Heart City Church: Recent Episodes
Christians have opportunities to help those who are suffering because of who we are and who we belong to.
Anybody and Everybody can be a Christian. Do we want to persuade others to discover the hope of Risen Christ?
We live in a noncommittal consumer culture that encourages waywardness. What are the secrets to long obedience? We learn from Paul that there is: 1) Freedom in Submission, 2) Joy in Enduring, and 3) Understanding in Obedience.
Courage is a Christian virtue. To be courageous is to risk suffering for the glory of God and the good of others. Pastor Joel preaches on where we get courage to live into the adventure God calls us into.
Are you confident when you've lost control or had your freedom taken from you? Are you composed in crisis, when you experience suffering and loss? Are you compassionate when others insult you, falsely accuse you? Do you remain kind when others think the worst of you? The GOOD NEWS is you can be! In those times of trouble, you can be calm, creative, compassionate, caring, courageous, confident... You can be Christlike through personal relationship with your loving Lord Jesus!
You can only live as BIG as your concept of God. God invites us to discover who He is as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Who is Jesus following His Ascension? What does it mean for us that Jesus is enthroned? Pastor Joel shares how Jesus' roles as Prophet, Priest, and King go ultimate in the Ascension.
The writer to the Hebrews encourages us to make every effort to enter God's rest. Why? The author says to rest is the ultimate good and to never rest is the ultimate bad. So we need to ask if we are building our life on the gospel so that we might be satisfied and glorify God forever.
Jesus offers you rest for your soul that can come from no other source. Pastor Joel shows how Jesus knows who you are, your condition, and your heart's deepest desires.
Do you have scary, sad situations that could cause you to lose sleep. David shows us the pattern of prayer to find rest. Pastor Joel teaches How David Found Rest from his enemies, How Jesus Secured Rest from our enemies, and How We can Experience Rest from our enemies
When God shows up to redeem His people out of slavery, He reveals Himself as the God of Rest. And what does that mean? Pastor Joel shows the Lord to be the 1) Obedience Inviter, 2) Redemptive Restorer, and 3) Burden Bearer.
The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest accomplishment in human history because it impacts us into eternity! Pastor Joel teaches on the Reality of the Resurrection, the Meaning of the Resurrection, and the Power of the Resurrection.
Who is this, who rides into Jerusalem, gentle and lowly, on a donkey? It is Jesus, who has come to recreate humanity and the world in 7 days. Pastor Joel shares who Jesus is, and what He arrived in Jerusalem to do as our King, Prophet, and Priest.
Acts 21 reveals the freedom Paul has found as he reaches the end of his Jesus Journey. For Paul, "to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Philippians 1:21). 1) What is a liberated life in Christ? What does it look like to be fully Free? 2) How do we get that Freedom? 3) Where do we find the power to get free? Pastor Joel explores these questions.
"Everybody Hurts" sang REM, and they are right. Suffering is not optional. So how do Christians face and understand suffering? Pastor Joel shares how genuine Christianity has the resources to suffer well and to glorify God in the process.
We get in Paul's farewell sermon to the Ephesians elders an opportunity to see what a mattering life looks like. Pastor Joel shows us a mattering life requires a manner of life, testifies the truth, and is characterized by selfless sacrifice.
The early Church flourished because they were a community of encouragement empowered by the Holy Spirit as a pilgrim people with eyes fixed on Jesus.
What is idolatry? Idolatry is giving our life to anything other than Jesus Christ. Jesus came to reveal the Way back to God and to provide escape from the World and its worship.
Acts 19 reveals authentic revival comes by means of God's Word and the Holy Spirit's work. Pastor Joel highlights three hallmarks of genuine revival: 1) Disciples are Devoted to Scripture and the kingdom of God, 2) Imposters are Exposed because of the reality of spiritual warfare, and 3) Repentance is Real and happens in the Church.
Many think Christian fanaticism is unhealthy and offensive. But Jesus called the Church to give themselves fully to Himself and to sharing the good news with others. The problem is not fanaticism, but failure to be as radically humble, forgiving, and sympathetic as Jesus was. The early Church was fanatical and was marked by having integrity, intimacy with God, and they could not help but impact their communities for good and God's glory. Pastor Joel encourages us to do the same today.
Pastor Joel shares how the early Church was able to change the world because of their commitment to Jesus, the Christ! The fuel for our commitment is taking in Jesus' absolute commitment to us. This is seen in His Provision, Presence, and Protection.
How did the early Church win the Roman Empire over to Christ? They were compassionate to their neighbors enslaved to idols, rightly understood God as the Cosmic Creator, and had a Heaven Sized Hope because of faith in the resurrection. Pastor Joel shows how the Apostle Paul shared the Gospel to unbelievers in Athens.
What we need is more Drama in the New Year! Not the drama of dysfunctional relationships, but the "capital D" Drama John witnesses when he gets a peek into heaven. Pastor Joel reveals the drama we are prone to, how to step out of the drama, and how to enter into His Story, that is, Jesus' story.
What is Peace? Why do the Angels proclaim Christmas is about peace? Pastor Joel shares how the Christmas message is the power of God to bring Peace with God, the Peace of God, and Peace to our community.
The message of Christmas has the power to transform us. Pastor Joel teaches on Christian Joy and how we get it.
Why does Christ's coming matter? Christmas provides the resource of love. Pastor Joel shows what God's love is in the Invitation, Incarnation, Propitiation, and Transformation.
We all know what happened at Christmas, but why does it matter. Pastor Joel shows us Christmas gives us certain Hope! So what is biblical hope? Why do we need it? What difference will hope make in my life? How do we tap into our hope?
What is the gospel? It is the message of the Risen King Jesus, and it is non ignorable! If the gospel is non ignorable, then why does it have such little impact in our culture? Pastor Joel explains how the gospel comes, the impact it has, and why it rocks our world.
Everyone and anyone can be transformed by the gospel. In Acts 16 we meet 3 very different individuals who each come to saving faith by the same gospel, but in different ways.
Missionaries make lasting impact when they are self-sacrificial, other focused, and God- guided. Pastor Joel shows how the early Church lived out the gospel even when things got messy or made no sense.
The Gospel of Grace alone was at stake in Jerusalem. The Church must continually come to Jesus and receive His kind yoke. When She does, people will experience the liberty, extend the charity, and appreciate the purity freely offered in the Gospel.
Humanity's true home is the face of God. The only safe space in on this dangerous world is living under His gaze. Pastor Joel encourages us to seek God's face, to be looking at Him looking at us in love.
How did early Christians begin a movement that transformed the world? They took in what it means that Jesus is our Priest, who became the final Sacrifice, repairing our relationship with God, and now lives to intercede for us. By seeing they had a great High Priest, they became a royal priesthood who brought blessings to many.
One way to understand God's plan of salvation for His people is to look at the Old Testament Leaders God appointed. 1) prophets- spokesmen who guided the people 2) priests- ministers who healed the people 3) kings- rulers who protected the people. Each had a role to fulfill if Israel was to thrive. The New Testament reveals Jesus is the Final Prophet, the Perfect Priest, and Consummate King. To be healthy, a Church must recognize and honor Christ in all His Offices. In this sermon, Pastor Joel explains the role of Jesus as our Final Prophet.
Pastor Joel shows how we are forgiven not just for our sake, but so we will be empowered to freely forgive and impact the world for God's glory and our good. Joseph's life reveals the potential of forgiveness to transform our families over time.
Have you heard anyone say, "I know God has forgiven me, but I just can't forgive myself"? Pastor Joel shows us how we get the guilt free life Jesus offers us in the gospel.
Forgiveness is a vital component of the gospel, essential for experiencing God's presence and impacting our world. Pastor Joel explains Jesus' teaching on forgiving from the heart which means: 1) Compassion for the Offender, 2) Commuting the sentence, and 3) Cancelling the debt entirely. Forgiveness is the key to freedom, healing, and transformative influence, mirroring God's own boundless grace and offering a path to renewed purpose and impact.
Handling anger rightly and releasing resentment are central to the practice of forgiveness. Anger is powerful, carrying both constructive and destructive potential. Pastor Joel shows us what Jesus taught, brought, and provided so that we can freely forgive as those who have been fully forgiven.
This is a special service following a sad situation, the death of a faithful Man of God, Elder Bob Sills. Pastor Joel shares a message to glorify God, honor the departed, and comfort the grieving.
What is the oxygen of the gospel? Forgiveness! The more we take in how fully we've been forgiven, the more we will be able to freely forgive others. Our culture is presently suffocating in an atmosphere of anger and accusation. Pastor Joel teaches how we can take up the practice of forgiveness and resuscitate those dying in condemnation.
Rev. Kelly shows how gracious the Father is. May we run to Him in true repentance and discover His amazing grace!
In Acts 14, the disciples realize God has opened a door of faith to the whole world. Pastor Joel shows how good news meets people where they are at and leads them to the Living God. This comes by: 1) Helping the Hurting, 2) Identifying the Idols, 3) Celebrating our Suffering, and 4) Maintaining the Ministry
The day you take in the grace of the Gospel is the day you become a Christian. You are more needy and naughty than you know AND more prized and precious than you ever dared dream. You are truly treasured because Christ paid a great cost at the cross to make you His own.
How do we come to the Bible? Is it "basic instructions before leaving earth", or is it in the first place the story of God's great rescue mission? Pastor Joel teaches how Paul shows us how to understand the Bible as the story of God's faithfulness to His promise to save humanity in the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Great Commission is a Mission Impossible if left to us and our own resources. The Holy Spirit is the Main Actor guaranteeing success in our Mission. Pastor Joel teaches how the Spirit calls, sends, and empowers God's rescue and restore Mission.
How did the early Church not simply survive devastating persecution, but go on to conquer the Roman Empire for Jesus? The early Church was on its knees in prayer! Pastor Joel invites us to rediscover our privilege in participating in Jesus' take-back-the-planet mission.
What is Jesus' greatest Masterpiece? What did He devote His final years to create? Pour His Lifeblood into? The Church is Jesus' piece de resistance! Now many don't see or experience the Church's beauty. Pastor Joel explains how a Church that gets Jesus' love displays Jesus' beauty. What does that look like? The Church in Antioch is the first to reveal Jesus' love in 3-D!
Why does the Church find itself tempted to add to the good news that we are saved by Christ alone? Pastor Joel teaches how a church can become and remain a gospel culture
Peter witnesses Pentecost II, as Gentiles receive the Spirit. Pastor Joel teaches about becoming a New Creation: - How it happens - What it's not - When it happens - How we know
Acts 10 is the 10th chapter in Acts, but it is chapter 1 for Gentiles as the door is opened to full inclusion in the people of God.
What do we learn about the early Church in Acts 9? 1) They were People of Sympathy and Service as Priests. 2) They Prioritized ministry to the Poor 3) They had impact because they had Power.They changed the world because they encountered the Risen Christ!
Do you live with fear of the future? Or pessimism because of past pain? Why do we fall into fatalism when we have the power of gospel? Pastor Joel shows we need not shrink into spiritual stagnancy! We can grow in godly gutsiness!
How did early Christians and the Acts Church live into their potential? Pastor Joel teaches on the significance of conversion by looking at Paul's Damascus Road experience. Potential is realized in a life that has collided with the true God, conceded to His authority, and been connected to Christian community.
Christ commissioned the Church to create communities and forge friendships. Pastor Joel teaches us where we are, how communities happen, and what it looks like when the Word and Spirit bring friends together on a journey to Jesus.
God shows His resurrection glory in 2 locations. First, at the empty tomb outside Jerusalem. Second, in the transformed life of a disciple of Jesus. Pastor Joel reminds us of the new Easter reality: Who we are, What this means, How we then live.
Why do we need the King who comes gentle and lowly? Pastor Joel reveals how, left to ourselves, we do what is right in our own eyes to our detriment. We need King Jesus to save us from Bondage, Bitterness, and being Boring.
Many come to believe in Jesus. But not all who profess faith actually possess faith. So what are the dangers that distance you from Jesus? Pastor Joel contrasts the postures of Philip and Simon and shows how we can grow to know the Genuine Jesus and glorify Him in our community.
How did the early Church become so dynamic, taking the gospel to places previously unreached? They came to see suffering as a gift from God. Suffering enables us to trade in a shallow life not worth keeping for a deeper life we can't lose AND worth sharing w/ the world!
Why does Stephen get the longest sermon in Acts? Why does Stephen preach the story of Israel? Pastor Joel shows us how small views of God and big views of self produce really sad stories. Choose self awareness and Savior dependence! The higher your view of God, the greater your potential to glorify Him and live a mattering life! Stephen is proof of this!
What would Jesus say about your love for Him? Jesus invites us to look at a woman who loves much because she has taken in His forgiveness. To the degree you take in the cost of your debt being forgiven, you will love.
Jesus says His followers are to love each other with the same love that He loved us (John 13:34). In fact, our neighbors have the right the call us a "clanging gong" if we don't (v. 35). Pastor Joel teaches how we must first take in the unlimited love of the kneeling Jesus before we are able to appropriate a proper posture with each other. We must know Jesus loves us personally if we are to have a gospel culture that is non ignorable to our neighbors.
The 2nd Dimension of God's Love is Neighbor Love. You are to "Love your Neighbor as Yourself." We learn from the Good Samaritan that our neighbors can't live, really live, without love. We also discover you will only love sacrificially to the degree you know that you yourself are loved. The Gospel is Jesus came to be your Neighbor so you could live, and live to be a neighbor to others in need.
Heart City's vision is to know and make known the heart of King Jesus. We experience personally God's love and shape our lives as a response to 3 D love as disciples making disciples. Pastor Joel teaches on the 3 Love Commands of Jesus starting with the love of God.
When God shows up in our lives, make time to celebrate and commemorate. Memory is an ally of our faith. Let us ask in the "God moments" of life; What did God show us? How did we discover God's mighty hand? How can we not forget?
What lies keep us from being "extra" as ordinary Christians? Lie #1 – I won't or don't have to suffer for Jesus. Lie #2 – If I stand up for Jesus, I'll be a lousy witness. Lie #3 – If I lose all for Jesus, I will be a loser Meet Stephen, an ordinary Christian who refutes the lies, becomes "extra" for Jesus, and dies with the face of an angel!
Pastor Joel teaches on the devil's use of distraction to get the Church off mission. God established church officers to keep good things from becoming the main thing. We are prone to put man before God, body before soul, and time before eternity.
How can believers have impact on a secular culture in bondage to Satan's snares?Pastor Joel teaches when followers are faithful, fearless, and have joy in Jesus alone, they can't help but do mattering ministry that echoes into eternity! Trust & Obey!
Pastor Joel teaches how Satan seeks to divide and destroy the church through hypocrisy. We must not be ignorant of his devices.1) Take Satan and his strategies seriously2) Take God and His Gospel seriouslyIf we take God seriously, God may take us seriously and reveal the power of the gospel through us!
What is your life's goal? To glorify God and to enjoy Him! How do you get to your goal? By setting the Lord before you always!What do you discover? The Giver of all good is the Ultimate Good!
God's Word invites us to enter into the greatest story ever, a Lamb slain to save us from sin! Rev. Brandon shows us from Isaiah 52-53 a: 1) prophecy perfectly predicted2) Servant who sacrificially saves
"Don't be afraid," says the angel to the shepherds. The message of Christmas is good news of great joy! Pastor Joel explains why we fear, why Christmas cures fear, and how we spread joy as we get involved in the message.
What is the Peace on Earth that came with Christmas?It is not outer peace, an end to relational or political conflict.It is not inner peace, an end to the war with the old nature.Peace is a Person, the Christ Child! Christ is upper peace; "God & Sinners reconciled."
God gave us a Christmas preview in the ministry of Hosea the prophet. We learn that our relationship with God is like a messed up marriage and an adoption disaster. Christmas is the cure to a restored relationship.
What does Father God think about you? Is He happy, disappointed,...? Pastor Joel teaches how the God who shouts Judgment at us is also the God who sings Joyfully over us. How can this be? Christmas, where Judgment was turned to Joy!
Amos saw of a coming King who would end injustice by experiencing the greatest injustice ever. Amos foresaw the coming restoration of humanity and the world through Jesus!
How was the early Church empowered and emboldened to share the gospel with a hostile world? How did a small group of powerless peasants from a backwater nation begin the greatest rescue mission in human history, a movement that continues to the present day? They prayed to God!
What are the signs of being spiritually alive? Pastor Joel continues teaching on the empowered church from Acts. We discover that a church with Jesus is impactful and unignorable!
There is so much suffering!!! Does God care?Pastor Joel shows us God is committed to ending suffering, and the Church is His instrument to accomplish it. Jesus didn't just come to earth to die to get us to heaven. Jesus came and died to get heaven into us while we're still on earth!
What does a vibrant, gospel-loving, safe, healthy church look like? Pastor Joel teaches on how the Holy Spirit creates a happy, holy, healthy humanity, empowering people to their potential!
What happens when you become a Christian? 1) Reread the Bible as Jesus' story2) Receive the Blame for Jesus' death3) Repent & Be Baptized in Jesus' name
How do discouraged, distressed disciples become empowered, public proclaimers of the gospel? They have experienced the Presence of the Personal God who has embraced them by the Holy Spirit.
How can the Gospel be credible when its leaders aren't? Pastor Joel shows how utter failure can be a catalyst for revival. And it is in the scandals that we discover who God is for us. God is never surprised when scandal happens. God knows our hearts and will vindicate those traumatized by church hurt. It is our duty to guard the gospel that makes a church safe for sinners, but never for sin.
To follow Jesus requires really loving our Savior. How do we learn to love Jesus-- Pastor Joel shows how the Apostle Peter grew through fear, failures, and fixing his eyes on the Lord of Light and Love.
Will you follow the Savior who died so you can live-- Jesus' dying for our salvation is our design for imitation and destines us for glorification-
Christianity teaches that the only way you can have a mattering life is by following the Genuine Jesus in Real Relationship into the Greater Glory, the Life without Lack for which your Heart Hungers.
Why does Jesus say such hard things at times-- -Pastor Joel shows that Jesus wants His Followers to take in the gospel basics. We discover that a Disciple must be desperate enough to surrender self-rule AND daring enough to sacrifice all short-term sources of security.
How do we understand suffering and following Jesus-- How do we find ourselves, our true self-- -Pastor Joel shows how we can only begin to understand the mystery of the cross. Through following Jesus into suffering, we find ourselves-
Jesus says the Father is pleased to give us the Kingdom- -Jesus says we have a call to do mattering works- -What stops us from believing, receiving, and resting in that reality--
What does it mean that we are privileged to be His disciples-- -How do we move from being fans to followers---Pastor Joel shows how discipleship begins with Jesus seeing us, then us seeing Jesus, and the us seeing Jesus seeing us and believing His promise we will see greater things.
Psalm 23 is usually seen in light of God's arrival, but what if we also consider it in light of the promise of God's return--
What do we all long for deep down in our souls-- Since we were little, we have longed to experience a Kingdom ruled by a good King- Pastor Joel reveals how we can take hold of the certain promise of a happily ever after ending through relationship with the Promised King-
Do you realize how much the Father wants to bless us-- -Pastor Joel shows how God wants to rebuild our ruins so we can be wholly committed to seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. And all the other things will be added to us-
We face many outside obstacles that endanger our Kingdom labors, but oftentimes work stoppage is an inside job- DISCOURAGEMENT- Does discouragement cause you to press pause on your labors for the Lord-- Pastor Joel shares how God provides us with a new and better perspective.
Do the harsh realities of life dictate how we are to live-- Are we saying -not yet- to living into our calling-- Pastor Joel teaches how worship of God leads us from ruins to renewal.
What is the take-home from John's 1st letter-- Pastor Joel shares the assurance believers has AND the call to daily vigilance.
Rejoice- You can know that you have eternal life through faith in Jesus AND there is plenty of evidence for it-
Are you living into the victory that Jesus won for us-- We can overcome the world through faith in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God-
What is the ultimate cause of Anxiety-- -What is the only Cure-- -Pastor Joel shows us the Bible's teaching on how we can come to abide in God and in His love.
The Western World is a land of loneliness. Pastor Joel shows that Christian Community is the hope of our day. How does it happen-- What does it look like--
How do we handle it when Jesus seems to be at work all around, but not in our lives-- All believers struggle with doubts at times. What does Jesus have to say to us when we feel isolated and despairing--
We often react to life difficulties with sinful reactivity. Pastor Matt shares how faithful responses to hard situations can be cultivated through the practice of silence in prayer.
What is our Savior's supreme satisfaction---What will satisfy our souls, and the souls of our neighbors-- -Pastor Joel shows us the power of the gospel.
Do you hear voices in your head-- Whose verdict matters most-- Pastor Ted reminds us that Christians perform from a verdict and not for a verdict... Praise be to Christ-
What is up with Pastor Joel holding up his hands and speaking words over the congregation at the close of worship-- -God is blessing us before the battle, calling us to behold His face, to see we belong, and encouraging us to be a blessing-
Why do we sing in worship-- -Pastor Joel shows us God is worthy of our worship, it's witness to our world, and because we are waiting in wonder.
The Bad News is the Apostle Paul says we don't know what to pray for as we ought. The Good News is that we have the Holy Spirit who accomplishes God's perfect purposes-
A new nation was birthed with the inauguration of a Meal, the Passover Lamb. The Church was birthed by the inauguration of a Meal by the Passover Lamb. -What is the message of the meal--
Because Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life, seeing glory is not only our future reality, but our present certainty.
Who is this King who comes humble, riding a donkey-- King Jesus appears with Authority, approaches in Humility, and demands your Fealty.
Why do we need the practice of the Lord's Supper-- Mankind was made to have a meal with their Maker-
From the moment you first believe, you belong to better story you can build Your life upon-
Pastor Joel shows how a Church stirred to pray can realize security through supernatural shaking.
Why is prayer part of Christian worship-- Pastor Joel shows how the prelude to prayer is beholding the beauty of Christ. Prayer's posture is relational AND reverent. And God's Good Gift is the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Joel explains how God wants no more secrets- God invites us to experience restoration through constant confession and trusting God to heal us to the core of our being.
Why is God's first response to the first sinners a call for them to -Come out, come out, wherever you are-. Pastor Joel explains how God became the Divine Seeker because He loves us and still wants the best for us. Will we respond to His call and move into a place of trust--
Pastor Joel shows how Sunday worship reorients us to the Ultimate Reality, God and the Kingdom. God is pleased to reward all who earnestly seek Him with the faith of a child.
What sort of community can be healed and bring healing to the nations-- How can we become a safe space for suffering sinners-- To be a community of concern we must be a people that perseveres in prayer and pursues pilgrims.
God created the Church to be a safe place where we can remove our fig leaves and find gospel restoration through the power of believing prayer.
How can looking forward to Jesus' return help us in 2024-- -Pastor Joel shows how Christ anticipaters can have real impact on our culture today.
Christ came to reverse the curse, but we soon see not everyone delights in His arrival. His coming causes all mankind to divide into two camps- those who adore Him and those who oppose Him. Which camp are you in-- Why--
God's rescue mission to bring us back into relationship with Him becomes real in Christ's coming. So -come let us adore Him- and lay all we have at His feet- Wise men and women still seek Him-
Are there problems in your life that seem bigger than God-- -Do you ever feel disconnected, like God is remote, and unrelatable---Pastor Joel gives us the good news of a baby boy named Jesus, because He will -save His people from their sins-... and Immanuel, -God with us.-
You are very small. God is very big. Yet, you are important- -What is man that God is mindful of us, the Son of Man that God should care for Him--
Live to love without fear of the future- -God's gift of the Person of the Spirit brings the Father and the Son right into the middle of our lives, an incredible reality that changes everything about our short stay on planet earth.
Elusive Love and Love Illusion has led to much Love Confusion. -Love today is based on feelings, good motives, attraction... -but the Apostle of Love reveals Love is- -1- Sacrificial, -2- Sanctifying, -3- Supernatural, its Source is God-
What makes Christmas so wonderful-- Christmas is the start of humanity's healing- God's Son became all we are by nature that we could become all He is by grace. Understanding this truth is what opens the door to our appropriating God's love.
Does you heart condemn you-- God invites us into a better way of living where we can live with hearts at rest.
Pastor Joel teaches us there are 2 humanities in the world and shows how we can tell the difference. The children of the devil hate righteousness like Cain did, and the children of God love like Jesus loved. And how did Jesus love--... SACRIFICE- May we love like Jesus-
DNA tests are a common way to determine who a child belongs to. But John says we all have another father who is more ultimate. Every person you meet is living to please their spiritual father, the Heavenly Father, or the devil. And you don't need a DNA test to know -who's your daddy---
Pastor Joel shares how to live in a perishing world as we await the return of Jesus. How can the certain hope of a future face-to-face that will forever transform, transform us in the now--
Pastor Joel shows us how to know that we know God really and personally which is assurance of our eternal life. Taking in the truth of Jesus coming shapes how we live in the last hour-
Jesus wants us to take our eyes off of the wow of worldliness and see what delights Him. Consider the greatness of a heart that loves the Father, believing God has something far greater in store for those who love Him. Friends, you can know that you know and love God when you hold more tightly to eternal fellowship with Him than you do to this dying world. God gives this grace to those who seek Him.
Pastor Joel examines how our regrets and fears discourage us and inhibit our fellowship. We tend to try to be what only Jesus can be for us. To the degree that you take in God's acceptance of you in Christ, you are freed to live to be light and love others... with NO REGRETS-
Pastor Joel shows how your Bible is God's invitation for you to KNOW Him and the Son He sent. To -know- in the Bible is not merely knowing about someone. To -know- is to know really, personally, and intimately.
Jesus is calling us to be true disciples, to give up godless notions for good news, to abandon the inadequate and to embrace the eternal, to find genuine fellowship by walking in the light.
John wants us know God intimately so we can live to love and be light in a darkened, confused world.-This is John's message and our mission should we choose to accept it.
In yet another reversal, the good guys act like the bad guys- How do we understand Holy War-- What is Purim-- And what can bring an end to War--
All God's People stand condemned under the law of the Medes and Persians. Can Esther reverse the irreversible--
What is Pride and why is Pride so dangerous-- Haman shows us Pride's character and its end. Esther shows us Humility and points us to our Savior.
-God, where are you-- -If You are good, why have You allowed this to happen--- -Have you ever felt like God is distant - disinterested in us and our world--
Taking in Providence frees us to participate in God's great plan- Take into the bottom of your being God's utter control over all circumstances. It will move us from comfortable self-preservation to a committed sacrificial posture, and we will do mattering things-
Are you embracing your calling in light of knowing that God is intimately involved in bringing about His glory and the good of His people--
Providence is God's plan and power to bring glory - good in human history, even overruling our world's wickedness and every evil we experience.
In a kingdom long, long ago there was a secular culture much like our own where appearance meant everything. Men were measured by money and muscle and women by beauty and sex appeal. How then shall God's people live in a day where the spiritual is eclipsed by the secular-- How do we understand God's silence and absence when the wicked are in power--
How do you live in a place where God is silent and God's people are insignificant-- Welcome to ancient Persia, described as a thoroughly secular state much like modern culture. God may be silent, and may appear absent, but God is present, providentially at work behind the scenes.
It is true that -Money Talks-- Our wealth takes the stand and testifies against us. In a culture built on consumerism, how can we live humbly before our God--
Do you believe significant, serious, sizable things can materialize when we're on our knees-- -Have we truly taken in the potency of corporate prayer-- Have appropriated the power of people praying as one--
Why do the disciples have great joy when Jesus leaves-- What is the significance of Jesus' ascension--
What is the Kingdom of Heaven-- Who is searching for pearls-- Who is buying the pearl-- Who is selling the pearl--
What is our hope when headlines like Nashville's massacre are constant-- How is the death and burial of Christ relevant to our day--
At the cross and in Jesus' return all mankind will find themselves on the right or the left of Jesus. Where will you be-- -One thief was saved that no sinner might despair- but only one, that no sinner might presume.- -JCR-
You cannot stop Jesus from loving you, but you can reject it. -Why would we reject Jesus' love-- Discover the meaning of the Cross, and why we should weep.
Have you befriended Jesus, the Silent Substitute Savior-- -What keeps a soul from knowing the greatest Love that could ever be known--
What is your response to Jesus' Utter Rejection-- What is your response to His Ultimate Redemption--
Don't trust in your loyalty and love for Jesus. -See your sin and see your Savior- -Our great comfort is that Jesus loves us more than we love Him.
What is wrong with the world-- Why did Jesus come-- What was His mission and how should we respond--
Have we forgotten about Satan and his schemes-- How aware are we of how much that is wrong in our world, and wrong in us, is because of the evil one-- Let us remember our war is not against flesh and blood, and let us rejoice that Jesus prays for us-
We all consider what the Lord's Supper means to us. Do we consider what the Lord's Supper means to Jesus-- What is Jesus' experience at the table--
What is saving faith-- James provides the answer so that we might not only profess, but possess the real deal.
-I saw that there was a way to hell, even from the gates of heaven, as well as from the city of Destruction.- -John Bunyan- Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
How great an impact have Jesus' Death - Resurrection had on your life-- How much do we reflect on God's greatest kindness to us--
Will we choose to relate to people by what we might gain, OR will we lose to relate to people so that they might gain Christ--
If you know Who came into our world and the peace His coming guarantees, you can not only imagine world peace, you can begin to experience it even now. AND you might even be able to experience it with the last person you would ever expect to-
Isaiah 40 is proof that God loves rebels- He will bring comfort and joy to all who repent and believe the gospel.
What will God's plan of action be to save His Servant Israel-- Send a Servant who is like them in every way, yet without sin.
God's felt Presence is our culture's only Hope. Let's learn how to pray for revival from Isaiah.
Why does a Church need membership and discipline-- Because we have a King who subdues our wandering hearts, who rules and defends us, and who restrains and conquers all His and our enemies.
Why are the sacraments, the Lord's Supper and Baptism, one of the marks of a true church-- Because they make known the Presence of Jesus as our High Priest and remind us of who we are in Him.
Jesus warns that He removes His Lampstand -His Presence- from churches that forget their first love. How can you tell if a church is a true church, one where His Presence is found--
Jesus prepares us by being real about the battle we face, warning us of our need to be watchful, praying for God's strength. And, He holds before us great hope, that we have all we need to make history, and ultimately heaven-
Devotion is not measured by how much you give. Devotion is measured by how much you hold back.
In trials we can pray for many things, but we should not expect God to answer because God use the trials for our good. However, there is one prayer request that we can ALWAYS expect God to answer.
How does Jesus engage with those who fail to recognize His authority-- How can we stand tall in a twisted and perverted generation-- -In a word... Wisdom- Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.
What are the 2 most important dates for the Christian-- What are we to be doing in these days between the dates--
Take up the proper party posture by showing humility and hospitality in order to reveal our heavenly hope.
Wouldn't it be great if there was Someone who saw your condition, would seek you out, and could set you straight-
How do you react to tragic stories on the news- Jesus may surprise you with His response. He expects you to see God's surprising mercy and patient grace, so that you will bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Traumatized- Feeling forgotten- -Your Father has a keepsake reminding Him of your experience-
How well do you know Jesus- Why did Jesus come to earth- Let Jesus speak to you so you can come to known Him as you ought.
By means of parables Jesus gives us a sneak peek of His Second Coming, to encourage us to patient readiness, to stay awake, and to remain faithful.
-Believe in yourself- and -Trust your heart- are common mantras. Who are we really listening to- And Who are we not listening to-
Hypocrisy's source is fear of man. What is the cure- Fear the Lord- We need to spend time with Jesus to learn people are not BIG.
Many are making New Year's resolutions. Christians should resolve to make changes too. What is the only change that matters ultimately-
Let's journey to the little town of Bethlehem over 1,000 years before Jesus birth. We'll find a bitter woman, a barren woman, and the people have no King- What can God do in such darkness-
Jesus says, -I am the resurrection and the life.- Jesus asks, -Do you believe this-- If you do, give thanks and glory to God-
To the degree that you acknowledge the darkness, to the same degree you discover the light of the world.
When Jesus says -Woe- to false teachers, He is being deadly serious- If you don't say -whoa,- you may be seriously dead-
Is the light in you darkness- Come to Jesus with an open heart to be assured you are light and shining in the midst of a twisted and crooked generation.
Jesus pulls back the veil to reveal a cosmic war going on between the Kingdom fo God and the Kingdom of Satan. And Mankind is the battleground where the forces of darkness and light engage.
The way forward is looking both ways, past and future, remembering that God is faithful-
The contrast between Martha and Mary is not a contrast between the bad and the good. The contrast is between the good gifts - labors in this life that are passing away, and the far better eternal portion Mary is tasting as she sits w- God in the flesh.
Our lives will not make sense until the Author of history steps on the stage... So be patient.
What do you rejoice in- Are you rejoicing that your name is enrolled in heaven- Jesus wants you to rejoice in the God who promises joy and that is boundless and last longer than forever-