Intersections Podcast: Recent Episodes
Intersections Podcast | Campbell Church of Christ
You may be wondering if faith is really important in today's world -- in your world. You may be wondering if there's really any benefit to being part of a faith community. The aim of this podcast is to tackle these questions and perceptions by getting real and talking candidly about the many questions we have about life and faith. We'll explore the intersection where faith and life collide. The goal: help us all find and experience a deeper, more relevant, and real relationship with the One that designed us all.
Let's wrap up our “Duped” sermon series by focusing on what many believe to be a touchy subject - money. How are we to use our wealth? Is there a danger to wealth? How much is enough? Please don’t let the evil one dupe you into thinking this might be a good time to skip watching. :)
“God just wants you to be happy.” That sounds right, but is it true? Let's search the scriptures together.
We are kicking off a new sermon series entitled Duped. Over the next four weeks, we will be looking at a few of the lies our world is selling. One of the lies society hopes you will believe is that you only live once. One only needs to look at the empty tomb to know that is a bunch of hooey. There is life, a better life, after this one.
Mark 11:12-14, 20-21, “The next day they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, ‘May no one ever eat fruit from you again.’ And the disciples heard him say it. (20) In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!’” This is such a bizarre incident, isn’t it? It feels so petty and unjust - so out of line with the character of Jesus. Why in the world would he do such a thing? Join us Sunday to discover why Jesus performed this one and only miracle of destruction.
Joseph acted with the utmost integrity. What did that get him? It landed him in a dungeon prison on a trumped-up attempted rape charge, a charge that he could not fight because he was just a lowly Hebrew slave with no voice or rights in the empire. However, instead of spending all of his time retelling the story of how he had been messed over, pleading his innocence, or wallowing in toxic emotions, he got busy serving other people. Join us as we continue to learn from this man of remarkable faith.
One thing you need to know about God is that He is all about reconciliation. His great desire is for people to be reconciled to Him and reconciled to one another. This is why Jesus, God in flesh, came. He defeated the evil one through his death to begin the restoration of the perfect harmony that existed in the garden. This work will come to full completion when Jesus returns to usher in the New Heavens and New Earth where we will take our place at the banquet table in fully reconciled relationships with our brothers and sisters of all nations and our triune God. As we wait for that day to come, God works in the here and now to reconcile people whose relationships appears irreparable. Hear the perfect ending to Joseph's story.
Joseph was no overnight success, but his life changed dramatically overnight. How did that happen? How did a Hebrew slave rise to such a prominent position in the Egyptian empire? His life changed overnight because he trusted the God who is powerful enough to move people into the positions and places He wants them to be. What God did in Joseph's life, He can do in yours. He can change your life dramatically overnight.
If anyone knew what it was to go through crises it was Joseph. He went from a favorite son in the house of his father Jacob to just another slave in a foreign household. Yet, he not only withstood the crises, he thrived in his new environment. All credit goes to God for Joseph’s success, but Joseph experienced God’s favor in large part because of how he handled the situation.
Knowing God has a dream for each one of us also gives us reason to be excited about life. To bounce instead of roll out of bed in the morning. Life can feel awfully mundane at times (just as I am sure it did for Joseph all those days he was out shepherding flocks), but it is never free of anticipation when you realize God is moving and working out his great dream/plan for your life.
One of the greatest gifts we can give future generations is to deal with and end family/societal dysfunction in whatever shape or form it comes in. When it comes to favoritism we may not all agree to what extent it exists in our family/country, but let’s show the courage and resolve to address whatever inequality is still present.
Embracing discomfort is key to spiritual growth, but it is hard for most of us to do. Whether we lean into pain by choice or force, the critical question is, what does the pain/discomfort have to teach us? Pain is critical to growth, but it does not guarantee growth. Today we will lean into the practice of spiritual disciplines and how to follow them to a deeper and stronger relationship with God.
A comprehensive study done not too many years ago of 1,000 churches revealed that one out of four church members felt stalled or dissatisfied with their lack of spiritual progress. One of the reasons many are not experiencing the type of growth they desire is because they are malnourished. The ugly truth is their diet consists of a whole lot of junk food – TV, social media, talk radio, YouTube, etc… – but not nearly enough spiritual nutrients. Join us for part 3 of Growth Spurt.
What is it that fuels spiritual growth? Peter emphasizes the important role the word of God plays in spiritual growth. In 1 Peter 2:2, “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow in your salvation.”
Jesus, Prince of Peace, calls us to partner with him as peacemakers who work hard to ensure the wholeness, flourishing, and well-being of all people. As we get ready to move into 2024 (a year that has the potential to be more divisive than ever) may these words of the ancient preacher be our marching orders - Hebrews 12:14, “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone…” Join us for our last episode of "Hope Has a Name."
When was the last time you experienced a spiritual growth spurt? If there was a wall in the church with pencil marks and dates, would your line have moved in the last six months? To get an accurate read of our spiritual growth we need something far more reliable than our feelings. What we need is a spiritual measuring stick.
We will look at the amazing story of how Jesus calmed the sea but even more importantly is how he stayed so calm and even slept as the storm raged. How was he able to do that? We will then look at a couple of examples of how Godly people were able to stay calm while the storms raged.
Our Everlasting Father, who is mindful of us, is constantly at work so that we might flourish in our given role. Not only is God mindful of you, but He is crazy about you. God loves you deeply. If anything reminds us of this it is Christmas. Why did Jesus, the Everlasting Father, enter into this world as one of us? He came because we are loved profoundly by the Heavenly Father.
What makes Christmas such a special time of year is knowing that the birth of Jesus, our victorious warrior, started the countdown to the end of Satan and his work. God’s kingdom is here - not fully, nor has Satan's work fully ended - but make no mistake, God’s kingdom is present all around us.
Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Let's learn about the first of these names.
Satan wants you to believe when you are going through hard times. God doesn’t love you. Let us remember that God meets us in our darkest night and fights with us and for us. He is our light in the dark of the night.
We live in a culture that hits us a thousand different times a day in a thousand ways that life is not good until we own, do, or become (you fill in the blank). We must push back against this false narrative! How? By “giving thanks in all circumstances.”
The last question in this Explore God sermon series is “Can I know God personally?” Jesus says, “Yes, you can! And it is in knowing God that there is full/abundant/eternal life.” He created us to know Him and be known by Him; to enjoy Him and be enjoyed by Him. He created us to be in a relationship with Him! More than anything else.
Every major denomination of Christianity affirms a similar commitment to the authority and inspiration of the Bible. They may do so with different words and emphases, but in the end, all Christians look to the Bible as a source of truth about God, themselves, and what they must do in order to be in a proper relationship with God. Is their trust in the Bible well-founded? Is the Bible reliable? Let's find out in Part 6 of the Explore God series.
According to recent studies, the majority of the world’s population believes in God or a universal deity. Of course, people describe God in very different ways: personal deity, transcendent divine, higher power, or universal spirit. Nonetheless, we believe something or someone is above humanity and the universe as we know it. So when a particular person professes to be God, it’s a big deal. And Jesus—the Jewish teacher who lived in the first century CE—did just that. Watch now as we examine "Is Jesus Really God?" Part 5 of our series, Explore God.
It's true that Christianity is narrow, but what religion isn’t? Narrow is the very definition of every truth claim, for if something is true there are other claims that can’t be. Christianity is narrow, but by no means is it too narrow. Why is that? Come and explore with us.
Romans 8:18 says, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” In this passage, the Apostle Paul suggests that something good always comes from something bad. Indeed, a few verses later he affirms that “in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Scripture proposes that, despite the painful circumstances in which we often find ourselves, God can somehow use them for his and our good. Let's explore part 3!
We are all complex creatures in a complex world, wrestling with the same fundamental questions. In the end, each of us must choose to take this data, sift through it, and make an informed decision. Is there a God, or isn't there?
We all wonder why we are one of 8,063,384,000 people roaming this big, blue planet. Why are we here? Is there a purpose for our existence? This is one of the big questions most of us wrestle with, even at a very young age. Let's explore Life's purpose together.
So many days are frustrating and disappointing. We love, serve, and invite only to come up empty. We initiate conversations about Jesus only to see the topic avoided. Sometimes, there is a part of you that would just like to hang it up because fish don't seem to bite anymore. But Jesus says keep throwing out the net. Jesus sees what we do not see.
It is fear that keeps us from living out many of our convictions isn’t it? Fear of not being accepted, fear of missing out, fear of being uncomfortable, fear of being inconvenienced, etc…It is this fear that so often keeps us from ministry God is calling us to do, conversations God desires for us to have, lifestyle changes God demands we make.
Your struggle to obey God is probably due to the fact that you try too hard to accomplish it on your own. We tend to believe willpower is the key to obedience, but it's not. In fact, willpower will fail more often than not. We need the Holy Spirit to be faithful consistently.
Love others as you love yourselves. That would be fine if we knew how to love ourselves well, but the reality is many of us don’t. Too often we are negligent at best, if not downright cruel, to ourselves. We need a better standard. Thankfully, Jesus gave us one.
His revolution would be one of love. He would not flex his power, but he would give his life. He would not raise a sword, but he would be raised. Through his dying and rising, there would be victory.
No greater gift has ever been given than the life - full life, eternal life - we now enjoy through Christ. So, how might we express our appreciation for this amazing gift of new life? Join us for another episode of Believe Series.
We will examine the story of the raising of Lazarus in John 11 and talk about death, the power of resurrection, and the abundant life we have in Christ.
We learn in Mathew 13:31-32 that mustard, the smallest of all seeds, grows taller than the vegetables and becomes a tree. Mustard grows wild and is invasive. The Kingdom of Heaven is like that -- the seeds you sow in the kingdom have greater impact than you know.
Have you ever encountered a situation where you doubted the identity of someone you knew? Or, have you come across an individual who has undergone such a drastic transformation that you couldn't recognize them anymore? This week's sermon delves into the story of a blind man whose life was utterly transformed by an encounter with Jesus.
In our society, infidelity is sometimes portrayed as a reasonable choice for achieving individual satisfaction. Unfortunately, it is often glorified instead of criticized. However, Jesus taught us to treat others who have committed sins the same way we would want to be treated if our own transgressions were exposed. Our goal is to help, not to cause any harm.
God’s prophet Isaiah commanded those with food to share with those who had none (Isaiah 58:7). God’s son, Jesus, instructed his disciples to pray for daily bread for their own sake, but also as a reminder to care for those without bread (Matthew 6:11). God’s apostle John made clear to the early church that overlooking those in need reveals that the love of God is missing in their life (1 John 3:17-18). God cares deeply for those who are trying to survive on an empty stomach. But most importantly, God is concerned about those who are spiritually hungry.
Are we fans or followers? Are we going to follow Jesus or be a consumer of Jesus’ goods and services? Sometimes all we can manage is to point the person in the right direction, but never forget that Jesus expects us to be participants in His work, not just pointers.
Do we regularly spend time with Jesus in prayer, or just when we are desperate for him to fix a problem for us? Do we regularly open the word of God to hear His voice, or does Bible reading tend to be a last-ditch resort when we are desperate for a word of advice or direction? Is Jesus constantly on our mind, or is it only when we need a miracle that we think about Him?
Although we cannot control when or where the harvest will come, we can choose daily to plant seeds of God's kingdom. Although we may not see the results of our sowing today, one day we will. Listen to the words of Jesus in John 4:36, “Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.”
Embark on another episode of Believe this Sunday titled "Out of the Shadows". If you have ever faced a major failure in your life, you know how it feels to live in the shadows of shame, rejection, and fear.
Do you ever feel like you’re not being invited to participate in God’s story? Join us as we dive into Exodus to learn how the ultimate double take took Moses from a humble job to saving God’s people.
Faith is a constant process of being changed by God. Those who are genuine in their faith are continually transformed by him. The key to change is to look more closely at the one who lifted us. Let's take a closer look at Jesus.
We live in a culture that does not care much for the topic of sin. There are many that feel the word “sin” should be retired. Not too long ago the New York Times ran an article with this headline: “Raising Children Without The Concept Of Sin.” Whether we want to acknowledge sin or not, the reality is that it is our greatest problem. It is a far greater problem than gun violence, global warming, national debt, or contagious disease. Join us as we find out together why sin is the major issue in the world right now.
How accessible do you expect to find people who are powerful and famous? Is it common to find them casually walking down our street or shopping at the grocery store in the light of day? If they are, one likely cannot get to them because of their bodyguards, or they may be unrecognizable because they're dressed incognito. Thankfully, God is different!
Have you ever played a game of Hide and Seek when someone who was supposedly hiding just popped out in the open and called out something like, "I'm over here!"? It didn't take long for whomever was "it" to find him, did it? Of course not -- because he made himself known! Listen, and be reminded of how God makes himself known to us.
What should we do to care for something of great value? This is serious -- I mean, a matter of life and death! Listen to what the Word tells us.
It is really hard not to be consumed by the hurts and struggles of life when you're in the midst of a storm, but what can we do to protect our heart? Let's find out together.
Even a heart that beats for the glory of God can still be corrupted by sin. How does God reveal what is going on in our hearts? What can be done to repair it? Let's find out.
Physical beauty, a brave spirit, or unique talent may grab our attention, but none of that impresses God. What matters most to God? Let's find out.
How hard is it to vow at the end of a moving worship service to spend more time seeking God? Piece of cake. How easy is it to keep that vow at the end of the day when you are trying to decide between another Netflix episode and prayer? No matter how sincere the vow there is a natural tendency to drift towards what is easiest. If there is one thing the conclusion to this story puts on display, it is how well-meaning people end up drifting from God.
Christianity is most likely going to be a miserable experience if your faith amounts to little more than knowledge. Knowledge often leads to conviction, but it is obedience that leads to joy.
Satan loves to distract leaders from what is best with what is good. If you are not clear about your primary mission or fail to keep it front and center in your mind, Satan will have great success by using this scheme on you. How do we NOT fall for any of Satan's schemes? Let's find out together.
What is the best way to combat selfishness? Lecturing others about the evils of selfishness may be necessary at times, but it should not be our primary strategy. Our number one strategy should be to live extraordinarily generous lives. This is how Nehemiah lived his life.
Are you a threat to Satan or not? Satan will go after you if you live a life intent on blessing others and bringing glory to God. If all you do is live a nice, moral, church-going lifestyle, he will probably leave you pretty well alone. Find out what type of a person we should be pursuing.
It doesn’t matter if you have been a Christian for two days or fifty years or if you have a PhD from a school of divinity or a certificate from the school of hard knocks; the church needs you to play your part in the body. There is no way we can fulfill the mission of making disciples who make disciples of all nations without your help.
We need everyday people who can lead the way in restoring the broken places in society right now. This is one of the reasons we are looking at the story of Nehemiah. You may not be a born leader, but if you will live out the principles modeled by this man, you will be an effective leader in the Kingdom of God.
When life doesn’t turn out as expected, it can leave one feeling disappointed and hopeless, but the story of Nehemiah reminds us that God can bring beauty from ashes. Let’s discover what Nehemiah has to teach us about partnering with God to address the broken parts of our lives and world.
As you enter into the new year, what is God calling you to push through? It can be the catalyst for tremendous growth. Take a moment to look back with a spirit of gratefulness, but then look forward with a spirit of expectation.
In the Christmas story, we are reminded that God's timing is always perfect. He is never too early, and He’s never late. "Timing is Everything" this Sunday at 9am. Perhaps this is the perfect time to bring a friend or two to church.
Many of us don’t see God in unexpected places, not because He is not there, but because we are not looking for him. Have you encountered Jesus in the most unexpected place? Join us as we continue our investigation.
Do you believe in miracles? This Sunday, we will continue our investigation into WHAT happened as this Christmas story unfolds.
This season brings a lot of joy, but have you ever noticed how quickly the joy fades once the Christmas clean-up begins? It is such a bummer, isn’t it? Do you want to avoid that feeling this year? In this sermon series, we are going to look into Christmas by examining the 5 w’s that every first-year journalism student is taught to examine when doing research for a potential story. WHO knows what the first W is? Who. That’s right! Who is Christmas about?
We are living in the final quarter of God’s restoration plan. 1 Peter 4:7, “The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and sober-minded so that you can pray.” We must give ourselves fully to living and sharing the life God has called us to live.
To put an end to sin, we must be willing to suffer. Not just from within but from others. We need to be reminded to stop messing around, and we need to stop messing around with sin. How do you put an end to sin?
The church should not be a place of conflict and tension but rather a place of refuge. Every single day Satan works hard to trip us up and discourage our faith. The last thing the church should be is a place that aids Satan in that endeavor. The church must be a close community that supports and strengthens our effort to live the type of life that will bear witness to the glory and grace of Jesus Christ.
Peter 3:3-4, “Your beauty should not come from outward adornments, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self…”. Peter’s point is that who a person is on the inside is of far greater importance than what they look like on the outside.
Society tends to assign status based on “what.” What do you look like? What is your title? What is your income bracket? What have you achieved? What do you own? The more impressive the answer to those questions, the higher one’s status. In the kingdom of God, “what” has nothing to do with one’s status. In the kingdom of God, status is determined by “who.” It was their connection to Jesus that gave them special status.
Is living a holy life easy? Not in the least. Every minute of every day through songs, movies, articles, advertisements, games, and TV we are encouraged to do whatever makes us feel good and happy. How can one live a holy life in a world that consistently encourages one not to be?
Do you have the right perspective? Going through trials (be it mistreatment because of one’s faith, or the every day hurts of life) is not easy. It is often incredibly discouraging and may even cause one to consider throwing in the towel. For this reason, we must get the right perspective on our trials as quickly as we can.
Do you have a hard time fitting in? As Christians in today's world, it has become increasingly more and more difficult to belong in a society and culture that is agnostic. If you take your faith seriously, you are going to be a bit of a misfit in this country.
When a person truly understands just how much he/she has been forgiven, it will create a love for God that mere religion never will. Those who are grateful for God’s grace are not just moved emotionally, they are also eager to serve Jesus.
“If the kingdom of God is here why is the world still so messed up?” Why are there still evil leaders, terrorists who bomb, abusers who traffic kids, crazies who shoot up schools, and bigots who spew hate if God is sitting on the throne? If God’s rule is a present reality, not just a hopeful expectation why does the world seem to be getting worse, not better? Let's find out together!
Many of us are familiar with Jesus' words, "Do not judge," yet often we stumble in trying to understand exactly what those words mean. For thousands of years, followers of Jesus have debated and clashed over exactly what we can or cannot say and do when it comes to fellow men and women. We will begin to unpack those three controversial words in the context of Jesus' stories, and we will discover a reality that has far less to do with "them" and far more to do with us.
Victory over envy? How can we focus on our own blessings rather than the blessings of others? Let's find out!
Do all rich people go to hell? Or do all poor people go to heaven? We live in a world where the chasm between "the haves and haves not" keeps growing wider and wider. Are we aware of this? Do we care? Do we see those who are in need? Are we willing to meet not only their physical but also their emotional and social needs? These are not easy questions, but for our own sake and others, we must ask them. Let's search for answers together.
Matthew 13:45-46, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
All those who choose to accept and live under the rule of Christ are part of the kingdom of God. The blessings of being in the kingdom of God are unequaled. Those who take hold of this treasure enjoy the blessing of complete forgiveness, fellowship with God, the gifts and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, ongoing transformation into the likeness of Jesus, a true purpose and meaning for life, and adoption into the family of God, etc...That is just the beginning. Find out more about the real treasure in life and how you can live your best life right now here on earth and beyond.
It might be tempting to think that the human race is basically good and just needs a tune-up. Eat healthy, exercise more, read some good self-help books, and maybe correct a few mistakes, and we are good to go! The only problem with that is it is a complete lie from Satan. The world is broken. People, on their own, are completely helpless to save them from themselves. We will look at parables that tell us that Jesus did not come to patch us up but to make us completely new. To start over. His teaching was radical. Let’s see what it means to be new wineskins!
“The Prodigal Son is one of the most popular parables of Jesus, perhaps because we all can find ourselves in the characters presented. This story powerfully illustrates God’s love and concern for the lost and his care of the saved. Come join us as we look into the mirrors of our own lives and come face to face with overwhelming love.”
Luke 11:9-11, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” God does hear, He does care, and He will respond. Is there a guarantee the response will be the one we desire? Nope. But, we can be assured his response will be according to His will.
We don’t love to be saved; we love because Christ saved us. We don’t love to get into the Kingdom of God; we love because it is the Kingdom of God's way of life. How do we love our neighbor as we love ourselves? How can we love others as God loves us?
Very few things grab and hold our attention like a story. “Apart from personal experience, stories are the quickest way to learning.” An effective teacher will work hard to find the right story to tell at the right time, because of the power it has to shape understanding. No teacher has ever used story better than Jesus. He told stories that entertained, shocked, mystified, and enlightened His listeners. Are you ready to hear the stories that can change everything? Plant your seed in good soil. Where are you planting your life?
The Light, Jesus Christ, shining among us, in us, and through us is absolutely necessary to bring out the beauty of this diverse family. For this reason, it is so important to keep our focus on Jesus. It has been said that if you focus on Jesus you will get unity while a focus on anything else will inevitably end in division. It is not easy for we are so different - ethnicity, personality, income bracket, gender, marital status, education - but we must never forget that what we share in common is far more important than what we don’t.
Here are the questions for the panelist that might interest you to ask your spouse, friend, family, or a group:
(1) How old were you when you became a father? How did you feel when you found out you were going to be a father? What was one of the first big surprises or lessons you learned?
(2) How would you describe your childhood relationship with your father? How did that relationship shape you as a father?
(3) How has being a father impacted your relationship with God the Father?
(4) Share a favorite story about one of your kids (talk about a time your son/daughter made you proud, surprised you, challenged you, taught you, brought joy to you, made you laugh, etc…)
(5) Share some of your hopes for your kids? Have you had to let go of any of your hopes? What has that taught you?
(6) What brings you the most joy as a father? What do you find to be the most challenging?
(7) What is one thing you are really glad you did as a father?
(8) If you could go back and do one thing differently, what would it be?
(9) What advice would you give to someone who desires to be a better father? (
10) How can the church help you as a father? We would love to know some responses that you get
Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let ANY unwholesome talk come out of your mouths.” It is so important that we do not use unwholesome language! But, do you know who is hurt more than the unwholesome language? The Spirit of God living inside of us.
How does misusing the name of God hurt others? If we do not use God’s name with reverence it can lead others to believe that God is not one who needs to be taken seriously or who deserves to be honored; that He can be treated as common, ordinary, rather than set apart. How can we ensure that we do not misuse God's words and His name for our own sake?
What do you want to be when you grow up?” Many of us heard this question in our childhood and probably had dreams of being a pro athlete, a firefighter, or a doctor. What did God create you to do? How can you fulfill that calling to benefit the expansion of God’s Kingdom? Let's explore these questions and the powerful ways that God empowers each person with the skills they need to glorify him as we seek to better understand what it means to be made in the image of a working God.
We all lie. Not only do we lie, but the vast majority of us also lie about being liars. How pervasive is lying in our society? On average, a typical 10-min. conversation 60% of people tell two to three lies. Robert S. Feldman, a psychologist at the University of Massachusetts, who is responsible for these findings, said, “People tell a considerable number of lies in everyday conversation. It was a very surprising result. We didn’t expect lying to be such a common part of daily life.” Lying – with our lips, by text, in a post – is something we do occasionally if not often. How do we live an honest life? Let's find out in this powerful episode of "Watch Ya Mouth" part 3! "No More Christian Pinocchio."
“Love – Are you sure you know what that means?” It is very hard to follow an instruction that is unclear. Some (or all) of us have a very hard time following instructions that were written in a foreign language and then translated into English by a person whose native language is not English. Three different words are translated as “Love” in the Bible and they are not synonymous. We will look at several passages that may have been misunderstood and apply them to how we treat one another.
The word “restless” in the original language paints the picture of a caged animal that is pacing back and forth just waiting for the opportunity to be let out so that it can go after some unsuspecting prey. James wants us to know our tongue is no different than that animal. Yes, it may be caged in at the moment, but don’t be lulled into thinking it won’t strike given the opportunity.
How we use our words is a matter of great interest to God. So, for the next few weeks, we are going to look at what The Word has to say about our words. Words have power and control in our life, Proverbs 18:21, "The tongue has the power of life and death." The words we choose and how we use them, however, will determine whether or not we actually reach the destination. Let's all find out how we can use our tongue to speak life and not death.
"You 've been canceled!" In our current cancel culture, people are stingy with second chances if they are willing to give them at all. Canceling people who have unpopular views has been going on for a long, long time, and the cost of it is so high. It can be the knock-out punch to a career, a reputation, or a relationship. If you think you can bounce back quickly from being canceled, think again. There is hope and there are second chances, but the question is: How can we make the most of it?
Have you ever been railroaded? Do you ever feel at the moment that God is in control? Most of the time we don't. Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” How can good come out of a railroad job? Find out now!
This final prayer of Jesus reminds us that we have a purpose in this world. A purpose that is far greater than simply making money or a name for ourselves. What is that purpose?
What did the last final 7 days of Jesus look like here on earth before he came to the cross?
As hard as we strive to live a good life, there will be times when we fail. We will lose our cool, say something inappropriate, engage in sinful behavior. When that does occur we need to own our wrongdoings, ask for forgiveness, and commit to doing better. Whatever you do, don’t let Satan sell you on the lie that there is no hope. God is calling us to "Live On Mission" a mission to make disciples. Join us for the last episode of "The Game Plan."
This is the fourth piece in our discipleship game plan. We are going to be a community of disciples who lovingly serve others. How do we do serve others that give glory and honor to the real hero Jesus?
Our ability to teach hinges on our dedication to being a student. You can’t teach what you don’t know. Even Jesus was first and foremost a student. John 5:19, “…Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” So how do we teach and train in the ways of Jesus? Find out in this episode of "The Game Plan" part 3!
Let's find out the next step on how to practice "Radical Hospitality" and learn from Jesus all we need to know on how to partner with God on making disciples, being a good friend, and helping move people from a place of unbelief to being fully formed in the image of Jesus.
What does Jesus' game plan look like? Jesus envisions people from every nation becoming citizens of the kingdom of God, and you are part of executing His mission! 2,000 years later His vision and mission still remain the same. He is calling all of us to make disciples of all nations. Buckle up and get ready!
How do you want to spend the next year? Next month? Next decade? Are there things in your life that you want to change or improve? Will you decide to choose faith over fear? God has so much he desires to share with us, but we may never experience it as long as we continue to act in fear. What will you decide?
We don’t go through hard times because God has abandoned us, failed us, or is angry at us. In life we are guaranteed that we are all going to face circumstances that discourage us, scare us, and disappoint us. How should we respond in those moments? Trust in God or give up?
Have you ever been in a situation where no good option was available? Where every possible outcome appeared to be one of doom? If you haven’t, you eventually will. So, what do you do when life seems impossible?
We want change now, but unfortunately, rarely does that happen. One thing you can trust is that God will be faithful to show you the sin that is holding you back from a full life.
Does our pride get in the way of an answered prayer? God won’t send challenges or blessings our way without equipping us. In fact, He has already been equipping you in ways you do not fully realize.
Things can change or things will never change? One of the many things we believe in is that prayer can change things. But, the question is how deeply do we believe? Change starts when you believe. Join us for part two!
How much power does your belief harness? Have you ever felt stuck and believed you can't do it? Or have you believed you can and you actually did it? Some say that is the beauty of starting a New Year, It gives us this restart button to start anew, to create new goals, and to believe again! This Sunday join us for the new series titled "The Power Of Belief." Find out why Belief is so important to God and why this is important for us as we embrace the year 2022!
Have you heard about the greatest gift given to humanity that exceeds all other gifts? This Sunday we are wrapping up our series The Christmas Story part 3 "The Indescribable Gift."
Will God interrupt your life? No question He will! Who knows when, where, or how, but nobody is free to live an uninterrupted life. The first question is “Will we recognize His voice?” Interruptions are not convenient, but each interruption is an opportunity to bring Christ to the people and places that need His light. Let's continue The Christmas Story part 2!
This is a wondrous and wonderful time of year. A time of year, unlike any other time. It is a time of anticipation and celebration, lights and ornaments, carols and parties, friends and family, giving and receiving, ugly sweaters and Santa hats, eggnog and mistletoe, and stories. There are so many great Christmas stories, but no other Christmas stories can come too close to the Christmas story on a starry night some 2,000 years ago. We cannot wait to tell you about the greatest story that is ever told.
Do we pray for one another constantly, night and day? The evil one is constantly scheming to create division - in the physical family and the spiritual family - this is what Satan is all about. This Sunday find out the weapons we need to fight against the enemy, not only for ourselves but also for others. Join us for the final series on "We Are Family."
Every couple has one of those moments. Every honeymoon ends. It may be the first day of the actual honeymoon or six months after having said “I do”, but inevitably there is a moment when you realize that the person who stole your heart can hurt your heart. That the person you thought was perfect is really just perfectly imperfect. This is just as true in the spiritual family as the physical. Find out what happens next when the Honeymoon Ends on this episode.
The Holy Spirit expects the family of God to be a confessional community. If you are like me there is a big part of you that is ready to fold your arms and say, “I’m not doing it! Next sermon please.” Obviously, that is a choice you can make, but please know that confessing to one another is not a suggestion - it is an expectation. Ephesians 1: 7-8, “In him, we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us…” Not only does God forgive sin, but He is also eager to do so.
We are to accept one another free of reservation and judgment, but we must also be about helping one another grow into being the very best disciples of Jesus we can be. In the family of God, we must care about one another enough to help each other recognize and correct problem attitudes and behaviors before things actually blow up. We should care enough to coach each other up! To reach one's full potential one needs to be coached up.
“Accept one another…” If there is one place in the world where a person should not have to worry about being rejected it is in the family of God, but unfortunately, the church has been the place that far too many people have experienced some of their deepest wounds. Pain comes in a lot of different varieties, but of all the hurts one can experience rejection has to be one of the most unpleasant. In this series -- let's find out how we should treat and welcome one another especially in the Family of God and in the church.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body - whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so, the body is not made up of one part but of many.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-14. Each and every one of us has an important role to play in the Family of God.
How can we encourage others when we are discouraged? How can we encourage those who are hurting? To love like Jesus sometimes requires us to sacrifice in order to bless others. Join Shon Smith in this second episode of "We Are Family."
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love another.”Why is this particular “one another” most important? You know why? All of the other “one anothers” are simply practical expressions of love. Everything else we will discuss in this series will fall into place if we can just do this one thing (love one another) really well. Join us this Sunday for a brand new series called "We Are Family." Let us all find how we are to conduct ourselves as members of the family of God.
You are never more on mission with God then when you invest yourself in raising children who reflect the glory of God in this world!
Regardless of whether or not you agree with the decisions your adult child is making take every opportunity to express your love for them. This will be hard at times. There will be times when your gut reaction will be to criticize or condemn, because you can clearly see how their poor decisions are going to end. Try hard to swallow those negative words. Instead, choose to treat them as Christ did you when you were at your very worst.
There are some jobs you will never be successful at if you have a yellow streak running down your back. It doesn’t matter how much knowledge or ability you possess you better have guts if you are going to apply to be a bull rider, trapeze artist, movie stunt man, x-game athlete. Those are gigs that cowards need not apply. Oh, here is one more that comes to mind - Parenting. I don’t care how many parenting books you have read or seminars you have attended if you do not have the stomach to make some unpopular decisions you are going to struggle as a parent. Let's continue on this topic? Join us in this series called "Cowards Needs Not Apply."
The responsibility of raising the next generation to know and love God is one of the most important and challenging privileges we have been given.” Join us on this series and let's look at what scripture has to say about how to lead kids in the direction of Jesus. We are in this together to help each and every child develop a heart for Jesus. As we set out to fulfill our mission to make disciples let’s never forget that begins in each of our own homes. Join us for "Parental Guidance Required part 1."
One of the hardest thing to do is writing the final scene to an episode or movie...We want to know that our favorite character is going to live happily ever after and that the bad guy is going to get what he deserves. A failure by the writers to give us some type of satisfactory closure is maddening! We are convinced that God doesn’t want a single chapter of this great story He is directing to be a yawner. If we will cooperate with Him, we will find ourselves in the middle of some heart-racing scenes. But, how do I discern where God wants me to go or what He wants me to do? Find out in this "The Final Scene."
Storms aren’t limited to the sea, are they? You can get caught in a doozy at any time in any place. When all hope appears to be gone what is a person to do? The best bet to survive a storm is to stay out of the storm in the first place. At the moment they seem to come out of nowhere, but the truth is they could have been easily avoided. If storms are avoidable, why do we get caught in them? Find out here "How To Survive A Storm."
Are there any Festus’ in our world today? People who view Christians as simpletons, if not complete whack jobs? Of course there are! Famous and not-so-famous people make claims all the time that Christianity is for the weak-minded, and they are even a threat to society. Are we courageous enough to share Jesus with them?
To be a powerful witness to our community we must not withdraw, but at the same time we must not embrace the ways of the world that are contrary to God’s will.
It is dangerous business to make assumptions, isn’t it? Assuming can quickly lead to thoughts, words, and even incredibly hurtful actions to people who are just trying to do good. Does it seem to you that many people in society, even the church, can be quick to act on negative assumptions? Let's talk about it and let's find out what God is calling us to be to our fellow believers and unbelievers. Join us for "Guilty, Not As Charged"!
Have you ever seen something about to go down and thought “that is not going to be good.”So, what do you do when you believe an unwise decision is about to be made? Not just any unwise decision, but one made in the name of following God’s will. What do you do ? Are you willing to take the risk? Make Sacrifices? join us on this episode "When Not Good is Good."
Do first impressions matter? As Will Rogers once said “you never get a second chance to make a good first impression.” Some people are really good at first impressions. They can blow you away with their charisma, charm, and style, but in the long run the impression they leave is poor. Why? Day in and day out they fail to live up to the first impression shine. Some people live to make a lasting impression. Have you ever asked yourself am I leaving a good first impression or will it have a lasting positive impression?
How does one prove himself to be a true disciple? By bearing spiritual fruit! That includes inner qualities that align with the nature of Jesus as well as good deeds that display the love of Christ, but perhaps the fruit Christ most expects us to bear is new disciples. Find out God's purpose for you -- why you are here and why now is important.
There are seasons when life is just pure delight and seasons when nothing seems to go right. There are seasons in life where you feel like giving up and throw in the towel because you don't see results and sometimes ask yourself is it even worth it? Am I cut out for this? In those trying times...how do you stay in faith and keep your chin up? Find out how God work's through those seasons in our life! You don't want to miss it!
People need to know God. They need to know God far more than they need to know about the good works of the Campbell Church or our personal feelings about all of the hot button issues of our day. They need to know about the God who is not so small that religion has him neatly boxed up, nor so small that He demands to be served before He will serve. Our world needs to know about the all-powerful, grace-pouring, life-giving God who dwelt among men so that they might know Him and be saved. Where does the good news of the one true, living God needs to be shared today? The question is “where will you go to share the good news of Jesus?."
Got conflict? Who Doesn't? Got Conflict in the Church? Here is the deal...The church is never going to be a conflict-free zone. Not when it is made up of all of us sinners who have different desires, preferences, and beliefs. So, how should we deal with conflict? Do we choose to pretend it doesn’t exist? We bury our head in the sand - claim everything is fine - when it is anything but. Does that work? When conflict arises the question is not “What do I like, want, or prefer?” The question has to be “What will advance the mission of God?"
Is there anyone here that needs God to do a mighty work in their life today? Do you feel like we are cripples in unseen ways? Physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Maybe some of us are crippled by grief, hurt, regret, self-doubt, etc? If God gave us a quick peek into what is really going in the lives of the people around us, we would quickly come to the realization that we do not have nearly enough handicap parking spaces in our lot! For different reasons, we are a room full of cripples. Find out how God desires to make us whole and how eager he is to set us free from any bondage that is crippling us. Tune it for part 15 titled "The Eyes Say It All" enjoy!
One of the hardest things about walking with the Lord can be learning to listen to God's call and follow his lead. This Sunday, we will learn from the experience of our graduating seniors and the Israelites in the book of Numbers. Join us to grow in your ability to look for where God is leading you and to follow that lead daily!
Movement Christians expect change while monument Christians fight change. Movement Christians are willing to step into the unknown while monument Christians are hoping to keep the status quo. Join us as we delve into what God is calling us to be? "Movement Christians to Monument Christians? Join us for part 14 of Witness titled "The Church That Flourishes."
You probably heard the verse "To God, nothing is impossible!" --- But, have you ever prayed for the impossible? Curious to know how God answers our prayers and in this series you can find out how you can respond to God when he says YES to your prayers! Join us for another great episode.
If there is one thing the church needs today, it is more people like Barnabas. People whose presence and actions inspire us to stay in the fight. Satan will do everything he can to convince you not to. He will tell you that you do not have the time or energy, try to convince you that it wouldn’t make a difference, fill you with doubt about your ability. Don’t pay him any attention. Each of you has been uniquely gifted by God. You have the ability to reach and bless people in ways that others of us cannot. Join us for part 12 of Witness
God shows no favoritism, and as such we should not either. This should be one of the primary things that set the church apart from the world. The church should be a place of care, belonging, and opportunity for one and all. No favoritism should exist! -- It’s not easy, but it’s worth it! Join us for Witness Part 11 titled "No More Playing Favorites"
God is calling you today to stop seeing other people's faults but to start seeing them for what they could be - "a difference-maker" for the kingdom of God. We may not see it but that is what God specializes in. God can tame even the grizzliest bear and use them for His glory!
Jesus welcomes anyone and everyone who is sincerely seeking him. He says come as you are! We must never put down roots so deep - so deep in a community, friendship group, career, identity, our schedule - that we can’t be budged by the call of God. When God calls we must go and when God calls to love on others we must go.
Satan would love for you to believe he has power over you, but he has none. He has been stripped (disarmed). The only power is the power we choose to give him. Who has the last say? Satan doesn't want you to know this.... Join us to find out what "Last Words" changed the entire world and all the generations to come.
You can’t buy your way back to God. You can’t purchase His blessing. Not with money. Not with church attendance. Not even with acts of service. God’s blessing begins with our surrendering to Jesus. Who is the reigning King in your life? Join us as we continue Witness Part 8 titled "King of the Hill".
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything,” but living up to those words has never been easy. You know why? It is not easy to take a stand when there is so much at stake to lose (especially if that something is out of step with popular opinion.) But Jesus promises that standing for him is the way to gain everything your heart desires. Are you willing to "Take A Stand?"? Join us on this series for Part 7 of Witness.
Do you occasionally view certain people as being less important or inferior? Do you ever tune out or dismiss the feelings, insights, or potential of a particular group? Do you get defensive rather than trying to understand the perspective of those different than you? A “yes” to any of these questions points to the topic we are going to go deeper into here at Part 6 of Witness titled " A Divided House."
As long as you do what is right is all that matters. Is that true? It sounds true, but is it really? Doing the right thing is not enough. If we hope for things to turn out right, we must do what is right for the right reasons. Have you checked your motives lately? Find out here on part 5 of Witness why the right actions with bad motives result in bad behavior.
We live in a world so full of pain, rage, and self-interest that even the purest acts of kindness are often met with suspicion and hostility. That we may even question -- where in the world was God? How could He let this go down? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? We need to remember that when we are fighting for what is fair, God is fighting for our good - always! When we live from a place of deep trust in the power and wisdom of God we will live our best life and have the greatest impact on our corner of the world. Learn what it's like to have "Courage Under Fire" here at Witness part 4.
Lives were changed because of good preaching. But, here in part 3 of Witness, we are reminded that life change also happens because of good action. We need both! When we bear witness to His love lives are changed.
What do you do when you blow it big, little, or any degree in between? Here is the good news! God can do for us what is impossible for us to do on our own. God can forgive our sins. Not only can he forgive you, He wants to forgive you. Find out on this episode how God can restore our brokenness.
You may not be the most eloquent, intellectual, or talented person at the table, but your gospel words can change the heart of an unbeliever because the Spirit is at work. Will you be his witness?
Do not wait until you have more to give; We must give to get more. Our mindset should be one of abundance. Why? Because our “God is able” and "God is powerful"! Make a decision today to live an extraordinarily generous life. 2 Corinthians 9:6 says “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”
When God calls this year and He will call. Decide right now that when He does that you will go all in!
2021 will be one of the best ever if we will decide to answer God’s call on our lives.
How can we create a new pattern neural pathway in our mind? This effort to be honest may take a lot of time and effort. I think a huge amount of commitment and discipline are necessary to stay on the path. Sure is hard -- but is it worth it? I guarantee it! It's time to RE-WIRE - let's learn about the specific ways that will help us get to that goal this year.
A story of faith made in the streets of Compton, CA with Robert Crockerham. Learn how Martin Luther King, Jr. influenced him and shaped him to be a man of faith with a vision and a dream.
This year one of the things that this message is encouraging us is to do is "stop living in the past." Shon gives us step by step guide to help us move forward with intention and determination, which will lead to a markedly improved state of well-being. Remember that God knows the full extent of your hurt, honors that pain, and promises to heal you from it. Please memorize this verse with us -- Jeremiah 17:5-8, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’
We all want 2021 to be the best year ever right? Most especially after the year we just had. But how can we even do that? How do we start?! In this brand new series, it is made to help us answer exactly those questions. The focus of this series is on beliefs and key decisions that will make this year the very best. Please join us for part 1 of the Best Year Ever titled "Who Will You Trust?"
We all have stories from our past that have shaped who we are today. We are all products of the past. But should we be prisoners of it? In today's message, we'll find out what Jesus' past looks like -- what kind of influence he had growing up and how this shaped him to be the man who saves us all. Join us in the last episode of Christmas Villages part 4 " A Place To Grow."
The great promise of scripture is that if you seek God you will find him. It might require making a few course corrections along the way, but God desires to be found. The question is what will we do with God and His truth when we do find him?
Take a tour of the little town of Bethlehem. Where the most important birth in the history of the world takes place. The birth of the Messiah -- the Savior of the world. We will discover how God's plans work and how his ways may not always be aligned with ours because he is far more advanced than we can ever imagine. Find out more here in episode 2 -- The Place We Need To Be.
Let's unfold the story to the places and events that led up to the birth of our Savior and King! The first stop will be at Hebron. The place where Mary learned the Truth! That "nothing is impossible for God." The truth that she is birthing the Messiah. May this story reminds us that God can birth new things in our life even in the middle of chaos, uncertainty, and doubt. God still does the impossible!
This is an incredible story of redemption and love. But as Shon will share, bearing witness to this kind of love is hard to watch for us justice seekers. Sometimes we get bent out of shape when God doesn't serve up the healthy dose of justice we'd expect. God desperately wants us to know his heart. God wants to share his heart with us. -- that is the heart of God!
God is not one to give up on people (no matter how far they run from him or how far they go off the rails). It is His nature is to give people another chance. This is truly who God is: He is the God of second chances. When God calls will you answer the phone?
What do you do when you feel like you are imprisoned with no hope of release? Like you have sunk too low, that you doubt if you can ever rise again? In this episode, Jonah cried out for help -- Jonah 2:2,7, “In my distress, I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. (7) When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, Lord, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple.” With what little breath was left in him Jonah cried out to God to save him. Find out how God answered him in this new episode " A Cry from Rock Bottom".
Has God placed a call on your life that you have been trying to silence? If so, what is it? What are you going to do with that call? Keep running? Stay busy so you don't have to think about it? Or are you going to pay attention and respond? In The Pursuit, Episode 1, Shon Smith shares the powerful story of Jonah, a man who runs away from his calling. You may find yourself in this man's shoes. Together we will discover the depths God will go to pursue us!
Love in Action! We are called to live differently. We must accept all people - and we must accept them for who they are, not who we want them to be. Are you willing to go out of your comfort zone to love on others despite your differences? God is challenging us to do that! Join Shon as he talks about God's love in action.
Can you undo the past? Do you have regrets and missed opportunities? This part 6 episode talks about just that and guess what? There is good news for you and me! Let's find out!
“Things are worse today than they have ever been.” Most every generation has made that claim. Do you think its overreaction or 100% true? Shon talks about Godliness and how valuable it is to make an appointment with God especially at this time and age when we get so occupied with life and all the distractions around us. He will also be sharing some practical encouragement we can do today to start that intentionally walk with God.
Have you ever thought about quitting? If the answer is YES. Then this episode is for you! Join Shon Smith on this special series.
Is there anything in life that is 100% guaranteed? Join Shon Smith in this part 2 episode of All Out to find out.
Join Shon Smith as he encourages us to go ALL IN in our FAITH in this brand new series "ALL OUT".