Afton Community Church

Afton Community Church Afton Community Church is your iconic small town Midwest church. Great people! Traditional Hymns, Biblical Preaching.

Sunday services start at 9:00 AM Children's Sunday School starts at the same time. Fellowship time immediately follows the service.

06/03/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: This King’s Authority to Heal. Matthew 8:1-4

“Now when Jesus had come down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. A man with a skin disease came, kneeled before him, and said, “Lord, if you want, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I do want to. Become clean.” Instantly his skin disease was cleansed. Jesus said to him, “Don’t say anything to anyone. Instead, go and show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded. This will be a testimony to them.”

Jesus had just finished His teaching of the Sermon on the Mount. The people recognized his authority to speak in such a way, Now He begins to show His authority over all things through the use of miracles; miracles of healing and miracles showing His command of nature.

As soon as Jesus descends from the mountain a man approaches him. A man with a skin disease, more than likely leprosy. Normally anyone with leprosy would stay away from crowds and if anyone approached, they were to shout out, “unclean, unclean.” This man had faith that Jesus could heal him. The question on his mind was would Jesus want to heal him. And Jesus said, “yes, I am willing.” When Jesus, the King of the Universe, said be healed, it happened instantaneously. I think a good part of His willingness to do so was the man’s faith that He could do so.

Jesus tells the man to go to the priest to be declared clean officially (even though he was already cleansed.) That would allow him to become a member of society again. That made the healing official so to speak. The man was told not to say anything about how this was done, but he probably answered truthfully when the priest asked him how he was healed. In this way the man shared his testimony with the priest about the man Jesus.

We often don’t have “the rest of the story” when Jesus encounters someone with healing or other miracles. Did the man go home and reunite with his wife and children? Did he follow Jesus from that day forward? We don’t know and we don’t need to know, do we? What we need to know is that Jesus healed and did it immediately.
Jesus continues to heal today. Whether it is through the skill of a doctor or through a way that amazes even doctors, Jesus continues to heal. He can heal the physical body but, more importantly, He can heal a broken spirit.

Lord, thank You for Your healing power in my life and in the lives of so many others. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

06/02/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: As One Who had Authority: Matthew 7:28-29

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the Law.”

Jesus taught as One who had authority. What an amazing thought. Did Jesus have the proper credentials? Had he attended all the right schools, had all the right degrees? Had he studied in Jerusalem or Athens? Did He know all of the scholars of old, the ones that everybody else who considered themselves a rabbi quoted? Was He raised from the beginning to be a scholar? Nope. None of these things were true of Jesus. Yet the people were amazed at his teaching because He spoke as One with authority. In other words, He didn’t spend time quoting rabbis or prophets or anyone else for that matter. He spoke with authority because He Himself was/is THE AUTHORITY. He is God incarnate, Emmanuel, God with us.

Can you imagine people nodding off to sleep while listening to the rabbis and teachers of the law quoting everybody under the sun? But Jesus didn’t waste any time quoting others, He simply spoke words of truth and life and hope and joy and love. And He asks us, His followers, to do the same.

Lord, help me to speak Your words, your truth, to a world that needs to hear it simply and honestly put. And help me live that word out faithfully. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

06/01/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: About Foundations: Matthew 7:24-27

“Everybody who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise builder who built a house on bedrock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It didn’t fall because it was firmly set on bedrock. But everybody who hears these words of mine and doesn’t put them into practice will be like a fool who built a house on sand. The rain fell, the floods came, and the wind blew and beat against that house. It fell and was completely destroyed.”

What is the most important part of a house? Is it the kitchen? Or the living room? Or the bedrooms? Or the bathroom? Maybe it’s the roof? All of these are important, especially the roof. But the most important part of any house, or building for that matter, is the foundation. If a house’s foundation is solid, even if the building is over 100 years old, it is good to go.

Here Jesus says to build our lives on a good foundation, something that is solid, something that will pass the test of time. So how does one do this? Certainly not just by hearing His words. It is the “putting these words of Mine into practice” that is the key. This is a great summary statement of the Sermon on the Mount. People came from miles around to hear Jesus speak, to be healed of their diseases, or, they came to trap Him in some kind of error.

But if the ones who hear Him walk away without having a life-changing effect, if they continue to do the same kinds of things, whether in the name of religion or politics or making ends meet, their foundation is weak and their house (their life) falls flat. Our actions do matter. Our foundation is built on Jesus the Messiah and through Him we can do and be the people He wants us to be.

Lord, continue to show me how to keep my foundation strong through You and the works You do through me, Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/31/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: Passing the Test or the Entrance Exam: Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everybody who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will get into the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do the will of my Father who is in heaven will enter. On Judgment Day, many people will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name and expel demons in your name and do lots of miracles in your name?’ Then I’ll tell them, ‘I’ve never known you. Get away from me, you people who do wrong.”

So how does one “make it” into heaven? Jesus is clear here. Just because someone calls out to him, “Lord, Lord” will not enter. Just because someone goes to church on Sundays or even reads the Bible all the time, doesn’t necessarily mean they will make it into the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing wrong with calling Jesus Lord. There is nothing wrong with going to church and reading the Bible. But the only requirement, the only right answer, the way to pass the test is “TO DO THE WILL OF MY FATHER.” Even prophesying, casting out demons and doing miracles in the name of Jesus is not enough.

So what is the will of the Father? Obedience. Obedience to Him and to His Son. So showing love to God, neighbors, and enemies. Taking care of widows and orphans. Letting your yes be yes and your no be no. Giving God the glory, not hoarding that glory for yourself. And the list goes on.

In other words, Jesus is saying we are to be authentic, giving the credit where credit is due. Giving praise to the one who made us, sustains us and gifted us to be a blessing to those around us, And it is all for His glory.

Lord, help me live in accordance with Your will. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/30/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: About Fruit: Matthew 7:15-20

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you dressed like sheep, but inside they are vicious wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do people get bunches of grapes from thorny weeds, or do they get figs from thistles? In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, and every rotten tree produces bad fruit. A good tree can’t produce bad fruit. And a rotten tree can’t produce good fruit. Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, you will know them by their fruit.”

“You will know them by their fruit.” Jesus is exposing those who come preaching things that may sound good and look good, but in the end they are rotten to the core. We have such a phenomenon today. It’s called the Prosperity Gospel. This so-called gospel is a highly functioning, popular message that lines the pockets of the perpetrators and allows them to have several mansions and jet planes. This gospel was made to fit into the greed of many people and it started here in the good ole U.S. of A.

If someone is not wealthy and healthy they are either not living by faith or are considered a second class believer. According to this gospel people will have life easy and if they are not, then their faith is useless. Folks, it just doesn’t work that way.

The Bible is filled with stories about people suffering. Persecution and trials are part and parcel of the life of a believer. Jesus promised those who follow Him that it wasn’t going to be a bed of roses. Those who produce good fruit will be those who are generous in the midst of their own poverty; those who reach out and touch the ones who are sick and infirmed with a message of hope and compassion.

We are called to be generous, not miserly. We are called to give to others, to store up treasures in heaven, not to make earthly things, like houses and jet planes, treasures here on earth.

Okay, rant over. Jesus wants us to be loving, generous, and caring no matter what the other person has going on in her/his life. If we bear good fruit we will be like Jesus.

Lord, let my fruit always be good. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/29/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: About Gates: Matthew 7:13-14

“Go in through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to destruction is broad and the road wide, so many people enter through it. But the gate that leads to life is narrow and the road difficult, so few people find it.”

Jesus is talking about eternity here. But He points to the choice(s) one makes here and now and how that will determine where someone ends up. The narrow gate is the way of hardship and suffering, but this suffering comes about because one is following the ways of Jesus. This is the gate and the way of commitment to Him no matter what comes my way. It is marked with all kinds of trials and tribulations and suffering. But it is the gate that leads to life, for the future but also for the here and now.

The other gate, the one most people will choose, looks like an easy road. If I choose this road I can do whatever I want to do, commit whatever kind of sin I want and fool myself into thinking that I am okay. This road is wide and there will be plenty of people on it so I will never be alone. This way looks like the fun way, the easy way. But in the end it only leads to destruction.

Which one will you choose?

Lord, keep me on the straight and narrow. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/28/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: Give Like God Gives: Matthew 7:7-12

“Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Whoever seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door is opened. Who among you will give your children a stone when they ask for bread? Or give them a snake when they ask for fish? If you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him. Therefore, you should treat people in the same way that you want people to treat you; this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Asking, seeking, knocking. According to Jesus, these actions are putting faith into motion. He says if someone asks s/he will receive, if they seek s/he will find and if they knock the door will be opened for him/her. God knows how to take care of His own.

Yet Jesus turns this idea of giving on its head when He pronounces what we call the Golden Rule. In other words, He expects those who receive these things from God to turn around and give them freely to others. God provides for His people to care for their needs, but also the needs of others.

This fits in nicely with what Jesus said fulfills the Law and Prophets elsewhere, that is to love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And to love your neighbor as yourself.

Lord, let me ask in Your will with the idea of sharing what I receive with those around me, Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/27/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: “Don’t judge!” Matthew 7:1-6

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye. Don’t give holy things to dogs, and don’t throw your pearls in front of pigs. They will stomp on the pearls, then turn around and attack you.”

“Don’t judge me!” This may be the second best known verse in the Bible (after John 3:16). It is certainly the one that is used most by people in our current culture. But is that what Jesus means here? Not to judge anybody at any time? No, I don’t think so. What He is saying is make sure you have examined yourself first to make sure you are not doing something, possibly the same thing that your brother or sister are doing. Paul addresses this issue in his letter to the Galatians: “Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness. Watch out for yourselves so you won’t be tempted too.” (6:1).

Jesus says to still help get the speck out of their eye so that they can see the truth better and, therefore, respond in a righteous way. That seems to be the whole point of the Sermon on the Mount, how to live godly lives. So helping someone get the speck out of their eye works so much better if we get the log out of our own eye first.

Jesus also says to be cautious on who you try to help. People who are unclean may just turn around and stomp you into the mud and mire which they find themselves in. He is not saying to ignore them, but I do think He is saying to be very, very careful. All of this is based on the idea that there is a standard by which we should live. This standard is what Jesus has been teaching about throughout this “sermon.” This standard is based on Him and His truth.

Lord, help me see the sin in my own life before I go about seeing the sin in other people. Give me wisdom, humility and transparency when dealing with this notion of judging. Most importantly, let me understand in a better way what it means to live by Your righteousness. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/26/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: Seek His Kingdom: Matthew 6:31-34

“Therefore, don’t worry and say, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ Gentiles long for all these things. Your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Instead, desire first and foremost God’s kingdom and God’s righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, stop worrying about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It seems that worry is the opposite of trust, right? Jesus says not to worry about the everyday things we need. Things like food, drink, and clothing. He says to look for the more important things in life, God's kingdom and His righteousness. He says that God will take care of the other stuff. I don’t think Jesus is saying do not plan for the future. I do think He is saying don’t spend so much time worrying about the things we need because God will provide for them.

When it comes down to it, worry is just a big waste of time. God has more important things for His people to do. Part of His righteousness is to care for those who have a real need. If we are wrapped up in worrying about our own needs we are probably blinded about the needs of others. There is a hymn that speaks to this

Be not dismayed what e'er betide
God will take care of you
Beneath His wings of love abide
God will take care of you
God will take care of you
Through every day, o'er all the way
(He will care for you)
God will take care of you
Through days of toil when heart doth fail
God will take care of you
When dangers fierce your path assail
God will take care of you
God will take care of you
Through every day, o'er all the way
He will care for you
God will take care of you
God will take care of you
Through every day, o'er all the way
He will care for you
God will take care of you
Songwriters: W. Stillman Martin, C.D. Martin. For

Lord, help me trust in You to care for my basic needs so that I may be Your instrument of helping others. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

05/25/2026

The Coming of the King: The Message of the Gospel of Matthew: Don’t Worry: Matthew 6:25-30

“Therefore, I say to you, don’t worry about your life, what you’ll eat or what you’ll drink, or about your body, what you’ll wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds in the sky. They don’t sow seed or harvest grain or gather crops into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? Who among you by worrying can add a single moment to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? Notice how the lilies in the field grow. They don’t wear themselves out with work, and they don’t spin cloth. But I say to you that even Solomon in all of his splendor wasn’t dressed like one of these. If God dresses grass in the field so beautifully, even though it’s alive today and tomorrow it’s thrown into the furnace, won’t God do much more for you, you people of weak faith?”

Worry, It is a common malady among humans that we worry. Granted we probably worry about different things. My worries are probably different from your worries. And, just so you know, my worries are more important than yours. At least that is how we think, isn’t it? Worry is a selfish act. Work is a doubting act. When we worry we are only thinking about ourselves and we are doubting that the God who created us, and everything else for that matter, can’t deal with whatever we are worried about.

Jesus points to His creation to show how foolish it is to worry. The birds of the air and the lilies of the field are taken care of by God. And, Jesus says, we are much more important to Him than creatures and grass that withers and dies. But worry continues to rear its ugly head. We worry because our faith is weak. But God will take care of you and me. And we can take that to the bank because it is a sure thing that He will.

What is it that you worry about? Put it in God’s hands, live by faith and do His will, not your own.

Lord, You know the things that I worry about. You have proven in the past that You will provide.
Let me trust in You to continue to provide in the future. Amen.

Until next time,

TO THE GLORY OF GOD!

Pastor Ray

Address

5126 S County Road D
Afton, WI
53501

Opening Hours

9am - 11am

Telephone

+16087564921

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