Ashe Alliance Sermons: Recent Episodes
Ashe Alliance Church
What if your life looks spiritually full—but is actually empty at the root? In this passage, Jesus confronts the danger of outward religion without inward faith. Through the fig tree and the temple, He shows us that real faith is what produces real fruit—and invites us into a deeper, living dependence on Him.
What if the Jesus you’re celebrating isn’t the real Jesus? In this passage, the crowd shouts “Hosanna,” but their expectations are misplaced. Jesus comes not as a political conqueror, but as a humble Savior. This sermon calls us to examine whether we’ve received Christ as He truly is—or reshaped Him into someone more comfortable.
What does real faith actually look like? In Mark 10, a blind beggar shows us. Bartimaeus cries out for mercy, comes to Jesus, and leaves everything to follow Him. This sermon walks through a powerful truth: saving faith doesn’t sit still—it gets up and follows Christ.
What does greatness really look like in God’s kingdom? In Mark 10:32–45, Jesus walks steadily toward the cross while His disciples chase status. His response flips everything: greatness is found in serving, not being served. This message calls us to follow a King who gave His life—and to live the same way.
What if the very things we rely on most are the greatest obstacles to knowing God? In this message from Mark 10, we see that salvation is not for those who bring the most, but for those who come empty-handed. Jesus calls us to lose what we cannot keep—and gain what we can never lose.
In Mark 10:13–22, Jesus welcomes children and rebukes His disciples, teaching that the kingdom belongs to those who come in humble dependence. He then confronts a rich young ruler who seeks eternal life through effort, exposing his misplaced trust in both his morality and his wealth. The contrast is clear: those who receive like children enter the kingdom, while those who rely on themselves walk away from it.
God’s Word was never meant to stop with us. In this message from 2 Timothy 2, we’re reminded that discipleship is not complete until it multiplies. Will you be the link that holds?
To accomplish the mission God gave us, we must understand the purpose of the church and our place in it—making and multiplying disciples in the power and presence of Christ.
In Mark 9, Jesus calls us to pursue unity with His people while taking radical, uncompromising action against sin.
In Mark 9 Jesus prepares His disciples for His coming death, they argue about who is the greatest. Their silence and pride reveal how easily the human heart drifts toward status over surrender. Jesus responds by turning their understanding upside down: true greatness is not found in being first, but in becoming last, serving others, and welcoming the least. In doing so, we reflect Christ Himself, who humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross.
Power isn’t found in the strength of your faith but in the object of your faith. A weak faith placed in a strong Savior is enough, because the power belongs to Him.
What do you do when the mountaintop moment fades? In Mark 9, Jesus reveals His glory to prepare His disciples for suffering. This sermon explores how seeing Christ clearly changes how we walk through confusion, hardship, and everyday life. Because the goal isn’t to stay on the mountain—it’s to trust Him in the valley.
Many want a victorious Savior without suffering, but Jesus makes it clear: His mission includes the cross, and so does ours.
What do you actually see when you look at Jesus? In Mark 8, a blind man’s gradual healing mirrors our own journey from confusion to clarity. This sermon walks through how God opens our eyes, draws out faith, and leads us to a defining question: Who do you say Jesus is?
Good Friday ended in silence—but Easter morning did not. In Mark 16:1–7, we see how God meets grieving hearts, solves what we cannot, and declares the victory of a risen Christ. This message calls us out of spiritual resignation and into resurrection living, where even our failures are met with restoring grace.
Jordan Newman takes a deep dive into Mark 8:1-21 with Jesus miraculously feeding the 4,000 and the unbelief on the Pharisees.
Jesus' radical teaching in Mark 7:14–23 upends Jewish dietary laws, pinpointing the heart as the source of all defilement: a catalog of 13 sins from evil thoughts to foolishness. Jesus calls us to examine our own hearts, echoing Jeremiah's warning of the deceitful heart, and calls us to the only cure: Christ's heart transplant, transforming sinners into saints by grace alone.
In "Defilement of Truth" from Mark 7:1–13, Nate Roten warns that human traditions often silently eclipse God's Word, turning helpful practices into sacred idols that nullify divine commands—like the Pharisees' Corban loophole dodging parental honor. Drawing from Jesus' rebuke of hypocrites whose lips honor God but hearts wander, this message urges believers to examine their spiritual habits: Why do you pray, worship, and believe as you do? Root everything in Scripture alone, purging traditions that prioritize comfort over obedience for authentic faith that exalts Christ.
When disciples, fresh from miracles, face a midnight storm in Mark 6:45–56, Jesus strides across waters to "pass by" them like God's glory to Moses—yet terror grips their uncomprehending hearts, unmoved even as winds obey Him. Gennesaret's crowds, however, run with bold faith for healing. Friend, Jesus sees your struggles from afar; He's not exposing flaws but calling for recognition—will you, unlike the Twelve, respond with open-hearted faith to the compassionate Lord who calms every chaos?
When life's overwhelming needs—like a hurting friend, drifting child, or fractured world—expose your inadequacy, remember the Shepherd of Mark 6:30–44: He commands rest amid chaos, responds to crowds with gut-wrenching compassion, shatters human plans with divine impossibilities, and provides extravagantly from meager offerings, proving His sufficiency for every soul He shepherds.
"John’s life may have ended in a prison cell, but his influence reached the palace. His voice was silenced, yet his message still echoed in Herod’s conscience. That’s what faithful witness does—it lingers. It plants seeds that take root. It shapes how people think about Jesus."
Amazed in the Presence unpacks Mark 6:1–6, showing Jesus' power withheld in His hometown not by inability, but by their spiritual resistance despite overwhelming proof. Offended by His ordinary roots, the people stumbled over the "stumbling block of unbelief." Nate Roten invites you relationally: What is Jesus amazed at in your life—growing faith or resisted truth? Repent, believe, and step into His kingdom presence.
Advent series continues with "The Light We Cannot Hide," urging transformed hearts to walk worthy as children of light (Ephesians 5:8-11). Pastor Nate Roten explores exalting Jesus in every sphere, reflecting His purity amid a crooked generation, producing goodness and truth, and exposing fruitless deeds—equipping you with identity-grounded applications to illuminate the world with Christ's unstoppable light as we await His return.
In "The Light We Cannot Ignore," Pastor Nate Roten unveils Jesus as the inescapable Light from John 1 and 3 who reveals His eternal divinity, confronts our sin-shadowed hearts, exposes evil deeds, and demands a response—either repentant reception into God's family or rebellious rejection. Like a midnight lamp jolting us awake, Christ's incarnation pierces darkness we once called normal, offering mercy through exposure, calling us to recognize, repent, receive, and surrender to the Savior who changes everything this Christmas.
In Mark 4:26–34, Jesus teaches that the Kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed—small, hidden, and yet destined to become something great. This passage challenges us to embrace the ordinary, trust God’s timing, and find hope in the slow, steady work of the Spirit, knowing that what feels insignificant today may one day provide shelter and sustenance for many.
The kingdom of God advances as we faithfully display Christ’s light and diligently seek His truth. In this exposition of Mark 4:21–25, you’ll see how the measure of your pursuit determines the measure of your revelation. From confronting complacency to embracing active participation, learn how ordinary believers are called to pierce darkness with the gospel and bear lasting fruit for God’s glory.
The heart’s readiness is the key to living a fruitful Christian life, as illustrated in the Parable of the Sower in Mark 4:1-20. Jesus explains how different hearts respond to the gospel message—some reject it, some receive it temporarily, others are distracted by worldly concerns, but only one type truly bears spiritual fruit. This teaching challenges us to regularly examine our hearts, reject the enemy’s attempts to steal or choke the Word, and cultivate openness that leads to a bountiful harvest in the kingdom of God.
In Mark 3:20–35, Jesus confronts division head-on, revealing that God’s kingdom is marked by unity while Satan seeks to divide and destroy. Amid accusations that He is possessed, Jesus declares that only a stronger power—His own—can bind Satan and plunder his kingdom. He redefines true family as those who do God's will, calling believers to reject division, embrace spiritual unity, and stand firm as God’s kingdom people.
In “The Sabbath Showdown,” Pastor Nate unpacks Jesus’ dramatic healing of a man with a shriveled hand in the synagogue, exposing the Pharisees’ legalism and hard-heartedness. With pastoral insight, Pastor Nate highlights how Jesus models costly obedience—doing right regardless of opposition—and warns how unchecked compromise, pride, and tradition can calcify the heart, leading even religious leaders into hypocrisy and sin. This message calls believers to bold faithfulness, examining their own hearts and embracing mercy, even when it provokes conflict.
Burdened by a Blessing explores Jesus’ clear teaching in Mark 2:23-28, where He confronts legalistic Sabbath rules by reminding us that the Sabbath was given by God as a gift of rest and blessing for humanity, not a heavy burden imposed on them. Using the example of David eating the consecrated bread in desperate need, Jesus reveals His authority as Lord of the Sabbath and calls us to live in compassionate freedom, prioritizing mercy over rigid rule-keeping. This message invites believers to embrace Sabbath rest as a spiritual refreshment grounded in grace, not law.
Jesus’ teaching in Mark 2:18-22 vividly illustrates that the arrival of God’s Kingdom ushers in an entirely new way of living—marked by joy in the Bridegroom’s presence, a thorough break from outdated religious practices, and a Spirit-empowered renewal. Using wedding imagery and parables about new cloth and wineskins, Jesus declares that the old life cannot contain the new covenant. Instead, believers are invited into a vibrant, joyful relationship with Christ, the Bridegroom, who transforms and fills His people with His Spirit
Grace calls me to trade comfort for compassion and move towards those the world keeps at a distance.
This study of Mark 1:29–39 presents Christ as moved by deep compassion, empowered by prayer, and focused on His divine calling. From private healing at Peter’s home to ministering to crowds, Jesus embodies kingdom kindness that meets personal needs without losing sight of the greater gospel mission. The passage invites us to bring Jesus into daily life, be rooted in prayer, and proclaim repentance and faith as the heart of our calling.
Mark 1:16-28 reveals Jesus’ authority to speak with power, call disciples, and silence evil—challenging us to trust and follow Him wholeheartedly.
Go For Launch | Mark 1:9-15 | Nate Roten | Jesus' baptism marks His Spirit-anointed kingship and mission. He calls all to repent, believe, and enter the kingdom of God now at hand.
Prepare the Way | Mark 1: 1-8. Prepare the way for Jesus, the true King, through repentance and witness, as revealed by Mark and John the Baptist’s prophecy fulfillment.
The Gospel of Mark reveals Jesus as a Suffering Savior who acted in power, taught with authority, and served sacrificially, presenting a fast-paced, vivid account that calls for an urgent response from the reader. This unique Gospel aims to show, not just tell, who Jesus is, leaving the reader to wrestle with the question, "Who do you say that I am?"
Year Three - Part 2 - Kingdom Focused | Every believer is called by Jesus, empowered by Jesus, instructed by Jesus, and sent by Jesus to participate in His Kingdom work.
Year 3 Part 1- Walk Worthy | Nate Roten | July 21, 2025 Reflect with us what the Lord has done the past 3 years and look forward to the future as we are called to be one body and to maintain the unity of that body.
July 13, 2025 | Guest Speaker | Kendell Kauffeldt | Unpack the powerful truth of Divine Providence, understanding how God's purposeful care for your life and delve into Psalm 23.
Multiply |DDM| Nate Roten | Unlock the secret to exponential kingdom growth with "Kingdom Math: The Power of Multiplication". Reveal how God's kingdom expands through equipping believers to not only become holistic disciples, but also to teach others to become disciplers themselves – a process of "teaching to teach".
Discipleship is both an identity and a mission. It involves a deep commitment to learning, living, and loving like Jesus. By embracing the role of both a disciple and a discipler, Christians can transform their lives and the lives of others through intentional relationships and spiritual growth. This journey, rooted in Matthew 28:18-20, emphasizes the importance of baptism, teaching, and community in fulfilling the Great Commission.
Discover how to declare God’s glory in your daily life, from worship to righteous living. Explore biblical passages like Psalm 66 and Moses’s song in Exodus 15 to understand the transformative power of declaring God’s majesty.
"Lifting High the Cross of Christ" by Nate Roten explores Galatians 6:11-18, emphasizing the transformative power of embracing the cross. Discover how Paul's personal touch and confrontation with false teachers highlight the importance of faith in Christ over works of the law.
Discover how Galatians 6:6-10 teaches us to share our resources and spiritual growth, and the eternal impact of sowing to the Spirit.
In "First Responder Training," Nate Roten explores Galatians 6:1-5, emphasizing the importance of restoration, burden-bearing, and self-examination. The passage guides believers to respond gently to those who have fallen into sin, carry each other's burdens, and examine their own work to avoid pride and deception. By focusing on the Spirit's guidance, Christians can fulfill the law of Christ and maintain their spiritual integrity.
The War Within
Discover the internal battle between the flesh and the Spirit in Nate Roten's sermon, "The War Within: The Flesh vs The Spirit." Explore Galatians 5:16–26 and learn how to overcome sinful desires and live a life guided by the Holy Spirit.
Discover how to maintain Christian freedom in Nate Roten's sermon "The Call of Christian Freedom" from Galatians 5:7-15. Learn to reject the flesh and serve others through love, avoiding the pitfalls of false persuasion and embracing God's sovereignty.
Discover how to truly live free in Christ with Nate Roten's sermon on Galatians 5:1-6. Learn to reject the yoke of the law and stand firm in your faith, embracing the freedom and love of Christ.
Dueling Descendants: Child of Promise vs. Child of the Flesh | Galatians 4:21-31 | Find out why Paul's use of Hagar and Sarah in Galatians 4:21-31 is crucial for understanding the spiritual implications of living under the law or by faith.
Join us on Resurrection Sunday as we explore the life-changing reality of Jesus' resurrection. Discover how the first witnesses transformed from fear to boldness and learn how to live as a resurrection witness today.
The 3 Most Important Words in the Bible | Passion Week 2025| Discover how God's centuries-long plan unfolded in Jesus' sacrificial death. "The Three Most Important Words in the Bible" explores Old Testament prophecies and their fulfillment in Passion Week.
The Relational Struggle in Spiritual Growth | Galatians 4:8-20 | Find out why Paul is so concerned about the Galatian believers' regression into legalistic practices. His personal relationship with them and his warnings against false teachers offer valuable insights into maintaining spiritual integrity.
Under the Law or In Christ? | Galatians 3:23-4:7| Explore Galatians 3:23–4:7 and discover how the law confines us, while faith in Christ sets us free, granting us full rights and inheritance as sons of God.
Conflicting or Complementary Covenants? | Galatians 3:15-22
| Explore the biblical passage Galatians 3:15–22 to understand how faith in Christ secures God's promise to Abraham, while the law addresses transgressions, clarifying the complementary roles of the law and the covenant with Abraham.
What the Law Actually Says | Galatians 3:7-14. Explore Paul's argument from Scripture in Galatians 3:7–14. Learn how faith in Jesus Christ is the path to redemption from the curse of the law and the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham.
Galatians | Galatians 3:1-6 | In "Don't Be So Foolish," we will explore Galatians 3:1-6, challenging the Galatians to remember their initial salvation experience and the power of faith. Embrace the transformative power of the Spirit over self-effort.
Galatians 2:15-2 | Explore the transformative power of faith in Christ through Galatians 2:15-21. Understand how believers are justified and made righteous through Christ's sacrifice.
The Destructive Nature of Fear | Galatians 2:11-14 | Find out how fear can lead to hypocrisy and division in the church. Learn from Paul's rebuke of Peter and the power of truth in overcoming fear
Galatians 2:1-10 Exploring Paul's meeting with Jerusalem church leaders to confirm his gospel message and calling.
From Tradition to Transformation | Galatians 1:11-24 | Discover the transformative power of God's grace through Apostle Paul's journey from persecutor to preacher.
Guarding the Gospel | Galatians 1:3-10 | Discover how Apostle Paul defended the true gospel against false teachings in Galatians 1:3-10. Learn to guard the one true message of salvation through faith in Christ alone.
John K. LaShell | The King in His Beauty | Illustrating the beauty of Christ the King, as seen through scriptural references from Isaiah.
The Book of Galatians | Galatians | Galatians 1: 1-2 | Journey through Galatians with Paul. Uncover timeless truths about grace, faith, and life in the Spirit that challenge and inspire believers today.
Rally Cry | James | James 5:13-20 | The final section of James' letter serves as a powerful rallying cry, emphasizing prayer, confession, and community as essential elements of the Christian life.
In "The Power of Patience: Building Resilience Through Trust in God," Nate Roten explores the theme of patient endurance in the face of adversity, drawing from James 5:1-12. The sermon contrasts the warnings to the wealthy with the call for believers to remain steadfast in their faith. Through agricultural, prophetic, and biblical examples, Roten illustrates the importance of trusting in God's timing and justice rather than succumbing to complaint or vengeance. The message emphasizes the value of integrity and the ultimate reward of God's compassion and mercy for those who persevere.
TrustInGod #FaithfulEndurance #SpiritualWealth #OvercomingTrials #BiblicalWisdom #PatienceInSuffering
Advent 2024: The Light That Dawned in Darkness | Jesus, the Light of the World, illuminates the darkness of our lives just as He fulfilled Isaiah's prophecy in Galilee. From the gloom of Zebulun and Naphtali to the honor brought by Christ's ministry, His transformative power brings gladness, right living, and purpose. As we celebrate His incarnation, we're called to see, receive, and reflect His light.
LightOfTheWorld #JesusIsLight #prophecyfulfilled #advent #aac #AsheAlliance
To go deeper on this topic, go to: https://ashealliance.org/the-light-that-dawned-in-darkness/
Advent 2024: Who Is Coming? | Prince of Peace | Explore the profound meaning of "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah's prophecy. Discover how Jesus fulfills this role and brings transformative peace to every aspect of life.
Advent 2024 - Who is Coming? | Everlasting Father | Explore Jesus as the "Everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6. Uncover the depths of Christ's eternal nature and His role as ruler, caregiver, and source of life.
Advent 2024: Mighty God | Unpack the rich meaning behind the title "Mighty God" in Isaiah 9:6. Examine how this prophecy laid the groundwork for key Christian doctrines and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Discover the practical implications of having a Mighty God who fights for you, keeps His promises, and remains present in every struggle.
Advent 2024 - Who Is Coming? | Isaiah 9:1–7 | A look at the promised Messiah as the Wonderful Counselor.
D.V. | James 4:13-17 | "If the Lord wills": Discover the profound meaning behind this simple phrase and how it can transform your approach to life and planning.
The Ten Commandments of Fidelity | James 4:7-12 | Strengthen your faith with James' 10 steps to spiritual victory. Overcome worldly influences and deepen your connection with God.
Reclaim Your First Love | Examine the battle between worldly desires and godly living in James 4:1-6. Discover how to cultivate a heart fully devoted to God amidst life's temptations.
Wisdom’s Harvest | Explore the contrast between godly and worldly wisdom in James 3:13-18. Discover how true wisdom produces a harvest of righteousness and peace in your life.
Rudders, Reins, and Righteousness. Today, we will delve into James 3:1-12 and uncover the profound impact of our words. Learn why controlling our speech is essential for spiritual maturity and living a righteous life. Apologies for the technical difficulties at the end. Please visit our website https://ashealliance.org/rudders-reins-and-righteousness/ for a transcript of the sermon
What Dead Faith Looks Like and How to Avoid it | James Series | James 2:14-26. Today, James reveals the difference between living faith and dead faith. Learn how to recognize the signs of a genuine, active faith and avoid the pitfalls of a hollow, inactive belief.
From Favoritism to Freedom: Living Out the Royal Law | James 2:1-13 | Favoritism threatens the unity of the church, but God calls us to a higher standard. In this message, learn how mercy triumphs over judgment and how to live out the royal law of love.
How to Live Out Your Faith | James 1:19–27. Just as the parable of the talents teaches us the importance of using what we've been given, we are reminded that faith without action is lifeless. This sermon encourages us to engage our whole being—ears, eyes, mind, tongue, and hands—in a transformative process of embodying God’s Word. By being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, we cultivate a resilient faith that flourishes even amid trials. Through intentional reflection and action, we discover what true religion is: a living faith that prioritizes love for God and service to others. Join us as we learn to let God's Word take root in our hearts and express itself through our lives, becoming doers of the Word and shining examples of His grace in action.
Apologies, a glitch in the recording cut off the end of the sermon. Our website at ashealliance.org has a transcript of the sermon available
Purified Faith in Trials | James | James 1:2-8 | In His sovereign will, God has designed His people to mature spiritually in a fallen world through trials. We need to grow in our faith in dozens of ways, so don’t be surprised to discover that your current trial is hitting a weak spot.
James Intro | James Series | James 1:1. Imagine living in a world where there was no New Testament: no gospels, no letters of Paul, no acts of the apostles. How would you grow in your faith and learn to live a virtuous Christian life under persecution in a pagan society? For at least a few years, the book of James was the playbook of the early church, because it was the first New Testament book written and it is full of practical wisdom and secrets of the Kingdom. Ready to dive in?
Attributes of God | God’s Love and Faithfulness | Many of us carry around the weight and guilt of our shortcomings. God’s faithful love calls you out of that mindset of condemnation. Let’s unpack what that means together today.
God’s Holiness and Essence | Attributes of God Series | God is holy. At its core, holiness means being set apart. God is utterly set apart from His creation in his moral purity and other attributes, including the magnificent truth that He is both one God in His essence and triune in His personhood. Let’s unpack this glorious truth together and discover how it will impact our daily lives.
God’s Integrity | The Attributes of God Series. Even though we stand guilty before the eternal Judge whose foundation is righteousness and justice, we can fall upon the mercy of that same throne. He must judge sin, and He will do so in perfect righteousness, but His grace was demonstrated by atoning for your sin at the cross.
Attributes of God | God’s Existence | God is the fullness of all His traits and the wellspring of life. And, because He is the apex of perfection and holiness, and to be anything less would mean that He would cease to be God, He will never change or go back on His spoken word. This is the God we serve, the God we love, the God who saved us, and the solid rock on which we can confidently build our lives.
Year Two | Romans 12:1-2 | Yearly Review | Be informed by God’s word so that we can conform to the image of Christ (not to the pattern of this world and its passions) and live transformed lives that reflect the glory of our great God.
The End is Where We Begin | Acts Series | Acts 28:17-31 | The chained apostle freely proclaims a gospel that can never be bound.
Acts Series | Acts 28:1-16 | Divine Detours. God uses our trials and divine detours to bring about transformation and renewal in others.
Contagious Confidence | Acts Series | Acts 27:27-44 | Will you trust God until you see His promises fulfilled or not? Will your faith be an encouragement to others or a hindrance?
Strength in the Storm | Acts Series | Acts 27:1-26 | Even in the worst of times, when your very life feels threatened… when everything is “with great difficulty,” when you feel completely out of control and driven along by life’s challenges, and the storms keep pounding you to the point of utter hopelessness, God is with you.
Acts Series | Acts 26:12-32 | Light and Life. Paul triumphantly details the nature of his conversion and the impact it had on the entire Greco-Roman world.
Acts Series | Acts 26:1-11 | For This Hope. From a worldly perspective, hope is the wishful expectation that what you want will eventually happen. But today, we will discover the powerful meaning from the biblical perspective.
Acts Series Acts 25:13-27 | Christ at the Core. We live in a world that is overlaid with a beautiful, elegant veneer, but just underneath the surface, it is faulty, dark, and broken. We broke it. But Christ is at the core of the solution. He came to fix the problems of sin, suffering, and death.
Acts Series | Acts 25:1-12 | The Invisible Actor. What would you do if you were wrongfully and unjustly imprisoned for years without a fair trial or due process? In times like these, has God forgotten His people or been caught unaware? How can we see His hand at work when situations seem so hopeless?
Acts Series | Acts 24:22-27 | Life and Death. Many of us have had or will have fork-in-the-road moments that forever alter the trajectory of our lives. Today, we will see one such example.
Guest Speaker | Dr. John K. LaShell | 2 Timothy 3:14-17 | All the Bible for All of Us | The responsibility of fathers and mothers in providing spiritual guidance to their children. To teach them the saving message of Scripture, focusing on salvation through Jesus Christ.
Acts Series | Acts 24:1-21 | Game On. Paul and Tertullus are like boxers who intentionally step into the intellectual ring to fight. Today at Paul’s trial before the Governor Felix, it’s game on.
Acts Series | Acts 23:12-35 | Providence Prevails. We all want God to work in our lives through visions, dreams, signs, and wonders. When we are in a difficult spot, we want to see him show up visibly, right? But most of the time, God works through normal circumstances and ordinary people to accomplish His will. As a result, we miss it because of our false expectations.
Acts Series | Acts 23:1-11 | Stand Firm. In difficult times when it doesn’t seem like you will survive the fight, you don’t stand your ground and prevail because of your carnal strength or boldness. You stand your ground because of who is standing with you.
Acts Series | Acts 22:1-21 | God’s Martyr. Paul once rooted his identity in who he was, what he knew, and what he did… until something drastically changed.
Acts Series | Acts 21:27-40 | The Unshakable Witness. Paul is an amazing witness for Christ who consistently exudes boldness, compassion, and confidence in Christ. He has proven to be a bold witness, but the unshakable witness today is not Paul.
Passion Week 2024 / Luke 24:13–36 / Living in Light of the Resurrection. Today’s sermon emphasizes the practical implications of the resurrection of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus and challenges believers to live in light of Jesus' victory over death.
Passion Week 2024 | John 10:1-16 | Today I want to mine this mountain from a specific angle: Not from a Kingly entry or a triumphal procession where the people are joyfully shouting praises for who they think Jesus is. I want to walk through Passion Week with you today through the lens of Jesus’ intention. What did he want to do or achieve in His final week on earth? How He lived this week is very telling of His true motives.
Our primary goal is to achieve the mission of the commission in the Ashe community, and it must begin right here. Jefferson is our Jerusalem, and this church is our base of operations. Ashe Alliance is the epicenter of our efforts.
Acts Series | Acts 21:15-26 | Breaking through Barriers. Coaches in sports say the struggle is 90% mental. There is a mental barrier to overcome. The same is true with the gospel. Traditions, misinformation, ignorance, past experiences, skepticism… all of these things are barriers to overcome to accept the Christian message, or grow in our faith.
Acts Series | Acts 21:1–14 | The Cost of Obedience. There is a cost to our obedience. Salvation is free, but sanctification will cost us.
Acts Series | Acts 20:17-38 | Portrait of an Elder. But today’s story goes well beyond a singular lesson in leadership, but provides many little mosaic tiles that come together to form the portrait of a steadfast, powerful Elder of God’s church.
Acts Series | Acts 20:1-16 | Bonding Agents. Paul’s mission is to encourage and empower the established body of Christ by bringing the churches together on a larger scale. He equips regional leaders, facilitates fellowship, teaches from God’s word, demonstrates the power of the Spirit, and encourages the saints all along the way. Fellowship, encouragement, and teaching are the bonding agents of the Body of Christ.
Acts Series | Acts 19:21-41 | The Riot of Ephesus. When you face opposition or injustice, what is your natural reaction? The passage today shows us that there is a clear distinction between how the world reacts and how God’s people react, and that difference will make or break your witness for Christ.
Acts Series | Acts 19:1-20 | Greater Than. Today’s passage is a joyful reminder to you that no matter what or who you face, God is greater than.
Spiritual Growth | Luke 12:22-34 | Seek and You Will Find. The fundamental truth behind seeking is that we only search for what is valuable to us, so as we begin today’s study on seeking, we must take an assessment of what we search for in our own lives.
Spiritual Growth Series | Matthew 17:1-8 | Behold His Glory. We don’t just read about God in the scriptures to know more about Him intellectually with our minds. When we behold Him in His glorious splendor as we see His attributes. We also see, understand, and appreciate Him with our heart, soul, and emotions with a sense of awe and wonder… with a growing thirst for more… with a desire to ‘taste and see’ that He is good.
Spiritual Growth Series | John 15 | Abide. Abiding is an investment in a growing relationship with Christ. You grow in spiritual awareness, intentional focus, submission, and trust that produces fruit.
Acts Series | Acts 18:18-28 | Team of Teams. The story isn’t about certain details about two men. It is about the function of the entire body.
Advent 2023 | Anticipation of the Coming King | I want to take just a few minutes today to place us in the shoes of the Jewish people before Christ’s birth, and by doing so, my prayer is that we will leave here today with a renewed sense of awe and appreciation for what it must have been like to witness His first coming.
Advent 2023 | What is Biblical Joy? Joy is not just something you feel. It is far greater than that. The good news OF great joy is found in Jesus Christ. And, in Christ, we can live in a state of being that experiences joy at all times, 24/7, 365.
Guest Speaker | 2 Samuel 7:5-29 | The Future Hope of David. Today, our guest speaker, Mark Valentine, brings a word from 2 Samuel and the future hope of David.
Acts Series | Acts 18:1-17 | The Centrality of God's Word. Let your life be characterized by your love for the Word, the confidence that comes from His presence, and what flows out of you as a result.
This is a guest post by one of our visiting missionaries, Jeremy Sink from Serge. You are the light of the world.
Acts Series | Acts 17:22-34 | Knowing the Unknown. God is real, and we can know Him. We can know about Him generally through the testimony of creation. We can know Him relationally and eternally through Jesus.
But to do so, we must rid our hearts of all the idols.
Acts Series | Acts 17:10-21 | Righteously Provoked. Paul took the gospel to the synagogues and into the public square so that all may hear and have the chance to respond. We should let the blindness of this world provoke us to evangelize.
Acts Series | Acts 17:1-9 | The Unstoppable Gospel - Like the parable of the soils, we see the gospel seed planted in two types of hearts and discern that human hearts always responds to the gospel.
1 Samuel 14 | A Humble Son, A Faithless Father. Today's sermon comes from our guest speaker - Sam Shuttleworth, who unpacks the contrast between Saul's pride and Jonathan's humility and how we can recognize both in our own lives.
Acts Series | Acts 16:25-40 | Salvation Sandwich - Part 2. As God providentially guides His people, they reflect seven godly characteristics: prayer, praise, comforting, proclaiming the gospel, joy-filled hospitality, justice, and encouragement.
Acts Series | Acts 16:11-24 | Salvation Sandwich - Part 1. God desires to save His people from the Kingdom of Darkness and sin's oppression, and we see this at work in three different stories.
Acts Series | Acts 15:36-16:10 | Spirit Directed Steps. Here, we must learn how to be willing to have our plans frustrated so that God’s plan will become apparent.
Guest Speaker John LaShell | Your Goal for the New Year. We don't need to be left wondering how to live as Christians. 1 Peter 2:9 tells us exactly who we are and what our job is on this earth.
Acts Series | Acts 15:22-35 | Perfectly Balanced Scales. Sound theology and Christian fellowship – They should have equal weight in our lives. When the balance is correct, there is Christ-exalting unity and joy within His Body.
Acts Series | Acts 15:1-21 | Defending Doctrine: The First Church Council. While various church councils were launched from Nicaea in 325, technically, it was not the first council that met. The very first meeting of church leaders to discuss false teaching happened in approximately 49 AD in Acts chapter 15 to defend the doctrine of faith in Christ alone.
Acts Series | Acts 14:19-28 | Focus on the Mission, not the Circumstance. Despite two very different circumstances, Paul shows us how to keep the proclamation of the gospel and the growth of the Church as the core mission.
YEAR ONE | Yearly Review. We live in a fast-paced society that has roped the rear-view mirror from the windshield. Why is it that one of the most challenging things for us to do is to be still and reflect on God’s goodness? We get so busy being the Martha that we fail to be like Mary and sit at Jesus’ feet.
After going through (nearly) the first half of the book of Acts, I would argue that it is flat-out unbiblical to live the Christian life without looking back to see what God has done. Today, I want to glue the rear-view mirror back on the windshield. I want us to corporately celebrate the works of God in the first year of the life of our church and praise Him for what He has done. Can we do that together? And don’t get caught up in the numbers, but delight in what those numbers mean: God’s work through His people to build Ashe Alliance Church.
Acts Series | Acts 14:1-18 | Don’t Meddle with the Messenger. There is a saying that says, “Don’t shoot the messenger.” That’s good advice. Our passage of scripture also tells us not to deify the messenger. Let’s dig in and find out what we should do instead.
Acts Series | Acts 13:42-52 | Word. The Word of God is living and active and therefore has a meaningful impact. Today, we will discover six different ways.
Acts Series | Acts 13:32-41 | How you are made Righteous. Paul addresses the Jews in the synagogue like an attorney in the courtroom, providing evidence and proof for the most important question of their lifetime: How am I declared righteous before God?
Acts Series | Acts 13:13-32 | 15 to 1: God's Gracious Provision. Discover the truth of how 15 methods of God's provision in the past paved the way to His one ultimate provision for today.
Acts Series | Acts 13:1-12 | Divinely Sanctioned Gospel Expansion. The Holy Spirit commissions Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey.
Acts Series | Acts 12:13-25 | Clash of Kings and Kingdoms - Part 2. Through the story of Peter's freedom and King Herod's death, we can know that whatever predicament you are facing today, remember that despite man’s plans, God’s Will will always prevail.
Acts Series | Acts 12:1-12 | Clash of Kings and Kingdoms. James the Apostle is dead. Peter is in prison. Two kings and two kingdoms are at odds. Who will claim the victory?
Living with the Triune God. Guest Speaker: Pastor John LaShell. Many Christians are one-note Christians, meaning they primarily pursue the Father, Jesus, or the Spirit. Today, I will show you how to become a three-note Christian who delights in all three persons of the Triune God.
How to be an Effective Christian | What if I told you that I could sum up the answer to this question in three simple points… three simple steps to learn… that will make you successful? Would you believe me?
Father's Day 2023 | Examples of Biblical Fatherhood. Certainly, there are great men of scripture who did incredible things, but today, we will look specifically at 6 fathers, each who demonstrates a vital godly characteristic that all fathers need to have today.
Acts Series | Acts 11:19-30 | A New Base of Operations. As the focus of the Acts narrative begins to shift from Peter to Paul, the base of operations also shifts from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Acts Series | Acts 11:1-18 | Will You Stand or Kneel? Today, Peter recaps his vision and salvation of the Gentiles to the believing Jews in Jerusalem. Upon hearing the news, these people who started off by criticizing Peter realized that they had an important decision to make. Would they stand in God's way, or would they kneel to His will?
Acts Series | Acts 10:34-48 | God's Heart for the Nations. Peter preaches the famous gospel message to the Gentiles, and now, all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts Series | Acts 10:17-33 | Steps of Faith. Today, we will see Peter take steps of faith. We will observe his obedience despite his confusion, and we will see how God brings about his purposes through these steps of faith without having the full picture.
Mother's Day 2023 | Costly Love. All godly mothers make sacrifices for their children. Today, we will see 6 acts of costly love from mothers in the Bible and observe how they reflect the character of God.
Acts Series | Acts 10:1-16 | The Door is Off the Hinges. Seven hundred years before Jesus' birth, God spoke through the prophet Isaiah, explaining His plan of salvation and how it would extend outside the house of Israel to the Gentiles... and to the whole earth. Today, we will see the initiation of this plan.
How Shifting One Perception Changes Everything | Acts 9:32-43. Today we will see the healing of Aeneas and Tabitha. These two stories occur in two different cities and describe two different miracles done to two different people, all while undergirding two central truths. I am excited to unearth these beautiful truths with you today because taking them seriously could dramatically alter how you view your current circumstances.
Waiting on the Lord | Guest speaker Stephen Broome. What are you waiting for? What is it that you want to change so that your life can be better, feel more complete, or be happier? If you are not waiting on the Lord instead of the things of this world, then you are waiting on the wrong thing.
Passion Week 2023 | The Future Hope of the Resurrection. Last week we discussed 4 accomplishments of Jesus' resurrection. Today, we will discover the 4 anchors of hope it gives us for the future.
Why the Resurrection is Good News. He has risen! Today, we get to celebrate the resurrection, but we will also discover what it accomplished for us.
Good Friday 2023 | Why Good Friday is Good News. Tonight, we will walk through Jesus' final hours bearing witness to the cost of our redemption.
Acts Series | Acts 9:20-31 | Saul Hits the Ground Running. Upon Saul's conversion, he wastes no time in proving that Jesus is the Christ. But, how did he become so effective so quickly and how did the people respond to the Persecutor-turned-Preacher's new-found declarations?
Acts Series | Acts 9:10-19 | Saul's Restoration. Today's sermon covers two heroes of the faith and a very practical lesson on how all of us play a role in shining God's light to the world.
Acts Series | Acts 9:1-9 | An Unlikely Convert. Today we will learn about one of the most significant events in history, second only to the resurrection of Christ. Saul, the great persecutor of the faith becomes the great defender of the faith.
Acts Series | Acts 8:26-40 | The Christ Connection. As Philip demonstrated with the Ethiopian Eunuch, all scriptural roads lead to Jesus Christ.
Acts Series | Acts 8:9-25 | Simon's Folly. Many people question the genuineness of their conversion, wondering if they are truly saved. Today, we will see four markers of genuine faith in the story of a man who had none of them.
Acts Series | Acts 8:1-8: Opposing Forces. Stephen's death sparked intense persecution of believers, causing them to scatter in the surrounding regions. Today, we will see how this unfolds through two opposing forces: Saul and Philip.
Acts Series | Acts 7:44-60 \ Stephen's Trial - Finale. Today, Stephen's story comes to a gruesome end with real-world implications for you and me today.
Acts Series | Acts 7:17-43 | Stephen's Trial - Part 2. Stephen establishes his main points through another story of Israel's most honored leader - Moses.
Acts Series | Acts 7:1-16 | Stephen's Trial - Part 1. Stephen masterfully responds to his accusers in a way we wouldn't expect, but it is ultimately exactly what they needed to hear in the 1st century, and what we need to hear today.
Acts Series - Acts 6:8-15 - Stephen's Stand. Today, the narrative in Acts turns to one of the seven newly-selected Deacons - Stephen. Stephen was a man of incredible character and faith. He was a man worthy of emulation. A man who shows us a great way to live and die. Why? Because he was the first Christian martyr.
Acts Series - Acts 6:1-7 (Part 2) - The Role of Elder. Last week we discussed the foundation for the office of Deacon. Today, we will discover the function and role of Elders.
Acts Series - Acts 6:1-7 - The First Deacons. After thousands of people came into the faith after Pentecost, the people's daily needs were overwhelming for the apostles. In response, they divided the duties and established what would become Elders and Deacons. Today, we will deep-dive into what Deacons are.
Acts Series: Acts 5:33-42. Have you ever experienced a time when you were given an honor you felt unworthy of? Today, we will see this happen in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Acts Series: 5:17-32. Speak Life. Today, we will witness the apostle's second time being arrested and questioned by the High Priest, a jail break, and an angelic command that every believer is to follow.
Christmas Day 2022 - What exactly happened the night that Jesus of Nazareth was born? Today, we will answer that very question by looking at the incarnation - God becoming human.
Core Value #7 - Devoted Prayer
As New Testament believers, we believe that prayer actually makes a difference in the world because we are praying to a God who is involved in the affairs of this world. But that is only the first point of four that we will learn about today.
Core Value #6: Intentional Discipleship. Discipleship is growth toward Christlikeness, but not only are we committed to a process of growth to make us like our Master, but we don’t do it in isolation. We are like the co-dependent plants in the companion planting garden. And that growth has certain characteristics, which we will talk about today.
Core Values #5 - Engaging Worship -
If you think that worship is simply Sunday morning singing, then today should broaden your thinking to encompass all that scripture reveals worship to be. If we limit ourselves to singing only, then we will miss out on so much of the depth and richness that worship brings to us and the honor it brings to God.
Ashe Alliance Sermon - A Model Prayer Life - Luke 18:9-14 This is a sermon from our guest speaker, Pastor Josh Hayes from Alliance Bible Fellowship.
Core Values Series - Part 4 - Joyful Generosity
Do not get trapped into the mindset that generosity means giving away money. You can tithe 10% to the church and still not be a generous person. Giving 10% to the church because the Bible says to is a very transactional way of giving and doesn’t at all have to engage the heart. That type of person can easily put a check in the offering plate on Sunday morning and not think twice about stopping to help the person with a flat tire on the side of the road on their way to lunch after the service.
Generosity, on the other hand, is purely a motivation from the heart, specifically a redeemed heart, and today, we will unpack exactly what that means for us.
Core Values Series - Part 3 - Relational Evangelism. Relational Evangelism is the method of evangelism that focuses on building intentional friendships with non-believers that grow into redemptive relationships that give you a solid platform to speak spiritual truth into their lives. Today, we will learn why this is core to who we are.
Core Values Series - Gifted Service. We were created to serve. It's in our nature, so today, let’s move to discover together whom we are serving, how we are serving, the spirit in which we serve, and for what glorious purpose we are serving.
Core Values Series - Part 1 - Biblical Authority. The Bible is like a carpenter’s level. It is the objective, authoritative source of what is true, meaning it is the standard of what we align with. The Bible is where we begin the conversation, and if you don’t know what it says, then why do you stake your eternity on it? We need to know why we believe what we believe, or else, why on earth do we believe it?
ACTS SERIES - Acts 5:1-16. Today we will see how the word of God is truly a double-edged sword. How? Because we will see a swift and hard judgment over Ananias and Sapphira, followed by displays of miraculous healing, showing two aspects of God's nature - a hatred of sin and compassionate love for His people.
ACTS Series - Acts 4:23-37. Our text today is a summary of what we have already learned so far. Luke is looking back at giving us the primary nuggets of truth that we need to chew on as we move forward. This means that the information isn’t new, but we will see it from a fresh perspective and further internalize it so it changes us in the best possible ways.
ACTS Series - Acts 4:13-22 - When confronted by the Sanhedrin, Peter and John exhibited 4 marks of true christian character that all believers should not only be aware of, but also have in the very fabric of their being if we are to be effective witnesses for Christ.
ACTS Series - Acts 4:1-12 - We've seen a lot of exciting 'firsts' in Acts so far, but today, we will see the first seeds of persecution and opposition to the gospel message and how that opposition is met with boldness.
ACTS Series - Acts 3:11-26. Peter delivers his second sermon after Pentecost. While there are many elements that are the same as his first sermon, we will see how he masterfully layers in Old Testament references that, when put together, create a perfect portrait of Jesus... a portrait that both convicts and invites.
ACTS SERIES - Acts 3:1-11
Today we will see how Peter is used as an Agent of restoration for the lame beggar and discover how the same applies to us today.
Acts Series: Acts 2:37-47. The answer to the question "What does a real christian community look like" would vary wildly today, depending on who you ask, but for the initial group of believers in the first century, it only looked one way. In today's passage, we will discover the 4 foundational elements that made this group of believers a winsome, attractive, and powerful community.
Who is Jesus? This is possibly the most important question you will ever ask, because the Jesus of Holy Scripture is the ONLY Jesus that can save you from eternal damnation.
Today, we will see Peter stand up in front of over 3,00 Jews and deliver the very first sermon ever told through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.
Pentecost is the birth of the New Testament Church... the origin story of God's new covenant people, if you will. Though most of us are familiar with this miraculous account, it is easy to misunderstand the two key elements of this monumental event that makes it relevant for us today.
Our study of Acts takes us to the unsavory description of Judas' fate and the selection of his replacement. We will see how this event unraveled in the 1st century while also gleaning 4 important leadership selection principles that we can use today.
Sermon 2 in the ACTS series follows Acts 1:4-11 where the disciples ask Jesus if now is the time to restore the Kingdom to Israel. What follows is a three-part response that the disciples didn't quite anticipate.
Today begins our study in the book of Acts. We'll get a feel for who the author is and why he wrote down an incredibly detailed account of how the Church got it's start nearly 2,000 years ago!
In many ways, Psalm 1 serves as the gateway to the rest of the psalms, being strategically placed first because of the way it compactly summarizes all 150 works, but also in the way it clearly outlines only two ways of living... one to abundant life, and the other to eternal destruction.
Today's sermon is about Motherhood specifically viewed through the lens of an image-bearer of God.