Faith Church Kansas - Audio Podcast: Recent Episodes
Pastor Matthew Hunt
Weekly messages crafted to help bring faith to life. This podcast is published by Faith Church in Fort Scott, Kansas, featuring Pastor Matthew Hunt.
Explore the profound teachings on love and generosity in this deep dive into biblical texts including 1 John 3:11-24 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Discover how true love acts, and why we're called to emulate Jesus's ultimate sacrifice through our daily interactions and choices. #BibleStudy #LoveOneAnother #Generosity #1John3 #1Corinthians13 #FaithInAction
Discover the profound teachings of 1 John 2:15-29 and Philippians 2:12-13 in our latest sermon, exploring the importance of remaining faithful to King Jesus and embracing daily spiritual practices. We'll look at the essence of true loyalty and the empowered life through grace, urging us to live out our faith actively. Don't miss these transformative insights! #FaithPractice #FollowJesus #SpiritualFormation #Discipleship
Explore the depths of faith in "Know That You Know," where we delve into the essence of sin as missing the mark and the profound role of Jesus as our righteous advocate and eternal high priest. Uncover how obedience not only sustains but deepens our relationship with God, encouraging a life of daily spiritual practice and reflection.
Faith #Jesus #RighteousAdvocate #SpiritualPractice #BibleStudy #ChristianLiving
Embrace a journey of transformation and unity as we embody the teachings of Colossians 3:16-17, fostering hope and radiance within our community. Be part of our commitment to grow together, embodying the essence of a spiritual family. #VisionSunday #WeAreFamily #Colossians3
đđ "Embark on a journey of spiritual renewal and unity with us in 'The Book of Colossians - EPISODE 6'. Discover the power of gratitude, expectation, and humble unity in transforming your life. #Colossians #SpiritualGrowth #UnityInChrist #BibleStudy đâ¨"
Explore the depths of Colossians 2:6-23 in EPISODE 5 of "We are Focused," where we uncover the power of living a life rooted in Christ and the dangers of deception and distractions. Discover how to prioritize prayer, discipleship, and outreach partnerships, transforming your daily practice into a journey of faith and spiritual formation.#FocusedOnFaith#ColossiansChallenge#SpiritualFormation#PruningDistractions#DiscipleshipJourney#LivingInChrist#PrayerPriority#OutreachPartnerships#BibleRecapPlan#FaithPracticeDaily
Dive into the profound messages of Colossians 2:1-5 in 'We are Together: The Book of Colossians - Episode 4', exploring the themes of unity and strong faith in Christ. Join us as we discuss the significance of being knit together in love and the impact of a radiant faith in our daily lives as disciples of Jesus.#WeAreTogether#BookOfColossians#UnityInChrist#StrongFaith#SpiritualGrowth#BibleStudy#ChristianUnity#RadiantFaith#DiscipleshipJourney#ColossiansSeries
Join us in 'The Book of Colossians - EPISODE 3' to grasp how Jesus' transformative power bridges us with our Creator. Uncover the profound effects of reconciliation in reshaping our lives and relationships.#FaithChurch #JesusChangesEverything #ColossiansStudy #ReconciliationThroughChrist
Explore the profound truths of Jesus' supremacy and role as the Creator in 'The Book of Colossians - EPISODE 2'. Join us as we delve into Colossians 1:15-20, uncovering the essence of being rooted in faith and the power of spiritual practice.#Jesus #ColossiansSeries #RootedInFaith
Dive into "Essentials of a Christian Life: Book of Colossians Pt 1 (Col. 1:1-14)" and discover how less is more on your path to a flourishing life in Christ. Join us as we explore biblical wisdom, the joy of spiritual growth, and the power of prayer for 2024.#ChristianLiving #BibleStudy #Colossians #FaithJourney
Explore the profound love of God in "Advent of Love: Understanding God's Gift." Discover how the birth of Jesus as our Savior embodies God's immense love and offers us eternal life through faith. Reflect on the timeless message of John 3:16 and the deep significance of Christ's sacrifice, urging us to love one another in return. #AdventOfLove #John316 #EternalLife #ChristTheSavior #GodsLove Revealed
Explore the profound joy found in waiting for Jesus' return, as depicted in Luke 2:22-38 and Psalm 92, in our latest message of 'Advent of Joy.' Discover how joy emerges not from circumstances, but as a gift from God, through practices of faith, community, and worship. #AdventOfJoy #Luke2 #Psalm92 #SpiritualFormation #JoyInWaiting
Discover the transformative power of peace and wholeness this Advent season with our latest YouTube series, 'Practicing the Way.' We delve into Isaiah 9:6â9a, Luke 1:46â55, and Psalm 51, exploring themes of repentance, redemption, and restoration in our journey towards Christmas. Join us for thought-provoking discussions and practical spiritual practices to deepen your faith and experience God's peace.
Discover the power of hope during this Advent Season. HOPE. Journey through promises and prophecies, culminating in the ultimate gift of Emmanuel. Tune in for an uplifting exploration of faith and the joyous anticipation of the arrival of Jesus!#AdventHope #FaithJourney #ProphecyFulfilled #Emmanuel #JoyfulAnticipation #BiblicalHope #ScriptureExploration #UpliftingFaith #PromiseOfGod #HopeInChrist
Explore the essence of a Radiant Church in our latest video, as we delve into Acts 20:18-36 and other scriptures, revealing the five core practices that embody faithfulness and devotion. Discover how these teachings guide us to be a loving, learning, growing, generous, and miraculous community, steadfast in our mission despite challenges, embodying the spirit of Acts 2:42â47.#RadiantChurchJourney#ActsOfFaithfulness#DevotionInAction#SpiritualGrowth#CommunityOfBelievers2023
Acts 18:28-19:20Join us on a spiritual exploration of Paul's Third Mission, uncovering the profound impact of the Holy Spirit in shaping our faith and actions đđď¸. Discover how the Radiant Church embraces this divine guidance, learning to cultivate love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit in their lives. This journey delves deep into the essence of consecration and spiritual growth, inspiring a more connected and devout life. đâ¨#HolySpirit #SpiritualJourney #FaithExploration #RadiantChurch
Explore the pivotal moments of Paul's Second Mission in our latest video, where we delve into the challenges and triumphs faced by Paul and his companions. Discover how they navigated rifts, roadblocks, and the spread of their message across various regions, and find inspiration for handling life's obstacles with honor, humility, honesty, and generosity. #PaulsMission #BiblicalJourney #LifeLessons #SpiritualGuidance
Dive into Episode 19 of the Book of Acts, as we explore Paul's first mission, witnessing the power of the Holy Spirit guiding the early church leaders. Embrace the Radiant Church's vision of Spirit-filled diversity and discover how it thrived amidst challenges and opportunities. đď¸đ #Acts19 #RadiantChurch
Dive into Acts 11:19-30 as we uncover the attributes of The Radiant Church. Discover how a resilient church faces pressure, draws power from the Holy Spirit for boundless joy, and fosters partnerships for God's glory. #ResilientChurch #RadiantJoy #PowerInPartnership #Acts11
In Episode 17 of "The Book of Acts," explore the pivotal moment where Peter, following a divine revelation, bridges the chasm between Jewish and Gentile believers, illuminating the inclusive nature of faith. Delve into the scriptural and historical context of this Jew-Gentile divide, its implications on God's chosen people, Israel, and the profound message of unity and salvation open to all, transcending earthly divisions and heralding a message of hope in a time of cosmic conflict.
Discover the profound wisdom of Acts 7 and the importance of trusting the Holy Spirit when expressing your beliefs. Dive into the art of reading the Bible, understanding its context, and seeking the truth about God within its pages.
Discover the essence of growth and stewardship in Acts 6:1-7. Learn how to navigate growing pains, align with God's gifting, and become a trusted partner in His ministry. đ
In a world of divided loyalties, discover the transformative power of surrendering your heart and mind to Jesus' vision for your life. Drawing inspiration from Acts 4:32-37 and other biblical passages, we explore how a united heart + mind leads to an honest, generous, and undivided life. Join us as we delve into the Word and learn why you cannot serve both God and money, and why God desires your authentic self, not a pretense.
Join us as we delve into 'Devoted, not Disappointed' exploring Acts 4:23-31 and James 1:2-8 (NLT). Discover the power of prayer, the sovereignty of God, and the call to unwavering faith amidst life's challenges, ensuring your devotion remains steadfast and your perspective heavenly-aligned.
Dive into Acts 3 where Peter and John exemplify the power of continuous prayer and responsiveness to those in need. Discover the essence of genuine repentance and how it paves the way for a deep, unobstructed connection with God, promoting a life centered on prayer and divine refreshment. â¨đ
Unpack the empowering message of Acts 2:41-47 today as we explore the power of uncommon devotion and how it results in an awe-inspiring love for Jesus. Learn how an audit of your time, talents, and treasure can lead to a life of uncommon generosity, commitment, and hospitality, transforming devotion into our everyday reality.
In this episode, we delve into the essential role of sacrifice and communal devotion in our journey to Jesus, exploring scriptures from Acts, Psalms, and Luke and reflecting on the profound wisdom of John Piper. Discover how our dedication is reflected in our time, talents, and treasure, and learn the importance of teaching, fellowship, and prayer in our spiritual journey.
Explore how Peter, amidst the stirrings of his time, stepped forward to tell the story of Jesus through familiar scriptures in our latest video, "Jesus: Our Lord and Messiah." Journey with us as we delve into the essence of the Gospel - a tale of divine rescue and renewal, a call for repentance, baptism, and reception of the Holy Spirit, all in an endeavor to illuminate God's profound love and glory for our utmost joy.
Discover the power of Acts 2:1-14 as believers gather together and witness the arrival of the Holy Spirit with sounds of roaring wind and tongues of fire. Dive into the promise, the power, and the practice of the Holy Spirit's transformative work in this captivating passage.
Join us as we delve into Acts 1:12-126 and explore the radiant mission that awaits us. Learn how to remain faithful while waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled, and understand the importance of not outpacing the Holy Spirit. Remember, a day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and His patience is for our sake.
Discover the radiant mission of Christ as we delve into His ascension and eternal intercession, exploring Acts 1:1-11 and passages from Hebrews. Be enlightened about how Christ's life, death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession impact our faith and salvation.
Explore the power of prayer and its role in spiritual warfare in our deep-dive into Ephesians 6:10-18, 3:16 and other key scriptures. Discover how 'Praying in the Spirit' equips you with spiritual strength and weapons for life's battles, transforming you from within.
In this encouraging sermon, Guest Pastor Dale Jenkins delves into Matthew 5:14-16, equipping us to combat the enemies of shame, fear, and pride by embodying the practices of Radiant Men of God: adherence to the Word, commitment to prayer, the expression of worship, and the filling of the Spirit. Tune in and learn how to let your light shine, empowering others and bringing glory to our Heavenly Father.
We explore the transformative journey of identity as we grow in self-awareness, symbolized not by a color gradient but a progress bar. Drawing from Ephesians, Isaiah, and Hebrews, we understand our radiant identity in Christ, represented by the Armor of God, and how our communion with Him establishes us as His children.
Discover your radiant identity in Christ with our latest video, where we explore the spiritual armor from Ephesians 6 and the gifts given to us by God through unity in Christ. Join us as we delve into these powerful biblical teachings, highlighting how each piece comes together, not by our strength, but through Christâs sufficiency, equipping us to stand firm in a world often clouded by evil.
Unravel the mysteries of our supernatural world, as we explore the intersection of the seen and the unseen, inspired by Judeo-Christian perspectives. Engage in an enlightening journey through biblical teachings, learning to understand the complexity of spirituality and our unique ability to interact with the divine, standing firm against adversities in the light of God's truth.
Discover how Radiant People, guided by the strength, authority, and assistance from the Lord, navigate through the schemes of the adversary in our latest video study on Ephesians. Explore how we can debunk the devil's lies and remain obedient to God, fortifying our faith amidst a sinful society.
Uncover the beauty of radiant living within the family of God as we explore the roles of men and women, drawing wisdom from scriptures like Romans 16:1-18 and Proverbs 31:10-31. Discover the transformative power of healthy spiritual mothers and fathers, and learn how to embody radiant characteristics that reflect God's design for partnership and mutual submission.
Dive into the abundant life as we explore the radiant people of God, who remain steadfast and grow in spiritual maturity through the Holy Spirit's guidance (Jeremiah 31:10-14, Ezekiel 47:1-12). Experience the River of Life flowing from Jesus, as we learn how to become vessels of living water, bringing renewal to our homes, churches, and the world around us (John 7:37-39a).
Discover how to become a Radiant Person, shining the light of Jesus to guide others to God (Luke 11:33-36, Romans 12:1-2). Learn how to renew your mind and become a royal priest, ministering to and on behalf of the Lord (1 Peter 2:9).
Discover the secret to glowing with God's radiance as we dive into the lives of Moses and Jesus, and explore the transformative power of God's forgiveness, favor, and the Holy Spirit's presence. Join us and ignite your faith with a renewed understanding of God's goodness!
Discover your true radiance as God's people in this inspiring video, diving into Psalms 34 and Joel 2. Let the Holy Spirit empower and renew your life, allowing you to shine as a beacon of light, love, and joy in the world!
Discover the power of the resurrection and ascension through the story of renewal and redemption in Matthew 28:1â10. The life you seek is found in the Living God, and through discipleship, we can experience a life that is flourishing and eternal.
Join us as we explore the King Jesus Gospel, the story of redemption completed through the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. Through his death on the cross, Jesus carried our sins and opened a new way for us to boldly enter the presence of God with sincere hearts, fully trusting in him. Concede to the truth that Jesus is the Son of God and let his sacrifice wash you clean.
Discover the power of prayer and surrender in Jesus' journey through Gethsemane, as we explore how embracing vulnerability and trusting in God's presence during suffering can transform our lives and faith. Join us to learn how we can navigate life's challenges with grace, guiding others towards a deeper relationship with God.
In Episode 50 of the King Jesus Gospel, we explore two themes from the Bible. Firstly, in Matthew 26:1-16, we see how the plot against Jesus begins to unfold and how the Passover ritual foretells his sacrifice. Secondly, we look at the importance of passion for Jesus, exploring various psalms and verses that call for exuberant worship and joyous praise.
Today we'll explore Matthew 25:31-46, where Jesus tells us about his second coming as the King of glory and the Judge of all nations. We will learn how he will separate the sheep from the goats based on their deeds of love and compassion towards his brothers and sisters. We will also see how this passage challenges us to live in light of eternity and to be ready for his return.
Todayâs message emphasizes the importance of stewardship and accountability in our faith while waiting for the King's return. We are called to use our assets and abilities to flourish what God has entrusted to us and surrender everything in our care to the will of the Owner.
There are different interpretations of the Millennium, Tribulation, and Rapture, but what is essential is that we live in anticipation of Christ's return. The timing of His return may not be known, but as believers, we eagerly await the new heaven and earth where there will be no more pain, sorrow, or death.
The end is near! And technically, we are closer to the end than the disciples walking with Jesus. While 'the end' is often debated, our hearts should be steadfastly anchored to the Kingship of Jesus no matter where we land in our end-time theology! We are called to be hopeful, radiant people!
Listen in as we explore the teachings of Matthew 23 that encourage us not just to follow religious rules but embody love, justice, mercy, and faith. Let's strive to be Radiant people of God and not be like the Pharisees. Be a shining example of love and kindness. #beradiate
Even though we may procrastinate RSVPing to God's banquet invitation, it's always open to us. Do not be like the guests in Matthew 22 who didn't make time for the banquet and forget the actual privilege of being 'in the Kingdom.' And since God is the ultimate host, there's always room for one more at His table, so don't forget to bring a friend... or two... or ten.
In Matthew 21:23-46, Jesus tells the story of a vineyard owner and his tenants to the leading priests and elders. They realize that the story is about them and how they have failed to believe in Jesus as the Messiah. He also explains that faith is not an invisible force but an outward working of our loyal allegiance to Jesus as King.
Hear Pastor's challenge as we seek to become the Radiant People of God through daily communion with the Father. Discover the power of prayer and the fruit it produces in our faith."
Jesus came in the full measure of His love towards us. Those who follow Him, He has a simple request, love God and love people.
The Advent season is about expectantly awaiting the Savior to the world. We are not expectantly awaiting His second return. Jesus not only came to save us, but also gave us a vision for our own purpose!
Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. There is a direct relationship between how we posture our heart towards work and what peace we carry. We are called to be stewards of the gifts God has given us. If we show up and our primary expectation is getting paid, we will lack peace.
Some would say the pinnacle of following Jesus is not going to hell or living forever. However, it's actually knowing God - that is the pinnacle. There are roadblocks to fully knowing God and walking with a surrendered heart, like greed. Watch how Jesus handles this heart issue.
Family. Parents. Children. Singleness. ALL are a unique position and picture of a Kingdom yet to come. In the 'American Dream,' a good job, a family, and 2.5 kids seem to be the pinnacle. But it's not. A healthy family, children, and even singleness - are all pictures of what God is preparing for us.
Jesus isn't mute on marriage or sexual orientation. As always, He is kind, wise and re-affirms the Genesis account of the creation ordered design from the very beginning. It was true then and continues to be true today.
Forgiveness is painful but powerful. We are most like Jesus when we walk in forgiveness.
In nearly every relationship at some point, reconciliation will be required. Jesus came to reconcile humanity to His Father, so as followers of Jesus, the requirement is that we follow His example. Reconciliation brings wholeness and healing.
Children are so much more than just mouths to feed, mooching off of their parents. The Bible says they are a gift, even a reward! We have a responsibility to disciple them in the way of following Jesus.
The mountaintop encounters we have with God are meant to reveal our identity and release strength. It wasn't meant for us to stay there, but for us to yearn to be nearer to Him. Our discipline and fasting increase our faith to live more effectively.
Ever been around someone that just refuses to see the truth no matter how much evidence is offered? Jesus ran into the same problem with the religious leaders (who were supposed to be on the same team). Jesus teaches to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear ... let's be part of that crowd.
Inside motives or outward habits? Which are more important ...? Well, both - but if out outward actions are only for show, we miss the greater inward action that Jesus died for, that we maybe truly free and honor Him and those around us with BOTH inner and outer actions!
There is a reason faith is called faith. There are few things in life we can 100% fully count on. Jesus doesn't promise a perfect life, free from pain and storms of life. But He does promise He will never leave us, but it will take faith to follow.
The feeding of the 5,000 is one miracle recorded in all four gospels. This makes it unique and especially worth studying. There are key characteristics it reveals about King Jesus
Hell is a weighty topic to discuss because it affects us all. Jesus, being the King, teaches about hell and being that it's His Kingdom, He gets to set the boundaries.
There are two kinds of people on the earth. Jesus uses a parable to describe these two as He continues to teach us about God's Kingdom in the book of Matthew.
In Matthew 13, Jesus continues to teach us about the Kingdom of God. Jesus shows us people can receive His message in one of four ways. We also see, that the subtle line between building on rock vs sand is simply putting into practice the teachings of Jesus.
The unpardonable sin? Jesus speaks to those about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, what that means and how we can grow healthy fruit!
There are two Kingdoms on Earth. Light and dark, Jesus came to rescue people from the darkness and provide a way into the light.
The Sabbath rest is very often overlooked in the Christian life. Then we wonder why we feel overworked and overextended. This week we take a look at the importance of rest and sabbath. We are created to rest FOR our work, not rest FROM our work.
Doubts are real. Doubts do not mean you are less of a follower of Jesus. Followers of Jesus are allowed to have questions and doubts. In Matthew 11, Jesus walks through several responses when we face doubts and questions.
Jesus is looking for more than just 'believers,' but ambassadors. He lamented there were few workers to build the Kingdom. Pastor Matthew discusses the characteristics of Jesus and describes His workers!
We are not the healer, God is the healer. We pray for people to encounter the love of Jesus, not pray for symptoms. Healing isnât only physical because there is a soul that needs to be redeemed and a spirit that needs to mature through discipleship. Listen through the message today as we discover God's design for healing.
Four keys are found in Matthew 9. He is near, He wants to clothe us in righteousness, He makes us new and wants to be friends. This is the King Jesus the Bible talks about.
The first part of Matthew describes the message of Jesus. Chapter 8 starts showing us the ministry of Jesus. We see the authority and power that Jesus has given to His followers.
A good tree is known by the good fruit it produces. Fruit takes time to produce - the same is true of a follower of Jesus. Practicing the way of Jesus, consistently over time, will produce good fruit!
No one wants to be treated unfairly. No one wants to be viewed through incorrect or unflattering assumptions. But we naturally judge others based on the worst interpretation of their actions and judge ourselves based on the most gracious intentions
We cannot throw it all away. We must begin to live it out properly. Correction to misuse is not disuse, it is proper use.
The King Jesus Gospel is understood when we see Jesus as THE KING and we treat others the way we want to be treated by them and the KING. Itâs treating others the way THEY want to be treatedâŚ
Jesus talked about money, a lot. It wasn't that Jesus was really interested in money, but rather He knew what money could do to someone's heart if it was given the wrong priority.
Jesus, in the first 1/2 of Matthew 6, begins to address the inner life of a believer. Doing good works for the praise of man is the full reward we will receive. Jesus is looking for a deep, inner formation that comes through the practice of giving, prayer, forgiving, and fasting.
King Jesus is making it clear how to live not just counter-culture, but how to live according to His Kingdom in Matthew 5. We love. We love generously. But we can only love when we have experienced the transforming power of God's love in our lives.
Inner vows are real ... Inner vows are unholy commitments turned inward that rely solely on your authority and reject Godâs sovereign reign in that area of your life. We continue walking through the Gospel of Matthew, exploring what it means to follow King Jesus.
Marriage represents a picture of the covenant Jesus has made with His people. When we look for loopholes or excuses to get out of our covenants, we live with a distorted view of mercy that leads to areas of lawlessness.
We are being formed by the influences surrounding us in all realms, including human sexuality. If we are not intentionally curating what is forming us, then we will drift to adopt our culture's norms that may or may not reflect Biblical expectations.
Emotions are real. However, emotions are a gauge of what's going on in your heart, but that doesn't always mean emotions are aligned with Scripture. As we practice the way of Jesus, we must repair the damage of rage through repentance.
There were always people around Jesus. In Matthew 5, we see a distinction between the crowd and disciples. We have an invitation to be a disciple, to learn the Way of Jesus.
There will be times of wilderness for the follower of Jesus. The wilderness times are times of deep formation. We look to Jesus' time in the wilderness to teach us how to respond to temptation in those seasons.
Baptism is more than just a ritual. Baptism certainly is a powerful and redemptive moment in a believer's life, but also points to many other prophetic and significant events which point to a much larger story!
When people say "the Gospel," there are many opinions and ways to define what it means. There are four popular American views (or containers) that define 'the Gospel.' In these two parts, we take a look at the value and deficiency of each view. (Part 2)
When people say "the Gospel," there are many opinions and ways to define what it means. There are four popular American views (or containers) that define 'the Gospel.' In these two parts, we take a look at the value and deficiency of each view. (Part 1)
The Gospel means Good News, but has a specific meaning for the people of Israel and followers of Jesus. Listen in as we walk through the Book of Matthew gaining an understanding of the King Jesus Gospel.
God revealed himself to a people, and through the story of those people. Moses was a deliverer. A foreshadow of Christ. The Israelite exodus from Egypt becomes a foundational narrative for describing Godâs character. In this narrative, Yahweh reveals his character both through his acts of deliverance within the de-creation occurring.
We must be Biblically literate, led by the Holy Spirit, fully displaying the fruit of the spirit, as we live out the integrity of the way of Jesus ⤠especially now that there are cultural complexities and nuanced issues we face. The life of Moses gives us some insights and things to consider; perhaps some filters and truths that form a grid for how to do these things in God-honoring ways.
Abramâs understanding of the blessing would be linked to what he knew of the Eden story.
âGodâs blessing in the Eden story is conditional upon Adam and Eveâs willingness to trust Godâs word that the tree of knowing good and evil will kill them, even though it looks like a blessing. Whenever humans take what is a blessing in their own eyes, they forfeit Godâs true blessing.
God came to Abram first. This is the same call we experience by the Holy Spirit when we enter a relationship with Jesus. Leave your sin behind, repent and turn. God is calling us by the spirit at work in us (Rom 8), convincing us of our need for Jesus (John 16), and we respond with belief and repentance (Act 2); which now God adopts us sons/daughters of God (Rom 8 & John 1:12).
Today we look at the life of Enoch, the 7th generation from Adam. Enochâs testimony stands out among those recorded as the first nine generations of the earth. He was known as a person who pleased God.
Adam and Eve had the opportunity to put their trust in God by living in obedience to Him. They chose to trust themselves, wanted to define good and evil on their own terms, and rebelled against God. One generation later, Adam and Eveâs kids have the opportunity to trust in God or to walk their own path. Same basic choiceâŚ
The Bible is one unified story pointing us to God. Science and Faith are not at odds. We can believe in Science and in God simultaneously.
Itâs easy to get consumed with life and forget all that God has done. This is why daily gratitude leads me to intentionally recall where I noticed Godâs goodness at work in my life. This is why we want to take the next several weeks, to talk about the Stories of Faith. That is what the writer of Hebrews is doing in chapter 11. Reminding us of the people who lived with loyalty to God, and were considered reliable or of good reputationâŚtrustworthy witnesses.
There is a new frontier of faith we must continue to pursue and advance toward. One that is a renaissance of our faith, not a new invention. We are not pioneering a new brand of faith, we are experiencing a renewal of our faith in a cultural frontier that we must engage.
We are together. When we become followers of Jesus, we are saved from a place of darkness into a place of light, we are redeemed. We are also saved from something INTO something. That something is the Body of Christ and our function within the Body is important to our own growth and the growth of the Body! Let's go!
We Are For People. In this episode, we look at why we are for people, in our continuation of the collection of messages, "Mindset Matters"
We are rooted. Episode one is examining the first of five mindsets we have at Faith Church. What we are rooted in, is what we are becoming!
Salvation is God putting back together, now, within us what has torn apart. It is redemption now and new creation to come!
Scripture is not some made-up fairy tale. Itâs not a conspiracy people made upâŚitâs rooted in so much history and much human pain.
Advent is this time of year, for the Church, to encounter and enter the experience of those who waited with hope, discovered the Joy of Jesusâ birth, found peace arising in their hearts, and were changed by the love the Father shows us.
The Bible is more than an instruction manualâŚbut itâs not less than that. Loving God with all our mind is growing in our understanding and knowledge of Him through the practice of reading and studying Scripture.
Loving God with all our minds is growing in our understanding and knowledge of Him through the practice of reading and studying Scripture.
Loving God with all our mindsâŚgrowing in understanding and knowledge of Him through Scripture, should be a priority as a follower of Jesus. This is the first message in a collection discussion of the importance of The Bible.
There is a tension in our world and in us...a tug of war of sorts, between consumerism and complacencyâŚalmost like a cruciform of our luck or lot in life. On one end we live with entitlement and the other we find apathy. If we tug one direction with enough force, we end up in a ditch.
The Narrow Road in the middle of tension, is where Jesus walks. This is the practice of hospitality, perfectly intersecting walking the principles of the Kingdom. This is the last message in the collection of messages examining living a life of contentment in a world telling you that you shouldn't.
What happens when we canât distinguish between true and false? Doubt and suspicion creep in. We live in a time in history where we have access to all sorts of information, but we have been burned because we never could see the source or not sure if we trust the source. God is a trustworthy source.
The seventh commandment (do not commit adultery) is communicating the principle of intimacy. God designed intimacy in marriage as a symbol of His strong desire for us relationally.
All relationships are going to come to a crossroads where you'll have the opportunity to choose to be offended and to practice forgiveness. This is an important process in learning how to do relationships and hospitality well!
The first five commandments teach us how to love God, the second five, teach us how to love others. This message explores how honoring your parents develops faith, comes with a promise and is linked with hospitality.
"Closed on Sunday." For followers of Jesus, rest is both our present reality and our destiny (Hebrews 4:1â11). Rest must resist exhaustion.â
What's in a Name? What does it mean to take God's Name in vain. It may not be what you think it is. People are drawing their conclusion about God from us. God reveals Himself through people...
Worship is about the priorities of our hearts. Idolatry in the hearts of believers begins with a slight turn of our hearts away from God.
Idols diminish our understanding of God.
The practice of hospitality can be summed up in "love your neighbor as yourself...", the reply Jesus gave when asked what was the greatest command. This series explores how to practice hospitality by loving your neighbor through the lens of understanding the 10 commandments.
This week we examine Paul's final words in his letter to the Corinthians. Paulâs Pastoral Reminder: Stand Firm, love well, and remember, you are loved by me. Paulâs Final Instruction: Practice generosity because it is both practical and full of purpose. 1 Corinthians 16
Jesus' resurrection is a critical component to Him being the Son of God and validating His claims for our lives. Listen as Pastor Matthew unpacks 1 Corinthians 15.
I Cor 14:1 sets the tone for this message: Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. Pastor Matthew discusses that God has a purpose for Church and a purpose for us using the gifts!
The church has been charged to partner with the Holy Spirit to communicate the gospel and confirm the gospel. And when operating in the gifts of the Spirit, it must be done with love, or it may become simply an annoyance.
The Trinity - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit gave gifts to mankind. In Chapter 12 of Corinthians, Paul explains the gifts the Holy Spirit gave. Pastor Matthew walks us through the chapter, laying a foundation of the gifts of the Spirit.
The Corinthian church was creating chaos in their gatherings. Chapter 11 discusses two main issues in the church in Corinth: Headship and Communion. Chapter 11 can be confusing at first until you understand the customs and prevailing wrong thinking that Paul was addressing.
Christian Freedom is seen best in what we do to serve others not in what we do for ourselves.
Social status is the level of social value a person is considered to hold. Donât filter your life through categories of status, filter it through contentment & assignment.
We didn't create the rules of life, but we often want to rebel or at least change them a little... Jesus said it like this, âif you love me, keep my commandments.â Love moves us into a lifestyle of honor!
Comparison is a trap and tactic of the enemy. Comparison most often is seen in two ways: 1. Competition. 2. Criticism. In reality, we are co-workers, building together. .. and we and the building are better, when working as the Body, the way God intended.
Paul wrote this letter to the church he started in Corinth. It was written in AD56. This was his second letter, but his first has been lost. Paul was in Corinth for 18 months, during which he planted this church. 1. God can transform any heart. Paul an Apostle (God can transform you) 2. Church is Godâs idea. 3. Church is where those transformed by the power of the cross, discover their gifts and put them into practice, participating in a way that helps other hearts be transformed too.
The Practice of Obedience helps us mature beyond receiving the love of God, into living a life of holiness that reveals the love of God.
The role of Holy Spirit in a believer's life cannot be overstated. In this message, we talk about baptism and the mark of the Holy Spirit.
This idea of loving God through our practice of obedience is radically counter-cultural. Spirit-empowered obedience requires a relationship with Holy Spirit.
We have a choice to walk in HOPE: you can either cave into the pressure of being overwhelmed by the trials, or you can choose to lean into them and allow God to walk with you through them.
Itâs easy to ignore the standard of following Jesus because we donât measure up⌠we easily quit walking toward righteousness and we start to compromise instead of staying consistent in our obedience to Godâs standardâŚhis desire for us to live like Christ. We donât throw the discipline away, we invite the Holy Spirit to revive our hearts instead.
The restraint of obedience is training our heart want was Jesus wants ... Disciples arenât there to tell the teacher what they want to do or learn, but rather their focus is on what the teacher says and how the teacher lives. The disciple desires to be just like the teacher.
Do you equate obedience with submission? There is a strength if we can reframe the idea of obedience. The goal is to become more like Jesus.
- Obedience doesnât always mean submission, sometimes itâs agreement. When we are young, it is often submission, but as we mature, it should look more like agreement.
The practice of obedience is learning to love God with our bodies activity, walking the way of Jesus as a discipleâŚ.not to earn Godâs love, but motives by Godâs love.
We live in a world of rampant misinformation and lack of integrity breeding mistrust all around. We are in an age where truth is seen as relative and personal morality is based on preference. Yet, for the people of God, we choose to find our morality cemented to the teaching of a Savior. A man who came to the earth, died, was buried and was raised again to a resurrection life, experiencing a bodily reality beyond the confines of our human experience to this point. We have a faith that is rooted, not in cultural relativism, but in an orthodoxy of historical facts.
This Gospel is for telling. Itâs something we tell...and itâs all over this resurrection story.
The practice of worship ascribes worth to the King. God is so worthy of praise, if we donât do it, rocks will replace your song.
Jesus was so worthy of worship, if humans, who were created with the capacity to offer the worship did not worship, rocks and inanimate objects would have to become animated to ascribe the worth God deserves.
Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Spiritual Battles Require Spiritual Practices.
The Practice of Worship is Godâs to define. The practice of Worship looks like: Clapping, Dance, Kneel, Hands lifted, Instruments, Singing, Shouting.
Worship is putting our full attention and affection in Godâs direction. This can be done in lots of ways, serving, giving, sacrificing, surrendering time...but through song and expression of worship.
Mark 12:29-31 The most important one,â answered Jesus, âis this: âHear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.â The second is this: âLove your neighbor as yourself.â There is no commandment greater than these.â
A heart fully alive by God, is a heart that lives with passion.
Worship is the act of expressing through song and actions, the affection within your heart. Ascribing worth to God. Aligning your full attention on God.
Practice of Worship shapes a congregation. Gathering, assembly, body, Family...called out ones We are a worshiping congregation.
The very fact Jesus invites us to pray âdeliver us from the evilâ is the fact Jesus assumes we know there is a spiritual dynamic battle occurring...and we have a role to play. And we donât need to walk in fear.
Matthew 6:12,14-15 (NIV) And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtorsâŚ. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.â
Although God knows our need, he does still want us to articulate it to him. Do you find it easy or difficult to bring your needs to God?
Prayer, at the most basic starting point is asking God for stuff. Prayer, at its best, is a two-way conversation with God; talking and listening. Prayer at its most formative, is communion with Father, Son, & Spirit.
There is an expectation on Godâs part that we would indeed pray. Prayer is forming something within us. It bends our will to Godâs will. It gives entrance to God work on our behalf. Prayer is not a magic trick. Prayer moves us into Godâs will, as we submit our will.
God is so good. In His infinite wisdom and love for humanity, He has invited you to partner with Him to affect all the things around you. Maybe the things that annoy, anger, dishearten, frustrate you are all simply an invitation to âintercedeâ = invite God to move in the situation.
The primary aim of prayer is relationship. Prayer is relational, not transactional. âAdoration is the lifting up of the heart and mind to God, asking nothing but to enjoy Godâs presence.â
Prayer connects us to God.
The more time you spend with something or someone, the more confidence you build in it. The same is true for God. The more time you spend with God, the more your faith in Him will grow.
Finding for Joy. Joy is a theme that runs through the whole Bible. Sometimes joy is connected to beauty or with kids or to a glass of wine. But the Bible also talks about a kind of joy not based on happy circumstances but based on the anticipation of Godâs promises. The promise of a Savior brings us joy, but we must take a step by repenting. Then we find Joy in our salvation!
Picture of Peace. When you think about your home during the holidays, what picture comes to mind? Peace is something God longs to bring into our homes. Peace is a gift God gave us and we celebrate the Prince of Peaceâs arrival during Christmas. Jesus is the Picture of Peace we need in our homes.
One Step at a Time. The holidays are often said to be the most wonderful time of the year. And in many respects, they can be. But sometimes the hustle of the holidays causes us to lose sight of the holy. When we choose to discipline our desires and walk in step with the Spirit, we find hope for our homes.
With All My Heart. Arguments and strife occurs in our homes at times. It could be silly things, like whoâs turn it is to unload the dishwasher. But it also can be more important matters of the heart, like repenting when we acted like a jerk. One thing is certain, when we surrender with all our heart, we give God room to move in our homes.
Check Yes or No.
When we experience events in our lives (good or bad) often the enemy is there to whisper lies that we use to interpret our value and experience. We in turn make inner vows that keep us bound to agreements we donât know how to get out of.. God gave us Scripture, so we can Check Yes and walk in agreement with Truth.
Freedom.
It has been said that a house is a building, but a home is where your heart dwells. Itâs the dynamics, the characteristics, and history of our life and family. No matter what stage of life we are in, hope is available for our homes. Hope for your Home begins with having a healthy and free heart.
Purifying Fire, pt.2. Fire has a way of burning out impurities, and revealing something beautiful and precious. God has given us His Spirit, as a gift. Like a fire, our faith must be fueled by His Word, it needs the oxygen of His presence, and it needs to be heated by times of prayer. When we tend to faith within us, we become more zealous for Him in the best possible way.
Purifying Fire.
Fire has a way of burning out impurities, and revealing something beautiful and precious. God has put His life within us. When we walk through trials, suffering, and persecution while holding onto our faith, we come out on the other side with a pure power.
Seeing Through The Haze. A thick cloud of smoke can blur our vision, causing us to stop in our tracks. When you canât see clearly, you canât move forward. In moments when our plans go up in smoke and we arenât sure what to do or where to go next, God wants to be our guide.
Whatâs that Smell? Sometimes life circumstances can flat out stink. The cause can come from many directions and leave us with many unhelpful emotions. We can look at the patterns in Scripture to give us clues in how to handle life events that come out of nowhere and leave us spinning. These patterns give us confidence knowing that God is near and participating with us, working for our good.
âNever Everâ is an emphatic qualifier used to assure others of our intentions. The trouble is, even though we mean well, oftentimes what we never thought would, does occur. We often find ourselves in scenarios we never thought likely. But what do we do when everything we thought or planned goes up in smoke?
The Friend Zones.
From the very beginning of the Bible, we see God is relational. We were created in His likeness, so we too are relational. Throughout the Scriptures we uncover what healthy relationships look like.
Daughters. The difference between men and women is vast. It goes way beyond biological realities. Within those differences, we are given a glimpse of the full image of God. He created both men and women in His image, equally. And God longs for His daughters to be fully alive.
Sons. Every man starts life as a son. All through life, men search for the answer to some key questions, like âDo I have what it takes?â God invites us to experience His love in a way that helps us answer the deepest questions, as we return to Him as sons.
Uncovered Heart. Godâs desire is that we would walk with Him in unbroken fellowship. Brokenness caused by sin can cause us to walk in insecurity instead of intimacy. Letâs look at how we can arrest our insecurities and restore a transparency that strengthens our relationship with God.
Loopholes. When it comes to loving others, loopholes are not the way forward. Jesus came to set a standard of living and loving that we need to strive toward, not skirt around.
Money Matters. Is there an area in our life where money doesnât matter? Perhaps, but one thing is for certain, our personal attachment and management of money matters a lot. So much so, that 25% of Jesusâ teachings involve the subject of money.
The paradox of Purpose. Every person wants to find purpose in their life. The paradox of purpose is that we must allow God to shape our priorities if we want to discover a truly meaningful purpose. Envy, comparison, criticism, and complaining cut away at our purpose and cause us to live pursuing entitlement instead of fulfilling our purpose.
Stewardship. Godâs Kingdom is one where our participation is key. As the people of God we have the opportunity to use our abilities for Godâs purpose. The abilities we have are gifts from God and lead us to an understanding that our responsibilities in life are simply our response to His ability within us.
Disciples: How many times should I forgive those who sin against me? Jesus: How many times do you want God to forgive you? It's a tough question as we wrestle with this powerful reality of the Kingdom of God!
Never Mind.
Ever changed your mind about something? It happens all the time. We think one thing, then read another article or watch a documentary and now weâve changed our minds. In a day when we are never short on information, we long for truth that sets us on a course of true change.
Weeds.
Weeds are like a poison that causes damage to agricultural ventures. From lawns to crops in a field, weeds can suck away life sources and diminish the rerun growth. Jesus once used weeds as an illustration to describe the evil and suffering in our world and a poison that can go disguised as something good in our hearts. Jesusâ response to such weeds, might shock you.
Vitamin C. We all were created with an immune system that fights off infection, disease, and illness. Like adding in vitamin C to your daily routine helps you stay healthy and strong, adding in the routine of daily prayer adds the strength of Godâs Spirit to our lives.
A wedding is something we celebrate. Itâs a party, with the central figures being the bride and the groom. Today, weddings require much planning and preparation. Jesus once told a story centering around a wedding party to illustrate the importance of our preparation, priority, and possession of the Kingdom of God.
Heartbreak Kid. Pain and heartbreak are inevitable in life. Often the wounds from a family member or close friend become the hardest to overcome. Jesus tells a story about the sting of rejection, involving two sons and their dad. The fatherâs reactions in the story are amazing, as he pursues reconciliation and provides restoration. The father was bountiful with his grace, and thatâs the truth about God in Heaven.
Did you know ear hair has an important role in your ability to hear? We have tiny microscopic hairs that are moved by incoming sound waves. Those hair movements send electrical signals to our brains. As we age, those hairs get worn down and become less sensitive. Like our ear hair, our hearts, when healthy, helps us to hear Godâs voice too.
Life and faith can get complicated, but God wants us to thrive. The most misunderstood person in the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. Many people donât know how to interact with the Holy Spirit or what His presence offers us. Jesus gives us all that we need to live a strong faith, and it accelerates when Jesus baptizes us with the Holy Spirit.
Taking the Plunge. Life and faith can get complicated. That is why there are two main sacraments or symbols Jesus initiated within the Church to communicate what following Him is all about. One of them is water baptism. And every follower of Jesus is commanded to take the plunge of water baptism.
Within every house, there are walls that are load-bearing. The same is true in Godâs family house, the church. And while the church is not a building, it is a group of people assembled together in the name of Jesus. He is the load-bearing wall we can build our lives of faith around.
Center Stage: The Encore. Ever watched a sequel to a movie only to be disappointed that it was worse than the firsts movie? Or left a movie after you thought it was finished only to realize later there was an important sequence of clips after the credits rolled? Jesusâ first coming was terrific, especially His death, crucifixion, & resurrection. But His second coming will be a can't miss encore!
In theatre, there are certain stage cues used to give actors instructions where to stand on the stage, like âcenter stage.â When it comes to our lifeâs story and the story of humanity, Jesus wants to enter center stage. His life marks history itself. The question is, are we willing to move out of the center of our story, to allow Jesus to take center stage?
Since the beginning of time, God has been revealing Himself to humanity. His goal was to reveal an attribute, characteristic, and truth about Himself. Why? So humanity could know Him personally. Like a great nickname, when we get to know God, the names we use to refer to Him can draw us closer in relationship with Him.
Kool-Aid. Have you ever tried to explain an experience you had that left you speechless? Ever tried to simplify a complex idea? Early in the life of Godâs Church, followers of Jesus did exactly this when it came to key beliefs the Church holds. The Nicene Creed is a consolidation for the core tenants of our faith. During this collection of messages, weâre going to take a fresh look at these Roots of Faith.
Set Your Sight. Where our eyes go, our life will go. We want to set our sight on things that are eternal. How we view money is one major indication of where we have set our sight. When we live generously, we put the gospel on display. Generosity demonstrates Godâs character, after all, He gave us Jesus.
Expectation + Gratitude. We are living in unexpected times. It seems all of our normal expectations are changing and we feel the disappointment from unmet expectations. Godâs promises allow us to stay grounded and our gratitude guards our heart against panic.
God longs to bless His people. He promises to bless the people who walk in unity. The tension is that unity is not our natural response, because it requires a major show of humility known as submission. There are only two ways to remain in unity ⤠agreement or submission. We want to pre-decide to have a mindset of unity with humility.
Consumers and Contributors. God gave us the local Church to help reset the pre-programmed mindset of being a casual consumer. There is something good that occurs when we sacrifice and spend time serving others. It sharpens away our self-centered edge and softens our hearts to care about others. The key is to shift our focus and our worship off ourselves and onto the cause of Jesus.
Fix Your Focus. Your attention determines the direction you go in life. So, when we get distracted our lives easily drift away from our God-given purpose. But when we fix our focus on what matters most, we can find traction to move forward toward a satisfying life.
Choose Your Compass. Life is too important to live without a sense of direction. Our mindsets help us to navigate life well. But just like we need a compass in the wilderness, we need a centering point that draws us toward our destiny. We need a compass to navigate the twists and turns through life. Jesus is our center and His Word is our compass.
Make Room. Life can easily get crowded. Our house starts to feel small as we accumulate more belongings. The schedule seems over-full as our kids get more involved. And if we are honest, our crowded lives start to feel pointless. Jesus has a way of bringing fresh purpose to our life if we are willing to align our mindset with His.
Weâve been talking about flourishing in our lives in the "Seeds" collection of messages. Everything starts as a seed, but we want it to grow into a strong, tall healthy, producing tree. Today we are looking at what ensures seeds to GROW
âGoals are only as good as your systemsâ We are people of faith but we canât speak our way out of bad habits/systems/routines. We need to stay focused on the right patterns while we are patiently waiting for the harvest.
Water has the power to shape the hardest rock formations over time. Watering our hearts with God's Word will shape our hearts and desires to be modeled after God's plan for our lives.
Our hearts are the soil in which we plant God's word. This is why it's critical we prepare our hearts to receive God's word!
What we need to understand, is that the environment often determines success. The climate and the soil we sow a seed into often determines the success of the crop. Seeds are like decisions. We make a decision to be more engaged parents, but we never change the environment...keeping tv in each room, phones never on silent, nor calendaring intentional family time that we protect ⤠nothing really will change. Why? Because we will harvest what we plant and the environment and the people around us, play a big role in it.
God is working the Night Shift, just like the shepherds were watching the sheep the night Jesus was born. God is a GOOD Shephard .. watching out for us, never sleeping and always working on our behalf!
Dreams are a powerful thing. For many people, the dream we start within life takes a messy and unpredicted turn. What happens when our dream life becomes a dreaded mess? As we look at the Christmas story, we will see that the same God who gave us the dream can rewrite our dream in a new direction!
âTwas The Night Before, Ep 2. Anxiety, stress, depression, loneliness, worry, pain, heartbreak, and shame are some of the many culprits of stealing our sleep each night. While possibly an unlikely place, the story of Christmas gives us some help in finding a peaceful, silent night of rest.
âTwas the Night Before Christmas, Part 1. Every poem has a cadence and rhythm to it, making it most enjoyable. God created our lives to follow a rhythm too. When we discover this sacred rhythm we find ourselves benefiting from Godâs blessing.
Oasis of Humor. God is a God of Humor and Joy! Gideon lacked the insight of joy the Lord wanted to bring to him. Because of doubt and insecurities, he assumed he was destined for smallness in his life. As he discovered the Lord speaking to him and worked through his doubt and fears, he discovered who he was and called to be. The Oasis of God not only changed his life, but changed a nation.
Oasis of Hope. God is a God of hope! Hope can be defined as the picture you see in your mind of a preferred future, that allows you to wait and persevere with anticipation through preparation. Hope is so much more than wishful thinking or pipe-dreams. True hope comes birthed from Godâs promises in Scripture.
Oasis of Humility. Humility is a learned character in our lives. And thatâs good news because it means we can learn to have more humility than we have now. We get to control the amount of pride or humility we display.
Respect is often earned (and forfeited) but honor is gift God wants us to give to others. Honor is simply recognizing the value in a person, in a place, or even a position. When we choose to give honor away, God pushes His best our way.
The devil is a master manipulator. Everything He does is based in lies and deception; itâs all smoke and mirrors. When we become aware of his tactics, we can be ready to resist him when he comes roaring at us with accusations.
We are three part beings - spirit, soul, and body. God wants us to be healthy, even in our souls. There are three key components to our soulâs health that we cannot overlook â Christ, Community, and Counseling. We need all three together.
We are three part beings - spirit, soul, and body. God wants us to be healthy, even in our souls. There are three key components to our soulâs health that we cannot overlook â Christ, Community, and Counseling. We need all three together.
We live during a period of time when we are more connected than ever, yet loneliness and isolation are common. We are good at escaping, distracting ourselves from difficult times. Many people feel like their life is distant from God and surrounded by darkness. How do we become so disconnected? More importantly, how can we re-connect with God to find Life within the darkness around us?
Contrast in photography is the visual ratio of different tones in an image. This difference is what creates the textures, highlights, shadows, colors and clarity in a photograph. Similarly, when we choose to put on Christ, He becomes the contrast to the darkness around us, helping others see Him with detail and clarity.
The Remix. This series has been a collection of conversations meant to help us learn what God really said about certain subjects like suffering, greed, happiness, & the ways God works. Our goal is to acknowledge that sometimes what we say, doesnât quite match what God said. Godâs Word is the one we want to believe the most.
God Works in Mysterious Ways. One of the definitions of the word âMysteryâ is âa person or thing whose identity or nature is puzzling or unknown.â Many people feel this is a good description for God. We even say that âGod works in mysterious waysâ especially when tragedy strikes. But what does God say about Himself? What if God never said that?
God Wants You Happy. Cue Pherrellâs hit song, âHappy.â If we are willing to be honest, the idea of âGod wants you happyâ normally means whatever makes me happy must be right. Whatever makes me unhappy must be wrong. But that is faulty theology. So does God want me to be happy? Letâs look at it!
Money is the Root of All Evil. Money is amoral; it's not good, nor is it bad. It's all about the person who handles the money. When we allow money to have the wrong priority in our lives, managing our heart's posture with money improperly, we then find ourselves in all sorts of trouble. What we grip tightly with our hands, creates a death-grip on our hearts.
Ever heard the phrase, âGod never gives you more than you can handleâ? Itâs a nice cliche and fits well in a tweet, But the problem is that God never said that. When we face trials and temptations, we often feel like we are in over our heads and we cannot handle it. What do we do when we are in that place? Letâs look at what God did say, and find some truth to handle these challenges.
Unchurched. Jesus was known as a âfriend of sinners.â Jesus didnât come to make insiders of faith more comfortable, but rather He commissions us to go invite the outsiders to experience His life. We are the message and our we get to help others, far away from God, find God. We want to create a church everyone can belong before they believe.
I cannot tell you how many times I've heard people say, "I love Jesus; I just don't like the church or Christians." There is something special about the local church - it's not perfect, but the church is a partnership. Jesus said that the world would know we belong to Him, not from our social work nor our gospel evangelism around the world, but because of our love for each other. And when it comes to loving our neighbor, that includes other followers of Jesus.
Difficult People. Ever have to work or go to school with people that were difficult? Anytime we forget how we want to be treated or struggle with comparison, we can easily see people as difficult to be around. Jesus teaches us how to honor others, even the difficult ones.
Generations. James Baldwin once said, âKids are not always good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.â God designed the family, in such a way, they would have a built-in guide to a deep relationship with Him. Sometimes that can feel overwhelming for adults, but Jesus is our pattern. Like any picture puzzle, itâs best to start with the corners.
Capital âCâ Church. It takes different churches to reach different types of people. Other churches in our community are not our competition, they are our comrades! We serve the same God, who sent His same Son, Jesus to save us all from the same problem, sin. We can accomplish more together than competing against each other.
Nations. The command of Jesus to âgo into all the worldâ was truly commissioning for us all. As disciples of Jesus, we want to be a good neighbor and love people of otherâ nations, and ethnic groups. We all have a call to pray and partner together as we live out Godâs love.
Forward Momentum. When we truly embrace the love God has for us, we begin to trust Him, and, as our relationship with Him grows, we develop a great love for Him as well. What we once saw as duty has now become devotion. It is our delight to know Him and follow His commands. Worship is a natural response when we fall in love with Jesus. It is also an act of warfare against satan and demonic forces! As we venture forward in our relationship with God, He is inviting us to trust Him, to go deeper, to experience the fullness of His presence.
Crack Pots. Every person is at a different place in his or her walk with Christ. No two stories are the same, and no one starts out as silver or gold; it is a process. He is the One who prepares us, refines us, and makes us honorable. You are not defined or limited by your past. He says in His Word that He makes all things brand new (2 Corinthians 5:17), and He wants to help you become a vessel of honor.
Inside Secrets. Imagine if someone offered you a special gift that would guarantee you direction, prosperity, and success. A gift that would give you the ability to rise above any circumstance and stand against any enemy. A gift that would keep you from sin, destruction, and despair. Wouldnât you be eager to receive this gift? Well, you can! Through the gift of the Bible, we have access to all of that power. If we read Godâs Word and apply it to our lives, we will see Him fulfill the promises contained in its pages.
Gauges + Garnishes. The words we speak are a spiritual gauge, showing how much of our soul we have surrendered to God. If we have allowed our minds to be renewed by the Word, our conversation canât help but reflect what we have learned. If, on the other hand, we are hesitant to release our old habits and beliefs, our words will betray us and reveal our true spiritual condition. If our souls are not in submission to God and we havenât surrendered everything to Him, our tongues will be the first to sell us out.
Wee Little Man. Getting past your past may be the biggest obstacle you face. Every time you seem to be making progress, that old movie reel of the sinful things you have done begins to play in your mind. Peace and freedom slip away as your past rises up to remind you of your failure. We must be seeing our sin as God does - forgiven.
Bee Stings & Stacking Stones. Because we live in a fallen world, we face the realities of hurt and offense. Harboring unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting another person to die; it does much greater harm to us than the person we refuse to forgive. An Offense is the bait that the enemy uses to lure us into bondage, and it causes us to create walls. Walls may keep out the bad stuff, but they also keep out the good. We think that it is up to us to protect our hearts, but the truth is, God never meant for this to be our responsibility; it is His.
Control Zones. The word surrender brings to mind many pictures, perhaps a white flag waving atop a surrounded military fort or a troop of outnumbered soldiers with their hands raised. We typically associate surrender with defeat. However, when it comes to life with Christ, the act of giving up control to Him is actually the beginning of our freedom.
The condition of your heart is revealed by outward symptoms (giving in to temptation, depression, anger, lust, etc.). When these symptoms are present, there is a deeper issue, and it is associated with the heart. There are four blockages of the heart: selfishness, bitterness, rejection, and evil thoughts. In order to remove the blockage of selfishness, we must actively surrender our lives to God. Bitterness occurs and blocks our hearts when we hold on to a hurt caused by another person, and we must live a life of forgiveness to remove the blockage. A seed of rejection planted in our lives may also cause a blockage, and we can reverse this curse of rejection by discovering and receiving Godâs acceptance of us through the power of His Word.
âOrder of Life. God created us with three distinct parts: a spirit that must be redeemed, a soul that must be restored, and a body that must surrender. Godâs plan is that our spirits become the strongest part of our three-part design and be the âcommand centerâ of who we are and what we do. Spiritual order provides a framework for living in the Tree of Life. Living in spiritual order brings with it incredible benefits, such as protection, spiritual growth, and power to overcome obstacles in our lives.
Renewing the Innocence of Life. This week, we will look at the Tree of Life and its ability to set us free from incorrect thoughts about God and ourselves. Fellowship with God results in innocenceânot the other way around. As we spend more time walking with God, listening to His voice, talking to Him, obeying Him, worshipping Him, and enjoying Him, we will notice a transformation taking place, not only on the outsideâ but on the inside as well. We will become transparent and unashamed before Him.
Tree of Knowledge. The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil produces shame and victimization. Shame causes us to separate ourselves from God. Victimization causes us to blame others, displacing our responsibility for the condition of our lives and souls. After consuming the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, Adam and Eve hid, but God came looking for them. God is in love with sinful man and sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue people.
The second story in the Bible describes two trees from the Garden of Eden: the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life. Everything in our Christian lives is filtered through the idea of the two trees. We have the choice to approach our lives through one tree or the other.
High Fives and Chest Bumps. Itâs hard to celebrate when you feel conflicted or like you are losing. When Jesusâ was put in the grave, His disciples felt crushed. Yet, Jesus made the ultimate comeback and He is still in the business of bringing back things that have been crushed. We celebrateâ because Jesus conquered the grave!
Unforgettable Voices. Elvis. Elmo. Mike Tyson. Ryan Seacrest. Charles Barkley. Certain voices are just iconic and unmistakable. When Jesus said, âI am the Good Shepherd,â He declared His followers would hear His voice. How can the voice of God become unmistakable to us?
Carb-loading. Every person wants to be satisfied in life. Jesus said of Himself, âI am the bread of life.â Like warm bread served before your meal, Jesus comes to satisfy our hunger and curb the appetite of sin in our life. One way Jesus fills the longing in our heart is to reveal truth through Godâs Word, helping faith come alive within our lives.
WTF. There are over 1,500 texting acronyms. Itâs tempting to reduce the Gospel to Christian one-liners, acronyms, âand zingers. They may read nicely on a bumper sticker, but such things often only add to the confusion instead of bringing clarity. Jesus came to decrypt the identity of God the Father and Godâs greatest desire, a personal relationship with every individual. Thatâs why Jesus identified Himself as the Way, Truth, and Freedom (Life) â WTF.
Lift The Shade. Is there anything more beautiful than the sun peaking over the horizon? Itâs a great feeling to open the curtains and allowing light into our homes. Jesus reveals Himself as the âLight of the world.â His very presenceâ eliminates darkness. When we worship, the light comes in and overcomes the darkness we find ourselves surrounded by.
Inside Job. Identity is a big deal for us humans. How many years have you spent trying to identify who you really are? How many times have you heard someone say, âI just need to find myself.â We all are on a quest for a deeply satisfying life, which often causes us to search for our purpose through external activity. Our identity isnât shaped by our activity. In fact, your life (activity) is sourced by your identity. Your identity is shaped by your internal voice. And I believe Jesus is the best voice to shape our identity.
Level Up. Leveling up is a concept in games in which a character experiences some sort of progression that usually entails unlocking new abilities, skills, access to new items, access to a new area of the game, or as a benchmark of how far into the game a character has progressed. Life is not a video game, but God has provided us a âlevel upâ in our spiritual walk through the person of the Holy Spirit. Walking in the Spirit helps the Fruit of the Spirit become evident in our life. In this sermon,â weâll explore how to walk in the Spirit.
âI just donât have the strength for this today.â How many times have you uttered those words? Exercise, parenting, budgeting, and many other areas of life suffering because we feel a lack of strength in an area. How can we gain strength and not feel like we just shuffling through life? The answer is found in your standards.
Iâd imagine you could hear (possibly feel) a giant coming from a long way off as they step toward you. Similarly, people without grace can be noticed from quite a distance. We need a grace-filled stride. Grace stabilizes our stride of faith. How can we have a stride of grace instead of the stride of giants?
When it comes to running there is an improper stride Iâve heard labeled âthe unicorn.â Itâs a stretched-out, over-striding that keeps someone from running at max speedâand makes you more susceptible to injury. When your foot reaches out too far in front of your knee, you're essentially "putting on the brakes" and stopping forward momentum. However, good posture helps avoid âthe unicornâ effect. Proper posture matters, spiritually too. Faith is the posture we need to hit the right stride in our lives.
Stride Rite. We donât have to struggle in a system of Spirituality that suffocates the life out of us. We can have a vibrant life of faith, with a blossoming spirituality. We will look like for your life to be aligned to the spiritual purpose God has for you?
God is able to do immeasurably more than we could image. This is the power of prayer â exponentially making an impact. Which means that God can multiply the effects of our prayers. Prayer, like a line of dominos, can have an on-going and increasing effect on what comes next. In this final message, we will explore four basic truths that immerse us in the stunning domino effect of prayer.
When it comes to prayer, we must âthink long.â We must remember that prayers do not have an expiration date, and God will answer them across the span of generations. So today, we will consider how the Bible instructs us to offer prayers that will influence future decades . . . if not centuries.
Pray Hard. Today, we will next consider what it takes to pray hard. We will see that to pray hard requires two decisive actions: (1) consecrating yourself to God, and (2) taking a daring step of faith.
We serve a God whoâs grandeur is beyond our ability to fully comprehend. His love for us is just as big. The more we grasp His love, the more firm our grip on faith becomes, allowing us to dream big. In this message, we will consider the âbignessâ of our God, what is involved in dreaming big, and how we can pray in our communities for those brave dreams to become realities.
If you want to see God do amazing things in your life and in the life of this church, then you need to be a praying person. Prayer is powerful and something we should continually do. What would life look like if you âcircled a promise from Godâ by consistently praying for forty days? In this sermon, we explore some of the dynamics of praying for forty days.
Mad-lib Christmas. The Christmas Story, verified as history, was once just a prophecy being foretold. This is why God is the best one to author our life - He knows the beginning from the end. We often live a crazy mad-lib version of life, making it up as we go. But allowing God to author our destiny and charter our course will bring Peace and Joy that steady us in every season.
Recently the Urban Dictionary added a new phrase - âGoing Viral.â Itâs been said that when a video or post has at least 5 million views in 3-7 days, itâs âgone viral.â The point is this, we share all sorts of things â most of which have little impact on the grand scheme of life. The story of Christmas is worth sharing because it has eternal significance. Sharing the story of Christ, bring joy to listener and to the one doing the story telling.
Crowded malls, family travel, finding the perfect gifts and the multitude of gatherings can add to the tension and stress of the season. Christmas is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, the Christmas cheer gets crowded out by our Christmas demands. Is Joy really possible? Yes! Letâs look at the Magi chasing stars to learn how to locate our Joy!
Grinch Fix. The Grinch has a small, non-joy-filledâ heart. The way we fix the Grinch within us to choose to be generous toward others. God is the most generous being, ever. He gave first, so we could receive and learn to give ourselves.
Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. A boundary shows me where I end and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. As we look to God our Creator, we see He originated the idea of boundaries to strengthen our relationships. As we draw closer to His perfect love, we find the confidence to own our moments and take control of our actions and attitudes.
We live in a time where there is a dilemma for Christ-followers. We have a culture that seems to be drifting away from God and for many people,â our go-to response seems to be fear or anger. We want to be correct, but we donât always have credibility. We want to be helpful, but we often lack humility. Itâs true, culture seems to be shifting and our faith is being tested. Godâs Word guides us so we donât have to be derailed by this dilemma.
Leadership, in itâs most powerful and simple form, is influence. No matter our profession, education, background, or financial status - we influence others. While some are âborn to leadâ I believe all of us can develop the leader (influence) within us.
Supernatural Strength. God wants us to live victoriously over the enemy of our souls. We cannot be strong on our strength, we need to be strong in the Lord. We need supernatural strength if we are going to win at life. Thatâs why Jesus sent the Holy Spirit â so we can have supernatural strength to defeat satan.
*Note: first ten minutes of this sermon didn't get recorded. We apologize for this error.
Knowingly and unknowingly, people who love God often open the door of their lives to be influenced by the wrong forces. The enemy of our soul, the devil, wants to trap us using his schemes and tactics. But Jesus wants to set us free!
Ever been in a fight? The only thing worse than being in a fight is not knowing who youâre supposed to fight! We not only want to know who the battle is (and isnât) against, we want to know their tactics and strategies so we can outmaneuver them. What are the enemies tactics? How can we win?
There are forces around us that we cannot see. Like gravity or the wind. We see their effect, but cannot actually see gravity or wind. Similarly, there are unseen forces and unseen âheavenly realmsâ that effect things on our earth, but we not visible in the natural. Should we be afraid or hide? How should we react and live? We stand on Godâs supernatural power!