Messages – Elements City Church: Recent Episodes
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A church believing there's a HOPE available that changes everything. We gather for church on Sunday Nights for dynamic worship, authentic community & relevant teaching. You're invited to join us in midtown to make a difference.
As we enter into Holy Week we face again the reality of the battle we’re in. The enemy wants to sideline us by reminding us of our sin and our brokenness. The devil will try to grab a seat at your table, to influence you, but you can resist giving him a seat. God has a table prepared for just you and Him. Jesus has secured our victory so we can remind ourselves of our new identity in Him and WHO is really with us and for us.
Have you ever been in a tug-a-war? Think back to P.E. class in middle school? Remember. Now, do you ever feel a similar tension in your life? Like you’re in a tug-a-war in your attempt to follow after Jesus in the midst of the culture and world in which you live? We must recognize the battle we’re in and RESIST the lies with truth and continue to lean into the practices of Jesus. We must live out 1 Peter 5:8-9.
The final practice to help us live unhurried lives is Sabbath. There’s a reason Sabbath is one of God’s Ten Commandments for us to observe. Regularly practicing Sabbath helps us resist the cultural pull to busyness, while creating margin for us to engage in spiritual formation. Sabbath, ultimately, is one of the best paths to becoming more like Jesus and growing as a disciple of Jesus.
We do these practices like (slowing, simplicity, silence, solitude, sabbath and more) in order to grow the fruit of the Spirit within us and cultivate compassion like Christ within our hearts. We don’t want to grow old and grumpy, as followers of Jesus we must grow our compassion like his! Tonight we look at 4 practices we can do to help grow our compassion.
We live in the culture of busy, of noise, of many voices and distractions – in the land of constant connection and our A.D.D. culture that swirls nonstop around us. And yet, the life rhythms of Jesus invite us to find more of our identity and purpose in him through the practices we see him engage in: solitude and silence. They aren’t for the faint of heart – but they will greatly reshape the heart of a disciple within you.
Our lives are cluttered — so much so that we may have unintentionally crowded Jesus out of our daily lives! By embracing a lifestyle of simplicity, that is, removing anything from our lives that prevents us from pursuing the things we most value, we can create space in our lives and in our hearts for a deeper relationship with Jesus, and a better ability to see and meet the needs of others.
Following Jesus as an act of resistance to our cultural push toward hurry and hustle. We’re invited to live more into the pace of slowly following our Savior. Most of my greatest mistakes tend to come when I’m in a hurry. We’re invited into living more and more like Jesus. Adopting his rhythms and practices. As you study his life, we see that Jesus was busy, but never hurried. As His followers, we’re called to walk in the way of love and one simply can not love in a hurry. Within a hurried culture – the practice of slowing helps us recenter ourselves in order to grow our connection with the Lord and to love others well.
Thank you to all who served folks somehow and in some way this Serve Weekend! I love how our church rolls up its sleeves and serves. With the Super Duper Big Game this weekend, we took a break from our normal in-person Sunday night worship services and instead took a time-out to recap our vision via an online service. Lyle and Jack unpack our vision more – with the help of a hot wings challenge…things got spicy! Check it out
If we say we follow Jesus, we have to follow the way of Jesus. From looking at the life of Jesus and the Scripture, we can see that the Jesus ‘way’ is to gather in order to scatter to reach people not connected to God. We are to be Jesus outside the walls of this church. Be the church that Jesus sends and that takes the love of Jesus to others.
As we pursue our vision we want to cultivate the culture of our church to focus on creating hearts that REACH, EQUIP and SEND. These values will be the flavor of how we live out the great commission and great commandment Jesus gave the church. We also want to grow our generosity in order to live into our dream for the future we believe the Lord is guiding us toward. It will take you, me and us together!
Cultivation is something we all have done, can do. But it’s also something we know takes time and effort. At the heart of cultivation is: intentionality. Friends: we want to encourage us – help us grow in cultivating our relationship with God and our relationships with others with the love of Christ.
As a church, we believe we are commissioned by the Gospel to make disciples. What is the Gospel? Why is it good news? And what role does discipleship play in all of this? Hear how truly experiencing the Gospel and the presence of God positions us to invite others to join us in experiencing the same. This is the heartbeat behind our call to not only be disciples ourselves, but to make disciples as well.
We want to live in such a way that we earn the right to invite people closer to Jesus and into next steps with Him. We want to wake up and walk through our days, continually on the look out for how we can extend an invite to folks versus keeping folks at arms length, extinguishing them and writing them off. We don’t follow ‘cancel culture’, instead, we build a grace filled one that champions people so they know God is for them and available. We invite. = This is Us.
The new year is here, so we’re kicking it off with some worship and prayer as we launch into 2023. Let’s pause, reflect and seek the Lord’s best for ourselves and our church in this new year.
Merry Christmas friends! Today as you gather with folks – we pray that you enjoy the conversations and connections. We invite you to hit pause somewhere in your day to remember once again, the reason for the season. Worship along with us from your home and listen again to the Christmas story from Luke 2 and a few thoughts from Pastor Jack. *after the devotional: pull up the David Crowder Christmas album (track 9) “Your Praise Goes On” and as a family take a moment to let your praise join in…
We will see you back at Elements – Sunday, January 1st at 5pm for our Praise and Prayer Night to kickoff 2023!
In Matthew chapter 1 we notice a character of the original nativity – his presence is there, though silent throughout the Scriptures – but it’s the message conveyed to him that helps us see something spectacular about God and all he wants us to know through Christmas! God is FOR us. God is WITH us.
The Scriptures use the motif of darkness and light to describe the Promised One – the coming of the Messiah and the activity of God. It was Jesus who said “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” It’s God’s light that changes things and it’s His light that will never be overcome! It’s the Light of God we remember at Christmas.
We live in the shadow God’s generosity. We are the beneficiaries of the greatest gift ever given in our Savior. God is so generous to us! What if generosity became more of a natural reflex for the followers of Jesus – it would not only change your heart, it would greatly impact the world!
As we conclude our series through 1 & 2 Thessalonians, we see Paul reiterating the importance of putting into practice the things he modeled for the Thessalonians during his time with them. Looking at the rhythms established by the early church fathers, we see five practices that one can turn into habits that will help us stand firm and grow in our spiritual formation.
We live in a culture that allows great freedoms; but there is also growing opposition to faith and tradition of faith and the teaching of Scripture - it will bring rising heartache and pushback. We are to stand firm & hold fast. We’re to be people that love like Christ. People full of conviction and compassion. People who hold to truth and grace.
As we move into 2 Thessalonians, we see Paul wants to comfort the Thessalonians Christians that, contrary to what has been said in their church, the second coming of Christ has yet to occur. Paul gives more details as to what will happen before Jesus appears again in an effort to bring peace and stability to the church. What will bring us this peace? It’s not having knowledge of the return of Jesus, it’s having a love for the truth of God — so much so that we spend our days seeking to put this truth into action in our lives.
The Apostle Paul wraps up this first letter to the church in Thessalonica with a reminder that as followers of Jesus we are enfolded into the family of God with familial responsibilities and we are to live into 3 key family practices. Joy, Prayer and Thankfulness are to mark our lives. When these three qualities are present, believers will be vibrant witnesses to a needy world.
Continuing his discourse on Christ’s return, Paul warns the Thessalonians that unbelievers will be caught completely unaware at the return of Christ. He exhorts the Thessalonians to live in such a way as to always be ready for the Lord to appear. As those who have placed their faith in Christ, their love for Jesus gives them a hope that they can ensure they are prepared for the Lord’s coming. How, then, should we live in order to be prepared — like the Thessalonians — for the second coming of Christ? By utilizing the spiritual armor that already belongs to us in Christ, we can exercise our faith, love, and hope to live as to please God until Christ comes again.
Paul always taught people about the future—that salvation in Jesus carried a promise of eternal life. He told his audiences that the same Jesus Christ who died, arose, and ascended - would one day return. So, if we're around when that happens, what happens and if we die, what happens next? Friends, because of Jesus, we get to live with hope always and forever...
Paul is instructing these early Christians to withstand the pressures of the culture around them when it comes to their behavior around sexuality and in their work life. They are to live in order to please God and not just please themselves. They are to follow the ways of Jesus over cultural norms. They are not to settle in and be molded by the culture around them, but rather, they are be revolutionary in how they live.
God used Paul as an encourager to the Church in Thessalonica. Not only was Paul concerned about their safety; but he was also concerned about their spiritual growth. So he let his concern motivate his heart to stir into active encouragement for the people of this church. How can God leverage you to encourage more around you?
Paul reiterates his thankfulness for the church in Thessalonica — this time, because they readily received the Word of God as it is. This leads us to ask ourselves, do we readily receive God’s Word as divine revelation? Is it something around which we pattern our lives, despite any hardship we may face in doing so? When we do so, however, we will find our greatest joy — just as Paul did — comes when we disciple others and see them put the Word of God into practice in the same way we have.
We see the Apostle Paul model and call us to live with 4 key motivations as followers of Jesus. He speaks about these in 1 Thessalonians chapter 2 and tonight we examine how we’re to imitate these in our here and now moment. We’ll examine some questions that help us check how our motivations might be in alignment or out of it.
The Apostle Paul writes back to a church that he began to encourage them about remaining faithful amidst opposition and persecution. He celebrates what he’s hearing about indicators that mark their faith as authentic and genuine. Faith lived out loud will have signs of authenticity and will have an impact that radiates outward.
A vision statement describes what an organization aspires to be. And as we pursue our vision here at Elements we will be an inviting community of Jesus followers commissioned by the gospel to make disciples by cultivating relationships that reflect the love of Christ. Join in with us and let's chase the dreams God has for us together.
Vision checkups are important for all of us to make sure we’re seeing clearly and can chase after all that comes our way in life. They are also imperative as a church - to circle back and make sure we are staying focused and that we have the clarity we need most. That we don’t allow ourselves to get distracted or fuzzy on what we’re called to be about. This Sunday is about helping us understand the WHAT we’re all about at Elements.
As we conclude our series we’re reminded again how anxiety can sideline us if we’re not careful to fight back. We will all battle it at times, but the Lord has given us Prayer and Praise to reset our perspectives and help us influence our minds to experience His peace that He promises to give when we look to him. We don’t want to get so fixated on our problems that we forget the powerful presence of our God.
We each have lenses/filters through which we interpret our experiences, and typically those filters fail to see reality accurately because our own brokenness distorts and fosters our cognitive biases, …often creating false narratives that dictate how we respond and behave in the world. But for those who follow Jesus, our Heavenly Father wants to give us new lenses — God’s filter: through which we can interpret life rightly. YOU CANNOT CONTROL WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU, BUT YOU CAN CONTROL HOW YOU FRAME IT.
After we begin to recognize the enemy’s lies and replace with truth. We will next need to drill down further to create new neural pathways that can guide God’s truth deeper into our thought life and the narrative we live by. Repetition creates ruts, so utilize repetition of God’s truth to your advantage. Meditation and rumination upon the truths of Scripture can bring the healing and hope that we long for in our thought life.
As we work on our thought-life and mental health. We want to learn to flip the script and reverse the harmful narratives that can so often destroy our peace of mind and wreak havoc within us. We must recognize the lies of the enemy, the broken soundtracks that sideline us and learn to replace them with the truth of God. Jesus said that the ‘truth will set us free’ and we want to walk in more of His freedom.
Tonight we have our next worship night experience and we invite you to lean into 'confessional christianity'. To confess simply means to tell the truth and we seek to declare the truth of Jesus. Tonight we'll explore some ancient creeds that have guided the Church for thousands of years, the truth of Scripture and worship, along with the confession of baptism. Worship along with us as we seek to declare the truth and hope of Jesus!
We are each building a life. We're building on a foundation. We each get to choose what that foundation is and at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is calling us to choose him as that foundation. He is the one to build your life upon and the only foundation that will help you and I withstand the storms of life. To build your life on Jesus means that you trust him and that you not just appreciate what he says, you actually do it. Doers of the word, not just hearers.
In nearing the end of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus is bringing home his message and making it personal. He’s indicating that his teaching is not to be merely praised but to be practiced. It’s not to be commended but to be carried out. He’s challenging his listeners then and now to move beyond mere admiration of him and to choose to follow Him and his ways.
Again Jesus returns to the invitation that prayer and connection with the Heavenly Father beckons us to discover. We’re to live with a desire to persistently ask, seek and knock in order to receive from His hand as He extends provision, wisdom and guidance. There are no supply chain issues in the Kingdom of God and His heart is more than ready to commune and connect with His children. He is always for our best.
Matthew 7:1-6 contains one of the most often quoted verses, yet it is one of the most misunderstood teachings of Jesus. How are followers of Jesus meant to use discernment in confronting sin in each other and ourselves? How are we to use discernment in confronting those outside the church? Jesus answers these questions for us in this short, but often mischaracterized, passage of The Sermon on the Mount.
As Jesus continues His sermon, He makes several strong statements regarding the relationship His followers should have with their possessions. The whole-hearted follower of Jesus cannot pursue Him and material goods. Doing so creates an anxious heart that prevents His followers from seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness before all other things. How can Jesus’ followers overcome this anxiety and live with a single-minded devotion to Him?
As Jesus finishes this section of the Sermon on the Mount on practicing religion with Kingdom righteousness, He teaches His followers how to fast. In this week’s message we look at reasons to fast and benefits to fasting. In transitioning to the next part of the sermon Jesus calls us back to examine our motives. He calls us to seek the eternal rewards our Heavenly Father wants to give us.
Prayer is all about our relational connection with God. Jesus unpacks some incredible truths about the reality of God and the power we are invited to experience through a vibrant prayer life connected with our Heavenly Father. The Lord’s Prayer lays out some insights and practices for us to utilize as we engage in prayer.
As we enter a new section of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6, we see Jesus shift from explaining how to righteously fulfill the Law to how to righteously practice our faith. Jesus calls us to check our heart’s motivation when we give. Are we generous because we want to build our religious reputation, or do we give because we desire the rewards God has on offer for those whose generosity is an act of worship?
Love and enemies are words that seem mutually exclusive. Putting the two together raises serious questions. When Jesus tells us to love our enemies it is as shocking and challenging in our generation as it was in the 1st century. Jesus is challenging us to grow and ground our reactions from a place of spiritual maturity more than emotional retaliations. We all were once enemies of God, but through Jesus, we’ve been made a friend of God. (Romans 5:8) We’re now invited to love like God does. We’re to live above the law of reciprocity - to do good, bless and pray for…
In Matthew 5:38-42 Jesus tells His followers they need to radically reorient their thoughts toward retaliation. Not only are His followers to not retaliate, they should not even resist the one who seeks to do evil toward them! How can we, as His followers today, become the type of Kingdom-oriented people who generously sacrifice our own wants and needs in order to actively live in and proclaim the Gospel to those around us?
We are to be people unconditional about love and unapologetic about truth. People of integrity - which is not perfection, but of integration and wholeness. People able to admit our faults and learn from them, people committed to being truthful in all we do, just as Jesus is.
Heat can be a good thing in the right context - but mismanaged heat is a dangerous thing. Jesus challenges us to not let ourselves mismanage our heat - our anger. It can get us sideways and destroy relationships. We’re called as followers of Jesus to let our anger drive us to be helpful instead of hurtful.
As followers of Jesus we are invited into living with distinction and influence. We’re invited to live in the way of Jesus that marks us as different, but it also releases us to have godly influence upon the world and to invite others to discover the hope of God available to them. We're to be salt and light in our here and now moment of history. Today we examine 3 key ways to live into that influence.
All great moments of connection have actions of celebration. Tonight we gather to celebrate people professing their faith in Jesus through following him in baptism. A public display of allegiance and affection for Christ. An act of obedience that Christ modeled and called us to do and an ordinance of the church from the beginning. Baptism is worship. Baptism is a declaration we can not save ourselves. Baptism is our pledge to rest in the life, death and resurrection of Christ alone. Baptism is worth celebrating!!
It's Easter - the resurrection of Jesus is the world event that changes everything! Thomas was that follower that gets the rap for hesitating and doubting. But maybe doubt can be the beginning step toward faith? It seems to be a spot where Jesus loves to show up - interacting with people so that their faith can move from hesitation to HOPE. Easter invites us to make this move…and to discover the joy of a secure HOPE in Jesus.
Each one of our lives are guided by the choices and decisions we make. Tonight we peer into a conversation Jesus has with his earliest of followers where he’s asking them to choose him. We will learn a good question that can really help us, when we’re tempted to hit the unfollow button or shrink back as things get challenging following Jesus. Remember: salvation is free, it costs you nothing. It did cost Jesus everything. A life of following after Jesus will have costs to it. But not following Jesus, might just cost you everything.
As we follow, we’re going to be invited to lead like Jesus. So tonight we’re going to look at a passage where Jesus actually gives us his secret to great leadership. See Mark 10:32-45. And as we prepare for Easter, Jesus is going to walk out the way he’s calling us to walk in.
There are moments in following Jesus were our personal agenda and God’s agenda will come into direct conflict with each other. How we respond in those moments will reveal much about us. What must we do then to get ourselves to the place where it’s no longer “My will be done,” but where we can honestly say, “Thy will be done!”?
Eventually, following Jesus is going to cost you something. And you will be glad it did. Deny yourself now or lose yourself later. All relationships have a cost to them, but good ones, also have a reward. Following where Jesus leads is always for our best, but it may not be the easiest.
What should a follower of Jesus wear? That may seem strange, but there’s always something that distinguishes people who are following after someone — there’s a look that identifies them…see sports fans attire. Well, Jesus tells us clearly what should distinguish us as his followers and the Apostle Paul expands it and tells us to cloth ourselves always in LOVE.
Have you ever wondered what was the payoff to following Jesus? Is it becoming a better person? Is it going to Heaven? Is it a pain-free, problem-free life? When you follow Jesus you will be a better person, and you will go to Heaven! But your life will certainly have pain and problems, and that’s ok. Because the payoff in following Jesus is so much better — it’s a faith so confident in God that it overcomes any fear.
Today we examine the early story of Jesus calling his first followers and how they met that moment and how Jesus invited them each to trust him with their next step. Each one of us will find ourselves at one of 4 phases in this FOLLOW process Jesus is inviting us into. Each phase begins with a single next step. Step forward friend.
The best question we must ask ourselves is: am I following Jesus? — not what do I know, not how well do I pray, not how consistently do I attend church, not how much scripture I know, not even how obedient am I, not have I committed…but am I actively, intentionally engaged in the process of following Jesus? Jesus doesn’t invite us into following steps of religiosity, but into a relationship with him and discovery of our next steps with him.
Thanks for tuning into worship tonight in our online service. Worship along and prepare to take communion from home at the end of our time together. Lean into the love of God that is bound to you, friend. And thanks for sharing some love in serving folks this weekend via Serve Sunday. Enjoy the 'big game' tonight and join us next Sunday at 5pm for service online or in-person!
As we conclude our series, the pastor’s calling and the church’s calling are to nurture people into Christoformity—to nurture people into TOV. The purpose of the church is conformity to Christ. That is the sum total of God’s plan. We can take individual strides in that process, but it’s within ‘community’, where God does his best work in transforming us more and more into the likeness of His Son.
As we continue to look to grow a TOV culture we must remember: if we’re seeking Jesus we’re seeking justice and we’re looking to serve. Jesus said, I’ve come not to be served, but to serve… it was his ordinary outlook. TOV (the goodness of God) is meant to be ordinary and natural…an overflow of the heart of God being formed within us as his followers. We need a "spirituality of ordinariness." A life of seeking justice and looking to serve others is not heroic in the kingdom of God, it’s meant to be normal.
Part of fostering a TOV culture, the goodness of God, is curating a culture of truth telling. Being able to be authentically true and building truth into relationships. In a world where falsehoods, fake news and spin can shape and influence our connections, truth still matters. We must cultivate truth in ourselves and in our relationship with God and others. We want to be people of truth and love. We want to live under the truth of Jesus and walk in his way of truth.
Tov is the Hebrew word used to describe something that is good. As we continue to explore what a Tov culture can look like at Elements we look at what it means to be a church devoted to putting people first. As we remember the grace Jesus showed to us we can then help create a grace-filled culture where people can come — mistakes and all — and be welcomed, loved, and empowered to grow into Christlikeness.
TOV - part of being and doing godly good is anchored to cultivating a culture within ourselves and within our churches that display consistently: Empathy and Compassion. The mark of empathy is to feel another’s pain; the mark of compassion is having the desire to alleviate or reduce the suffering of another. Notice and respond. In a culture that cultivates empathy and compassion, people will not be made to feel invisible - they will be seen and heard.
TOV is hebrew for 'good'. The theme of actively doing ‘tov’ (doing good) runs throughout the Bible. We’re to have the good fruit of God and His goodness reproducing itself from within us…as we follow after Jesus - he’s reproducing himself within us and impacting others through us. The gospel is about God’s tov coming to us in Jesus, who is tov, and thus making us into agents of tov.
Jesus calls us all to relationship with Him in different ways. We look at four different statements Jesus makes to His followers at different stages in their journey. As we look forward to 2022, what call do you sense Jesus is giving you?
Tonight we remember the birth of our Savior. It is the greatest gift ever given. It's a gift that comes wrapped in prophecy to prove the validity, wrapped in history and wrapped in a bit of mystery. What's true about any gift is that it only becomes your gift, when you unwrap it for yourself. Jesus came for you, so you might unwrap the beauty of a relationship with him.
As we continue to look into this ‘indescribable’ GIFT of Christmas - not only is Jesus wrapped in prophecy fulfilled, the history of the moment, but he is also wrapped in mystery. The mystery of the incarnation and his mission that takes him from the wooden manger to the wood cross to offer redemption to all who trust in Him. Jesus ultimately and and with clarity is the one who reveals God in all his fullness.
Jesus not only came wrapped in prophecy that was then fulfilled to provide a certainty to our faith. He came wrapped in history - stepping into a precise moment to ensure the gospel was fulfilled, heard and able to spread. Part of the power of God is the precision of God’s activity. Part of HIs sovereignty is his divine punctuality. At the right time, God provides, rescues and intervenes. Look closely and I bet you can see his perfect timing across the landscape of your life as well.
As we shop, look up, seek out or ask for gifts in this season of the year -- let's do ourselves a favor and REMEMBER the GIFT of the Savior we were given that first Christmas! A gift wrapped like none expected or delivered like any thought, but wrapped in prophecy that delivers a foundational certainty to our faith.
As we close out our series, The Stories of Jesus, we look at the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. By following the narrative flow of Mark 11:12 through Mark 12:44, a clear picture develops of the type of worship God wants from His people. No longer do the people of God need access to any buildings to experience His presence; they just need to come to Jesus.
The parable of the ‘friend at midnight’ is a parable about prayer. The how of prayer & the why of prayer. We’re to have a rhythm of asking, seeking and knocking as we pray and engage with God. We’re to persist in prayer because of this truth: God is continually good, permanently interested, and forever for your best. He’s available and He’s able.
In week two of our latest series, The Stories of Jesus, we look at the parable of the talents. What kind of attitude must we have if we are to be found as faithful followers of Jesus? And how can we develop a heart to use what God has given to us to build His Kingdom in our personal areas of influence?In week two of our latest series, The Stories of Jesus, we look at the parable of the talents. What kind of attitude must we have if we are to be found as faithful followers of Jesus? And how can we develop a heart to use what God has given to us to build His Kingdom in our personal areas of influence?
As we begin a new series, The Stories of Jesus, we look at The Parable of the Two Sons. Followers of Jesus quickly understand God desires our obedience to His commands, so what is it that prevents many believers from being obedient? In this message we consider how our minds are wired and quickly look at practical ways to renew our minds in order to grow in obedience.
“Do it again” is the phrase a little child will scream as soon as a parent has finished spinning them around. It’s the call the prophet Micah is echoing for us to carry on in as we seek to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God. Do it again, day after day. Make it a way of life and your very lifestyle.
We are to walk humbly with God, according to Micah’s challenge. “Walking” is the Hebrew idiom for what we call one’s “lifestyle.” And “to walk humbly” is simply to live by faith, for faith is the antithesis of pride. Pride alone insists on taking first place, but faith seeks to give God first place. Humility is that virtue required of those who are faithful followers of Jesus.
We’re to love mercy - the gift that God so richly gives to us in Christ. Mercy is part of the deepest character of God in his loving kindness and compassion. We’re to be receivers, reservoirs and then conduits of his great mercy to others. We’re forever to lean on the mercy of God as he longs to forever give it.
The prophet Micah woos us towards a great challenge and calling as followers of God. We’re to act justly, that’s what God desires. Justice is doing the right thing at the right time. We can be stewards of “just us” or we can be stewards of justice, it is our decision to focus on. Maybe that’s why Jesus gave us the golden rule to live by…“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.”
At times - religion can feel like it comes with a lot of fine print - confusion can abound and things can feel overly complicated. The prophet Micah is calling the people of God 700 years before Christ back to God’s simple invitation to life with Him and away from settling for adherence to religious rituals. He records one verse that calls us as followers of God back to a relational focus and an ongoing spiritual foundation. 3 keys in how we’re to live out life with God. Jesus lived this rhythm and practice and he invites us to follow him in living this way. *See Micah 6:8
We’ve been created to worship and we will - the choice we have is to what or WHO we will worship. As we worship God fully in all of who he is and all of what he does, it nourishes our soul and awakens us to the significance found in Him and in living for Him. Worship expands our understanding and appreciation of God and invites us to a life filled with more wonder. Friends, you’ll want to wander more in the wonder of worship.
Each follower of Jesus is enlisted into the activity of God within our world. We’re to have a missional presence that enables others to encounter God as we point people toward him in how we engage with folks. That starts with being molded by God deep within to mirror his heart to be with people and for people. To practice godly hospitality in the midst of a hostile world. To announce the good news of the gospel in word and deeds.
We’re called to live with a holy sexuality amidst a confusing culture when it comes to understanding and navigating the gift of our sexuality. We’re to keep our appetites, desires and cravings from ‘owning’ us, but rather allow them to function within healthy boundaries of God’s design. We live in a culture that likes to try to split our bodies from souls, but friends we’re created much more complex than simply segmenting ourselves into parts. We’re to live wholly and holy. We look at some practices we can employ that help us live how we’ve been created, gifted, saved and called forward in Christ.
Many believers live in the state of "being a Christian" without ever being deeply formed by Christ. Our pace is too frenetic to be in union with God, and we don't know how to quiet our hearts and minds to be present. Our emotions are unhealthy and compartmentalized. We feel unable to love well or live differently from the rest of the world - to live as people of the good news. The Rooted Life is a road map to live in the richly rooted place we all yearn for: a place of communion with God, a place where we find our purpose. In this series we want to help us discover some transformational practices and habits that can root your life in the way of Jesus!
The journey of faith is one that calls us to seek and find. It’s a journey with Jesus that leads to discovery, too knowing and transformation. We must become comfortable with looking inwardly and not just outwardly. In our humanity we often default into asking questions of others motives. We make assessments upon others actions, all the while, missing the moment to pause and turn those questions inward and allow the Spirit of God to search our own hearts. Interior examination is a must as a disciple seeking to follow after Jesus. Friend, often it's there, where we’ll discover our next steps of faith.
Against the ‘cancel culture’ mindset that is so pervasive in our society - the way of Jesus commands us to a practice of reconciliation. We have been forgiven and reconciled to God himself and now we’ve been entrusted to echo that invitation to reconciliation to Him and to embody that message in our relationships. We each are to remember what God has done and now emulate that. Today, we look at how we can foster and build rhythms of reconciliation into our lives.
Life moves pretty fast and if we aren’t proactive to building intentional pauses into our lives, we’ll find ourselves caught up in our culture of speed, superficiality and washed out in distractions. The spiritual life of following Jesus calls us to a contemplative cadence in our living that affords us the opportunity to more deeply connect with others, with God, to sense His presence and hear His whispers in the way we should go. There are some biblical practices that we can engage in that foster such connection.
We wanted to take a night to remind ourselves of our calling as a church. So we’re leaning back into our “mission mash-up” - a full tilt look at the heart behind what we’re to be about as a part of The Church globally and through our church locally. A deep dive into how we choose to live out our mission and values that God has set before us in order to help move His kingdom forward.
A few times a year we seek to create space via a worship night for folks to have an extended time to connect in adoration to God and reach up to Him. Time to pause, to reflect, to pray, to sing and a time to be refreshed. We're thankful for friends from Ucity Church that helped craft this experience. Lean in again.
Habakkuk ends his book with a psalm of praise, despite the suffering about to be endured. How can we have the same hope in times of uncertainty and continue to worship, in spite of everything going on around us? Will we, like Habakkuk, be people willing to pray the prayer of revival when life gets tough?
Now that God has pronounced judgment will fall on the Babylonians, Habakkuk begins a taunt-song celebrating God's justice. But what is biblical justice? And how can we draw principles from this text on living justly?
Habakkuk continues his questioning as he wants to know why God would use evil people to bring judgment on His own chosen people. God’s response shows us that His justice will always prevail in His timing — not our own. Our responsibility in all of this is to pursue righteousness through faith.
As we begin our new series, Sovereignty in Uncertainty: A Study in Habakkuk, Pastor Lyle gives background information on the book of Habakkuk and explores how God deals with our doubts, and how we can approach doubt in such a way that still honors God and His character.
Each one of us must make decisions in life. In fact, research says that the average person makes approximately 70 decisions a day. That’s over 2 million in 80 years of life. We each want to get better at making good and godly decisions. So today, we’re looking at some wisdom from Proverbs and 5 key questions we should have at the forefront of our minds as we seek to get better in our decision-making. *book recommendation: Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets (Andy Stanley.)
Today we’re looking into wisdom around a 5-letter word each one of us has to manage: M O N E Y — everybody wants it, needs it, is trying to figure out how to use it, not lose it and how to get more of it. It’s something we all have to navigate and thus it’s imperative that we look into the Scriptures to see what wisdom God might have about it. We’ll examine 2 key financial filters we see in the Scriptures and 4 wisdom principles from the book of Proverbs.
We each need relational wisdom active within our friendships. Proverbs says a lot about friendships—about the kind of friend we should look for and the kind of friend we should be. Proverbs teaches us there is more to friendship than being acquainted with someone or socializing with someone. Proverbs offers an exalted view of friendship that goes beyond surface-level camaraderie to a deeper level in which we share our hearts and lives with one another - where we sharpen one another. So we unpack some biblical, practical, and relational wisdom tips.
We live in the Information Age. We have all kinds of access to information, but what we really need is wisdom so that we can experience a life well-lived. The book of Proverbs aims to grow us in wisdom. We're told to seek it like a treasure and we're encouraged to ask God for it. (see James 1:5). wisdom > information
Rejoice when you’re persecuted for my sake, because that means you’re living the blessed life, Jesus says. Well, that’s a challenging word to swallow at first pass. But that’s what Jesus says as he closes out the Beatitudes. Maybe the blessed life - the God-life, is far different than what our world says is the good life. Our Savior said that we’d have hardships in this world, but to take heart, as He has overcome the world. Here’s his reminder to ‘ride with him’ no matter what and we’ll end up with him no matter what. It’s also an invitation to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world, enduring so much more than us.
Jesus tells His followers, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” But being people of peace in today’s culture can be challenging. Fortunately, Paul gives us insight into this in Romans 14. Pastor Lyle takes us through ways we can keep the peace based on Paul’s letter to the Romans, even in the midst of disagreement.
In a world that searches for purity in things we consume, things on the outside, Jesus challenges us to pursue purity on the inside of us. The pure in heart will be blessed to see God, not only in the life to come, but more and more in this one. Purity comes from faith in the gift of God through Jesus. We’re to follow His lead in living with singleness of heart - living an undivided life where no part of us is compartmentalized off from the Lordship and leadership of Christ.
In the kingdom of God, mercy matters! Those who have experienced divine mercy are themselves shaped and fashioned into merciful people. This takes God’s transformational power working within us, as it’s not natural to be merciful. Jesus shares his mercy with us so that we can become merciful. Mercy is action oriented; it’s not just a philosophy to believe or a concept to understand - mercy’s got gestures and activity to it. It’s a comfort to know that God’s mercy meets us NEW every morning.
Humanity has an appetite and it’s not just for food. We’ve been created with cravings, but when our cravings are for other things than God first and foremost, our appetites can get us sideways. Our longings can go unfulfilled and unsatisfied. Jesus challenges us to hunger and thirst for God and the ways of God in order to ultimately experience a life that’s filled and satisfied in Him.
On the night of his ordination, Pastor Lyle looks at moments in Peter’s life that help us learn what humility is.
Sadness is something we most naturally try to avoid or escape. But perhaps it’s in mourning the brokenness within me, within the world, leaning into Christ to receive his comfort where some of our best spiritual growth can occur. And when we receive God’s comfort, we’re to pass it along to others struggling. It’s realizing that mourning is inevitable, but it is also temporary thanks to Jesus.
The Beatitudes set forth the blessings God gives to those he is working in—blessings given not as a reward for our merit, but as a gift of His grace. Here is a Christian value system and God’s kingdom ethical standard—all of which are often at odds with those of the non-Christian world in which humanity functions. Blessed are those that recognize their spiritual bankruptcy and thus their need for dependency upon Christ and his gifts of grace. They will experience the God-life and a true good life.
People can experience virtual reality, which isn’t really real. We often binge watch what is called 'reality TV’, which is actually manipulated and influenced quite a bit. In unhealthy emotional states, we can morph and fabricate our own reality. We sometimes are forced to ‘face reality’ and that can actually be a first step forward toward health. All of history literally turns on the hinges of the ultimate reality moment: The Resurrection Reality - the moment that launched the movement that is Christianity.
Jesus was painting a picture of our Heavenly Father in the climatic parable of the prodigal. Not just for us to know God’s heart of compassion toward us, but for us to now want that heart of compassion to be formed within us. Compassion does have a cost, but it also has a far greater return, reach and impact. We see it in the life of Christ and ultimately in his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection.
Sometimes we all battle with ‘vision’ problems - we struggle to see things clearly. This parable of the prodigal is one Jesus tells to highlight a reality that needs addressed within the Pharisees of the day. The elder son is one reflective of the self-righteous heart that had them stuck spiritually. The Father invites the elder son in…would he see it, would he respond? We must guard against the same posture. We all need grace.
This powerful parable begins with a glimpse into the younger son. He’s the one who grabs his track shoes and takes off to get away from the Father. Many still do this today, but it always seems to take us to places where we no longer long to be. Then He comes to his senses […]
As we begin looking into one of the greatest stories of Jesus, within one of the greatest chapters of the Bible we will see once again one of the greatest truths about what God is really like: He is a God who seeks. He seeks the lost. He came on a rescue mission. Each person matters - each story is known - each life is sought after. He didn’t leave it up to us to seek him out, he seeks us out first. As we’re found, we’re invited to join His search party.
Today we wrap up our series looking into the Law of Partnership centered around a key mindset shift and 3 key principles. It begins with moving from a “ME” mindset to more of a “WE” mindset. It’s further developed as we realize that we’re ‘better together’ — as we look to help one another in life. We champion one another (emotionally) seeking to celebrate and mourn with one another in the ups and downs of life. *(see Romans 12:15). And finally we practice mutual submission - as we both submit to Christ’s leadership most of all.
In order to grow healthy marriages and relationships we must actively live out the law of pursuit. We intentionally choose to not let our relationships atrophy as we pursue investing in them and working at them. 2 keys to growing a love that pursues is to pursue listening to learn and serving to honor. Today we unpack more of what that practically looks like.
What we prioritize, we can maximize. Relationships, to grow healthy and strong, must be prioritized and invested in. Nothing drifts toward greatness, it takes hard work and focus. Some of our best intentional investment as we prioritize relationships comes in growing healthy communication.
As a church, we long to model more and more the way of Jesus. One bit step toward that is to live to serve others. Jesus has an interaction with his followers (Mark 10:32-45) where he highlights the counter-culture posture his followers are to take. A posture of serving -vs- seeking to be served. He makes it a hallmark of what it means to follow Him. Friends, seek to utilize your power, authority, resources and influence to serve others as you leverage your life to be more and more like Jesus.
We live in a day and age where anything and everything can be sent right to us. We can log in, pay up and it shows up - we don’t even have to go. That luxury is a blessing, but it might also breed an internal culture of self-focus. The life of following Jesus calls us to live with a different mindset - not one where we’re the center of attention, but one that is outward and others focused. We’re to live as ‘sent ones’ or ‘active agents’ for God and His good in our world. We’re sent to be His ambassadors and representatives. We’re sent out to make a godly difference and bless others as we’ve been blessed.
Healthy things will grow, develop and mature. Jesus challenges us to ‘follow him’ and in doing so, we’re to grow as apprentices of him and develop in our faith and relationship with him. We will be a church that will EQUIP people to know Jesus and grow in their faith as they follow him.
Everyone has a reach of impact. Every church is called to reach and have a God-sized impact. We strive to be a church that will REACH people for Jesus. To help people reach up in worship and truly love God. We will help our folks reach out to love others closer toward God and bless our community. We long to see everyone experience the transformation of a life-giving and life-changing relationship with Jesus.
Discipleship: the church talks about often, but what is it? And how can we make 2021 a year where we grow deeper into knowing and becoming like Jesus? Our Worship Director, Lyle Thompson, looks at what we can take from Matt 28:18-20 to give us some truths to live by as we look to make discipleship a priority in 2021.
We live amidst a season of unrelenting uncertainty and in order to stabilize ourselves to keep holding onto hope as we move forward, we must re-anchor to the ONE who is our foundation of consistency: Jesus. He helps us see the bigger picture. He will get us through. He is forever with us.
We are surrounded and flooded by messages. Some float on by, but some stop you in your tracks. The message announced to some shepherds that first Christmas is one that still echoes today. Have you heard it? Have you responded to it? It is a message of hope for all people - it’s an “all skate” kind of invitation. God’s message in Christmas is an unlimited Good News message, from a limitless God, to an inexhaustible number of people.
Christmas is often displayed by the perfect decorations and pristinely wrapped presents. But the Story of Christmas is actually anything but perfect, tidy and pristine. It’s a story that involves uncomfortable divinely timed interruptions and faith stretching invitations to trust God more in the next moment than in the previous. Look for God in the midst of life’s interruptions - He might just be on the move, inviting you to join Him and growing your faith in those moments.
We all have moments in our lives where we can ‘feel’ the silence of God. It often leaves us uneasy, unsettled and thinking He’s uninterested and uninvolved. But God is always at work and often does some of His best work in the quiet. He’s still active behind the scenes of your life friend. He’s still at work. Trust Him and in His timing. Often, it’s in that quiet - where He can grow our hearts to want to REACH UP in worship.
As we turn to chapter 5 in Ephesians we’re going to look at 3 key ways we are to live as followers of Jesus. The Apostle Paul is continuing to challenge us to 'grow up' in Christ and live out of the new position we've been given through Christ. He's wanting us to now live as imitators of God, to live as children of the light and to live wisely. It's like Paul is saying: 'this is the way' we're to now live.
Through Christ we are now ‘new and improved’ - the old has gone and the new has come. We are to continually choose to live out of and operate within this ‘new’ that God has done through Christ. This new will show itself in how we now live…put off what was, put on what is. It’s spiritual maturity on display in the way we now live.
In Ephesians 4, Paul shifts from a theological focus to a practical focus. Keeping in mind some themes in chapters 1-3, Paul begins to lay out a map to help the Church to mature to the fullness of Christ.
We're looking at one of the Apostle Paul's prayers for the Church and for us today. A prayer that we might have Christ dwell securely with us and that we might have a life built on the foundation of His amazing love. That we might come to grasp its relational understanding more and more. We will never move beyond the love of God and when it's in the love of Christ we live, we will have love to give.
In Ephesians chapter 2, the Apostle Paul is going to give us a glimpse into the incredible “improvement” work that God is doing in and through Jesus that we are benefiting from. It’s so much bigger than a simple ‘improvement’ project for humanity — it’s sort of a divine demolition & renovation project for all of […]
The Apostle Paul writes to the church in the first 3 chapters of Ephesians, basically saying: “Remember who you are". Remember how God loves you, remember how he poured his mercy on you, and through His Son - he has gifted you a brand new identity! He unpacks 3 key images that help us anchor our identity to what we receive in Christ, not what we achieve on our own.
We will reset. We will refresh. We will resolve to continue to live on mission: bringing the hope and light of Jesus to the heart of this city we love. The city that Jesus loves so dearly. God has next steps for us as a church - he has next steps for each of YOU. Discover yours and keep in step with following after Jesus. Are you ready? Let's go.
Jesus is FOR YOU & He’s FOR people — He longs for His Church to make the same proclamation of Good News - that God is FOR people wherever they are at. This generation is looking for an alternative to simply more hype or more hate. They’re looking for HOPE. Friends, the CHURCH is still the hope FOR the world - we’re to carry forward the very mission of Jesus. (Luke 4:18-21)
The closer we grow in relationships and community as a church the more prone we are to have conflict and offenses that can ultimately tear us apart because we feel so deeply. This message is a call to all believers in every church to remember how Jesus paid our unplayable debts so we can love each other as Christ loved us. This is every churches greatest challenge!!
We are to be a part of a hope-giving church, that impacts the community and shares this hope with a world that needs it – all because we have been given HOPE. We’ve been given a HOPE from Jesus that takes care of our past (gospel), is present in our here & now, and secures our future. We’re infused with this HOPE to now share it with others. We are to become PEZ PEOPLE, (if you will)…God’s HOPE dispensers to the world.
What does it mean to be merciful? The Scriptures have so much to say about that and they call us practice it. A mercy-filled church begins with followers of Jesus living in light of the mercy they have received and then choosing to pass it along. Always keep God's mercy for you in view. Mercy is a godly mandate, not just a good suggestion.
When Apostles wanted to deal with conflict in the church they looked to people who were full of wisdom and faith. What does it mean and how can we become the type of people who live full of wisdom and faith? More than better programs, better sermons, better worship music, we need men and women who are full of wisdom and faith if we are to fulfill the call to be the church of Jesus!
Have you ever wondered if you lived during the time when Jesus walked the earth if you would have followed Him? How could we ever know if given that chance? Since the Holy Spirit is now the one who was "sent" to earth and is now "teaching what Jesus taught" it seems we too have the opportunity to follow Jesus by being filled and led by the Spirit. Without the Spirit, all is but man-made religion. Learn more about this vital connection between following Jesus and following the Spirit!
Tonight we’re looking into what anchored the early church at the beginning and rooted it to a solid, biblical foundation. Acts 2:42-47 There are 4 key practices that rooted the church then, that we must hold onto and engage in still today. What one is God calling you to deepen yourself in?
In the Old Testament, nothing was more central to Israel's way of life than the Land God gave them and the Temple He called them to build, and as with everything in the Old Testament, this all points us to our lives today in Christ. In 1st Corinthians chapter 3 Paul is "echoing" these OT truths and showing how the Church is the fulfillment of the Land Promises and the Temple realities fully experienced! Ultimately in this message, we talk about how important it is that we "Build" with "Quality materials" the Temple of God which is what we are as God's people. How do we make sure we are building on Jesus Christ and build with things like gold instead of straw, that is things that will last to the final Day of Judgement. Blessings!
God is one who longs to bring and deliver His blessing. We see glimpses of this all throughout the Scriptures, but perhaps none more clear than the priestly blessing in Numbers chapter 6. It's a blessing that speaks so much to the character of God. As one's who follow Jesus, we start that journey FROM a posture of: REST not Effort. We're to rest in the favor and blessing of God that He provides and He initiates. Then we're to be a conduit of that blessing to others. We're blessed to BE a blessing!
On August 9th, 2020, we gathered to remember and celebrate the life of Pastor Bryan Lee. This is the memorial service.
There are moments in life that are downright challenging. This is one of those moments. As a church family we're mourning the loss of Pastor Bryan Lee. We're hurting for his family and ours. We gather tonight to remember & honor. We gather to lean into the HOPE Jesus gives, especially in moments like this. We gather to pray, to worship, to cry, to encourage one another and be reminded that we move forward together. We're reminded of the powerful beauty of Jesus captured in the shortest verse in the Bible (John 11:35).
Our world more than ever needs freedom and joy that is found in Jesus our King! Freedom and joy should mark us as the people of God yet we have often succumbed to the culture and our church culture that has tended to shrink God down and cause us to forget what type of Kingdom we have entered and what the culture of the Kingdom of Christ is really all about. Prayer is once again the key and the aspect of prayer called praise must be exuberant. WE were given God's breath so we could give our all and best back to Him in praise!!!
There’s something about confession that is powerful - something that cleanses our soul - and yet it’s something few of us have made a regular practice in our lives. But what if we did this more regularly? The Spirit nudges us toward confession by giving us feelings of conviction and as we respond in repentance, there is a freedom and growing relational depth we experience with God.
We are not called to be microscopes. We are called to be telescopes. There is nothing and nobody more superior than God. And so the calling of those who love God is to ADORE HIS GREATNESS and to make his greatness begin to look as great as it really is to those around us. Be a telescope to the world of the infinite greatness of God. Seeing God for who he truly is, results in joyful worship and a compelling, growing adoration.
Do you feel tired, warn down, frustrated and because of this your prayer life has taken a hit and it seems when you feel you need God more He feels further away and it seems its been a while since you last really heard from God?? Often this is because we have stopped thanking and praising God, we have forgotten to minister to the Lord early and often. This message serves as a wake up call, a call to the church to get back to its first love and its highest calling and to doing what is clearly God's will for our lives. Here's to all the ones who are answering this call!!!!
Jesus knew it would be difficult for His followers to continue to pray especially during hard and trying times and so he told them this story of a widow protesting an unjust judge and how she was able to change his mind and how boldly then we ought to protest God to act on our behalf against all forms of oppression. When the "Justice of Jesus" is enacted it comes in a very different way than any human government, judge, or people group can ever bring. The Justice of Jesus is always perfect and full of mercy and this Just Judge and King we must protest if we want to become "overcomers" in an unjust world.
God is a Guiding God. He doesn't leave people on their own, unattended to & not communicated with. If we want to be a people who HEAR from God, we have to learn how to recognize when God is speaking to us & ways in which we can tune in. Prayer is not just me talking with God. God can also talk back. We must cultivate ears to hear. Tonight we lean into 2 predominant ways God speaks: Scripture and Promptings.
As we continue to lean into the Lord's Prayer we see within this blueprint for prayer some truths for us to engage in. We are Active Agents for God and partnered with Him to bring more of His ways activated within our world. We're to have a flow of forgiveness in our lives and we're to pursue a full allegiance to God and His best in life as we live within a world that tries to pull us away from God and his best.
We want us to turn to where Jesus introduces what many refer to as the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus sets the backdrop to the relational nature and intimacy of prayer and he gives us a blueprint, if you will, of the core of prayer. This is taught in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew ch. 6. Jesus radically changes the paradigm of how we approach prayer and invites us into making prayer personal and a powerful way to engage with our Heavenly Father.
This question is simple and would seem to need no explanation, like the question why live or why breathe the question why pray is fundamental and essential to life in Christ yet many find it hard to do and make apart of their every days lives. This message is meant to give you a bigger WHY to your prayer life that would increase your desire to pray and pray more passionately! Once your desire for prayer becomes unquenchable all the other questions to prayer and living with purpose become as natural as breathing in and out. Prayerfully listen to this message as we hope it will ground you in the truth of Scripture and why you should pray with faith and joy unspeakable!!
Do ya remember your old gaming systems you played as a kid? They had this little invention that assisted you if it ever froze, got stuck or you wanted a redo - it was the RESET button. Following Peter's story out after his failure moment, we see him returning to his old life of fishing - but Jesus meets him and gives him a RESET moment. It's a moment we all need at times. Thanks to Jesus, it's a moment we're each invited into.
Everybody makes mistakes, everybody has those days. As we continue our journey in the gospel of John, I want us to peer into a MISTAKE MOMENT of Peter and what we learn about Jesus. Sometimes, just like Peter, we get things right! Sometimes, just like Peter, we most definitely get things wrong. What Peter will come to discover is God’s amazing truth: You can’t “work your way” into God’s grace and you can't “behave your way” out of it. Jesus shows us that God is a God of CORRECTION, not CONDEMNATION.
Let's look into a prayer of Jesus. It’s known as the great Priestly Prayer of Jesus in the gospel of John, chapter 17. There's so much that comes from how Jesus prays. Read it. Lean into it. Meet His heart for you in it. He knew all that would occur once the church began to move – so he prayed for you, for me, for us. And He still does...
When it comes to life and especially seasons like this that we're navigating, we all find ourselves asking WHY? That question has been around a long time and Jesus doesn't ignore the struggles or the ache of the heart we all feel at times. In fact, he directly tells us the truth about the hardships of life. He discusses the truth and he also delivers an incredible promise in the gospel of John (John 16:33). His promise that we can find peace in him no matter the hardship and we don't have to ever lose heart.
Who is the Holy Spirit, what He like, what does He desire, and what’s His ultimate purpose and why He’s the best friend and greatest gift you can ever have? In this short message we were only able to touch upon the unfathomable riches we have in Christ through the Spirit but we hope you listen and then seek a greater relationship with the Holy Spirit for He is your only way to intimately know Jesus and the Father. He is eternal life and the rivers of living waters your longing for!!!
Jesus is NOT someone we put our faith in – in one moment of time; then we’ve got our ticket to heaven and we just set it and forget it. He’s the ONE we’re to repeatedly anchor too, constantly stay connected to, endlessly tether our lives to; this relationship with Jesus is to be something we REMAIN in continually.
As we celebrate Easter, we remember that first morning when Jesus arose! It changed everything - for everyday moving forward! An eternal HOPE dawned that day that still reaches out to us in our day. How can we lay hold of it? How can we have it hold us? Through trusting in Jesus as The Way, The Truth and The Life. May God's grace refresh your heart today friends as we worship and adore our Risen Savior!
As we all continue to navigate these ‘stay at home’ days, there is a powerful lesson we can lean into and practice that Jesus models. Jesus demonstrates the full extent of his love (John 13:1) as he serves and washes the feet of His disciples - giving us an example to heed. Real love serves others and isn’t self-seeking. Serving is our calling and is to be our lifestyle as we follow our Savior who led the way.
We get to eavesdrop in on a one-on-one conversation with Nicodemus and Jesus - as he is curious and leaning into this movement of Jesus to learn more. Jesus' actions spoke loudly, but now we get to see how His words bring clarity. We experience the backdrop to one of the simplest and most profound verses describing God's heart in all the Scriptures. Lean in with us, let it refresh your soul and fuel your ability to share the hope of Jesus. (see John 3:1-21)
Tonight we see an encounter with Jesus, where a worship moment breaks out at a dinner party. There is boldness and an intimacy in this action from Mary that must have shocked the guests reclining at the table. Some think it's a waste, but Jesus relishes it. Mary's posture of praise invites us to take our worries and exchange it for worship in the presence of our mighty Savior. Jesus is worth our utmost devotion, not simply some attention from time to time.
As we continue our look in the gospel of John, we see Jesus step forward into a role and a title that was reserved for God himself. Jesus is stating his deity again by proclaiming that he is The Good Shepherd. Friends: we are invited to KNOW the Good Shepherd as the leader of our everyday life today, not just for our eternal life someday. Jesus knows you and is here to lead you in our here and now. You’re safe when you’re close to the Shepherd.
In John 8:1-11 we encounter a story that is best described as part church service, part soap opera and part Law & Order episode. How will Jesus respond in a most tension filled moment? So many in our culture are quick to throw shade or cast stones of shame; but thankfully Jesus provides a better example as He responds with grace. His first reaction is compassion, not condemnation. Is that yours? Friend, drop your rock.
Today we lean into John ch. 6 and this amazing passage of Scripture. It has a crescendo early on with the feeding of the 5,000 as Jesus does an incredible miracle; it then builds to this deafening 'selah' moment at the conclusion of Jesus' toughest sermon. The miracle is a reminder that It’s never about how much we have to offer Jesus, but rather if we will offer whatever we have to Jesus and watch what He can do with it. At the conclusion of the chapter, Jesus proclaims that He is the Bread of Life and many of the fans of his feeding miracle the day before, walk away. What started with admiration, ended for some with abandonment. Jesus' activity is to push people toward making a decision about him, not just admiring what he can do.
This message seeks to get behind the writing of John and why he wrote his gospel the way he did. John had lived an amazing life with and for Jesus. He had seen miraculous signs that he writes about but he had also seen almost everyone of his friends brutally killed for the cause of Christ so when he tells the story of the woman at the well he hopes others will be willing to give their lives to following Jesus the King!!
The gospel account from John records Jesus' first miracle and it takes place at a wedding celebration. What's here for us to lean into? A lot. Jesus always shows up where he's invited, so are you inviting him into every area of your life? When his presence and power show up, His activity can divinely do way more than what your individual ability can do. Someone better is here.
Each of the Gospel writers chose a different starting point for their accounts of the life of Jesus. In the beginning of his gospel account, John presents the largest perspective of all, describing Jesus as the very source of everything we understand as beginning. The first 18 verses are so epic and grand about who Jesus is and all he came to do. The Apostle John wrote his Gospel to help his readers understand the identity and deity of Jesus. Jesus is way MORE than you think and John writes to persuade you, so that you may BELIEVE. *(see John 20:30-31)
Through faith, we are now: IN CHRIST. That brings us UNION with God - as we are in-dwelt by the Holy Spirit of God. Christ’s power and presence is within helping us to follow him, to walk in obedience and choose his ways more easily and more often. We're incorporated into the family of God. The CHURCH is an entity of connected believers who are following King Jesus as we each have gifting’s to contribute, roles to play as God’s gospel story continues to influence, impact and reach people.
Through faith we've been given a new IDENTITY in Christ. That’s why the adoption language we see in the New Testament is such a powerful picture. We're also enfolded into a PARTICIPATION role within the gospel. We’re not just killing time before we go home to heaven; we’re living a WITH GOD life now; invited to be an active agent for Him in our here and now. The prayer is not "beam me up", it's "here I am, send me."
What does it mean to pledge your allegiance to Jesus and enter the Kingdom of Christ? The Gospel is bigger and better than you thought it was and this message clears a path for how a person enters the most amazing eternal type of life only God gives!!
We're launching 2020 pursuing clarity around The Gospel. We want us all to not just know it. But to live it. We want to be a people captivated by it and enfolded into it. Because it's way bigger and better than you thought it was.
As we reflect on 2019 and look ahead to 2020. Each of us probably has some goals we'd like to see play out. Today I want to challenge us to focus on 3 key things this New Year. One Mission – One Word – One Practice
This season of Christmas extends to us a CHOICE. We each lean in, we each listen - we each get to choose. Back in Luke 2 - we see the shepherds do is what we each are invited to do. They heard the news, They believed it, They acted on what they heard. They chose wisely! Choose Jesus. Choose him today and then the next, and the next. Orient your life and living, around choosing him and his ways continually.
God's GIFT to us at Christmas was a Savior, not a coach, cheerleader or counselor. He provided what was needed most. We are to remember that Jesus has done way more than just offer us some advice to live a better life, way more than coaching us through a jam, way more than just encouraging us in a down moment of life. Jesus rescues us eternally and rescues us continually. Why? Because he's a Savior.
The Christmas story is a GIFT for us! The message of the Christmas story shouts to us some Good News that is very different then the news we might expect to hear when someone in authority calls our name. Christmas describes something about God and how He longs to interact with us, that pushes back against any unhealthy fear that we may feel at times when it comes to God and me and how we connect. Christmas declares that God is FOR us! The Christmas story is NOT a message of GOOD NEWS for GOOD people. It IS a message of GOOD NEWS for ALL people. Including you.
Within chapter 3 of Titus we hear the call for us to leverage our lives for God and His good in our world. Paul hammers home the truth of all Jesus did and reminds us that being good or doing good isn’t what makes you right with God, but when you’re right with God – it always produces a life that seeks to do good! We are to be people who continually have a focus on how we can ‘do good’ within our scope of influence. We should stay alert for the God-ordained interruptions in life and partner with Him there.
The Apostle Paul was emphatic that Titus set things in order in the churches and that they would pursue doing good relationally. He wanted them to "embrace a lifestyle that is consistent with the gospel" and eliminate types of behaviors that would "discrete the Gospel message". We encourage you to join us in our attempt to discover what that looked like in the 1st Century and how that shapes our lifestyles in the 21st Century. Find clarity on your true identity, the purpose of your life and how to fulfill that purpose.
The small New Testament book of Titus contains some wisdom for us to glean as it comes to the internal work of God to do good within ourselves, in our relationships and in our sphere of influence around us. The Apostle Paul writes to give us a concise summary of how a follower of Jesus should live out the doctrine of grace with godliness and good works. It begins in chapter 1 with a challenge to grow strong godly character and to pursue building character over just managing a reputation. (character > reputation)
As we wrap up this series I want us to explore one of the greatest stories of the Bible from a 10,000 foot view. It's Joseph's story in Genesis. We'll see some application for us about our words and their power! What Joseph couldn’t have known, was that God’s plan for the ages was hanging by a thread of his words in this moment of reunion with his brothers. He had every right to 'lower the boom' with his words, but instead he rescued and raised up a legacy of love with them. If our words are stones, we can choose to THROW them or USE them to pave a path forward. Let's choose to speak words that make souls stronger. (*see Romans 12:17-21)
Over 165 million complaints were filed with the BBB in 2018 - it seems we live in a culture that cultivates complaint and in an age of outrage. But what if we as followers of Christ were to cultivate gratitude and limit our complaining, arguing and dissension? As we continue to look at how to maximize and leverage our words for God's good, we lean into how we're to exchange many ways our words can go negative and lean on the words of God's promises to help us. Let's learn to take our thoughts captive, shrink the complaint and grow the gratitude!
Tonight we lean into some wisdom when it comes to conversations going sideways. Where we’re not talking TO a person, but we’re talking ABOUT that person. Some refer to it as gossip and we need to ZIP IT. Those with loose tongues cannot expect tight relationships. We are to be people that are building up others with our words, curating healthy relationships and fighting for them to keep from going sideways.
We continue looking at our communication - we are to lean into a new purpose for our words, that the Apostle Paul suggests (see Ephesians 4:29). We are to see our words as 'building material' that we can use to build people up. Each conversation is a construction zone moment. We're to use our words to benefit those who listen; so they walk away better for having encountered us. Imagine the impact if we all used our words to BUILD UP and not to tear down.
We continue in our series and looking into what James has to say to us about the power of words! He starts off entitling this section in chapter 3: ‘taming the tongue’ then he proceeds to tell us in the next 12 verses, it’s impossible. Our tongue: a small part of your body – has HUGE influence over our life. Our words control the direction, destiny and quality of our life. From our first word until our very last, we must wrestle with the tension that comes with the unpredictable nature of our tongue. Our mouth cannot be tamed, it can only be guarded. We must intentionally and continually be on our guard.
It takes 2 years to learn to talk, but it takes the rest of one's life to learn to control what we say. Our words have power and we must lean into a new rhythm as it comes to navigating our conversations, conflicts and communication. We must learn to be QUICK TO LISTEN and slow to speak.
We want us to finish our time leaning into navigating money & life by growing our generosity. It truly is the More Blessed Way to living life. Generosity isn’t necessarily a natural reaction – but it can become a cultivated habit and choice. Generosity TRANSFORMS and GROWS me. Generosity BLESSES and REFRESHES me. The generosity of God is meant to generate generosity within us. Our hearts grow in generosity, not when we think about it - but when we practice it!
We all have made some money mistakes in our time. What Jesus is alluding to as we seek to be good managers of all He's provided is that we would be good stewards. A good steward operates via wisdom. We see the biblical and wise rhythm of living with margin in life. We examine practical wisdom as we each discover our plan to manage money as Jesus is leading. What’s a wise tactic that you sense God nudging you to take with money? What does it look like to take a step toward that this month?
Jesus had much to say about money. It’s like he knew that this subject would compete for our hearts devotion like none other and he reminds us that we cannot serve both God and money. There will always be this 'tug-a-war' tension that calls us to choose. So the Scriptures have some wisdom for us as it comes to relating and interacting with money. Tonight we look into 4 biblical money mental shifts we're called to make.
Jesus bled for us and he is calling us to bleed for one another! When did our love for one another become so safe, so shallow, so measured, so rational that it no longer resembles the love of Christ? We must return to our first love and a fresh revelation of just how deep and wide the love of Christ is! Then will we be empowered to go into the world to love well.
Part of growing as a disciple is becoming certain about who Jesus is and also becoming certain about who we are – the beloved of God. When we put our faith in Christ we are enfolded into the eternal love of God and our identity finds its rest there. Now, embracing our true identity of who God says we are is far from automatic, but we must learn to love ourselves from that reality (Ephesians 3:16-19). The Cross is THE key to knowing our worth and value to God – to embracing a real love for self. Your value is not based on what you do, how much you have or what others say about you. As one who is, in Christ, your value is based forever, solely and securely on WHO JESUS SAYS YOU ARE.
Love God most, Love ourselves rightly, Love others really well. Tonight we lean into how can we grow our upward love back to God.
History matters and history shapes us. If this is true then the history of Jesus should shape us in such a way that we begin to "make history". As we grow in our desire for God we learn to enter His story, His history and that changes history for eternity. Desire for God grows as we no longer live for ourselves but learn to live as Jesus lived.
Tonight we highlight our next generation ministries. The church of today must always care about and invest in the church of tomorrow! We hear from some of our graduating students, celebrate our kids and look at how we can all be people who seek to pass along the baton of faith to the next generation. It takes an authentic faith, intentional practice and each of us taking our next steps.
We have a phrase we use: 'sing the praises' - referring to when we talk up or share about something or someone that means a lot to us. Psalm 145 is chalked full of insights, understandings and instruction all about praise for God. King David is talking up God, practicing his praise to the Lord and pushing us to follow his pattern - to make praise a normal and natural part of our lives. It's helping us learn how to PAUSE to PRAISE and to grow our relationship with God.
Worry and envy is the opposite of faith! In Psalm 37 1-8, God gives us action steps to put a stop to these feelings so we can live a life of faith and trust, otherwise we can be robbed of our joy, promises, and peace.
This Psalm is David writing himself a 'spiritual sticky note' - if you will. A reminder of all He's been given in having life with God. David is challenging himself and US – don’t let your hearts become ungrateful or drift from living with a thankful heart! Grow your gratitude by never losing sight of God's benefits. More gratitude will not come from more acquisitions, but from more awareness of God's presence with you and God's goodness to you. His blessings and benefits!
Psalm 119 is wisdom psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. It has one main theme - to celebrate God's Word and inspire full obedience to it. We're to be people seeking to know God better and walk in His ways as we experience Him in the Scriptures.
Psalm 51 is one of the several Penitential (confessional) psalms. It calls to us to be a people who seek to keep short accounts with God and others. To live an open and authentic life. We live in a world that pushes us toward concealment, the secrets, the cover-ups ...but it's confession that brings true freedom. We want to be a people who practice confession and turn away from the tendency to want to cover-up. We looked at 3 key take-aways as it comes to living out a confession rhythm in life.
The Psalmist is telling us that the universe is declaring the reality of God. It also calls us to have a reverence for Him. To have reverence for God is to recognize Him for who He is and stand in awe of Him for all that He has done to redeem us.
This is one of the most beloved Psalms as it speaks to our value to God. God knows us, he is with us and for us, what then is our response to that greatness? This Psalm closes with one of the great simple prayers in all the Bible (verses 23-24) - we invite you to come back to this prayer often to allow God to keep your heart aligned with him.
Perspective dramatically impacts how we see and engage with reality. This psalm highlights to the short sightedness of a human perspective -vs- a heavenly perspective. The psalmist (Asaph) in Psalm 73 goes on a challenging journey of wrestling with God. Is pursuing God worth it? The first half he's wrestling with bitterness and envy. In the second half, he gains a clarity and freedom from his angst. What is it that changes everything for Asaph? The same thing that will transform our perspective: worship. The mysteries of life only make sense in the presence of the Majesty. It's in Jesus and his presence, with our focus on him, where we see things most clearly. This psalm is a great one to lean into as we navigate the tough tensions of life.
As we launch into our Summer in the Psalms series, we dive into the first Psalm in the book of Psalms. This is a Wisdom Psalm – one chalked full of imagery that paints a picture of the person who seeks out God, His Word and pursues godliness in contrast to the one who disregards God and seeks to live by the ways of the world. The psalmist is pointing out: there is no greater wisdom than ordering our lives according to the Word of God. We see the "principle of the path" - the right path will take you where you want to go; the wrong path will take you anywhere but where you really want to go.
As we participate in the practices of ABIDING with our irresistible Christ and BELONGING to a healthy biblical community, we’re on our way to BECOMING an irresistible kind of Christian. And the world needs more of us to be this! Tonight we unpack our Christian 'job description' - to be Christ's ambassadors in our world. To 'leave it better' and 'lead toward Jesus'. Let's dream together and aim to grow an irresistible faith!
Just like LEGOs function best when they are connected, so do we. We’ve been made FROM connection and FOR connection. We are fashioned in the image of God – bearers of his image. Jesus had one main practical call for us and it was a relational challenge. We are to BELONG to a biblical community that puts God's love on display and extends an invitation to come belong as well. And for us to live out biblical community: takes godly ATTENTION and TIME. We can build a lot of things with money & resources, but we can’t build relationships without ATTENTION & TIME.
Make it your passion to abide with your irresistible Savior. The fruit & treasure of your life will be found where your heart is. When the desire of our heart is Jesus, we will abide with Him and as we abide with Him our lives will produce an irresistible impact.
Easter highlights how the unstoppable God of Grace came for us – but he didn’t just come for us – he now launches us to become an irresistible force for His good and His name in order to reach others. We're to live as 'sent ones'. And despite cultural trends and challenges, Jesus' call to 'go and make disciples', and sharing the Good News of the gospel remains unchanged. Evangelism is about being bold enough to have spiritual conversations AND being sensitive within our interactions with others.
We're so glad to have you here with us to celebrate Easter and remind ourselves again of the greatest event in history. The resurrection changed everything and holds out the promise that God can change anything. The EMPTY tomb provides us a way to now have a FULL life with God! We're not blocked from a relationship with God, we don't have to climb to him and we're not too messy for him. Jesus came for us - He stands at the door of every human life and knocks.
As we wrap up this series in Esther, we see the story doesn't end with a battle, but a celebration. The Festival of Purim is inaugurated to help the people REMEMBER. It reminds us that no matter how dark things get, there is reason to hope. On an even more personal level, Purim is a call to a reawakening of faith and remembering of how God intervenes for us. Jesus established the Lord's Supper as an act of remembrance to tether us to our faith in Him. An act that Christ followers all over the world have done for 2,000+ years to REMEMBER.
We are beginning to unpack the finishing of Esther's climatic story and how after she steps up, God steps in and brings about a change and transformation in the story. We see His improbable and incredible timing (in Ch. 6 & 7) to bring help and hope. This story is teaching us again to pursue the path of humility and avoid the trappings of pride. It's calling us to wait on the Lord and trust in His timing and ability to intervene.
Esther learns godly timing. She hits PAUSE – she models 2 key things for us. Prayer and Waiting on the Lord are so key to us living a life of faith, following after God and His best, especially in a world that pushes us to make every decision FAST and FURIOUS style, solely by our own merit and will. We need to grow as disciples who are following after Jesus well; and we would do well to make prayer and waiting up on the Lord a natural rhythm of our lives.
We continue to look into the story of Esther, new character is introduced and he has evil intentions. We see Esther and Mordecai's faith bolstering and bravery growing in chapters 3 and 4. We're highlighting the drastic difference between a worldly sense of power (to control and dominate) with a godly sense of power (based in vulnerability and advocating for others). God desires for each of us to grow in our bravery for him, for faith and to be an influence for good.
As we begin this series in the book of Esther pay attention to what goes unnoticed within the story. God is not mentioned in this book, but yet His sovereignty is within every turn in the story. Tonight we wrestle with pushing back on the notion to seek conformity or isolation and instead pursue a 3rd way - the way of Jesus and obedient living and seeking to be an influence of good. Esther's story is one where God is building bravery. He may at times, seem silent, but God is never absent.
Often friends take each other for granted and we forget about the power of blessing others! Blessing can create breakthroughs with people and their relationship with Jesus. See how Jesus blessed Zacchaeus and Paul blessed his jailer and their lives were changed!!
When conflict comes up God wants us to Stop, Drop, and Roll!!! We cannot wage war like the world does!
It’s imperative that we have a heart of humility within us as we seek to build healthy, godly and good friendships. The Apostle Paul unpacks this challenge and points us to the ultimate example of humility in Jesus in Philippians 2. We must practice humility as YIELDING our hearts to others. Humility becomes the WD40 if you will, that keeps friendships functioning well, greased up to help one another succeed and experience life-giving hope, love and joy. Bottom line: There's harmony within friendships when there's humility within each heart.
As we navigate life, we know that adversity and challenges will come for us all. That's when a friend is really needed. A friend is always there (see Proverbs 17:17). True friends are those rare people who come find you in dark places and lead you back to the light. You never walk alone when you have a friend. We are blessed to have those friends in our lives and blessed to have Jesus as that kind of friend. We are called to be that kind of friend.
As we begin this new series, we're looking into some key biblical ingredients that help build healthy, godly and good friendships. Tonight we look at one of the most profound building blocks of great relationships: empathy. Empathy is the ability to feel with people. We see Jesus model this so well. The heart of our Heavenly Father is empathetic, moved with compassion toward us. God feels with us. And God wants us to feel with others.
As we finish up our series all about tuning in to hear from God, we are reminded to listen carefully. Sometimes to hear someone, we must listen past their words, so we grasp and understand their heart behind their words. We want to hear what God has to say, but we also want to learn to know Him better in the process. Tonight we practice an ancient method of reading Scripture called: 'lectio divina' as a way of opening ourselves to engaging with God in His Word.
We live in a world that is saturated with sound. When we’re surrounded by so much noise, commotion and so many voices, it can hinder our ability to hear the one voice we need to hear from. We must be deliberate to carve out space and time for solitude and silence in order to hear the whispers of God. 1 Samuel chapter 3 gives us a simple principle of prayer. Learn to position yourself to have ready, available and open ears to hear, like Samuel. Why? Because listening doesn’t happen by default, it happens by design. It takes intentionality.
God's still speaking friends. Hearing from God isn’t just about hearing information about God, but hearing relationally from the ONE we’re saved through, connected to and forever loved by! God has an 'outside' voice, but he longs to communion and connect with us through whispers deep within. We want to learn how to tune in, lean in and listen closely to hear God's voice speaking into us. God speaks more clearly to those who are mulling over his Word consistently...if we want to hear FROM God, we must abide WITH God.
We have a big God that wants us to do the impossible and never give up, because He is with us! How can we, as His church, be more intentional with our purpose and mission? Nehemiah gives us a few clues as to how God works is the lives of the faithful.
As we wind down 2018 and move toward 2019. We want to recognize that change can often happen best through FOCUS. Focus is fuel for us to experience the greatest transformation. So we are seeking God to help us focus on ONE WORD and ONE PERSON. Let's lean in together to discover that 'less is more' and see what God can do through our ONE focus this year.
We are to see the fullness in the promise of Jesus being our Prince of Peace. He is the PROVIDER of a peace securing us a NEW standing before a Holy and Perfect God. His peace is to permeate and impact our relationships. We’re enfolded into being peacemakers, bringers of peace to a broken and volatile world AND we’re given a permanent possession of God’s ever-present peace that travels every day life with us.
One of the distinctive privileges and marks of a Christian is to know God as everlasting Father. This is at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. You grow to know God as Father, as Jesus does. We get to do so as we stand in a unique relationship to him through faith. You can’t have the fatherhood of God without embracing the Son-ship of Jesus. But it's through faith in Jesus that we're brought into a spiritual adoption in God's forever family. Adoption has such powerful biblical imagery and implications for our everyday life. This Christmas, let this reality draw you closer to your Everlasting Father.
When we think of ‘might’ – we usually associate it with someone who appears to be ‘bigger, stronger, more powerful’. Isaiah is helping us see that Jesus came as the ‘Mighty God’ - where we see the power and heroic nature of God on display in a unique and personal way through Christ. His appearance may not seem to mighty at first glance, but His Power is evident all throughout his birth, life, death, resurrection and it's still evident and active today.
There is a declaration that rings out in Isaiah 9 around the wonder we celebrate at Christmas. The magnitude and majesty of what's GIVEN to us in our Messiah. Jesus is our: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace. Tonight we examine him as our wonderful counselor. Friends remember: whoever you listen to the most, is your greatest counselor. So, who are you listening to the most?
As we conclude our series, we want to look at how we can influence our kids relationships and teach them to become people of influence for God and His good in this world. We can all get better relationally. We can help our children move forward relationally with others by how we interact and invest in them. Tonight, we look at some practical biblical wisdom to do so.
You can not give to your child something you do not possess! What are the most important things for your kids and others to know about God in order for them to grow their relationship with Him and how can you help?
We want to help our children and the next generation grow relationally rich with us, with God and with others. It's relationships that bless our lives. So we want to unpack how tofoster growth, health and biblically rich development within those relationships. We'll look into three key questions to help cultivate relationonally-rich children and the truths the Scriptures provide for parenting and investing in the next generation.
Tonight we continue our look into living the satisfied life through godly generosity. We dive into the dangers of comparison. It blinds us to our blessings and forces us to focus our attention on what we lack and our perceived scarcity. When my heart is distracted and my eyes wander – when comparison reigns: the satisfied life begins to evaporate. We want to grow our gratitude and become people who 'overflow with thankfulness' for all Jesus has done and provides (see Col. 2:6-7). Let's learn to count our blessings - WHAT'S IN YOUR BOWL?
In a culture that's saturated with marketing and the push to capitalize on consumption – it can lead us to living by a mantra of: MORE IS ALWAYS BETTER. But is it? Having MORE may not actually lead us to: being happier or being more satisfied. In a land obsessed by consumption, contentment calls to us! Contentment is learning to have a satisfied heart and not just follow along with the pursuit of acquiring more and more and more. Enough > More. The Apostle Paul has some wise words to help us fight for contentment.
We're to live on the GO for Jesus. Some of his final words recorded in the gospel of Matthew are to be are first priority! If we’re to live out the Great Commission of Jesus (Matt 28), we must do so with Great Commandment love (Matt 22) -- we must live it out through our actions AND we must speak about Jesus as we have opportunity. We examined 3 key opportunities available to us as we seek to leverage our lives for Jesus as His disciple.
Sometimes we are content to be spectators, but being a disciple is NOT for spectators. Christ wants us to jump in with both feet and eagerly participate in his kingdom building. The parable of the talents challenges us to wrestle with the question: 'what are we doing with what's been entrusted to us?' To whom something is given—regardless how great or small —something is required. We've been enfolded into a faith that calls for our participation as we follow after Jesus.
Tonight we examine a conversation that Jesus has with Peter around one of the toughest challenges we will wade through as one following after Jesus. Forgiveness as a habit and mark of a disciple is tough when we live in a culture that likes to keep score. So we look at what forgiveness is, what it is not. We lean into the heart Jesus wants to form within us. Ultimately: forgiven people, forgive people. *also hear a testimony from Sheila in her journey of forgiveness.
We live in a world that likes to define greatness in a way that is contrary to how Jesus defines it. We look into the conversation (Matthew 18) he has with his early followers redefining what greatness truly is - as he sought to move their hearts toward a motivation to serve others. We’re called to live life with the mindset of Christ, with humility and an “it’s not all about me” type of attitude and approach as a disciple.
We lean into the Parable of the Sower and what Jesus unpacks about the receptivity of the human heart towards the truth, grace and hope of God. We're challenged to cultivate a receptive heart within ourselves and to also share God with whomever, whenever and wherever we're given opportunities. Invest like the Sower. Cultivate a heart that is conditioned well for God's growth in and through you.
In our 'always connected' culture, often times, real rest can be elusive. We can get caught up striving for more and more and even have that mindset slip into our spiritual journey. But the beautiful invitation of the gospel is to a posture of rest. Resting fully in the finished work of Jesus and learning rhythm's of rest as we journey life with Him. Lean into one of the most significant invitations given by Christ.
Doubt isn't something only some encounter in life, it seems to be a part of the human experience. As we pursue after Jesus, doubts and questions might surface in our journey. What do we do in those moments? Disciples are not people who never doubt. They may have doubt, but they choose to lean on Jesus with their doubts. We look at John the Baptist's experience with Jesus in Matthew 11:1-15 and see that Jesus meets us in those moments - he responds, he doesn't rebuke. Our faith can persevere and even grow through seasons of struggle.
As a disciple, we’re to grow an INCREASING sense of AWE for ALL of WHO Jesus is. Following after Jesus is a continual encounter with a God who is way bigger than you think He is. Increasing AWE should be an emotion we experience often. Jesus is bigger than your struggles, bigger than your past, bigger than your future worries and BIG ENOUGH for you.
We kick-off our series in the gospel of Matthew looking at what is a disciple of Jesus look like? How did Jesus disciple the disciples and how might that impact our following of Jesus today? It took a willing heart for Matthew to leave his 'known' and follow Jesus into the 'unknown'. Matthew would begin to see how Jesus would continually call for that willingness to follow. The BIG TRUTH: the heart of a disciple is WILLING. That’s what Jesus is shaping within his early followers. A heart that's growing in willingness to go where he goes, do what he does, love how he loves and quickly shaping their lives to be more like him.
In order for Elements City Church to carrying out the vision of bringing the hope and light of Jesus to the heart of the city, we need for everyone to own their relationship with Jesus, own their faith, and own their part!
There are some fascinating passages in the Bible that help us understand the concept of biblical BLESSing. Simply put, to BLESS someone, is to be FOR them and not against them. So tonight we look at the acronym B.L.E.S.S to lean into a filter we can use to be FOR people in Jesus name. We want to challenge each one of us to adopt this filter as one who is following after Jesus. We want to be people who always seek to BLESS others!
Every so often we gather for a night of worship. We lift up praise for all God has done and will do. We honor Him and seek Him out through song and prayer. Welcome. Settle your mind, prepare your heart and lean with us to the grace of Jesus.
If you've ever skipped stones across a lake, you've seen what they call the 'ripple effect'. Friends, as God’s people and as The Church – we’re to have a ‘ripple effect’ = an ever-expanding reach of impact and influence for Jesus. Jesus said His Father is always working (see John 5:16-18) …and that He is always at work as well. We get to join in that work, to partner with God in His activity. God is still active friends. (he’s not distant, distracted, or dormant). He is active in an ever-expanding scope of work…within us, through our reach, within our city, all around our world.
We live surrounded by voices speaking over us, around us and into us and seeking to shape our identity. We live in the tension of basing our identity off what the 'world' says we are or off what God says about us - leaning on our 'kingdom identity' in who and what God says we are. The truth for us to grab ahold of: you are not defined by who or what the world says you are, but by who and what God the Father says you are!
Tonight, our worship director Lyle leads us in a dive into God's holiness as we examine Isaiah's encounter in (Isaiah 6). In our land where we're always and continually connected, are we connected to the heart of God? The pursuit and enjoyment of the holiness of God calls us to unite with Him, His character and heart - to know Him and be fully known. God's holiness confronts us, convicts us, challenges us and will always change us. God calls us toward holiness and He invites us closer to Himself. Jesus makes a way for us.
We're pleased to have our guest: Fernando Medina preaching tonight. Join us as he shares how God transformed his life and how God's love is still in the business of transforming people today. We're to seek God above all and watch as His love, care and mercy goes to work within us, helping us overcome our past, push past worry and live with a changed heart.
Are you making the “giants” in your life bigger than God? He wants us to set our eyes on Hom, face forward, and follow Him! Because if he promises it He will deliver it!
Join us for a special message with Richard Lopez from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
As we seek to stand firm in faith within our spiritual battles, we're called to respond using the strength, armor and protection that is provided us. So, we examine the spiritual armor from Ephesians chapter 6 and the role it's to have in our lives. The devil can discourage a person, but he cannot defeat the person who won’t give up. Get back up. Go again with God’s strength - see Ephesians 6:10. You and I are never stronger than when we’re depending on God.
As we continue our series understanding our spiritual battles, we need to know that Our Enemy will do all he can to distract and detour us away from Jesus and disrupt our relationship with Jesus. We are to RESIST HIM. Resist 'the drift', resist the 'labeler mindset' and resist the 'extremes of self-reliance and self-condemnation'. We're to stand strong in the power of Christ and our identity in him. The enemy is our biggest accuser, but our Savior is our Greatest Advocate!
As we dive into a series on spiritual warfare, we want learn to recognize the battle we're in, recognize the lies our Enemy tries to get us to buy and believe and recognize our own weaknesses. So much of Satan's tactic is to mess with our minds. The Enemy wants us isolated from godly people, insulated from God himself and distracted away from godly things. We’re told biblically: we need to be ALERT & AWARE, but we never need to be afraid. (1 John 4:4) We can stand strong in the power of Jesus!
Tonight, we attempt a 'mash-up' reminder of all we've looked at in this Changed series. The reality that those who have said 'yes' to Jesus have undergone a divine change of God and are invited into an ongoing changing work of Jesus as we follow Him. Where might God be directing you in some next steps of change he's wanting to do within your life? Lean in. Listen for his lead. Step out in partnering with him in that adventure.
For many of us our identity is wrapped up in our burdens, sins, diseases or our problems! They define us, shape us and become our main focus. We live out of this CONDITION rather than the CALLING Jesus has on our lives. Jesus came to set us free!
When you're given a gift, you open it, utilize it, share it. You don't hide it away. Biblical teaching is clear: WE ALL (men & women) have been given spiritual gifts to use! Everyone has a "spiritual gift" - an ability that equips us to serve God & His Church in a special way. Followers of Jesus are to live with larger purpose, they’re ACTIVELY using their gifts, serving wholeheartedly, giving sacrificially to God’s will, seeking to multiply God's impact & reach – bringing the HOPE and LIGHT of Jesus wherever they go! A God-changed life is a God-gifted life, and gifts are meant to be shared.
Life as a follower of Jesus is about more than just ‘carving out a good life’ for ourselves – it’s about living on mission for God and his good in our world! We aren’t meant to simply blend into culture, but as agents for God, we’re to impact and have influence within culture. Living passionately partnered with God, involved so to leverage your life for God and His good. The movement of Jesus is never about ‘come and chill’– it has always been about "Go. Be. Do." Bottom Line: a God-changed life will infuse godly change into the community around you.
Throughout the Scriptures, we're challenged to see a simply biblical reality, that "WE > me". As a follower of Jesus, we’ve been enfolded into something greater than ourselves and are being built into something better and stronger. We need each other and we're to live out changed relationships that focus on health and on encouraging one another toward our best in Christ. While your relationship with God is personal, God never intends it to be private. Some of your best spiritual growth will happen at the intersection of your relationship with God and your relationships with others! Connected godly relationships is often how God works to keep changing us to be more like Him.
As we continue our look in 1 Peter, he's challenging us to prepare our minds for action. If our mind is a place of knowing and understanding, it is imperative that we allow God to shape our minds. As a disciple of Jesus – we want God to update our 'Operating System' if you will. Internalizing the Scriptures has a unique way of transforming our minds for God and His good. Make it a pattern in life to spend time in God's Word & prayer so that we can know Him better. (see Ephesians 1:17 & Romans 12:2). A MIND marinated with God's Scripture, leads to a LIFE filled with God's power.
As we begin this series in 1 Peter, we're looking for the things that are to 'mark' our lives as a follower of Jesus. Our lives and heart condition is forever changed by this living hope that Jesus has brought to us through our faith in him. Our inheritance of salvation is kept secure. The best is truly yet to come! God has changed our heart and continues changing our heart with love toward Him and others. Ultimately, we're to be marked by our love. A heart changed by Jesus, forever flows with the hope and love of Jesus. (this week: memorize John 13:34-35)
Happy Easter friends. We see examples of people in the gospel stories reaching out in faith, clinging to hope in Jesus like a lifeline…but maybe none more clearly than what we see as Jesus was finishing his mission on the cross and the 2 criminals next to him. One mocked 'til the end. One reached out at the end. Jesus’ heart is always turning toward those who are turning in his direction – those looking to find HOPE in Him! His response in that moment offers us the chance to have a 'with Jesus' life. And having a ‘with Jesus’ life means I’ll never have a “without Jesus” moment again.
As we continue to look at Jesus - we realize that He accomplished WAY more than you and I can every imagine on the cross! He expressed one final phrase: "It is finished." That friends, was a declaration of victory. The Gospel of John makes explicit what all the gospels declare—the cross, the ultimate symbol of defeat got flipped that day and is now the ultimate symbol of God’s victory! "Tetelestai" is the greek term that means 'it is finished' and was used in the 1st century as a term to finalize sales = 'paid in full'. That’s the gospel = Jesus paid a debt we couldn't pay and he made a way, when we had no chance to find our way back to God.
onight we examine this question, this cry, that Jesus utters from the cross and we see it as the deepest revelation of the “passion of the Christ.” Up to this moment, Jesus has been unbelievably calm. So when he starts to shout here - this is something way beyond physical or emotional suffering. It’s infinite spiritual suffering he's enduring. His cry in Matthew 27:46 is quoted from Psalm 22:1. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he's hanging on to Scripture. He's persisting through with God's plan. Psalm 22 starts in darkness, foretelling of this day (thousands of years before), but it ends with the hope that is still unfolding today! Jesus shows us we can take life's inevitable "why's" to God as our ultimate WHO. He can handle them and help us work through them.
As we begin this series looking at the words of Jesus from the cross, we examine his first phrase: "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do." Is there a greater struggle at times, then forgiveness? Most of us are reluctant to forgive even the smallest of offense. But early on Jesus taught his followers that forgiveness matters. Here again, he models it's strength. Forgiveness is what Jesus extends. Forgiveness is what followers of Jesus do.
We're grateful to have Pastor Jamie Benjamin from Greater Faith Church in Tucson with us this evening. His message invites us toward leaning into the necessity of the rhythm of repentance. Repentance is the call toward embracing godly sorrow and seeking God's healing in ourselves, our families, our relationships and even our city and country.
As we wrap up our series through the relationship seasons of life, we zero in on marriage. What does the Scriptures have to say about the role and call of marriage and all it's meant to be? We know God created this union, among many reasons, to eventually give us a fuller understanding of his relationship with the church—his holy bride. We lean into Genesis 2 and Ephesians 5 tonight. And we unpack 7 practical and wise actions to help you build and grow a healthy marriage.
Though the Scriptures don't necessarily have guidance for what we call 'dating', they much wisdom and truths for relationships and the process of evaluation. So we look into some principles to help us navigate this season of dating. Be one who champions others and not just your own self interest (see Philippians 2). Let the way of love lead you (see 1 John 4). Love sends. Love sacrifices. Love stays. Have wise evaluation around character and chemistry in those you date. And choose to have commitment precede intimacy.
We all have a relationship status: Single. Dating. Married. Tonight we examine God's wisdom for us who are single or single again. It all begins by getting our most necessary relationship right - our relationship with God. Human love can be very significant, but human love can NEVER be supreme. Get this relationship right and it will influence every other one in a healthy way. Friend: for however long your single-season may last – make it count! Live with an undivided attention and run after God, trusting Him to bring you the relationship you desire when it's best. Waiting on God might be hard, the only thing harder, is wishing you had. Each season has a calling upon our lives and God desires us to grow and leverage our lives no matter our relationship status.
As we finish up our look through Psalm 23, we see the crescendo of the entire passage. God's goodness and love will follow us all our days and we will dwell in the house of the LORD forever, as one under His care. We must each choose whether we'll submit to being under His care or not. If we do, we can experience God's Goodness and LOVE as his "divine sheep dogs", hemming us in as we travel life with our Shepherd. Jesus is your Good Shepherd = HE delivers protection, provision, peace, providence, His presence, and ultimately brings us home to paradise!
We all will log time in the valleys of life. God can and will build your faith in the valleys if you let Him. We love to enjoy the mountain tops. But, faith gets built in the valleys of life. You’re never alone and God can bring healing and hope as you follow him through and lean on His power.
As we continue in Psalm 23 - we see (v.2-3) speak to God as our Good Shepherd and His care over us – his passion to provide, nurture, take care of and call us to experience godly ‘REST'. This Psalm doesn't begin with work, activity or assignments - it begins with a call to rest.
One of the most beloved Scriptures in all the Bible is Psalm 23. David writes this so that we may know God as our Good Shepherd. This intimate and relational imagery frames then entire Psalm. David wants us to live understanding this truth as reality. Our series take-away is: "Your success (growth and quality) as a sheep will be completely dependent upon your proximity to the Shepherd." Living in the proximity of our Shepherd helps us battle back against worry and build up our contentment.
No matter what your circumstances are God is still God and God is still good! Listen to some of our church community share how God has worked in their lives in 2017 and our prayers for 2018!
Christmas is a season that calls us to grow. To grow in WONDER, grow in COMPASSION, and also be a part of the ever-growing REACH of Christmas. The reach outward to impact many and bring them home to life with God, as well as, the reach inward to transform us connected to Christ, step by step to reflect Him more. The reach of Christmas launched that Holy Night and no one is beyond it's ever-expanding reach even now.
Christmas calls us to grow our compassion capacity – as we remember that God moved with His absolute best expression of compassion in the giving of His Son Jesus! Our culture says that ruthless competition is the key to life; Jesus shows that relentless compassion is the purpose of life.
When Jesus was born - all was not merry and bright. Christmas is a gift. A gift that invites us to grow in the wonder of God. The single most astonishing story every told still calls to us to experience WONDER…even if not everything is wonderful. Choose to grow your wonder this season by intentionally & creatively making the celebration of Christmas > the obligations of Christmas.
Jesus continues his teaching on treasure (Matthew 6:19-24) by telling us we cannot serve both God and money. Why is he driving this home, calling us to choose? Because he's seeking our undivided loyalty. When it comes to treasure: God’s not looking for donors – he’s looking for disciples...those immersed in His eternal vision and fueling its reality. We're invited to adopt some new mindsets about our resources as we seek to make eternal investments and not just earthly ones. It's there our joy will grow and compound.
We all make investments. It's not a matter of if, but where. Jesus is challenging us to make sure we’re investing in Eternal things and not just earthly things. Invest where there is no time-limit, no fading, no theft, no rust, no entropy. We can invest where there is no expiration date - into the things of God where His influence and impact can change lives. When we invest our temporal resources into eternal matters - we will experience a compounding joy.
As we wrap up our series in the Old Testament book of Joshua, we're going to see in the last chapters, Joshua's last challenge. He's going to challenge them (and us) that our spiritual fervor and commitment is ultimately our choice to make. We decide – one way or another. In the plethora of 'things' seeking our allegiance and devotion - God is asking us to choose Him. He chose us and now he asks us to choose him. Jesus desires and deserves absolute love, not optional love. We must choose – this day and the next day, and the next day...(repeat)
Tonight's story is one of failure. We all have 'em. It's ultimately about our biggest challenge and one we couldn't overcome on our own. It introduces us to a rhythm we need in our lives as we face our own sins, failures and mistakes. We don't minimize sin, but we do MAXIMIZE JESUS. It's only there that we are fueled by gratitude and can move forward, and not be haunted by guilt and held back. Repentance moves us to worship our great and graceful God. A regular rhythm of repentance keeps us relational right with God.
Jericho falls through God's intervention. The impossible happened. It reminds us of what Jesus said "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Impossibility just isn’t in God’s vocabulary. One of the deepest theological messages of Joshua ch.6 is that God is teaching us to trust Him instead of trusting our own cleverness. God is still in the business of breaking down walls today. You never know what God will set in motion with one small step of obedience.
The Scriptures call us over and over to a practice of remembering, as it comes to remembering God's activity in our lives and his faithfulness. As Joshua does here (ch. 3 & 4) - we're invited to make some 'memory markers' in our lives. Remembering builds our trust & relationship with GOD – the ONE who has helped us in the past and helps us now and will continue to help us securely into the future. REMEMBERING MATTERS – it refuels our soul, reinvigorates our minds, refreshes our hearts & reinforces our love for Jesus!
We're looking into the story of Rahab in Joshua chapter 2. A story where God is at work behind the scenes - where He, because of His love, looks beyond our past and our labels. Remember, God longs to draw people to Himself and lead them to new beginnings. He's always offering us a lifeline of hope and grace.
We begin a new series through the Old Testament book of Joshua and we will see God’s call to be strong and courageous as we follow him. We follow Him on mission, following faithfully and we trust His presence to be with us each step of the journey.
As we finish up our 'Focus' series around the mission of Elements, tonight we turn toward what it means to 'own' our faith and the mission of this church. It means we keep stepping forward in following Jesus. Owning our faith, isn’t about earning our faith, but it is about authenticating it. (Jesus challenges us to follow - see Luke 9:22-25). We (as The Church) are to OWN our contribution to partnering in the mission as well of His Church as well.
Just like Legos, we were created to connect! First with God and then with others. Jesus didn't make this a friendly "suggestion" but rather commanded us to do so!
Tonight we begin our series: FOCUS ...looking at the mission of our church and the heart of our culture we want to have as we live it out. We want to be a people who are always INVITING people into next steps of faith and life with us. We know that what we care about, we share about. So all through the Scriptures we're encouraged to INVITE and share the Good News that we've discovered and been changed by through Jesus. We don't stockpile God's grace, we share it.
Tonight we want to talk about WHY Prayer Matters?! What's the intent of prayer and how can making it a pattern in your life actually refuel your soul? Prayer is one of the most common phenomena of human life. Prayer was vitally important to Jesus – he modeled it well and often, because for Jesus it wasn’t just a PRIORITY, it was a NECESSITY. Truth: Prayer is a learned behavior and nobody is born an expert at it and prayer is a habit that matters.
The practice of Sabbath is remembering that we are not what we produce. We are valued because of WHOSE we are, not what we do. We are a human BEING, not a human DOING.The rhythm of SABBATH matters to our physical, mental, emotional well-being and ultimately to our spiritual growth and maturity.
As we dive into looking at why worship matters - we wanted to expand our scope and our voice tonight. So we've got a panel of Elements partners who help us examine the role, benefits and our understanding of worship and why it should be a rhythm in our life. Here's a quick definition: "Worship is our response to the revelation of who God is." And it's way more than a song.
Tonight we address what discipleship is and why it matters. Jesus doesn't invite people into following a path or a plan, he invites us to follow him. A person. It's not having him as an accessory to our life, it's finding our lives in following him. If we were to better define it, we might say "it's apprenticing Jesus." It's less about activity FOR JESUS and more about proximity WITH JESUS – because when you spend time in proximity with Jesus, you’ll begin to pick up his rhythms, habits and heart.
*Tonight we also take a moment to take a stand against racism in Jesus name. Elements Statement on situation unfolding in Charlettsville, VA.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus gives some of his final words to his followers before returning to Heaven. It's this challenge to be his witnesses "here, there and to the ends of the earth" - the direction was of primary importance: Beginning from where you are at this moment, take the message of Christ outward, like ripples caused by a pebble thrown into a pond. You could say it this way: "personal reach, local reach and global reach"
As we wrap up our series, we wanted to take some time to dive into the emotion of love. In a world that struggles to define it or demonstrate it well - the biblical call toward LOVE is something so much more than a manufactured or maintained 'feeling'. Jesus reiterates that the measure of spiritual maturity: is love. Agape love is what the Scriptures point toward. The deepest desire of the human heart - is for a love that will last. God's AGAPE love is an unchanging love - in the midst of a changing world. It's the love He has for you. It's the love He wants to grow within you.
As we look into the emotion of FEAR tonight, we examine some facets of fear. Natural fear (healthy) acts as a warning to us. Biblical concept of 'the fear of the Lord' is really more about having a healthy reverence for God. He's Big, I'm little. The destructive side of fear is when unhealthy fears tend to grow within us and can end up holding us hostage to the life God desires. When you let fear run your life, it ruins your life. Jesus promises his presence in our lives, so fear doesn't have to hold us back.
Tonight, we look into the emotion of anger. Anger is an emotion that we all experience from time to time. Anger itself is not sinful; it’s a signal that something is wrong. Anger presents us with an opportunity to do right or wrong. What we do with our anger can be HELPFUL or HURTFUL. The Scriptures speak with some wisdom and warnings regarding anger. Anger must have an appropriate shelf life: 'Let it stop by for a visit, but never rent it a room in your heart.' (James 1:19-20 & Ephesians 4:26-32)
Tonight, we look into the emotion of sadness. We don’t like discussing or thinking about sadness – the ramifications of it. But we ALL KNOW we live in a world where sadness dwells. The Scriptures call us to lean into our moments of sadness. God can do some transformational work within us in our moments. We are invited to bring our pain and heartache to the Savior who cares. As we stay connected with him, he can comfort us, grow our compassion capacity and equip us to be people of comfort to others.
As we begin our new series: Emotion Pictures - we're looking into the role emotions play in our lives. How to deal with how we feel. And what the Scriptures have to say about navigating our emotions in a healthy way. Tonight, we look into how JOY > happiness. Joy can help anchor us to the uplifting and ongoing hope we have in Jesus as he is the true source of joy that we can continually get refueled by. Friends, don't settle to pursue happiness that's limited to your conditions and circumstances being right - pursue JOY.
As we celebrate Father's Day - we want to lean into how the Scriptures show us a clear picture of God as our Father. Our perfect heavenly Father. Guest Speaker: Pastor John Miller (Saddlebrooke Community Church)
God WANTS to use YOU - don't let yesterday get in the way of tomorrow. We're to move forward: free - following after and focused on our Savior. (Hebrew 12:1-2)
We will never meet the BEST VERSION of ourselves inside our comfort zones. God can use chaos to mold and shape us. God moves towards us and He wants us to move towards the mess. Luke 10:25-37
Distance is a part of life - it can be measured, counted and even felt. But God doesn't like relational distance - so He put in motion a plan to bridge the gap of relational distance by sending Jesus. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who searches for everyone - because Each One matters. We're now to invite others closer to the Good Shepherd by leveraging our life: Found People help find people. *Parable of the Lost Sheep in Luke 15:1-7
In this week's parable Jesus is asked to play referee, but as our Savior he turns it and tells a story to highlight the pull of greed and to warn us about its dangers. The parable is the story of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21). The problem wasn’t that the guy was rich or that he had extra – the problem was: he didn’t know WHY. Jesus challenges us to have our hearts shaped to match God's heart of generosity. Principle: when I’m blessed with MORE than I need – it’s to partner with God in blessing someone IN need.
In this week's parable, we're looking in the parable of the Sower and the Soils. It's found in Matthew, Mark and Luke's gospels. Jesus is driving home some truths around spiritual growth and vitality. The Sower sows extravagantly. The soil condition represent 4 conditions of the hearts that hear God's truth. We all need to tend to our heart condition to remain receptive to God's Word to change us. We're to join God as the Sower - to extravagantly sow his hope, grace and love into our 'here and now' in history.
Jesus is telling a story to challenge us to choose. What will we build our lives upon? Because we're all building a life – and it’s your foundation that matters most – adornments, accessories & architecture mean nothing if the foundation can't hold you up. It starts with a decision to choose Jesus over all other philosophies and plans available or offered. Growing your faith is the ongoing choosing to build your life on Jesus - his ways, his teachings, his life being the model & foundation, one decision at a time.
This series isn’t about trying to win an argument, this is about a conversation around the credibility of faith and the Jesus story. God is at work in the world and we're to join him. It is getting us to care about what God cares most about: PEOPLE. Inviting people into knowing they're loved and discover their way home into relationship with Jesus.
Maybe you've seen it in airports or online - those moments where people are reunited as one runs to another. Welcome home. There's something just so beautiful and right about those moments. As we continue our look into the Case for Christ - we see the narrative from Scripture, that Jesus' work was about making a way for humanity to 'come home' into relationship with our Creator. Jesus made a way for us to get HOME – into a relationship with God. Jesus made a way when there was NO WAY for us to make our own. THE QUESTION IS: Will you take a surrendered posture and accept the way Jesus made? Will you take him up on his offer and come HOME?
Happy Easter! As we continue our series around The Case for Christ and the opportunity we've been given to investigate the credibility of faith, we look at the reliability of the Resurrection. It's the lynchpin of all of Christianity. The Apostle Paul passes on the oldest creed we have in 1 Corinthians 15. We have overwhelming evidence to the reliability of the resurrection. Good Friday and Easter Sunday declare unashamedly and unequivocally: God loves YOU friend.
We all wrestle with things in our lives. For many, they wrestle with faith, and what priority it should play or if it should play a role in their life at all. We look tonight at Acts chapter 8 and someone who was encountering a spiritual sticking point in their journey and how God met them at their point of struggle. Friend, it is well worth your investment to seek out truth - to investigate Christ for yourself. If you'll turn in God's direction, you will discover that He has always been turned in yours. We hope this series on The Case for Christ will be a blessing to you.
As we conclude our series in Colossians, the Apostle Paul challenges us to devote ourselves to prayer. And specifically praying for what is on God's heart the most: people. He invites us to weave the practice of prayer and our daily living for Jesus together, in order to invite others closer to God. We looked at some practical expressions of that.
As we wind down our look into all the Apostle Paul is conveying through Colossians chapter 3. He's advocating that the grace and influence of Jesus should have a ripple effect and impact across every aspect of our lives and our relationships. Specifically he highlights 3 key relationships that are to see that influence begin to reshape: marriages, families and our work lives.
The Apostle Paul summarizes some things he's been teaching in chapter 3 in one verse that provides us with one of the biggest principles for a life of faith. In whatever you do (in word or deed) do it all for Jesus. Bring your best as you lean into His best for you. You're called to use your God-given passions in a God-honoring way to build into a BIGGER God-sized story. This week: memorize Colossians 3:17
We continue our look into what the Apostle Paul is telling the early church to 'put on' as the new attitudes, actions and habits of those who follow Christ. He lists out some new traits that are to mark our lives and living. Such as compassion, kindness, humility, thankfulness and forgiveness. We can let go of old habits because we're engaged in the practice of replacing them with new. All in thanks to Jesus' work within us. Jesus always leads his followers toward better things…
The Apostle Paul comes to a section in Colossians where he's going to challenge those early Christians (and us) to put off some old habits and replace them with new. The practices of recognition and repentance that can be instrumental in helping us stay in alignment with God's best.
As we continue in Colossians, we see the Apostle Paul challenge us to focus on things above more than conforming to the patterns of this world. Seeking things that are above is all about re-orienting our allegiances to the Lordship of Christ. To set our minds and hearts on things above takes intentionality: because, where are attention goes, our devotion grows.
In chapter 2, Paul is saying don’t get caught up pursuing after rituals, traditions, legalistic thoughts to become more "spiritual". You’ve been given ALL YOU NEED IN JESUS. Keep looking to him alone…hold fast to him…rooted in him, built up in him, strengthened in him. Religion is about what you try to earn. Relationship with Jesus is staying rooted in what He did FOR YOU. Rest in Jesus' work. Walk out your faith following him...letting him change you from the inside out.
The Apostle Paul records one of the most majestic and beautiful hymns and descriptions of Jesus in all of Scripture toward the end of chapter 1 in Colossians. A declaration of the greatness of Jesus and all He is, accomplishes and does. Jesus is the hero of all history and centerpiece of our faith. With Him, we have all we need. Without Him, we have nothing.
Paul, as a spiritual father, is praying for the believers of Colossians, that they might not only have their needs met, but that they'd receive what they need the most. His pattern of prayer is a great invitation for the kind of prayer we can lean into for ourselves and those we love. He highlights 4 keys ingredients to pray so that we may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way.
We're beginning a journey through the New Testament Book of Colossians and all the Apostle Paul is wanting that church then and The Church today to understand and be changed by. Tonight we set the backdrop. Paul wrote to counter some false teaching. He wanted to point them to the full understanding of the gospel they had received. The gospel of Jesus is not just some good advice among many others. It’s God’s necessary hand of intervention; an invitation of rescue to a people sinking and in trouble left to themselves. The gospel is where we find our secure hope.
We turn our attention to what's referred to as the Great Commandment. Love God and Love people - Jesus issues this invitation and calling to his followers. People will know you are my disciples by the way you love, he said. As we’re filled with the love of Jesus, we can then love like Jesus. principle: Loved people, love people. Christian maturity can never equal = a head filled with biblical knowledge and yet a heart empty of love.
Jesus calls his church toward keeping the main things, the main things. We see in the Scriptures a couple key things that are vital: the Great Commission and the Great Commandment. In Matthew 28, Jesus commissions his followers then and now to GO and make disciples. That our lives are to be a walking/living BILLBOARD directing people toward this Jesus that saved, rescued, redeemed, and is restoring us. Found people, find people.
Tonight, as we begin a New Year, we set our hearts on seeking and praying for God's best. That His blessing and hope would refresh our city and the lives of those we love. Join us as we begin the year in worship & prayer.
Everyone's invited to participate and find their place in the Christmas story through the greatest invitation of God in the gift of His Son. The Church champions the most inclusive message every given. Everyone's invited. Each one matters. Jesus wants us NOT just to celebrate that inclusive notion in principle - Jesus now calls You and Me to be radically inclusive in practice.
As we enter this Christmas season – we’re reminded again that a ‘light’ was given that shatters the darkness around us because light has transformational power. Jesus is that light and he enlists us through faith, to be carriers of His light. We can choose to be concealers or revealers of it. This Christmas and beyond, choose to shine. (Genesis 1:1-4, John 1:1-4, Matthew 5:14-16)
We are all crazy busy with jammed packed schedules, trying to cram everything into only 24 hours a day. How do we decide what to put in, what to take out, or what gets priority? Moses gives us ONE thing to focus on to help us with how to spend our TIME!
In a culture that promotes and pushes us to grab and clutch on to our time and all our things, Jesus calls us to live a life that is open handed...and only there, will we actually experience real fulfillment. Tonight we examine a command and an invitation God gives us as we seek to honor Him with money. We'll discover as we become a caretaker in God's kingdom, He promises to be a caregiver over ours. (Malachi 3:7-10, Proverbs 3:9-10, Matthew 6:20)
We're looking into what the Scriptures say about how we tackle inadequacy. We all may struggle with feelings of inadequacy from time to time, but the truth of God is: what you know about God and what He says about us, trumps how we feel. Here are 5 principles we can hang on to as we face those feelings and replace with them with God's truths. (guest preacher: Chris Collins, Fellowship of Christian Athletes)
As we look into Daniel ch. 5, we see into a king who lived for himself and how Daniel once again calls us to HONOR GOD with our LIFE and LIVING. This is a theme throughout all the Scriptures - calling us not to just live for the little story we can write, but be enfolded into the GREATER STORY that is being written by the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth.
As we continue the story of Daniel (ch.4) we look into a moment where someone changed their outlook from 'look at me' to 'look at Him'. The creep of pride is something we must all be aware of in our lives as we seek to live out a lifestyle of humility. Learn to live in the shadow of GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY! (see Daniel 4:37) All our power is on loan & temporary. Remember: God is in charge; we're not.
As we continue our look into the book of Daniel in the Old Testament, we come to a chapter (ch. 3) all about a big time decision. We all make decisions in every day life and the culmination of those decisions actually makes our lives. We all must decide WHO we will follow. And as Christ followers, we're called to be set apart, not just blend in. Biblical faith is not confidence in particular outcomes; it is confidence in our Sovereign, Good & ‘for us’ God first and foremost.
Given our cultural backdrop of "me-ism" and self-promotion, there is a lot of push to point toward ourselves, seek the spotlight and build our reputations. But in the life of Daniel we see a humility to promote something different. He teaches us to live with a heart that promotes and points out God’s reputation over carving out and protecting ours. Build God’s Kingdom and promote His reputation first and foremost, trust him to provide and establish yours as needed. (Daniel chapter 2; also see Matthew 6:31-33)
God is looking active agents for Him, His love and His good in this world. This is NOT about isolating away from culture, nor imitating the way of culture, this IS about modeling and sharing the Good News & Way of Jesus TO our culture. Daniel lived with the conviction that a life of trusting God and following God was better than anything else the world (or Babylon) could offer. Daniel lived with an inner fortified faith.
We're beginning a new series into the Old Testament book of Daniel. Looking into his life and lessons we can learn. Daniel was thrust into a complex, chaotic culture with pressures that pushed against his faith. He chose to live out faith with godly convictions and graceful interactions. God is not looking for influential people he can make faithful. God is looking for faithful people, so he can leverage their influence.
Conflict is going to be a part of your relationships. No one gets a pass at this one. It doesn’t matter how mature you are. Conflict itself, isn’t the main issue or problem – it’s really centered around how we resolve it and navigate it that matters most. Tonight we look at 4 keys to navigating conflict well from a biblical perspective.
We have a lot of focus in our culture on how we START a relationship, but we don’t seem to have a lot on how to MAINTAIN it. We put tons of energy into 'falling in love', but don't seem to emphasize how to enlarge love within our ongoing relationships. So learn to keep love a verb and seek to meet the needs of the other and your relationships will grow and deepen.
Relationships are complex because it involves two imperfect people. We need to focus on being the right person God wants us to be not finding the right person we want!
Often times we ask WHY ME when negative things happen in our life. Sometimes God uses pivotal circumstances to grow our faith BIG!
As we continue our look into 5 Key things that can grow your relationship, your faith and confidence in God. Tonight: Personal Ministry - how using your gifts, time and contribution builds God's kingdom and grows your faith. Stepping out to serve those around you will develop the faith growing in you. Trust God to guide in using your talents and abilities to serve others in the Church and through your life. It will impact them and grow you! It all starts when we do what we can and trust God to do the rest.
Tonight we see a pattern in Jesus' life and a couple private disciplines or habits he's teaching to help us grow in our faith (Mark 1:35 & Matthew 6). Jesus is modeling and teaching: God rewards individually and specifically those that trust in him most and seek him first. Bottom line: Give God your first few minutes and first few dollars and watch Him grow your faith and be at work in your life.
Relationships are powerful and they are one of the primary ways that God grows our faith! Relationships will wither bring you closer to Jesus or many times the wrong type will pull you further from Him.
God desires to strengthen and grow our faith in Him, so we can have an ever-expanding confidence in Him. The biblical and practical teaching of the Scriptures has a profound impact in our journey with God. The Bible has been given to us so we know about God, understand His truths, and so we can relate with Him. The application of God's truths will transform our lives. God desires us to have the best possible kind of life.
Our culture is fascinated by BIGGER, BRIGHTER, LOUDER - but frankly that doesn’t necessary catch God’s attention. God seems much more interested in the little things. The spiritual life is about living the little things for God. Our little bit + His power = BIG impact! May you embrace the life of living the little things out as worship for your Creator. May you have the eyes to see the opportunities God opens around you and the courage to step forward.
All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect standard. But our loving Heavenly Father did not leave us in this hopeless state. He sent his son Jesus to die in our place and rise again so that we could have life with God forever.
In order for Elements City Church to not leave people on 3rd base and make it home, everybody has to do their part. Be the church. Bringing the hope of Jesus to the heart of the city takes ALL of us!
Is your life a living sacrifice to God or do you just keep Jesus in your pocket and take Him out on an as needed basis? Do you only come to church on Sundays and blend into the world like Mystique or turn into the Hulk the rest of the week?
We all will face hardships, struggles and problems in life, but we never STAND ALONE as we face them. We stand side by side with our SAVIOR…and that changes things! God can use problems because ultimately God wants to refine you and shape you. He can supernaturally recycle them for our good. We might struggle at times, but God will never let our momentary problems permanently sink us. He has us in our here and now and securely for eternity!
t was said by A.W. Tozer “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Many people have tried to capture the character and nature of God in metaphors or images. Jesus gets on the scene in history, he has one predominant metaphor that He uses to help people get their minds hearts and lives around God: FATHER. Friends, that matters!
It’s much easier to maintain faith when our lives are going well. But what happens when our circumstances take a turn for the worst? How do we keep pressing on in our faith? Hebrews 12:1-3 shows us that when we set our sights on our Savior, we find the strength to persevere.
We talk about faith a lot as Christians. But what is faith? Is it just believing that God exists? Or is it something more? Hebrews 11 shows us that faith actively changes the way we live. That’s because faith is confidence that God is who he says he is and will do what he says he will do.
A life of faith will always begin with a decision of faith - a moment where we cross the line from fan to FOLLOWER. Then it's a lifetime of following, continued each day with renewing and realigning our commitment for the journey with Jesus.
Our culture craves and promotes comfort at all costs. It's not that comfort is a bad thing, but could it become dangerous to have too much comfort? Jesus invites us to pursue the way of the cross over the way of comfort. Comfortable Christianity wasn't the primary goal for the crucified Christ. Friends, Jesus is much more interested in getting us into a growth zone than comfort zone.
Jesus extended the invitation to be his follower not to the elite, but to everyone and anyone. He got rid of the long list of prerequisites; he did away with the standard application process. And friends - the Church should do the same. In eliminating the qualifications, Jesus also got rid of all the excuses. He calls to anyone, but He asks for everything.
In every healthy relationship, there comes moments where we assess, evaluate and make decisions about the future. Some call it the DTR - define the relationship moment. There were a couple such moments where Jesus had similar conversations with his followers. Tonight, we examine them and allow them to challenge us to whether we've settled in to just being a fan of Jesus or a follower.
We conclude our series all about the CHANGING work that God wants to do in our lives. It begins with a change only God can do and then it's the ongoing work of God we get to lean into. Tonight, we'll examine a picture of what a changed life begins to look like as the Apostle Paul unpacks some markers to look for in Romans 12.
There comes times in our following Jesus where we may feel like we stall out in our spiritual journey, in those moments, keep going to keep growing. Spiritual growth is not meant to be stunted or stall - it IS about making progress. Progress > Perfection. Find your next step and then take it with God empowering you.
Tonight we launch our new series all about the CHANGING work that God wants to do in our lives. It begins with a change only God can do and then the ongoing work we get to lean into. Real spiritual change begins with new life and is a process, not a destination.
Tonight we conclude our series in the Gospel of Luke looking at Jesus And YOU. The entire book of Luke has been building to the greatest crescendo in all of history. The resurrection of Christ marks the moment where God made a way for us to have relationship with Him! The greatest miracle in history wasn't pronounced with fanfare and glamour - it was declared one small introduction and invitation at a time. What if Easter has always really been about Jesus And YOU?!
In our culture, most people know the historical fact that Jesus was crucified. But why did he die on the cross? Why did an innocent man willingly lay down his life and endure such a brutal form of execution? Luke shows us that Jesus died so we could be in a right relationship with God and enjoy him forever.
Jesus invites us to see money from a new perspective. What if we saw money as a tool and saw ourselves as managers vs owners? Jesus is trying to teach his followers – borrow a lesson on shrewdness. Be determined and deliberate to recognize you have a little bit of time on this earth, you have a little bit of opportunity to leverage your temporary stuff for an eternal purpose and impact! Be Trustworthy. Be Devoted.
Some things we value have a price tag - but some things we have are more precious than any price tag. Ever stop to think about what God treasures most? In Luke 15 we see through a tension to the clarity of the answer. God loves people most. God loves to search for those that are wandering, but God awaits for people to respond to his searching and to his love. God has the heart of a searcher, but God also has the heart of a romantic and waits for a real reciprocated love. We need to have our hearts fashioned to have a love for people like Jesus did. It's true that people that were nothing like Jesus, actually liked hanging out with Jesus. Can that be said about us?
Worry is something that crosses gender, age brackets, tax brackets, class, culture and color. Worry is something that will knock on the door of your heart, but Jesus is teaching us that we don't need to answer it. We can live with a quiet godly confidence in our Heavenly Father who knows our needs. Learn some wisdom and practices to do in order to not let worry hold you hostage.
Lord, teach us to PRAY! God is not offended by our bold prayers. He is offended by anything less. God honors bold prayers because bold prayers honor God.
Tonight we continue in our series through the gospel of Luke. We're looking into Jesus And Love and one of the most famous parables Jesus tells, why he told it and what it means for us. The parable of the Good Samaritan begins with questions and then a story to challenge the limitations we want to often place on love. The truth is: We can live by a law of limits or we can live by the law of love. Love isn’t selective or limited, real love is expressive, elaborate and extravagant. Go and Do likewise...
Tonight we're delighted to welcome Roger Barrier to guest preach at Elements. We're looking into the secret of contentment that the apostle Paul discusses in Philippians 4:10-14. God has a purpose and the grace to pour in the power no matter the circumstances you're in. You can find and experience contentment in and through Him.
When it comes to temptation, we typically think that resisting it is a matter of self-control. But the temptation of Jesus reveals that something more is needed. It's only by trusting God that we find victory over the temptations in our lives.
The gospel of Luke begins by introducing us to why our faith has a solid foundation and why our identity can be anchored to it. We are capable of verifying ourselves, but many people spend way too much energy trying to validate themselves. In and through Christ we have a new identity before God. Our NEW and NOW identity is NOT built on our possessions, position or power; but on who God says we are and our connection as His child. *see Galatians 4:4-7
When everyday conversations take a spiritual turn, what do you do? What if there was a way to tell God's story in a simple way. How can you convey the story of change Jesus is doing in your own heart? We're called to love well, invest in relationships and invite people closer to Jesus. Tonight we talk about how to share God's story and your story on a napkin. Friends, always be prepared to give an answer to the hope you have (1 Peter 3:15)...
We begin our new year with a series about living by more than motivation, but living a life on mission. As followers of Jesus, we have been enfolded into a mission that can truly change the world. In 2 Corinthians 5, the Apostle Paul shows us why we are now compelled to go and share the Good News. In a nut shell: rescued people, rescue people.
We have enjoyed this Christmas season and this past year of all God has done in us and through us. Tonight we reflect back on some of our 2015 adventures and pray for the ones yet to come in 2016. The best is yet to come friends. Thank you for partnering with what God is up to in and through Elements City Church.
We remember the reason for the season and the light that shown the Angels announcement of the Savior's birth. God sent a Savior which is what we needed first and foremost.
The Christmas season is one that is full of tradition, full of relationships and full of color! This Christmas we want to experience the Colors of Christmas. Unlocking more of the beautiful reality that unfolded years ago and still impacts our lives today. Each week a different color that gives us a different appreciation of all God did and continues to do through the gift of His Son.
The Christmas season is one that is full of tradition, full of relationships and full of color! This Christmas we want to experience the Colors of Christmas. Unlocking more of the beautiful reality that unfolded years ago and still impacts our lives today. Each week a different color that gives us a different appreciation of all God did and continues to do through the gift of His Son.
The Christmas season is one that is full of tradition, full of relationships and full of color! This Christmas we want to experience the Colors of Christmas. Unlocking more of the beautiful reality that unfolded years ago and still impacts our lives today. Each week a different color that gives us a different appreciation of all God did and continues to do through the gift of His Son.
Prayer is the invitation for us to connect relationally with God and ask for His activity to be released in our lives and the lives of others. We can bring our requests before God (see Philippians 4:2-6), but we're also invited to join in God's grander story by seeking His will for others. When we pray for others - we're seeking their best before God. Prayer is not about special words you use. Love this reminder: “The power of prayer is not in the one who prays but in the one who hears it." (Max Lucado)
Quick - think of all the ways in games and sporting events that we 'keep score'? Do you know people that keep score relationally? Have you ever found yourself doing that? Instead of letting forgiveness flow within your relationships, we may lean toward grudges and soon bitterness puts down its roots as we mentally and emotionally keep score that 'they owe us'. Tonight we're looking at what Jesus has to say about forging the habit of forgiveness within our hearts.
Encouragement is more than just offering someone uplifting words when times are tough. It's about nudging fellow believers toward love that expresses itself in good deeds.It's about calling one another to live a life of love that is demonstrated by the way we treat one another. The goal of encouragement is to help one another be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
"They will know you are MINE by your love for one another!" Not by your bumper sticker, your tattoo, your cross necklace, or your WWJD bracelet but by your love. Jesus says LOVE OTHERS not because it the "good Christian" thing to do but because He loves US!
As we come to the end of Ecclesiastes - there are a lot of different paths that seem to promise “the Good life”, but there is only ONE path that leads you to where you ultimately want to go. Solomon’s parting wisdom is: Go live the good life. But understand the good life doesn’t exist without God or apart from Him. Know that it is only found in God Himself; so fear God & keep his commands. Remember God. Revere God. Resolve to follow Him.
We're continuing to dive into Ecclesiastes and tonight we examine one of the most valuable resources we have, but one that is dwindling: Time. Solomon is addressing the reality we all know exists, but seldom discuss. Our time is limited - so it matters how we utilize it. How do we maximize living the Good Life with an existence that has a shelf life to it? We see some practical advise flowing from Ecc. chapter 9.
In chapter 4 – Solomon is pointing out that it’s as if there are certain pulls upon the human heart. Think of it as a tug of war. The pull of Envy and the pull of Foolishness, but they will only take you toward isolation if you allow them leverage. What we truly need for the Good Life is the pull of Community.
Are you Edging God Out (EGO) with trying to control things that you shouldn't be? Are you filled with fear, anxiety, and worry because you don't trust God with your life?
We all pursue trophies...they just change with time; but Solomon has some words for us who are aiming our lives at those pursuits – the trophies of life under the sun. There's nothing wrong with WORK, we've been wired and entrusted to work - but when we allow 'work' to become our pseudo source of identity, we're asking it to do something it can't. Life is much more about who loves us and who we love - than what we know or what we do. Learn the secret and power of practicing PRESENCE.
Throughout his life Solomon experimented with a variety of pursuits and pleasures. Although he accomplished everything you can imagine, he was unable to find true and lasting satisfaction. When we pursue our ultimate satisfaction in what we find "under the sun," we arrive at the same conclusion as Solomon. That's because only a relationship with Jesus brings true and lasting satisfaction.
Everybody craves the Good Life! But what will truly deliver it? Tonight we begin a new series in the book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon tries to find The Good Life in most any way possible and he discovers that life 'under the sun' doesn't ultimately offer it. So life-giving hope, meaning and significance must be found elsewhere. Chapter 1 is a rough way to start a book, but it sets a foundation that will help us as we examine these Scriptures. Join the journey in through this series.
We're examining a silent labeler that weighs down our heart and keeps us from experiencing the joy God longs to foster within. Whether it's the lies we tell ourselves or the ones spoken over us - shame has a way of sinking us. But shame doesn't have the last word...thanks to the grace of Jesus that enables us to walk with a new identity!
Tonight we're examining the potential destruction of distraction. We're called to keep our focus on the things that matter most, the priorities of God. To seek Him first and foremost. In the world in which we live that is FILLED with distractions, how do we keep our devotion from becoming detoured?
Tonight we're examining the drama and destruction that can occur when ANGER gets control over us versus us being able to manage it. The truth is: we all get angry. And the Bible is filled with wisdom to help us when it comes to dealing with anger whether we're a spewer, stuffer or schemer. We unpack some practical principles to help us deal with anger in a healthy way.
As we continue this series - tonight, we're examining the impact of fear in our lives. How God has equipped us and is empowering us to live beyond the paralyzing effect of fear. Your fear reveals what you value most. Your fears also reveal where you trust God the least. We're called to live beyond fear and allow our faith IN God to get us there.
Many of us carry around an invisible measuring stick - where we measure our talents, our heart, our mind, our abilities, our actions, our character against others to see if we're okay. Sometimes we're greater than, sometimes we feel less than. In our culture we are inclined toward a compulsion of comparison and if left untreated, comparison becomes a cancer within. We can be free from that when we live empowered by God and not enamored with anyone else. Be YOU.
We're excited for the mission God has us on as a church and tonight we're examining a bit more of what our calling is as a church to bring the hope of Jesus to the heart of our city and inviting people into a life-giving and life-changing relationship with Jesus. We are the benefactors of God's Good News! And we have a choice to make: do we stockpile or share?
Are you more concerned about your reputation for today or the legacy you will leave behind? What you do in life echoes in eternity
Often times we assume that doubt is the enemy of faith. We think that for faith to thrive, doubt must be eliminated. But what if our doubt is the very thing God wants to use to draw us into a closer relationship with him?
What does it look like to aim our lives toward adventure with God? Living with a courageous faith isn't about reckless leaps of faith on our own, it's about intentional steps of faith next to Jesus. We examine Matthew 14 and the call Jesus still has for his followers to walk with him.
We looked into the movie: "42"... the Jackie Robinson story and the church's role in reconciliation. The Church stands as the movement of Jesus that by its very description – is proclaiming: the gospel is good news for ALL PEOPLE. The gospel is the hope of Jesus that SUMMONS not SEPARATES. God’s grace, power and love are the only things that can BREAK down the walls of separation and BUILD up relationships with God and others.
Have you ever wished you could go back in time to 're-do' or 'un-do' something? Regrets are a part of our past, but they don't have to stifle or sideline our future with God. Tonight we examine Philippians 3 and five keys to being able to move forward with God.
You are an investor. The Bible over and over calls us as parents and grandparents and friends to be investors on a spiritual level. Focus on being a proactive person in making deposit of faith in others. We're looking into 3 actions you can take to make faith deposits into others. Make your relationships "P. O. P."
Please welcome James Ruiz, Lead Pastor at Living Word Chapel as our guest speaker tonight. We all will face opposition in this life of following Jesus. People may ridicule your faith and push back against you. But we must remember that no one is un-savable. Don’t give up on those who seem impossible. God transformed the Apostle Paul from Hater to Hero, to show His love knows no limits. No One is TOO FAR GONE. Pray for opportune times to invite them toward an encounter with the real Jesus.
We're leaning into the practice of prayer and looking into a parable that Jesus tells to encourage us to persist in prayer and never lose hope! For Jesus - prayer was never a last resort, it was always a first priority. Friends, there is no area of life where the Bible encourages perseverance more strongly than in the area of prayer.
Tonight we're leaning into this practice of celebration. Did you know that celebration matters to God? Celebration has a way of stirring our soul to savor and remember like nothing else. All throughout the Scriptures, you'll see it's power and the WHY we need to practice it rightly today.
We Learn to Serve. We learn to be generous with our time. This value, this virtue is not natural it is taught. Serving Last Longer than just in that moment! Its about engaging in a practice that helps us move closer to Jesus, helps us be a part of something BIGGER than ourselves!
We're leaning into this practice of yielding - learning to submit ourselves to God's lead and not always searching out for things to be about "me". It's a tough concept given our culture. But we want to live by this simple principle: a yielded life gives priority to God and promotes others above themselves. We unpack how to make this more of a rhythm in our lives.
Reflecting on Scripture is an indispensable part of experiencing the life that Jesus calls us to live. By engaging prayerfully, thoughtfully, and repeatedly with a small portion of the text, the thoughts of God drive themselves deep into our hearts and minds. When that happens, our actions follow close behind and we begin to experience life transformation.
Most of us can identify with a hurried pace of life, because it’s the speed of your life – the speed of our culture. Many people wear their hurried pace as a badge of honor and significance. But when you examine the life of Jesus - we see that he was busy, but never hurried...and there is a drastic difference! Living hurried leads to reactionary living, but when we live unhurried it allows you to respond intentionally and lovingly.
We're looking into the pattern of prayer that exemplified the life of Jesus. Most of us pray. Many feel like they do it enough. What's the goal of prayer? We examine some patterns of prayer we're to have that can make LIFE better. Prayer is all about nurturing our relationship with the Father. It’s attuning more to His provision, protection and presence. Prayer is me, as one who IS limited - connecting, leaning, listening and resting in the ONE who has NO LIMITS.
We're going to be leaning into the life of Jesus in this series, not just examining his words, but his habits and rhythms of living and activity. In picking up some of his spiritual habits, we might experience better life with God. Life with God begins with faith IN Jesus and then it continues in following after Jesus. Spiritual growth has less to do with our performance for Jesus (works) and more to do with our proximity with Jesus. Tonight we examine his invitation to "learn from him". (Matthew 11:25-30)
We run after things, we run toward relationships, we run away from things and sometimes we run INTO something that causes us to think, to consider, to decide. Tonight, we're leaning INTO the event that defines all of the Christian faith. A singular moment in history that altered all of it. We're invited to run into Easter and now run life with God.
There is a difference between shouting AT & speaking INTO. And James ends his book challenging us as the family of God, to speak INTO one another's life. We are to also open ourselves up to be spoken into. When love speaks it's ALWAYS about building up and pointing people forward; it’s NEVER about tearing down or pointing out (shamefully). There are 3 ways in which we speak the truth in love.
Much like learning to hit a baseball, prayer can just be trying to make a connection. James 5 gives shows us different times and how to pray whether you are a new believer or a long-time Christian.
How we view celebrities and other people is a big deal to God. Favoritism is the opposite of love! We tend to lift up or choose to be with people so we can get something from them. Love is offering to serve, help, and show mercy no matter who they are!
Tonight we're examining some tug-a-war pulls that James ch. 4 says competes for our heart's devotion. Conditions of having an elevated heart or a divided heart can get us detoured from the kind of heart God most desires: humble hearts. A humble heart is an open heart before God, a yielded heart to God and one with no secret compartments where we restrict His access.
There is great power in our words. We can use them to build up and we can use them to tear down. So it’s no surprise that James offers some challenging and convicting statements about the importance of our words.
There's a deep connection between faith and works. Tonight, we're looking into one of the passages that often causes confusion for some as they approach the Bible. James writes about what an alive and active faith looks like. Grace is God’s gift we receive in faith – it saves us FROM something (His wrath, separation from God) AND it saves us INTO something (God’s work in this world). A Saving faith will generate an Active / Alive faith - it will have an effect and will always express itself in a growing love for God and people.
Each one of us faces temptation as we navigate life. It calls us to turn away from God's best and settle for something less than. Temptation plays no favorites, it’s an equal opportunity problem. No one is immune or invincible to it. And though we each may have different temptations that call our name, we're all invited to ignore the "temptation trade".
Everyone one of us has faced hardships and challenges in life. James challenges us to discover joy despite the trials that we face, because trials can produce some beautiful things within them. Perseverance only grows in the soil of difficulties and pain. God can take some of our darkest hours and leverage them for our greatest growth. He may or may not provide us a way out, but He ALWAYS promises a way through.
We're launching a new series making our way through the Book of James in the New Testament. It's a book that describes the rescuing love of Jesus and how that love calls us to reciprocate love. The gospel changes us; it impacts how we now live. The world desperately needs Christ followers today whose actions match their convictions. Enter James. His book is full of challenge and encouragement to let the love of Christ influence how we now live. Today, we get a bit of the backdrop to the book and the one who authored it.
For many of us, our identity is closely tied to our achievements. When we succeed, we feel good. When we fail, we feel miserable. This destructive cycle leads us to a place where we look to our achievements to provide what only God can provide – a true sense of identity and purpose.
In our culture of materialism - 'get more' is one of the driving heartbeats within people. There's a constant pull to pursue MORE. But more stuff and more money doesn't automatically bring more peace. There's some illusions that we'll see tonight. The problem is not in having riches – it’s found in trusting IN your riches more than IN God. We're invited to find the full life in managing our resources for the good of God's kingdom work and our enjoyment.
As we begin this new series: "Empty?" - we're examining the ways our hearts wander and pursue things to find fulfillment, only to discover that most things leave us wanting and empty. Jesus spoke of himself coming that we might discover a full life by pursuing him. Tonight we look into how we can recognize the wandering and realign to the full life in Christ. Our hearts wander when we look to something that does not have God’s power to give us what only God has the power and authority to give. A great realigning prayer is found in Psalm 139:23-24.
As we wrap up our year and begin looking into the next, reflection is so much a part of this season. Tonight we want to reflect on the Scriptures for 3 key things to carry with us as we navigate 2015 with God. God Has You. Love Matters Most. Live On Mission.
Anticipation is a predominant feeling and sense that arises around Christmas. On that Silent Night so long ago, the anticipation of humanity had grown cold, but God delivered a Savior that exceeds all expectations. He gave himself to be with us and to show he is for us.
What we lean into at Christmas is God's GREAT gift to us in Jesus! God has given us everything we need and now in response, we can bring him everything we need to. You can bring the highs, joys, celebrations of life to God this Christmas. You can also bring your burdens, trials, hardships and doubts. We can bring it ALL to the ONE who gave His ALL.
We're looking into how the Christmas story proclaims God's desire to work THROUGH US, to shine the light of Christmas. The Light of Christmas burst onto the scene on the original Silent Night and it changed everything. Its light still is expanding and shining. We are now called to let our light shine through our good deeds that will point people toward our Great God!
There are so many mixed messages and stories floating around this season. But the simple Christmas story is one of profound Good News! In order to appreciate this Good News, we have to understand the previous dominate news of the day. As we do, it frees us to embrace the reality that Christmas declares: God is FOR us.
As we begin our journey toward Christmas, we lean into the greatest interruption in history. Interruptions are a part of life…there are tough interruptions, good interruptions and then there are God interruptions. The incarnation was a divine interruption into history that initiated the greatest gift of all time. In Christmas God broke the silence and declared His presence. At Christmas we remember: God's interruptions are his divinely timed interventions.
We love the extraordinary. We’re fascinated by it and drawn to it. Yet most of us would consider our lives ordinary. But what if there is a way for the ordinary to become extraordinary? There is and it starts when we use our life’s story to bring God glory.
Tonight we look into the call of following Jesus. It's a serious calling and deserves our commitment. But it's not meant to be a solo journey. We need community to anchor and grow our commitment. We want to be a gathering of Christ followers who live out the truth: No One Stands Alone. We're better together.
Tonight we examine a bit more of the calling we have as a church. Slogans are catchy and good, but a mission is so much more. We have a mission: inviting people into a life-giving and life-changing relationship with Jesus. We are to herald a proclamation for everyone and an invitation for each individual as we ourselves, follow Christ. It’s not about our religious activity for God, it’s about our relational proximity to Jesus!
As we wrap up our sermon series on Blind Spots - we look into the book of Micah. It's a book that challenges us to not grow numb or become blinded to the injustices in our world - but rather to step forward, step up and show that God's love is a love with action. Love Does. We may never be superheroes, but we can be HEROIC...in big ways & in small ways. Live by the principle: do for ONE, what you wish you could do for ALL.
This week we're examining the book of Jonah and God's message throughout. Jonah had a clear calling to chase after, instead he ran from it. When he did get realigned and pursued it, God did some amazing things. Jonah's heart in some ways had become insulated and protected. His 'bubble' of was safe and known and was his foremost desire, but God will always call us to live outside our bubble. God is bigger than any bubble we create, generate or seek to protect. God's mission to reach all people with his compassion will call us to greater things.
Most of us live comfortable lives. And although there is nothing inherently wrong with comfort, it can be hazardous to our spiritual growth. The prophet Amos reveals the danger of getting too comfortable and calls us to engage with the hurt and suffering around us.
Tonight, we look into the book of Malachi, about the drift in our devotion to God that can occur when our gratefulness becomes compromised. We can drift into being half-hearted about our faith. God desires more and deserves more than leftovers and second best. He brings His best to us and it's His LOVE that is always seeking to refine us and stir our faith.
As we conclude our Freeway series, exploring the not so perfect guide to freedom, we see that freedom shares. The freedom that we have been given in and through Christ is not meant to only be an experienced thing, but a shared thing. Why? Because: rescued people help rescue people. What we care about, we will share about. Learn 3 practical tips to helping you invite others to experience the grace you've found in God.
Labels are a part of our world and if we're honest, a part of our past. Choose wisely who you listen to. Labels can become more than an accessory, maybe they've begun defining your identity. Maybe we're meant to have new ones trump the old ones with ultimate truth. In our freedom we have in Christ, we're invited to anchor our lives to our God given labels of love. Friend, let the ONE who created you, be the ONE who speaks into you. He speaks labels of fact! ...everyone else is just giving opinion.
God is not held back by your history; he actually wants to propel you forward into a renewed destiny founded in Him. As we continue our #Freeway series we lean into the biblical practice of repentance and how it can help us move forward and not remain stuck in our spiritual journey. Repentance isn't about condemnation, but always about the process of transformation. We're to learn to own our responsibility and then move forward trusting in God’s reliability.
In order to step into the life of freedom that God has for us, we must know and embrace our new identity as a child of God. This means recognizing that we don’t have the strength to move forward on our own and that’s okay. Christ’s strength is all that we need.
None of us have a perfect life, but despite non-perfect circumstances and scenarios, we all can experience freedom. We want to put in motion some steps in this series to help us minimize the fears of life and maximize the freedom we’ve been given through Jesus. Consider this your "not-so-perfect-guide-to-freedom" = Freeway
In week 2 of our #RethinkingRich series we're boldly going where many don't want to go. We're talking budget:) We're also looking at some key principles: 1) it's wise to know the condition of it, if you're in charge of it. 2) We're managers, not owners. 3) Tomorrows generosity comes from today's responsibility. And as we live in the shadow of God's generosity, we richly respond back to him (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-12). We also have a little Elements family chat so that there is no mystery to where we are and where we're wanting to go as we pursue our mission. Be a part of the mission with us!
As we launch into a new series all about Rethinking Rich - we discover that 'rich' is a moving target. Our world pulls us to pursue riches (Get Rich) but God actually desires that we aim our lives at living richly (Be Rich). We examine the Scriptures that have some great encouragement to those of us who seek to live richly. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) We also examine a great principle that will enable you to begin practicing now! Week 2 we'll dive into some very practical tips and tools to living richly.
Tonight we wrap our #SeekWisdom series looking into how do we build a life that walks in wisdom. It's way more than an external accessory to life - it's comes from the overflow of our internal life that guides us. Jesus spoke of this precisely in Luke 6:43-45. As we look into Proverbs 4, we'll discover what we need to guard above all in order to walk in wisdom. We also see a principle of wisdom and a wisdom filter that can help us in every decision we need to make.
Tonight, we're examining several practical ways to cultivate wisdom within our lives. Wisdom comes as we look back to mine from our experiences and as we create margin to contemplate. Wisdom has a God-centered trust about it (see Prov. 3:5-8). Wisdom doesn’t come in an app - it comes through application. Walking in wisdom is about practicing wisdom and walking it out, even baby steps. Wisdom knows, so wisdom does.
We begin a new 3-week series called: #SeekWisdom. It's not something we come equipped with, nor is it an automatic pickup as we grow up. But it can be ACQUIRED. The Scriptures implore us to seek it as one who seeks a great treasure. Wisdom guides us to be able to navigate the twists & turns of life soundly and to look back over our days - able to say “that was a life well lived." It's worth your pursuit. We define it and see 3 keys about wisdom in tonight's message.
We’re finishing up our #summeratelements series with a worship night and time of prayer for our city. We love Tucson and the people that call it home. Jesus looked at those around him and was moved with compassion (see Matthew 9) – we want to see the same way. Love the same way.
Please welcome Pastor Josh Reich from another dynamic church here in Tucson - Revolution Church. He's got a powerful word tonight about how to trust God from Galatians 3 as we continue our Summer at Elements series. Trust is so vital to our journey of faith and it matters WHO we can trust. How we trust God is based on the promises of God and not what we do.
Chris Collins is on staff with Fellowship of Christian Athletes here in S. Arizona. He's been a player and coach on the college level and now is making a difference with coaches and athletes here in Arizona. He's got a powerful word tonight about living a life of availability to God. You don't have to serve EVERYONE, but we must serve SOMEONE.
Jesse Colburn is our speaker tonight and is the Lead Pastor at Move City Church in Sierra Vista and a good friend of Elements and Pantano Christian. We're delighted to have him sharing some biblical insights/lessons from the life of Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel. As a people and as a church: we are to be faithful with our potential to bring out the potential in others. We need to desire faithfulness more than fame.
We all sing. We can name the places WHERE we sing. Tonight, as we experience a worship night, we discuss WHY we sing. There are lots of reasons, but a main one is: we sing to DECLARE the goodness & greatness God.
GRATITUDE is fuel for an active and growing faith with Jesus. It grows best within a posture of humility. The bigger our sense of entitlement, the smaller our sense of gratitude = stay humble my friends; let gratitude grow.
Somebody has switched the price tags on value! How we see ourselves often comes from the wrong people and sources. This is important because the way we see ourselves determines to a large degree the way we act and react in life. How much do you think you are truly worth? Pslams 139:13-14 and 1 Peter…
Perspective impacts everything. And it's more than just having a "glass is half-full" type of attitude. It's about seeing the bigger picture and being a part of what God is up to in this world. The Apostle Paul writes some encouraging words to Timothy trying to expand his view (2 Timothy 2:1-13). When we hold to a godly and greater perspective, we're empowered to live in a greater way, for God’s greater story.
Contentment seems to have one understanding within our world - often seen as a 'less than' kind of quality. A weakness. But biblical contentment seems to be one of strength. That through God’s strength: we can embrace the moments we're in and we don't become lost or idle, waiting to escape to another. (Phil. 4:10-13/Col. 3:17)
God (RE)aligns us to his will and purpose as we surrender to Him. Jesus uses the story of the Good Samaritain to show us an example of what He meant by “love your neighbor.” Loving others demands we move beyond our comfort zone to show compassion to those around us.
We crave control and quickly drift from a stance of surrender. But as we see in (Luke 5) Jesus calls us toward surrender for our own good. As we trust him, we see that it is the surrendered life that leads to the God empowered life. But friends: surrender is always voluntary with God. Surrender is part of the (RE)ALIGN God will continually call us back to.
Tonight we'll examine one more principle that every relationship needs to consider. There will always be a gap between "what you expect" and "the other's behavior", so what you fill in that gap - really matters. Also we answer some of your relationship questions.
One of the most dangerous pitfalls in a relationship is getting caught up in the ways we think the other person needs to change. It’s a tendency that all of us have and when it happens, we do far more harm than good to the relationship. Thankfully, Jesus offers us an alternative to this destructive pattern. His words are challenging. But if we follow his instructions, it has the potential to actually change our relationship for the better.
We were created for relationships, but HEALTHY ones don't just happen providentially or accidentally, they happen INTENTIONALLY. They don't come fully assembled. Tonight, we discover 2 key principles from Scripture that can help fuel godly and healthy relationships as you seek love and seek to have it flourish in your life.
We finish our #NoOtherName series tonight through the gospel of Mark looking at the Resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is God's proof He can create new beginnings out of anything. One of the unique aspects of Christianity, when compared to any other faith or religious movement, is that it traces its origin to one particular event, on one particular day in history. Easter changes EVERYTHING.
As we begin Holy Week, we're looking into a meal Jesus had with his disciples and moment of conflict that arose later that night. This meal is full of substance and significance to the mission of Jesus! We're reminded that the deliberate sacrifice Jesus made for us – makes a way for us to have true freedom and life with God.
All life-changing love requires a sacrifice. Mark 10:45 is theHEART OF CHRISTIANITY. It explains the cross and tells us what Jesus came for and why! Jesus came NOT to be served but to serve us and to give his life as a ransom, to stand in place of our sins.
Mark ch. 9 allows us an eyewitness account of a mountain top experience Jesus has with some of his early followers. It's known as the 'transfiguration' - which is a fancy name to communicate that Jesus reveals more of who He really is to them. There are some lessons here for us. Life is only lived in one direction - forward. God moments are just that, moments. Enjoy them, but keep following Jesus forward in life. Pray for them (see Ephesians 1:17).
We all are faced with questions all throughout life. But there is ONE question that we all must come face to face with - it's the ultimate question of life that Jesus raises in this passage tonight (Mark 8). We'll see that there really are two groups of people as it comes to deciding your viewpoint about Jesus: Fans or Followers. And followers have a couple distinct qualities that are to flow from how they have answered this ultimate question.
Often we like to label people by their actions, but actions have origins within the human heart. Jesus points out in Mark 7 that God measures the heart and not just actions. We also discover that inside-out godly kind of living is only found as we live surrendered & secured IN Jesus. As we give Jesus charge over our inside attitudes our outside actions will reflect the change of who's in charge. We must guard our hearts and we're called to keep our heart proximity primarily with Jesus.
All of us will face circumstances in our lives where we will need Jesus to intervene on our behalf. It could be a physical need, an emotional need, a spiritual need, or some combination of those. In that moment we will have to decide, are we going to come to him on his terms our ours? As Mark 5:21-43 shows us, Jesus is delighted to restore us when we come to him in faith.
Storms in life? Learn how Jesus power in your life makes you unsinkable. If Jesus is who he says he is, if he is LORD over the storm, then no matter what shape the world is in or no n matter what shape your life is in- you will find Jesus provides all the healing, all the rest, and all the power you could possibly want.
Today we're looking into 3 snapshots of Jesus early on in the gospel of Mark and what they show us about him and what they call us toward. 1) Jesus alone in solitude/prayer - WITH the Father. 2) A paralyzed man lowered before Jesus - With the Father on mission. 3) Jesus at a party - WITH those the Father loves. We're called to live a life of WITH.
The gospel is news of something that has happened in history, that changes our status forever. As we begin this new series looking at the life, message and mission of Jesus - we remember: Christians are people who are freed by GOOD NEWS, not just limited to good advice. Friends, what Jesus said he came to do is vitally important to how we experience and engage in life.
As we finish up our Let Hope In series, we've seen 4 choices we can make to live more in the flow of God's hope. His hope is an ever-expanding type of hope. Not circumstantial, but supernatural. Today we explore 3 prayers of the hope-filled life and how they can increase your hope and feed your faith.
Our 4th choice: Forgiving others rather than keeping score. When people hurt us, we tend to attach a value to that hurt. We keep score. But forgiveness means releasing others. It means wiping the slate clean. We choose to do this because it's what Jesus did for us. Now, there are some things forgiveness is NOT. But we will discover more hope in forgiveness than in keeping score.
Choosing to TRUST God is greater than TRYING to please God. Often we understand this in order to begin life with God (salvation), but we soon forget that we need to stay anchored to trust instead of defaulting to trying. Jesus calls us to a life of partnered trust. Trust in God takes us on journeys no amount of our personal trying and effort could ever afford. Stay by His side. Abide.
We can either choose the path of concealment or confession. The life of hiding or the life of authenticity. Friends, the unhidden, honest & authentic life is far better than the life of cover-ups, concealment and hiding. David writes about this, as he's traveled both paths, in Psalm 32. One life leads to letting hope and God's healing in and the other doesn't. Choose wisely.
We begin a new series centered around some key choices we can make to Let Hope In. Friends, Your past isn't just in your past if it's still messing with your present. Choice one: If you don’t learn to transform your pain, you will transfer it. No one travels life and escapes emotional bruising...we all get hurt and endure setbacks in life. We need to learn to let God transform our hurts, like Joseph did, so we don't transfer them.
As a follower of Jesus we're to live with a new foundation and focus. We live for a greater story. In whatever we do, we live to promote the story of Jesus. What God has done for us, and for His glory, should lead us to place Him as the foundation of our joy and the root of our desires. What if we lived this day to make Jesus more famous?! (speaker: Lyle Thompson, Worship Director of Elements)
As we finish our Light of Christmas series, we remember that we're to marvel at Jesus. Friends, what we marvel about we will talk about. What we experience we will express. Once Jesus makes an impression within you – it will begin to find an expression out of you. The Shepherds in Luke 2 experience this wonder and can't help but begin to tell about it. (Luke 2:8-20/Matthew 5:16-18)
The Light of Christmas invites us to do more than simply glance. Jesus calls us to MARVEL in His Light and have it change and challenge us. In the land of darkness, a Light shines. In order to marvel at the Light of Christmas, we must make space in our schedule this Christmas.
As we wrap up our study of Philippians, we lean into a secret and a promise that is life-changing. The secret to contentment in life and the promise of God's provision to those that trust in Him and practice his generosity. (Philippians 4:10-19)
All of us deal with anxiety and worry from time to time. What if it was possible to live free from them? What if it was possible to replace those nervous feelings with a sense of peace? In Philippians 4:6-7, the Apostle Paul shows us how we can be free from the anxiety and worry in our life.
"Who you follow has eternal significance!" In Philippians 3:17-21, Paul lays it out what it looks like to be imitators and followers of Christ and those who follow Christ.” Paul tells us who to follow, who to flee from, and what to focus on as believers in Jesus.
We like trophies. In a lot of ways our lives are lived seeking them out. "If I improve, I advance and if I advance, I win" is the cycle in our culture. But the Apostle Paul points out the flaw in that cycle when it comes to our spiritual journey. It's ALL about living in God's grace, not performance or earning a "trophy" in order to impress God. Grace alone pardon's us and empowers us. Jesus + nothing = everything.
Stop the grumbling and complaining. Shine like stars in the the sky. In Philippians 2:12-18, Paul gives encouragement and practical steps to live out our faith.
We like to climb ladders. But, the path to greatness in God’s eyes isn't found on the accent upwards into being served; but rather the downward climb into serving. Tonight we examine one of the most beautiful and challenging Scriptures and what it means for us as followers of Jesus. Paul calls us to mimic the mindset and movement of Jesus. You may never look at a ladder the same again. Philippians 2:1-11
Things didn't unfold as Paul had planned - but God's plans are never stopped. Our plans might be detoured, but God's plans are never derailed. The Apostle Paul's godly courage wasn't confined by his circumstances and he teaches us how to live with that courage in our day. He's modeling that we can flourish where God puts you.
What is the defining characteristic of a growing Christian? Is it how much we know? Is it keeping a list of rules? In his opening remarks to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul addresses this issue. Although the answer sounds simple, the implications it has for the way we live are profound.
Generosity stirs us – it inspires – it catches people’s attention; but generosity isn’t natural? It is one of the core characteristics of God and is to become more and more reflected in those journeying with Him. As we mature in Christ - giving & generosity should become our first reaction instead of our last resort. Practice it, because, generosity wins!
We have a lot of longings in life – a lot of things we ‘thirst’ for, in order to find satisfaction, fulfillment, and significance. What we all ultimately thirst for is a life-giving grace. Jesus makes a statement about being the source of life-giving grace and the Church echoes that invitation today. 4 key implications flow out of John's gospel account toward this grace in our lives. (John 7:37-38, John 10:10, John 20:30-31)
Isolation is not the divine norm for human beings; community is a creation of God. All of us struggle with the condition of aloneness when we face heartache, loss, rejection, failure, struggle, change, etc. As followers of Christ we must move away from aloneness and into community. We're also called to remove aloneness from those around us.
Have you ever taken in a game court side or the cheap seats? They share a commonality: both involve sitting and watching. The life God invites us into is one of action and participation over mere observation. We're to 'get into the game' of life as a part of God's team. Bryan unpacks some Ephesians 2:10 and some implications for us to get involved and "Avoid the Bleachers".
We begin a new series looking into some values that are to be normal rhythms in how we engage life. We lean into a statement of Jesus - His promise of building a movement. This movement is the Church, a gathering of followers who move his movement forward #ONElife at a time. We all have roles to play and contributions to make as we're enfolded into this ongoing building endeavor. (Matthew 16 & Matthew 28)
As we wrap up our TRAINING CAMP series, we have the honor of welcoming V.P. of Arizona Athletics / Athletic Director: Greg Byrne. His story is one of training in faith and exercising leadership as you follow Christ. You'll be inspired by his journey, humility and lessons learned. Hear his story meshing together the realms of athletics and faith. You can follow him on Twitter: @Greg_Byrne
We're glad to welcome one of our own, Gebben Miles to share his faith story. Gebben is the 2012 World Champion in Sporting Clays. Hear his testimony surrounding the struggles God guided him out of and how his story now is one of commitment to using his work as worship. You'll be challenged to utilize your sphere of influence to point people to Christ and to live authentically dedicated to God.
We're glad to welcome Daniel Boice to Elements as he shares his story of God's "redirection" in his life. Daniel is the manager of the University of Arizona Women's Basketball team and leader in Athletes in Action on campus. We also examine the difference between "trying" and "training" in the spiritual life the Scriptures call us to in the theme verse for this series (1 Timothy 4:7-8).
As we continue in TRAINING CAMP - we are delighted to have Brigetta Barrett share her story. Brigetta is one of the world's greatest women athletes. She's a silver medalist at the London 2012 Olympics and silver medalist at Moscow's 2013 World Championships. 6 time NCAA Champion. But her greatest claim to fame is her identity as a follower of Jesus. Her faith story will inspire you to keep "training"!
As we examine how to train in our faith we are delighted to have Richard Lopez here to share his story. Richard is the Director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (Southern Arizona). "You have ability, but God is more interested in our availability. He can fill in all the rest."
We all have habits that impact, shape and influence us and those around us. The early church lived with a generous habit that began to impact the world. This generous habit Jesus It's a habit of the heart that needs to reside within us and within the world.
We ALL become stuck at some point in our spiritual walk! What are some of the reasons we get there and how do we move forward? God gives us some specific steps we can take to become unstuck and what He wants for our walk with Him.
Adam and Eve broke trust with God in the garden. We have been struggling with trust ever since. Genesis 3:1-6
All of us will face unplanned circumstances in our lives. The only question is how will we respond? Will we be consumed by hopelessness or is their another option? Thankfully, Jesus invites us to face the unplanned moments in a way that moves us beyond despair and brings us into greater intimacy with our Heavenly Father.
We as a church are committed to living out our mission: "Inviting people into a life-giving and life-changing relationship with Jesus." Revisit with us the adventure God has Elements on as we examine the activity of Jesus in Matthew ch. 9 - an example of what we're all about and what we're calling all of us toward.
God pursues us with his love - not to capture us, but for us to surrender to his Amazing Grace. A surrendered life to God, is the life He can use to accomplish much. God pursues us to become something more than we could ever become on our own.
As we continue our look into Hosea and his story - we realize it's part of a bigger story of God and the pursuit of his relationship with His people. Relationships are based on commitment, not contracts. We discover that God's love pursues us with a grace that is greater than... His love knows no bounds, but true love creates boundaries as needed.
We are in love with love stories. They inspire us. Tucked away in the OT book of Hosea we see a tragic, but beautiful love story. One where we discover that God pursues us for a relationship (and that matters friends). A relationship is based around a commitment, not merely a contract. And though we have a tendency to be unfaithful to God; thankfully He is radically consistent at being faithful to us.
We are wired for relationships and some of the very best aspects of life are found in relationships. But, we may also experience some of the deepest wounds within them. We will all pick up relational baggage along the way, but there is no relational pain that is beyond the reach of the redeeming power of God. Live free and travel light: relationally.
Baggage we carry in life will weigh us down and the heaviest might be the things we try to keep hidden. The Scriptures invite us to bring our baggage to Jesus and to bring it into the light where there’s freedom. Living the uncovered life is truly the path toward healing and help.
Chances are, you've picked up some baggage along the way in life. We all do. We can carry it around, camouflage it, decorate it and try to hide it. But it weighs us down. Or we can choose to step toward the healing that Jesus offers and travel light. We will all acquire baggage in life - but thanks to Jesus we're not "required" to carry it.
There is a story of influence that unfolds in the book of Ruth. One we can glean from. No matter who you are - you will always be influenced by some. You will always be influencing others. We're responsible for the legacy we leave, and what better legacy than that of a life of trusting God and loving others.
Can anything ever separate us from the love of Christ? It's an honest question the Apostle Paul asks. He's driving home to one conclusion in the final verses of Romans 8. Wanting us to not just know, but to forever sense that God's kind of love doesn't have an expiration date. You are LOVED...
We like transformation, we may just not like the cost. The Apostle Paul (Romans 8:17-30) is pointing out a reality that things aren't as they should be. But God is at work. God does some of His best transforming work IN us through adversity and challenges going on AROUND us.
Often in our culture, our identity becomes wrapped up in our activity. But our identity needs rooted in God more than our roles. We examine another reality that shapes our identity with God and who we are in Him. We've been ADOPTED into his family as a follower of Jesus. He picked us out, picked us up and brought us home into relational connection with him!
The empowered life > the exhausted life. A religious pursuit of perfection is exhausting. But the grace of God is life giving. We've been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower us in living the life God is calling us toward as we stay connected with Him. This connection brings 3 key influences to each of us.
Your past can humble you, but God doesn't want your past to haunt you. God has a good future for you to join him in. A new story is yet to be written. Condemnation keeps you stuck in the story of “what was” – but Jesus FREED you to walk into the God story that awaits...
We are all accustomed to searching for things in life – we also know the joy of finding.
The greatest truth in life is that there is ONE who searches for us, so that we may discover the value, security, beauty and delight of being FOUND. Then we can live with a new identity and life foundation as a FOUND-one… we're examining John 20.
We've been looking at the early church in Acts. This week we see one who thinks he's in charge, but yet it's God's sovereign plans that are ultimately unstoppable. The "why" questions of life arise, but even in the midst - our hope is found in the "WHO" we can turn to and trust. We are the Church today - UNLEASHED and partnering in the ever transforming plans of God that are still alive and active across our city.
God is in the life transformation business! In Acts 9 we encounter Saul (who would become Paul). He had a religion – but he didn’t have a relationship. And religion doesn’t change lives, only a relationship with Jesus does that. So lean in with us as we see… GOD IS BIG ENOUGH TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE […]
When it comes to a life of faith it has to be more than observation and study. A life of faith is about living IN motion WITH God. It's being alert, available, and active in following after his leadership and guidance. We see this lived out in the life of Philip in Acts 8 - as God leads his journey to further unleash the early Church and the movement of Jesus.
The gospel is the world's most significant and unstoppable story. The early followers faced incredible opposition, but God provided the necessary encouragement to "keep the keeping on." The truth is: uncertain conditions will be a part of our spiritual journey following God-but so is God's unexpected encouragement. Watch for it.
The early followers of Jesus lived connected and invested. Giving in such a way to help one another and financially fuel the movement of hope to reach others. They faced a strange scenario that unfolded in Acts 5 that promoted the need for personal integrity. Invested people and people of integrity is our calling.
When faith is advancing, fear is retreating. In Acts 4, the early followers of Jesus faced their first opposition. God had grown their faith to flourish. They prayed for a boldness to continue pointing people toward Jesus through their conduct and conversation. There are some great lessons for our time in this message. *YouVersion Notes […]
When something is the ‘real deal’ – it’s been authenticated. Acts 3 shares a story of God’s power showing up and validated this movement of Jesus. When God’s power shows up, things that shouldn’t happen, happen. Maybe we’re to be people that join in with the miracles God is still at work orchestrating around us […]
The surrounded life – one where you’re around a lot of people, you’re known about, but not really known – is lonely. Friend, you were made for community. The connected life is > the surrounded life. The early church lived with this devoted and authentic relational connection with God and one another – and it […]
As we study the beginnings of things it can lead to patterns and projections. But not so with the Church. It began with a Divine delivery of power. A power that is to fuel your life and the movement of Jesus still today. God is the creator and architect of The Beginning and new beginnings still...
Vision is all about clarity and focus – this week we’re looking at the vision of Elements City Church. Who we are and what we’re called to be and be about. Hear about the 5 G’s that will guide our focus. Know our mission: we’re all about “inviting people into a life-giving and life-changing relationship […]