Definition Church - Weekend Messages: Recent Episodes
Dr. Allen Holmes
Definition Church is located in Greensboro, North Carolina. Led by Pastor Allen Holmes, we are committed to help people learn to be with Jesus, become like Jesus and do what Jesus did.
It’s easy to connect with someone on social media, but face-to-face relationships can prove challenging. How can we engage with each other in a genuine and transformative way? In this message, we discover how to build connections that can stand up to relational difficulties.
Was Jesus really raised from the dead, and if so, what does that mean for us? In this message, we look at some of the proofs that Jesus was truly resurrected, and the implications of his resurrection on our lives today and in eternity.
How could a loving God allow so much pain and suffering in our world? In this message, we will take a closer look at history in the context of God's master plan, and discover the purpose of pain and the reward of patience.
The Bible can be challenging to understand. How does it compare to other religious texts? How can we know it is trustworthy? In this message, we discover some truths about the Bible that reveal how it works in our lives, and how we can get the most out of it.
Is religion just a crutch? Why should we live with a Christian perspective as opposed to another religion or worldview? In this message, we discuss the importance of our perspective on the world, and how a Biblical worldview leads us into life.
How can we know God exists? What is the point of proving Christianity? In this message, we begin tackling some aspects of the Christian faith that are hard to explain, including how we can be sure that there really is a God.
God has given us spiritual "equipment" to win the battle we are in. What is it, and how do we use it? In this message, you'll learn about some of the God-given tools available to live in victory.
Our experience often hints at a reality that transcends what we can touch and see. What does the Bible say about a "spiritual realm," and how does it affect us? In this message, you can discover the truth about spiritual warfare and some basic principles for becoming engaged in the battle.
The term cross-culture usually refers to combining or contrasting different cultures – but the culture of Christ's Cross says that we are all equal, and that we need each other. In this message, we discover what it means to have a "Cross" culture, and how we can begin living that out in each of our lives.
If you truly want to change the world around you, you're going to need some power to do it! In this message, we discover the types and purposes of the power God gives us to fulfill His mission in our lives.
Changing your world doesn't usually happen in a moment – it takes commitment and investment. In this message, we discover the process to reach our world for Christ and how God partners with us to make it happen.
Changing YOUR world means that YOU are important in the process! In this message, we discover the power of a story, and learn how to tell our story in a way that leads others to Jesus.
Trying to change your world can seem overwhelming – but when you get the proper context for what Jesus has called you to, it starts to make sense. In this message, we learn the full context of the disciple's decision to leave everything behind, and discover the power behind simply sharing what God has done in your life.
You really can change your world, but it begins with what you see. In this message, we look at what Jesus sees, in order to learn how to begin changing our world.
The words worship and praise can mean different things to different people. What does God really want in worship, and why should we be interested in that? In this message, we discover exactly what God is looking for from people, and how giving that to Him can change our lives.
Sometimes, the easiest thing to do can have the greatest effect on the people we know. In this message, we talk about the power of our words, and how we can use them to either create or destroy in both our own lives and the lives of those around us!
God wants to do something great in each of our lives, and He wants to do something great in our church corporately. But what part do we play? In this message, we discover how we can all prepare for the miracle that God wants to do!
God wants to speak to you. As we learn to hear His voice, how are we supposed to respond? What does it mean to live by faith? In this message, we discover what it looks like to obey the voice of God, and how baptism is a symbol of our commitment to Him!
The Bible makes many promises about God's involvement in our lives, yet sometimes it seems like He is distant or disengaged. What is the secret to experiencing God in the way the Bible promises? In this message, we discover the importance of hearing God's voice, and some simple steps we can take to develop our ability to do so!
There are many good things in life that can actually distract us from living for the greatest purpose. How do we balance the good things with a greater purpose? What does it mean to put God's ways first? In this message, we discover the power of living a God-first life!
Leaving a legacy is a big idea. It takes intentionality, focus and sacrifice. How can we stay the course? In this message, we discover the key to living a life committed to God's call!
God wants to do something unique and amazing in our world. How do we prepare for the miracles the Lord has ready for us? In this message, we discover many ways our hearts can be ready for a move of God, and how stories of what He's done have power to change us.
We love desserts, movies, causes, concepts, friends, and family. With so many ideas about love, what does love REALLY mean? In this message, we discover how we can cultivate a love for God, and how putting Him first is what frees us to enjoy the other things in life.
Despite the many exaggerated and excessive pursuits of United States culture, our desires and appetites are God-given. In this special message, we discover God's intent for the cravings of our soul, and how we can leverage them to make a great impact in our world!
Culture is constantly shifting. What level of influence should a Christian allow culture to have in his or her life? In this message, we discover what God's Word has to say about the changes our society faces, and how we can reach our world while remaining faithful!
Our culture has faced much racial tension lately. How should we respond? What is the root of it all? In this message, we discover the driving force of racial issues in our society, and how God wants us to live in response!
We all know someone who's not easy to get along with... to put it lightly. How do we manage the relationships that drain us? In this message, we discover God's way of keeping our hearts full so that we can exhibit both love and boundaries in our testing relationships!
No one is perfect. Most of us know that very personally. So how do we take a step in the right direction when our lifestyle and habits seem so set? In this message, we discover God's plan for changing the way we live for the better!
What is God's will, and how do we know if we're living in it? In this message, we discover how to walk in the will of God, even when it seems unclear!
Everyone wants their life to have meaning and purpose. According to the Bible, God calls each of us and wants us to play a role in building His kingdom. In this message, we learn how to discover our calling, and what can we do to find purpose in everyday life!
Family, work, friends, life... many of us find ourselves trying to keep our head up amidst a lot of pressure. How do we manage all the tension that life presents us with? In this message, we discover how to find hope in the Word of God, and how we can deal with all the stress in life!
Is there any real evidence of Jesus' resurrection? Even if there is, what difference does that make for me? In this message, we discover the compelling story of Jesus' resurrection and how it can change the way we live!
What did Jesus' death on the cross really accomplish? What makes His final words so important? In this message, we discover the present-day implications of Jesus' death and resurrection and how He has the final word on the challenges and failures we all face!
Though no one wants the hard moments in life, it's impossible to make it through life without facing some kind of suffering: people hurt us in different ways, and there are often difficult circumstances we all have to face. In this message, we discover how Jesus is able to understand our suffering, and in turn how He can help us through our hard times and live a life that counts!
The final words of an individual in this life are often treasured. Jesus made seven statements from the cross before He died that proved to be not only His final words, but THE final word on these subjects. In this message, we discover Jesus' heart toward people in the midst of His suffering.
There are a lot of fears and questions when it comes to talking about our faith, inviting people to church, and sharing our testimony. In this message, we discover practical ways to overcome our fears and let people know what God has done in our lives!
In church culture, "sharing your faith" is a phrase often thrown around without much explanation. In this message, we take a look at how Jesus actually invited people to follow Him, and how simple it can actually be to invite others into what God has done in our own lives!
Life keeps us busy. Even in our efforts to connect with other people, it can be easy to focus more on the task and the environment than to actually give our attention to the people we want to connect with. In this message, we discover that God's heart is for individuals, and how we can refocus our efforts on people rather than practices!
Culture says that commitment can't be certain, and that freedom is found in having options. Can a covenant marriage really be better than the other options culture suggests? In this message, we discover the freedom and meaning we can find in protecting and preparing for marriage in God's way!
It seems like sex is something that should probably be hidden from church (and from God, for that matter). But wasn't God the one who invented sex? In this message, we discover how God's original design for sexual intimacy can be a dream!
Every wife wants to feel loved by her husband, and every husband wants to feel respected by his wife. Yet when one doesn't show that to the other, it creates a cycle of rejection and hurt! In this message, we discover how to go first and create a new cycle of respect and love.
Everyone has their own hopes and expectations for marriage. Many, however, have given up on those aspirations, and culture tells us that the statistics of marriages are at an all-time low. Can God do anything about it, and does He really want to? In this message, we discover that our dreams about marriage can come alive again!
Have you ever felt like even though you're "filling up" on things, you never stay full? In this message, we discover that the only way to keep ourselves fresh and full is to invest our lives in serving others!
Why do we have such a hard time keeping our New Year's resolutions? Is there a reason many of our goals don't bring us the fulfillment we're looking for? In this message, we discover the true source of happiness and power, and how to live a consistently strong life!
In this message, we review all that God has done in 2014, and look forward to how we can enlarge our capacity to receive what God wants to do next year!
If God loves us and we're saved by grace, do our actions really matter? Can Jesus really be a great King if he is also supposedly the judge of the world? In this message, we discover how gracious God has been in giving us freedom, and how Jesus leads us into a life of meaning.
Jesus may be the reason for the season, but what does that mean for me? Can Jesus really make any sort of difference in our lives? Can God really understand what we're going through? In this message, we discover how meaningful it is that Jesus was not only fully God, but also fully man.
Lots of people have been born on December 25. So why does most of the world celebrate a holiday widely considered to be centered around the birth of Jesus? What makes Jesus so special? Why does he matter to us? In this message, we discover why Jesus is a person worth celebrating.
In this message, we discover God's heart for reaching our neighborhoods, cities, and our country, and how we can play a part in seeing those around us find life in Christ.
Few people can be a long-term, full-time missionary. But if that's true, how can we respond to God's call for all of us to reach the nations? In this message, we learn some ways Daystar has been able to reach Greensboro, and discover that our individual efforts and contributions can make a major impact when we work together!
In this message, we discover what it means to be the church, and what God's heart is for his people.
Church can seem like an obligation sometimes. What difference does it really make? In this message, we discover how going all in and committing ourselves to the body of Christ can change our lives forever!
If you ask people what the truth is, you might get a lot of different answers. Does it really matter that we know the truth? How do we know what to trust? In this message, we discover the power behind discovering and following the truth!
Life can throw difficult circumstances our way, but sometimes we just make poor decisions and are stuck with the consequences. Is there any way to come back from the pits we dig for ourselves, or do we have to bear the weight of our past forever? In this message, we discover how God comes after us—even through our messes—and how we can experience transformation with Him!
It feels like life should be fairly easy to balance and navigate. Yet what many people experience is that the more they try to get under control, the less in control they feel! In this message, we discover the diagnosis for feeling like our lives are a mess, and how God is willing and able to straighten things out!
Mystery and "the unknown" can be both intriguing and intimidating. Even though the Bible provides context for the end of the world, it is still a mystery and difficult to understand. In this message, we take a look at what we can understand, and learn how God's plan for the future can shape our lives today!
Many times throughout history, people have wondered if it was the end of the world. With all that is going on around the world today, many are wondering that again. In this message, we discover what the Bible says about the end times, and how we can prepare whether we are in them or not!
Our schedules are hectic, our appetites are unfulfilled, and the world has a hard time holding it all together. What do we do in the midst of chaos and stress? In this message, we discover how to access the peace that only God can provide!
Though we may not admit it outright, we all feel a desire to be close with someone. Loneliness plagues many people's lives. Yet we often can be afraid of people and communities we don't already know. In this message, we discover how God created us with a need for friendships, and how His Church is designed to meet that need!
From car seats for children to the latest nutrition plan, we are all trying to protect and preserve our lives. Death contains a lot of mystery, and usually brings pain and sorrow. Do we have to be so afraid of the end, or can we find security somehow?
Prayer can sometimes be an ambiguous concept. How do we apply structure and consistency to something we're not really sure we understand? In this message, we discover how Jesus taught his disciples to pray, and how we can develop an understanding of prayer that empowers us!
Does God still do miracles today? Why do some prayers get answered and others don't? In this message, we discover God's heart in meeting us through our prayers, and how we can pray with great faith!
How are we supposed to pray the way God wants us to? What do we do when we don't know what else to pray? In this message, we discover how we can connect with God consistently and powerfully!
Most people probably think some form of prayer is good. But how should we pray, and can it really make a difference? What does it actually mean to have a relationship with God? In this message, we discover both how and why we connect with God on a regular basis!
Christianity is largely about the victory that Christ has won for us through the cross, but we all feel like we're still under attack from time to time. While it may seem like the people around us are against us, they're not actually our enemy! In this message, we discover how to focus on the real enemy, and how to access the victory Jesus has given us.
A great marriage sounds nice, but is it really even possible? How can we lead our spouses toward the kind of marriage we'd like to have? In this message, we discover how God's plan of showing love and respect can redeem our marriages, and how we can each find the strength to head in that direction!
How can we allow God's plan to work through our lives? What does it mean to be guided by the Holy Spirit? In this message, we discover the best way to step into God's plan and live the abundant life Jesus promised!
God has called us to build His kingdom, but how can we be sure we're going in the right direction? How do we explain the evil things in our culture in light of the calling God has put on us? In this message, we discover how to set aside the things that hold us back from building God's kingdom and step into the things He has called us to!
The Bible says that Christians are given a new life and a new nature; yet many of us experience little change and feel just the same as before. Are we missing something? In this message, we discover how to experience the power of a changed life!
Jesus said He came not just to build the Kingdom of God, but to empower us to build it with Him! But what does that look like, and how do we join in? In this message, we discover what kind of people God has called us to be, and how we can partner with Him in expanding His kingdom!
If Jesus were to pray for the church, what would He pray? How would you respond? In this message, we discover God's will for all of us as a community, and how we can step into His will to see our world transformed!
Many know that the message of Christianity is, "God saves." But what does He save us from? Why would He save us in the first place? And what difference does it make for me? In this message, we discover the depth and power of the salvation Jesus extends to us!
"Gospel" means Good News. What is that good news, and how do we know if we have it in our hearts or not? In this message, we discover what it means to be in Christ, and how we can know if we're responding to His call!
A vision for impacting the next generation may be easy to grasp, but it also may be easy to lose that vision in the midst of raising a family. In this message, we discover a few key things we can do to lead the next generation to inherit the kingdom of God!
Some people choose to be parents, while others are surprised with the opportunity. But God has a plan and purpose for every parent, regardless of how they came to be one! In this message, we discover how God has equipped all parents - no matter their experience or history - to make a difference in their kids' lives.
"Follow me." These two words changed the world, and they can change your life! In this message, we discover both the cost and the reward of going all in to follow Jesus.
The Easter story is a familiar one. But can anyone prove that Jesus is God? In this message, we discover how Jesus responded to others who questioned His deity, and how what He said can change our lives today!
All sorts of things are vying for our attention and our finances. How can we keep healthy priorities, and trust God in the hard times? In this message, we discover that God's heart is to not only provide for our needs, but to use what He's given us to change the world!
We all make countless decisions every day, and there are a lot of different sources of information telling us how to make those decisions. How do we know what the right decision is, and how can we put God first in those decisions? In this message, we discover how money can influence our decisions, and how choosing to live God's way can set us free!
Many of the world's problems could be solved with enough money. But with our country and its citizens in massive debt, how can these problems be addressed? In this message, we discover God's plan to rescue the world, and how He wants to do it through the church!
Life throws a lot of curveballs, and everyone goes through "ups and downs." The Bible promises Christians power to stand strong through all situations, but what do we do when that seems like a distant reality? In this message, we discover some reasons why God's power may seem inaccessible, and how the Holy Spirit equips us to live victoriously!
"Christianity is boring." For many people, that's their perception, or even their experience. Big hopes followed by little to no change have often caused disappointment. Is there a better way? In this message, we discover how to see the purpose that God gives our lives, and how the Holy Spirit can do the "work" to change us and make us new!
For many people, a relationship with God is a distant concept marked by inconsistency. How can we live life full of God's guidance and power? In this message, we discover what it means to live a Spirit-filled life, and how the Holy Spirit is the key to an ongoing connection to God.
With so many people who wish they could erase parts of their past, salvation sounds like a great idea. But how does it happen, and how can we trust that it's real? In this message, we learn about the role the Holy Spirit plays in bringing us freedom and setting us up for a new life!
Everyone has a past. Many people feel marked or defined by it. But today, you can live a life that's clean, new, and white!
American culture and the Christian church are often at odds concerning homosexuality. Even within the church, there varying opinions and responses to this topic. In this message, we discover how we should engage with the topic of homosexuality, and more importantly, with the people who are affected by it!
With so much sexual indulgence in our culture, it can be easy to forget the reason that purity is important. In this message, we discover what effects impurity has on people, and a few methods to move ourselves into the center of God's plan!
Our culture says that pleasure is found in promiscuity, but God says that pleasure is actually found in purity. In this message, we look at the original plan for pleasure, and discover how God wants to bring us into a fulfilled and rewarding life!
In a culture where nothing is wrong except saying that something is wrong, how can we know what's right? In this message, we take a look at the state of our culture and how God can help us be a light to the world!
We all have things we want to change in our lives. That's why it's better to work together to see those changes take place. In this message, we discover how God has designed us to support one another and experience change through community!
It can be tough to break habits and choose to do things differently. Thankfully, God is willing to come alongside and help! In this message, we discover the effects of choosing sin, and see how God has made a way for us to change.
Hearing from God sounds like a really great idea, but it can be hard to tell if He is speaking to us sometimes. And with so much bad news in our world, is there any reason to believe Him in the first place? In this message, we discover that we have an enemy who is trying to deceive us, and how we can be free of his voice to hear God's voice clearly!
For most people, a new year brings about reflections and resolutions. Unfortunately, the mid-year often brings about an end to those resolutions, and we revert back to our old habits. In this message, we discover the one thing that can keep us on track to change!
Many people were called by heaven to visit the birth of Jesus, while others wanted to erase it from history. In this message, we take a look at how some were able to go see Jesus, and how we can learn from their example to see Him for ourselves today!
The night Jesus was born affected many different people in many different ways, and fulfilled countless promises God had made to His people. In this message, we discover how this well-known Christmas carol shows that God always keeps His word!
It was a longing for the Messiah that inspired this well-known Christmas song to be written. In this message, we consider why a Savior was so desired, and what kind of a gift Jesus really is!
We've all been hurt by other people, even if they didn't mean to do so. How do we love people without making ourselves vulnerable? In this message, we discover how to guard our hearts and set personal boundaries that can empower other people too!
It's not always easy to love people. In fact, sometimes it can be difficult to even know what that means. In this message, we discover how we can relate to others in a way that honors them without feeling drained ourselves!
Love sounds like a great idea - until we run into that person that really pushes our buttons. Love seems like the perfect thing to have - until we realize that we don't feel the same way we did before. In this message, we discover how to love people even when it's difficult, and how doing so can change our lives!
Everyone wants their life to make a difference. Jesus spoke to this desire when he said things like, "You are the salt of the earth [and] the light of the world." In this message, we discover a strategy to reach people both near and far, and get to see how Daystar Church is reaching India!
There are a lot of different messages being sent to the world. There are many methods of getting those messages across, too, whether it's through advertising, leading by example, or old-fashioned conversation. In this sermon, we discover the message that can change the world, and the method that makes it powerful!
In our culture, life often seems busy, stressful, and even chaotic. Many people are searching for ways to relax and simplify, yet still don't feel like they have peace - let alone any to share with others. In this message, we discover how we can receive peace in our lives and extend it to others!
In some areas of the world, persecution means being judged, rejected, and mocked. In other areas, it can even mean losing your life. In this message, we find how God uses persecution to grow His kingdom and bless His people!