About New Life Church Kalamazoo with Pastor Dan Smith
Keep up with weekly sermons taught from New Life Church Kalamazoo's Senior Pastor Dan Smith or another New Life Church's pastors. To learn more about New Life Kzoo check out https://newlifekzoo.com or search New Life Church Kalamazoo in you App Store to download our app.
What if opposition isn’t always a sign that you’re doing something wrong?
In this message from SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics, Pastor Dan continues through Acts 6:8–15 and the story of Stephen — a man filled with God’s grace, power, wisdom, and the Holy Spirit.
Scripture tells us that followers of Jesus are already in a spiritual war. We are not waiting for the battle to begin. And if the Holy Spirit empowers believers to be witnesses for Jesus, we should expect resistance when we actually begin doing what He has called us to do. Live_2026-10-18_953am Live_2026-10-18_953am
Stephen did not wait for a title or position before living out his faith. His life already demonstrated that he was the real deal. He served, lived the Scriptures, operated in the power of the Holy Spirit, and boldly pointed people to Jesus. Live_2026-10-18_953am
Then opposition came.
People argued with Stephen, but they could not overcome the wisdom the Spirit gave him. When they could not defeat his message, they attacked the messenger, twisted his words, gathered false witnesses, and brought him before the Sanhedrin. Live_2026-10-18_953am Live_2026-10-18_953am
But even under pressure, God’s presence remained evident in Stephen.
Opposition does not have to silence your witness. It can become the very opportunity God uses for you to point someone toward Jesus.
Will you remain faithful when following Jesus costs you something?
Stay connected with New Life Church:
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11 Oct 2026
Be Part of the Solution
What happens when God answers your prayers for growth — and growth creates problems?
In this message from SWAT: Spiritual Warfare and Tactics, Pastor Dan continues through Acts 6:1–7, where the early church is rapidly growing and suddenly faces a serious problem: some widows are being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.
Instead of allowing the problem to divide the church or expecting a few leaders to solve everything, the apostles bring the entire church into the solution. Spirit-filled, wise people are identified, responsibility is entrusted to them, and ministry moves forward.
Pastor Dan challenges us to understand that growth exposes problems that need solutions. Reaching more people means welcoming people with different backgrounds, experiences, struggles, and levels of spiritual maturity. Growth can get messy — but that does not mean we stop growing. It means more of us have to take ownership. The church was never designed to be a small group of exhausted people doing ministry while everyone else watches. God has filled His people with the Holy Spirit, given them gifts, and called them to participate in building His church.
When responsibility was shared and people stepped into their part, “the Word of God spread” and the number of disciples increased rapidly.
So instead of only asking, “What’s wrong?” maybe the better question is:
God, how can I be part of the solution?
Stay connected with New Life Church:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifekzoo (https://facebook.com/newlifekzoo)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/newlifekzoo (https://instagram.com/newlifekzoo)
4 Oct 2026
Almost Faithfull
What if the biggest thing keeping you spiritually stuck isn’t obvious disobedience — but almost obedience?
In this message, guest speaker Pastor Allison Carver teaches from 1 Samuel 15 and the story of King Saul. Saul technically followed much of what God commanded, but he changed the parts that did not appeal to him. He kept what he wanted, justified his choices, and convinced himself he had obeyed.
Pastor Allison defines almost obedience as obeying God just enough to feel faithful, but not enough to be fully surrendered. It happens when we take what God has clearly said and run it through the filter of our preferences, fears, logic, comfort, or desire for control. Almost Obediance Transcript
Through Saul’s story, we are challenged to ask three questions: Am I choosing this because it honors God or because it appeals to me? Am I obeying, or am I explaining away what God already made clear? And have I mistaken a season of stagnation for permanent disqualification? Almost Obediance Transcript Almost Obediance Transcript Almost Obediance Transcript
The good news is that failure does not have to be the end of your story. Because of Jesus, there is always a way back through repentance. His mercy is greater than our inconsistency.
Jesus didn’t die because you would always obey. He died because He knew that you wouldn’t. Almost Obediance Transcript
What has God already asked you to do that you are still negotiating?
Stay connected with New Life Church:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/newlifekzoo (https://facebook.com/newlifekzoo)
Instagram: https://instagram.com/newlifekzoo (https://instagram.com/newlifekzoo)
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