In Focus Church Podcast: Recent Episodes
In Focus Church
https://www.highpointatl.church/Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Hit the đ Notification Bell so that you never miss our most recent videos.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Hit the đ Notification Bell so that you never miss our most recent videos.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
âMoney is a terrible master, but it can be a masterful servant.âScripture doesnât demand that we renounce our resources, but instead that we use them for the glory of God. We donât serve money, money serves us. This is how we transform our culture when it comes to how we use our money.Godâs Word has a lot to say about money, so we have help. Jesus was God in the flesh, so if we want to know how to interact with culture we can look to the life and ministry of Jesus. And when it came to the subject of money Jesus was not intimidated to talk about it.But it wasn't just about money, it almost always had to do with the heart and valuing the eternal Kingdom of God over the temporary kingdom of this world.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Power. We have been trying to grab it since the beginning of humanity, hence the saying âpower grab.â When it comes to power we look for it in all the wrong places. The source of absolute power is the theme of almost every story, book or movie. It just takes a glimpse into popular culture, particularly the cinematic and comic world to see our obsessions with the source of absolute power. Now, all of that is fictional, but it does highlight what our culture considers power, or powerful as well as our infatuation with it. From a Biblical perspective or worldview we believe that God is all powerful, or omnipotent. All power belongs to God. The one who created everything out of nothing (ex nihilo) is the only one who is all-powerful, and amazingly our all-powerful God has given us the power to create and care for this world while we transform the culture around us for his glory.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Hebrews 13:2 - Be sure to welcome strangers into your home. Strangers. Yall all good with that? Weâve all been taught to be leery, cautious, and suspicious of strangers. The fine line between prudence and panic, possibly led to paranoia.Today, we are super adept at avoiding strangers, even if it has nothing to do with fear or cautiousness. We avoid any contact with people we donât know by keeping airpods in our ears and our heads down or our eyes buried in our mobile devices. There is even a bit of a generational gap today when it comes to our comfort level of interacting with strangers in public spaces. And yet the Bible says in Hebrews 13:2 - Be sure to welcome strangers into your home. (CEV) The NIV says Do not forget to show hospitality to strangersâŚConnect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
When it comes to the necessary question, âHow do we interact with culture,â We can look to scripture for guidance, as always. Practically, Jesus, God in the flesh, interacted with culture so as His followers, the answer to how we interact with culture can be seen in His life.Most often in the church (or church culture), when we use the word âculture,â we are referring to the systems of the world, and it is something that we are to be against, counter to, like counter-cultural, but is that always the case? Should we always be in fight mode, or is there a better way? Maybe it can be framed this way: even when standing against something, we donât have to be angry, mean, contentious jerks.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
What is biblical womanhood? This is the question I want to answer today. I am by no means an expert, and as much as I have studied this topic, I feel like I learn something new each time I look into it. Biblical Womanhood.
What is it exactly? Complicated for sure! Is it something that is easily understood? I would say absolutely not. Is it something that men and women should both understand? A resounding YES should echo through this room today! And Is understanding Godâs design for womanhood important?
I would argue that because it has not been prioritized, Godâs intention and design in creating âwomanâ has been hijacked, perverted, and misconstrued wherever humanity has existed.
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
âBe strong; act like a man.â Similar conversations like this one between David and Solomon have been repeated over and over again all over the world for centuries, and each time I assure you that whatever context it was in, whatever was being asked of some male, no matter what era or locale, it probably had very little to do with being a Biblical man.
Who knew that defining Biblical manhood and masculinity would become so difficult, contentious, and confusing? God knew. God knew that what he intended to be beautiful and perfect, and an image of God Himself in the earth, would be corrupted, distorted, perverted, and attacked after sin and the fall, and it has been and will continue to beâŚ
But I believe there is wisdom and truth for us today. So I humbly wade into the murky, choppy waters in hopes of bringing some clarity and peace to the subject of Biblical Manhood.
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/ Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrard
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Are you a parent who wants to raise God-honoring children?
In this message, Pastor Brent discusses the importance of being a God-centered parent, not a child-centered parent. He explains that God-centered parents dedicate their children to the Lord and morally train them to follow God. He also shares practical advice on how to initiate a craving for what is true, righteous, pure, and holy in your children's hearts.
If you're looking for biblical guidance on how to raise God-honoring children, this sermon is for you! Watch it today and learn how to start your children off on the right path.
Here are some of the things you'll learn in this message:
- The difference between a God-centered parent and a child-centered parent
- How to dedicate your children to the Lord
- How to train your children to follow God
- How to initiate a craving for what is true, righteous, pure, and holy in your children's hearts
Be glad? Rejoice in suffering?
How many difficult or troubling things we go through in life that we incorrectly assign to the devil or try to rebuke away? What if instead of rebuking we are to be rejoicing? This is why we pray! Some of us have missed out on the refinerâs fire of God because we rebuked away Godâs burning work in our lives.
Donât rebuke your refining, rejoice in it! It is in these moments of burning that God is doing something powerful in our lives and deep inside our hearts. Our greatest joys come on the other side of our most difficult trials and troubles, so rejoice.
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/ Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrard
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this sermon, we'll explore what it means to have a healthy eschatology, or a view of the end times. We'll talk about how our beliefs about the end times should affect our behavior, and how to avoid the extremes of living in fear or ignoring the reality of judgment.
We'll also look at some of the practical implications of a healthy eschatology, such as how it can help us to live more loving and compassionate lives.
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/ Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrard
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this sermon, Pastor KÄvin talks about the importance of loving others as Jesus loved us. He defines five key qualities of Christian love:
Harmonious: We should be like-minded, sharing the same attitude of Christ. Sympathetic: We should feel the suffering of others and be moved to help them. Brotherly: We should love one another like brothers and sisters. Kindhearted: We should be compassionate and tender-hearted. Humble: We should put others before ourselves.
Pastor KÄvin challenges us to examine our hearts and see if we truly love others as Jesus loved us. He reminds us that love is not just a feeling but it is also an action. We must be willing to put others before ourselves and to sacrifice for their benefit.
This sermon is for you if you are looking for ways to grow in your love for others. Watch it today and learn how to love like Jesus!
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this sermon, we'll explore what it means to be a people of God in a world that is sometimes contrary to our faith. We'll see how we are called to be set apart for the purposes of God, even as we live in the midst of a world that is often different from us.
This episode will challenge you to think about your identity as a follower of Jesus and how you can live out your faith in a faithful and relevant way to the world around you.
Watch this sermon today and discover the power of prayer!
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/ Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrard
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this sermon, Pastor Brent explores the power of prayer and the need for prayer in the life of the believer. He draws on biblical passages and personal stories to show how prayer can change lives, heal relationships, and bring God's will to pass.
The sermon is both inspiring and practical, offering concrete tips on how to pray more effectively. Whether you're a seasoned prayer warrior or a beginner, you'll find something in this sermon to help you grow in your prayer life.
Watch this sermon today and discover the power of prayer!
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/ Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrard
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this sermon, we will explore the importance of remembering the promises God has told us and trusting his word for our lives. We will see from the story of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-6 that God is faithful to keep his promises, even when we don't understand them. We will also learn that when we trust God's word, he will always lead us in the right direction.
The preface of Genesis 12:1-3 tells us that God called Abraham to leave his home and go to a land that he would show him. This was a big promise, and it would have been easy for Abraham to forget it when things got tough. But he didn't. He remembered the preface, and he trusted God to keep his word.
We can learn from Abraham's example. When we are faced with challenges, we need to remember the promises God has made to us. We need to trust that he will keep his word, even when we don't understand why things are happening the way they are. If we do, we can be confident that God will lead us through the tough times and into the promises he has for us.
If you are looking for hope and encouragement, I encourage you to watch this sermon. We will explore the importance of remembering God's promises and trusting his word for our lives. I believe that this sermon will challenge you and inspire you to trust God more deeply.
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In Exodus 14, the Israelites find themselves trapped between the pursuing Egyptians and the impassable sea. This is a familiar experience for many of us. We often find ourselves in "the space between" - the place where we are caught between two worlds, two realities, or two choices.
In this sermon, we will explore the idea of "the space between" and how it can be a place of both danger and opportunity. We will see how the Israelites were able to find hope and deliverance in the midst of their circumstances, and we will learn how we can do the same.
This sermon is for anyone who has ever felt trapped or hopeless. It is a message of hope and deliverance for those who are in "the space between."
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this sermon, Dr. Joel Muddamalle teaches from Luke 24 on the story of the road to Emmaus. He explores the meaning of the risen Christ's presence with the two disciples on the road, and how this story can help us experience the nearness of God in our own lives.
Dr. Muddamalle shares some practical ways to connect with God on a deeper level, and how to find peace and comfort in God's presence. He also challenges us to open our hearts to the possibility of encountering God in unexpected ways.
If you are looking for a sermon that will encourage you to experience the nearness of God, then this is the video for you. Watch it today and be encouraged!
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
In this episode, Pastor KÄvin Carlie discusses the call to holiness in the Christian life. He explains that holiness is not about being perfect but about being set apart for God. He also talks about how we can pursue holiness in our everyday lives.
If you're interested in learning more about holiness or if you're struggling to live a holy life, this podcast is for you. Listen today and learn how you can grow in your relationship with God.
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Are you ready for the next level?In this episode, Pastor Bomi Roberson talks about how God often works in seasons of depression and pause before He brings about a breakthrough. She shares how the early church was filled with the Holy Spirit and how we can experience the same power today.If you're feeling stuck or like God is not moving in your life, this message is for you. Watch it and learn how to position yourself for the next level of God's blessing.Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. In this life there is usually a difference between who we are, and who we want to be. Thatâs not always good as it can be driven by insecurities and false images of our self, but as believers in Jesus this should definitely be the case.The reason being is because if we are self-aware enough we know who we are in reality, but also we know who we are in Christ, according to Godâs Word we will see a difference. If we are honest they donât always line up.For example, the scripture we just read is a beautiful description of the church, the Body of Christ. That is who we are. But are we?Hit the đ Notification Bell so that you never miss our most recent videos.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
If you're looking to grow in your desire for God, this podcast is for you. We'll share some practical tips on how to make God the center of your life and to experience His love more deeply.
This episode explores the transformative power of 1 Peter and how it can impact our lives today. The Bible is compared to a powerful seed that, when planted in good soil, can bring forth new life and growth. Without the seed of the Word of God, we are merely dirt and dust.In chapter one of 1 Peter, we discover the benefits of the gospel, such as forgiveness, redemption, and the fruit of the Spirit. The commands for Christian living are rooted in the theology of grace, and we learn about setting our hope on God, being holy as He is holy, fearing God, and loving one another constantly from a pure heart.Our love for one another is a way to testify to the hope we have in the grace of God through Jesus Christ. This love takes effort, depth, and duration, and Peter expects his churches to be filled with people who try to understand, give the benefit of the doubt, and communicate honestly.If you're ready to experience the transformative power of the gospel, then this episode is a must-listen.
The very term "to fear God" is a statement about who is a believer and who is not. God-fearers and non-God fearers.There is a difference between a fear of God and being afraid of God. Those that fear God will not be afraid of God, because we know that there is nothing that separates us from His love.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Being called and made children of God we no longer see things in ignorance the way we once did. We see things differently.The new desires and the dethroning of the old ones lead to obedience to God and non-conformity to the world.Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
The single greatest threat to our faith in God and his promises oftentimes is the long treks through the deserts of life where it seems God is gone.How will we respond when things go badly? When adversity, disappointment, and crisis hit home, does it undermine our trust in God and hope for the peace, joy, safety, and our love of the gospel?Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrardConnect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurchLearn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Jesus is alive, the tomb is empty, Satan has been defeated, sin has lost its grip on our lives, and death and the grave no longer have a hold on us. This is a post resurrection reality in Christ. However, as humans we are prone to not living in reality. Jesus' death and resurrection brought about a new reality for all of humanity, but there has to be an acceptance of Him, and a response to what Heâs done first. So let me ask you, in light of last weekâs celebration, where do we find ourselves today, post resurrection?
To say today is a special day is like the understatement of centuries because today is resurrection Sunday. All around the world, the church that bears the name of Jesus, people from every nation and tongue, the worldwide Body of Christ, is celebrating the resurrection of Jesus our Lord. He is, in fact, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and because of that, those who have accepted this fact and by grace through faith have received him as Savior and Lord; we are resurrection people.
We are so excited to continue this sermon series where we get to learn how to "Share the Love" through evangelism and discipleship. As you may have noticed, this sermon series goes right along with our "Share the Love" initiative that will run from now until Easter, where we will Go and Make disciples within our own community and share the love of Christ to the ends of the Earth.
We are so excited to kick off this sermon series where we get to learn how to "Share the Love" through evangelism and discipleship. As you may have noticed, this sermon series goes right along with our "Share the Love" initiative that will run from now until Easter, where we will Go and Make disciples within our community and share the love of Christ to the ends of the Earth.
Today we have a special Sunday Service! We get to hear the testimonies of what God is doing in our college students through ENC! Rejoice with us today family, as we hear of the good and faithful works God is doing in our body!
We are so excited to kick off this sermon series where we get to learn how to "Share the Love" through evangelism and discipleship. As you may have noticed, this sermon series goes right along with our "Share the Love" initiative that will run from now until Easter, where we will Go and Make disciples within our community and share the love of Christ to the ends of the Earth. Let's do this together, Family!
In Focus Family! We are so excited to kick off this sermon series where we get to learn how to "Share the Love" through evangelism and discipleship. As you may have noticed, this sermon series goes right along with our "Share the Love" initiative that will run from now until Easter, where we will Go and Make disciples within our community and share the love of Christ to the ends of the Earth. Let's do this together, Family!
In Focus Family! We are so excited to kick off this sermon series where we get to learn how to "Share the Love" through evangelism and discipleship. As you may have noticed, this sermon series goes right along with our "Share the Love" initiative that will run from now until Easter, where we will Go and Make disciples within our community and share the love of Christ to the ends of the Earth. Let's do this together, Family!
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. This sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
When we see people we often see them stuck in their sin. When Jesus sees people He always sees their potential for healing and forgiveness. What would happen church, if we consistently saw people that way?We see Jesusâ commitment to doing what He had come to do for those who would receive it, regardless of the opposition of those who would not.The disciples did not look at the blind man as an object of mercy, but rather as a subject for a theological discussion. It is much easier to discuss an abstract subject like âsinâ than it is to minister to a concrete need in the life of a person right in front of us.
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. This sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. This sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. This sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. This sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
We believe that God works miracles today by the power of the Holy Spirit to bless people and advance his kingdom. In 2023, we are believing God for miracles that will testify to his power and create new opportunities for the gospel to advance. This sermon series will focus on the 7 miracles John recounts as signs pointing people to faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
What does it take for a church to be a church? Historically there are a couple of core values the church has always been required to have, or actions that have been necessary to identify the church as God's people. Two of these indelible markers is that we would gather and that we would scatter. With that being said, throughout the next few weeks, we will talk about how we as Christians, we as In Focus Church, which is you, are answering the call to make disciples, or maybe more commonly referred to as answering the Great Commission.
What does it take for a church to be a church? Historically there are a couple of core values the church has always been required to have, or actions that have been necessary to identify the church as God's people. Two of these indelible markers is that we would gather and that we would scatter. With that being said, throughout the next few weeks, we will talk about how we as Christians, we as In Focus Church, which is you, are answering the call to make disciples, or maybe more commonly referred to as answering the Great Commission.
What does it take for a church to be a church? Historically there are a couple of core values the church has always been required to have, or actions that have been necessary to identify the church as God's people. Two of these indelible markers is that we would gather and that we would scatter. With that being said, throughout the next few weeks, we will talk about how we as Christians, we as In Focus Church, which is you, are answering the call to make disciples, or maybe more commonly referred to as answering the Great Commission.
So why do we go to the nations and why do we care about reaching the world for Jesus? First, referring back to our passage of scripture last week from 1 John 4, because God is love.
God loves and cares about people and everything He does flows out of that amazing love. Consequently, everything we do should flow out of that amazing love as well.
We go because we love God and love people. So when God gives us commands, and instructions it is characterized by His love for us and for others, therefore we go to the nations.
What we see very clearly is from the end of our street to the ends of the earth God has made every provision for us to go in power, to be those who testify of what He has done on our behalf through Jesus Christ.
What does it take for a church to be a church? Historically there are a couple of core values the church has always been required to have, or actions that have been necessary to identify the church as God's people. Two of these indelible markers is that we would gather and that we would scatter.
With that being said, throughout the next few weeks, we will talk about how we as Christians, we as In Focus Church, which is you, are answering the call to make disciples, or maybe more commonly referred to as answering the Great Commission.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Today we have a special Sunday Service! We get to hear the testimonies of what God is doing in our college students through ENC! Rejoice with us today family as we hear of the good and faithful works God is doing in our body!
Today we have a special Sunday Service! We get to hear the testimonies of what God is doing in our college students through ENC! Rejoice with us today family as we hear of the good and faithful works God is doing in our body!
Today we have a special Sunday Service! We get to hear the testimonies of what God is doing in our college students through ENC! Rejoice with us today family as we hear of the good and faithful works God is doing in our body!
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us on Sundays this month as we bring back our series, "Emotionally Healthy Spirituality" in a new way. In this series, we will explore the idea that it's impossible to be emotionally immature and spiritually mature at the same time.
Join us for the very last week of our current sermon series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
Join us for the very last week of our current sermon series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
Join us for the very last week of our current sermon series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
Join us on Sundays this month as we breathe life back into our series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
Join us on Sundays this month as we breathe life back into our series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
Join us on Sundays this month as we breathe life back into our series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
During the Sundays of this month we will breathe life back into our series, "At The Movies." In this series, we will dive deep into five movies, the themes within them, and how they relate to scripture. This sermon series is a favorite here at In Focus Church and we cannot wait for you to be a part of what God will reveal to His people.
As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite pastors and leaders from around the country as our Pastor takes time to rest, seek God, and recharge for the coming year. Today, we will hear from Pastor Bomi Roberson, a pastor on staff from King's Park International Church in North Carolina. King's Park International is a part of our Every Nation family in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. We hope you will engage in today's message and hear clearly what God has spoken over you.
As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite pastors and leaders from around the country as our Pastor takes time to rest, seek God, and recharge for the coming year. Today, we will hear from Pastor Andy King, lead pastor of HighPoint Church ATL. HighPoint Church is a part of our Every Nation family in Kennesaw, Georgia.
As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite pastors and leaders from around the country as our Pastor takes time to rest, seek God, and recharge for the coming year. Today, we will hear from Justin Gray, Director of Every Nation Music.
Good morning family! As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite pastors and leaders from around the country. Today, we will hear from our own Director of Outreach & Missions, Karla Garrard.
As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite Pastors and leaders from around the country. Today, we will hear from our own Lead Pastor, Brent Garrard. We hope you will engage in today's message and hear clearly what God has spoken over you.
As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite Pastors and leaders from around the country as our Pastor takes time to rest, seek God, and recharge for the coming year. Today, we will hear from Dr. Joel Muddamalle, who serves as the Director of Theology and Research for Proverbs 31 Ministries and Lysa TerKeurst, and is a part of the preaching team at Transformation Church with Pastor Derwin Gray right outside the Charlotte, NC area.
As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite Pastors and leaders from around the country as our Pastor takes time to rest, seek God, and recharge for the coming year. Today, we will hear from our own Youth Director, KÄvin Carlie. We hope you will engage in today's message and hear clearly what God has spoken over you.
Good morning family! As we dive into this Summer Series, we have the privilege of hearing from some of our favorite Pastors and leaders from around the country as our Pastor takes time to rest, seek God, and recharge for the coming year. Today, we will hear from Dr. Chris Johnson, lead pastor of Divine Unity Community Church. DUCC is a part of our Every Nation family in Harrisonburg, Virginia. We hope you will engage in today's message and hear clearly what God has spoken over you.
War is a terrible, horrific thing. So in trying to describe the gravity and seriousness of living a life that pleases God in a fallen world, a world that is still affected and influenced by Satan and sin, the metaphor the Apostle Paul used was war.
God never wanted us to have to deal with the horrors of war, it nonetheless became a normal, consistent part of this broken world after the fall. Consequently, it was something Paulâs readers could comprehend, just as it is something we can understand today.
Some of you experientially, all of us historically and theoretically. Therefore, in order to be equipped for this profound spiritual war we daily encounter, Paul presses this metaphor with a detailed description of the armor of God.
Our enemy, the devil hates everything God loves. So if Godâs plan from before the beginning is to create a new society of reconciled people, then the enemy and his hordes will do everything within their power to destroy it.
If God through Jesus has broken down every wall of division and hostility between ethnicities and cultures, then the devil through his demonic forces will do all they can to rebuild and fortify them.
Does God want His reconciled and redeemed family to live with one another in harmony and purity? Yes, more than anything! Antithetically, the powers of hell will do all they can to sow dissension and sin.
Connect with Pastor Brent on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brentgarrard/ Connect with Pastor Brent on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pastorbrentgarrard
Connect with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/infocuschurch/ Connect with us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/infocuschurch
Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
Summer vacation. Mission trip. College. Business trip. The hospital. Covid. War. They all have something in common. Do you know what it is? In this case, the one thing these all have in common are they all things you âreturn from,â or at least you hope so. In our most recent context you could say that we have been returning back to some normalcy over the last few months. From late 2019 till now has been a crazy, roller coaster ride, a long drawn out process, where at this point it seems we have all been experiencing âthe return,â if you will. But, the question that begs to be answered is: how will you return?
We are in the Twelfth week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
We are in the eleventh week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
We are in the tenth week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
We are in the ninth week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
Did you know how you celebrate today is dependent on how you view yourself today? Today is a day of celebration to be sure. Today we celebrate the hope we have in a resurrected Savior. Today we celebrate that we were once lost and now we are found. Today we celebrate that we were once dead in our sins but now we are alive in Christ. But how you celebrate today is related to how you view yourself today. our celebration of your aliveness is directly proportional to your understanding of your former deadness. You donât really know how good Good Friday is and resurrection Sunday is until you realize how bad it would be for you without them. So maybe we could ask the Holy Spirit to illuminate, show, and remind us how bad it was, so we can best celebrate how good it is.
This is a special day⌠not because it is the final round of the Masters in Augusta. Not because Tiger made his comeback appearance this weekend, but because it is Palm Sunday, the first day of Holy Week. The Gospel writers tell us a large crowd gathered, spreading out palm branches on the road into Jerusalem, shouting with excitement, âHosanna!â But not everyone was happy because this welcome was a problem for the Pharisees. Of course, Jesus is the Messiah. He had come to Jerusalem to save his people. But there was a problem with that as well. Jesus was in tears because He knew the way they wanted victory and the way victory was going to come was very, very different. Salvation was what everyone wanted, but the way Jesus would bring salvation was going to be an issue.
We are in the eighth week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
We are in the seventh week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
We are in the sixth of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
This is the fourth week of our series "Sit, Walk, Stand". In this series we will walk through the book of Ephesians, and explore these three verbs as they describe our position, practice, and power. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians and our power in Christ over the devil and this world.
We are in week four of our series, Sit, Walk, Stand, where we are looking at the position, practice and power of those who are in Christ. Positionally we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. In practice we are to walk, or live in such a way that brings honor and glory to the name of Jesus. And we are to stand in the power of that name above all names, Jesus, whoâs incomparable power is at work in us to stand in faith until the end.
We are in week 3 of our series, Sit, Walk, Stand, where we are looking at the position, practice and power of those who are in Christ. Positionally we are seated with Christ in heavenly places. In practice we are to walk, or live in such a way that brings honor and glory to the name of Jesus. And we are to stand in the power of that name above all names, Jesus, whoâs incomparable power is at work in us to stand in faith until the end.
This morning weâll continue this series, Sit, Walk, Stand. This journey through Ephesians is allowing us to slow down and carefully study this letter from Paul to understand what He was trying to communicate to the Christians in Ephesus.
Today we are starting a new series in the book of Ephesians, called Sit, Walk, Stand. Very simply these three verbs describe our position, practice, and power in Christ as the church. Our position in Christ, our practice in Christ as Christians, and our Power in Christ in our relationships, over the devil and against the system of this world. So if you have your Bible with you, letâs look at the Word of God, specifically Ephesians chapter one. The title of this morningâs message is We (not I) Got the Power.
We donât have to look very far to see rising hostilities between all kinds of people in the world today over all kinds of reasons. Hostility often boils just below the surface waiting to explode and bring destruction to everything around it. Hostility is opposition or resistance to an idea or person with an attitude of enmity and anger, and if you have ever had someone become hostile towards you, or someone you love you know how frightening and unsettling it can be. As a Christian living in a world full of hostility, what are we to do? How should we respond? Do we look and act any different from the world around us that Jesus sent us into? Are we just as hostile to those who are different or have differing ideas or do we run and hide out of fear?
We are in the final week of our series âAbideâ where we have been looking at what it means to abide in the Word of God. Today we will be looking at how to handle being a Christian in a hostile world.
Jesus is the true vine who imparts life to His people! What is our part? As we ABIDE in Him, we will be aligned with Him resulting in a life that trusts His ways and lives obediently. As we OBEY His words, we will find JOY when we ABIDE in His love.
The branch only bears fruit when grafted into the vine. We are not to be distracted or concerned with the results, those are up to God. Our sole purpose is to stay connected to Jesus and trust the outcome to Him.
We donât compare or become discontent by shifting our eyes off of Jesus, we are to remain steadfastly focused on Him. Our aim and purpose for living are to worship God and bring glory to Him.
Freedom. It is something we all desire and want. As a matter of fact, when it comes to freedom there are only two descriptors that really matter in this life, people who are free and people who are enslaved. God created us to experience and live in freedom. Practically speaking, history tells us that all of human life revolves around either having freedom or having it forcibly taken away. But did you know you could be free and more enslaved than an enslaved person? The only thing worse than being enslaved, is being enslaved and thinking you are free. Sadly this is the norm and happens all the time spiritually speaking because freedom is not just physical, from an eternally more important perspective freedom is spiritual. This is week 4 of our series in which our Every Nation churches all over the world are working through the Book of John simultaneously. The theme is âAbide,â as we continue to look at what it means to abide, or remain in Christ.
Itâs January 16th, many of us are sticking to our new years resolutions. And as you work through the reality that broccoli and brussel sprouts donât taste as good as a spoonful of sugar, eventually you start to notice that you feel much more energized after eating fruits and vegetables. Maybe your metabolism is kicking into high gear, your digestive system is flowing with a little more ease. Right? You feel your body responding to what you eat. See eating is something that starts with our mouth, but progresses to involve the whole body. With our passage that weâre focusing on today, weâll see an invitation to eat something that is so wonderful, it will change the course of your life.
This is week 2 of the ABIDE series we are doing in conjunction with all of Every Nation Churches throughout the world, and we walk through the book of John. We will also be corporately joining together for a week of prayer and fasting and consecration starting tomorrow.
Abide means to remain or stay, and as we remain and stay in Christ we will begin to live our lives in a more God-honoring way. This is how we were meant to live, to glorify God, to know Him more and to make Him known more. To know Him more intimately and make Him known more broadly. One of the primary ways we do this is through engaging with God through His Word, the Bible. With the help of the Holy Spirit we read, comprehend, believe and obey the Word of God. As we learned last week, Jesus was the Word made flesh. Jesus is the eternal Word, the Living Word, the written Word. As we continue in the book of John throughout this series, hopefully we will see what John wants us to see even more clearly, who Jesus really is.
Today we begin a new sermon series that joins us with our churches in our Every Nation Churches spiritual family all over the world. The word abide means to remain or stay. Sometimes the boldest and most courageous thing we can do as Godâs people is remain and stay. Jesusâ ministry was marked by those who remained and those who left. First and foremost to remain stable or fixed in the love of God, to continually receive, believe, and trust that Jesus is all we need for salvation and holiness. But abide also carries the implication to remain, stay in His Word and His Ways. Two questions we hope you can answer today as we dig into Godâs Word, is first and foremost do you know Jesus, if so how deeply, and secondly how are you making Him known? Maybe better put, what do people know about Jesus as a result of knowing you?
Today is Christmas at In Focus, and the third message in our series, âOur King has Come,â where we have been talking about how to approach and respond to a king. Although we donât have much regal context, we do know Jesus is the King of Kings. If we know the Christmas story at all we know worship surrounded His birth. We also know that around the age of 2 the wise men showed up at Jesusâ house bringing gifts and desiring to worship the young toddler king. And one of the things we noticed from their story in Matthew 2:2 was the fact that they brought gifts to the king. They were giving in worship, instead of expecting in worship. If you have responded to the gospel of Jesus Christ, that because of all He has done for us, and all He has promised to do, it should elicit a response from those who love Him in our worship of Him. We should bring our hearts and lives to give Him in worship.
Tension. It can be a bad thing in some situations, like awkward family conversations, or stress in your muscles, but it can be a good thing as well, like a hammock or wires on a tension bridge. We believe the people of God felt the good kind of tension before Jesus came to earth as a baby. The good tension they felt for centuries concerned their covenants with God, that were good, and made a way for them to be in relationship with a Holy God, but there was something better, and they were still longing for what Hebrews 8:6 calls a âbetter or superior covenant.â This longing would be fulfilled with the coming of the perfect prophet, the Greatest High Priest, and King of kings, Jesus Christ. This is what we celebrate at Christmas time, our King has come!
Today we are starting our brand new series "The King Has Come" as we celebrate the Christmas season. For years our church has been known as a church that wholeheartedly worships God. We believe many of you genuinely want to be in Godâs presence, and worship is one of the ways we do that in this life. When it comes to worship, we are not talking about just the portion of the Sunday service where we sing songs. Worship is an everyday lifestyle. Worship isnât just something we do. A worshiper is who you are. What you do flows out of who you are and whose you are. We were created to worship God from the depths of our hearts, to exalt Him as King and praise His name together.
Today we are continuing in our series on Proverbs entitled âWhere is the Wisdom?â. Personified wisdom gives us insight into the heart of the Lord, who desires that all would turn from their own ways and follow His path of wisdom. Through listening to Wisdomâs voice, we are able to encounter the character of the Lord and reflect the temperament and ways of the Lord in our lives.
Where is the Wisdom? Folly, Fanatics and Fools is the series we are in, and this is week 4. We have covered the difference between Godly wisdom and human wisdom (one leads to righteousness the other to strife and destruction). We looked at the wisdom of generosity (what you keep is all you have, what you give God can multiply) and last week we covered the wisdom of teachability. (The wise walk with the wise and humbly listen and apply Godly instruction). We are unable to be wise without the wisdom of Godâs Word - reading, hearing, listening and seeing the wisdom of God in His Word, the Bible, becomes paramount to wise, righteous living.
The author of Proverbs is mainly concerned with the impartation of two things, Godly information, and a teachable spirit. You can have all the information, all the proverbs the Bible or even the world has to offer but if you are not teachable it wonât matter. Teachability is paramount to being wise.
Wisdom is not a wealth of knowledge, but wisdom is demonstrated by applying the proverbs to our lives in such a way that reflects Godâs standards of righteousness, justice, and equity. Proverbs is trying to teach us how to be wise in practical matters in life. âShow me your wisdom by what you do,â because we will only experience wisdom through the proverbs when we apply them correctly to our lives.
The common theme is that we are always in need of hearing instruction, seeing instruction, an instruction I need to apply that will reflect Godly wisdom. No matter our age, season of life, or life experience, there is a prerequisite in scripture to obtain wisdom... The wise are teachable.
The âheartâ represents the core of your being, your genuine self and inner person. The heart is the wellspring of life Proverbs says; therefore it is the causative source of your spiritual, emotional, and psychological life. What we value is driven by the nature of our hearts. Therefore, the decisions we make as it relates to our money being wise or foolish are determined by who is the King of hearts. Do we store up treasures here or do we store up treasures in heaven?
It is easy to find people saying and doing unwise, foolish things. Today, being unwise, being as foolish as possible and catching it on video and posting it for the world to see or laugh at is standard practice. As long as you stay alive to keep doing foolish things, it is normal human behavior. But is it normal behavior becoming of a Christ follower? How should the people of the church be viewed?
Today, we are joined by Pastor Justin Gray, Director of Every Nation Music and a member of the Pastor; team at Bethel World Outreach Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
Justin has been a friend of In Focus Church for years now, and we are always grateful for our Every Nation family that is faithful to pour into this body of believers here at In Focus Church.
Problems come big and small. We know this, right? We face problems everyday. We also cause problems for one another. Problems arise in our lives where thereâs not anyone to blame. Weâve got problems all around us. The truth is that although the specifics of our problems may differ, we all share in common the tension of struggling with our problems and the challenging question: what do we do with our problem? How do we face and overcome our problems?
Evil. We all feel like we can recognize when something is evil in this life, and if we do, God says we must abhor it (Romans 12:9), hate it (Psalm 97:10), despise it, loathe evil. There is no question, absolutely no doubt we live in a world that is full of evil. To argue the presence and detrimental effects of extensive evil existing in our world today would be the height of ignorance or denial, or a moral subjectivity that could only be described as evil itself. So, when we see it, sense it, feel it, encounter it even, we are to abhor, hate evil. But is that all?
We are in week 5 of our series âMy Peopleâ where we are looking at what it means to be Godâs people, the church. Through salvation in Christ, you are saved to be a part of the Body of Christ, the family of God, therefore, you are my people because we are Godâs people. What is problematic as we mentioned last week is we are good with having the title âGodâs peopleâ but not so much âGodâs plan.â
We are in the final week of our series âMy Peopleâ where we have been looking at who we are supposed to be, and what we are supposed to do in the earth today as Godâs people. If we are Godâs people then we are spiritual family, therefore, You are my people, because we are Godâs people. So as Godâs people we are first and foremost divine image bearers. We are supposed to be shining lights in the darkness as Philippians 2:15 states, and we are to show forth the praises of the one who called us out of darkness as 1 Peter 2:9 says. There is both a title and a task, or an identity and a duty. Young Kings doing unpopular things in our world. Young Priests mediating Godâs presence to the world. Young Prophets embodying Godâs truth to the world. One church (body, family, people) living impossible practical lives together.
We are in week 3 of our series âMy Peopleâ where we have been looking at what it means to be the people of God, the church. Now as Godâs people how do we shine like stars in the sky, how do we show forth the praises of the one who has called us out of darkness as 1 Peter says?
Primarily we are to be divine image bearers in the earth today, as kings, priests, and prophets. We have already talked about being âyoung kings who do unpopular thingsâ through serving. Last week we talked about being âyoung priests who mediate the presence of God to the world around us.â Today I want to talk about being âyoung prophets.â
We are in week two of our series "My People". Every September we spend the month championing the local church and all of things God does through In Focus Church. If you were listened to last weeks sermon, youâll remember âyou are my people, because we are His people.â That is a true a statement, and this is what we are talking about this month, what it means to be Godâs people, which in turn makes you an integral part of a big new spiritual family. We can say it this way as well, âBecause we are His people, we must be one anotherâs people.â
This whole month of September has historically been a time where we celebrate the local church. A time we highlight the amazing things God is doing in and through us as a church. âYou are my people because we are His people, and if we are His people then you must be my people.â Because God uttered those very words, âYou will be my people⌠we can look at each other and say, âyou are my people.â Belonging to a group of people is something we all understand and probably have experienced, it is the moment you connect with someone in such a way that there is an ease and love for one another almost immediately, and the more you get to know them the more you find you have in common. It doesnât really matter how much you differ on certain things because what unites you is more compelling and important than what you may disagree about. The time you spend together can be planned but does not have to be because just being around them brings a sense of belonging and safety. When you find someone, or a group of âsomeonesâ like that, you tend to call them âmy people.â The reason is simple. The family of God runs deeper than our physical families because we are connected not simply by the blood pumping through our veins, but by the blood of Jesus spilled on the cross.
We are in our final week of the series Alpha and Omega: The Story of Scripture, where we have been looking at the Biblical narrative with its overarching themes of Creation, Fall, Redemption and Restoration. We have also been discovering beyond being the main structure of the Biblical story it is also repeated throughout different stories within the Bible, and the stories of our lives. You and I, along with all of creation are Godâs restoration projects., and all our stories start in the same place, ruin. Arenât you glad we serve an Almighty God who is able to take us from ruins to restoration?
We are in week three of the series, Alpha and Omega: The Story of Scripture, where we are looking at the 4 main themes of the Biblical story. Creation, fall, redemption and restoration. We are also looking at how our own lives follow this same pattern, and where we may find ourselves in Godâs story today. Today we are looking at âRedemption.â Who doesnât love redemption? We love redemptive stories, and the greatest redemption story ever is found in the Bible.
We are in week 2 of our series Alpha and Omega where we are looking at the Biblical order of creation, fall, redemption and new creation, not just as theological framework, but also as a structure or parallel for how things still happen in our own lives. Today we will cover the Fall, and as we said last week, how we need and should want God involved in every part of our story, which is really Godâs story that we have the privilege to be a part of.
We were made to create because we were made in the image of our Creator. Thatâs part of the Biblical story. And like every great story there is a beginning, a back story even, and the story of scripture is unrivaled in its beauty and tragedy, and yet there is no greater story of redemption, there is nothing more epic, dramatic, surprising and inexplicable than the narrative of scriptureâŚso how did it all start, and why is it important? This is message one in the series we are kicking off today entitled Alpha and Omega â The Story of Scripture, and the title of todayâs message is âIn the Beginning GodâŚâ
Today we are joined by Pastor Adrian Crawford. Pastor Adrian leads our fellow Every Nation church in Tallahassee, Florida. He preaches out of Jeremiah 18 and gives a great word on how we are supposed to be aligned with the Kingdom of God rather than the kingdoms of this world.
We are joined by Pastor Donnell Jones out of Washington D.C. Pastor Donnell is the lead pastor at our Every Nation church in Washington D.C. Today, he preaches out of Psalm 34:8 and explains the concept of God sifting His people, and the wonderful fruit that comes from that process.
We are joined by our good friend Pastor Justin Gray as he preaches about finding true satisfaction in Jesus.
Today we are joined by our friend Joel Muddamalle from Transformation Church in South Carolina. Joel preaches out of Philippians 4, and shares with us how we as the church can work together to be more unified in a world that creates such division.
Give me liberty or give me death. This is a famous quote from Patrick Henry in 1775, right before our nation declared its independence from England in 1776. As we recognize the freedoms and comforts, we have been afforded in our nation, and remember with gratitude on this Fourth of July the many people that sacrificed to make improving our nation year after year a reality I must tell you that as Christians, Patrick Henryâs statement is not our cry. As is the case with the Kingdom of God this is not an either-or statement but a both-and statement.
This week we are joined by Pastor Russ Austin. Pastor Russ leads Southpoint Community Church, a fellow Every Nation church, in Jacksonville, Florida. He shares about how he is a lover of the local church and how we can be better church goers through service.
We all experience pain. Many of us go through situations in life that leave us with emotions that we struggle to express, specifically if we have grown up in the Church. This should not be our reality. God has given us emotions for a reason; not to be led by them, but to be guided by what they are telling us.
In this message, we are joined by Pastor Andy King of HighPoint Atlanta. He walks us through Psalm 77, encouraging us to express our emotions to God and be honest before our heavenly father.
If your heart is troubled or if you're experiencing a season of suffering, this message is for you.
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As weâve been journeying through the Apostleâs Creed, diving deeper into each line to learn of the biblical backing of these statements, weâre affirming the crucial doctrines of the Christian faith. The Creed up to this point has spoken to God and our vertical relationship with Him, and rightfully so. We must notice, this creed starts off proclaiming truths about the God who gives us the Gospel that saves us, not about us. In fact, where we are going today is looking at the church that He set in place, which as we discuss, weâll further see that His church is universal; itâs not us as individuals. Our faith begins with, is based on, and is possible only because of who God is. Our identity as individuals is held in the church that Christ established, which was Godâs plan from before time.
"I believe in the Holy Spirit." That has got to be the most loaded sentence ever, and yet here it is, six words right here in the Apostlesâ Creed that have meant a plethora of things to so many people for so many years. It is no surprise though that the doctrine of the Holy Spirit would be so viciously and deceitfully attacked because without Him we are powerless as Christians and doomed to fail as the church. So what does the Bible teach us about the Holy Spirit? We have to search the Scriptures with the help of the Holy Spirit actually, to uncover the beauty and the power of what we affirm in the Creed when we say, âI believe in the Holy Spirit.â
Thus far in our series on the Apostlesâ Creed we have unpacked each section of the creed in order to help us better understand what we believe and why we believe it. Up to this point the creed has been in the past tense. It also closes out the part of the creed dealing with the person and work of Jesus. We looked at Jesus past ministry, birth, crucifixion, death and burial resurrection and ascensions and last week we covered His present ministry (interceding for you and me right now because He lives to do so). So now we cover His future ministry, in the future tense of the Creed, whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
We often hear about what Jesus has done and what He is going to do, but what about what He is currently doing? It is imperative to remember what Christ has done. But we also have a future hope, the hope of glory, that is certain. So as He is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, who is Jesus right now and what does it mean for us today?
In week six of our series on the Apostles' Creed, Pastor KÄvin Carlie takes a deep dive into what happened to Jesus in between his death and resurrection.
Suffering. We have all experienced it in this life in some degree or another. It is an inevitable reality of being human. For some it is more intense and lengthier, others it is seasonal and varies in degrees. Whether physical, emotional or spiritual we all deal with difficulties and disasters that bring suffering into our lives. Although suffering is inevitable as believers, we know it is not what God intended. However, because of the fall, and sin entering the world, it is inescapable. But here is the good news our suffering leads to endurance, character and hope. We donât give up when things get hard. We donât quit because our savior didnât quit.
This week we are picking up where we left off in the Apostles' Creed. âI believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, and what we will look at today, âWho was conceived by the Holy Spirit; born of the virgin MaryâŚâ
We must affirm the virgin birth as it is the foundation of many other critical doctrines we believe. Without the virgin birth there is no gospel. Christ is not God. If Christ was not conceived by the Holy Spirit, then he would have had a human father, consequently not being divine. Without the virgin birth there is no provision for salvation. Jesus could not reverse the curse of sin and save sinners. If we donât believe the virgin birth, we also deny the truthfulness of the Bible, the humanity of Christ, the sinlessness of Christ and the nature of grace. Without the virgin birth our whole faith falls apart.
We are in week 3 of our series on the Apostlesâ Creed, where we are looking at this historic creed and emphasizing the core doctrinal beliefs it summarizes for us. This is important because the Apostleâs Creed contains essential Christian doctrines and beliefs that summarize the gospel and make up the foundation of our faith. It is important to know what you believe and why you believe it considering the abundance of life now and eternal life with God in heaven depends on it.
Before anything else, God is first and foremost "Father." This has an incredible impact on how we see ourselves and how we view our faith.
Galatians 4 says "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons & daughters."
We have all been shaped by our earthly Fathers. Both positively and negatively. In this message, Pastor Brent affirms what it means to have a heavenly Father who is loving and kind.
This is a timely message that will bring comfort, peace, and confidence in who you are in Christ.
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What do you believe in? We believe in a lot of things, and what we believe affects how we live. Believing leads to action. What we do and how we live says more about what we believe than what we say. So, what do your actions say about what you believe? Letâs keep it churchy.
You say you believe in honoring God with your money and being generous. But what you believe about giving generously to God is evidenced by your actions. You say you believe in purity and holiness but what you believe about purity and holiness is evidenced in your actions. You say you believe in loving everyone as made in the image of God, but what you believe about your neighbor is evidenced in your actions. You say you believe in the importance of the Body of Christ, the church, but what you believe is evidenced in your actions. You say you believe gossip, backbiting, slander and such are dishonoring to God, but what you believe is evidenced by your actions. Believing leads to actions, and actions demonstrate belief.
In this powerful message, Pastor Brent encourages us in our faith and challenges us to see what true belief looks like.
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He is Risen Indeed!
Today, we do not reduce the Resurrection Story down to just what we get out of it. Our salvation because of what Christ has done is a benefit of this grand story, but if that is all it is about, the story becomes all about me and not about King Jesus. Only after we have acknowledged and focused on King Jesus can we talk about the redemptive benefits that the King offers us.
Join us as we celebrate Easter and finish our series on Biblical Lament!
Over the course of this series on Lament, we have learned quite a lot. As we learn to lament more and more, we will learn from lament more and more. We can grow in wisdom; we can learn from the past and persevere in the present with hope for the future in Christ. Lament helps us see the brokenness not just in us, but around us in other people. It is a liturgy of loss that broadens our view beyond our individualistic personal struggles. Lament should be a regular song that is sung on the pathway of racial reconciliation, which God has called us all to participate in as the Body of Christ. Lament is a step in the right direction for us as Godâs people. It is a biblical language of processing pain and it opens the door for renewed understanding and love. At the same time, it opens a door for healing and a prophetic call to change.
We hope you have enjoyed this series on Lament as much as we have! It has been a powerful tool for us as we push forward in this next season.
From OT to NT, we see God using the leaders, judges, prophets, disciples, and apostles in ways where they contextually spoke to the sins of God's people as they tried to figure out what it meant to be in the world but not of it; to live in a land of unrighteousness, but to dwell as God's holy people. And especially in the NT, we see that the early church had difficulty functioning as God's united people because they were divided between ethnic and cultural lines; Jews did not like Gentiles and vice versa.
Speaking specifically to minority Christians, KÄvin challenges us to lament properly in order to deal with our pain, suffering, and oppression.
Racial reconciliation is supposed to be one of the marks of the church. We say supposed to because it has not happened on a large scale to date, and it is a continuing spiritual battle against division and hatred of epic proportions. In this message, Pastor Brent talks about how lament sets the table for racial reconciliation.
What if the majority led with lament even if we are not sure why others are weeping? What if the majority joined tears instead of judging tears?
Continuing our series Lament, Pastor Brent talks about what makes "The Empathetic Majority."
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There are things that we learn through the pain of life that we can never learn through the comforts of life. Or as one author put it, âPerhaps I shall see things through my tears that dry-eyed I could not see.â
We have talked about minor keys, major keys, and even suspensions. Today we will be tackling the book of Lamentations which is the most comprehensive minor key song in the Bible. Lamentations were more than just expressions of personal grief, but they were also designed to help Godâs people never forget the lessonâs learned out of pain or crisis.
Much like the Lordâs Table where we take communion to remember the pain and sacrifice of the cross. The book of Lamentations is a historical lament meant to teach us important lessons that should never be forgotten. Lament is more than a personal expression of sorrow; it is a memorial.
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The closing of the gap took place last week through crying out to God and voicing our complaint. Crying out to God, recognizing that praying to God, sitting down, and being honest with God is the only way to close the gap between your pain and Godâs promise. And within those prayers are complaints. This is a complaint with hope, like God I know you are not mean, but it feels like it right now. How long is it going to look like evil and injustice are winning?
So in this message, we are going to close this gap completely with the final two actions of the Biblical Lament.
Who taught you how to cry? It is a rhetorical question, but have you ever thought about how you entered the world? I mean does it strike you as odd that we didnât enter into this world laughing and smiling, but screaming and crying? Life begins with struggle and tears, a wholehearted protest in essence. To cry is human. But lament is different. Biblical lament is altogether Christian as we affirm that the world is broken, but God is sovereign, and He has been and always will be faithful. Lament is what stands in the gap between the pain of this life and the promise of God.
In music, we are familiar with the difference between a major chord and a minor chord. It creates an altogether different sound and feel. The book of Psalms is actually a book of songs, and to reinforce the importance of the Biblical prayer of lament, about 1/3 of the 150 Psalms are minor key songs. The reason Biblical lament is important and necessary to the believer is it provides a path from heartache to hope.
Pastor Brent expounds further on the necessity of the "minor key" songs in week one of our series "Lament: The Language Of The Exiles."
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A God-given vision helps us intentionally live in our God-given purpose today. Today, Pastor Brent is asking God to give you a glimpse of your future in Christ & our future together as His Church, which we believe are inseparable. Our individual purpose is always tethered to our corporate purpose as the Body of Christ â so we need to see what God sees for us so we can get to work accomplishing all He has for us.
There are a few components to a God-given vision, where there is a holy discontent with the way things are, matched by a holy determination to make things right. I mentioned this last week, but we must remember correctly, look forward prophetically so we can be committed missionally to Godâs divine purpose for our church.
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We have looked at Godâs Self-existence through the name Jehovah My Lord, Godâs Justice through the name Jehovah Shalom, a God who can bring peace to any and every situation, Godâs Compassion as El Roi, the God who sees you wherever you are, Godâs redemption as Jehovah Jireh, the God who is able to provide all you need and can even redeem your suffering, and Godâs mission through His name El Shaddai who is God Almighty, meaning God is both strong and tender at the same time and is more than able to fulfill every promise He has given us in His word.
So in this message, we finish off with the name revealed to Mary in the gospel of Luke and that name is YESHUA. It simply means âGodâs Salvation.â This most important name of God, Yeshua, means because of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we can experience Godâs salvation.
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We are in week five of our series we are doing with our Every Nation churches all over the world, âAwesome God.â
We are looking at the different names of God, and how by knowing His name we know His character better, we know God more intimately. Be encouraged to continue to cultivate your knowledge of God through His Word. The more you know Him the more you will love and trust Him, and the more you love and trust Him the more you will want to know Him. This is why spending time in your Bible matters, as it is the âwritten Word of God,â and it makes us more familiar with His being, personality, and moral attributes, as well as leading us to the Living Word, Jesus Christ.
There is no telling how many interpretations of the Hebrew pronunciations of Godâs name there have been. But literally, El Shaddai means âGod Almighty,â and it is among the most frequently appearing names for God in the Bible. A better foundational meaning of El Shaddai may be âthe overpowerer,â which emphasizes Godâs power to achieve all His purposes. The Lordâs strength is absolutely perfect and cannot be increased or diminished.
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Are you willing to go through what God leads you through in order to receive the promise God has for you? That is a loaded question as to whether you are willing to live a life of walking by faith and not by sight. But that is what we are called to do, and it is not blind faith, but anchored in the character of a faithful God. This again is what I mean by knowing Godâs name, His character, His faithfulness, so much so you have an anchored faith in knowing who God is. Faith is acting on your belief that God is good, and you trust Him even when it seems to not make sense. Abraham had been tested and found wanting in the past, but now his faith was different.
Pastor Brent preaches a message of faith, provision, and faithfulness looking at the story of Abraham & Isaac.
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Compassion is defined as suffering with another; painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow motivated by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; commiseration. (Websters 1828)
This morning we are in week 3 of this series, which we are doing in conjunction with this time of prayer and consecration with our Every Nation churches all over the world. Todayâs attribute of God is compassion. Arenât you so very glad we serve a God who is compassionate?
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Peace is something we are all searching for, and many claim to have the answer.
Here, Pastor Justin Gray dives into the story of Gideon in Judges 6 and how through Gideon's weakness and self sacrifice he experiences true peace with the Lord.
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We are in week 2 of our series âPeace on Earth.â It is a classic Christmas time theme, but it is much more than that, it is a promised inheritance to all who believe in Jesus as Savior and Lord. But since we live in a world of constant unrest and upheaval, stress, and incessant noise how is this peace possible?
It requires a rigorous, disciplined commitment to do what James 1:19 says for us to do, being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. It requires pressing on, relentlessly pursuing, and persecuting the conflict; it requires striving for peace.
What we will find is that many of our conflicts are unnecessary and also unnecessarily hostile.
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The Christmas season reminds us of the promise of peace that was to come through Jesus Christ. Jesus was the fulfillment of the promise of peace, He is the Prince of Peace, there was a steep price for peace and there is great power in peace. So, with all of that being true why do we see such little peace on earth today? Why is there so much personal inner turmoil spilling over into corporate turmoil contributing to what looks and feels like rampant unrest, division, and fighting? We just want peace! Where is the peace?
Knowing Jesus as your peace today will help you to trust Him for your peace tomorrow. Our peace multiplies when we grow in our relationship with the person of Jesus Christ who is our peace.
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Learn more about In Focus and what we have going on by visiting our website at https://infocus.church
We have covered the politics of left and right, hypocrisy and sanctification, suffering and hope, personal faith, and the local church, and in this message, we look at money, specifically about guilt or greed.
Thus far, there have been a lot of both/and as we looked at the way of Jesus being outside the lines we often draw. But todayâs subject matter is more of neither/nor. As we have emphasized each week, as Christians we too easily default to deep dividing lines over issues where there should be room for nuance. We are too quick to slander one another with labels, that it keeps us from loving and listening to one another and we often miss what God is trying to teach us. It is almost impossible to label a person without knowing the life of a person. But it is imperative to see someone as an image-bearer of God without knowing a single thing about their life.
So, what about money? We are the most affluent nation in the world, and affluence is one of the pillar goals of our lives in America. Most all of us have jumped to some conclusions about people and wealth. But we know this, that our true riches are found in Christ because Jesus gave 100% of himself on the cross and purchased us with his blood. He became poor so that through His poverty we might become rich in love. When we realize this, generosity will flow out of us.
Despite the decline, and being constantly maligned, the local church is still Godâs plan A for his children. So if you claim to be one of His children the goal is not to abandon His family but become a better part of His family.
Now one of the things you may hear a lot is, âwe need to be like the church in the New TestamentâŚâ Well good, because they were jacked up too. Think about 1 Corinthians 13, popularly known as the âlove chapter.â
"Well, Paul was not writing this for your grannyâs cross-stitch, he was writing it to Corinthian church members who had no evidence of this kind of love in their lives. They had all kinds of issues but Paul fought for them. You know why? Because the church is a spiritual family."
What do we do with the seemingly incongruent realities of a loving, sovereign, heavenly Father and people dying of terminal illnesses, and hurricanes that destroy property and kill people, the holocaust, slavery, racism, poverty, abuse, oppression, abortion, genocide, sex trafficking and every other injustice that continues to plague us and our world?
The correct response is one of the hopeful realist. This is where we should be where we know and continue to believe God is good and always in control and yet there are painful realities to this life that are difficult and hard.
"It is not in ignoring the painful realities of our suffering that we find hope, but trusting in Godâs promises in the middle of our painful realities that we find hope."
In this message, Pastor Brent takes a deep dive into these topics.
A line that is often drawn is that hypocrisy and spiritual growth are mutually exclusive. You are either a hypocrite or a verifiable work in progress. But history and the Bible tell us that they actually do go together.
Romans 3:23 says we all fall short of the glory of God, in Romans 7 there is the infamous passage about doing what I donât want to do and not doing what I do want to do?
So if they are not mutually exclusive then there must be a tension we have to embrace where we are both, but in a way that is a sweet aroma as it says in 2 Corinthians 2:15 â like we should have the aroma of Christ not the stench of death.
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We almost inherently draw lines in the sand, take up a side, build a camp, and become our own tribe. Jordan/Lebron, Coke/Pepsi, Beach/Mountains, Toilet paper over/under. Now, these are light subjects, but what about the ones that get our blood pressure up?
In week 1 of our new series, Lines In The Sand, Pastor Brent talks about the importance taking God's side and representing the kingdom of God in the earth and in our nation.