happened and why some of their classmates would never be coming back to school.

Yet in the midst of all of these feelings, I find some comfort in the fact that these children are now with Jesus.

While on earth, Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:14)

I believe that he has welcomed each one of them into heaven. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

For those left behind, those left to pick up the pieces of a shattered innocence, I pray that the peace of the Lord Jesus would come upon them.

I thank the Lord for the heroic teachers and administrators who put themselves in harm’s way in order to save their students.

I thank the Lord for the first responders who arrived to a grisly scene yet maintained their composure to help usher the surviving children and adults to safety.

I pray that we can all find comfort in the Holy Scriptures for “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

God is not surprised by this tragedy. He knows that as a result of the sin that has overcome the world, evil would permeate every aspect of our lives, even in our safe places, even in the lives of our children.

Jesus wept when his friend was laid to rest, and I believe that Jesus weeps with all of us during this difficult time.

Though we cannot comprehend the depths of the evil, and though we will never truly understand the shooter’s motives, we can seek out the One who promises compassion, the One who promises to be there when sin rips apart our world."

Where is God? Part 5: Why Does God Care About What I Believe?

In the conclusion of the "Where is God?" series, Pastor Kevin Daniels tackles the issue "Why Does God Care About What I Believe?" The answer is quite simple: your beliefs about God determine your eternal destiny. This sermon takes belief, heaven and hell straight on, leaving no room for doubt.

Where is God? Part 4: Why Don't I Know God's Plan for My Life?

Part Four of the Where is God series is "Why Don't I Know God's Plan for My Life?" In this message, Betty Rupp shares the answer to that question and how to discover what God truly intends us to do. Focusing on those things which we all are to do, she provides a clear place to start.

Where is God? Part 3: Why Don't I Feel Like God Cares About Me?

In Part Three of the series "Where is God? Why Don't I Feel Like God Loves Me?" Pastor Kevin Daniels talks frankly about our feelings in relation to the truth that God does really love us. Many of us say we believe it, but don't actually live like it; we don't allow Jesus' love to change our lives or the lives of those around us.

Where is God? Part 2: Why Does God Allow Me to Suffer?

In Part Two of the series "Where is God?" Pastor Kevin Daniels speaks about suffering; what causes it and what we can do about it. Using examples from contemporary culture and Scripture, listeners are guided through the stories of people who saw relief of their suffering in this life, and some who did not experience relief until they passed into the next.

Where is God? Part 1: Why Doesn't God Just Fix This?

Part one of the series, "Where is God?" is Why Doesn't God Just Fix This? In this sermon, Pastor Kevin talks about our tendency to be inpatient in all areas of our lives, particularly when it comes to our own situations. Drawing from multiple texts and stories, including when the walls of Jericho fell, he helps to explain why God sometimes doesn't answer our prayers in the way we would like.

Spiritual Gifts: An Introduction

In this sermon, an introduction to Spiritual Gifts, Pastor Kevin provides a brief overview about spiritual gifts in the Scriptures. Topics include: what a spiritual gift is, why we need to know what our gifts are, how we can discover our specific gifting and what the purpose of the gifts are. For a free online spiritual gifts inventory that covers more gifts than the one used at church, click here. They also have a youth version here. Pastor Kevin taught a Sunday School class on spiritual gifts for the following 3 weeks. That material was not recorded, however if you would like to receive the workbook material that he created and used for the class, please email him (kevin@hayschristianchurch.org) and he will be glad to get you a copy.

God's Pie: How Do You Slice It?

In this sermon, "God's Pie: How Do You Slice It?" Pastor Kevin Daniels talks Scripturally about one of the most sensitive topics in the church: giving. God's Word has a lot to say about how we use our resources, so even if it's uncomfortable, we still need to study it. The video used in the sermon can be found on YouTube here.

Context is King (Part 2)

In the second part of "Context is King," Pastor Kevin Daniels walks through and interprets a text in 1 Corinthians 7 using the methods described in Part One of "Context is King."

Context is King (Part 1)

In Part One of "Context is King," Pastor Kevin Daniels talks about what is important when interpreting Bible passages. The major factor: context!

YOGO: You Obey God Only

In YOGO (You Obey God Only), Pastor Kevin Daniels talks frankly about obedience and the consequences for rebellion. Case in point: the sins of King Saul of Israel (1 Samuel 15).

Don't Be A Fool, Have Faith!

In "Don't Be A Fool, Have Faith!" Pastor Kevin Daniels walks through the story of Jephthah in Judges 10:6-11:40. The story of Jephthah is both appalling and inspiring, but not one to be overlooked.

Testimony of Billie Crawshaw

For Testimony Sunday, member Billie Crawshaw shares how the Lord has been active in her life.

Testimony of Linda Bahl

For Testimony Sunday, member Linda Bahl shares how she has relied on the Lord throughout her life. Her message: Prayer Works!

Se7en: Anger

In Se7en: Anger, Pastor Kevin explores the deadly sin of anger. Using examples from life, Scripture and his own experience, Pastor Kevin not only examines the sin, but he offers practical insights on how to beat anger in our daily lives. The video used as the introduction for the sermon can be found here.

Se7en: Pride

The first sermon in the series Se7en is Pride. Pride is said to the be the root of all of the other deadly sins. Here Pastor Kevin explores the relationship between pride and humility and how Jesus is the perfect example of humility. The clip in the sermon is from The Princess Bride, and can be watched here. Unfortunately, the middle section of the sermon was not recorded due to technical difficulties.