Misty Creek Community Church Sermons: Recent Episodes

Misty Creek Community Church

Christian Sermons by Stephen Streett, Senior Pastor at Misty Creek Community Church.

Misty Creek Community Church

6/16/24 Sermon:

"The Majesty of God"
Father’s Day Weekend
This week’s sermon "The Majesty of God" is a thoughtful exploration of the divine greatness of God. The essence of the sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding and becoming absorbed in God's majesty, which I will support with insightful biblical examples. The sermon begins with a thought-provoking question, "What is the one thing we really believe God wants us to do?" My answer frames the crux of the message, namely that God wants us to comprehend His majesty. I support this concept with an example from 2 Peter 1:16, where Peter, having personally witnessed the divine, conveys the glory of Jesus Christ's coming stories as truth.
Drawing on the devotion of King David to God, the sermon highlights a key biblical figure who acknowledged and celebrated God's majesty relentlessly. King David gathered leaders, priests, and commanders for service to God, thereby honoring the God of Israel. I tie this illustration back to David's praise of God's limitless greatness and majesty in 1 Chronicles 29:10-13. The sermon also refers to Psalm 68:34-35 to impress upon the congregation God's all-encompassing power and majesty. This serves as an exhortation for all to proclaim and recognize God’s incomparable power.
I concluded this sermon by challenging the congregation's fathers and spiritual fathers. Using the story of Desmond T. Doss, the unarmed WWII medic who rescued 75 men, as an example of fulfilling God's calling. This powerful tale of duty and bravery underscores my request for men in the congregation to invest spiritually in others and to spread God’s majesty and love. In sum, this week’s sermon "The Majesty of God" illuminates the critical value of acknowledging and being drawn in by God's magnificence. The account offers biblical accounts and real-world examples to encourage the congregation to accept God’s omnipotence, and to challenge all of us to share God's majesty and word with others. I will drive home the necessity of spiritual discipleship in spreading the love and word of God. I hope to see you this Sunday!

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Careful, Cautious, Compassionate Part 2
"Unconditional Love and Uncompromising Truth"
In this week’s sermon, "Unconditional Love and Uncompromising Truth", I will discuss the intricate subjects of sexuality, gender, and their purpose under God's design. These constructs originate from God, emphasizing the roles of men and women as complementary beings. I will explain that gender serves numerous purposes, including signifying roles and responsibilities within the family and depicting our relationship with God. This sermon also highlights the sacredness of sex and intimacy as fundamental elements of God's plan for marriage. Despite conversations regarding these aspects potentially stirring discomfort, acknowledging these truths is crucial since these attributes were ordained by God for His glory and our pleasure.
I will use examples from the Song of Solomon to stress the importance of maintaining intimacy within marriage. I will then address the existing crisis surrounding sexuality and gender that emerges when God's design is doubted or questioned. I will refer to the story of Adam and Eve to demonstrate how Satan has always targeted these constructs, leading to shame and the concealment of bodies. The sermon delineates sexual brokenness as multifaceted and contrary to God's plan, offering Scriptural support from 1 Corinthians 6:9 and a comprehensive list of sexual sins mentioned in the Bible. The sermon concludes with underscoring the importance of adhering to God's design. I will reassure those who have deviated that restoration is possible and cautions against the illusion that fulfillment can be found outside God's plan. I will also shed light on how deviations from this plan contribute to the disintegration of the family structure. Through this sermon, I will underline the need for open discussions about these topics in the church and encourages adherence to God's plan. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday!

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Careful, Cautious, Compassionate Part 1
The Time Has Come
2 Timothy 4:1–5
In this week’s sermon titled "Careful, Cautious, Compassionate," I will address the recent decisions by a mainline denominations conference to shift from traditional biblical tenets. The changes include recognizing LGBTQ+ lifestyles and permitting clergy to officiate LGBTQ+ weddings. I will articulate my concern that these decisions, motivated by love and unity, contravene biblical principles. Drawing from Matthew 7:21, the Gospel writer insinuates that entry into Heaven doesn't depend on professing faith, but on adhering to the word of God. The sermon goes on to suggest that the congregation should anticipate criticism and discrimination for their dedication to scripture and refusal to dilute it in the name of love.
Let me warn you of the potential damage caused by the new stand, with the increasing number of disconcerted former church members and a growing, confused, and polarized society. Despite these challenges, I want to urge the Misty Creek congregation to remain steadfast in their faith, echo the biblical truth, and remain unyielding in both truth and love. I will conclude the sermon by reminding believers of the spiritual battle before them, urging them to navigate it with unflinching faith, boldness, humility, love, and passion for the glory of God. Even though the coming days might be difficult, these are times for believers to shine the light of faith amidst darkness. Misty Creek is urged to remain committed to their faith, deepen their prayer lives, adhere to the biblical truth, and be ready to defend their faith with gentleness and grace.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

5/26/24 Misty Creek Community Church Sermon:

"Worth Waiting For"

(Returning to Discipleship, Pt.8)

A Meaningful Memorial Day Service

One of the great joys of being a "preacher" is that, when writing a sermon," I am aware of my freedom to express my faith in the way I understand that God is leading me. In many places in this world and in many other times, that is or was not true. Those in power can control the voice of the church to suit their desires. Furthermore, I realize that this freedom I have is not to be taken for granted. It is a costly gift that has been preserved at the cost of many willing to sacrifice that it might be. Some have given to the point of sacrificing their lives in the defense of freedom. As a nation, we will pause this Monday to honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice for this nation's freedom as we observe Memorial Day.

It was fitting that last weekend I preached about Jesus breathing the Holy Spirit on the Disciples. For, truly it is God's Spirit at work in the world that gives birth to freedom and empowers those who would preserve and defend it. The challenge is for those of us who have received these two precious gifts, the power of the Holy Spirit and the freedom to be led by that spirit, is to be faithful in how we live out our faith and our freedom to do so.
Last Sunday we welcomed the arrival of the Holy Spirit to empower us to do the will of God. Now it is time for us to go do His will—to make disciples, to preach the Kingdom of God and do acts of mercy and justice and healing that show the world the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. How can you do this most effectively? By allowing me to introduce you to our greatest advocate. The Holy Spirit.
1 John 14:16-18 “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 1 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

5/19/24 (Pentecost) Misty Creek Community Church Sermon

"Do You Have Rhythm?"

(Returning to Discipleship, Pt. 7)

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

Returning to Discipleship part 6: A Life with Purpose
Acts 9:36-43
(Mother’s Day)
During the sermon this Sunday, I am going to open with challenges faced by parents, especially mothers. I am going to emphasize the critical role of compassion in discipleship, backing this concept with illustrative examples. I am going to elaborate on the courage needed for compassion, leading to a broader discussion on the current state of apathy globally. I will also contrast different responses to compassion, exploring the story of a self-absorbed woman and a sympathetic girl who befriends a newcomer at school. I will spend some time delving into the biblical narrative of Tabitha, a compassionate disciple of Jesus, renowned for her kind deeds. When she dies, the power of belief brings her back to life, leading to a surge of faith in her community.
The sermon highlights the importance of having a purpose in life. I will further urge the congregation to transform their compassion into tangible action. The sermon concludes by drawing parallels with the lives of Tabitha and Dr. Martha Myers, both models of compassion that left lasting impacts on others. MC will be reminded of their divine purpose: to emulate Jesus's compassion and thus make an eternal impact. The sermon resonates with themes of compassion, purpose, and the transformative power of kindness, inspiring the congregation to carry these lessons into their daily lives.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church

Men's Bible Study of Mark, Week 6 Overview

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

5/5/24 Misty Creek Community Church Sermon:

"Gathering" (Returning to Discipleship, pt.5)

Matthew 28:19-20

This week's sermon focuses on the importance of gathering disciples for mission, following Jesus' example of intentional disciple-making. It highlights Jesus' emphasis on discipleship in various settings, guiding disciples to gather and scatter for the kingdom. By prioritizing people, channeling God's presence, showing grace, caring for souls, and sharing wisdom, disciples can expand the kingdom like Jesus. The sermon encourages Misty Creek to continue the mission of making disciples, guided by the presence of Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit for Kingdom expansion.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church

Men's Bible Study of Mark, Week 5 Overview

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

5/2/24 Power Hour of Prayer: Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

King David wrote these words in Psalm 122:6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:“ May those who love you be secure.

His words were not only for Jerusalem but for all of Israel and for all who love her.

We will have a time of worship and then we will pray specifically for a de-escalation of tension between Israel and the surrounding nations. We’ll pray for the release of hostages from Gaza, for preservation of innocent life on both sides of this war. We’ll pray that Jesus will use this conflict to bring salvation and spiritual awakening to Jewish and Muslim people around the world, and we’ll pray for God’s hand of protection against the antisemitic spirit that is moving across many college campuses and around the world.

Psalm 91:1-2
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”

Misty Creek Community Church

Men's Bible Study of Mark, Week 4 Overview

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

April 28, 2024 Misty Creek Community Church Sermon:

Returning to Discipleship Part 4: A Team Approach to Unity
Psalm 133

In this sermon, the main point is to emphasize the importance of unity among God's people, both within families and within the church. I will begin by highlighting Psalm 133, which speaks about how good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity. Emphasizing that God searches for unity in families, churches, and other relationships, as it is pleasing to Him. Satan desires to divide and conquer. He loves it when there is division, gossip, and slander in the church. In essence, individuals who disagree with the vision and leadership of the church and they make it known. Unity dismantles the power of the enemy.
This Sunday, I will share with you the various ways unity is fostered within Misty Creek, including worship, missions, prayer, fellowship, and clear communication of vision and beliefs.
To illustrate the importance of unity, I will use the analogy of a rowing crew. Emphasizing that in rowing, the team's unity and synchronization are crucial for success. Similarly, within the church, unity is necessary for accomplishing God's purposes. We will be encouraged as a congregation to care for one another, to support each other's strengths and weaknesses, and to have a team mindset rather than an individualistic one.
In the sermon I will reference the book of Acts, highlighting the unity among the early believers on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out. We will look at Scripture to further emphasize the importance of unity, such as Philippians 2:1-2, 1 Corinthians 1:10, John 13:35, and Philippians 2:3.
The main takeaway is that unity among God's people brings about blessings, enables effective ministry, and displays the love of Christ to the world. It involves putting aside selfish ambitions, valuing others, striving for agreement and peace, and loving one another. Having a team approach to unity calls for repentance, forgiveness, and reconciliation where there is disunity, emphasizing that unity is a vital aspect of discipleship and essential for the church to fulfill its mission;
To Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Men's Bible Study of the Gospel of Mark

4/22/24 - Week 3 Overview

Pastor, Stephen Streett

Misty Creek Community Church

In this week’s sermon, "Abide and Produce," I will emphasize the importance of disciples staying strongly connected to Jesus. I will open the sermon with a personal story about my wife Karen's daily devotional habits, using her example to illustrate the concept of abiding in Jesus. I will reference the Gospel of John, particularly the unique perspectives John offers regarding life in Christ. The focus is on the concept of a new heart in God's children, where divine law becomes a living force shaping their lives, unifying them with Jesus just as He aligns with the Father.
The sermon employs powerful metaphorical imagery of the vine and its branches, a resonance with ancient Jewish traditions. In this allegory, Jesus designates himself as the true vine whose followers should remain connected to him to bear good fruit. I employ this metaphor to underline the essentiality of remaining linked to Jesus, as spiritual growth cannot be achieved independently. The act of abiding in Jesus signifies an ongoing intimate relationship with Him, fueled through consistent prayer, worship, and immersion in God's Word. Towards the conclusion, a call to action is made: disciples need to evaluate their lives, discern areas not bearing healthy fruits, and prune those parts to foster fruitfulness. Encouraging listeners to acknowledge their grafting into the divine vine through Jesus, I will underscore the need to bear fruit which testifies to God's glory.
The sermon highlights the importance of abiding in Jesus, thereby leading his followers towards a spiritually richer life firmly established in Christ. The sermon leaves an impactful message that a prosperous spiritual life stems from maintaining a close relationship with Jesus.
Grace & Peace,
Stephen

Men's Bible Study of the Gospel of Mark

4/15/24 - Week 2 Overview

Pastor, Stephen Streett

Misty Creek Community Church

This week’s sermon, "Glow in the Dark", delves into the concept of discipleship and the sharing of one's faith. I will introduce a five-step process 'BLESS' - 'Begin with Prayer', 'Listen and eat together', 'Serve others', 'Share your story', and 'Speak up for others'. We will look at the common excuses Christians use to avoid sharing their faith. I want to stress that spreading the Gospel need not be complex. Using prayer to ask God to reveal himself to others, sharing meals to build relationships, serving others to show God's love, and sharing personal transformation stories are crucial steps in guiding others towards Jesus Christ.
The message this Sunday will emphasize the importance of speaking up for our faith, referring to 1 Peter 3:15 to encourage believers to always be prepared to explain their faith. This Sunday, I will highlight the importance of words in conveying the Gospel, alongside actions. Discipleship extends beyond Sunday services and can be cultivated through daily actions. The story of Evan Mawaire, who experienced dire consequences due to his activism in Zimbabwe, is referenced to underscore the capacity of prayer and the power of extending God's love beyond religious or political affiliations. Overall, this week’s sermon stresses both the urgency and the privilege of sharing faith, making disciples as Christ commanded. It urges believers to pray continuously for God’s love to reach persons distant from Him and to seek His guidance in spreading the Gospel efficiently.
-Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Men's Bible Study of the Gospel of Mark

Week 1, Introduction

April 8th, 2024

Pastor, Stephen Streett

Misty Creek Community Church

4/7/24 Misty Creek Community Church Sermon:

"Returning to Discipleship, Pt.1"

Matthew 28:18-20

This Sunday’s sermon explores the theme of discipleship based on selected biblical texts and personal anecdotes. Using Luke 19:10 and Matthew 28:18-20 as foundational texts, I will emphasize the responsibility of each believer to actively seek out others and teach them the ways of Christ. I will also address the necessity of resisting cultural influences antagonistic to Christian discipleship, a process I underscore through my own practices like prayer, evangelism, and community engagement.
The message is that discipleship involves more than doctrines and rituals—it's an everyday practice, shaped by relationships and persistent outreach to those far from God. I will further explore the concept of discipleship through a real-world example: the life of Evan Mawaire, a pastor and activist from Zimbabwe, who endured persecution because of his faith. The sermon connects Evan's resilience and ongoing commitment to evangelism with believers' obligation to share their faith, emphasizing the transformative power of the gospel.
The sermon concludes with a call for bold discipleship, using every available platform to make disciples in the community. I want to encourage the congregation to see themselves in the story of Evan Mawaire, reminding them that discipleship is just as much about living out one's faith by defending the rights of the needy and oppressed as it is about sharing the Gospel.
-Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

3/31/24 Misty Creek Community Church

Easter Celebration Service

SERMON ONLY:

"Endings & Beginnings"

John 20:1-18

Year after year, we celebrate Easter, the day that death was defeated, and our Lord and Savior rose from the dead. If we only focus on that moment, when the stone is rolled away and Jesus is alive, we can miss the impact of the event. Truly, the road to Easter ran through a cemetery. There is the injustice and agony of Jesus' dying on the cross. There are those moments before sunrise when Mary went to the garden to make sure the body was all right. All of these were necessary to get to that moment of joy we know as Easter. Our faith is not insurance against those things that life may bring our way, but it is the assurance of what the last word will be.
Without the power of God that Jesus showed, without the cruelty and pain of Calvary, and without what appeared to be the victory of evil with Jesus sealed in a tomb, we would never truly know the power of the good news or what "He is Alive" means for the reversals of all our sorrows and defeats, pain, and despair. Through the darkness of Good Friday, we are called to walk in the sunshine of Easter. Let His love and grace shine in your life today. Do you know Jesus? Do you want his love and grace to shine in your life? You can have a new life today with endless possibilities.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church

3/31/24 Easter Sunrise Sermon:

"No Tears Left"

Year after year, we celebrate Easter, the day that death was defeated, and our Lord and Savior rose from the dead. If we only focus on that moment, when the stone is rolled away and Jesus is alive, we can miss the impact of the event. Truly, the road to Easter ran through a cemetery. There is the injustice and agony of Jesus' dying on the cross. There are those moments before sunrise when Mary went to the garden to make sure the body was all right. All of these were necessary to get to that moment of joy we know as Easter. Our faith is not insurance against those things that life may bring our way, but it is the assurance of what the last word will be.
Without the power of God that Jesus showed, without the cruelty and pain of Calvary, and without what appeared to be the victory of evil with Jesus sealed in a tomb, we would never truly know the power of the good news or what "He is Alive" means for the reversals of all our sorrows and defeats, pain, and despair. Through the darkness of Good Friday, we are called to walk in the sunshine of Easter. Let His love and grace shine in your life today. Do you know Jesus? Do you want his love and grace to shine in your life? You can have a new life today with endless possibilities.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church

3/28/24 Maundy Thursday Sermon:

"Fully Alive"

John 13:15

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

The Journey that Leads to Life, Death, and Resurrection
Part 4: Misguided Expectations
Mark 11:1-11
This Sunday, I will delve into the powerful message of Jesus' humble arrival in Jerusalem. Let's open our hearts to God's unexpected plans and be agents of peace and love in the world. Jesus' entry into Jerusalem reminds us that God's ways are often not what we expect. Let's be open to His transformative work and strive to bring light and hope to those around us.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

The Journey that Leads to Life, Death, and Resurrection Part 3:
The Relationships of Jesus
Mark 12:28–31 & Ephesians 5:1–2
First John 4:19 tells us: “We love because he first loved us.” We can’t give what we haven’t received. Meditate on the reality that the God who created the universe knows us, cares about us, and provides for us. Ask Jesus to show you his love for you. He will! No one follows Christ alone. Followers of Jesus become part of a people group—the body of Christ. We are becoming connected to other believers like the parts of a body are connected. We share the same spiritual DNA. The Bible also describes believers as “family.” Christians are called “brothers and sisters” and “spiritual fathers.” John 1:12 says we are adopted as children by our heavenly Father. As God’s family, we appreciate people of different ages.
Families are made up of generations: parents, siblings, grandparents, great-grandparents . . .The healthiest churches are made up of all ages as well. If we prioritize the young over the old, or vice versa, we lose something valuable. Do you spend time with believers who are both younger and older than yourself? As part of God’s global family, we appreciate people of different cultures and races. God’s family is diverse. When the church was born, from the beginning, it was multi-racial and multinational. Where God’s Spirit and power are released, all languages, tribes, and races hear and respond. God releases his power when people are united. John said in Revelation 7:9: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands”. People of all races and nations together before the throne—that is God’s perfect intent. Healthy church families intentionally welcome everyone so we reflect heaven. We’re all part of God’s family! We’re related!
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church

3/10/24 Sermon:

"It's Time to Come Out of the Wilderness"

Luke 4:1-13

Sermon message presented by worship pastor, Doug Allen

The Journey that Leads to Life, Death and Resurrection Part 2: Obedience
Luke 6:46–49
There is an iconic episode of the TV show The Office in which Michael Scott drives a rental car into a lake because the GPS tells him to turn right. Earlier in the show, Michael had spoken glowingly of the capabilities of GPS navigation. However, when attempting to get to a client meeting, Michael misunderstands the GPS directions and drives into a lake—because the voice tells him so.
We are all tempted to say, “I know a shortcut,” to God’s directions in our lives. Rather than obeying God’s laws about relationships, we may think we know a shortcut to happiness that doesn’t involve sacrifice or forgiving. Instead of adhering to God’s standards of integrity, we think we may know a shortcut to financial prosperity. There is a name for those shortcuts: sin. And Jesus told us it doesn’t end well. Jesus preached the greatest sermon ever—the Sermon on the Mount. His revolutionary teachings changed the world. For two thousand years, philosophers have studied and discussed his principles on money, loving enemies, and judging others. Leaders from Saint Francis to Mahatma Gandhi to Martin Luther King were inspired by Jesus to adopt the strategy of nonviolence. Perhaps Jesus knew many of us would be tempted to admire his words rather than act on them.
So, in Luke 6:46–49, he concluded his sermon with a parable about two homeowners. In the parable, one homeowner takes out a construction loan to build his dream home. He budgeted enough to hire excavators to dig deep and lay a foundation on bedrock, even though no one would see it. But it was worth it the day torrential rains came and unleashed flash floods that pummeled his house. No doubt he sighed with relief when he discovered that he had sustained only minor damage to his home.
In contrast, another man built his house around the same time. He had scraped together all the money he could to construct a beautiful house. Instead of laying a foundation on bedrock, he saved money by skipping the excavator and building on level ground. But his dream house became a nightmare when those rains hit. The flash floods lifted his house and destroyed it. Jesus said that the homeowner who built on the bedrock was like someone who hears his words and puts them into practice. When life gets hard, he will be able to endure. However, the man who built without a foundation is like someone who hears Jesus’ words and does nothing about them. When the storms of life come, he won’t be able to hold up. But by ending the Sermon on the Mount with this parable, Jesus was saying: “Don’t just listen to this sermon; act on it.”
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

The Journey that Leads to Life, Death, and Resurrection, Part 1
Galatians 5:16–17
Geologists tell us that the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon over millions of years. The river cut so deep that its strata reveal 40 percent of the earth’s history. Even now, the relentless water flow continues to imperceptibly erode the canyon floor, deepening and widening it. Whether we realize it or not, there are seen and unseen forces working on you and me too. Our thinking, values, and character are shaped by a myriad of influences. Some of these forces are obvious, such as our family of origin, nationality, or education. Our life experiences, both painful and joy-filled, also significantly influence who we are. If all that sounds disconcerting, here is some good news: if you are a follower of Jesus, there is a supernatural force at work in your life, shaping you in healthy, exciting ways.
The power of God is at work in you to form you into the image of Jesus. Those verses tell us that God works to shape us, but that we are not passive in the process. We are not like the rock of the Grand Canyon that lies motionless while it is carved into a new shape by the river. Rather, we are engaged in a cooperative effort between God and ourselves. God works in us, and we work out our salvation. He acts, and we respond with the strength God provides. When it comes to becoming like Christ, without God, we cannot, and without us, God will not. My prayer for you over this sermon series is from 1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Follow the Healer Series:
By His Wounds We Are Healed and
The Holy Spirit and Healing
Scripture: Isaiah 53:3–5
In 2022, a nonprofit group launched a $100-million-dollar advertising campaign called, “He Gets Us,” and by “He,” they meant Jesus. If you watched the Superbowl last Sunday, you may have seen the newest “He Gets Us commercial. Well, they’re right. Jesus really does get us. He suffered for us, and identifies with us in our suffering, but that’s not all. In an act of pure grace, he redeems our suffering. “God can take what was meant for evil and use it for good (Gen. 50:20). Our scars can become radiant too. Jesus not only wants to heal our wounds, but like his wounds, he wants ours to become wounds that heal others.” When we understand our suffering in the light of Christ’s suffering, and that God’s desire is to redeem our suffering, not just for us, but for others, and allow Jesus to touch our wounds with his wounds, we become “wounded healers.” This Sunday we will hear a powerful healing testimony from two mystery guests!

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Ash Wednesday

2/14/24 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Jesus, Healing, and the Kingdom of God and
Embracing the Mystery of Healing

(Matthew 10:1-8)
After giving the disciples his authority to cast out demons, and to cure every disease and every sickness, Jesus gave them specific instructions on where to take his on-the-road kingdom demonstrations: to the lost sheep of Israel. As the disciples made their way to the lost sheep of Israel, they were instructed to tell those sheep the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” In other words, tell them there’s a new sheriff in town. The Romans may think they are in charge. They aren’t. God is. In fact, God is ruling, and these healings are signs of his glorious reign. We aren’t told how show and tell went for all of the twelve disciples, but in Luke’s Gospel the seventy-two disciples who were sent out returned with joy. It’s safe to assume the twelve also batted a thousand.
The phrase “kingdom of heaven” is found thirty-one times in Matthew’s Gospel. The phrase “kingdom of God” is found five times in Matthew’s Gospel. Biblical scholars believe the two phrases are interchangeable. To unlock some of the mystery of the kingdom, Jesus used parables to teach us what it looks like. The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, yeast, a treasure hidden in a field, a merchant in search of fine pearls, and a net that catches every kind of fish. The kingdom is something we seek, is near, and can be entered.
I hope to see you this Sunday as we learn more about Jesus, healing, the Kingdom of God and embracing the mystery of healing.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

2/4/24 Sermon:

Follow the Healer Series:
"The Five Ways Jesus Heals"

Luke 9:1-2
When Jesus was physically here on earth, in his Galilean ministry he essentially did three things: he preached, he taught, and he healed. Jesus continues through his church to engage in that threefold ministry of teaching, preaching, and healing. As I've come to recognize and to know that it's his ministry, this healing ministry that I'm called to, that means that wherever I go he's already there. I believe God is giving back the healing ministry of Jesus to the church today. Just to think that he wants us to partner with him, that's good news. Just as we at Misty Creek made our study of the Holy Spirit a priority, we are now looking closely at the healing ministry of Jesus.
Most of the healing ministry and the emphasis on healing in the church today is being done by Pentecostals and charismatics. Over the last 125 years they are the ones that have really made this a priority and a focus along with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit. In Latin America, Africa and Asia, 80 to 90% of Christians believe healing is an essential part of their conversion experience to Christ. There are many teachers’, preachers, and evangelists out there that emphasize healing and the Holy Spirit, but they haven't been as biblically grounded sometimes as they've needed to be. They have a lot of zeal but not as much knowledge and operate based on manipulation, conjuring, and even falsely representing Christ.
Some of us may have grown up in a more Bible centered orthodox Christian evangelical tradition. Even though we say we believe in divine healing, for all practical purposes we function like cessationist, which is a word to describe people who basically have said that the gift of healing and healing miracles stopped after the age of the apostles or after about the first three centuries. The bottom line is that charismatics, Pentecostals, and orthodox Christian evangelicals are hungry for a more balanced, holistic approach to healing. The church of Jesus Christ is to be the primary healing agency in the world. This Sunday, I will spend some time unpacking the 5 ways that Jesus heals.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"The Five Ways Jesus Heals" & "Healing and the Image of God"

1/28/24 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

In 1868, Fanny Crosby penned the lyrics to “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.” Fanny, blind since birth, experienced the saving love of Jesus at the age of thirty-one. While she never received her sight, even though she was taken to the best doctors, and presumably prayed for, Fanny came to know something about Jesus that the woman with the issue of blood would come to know. Jesus, even when he’s calling on others, simply refuses to pass by anyone who seeks him. When someone is skilled at caring for the needs of the sick or dying, we say they have the “healing touch.” But no one has ever shown the power to heal like Jesus. In his Gospel, Mark records Jesus’ power over many areas of life. First, in Mark 4:35-41, Jesus demonstrated His power over nature when He calmed the “furious squall” that arose on the water. Then, in Mark 5:1–20, Jesus restored a demon-possessed man to health, displaying His power over the darkness.
In today’s passage, Jesus exhibits authority over sickness and death. The two stories within Mark 5:21–43 are meant to be compared and contrasted. At the same time, Jairus’s daughter was born, a woman began hemorrhaging and could find no answer to her pain. According to the custom, this woman would have been considered unclean. She was a social outcast, unable to worship at the temple courts. Jairus’s daughter, by contrast, grew up happy and healthy, seeing her father come and go regularly to the synagogue as one of the leaders. Even though they came from different social standings, both Jairus and the woman showed a similar faith in Jesus. They both believed He had the healing touch. It probably took courage for both individuals to reach out to Jesus for help. No doubt, a bit of fright was running through their veins. However, they realized that nothing and no one else could help them in their desperate time of need. Through their courageous act of reaching out, their faith in Jesus healed them. Mark makes it clear that these narratives prove that the only one who has authority over nature, the powers of darkness, sickness, and death itself, is God. Folks, we have a Savior who refuses to pass anyone by.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Follow the Healer Series: Participating in the Healing Ministry of Jesus and Healing and the Love of Jesus.
Matthew 4:23–25
In 1985, Huey Lewis and the News had a number one hit with the song, “The Power of Love,” from the blockbuster motion picture Back to the Future. The lyrics of the song, however, have nothing to do with the movie. While the lyrics weren’t motivated by the movie, they do have something to do with the greatest attribute of God: his powerful love. Mr. Lewis knew you didn’t have to be rich or famous in order to receive the power of love. The only thing needed is a willingness to allow it to save your life.
So, what exactly is the healing power of love? It is nothing less than a demonstration, a revelation, and an expression of the love of Jesus. Jesus’s healing power, rooted in his love, shows up at tombs and calls forth a man dead four days. Healing power shows up at intensive care units, chemotherapy appointments, prisons, the counselor’s office, and is present during traumatic events. It flows through worship services, pastors’ offices, prayer groups, youth group, and small groups. In fact, there is no place too dead, too dark, or too despondent for the healing power of love to reach. As many in this congregation dive into the book study of Follow the Healer, and the healing stories found in the Gospels, we can expect to encounter the healing power of love. As ministers (and remember you are all ministers), we want the Holy Spirit to work through Scripture, and our unique gifts, to make the stories become a living reality for us, our families and congregations. Our goal is to communicate the reality that Jesus’s ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing has not ended, but has “merely assumed a different shape.”

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Follow The Healer Series: Christ is our Living Hope Part 2
Philippians 2:5-11 and 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, 16.
There’s nothing quite like tearing off the last page of a calendar and turning to a new year. It brings a clean slate, offering a new start with fresh possibilities. New Year’s resolutions will abound. New habits will be attempted. Once again, we will aspire to put our best foot forward. But before we do that, let’s remind ourselves of our back story.
It’s an all too human thing to want to be better and to strive for more. We are created in the image of God. The inconvenient truth is that our ancient ancestors determined that bearing the image of God was not enough. They wanted to be God. They were reaching to be God’s equals. And maybe that’s our problem—reaching. Isn’t that where things went wrong? When our ancestors reached for the forbidden fruit. It wasn’t an apple they were reaching for. They were reaching for equality with God. They wanted to be their own god. Then and now, sooner or later, it always leads to epic failure. You see, by definition, God has no equal.

We’ve been doing it ever since. That’s the essence of sin—not trusting in the trustworthy goodness of God. The minute we do that we set out on a course to find another god or worse, to become our own god. We make great humans, but terrible gods. And when we set out on a course to find other gods, we can actually become quite terrible humans.
We were not made to reach for God, but to bow before him. That’s the one place where we discover that God was reaching for us all along. That’s who Jesus is—the one who reaches to us, right where we are. Not only does He reach us, He restores his glorious image in us and remakes us into the people He created us to be in the first place. In short, He reminds us to think like God thinks and to act like God acts and to love like God loves.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"Follow the Healer, Pt.1: Christ Is Our Living Hope"

1/7/23 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

Isaiah 43:18-19 & Philippians 3:13-14
So, things haven't turned out as you hoped. Life took a turn, a bump, a darkened sky and at times it may have seemed there was no hope but here's the good news, our God is the God of fresh starts. God is the God of new beginnings. Our God brings new mercies, new compassions not just once a year, not just when things are bad, but every single morning. This past year and the last few years have been tough, and for many of us things will never be the same, but we are here breathing, maybe smiling or we're crying or shouting or laughing but we are here feeling, maybe fighting with pain, discomfort or cheering or seeking or grieving but we are here living, we are not alone our God is here, our God is with us and our God is the God of new creations and He is saying to you right now, “behold I make all things new.” This is what the LORD says in Isaiah 43:1-3 he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not weep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” The Lord continues in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. This is such wisdom as we begin 2024. God is with you to face down your fears by faith. God is with you in your doubts. God is with you even when you don't feel his presence. Emmanuel came to be among us. Believe me, He is near. Christ is our living hope and He lives through you and me. DON'T LOOK BACK, LOOK FORWARD!

I am eager to see what God has in store for us in the new year. Our lives and ministries will continue to transform in ways we could never imagine. I am grateful for all the ways you support the ministries of Misty Creek Community Church and pray that you will continue to do so with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness in 2024. Happy New Year!

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"A Story Only God Could Write"

Christmas Eve Sermon - 12/24/23

Misty Creek Community Church

What a blessing it is to celebrate the Advent and Christmas season with the Misty Creek community of faith family. I am privileged to be your pastor and serve alongside our beloved Worship Pastor, Doug Allen. I feel incredibly blessed and honored to serve Jesus at Misty Creek. My heart is filled with joy as we prepare to celebrate, once again, the birth of the Christ Child. I know this year has been filled with difficulty on so many levels for so many of you. However, these challenging times have also provided us with the opportunity to exercise our faith. We have witnessed acts of profound kindness and creative ingenuity. We have helped and taken care of each other. My friends, there are many more reasons to be grateful and filled with hope because of our faith. God has and will continue to help us to see all of this through as His promise is fulfilled with our Christmas Hope, Jesus!

The visit between Mary and Elizabeth, one young and unwed, the other advanced in age, both poor and pregnant, is a familiar scene during the Christmas season. Mary proclaims, “the Lord…has been mindful of the humble estate of His servant,” and the rest of her song proclaims that God is working out His plan. This friendship and prophetic song present us with an opportunity to consider what God has done in the past, while encouraging others in the uncertainty of today about what God has promised to do in the future. It is important to keep this friendship and Mary’s song in mind as we spend Christmas with friends and family and know that many of our brothers and sisters around the world are facing so much uncertainty. Our hope is that the eyes of our family and friends are open to see that the Child the angel Gabriel declared would be named “Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins”.

While much has changed over this past two years, that message of truth is unchanged. What a blessing for us to have our Christmas Hope! As we go about our celebrations and festivities this Christmas, my prayer is that you do not let this story of God’s unfailing love for the world go unspoken, but share this good news with everyone, so that they can find hope, joy, peace, and love in the infant Savior of the world!

I hope you will join us for our Night of Christmas this Saturday at 6:30pm and our Christmas Eve candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 5:30pm.

I am eager to see what God has in store for us in the new year. Our lives and ministries will continue to transform in ways we could never imagine. I am grateful for all the ways you support the ministries of the Misty Creek Community Church and pray that you will continue to do so with your prayers, presence, gifts, service, and witness in 2024. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

JESUS AND JUBILEE
ISAIAH 61:1–4
Scripture is clear that Christ's coming into the world occurred at exactly the right time and the precise place. God had ordained his birth since before the world began. God scripted the birth of Jesus down to the smallest detail. Scripture contains many occasions when God spoke directly to men about what was going to happen. When we study Scripture, we find many prophecies that were made and have been fulfilled, and many relate to the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Why should we trust biblical prophecy? The answer is found in the very beginning of the Bible: How can we know when a message has been spoken by the Lord? If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord takes place or comes true, that is a message from the Lord. That prophet has spoken the truth.
The purpose of prophecy in the bible is given in Isaiah 46:9-10: “I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done.” Not a single prophecy from the Bible has been proven false. Many prophecies remain in the future, but all that has come to pass have been verified to be true. Hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus, many godly people, from Moses to Malachi, prophesied about the coming Messiah, the King who would deliver Israel. In fact, the prophets revealed so many details about the coming Christ that it is difficult to believe that the people around Jesus didn't recognize Him. But it's still like that today, isn't it? Despite much evidence, many refuse to acknowledge Him. Prophesies told us that the Messiah will be:

Born of a Virgin
A Descendant of Abraham
A Descendant of Isaac
From the Tribe of Judah
Born in the Family of Jesse
Born in the House of King David
Born in Bethlehem
Born in a Manger
Worshiped and Presented gifts by Kings
Worshiped by Shepherds

This is incredible!! Hundreds of years before it happened, and it was prophesied perfectly.
See you Sunday!!
May the Joy of our Savior surround you this Advent season!
-Stephen

The Story You Live in is the Story You Live Out!
The Wilderness and the Way
Isaiah 40:1-5 & Isaiah 64:1-4
Advent means arrival or coming. It is a word we often associate with the arrival of some life-changing technology. And often these inventions are held for advancing our great cultural obsession: the elimination of waiting. With each innovation, we attempt to expedite the process in the name of progress and rush more of the world to our fingertips. Thanks to Uber, Amazon, curbside pick-up, and delivery, waiting and patience have taken a backseat. We thought this would create time, but we seem to be losing more of it, and losing touch with it. Because of our obsession with eliminating waiting, we are anxious, entitled, and even spoiled. In kingdom time, however, Advent tells an alternative story. It is a season in the Christian calendar in which we intentionally enter into a time of waiting, longing for the arrival of Jesus at Christmas. Let’s commit together to resist the urge to rush ahead to the nativity and Christmas day. Let’s be where our feet are as we daily experience, the hope, love, joy, and peace of Christmas.

May the Joy of our Savior Surround you this Advent Season,
Stephen

Is There Room in Your Heart for Jesus?

Luke 2:4-7 & Revelation 3:20

Over 2000 years ago, God gave mankind the greatest gift in human history, the gift of His Son Jesus Christ. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary in Bethlehem in the most humble of places, an animal stall because there was no room for them in the inn. God has made room in His heart for all who would put their trust in His Son, the Savior of the world. Jesus came not just to save the lost but to rule and reign in our hearts. Is there room in your heart for Jesus?
I love y'all
doug

The Story You Live in is the Story You Live Out Part 6:
Stepping into the Story
Luke 1:30-33

Genesis 12:1 “The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
The Lord has called us all to step away from all that’s familiar, just as he once called Abram. He has invited you into His story. To make room in your heart and your home for the infant Savior of the world. As we approach the season of Advent you are encouraged to leave behind the normal rhythms of life in order for God to reveal to you your place in His story. This is no ordinary place story. It’s a story filled with love, joy, peace, hope and endless possibilities.
I am thrilled that Misty Creek will begin a Church-Wide Advent Study December 1 (Get your Book by 12/1!!) The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus—a translation of the Greek word parousia, which means “coming.” The season of Advent encourages the church to look back and remember the birth of Christ, while looking forward in anticipation to the second coming of Jesus. Advent is the start of the (Western) Christian year and begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. This Advent we are thrilled to offer each Misty Creek family an Advent Devotion book, Protagonist: Stepping into the Story of Advent. We will begin the daily devotions from the book on December 1st. So, what is a protagonist? In this study the protagonist is the main figure in a real situation. The Creator steps into the story and takes on the lead role. The Author becomes the Protagonist.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church

11/19/23 Sermon:

"Living In and Living Out the Story of God"

The Story You Live In Is The Story You Live Out, pt.5

1 John 2:16

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

The Story You Live in is the Story You Live Out Part 4:
This is what God’s really like.
After Highland Park Presbyterian Church announced the shocking death of their young pastor a few weeks ago they wrote: “When we don’t know what to do, we are taught to turn to God and pray.” So, they held a vigil in their Sanctuary and invited all who could “to sit with our grief and to pray with us.” That Sunday the church held “a time of guided prayer in the Sanctuary . . . asking for God to give them wisdom as they grieve and to guide their church through the next steps.”
I have lost a lot of loved ones, friends, and church members over the years. Although we may think that when we lose loved ones, we lose part of ourselves, I have a different perspective, the more and more I’ve leaned into the Lord during times of grief. My perspective is that I don’t lose part of myself but instead my spirit more and more begins the transference process. I like to call it transitioning from this life to eternal life, and to unpack this a little bit, for me it looks like this; I am becoming more and more part of the heavenly realm than I am, the earthly realm.

We worship a God who knows how to grieve. We worship a God who doesn’t try and minimize the pain of loss. We worship a God who has mercy in our times of anger and frustration. We worship a God who knows when to speak and when just to hold us as we cry. This is what God is really like.
Have you begun to try and think through the over, under, front, and back stories of your life? It's a good exercise for journaling. What has been the underlying pain, difficulty, or even travail you have suffered and endured? How has this unfolded in the "front" story of the visible movement of God's kingdom in and through your life? What about the more hidden and secret "back" story, in the house of prayer that is becoming your life? We are living in the story that defines us:
A story of grace, in which all brokenness will experience healing, all suffering will come to an end, and death will be merely a gateway into everlasting life for those who respond to the love of Jesus.

Grace & Peace,
Stephen

"It Is Well With Our Souls"

(The Story You Live In Is The Story You Live Out, Pt.3)

11/5/23 Sermon

Thursday April 27, 2023, from 7pm-11:30pm will be forever etched in my heart’s memory. The hospice RN, Muhammad, motioned for Karen to come into the room. Early that evening our church prayer team prayed over her father, Gary, via Facetime and Doug Allen sang the most anointed version of Leaning on the Everlasting Arms of Jesus that I had ever heard. Gary breathed his last earthly breath as Karen held her daddy in her arms – Joyce, Karen, Gary, Melodie and I were standing of what NT Wright refers to as thin place ( I explain in the sermon). I was struck by the intensity of the grieving that I witnessed that evening, including my own. We hugged each other with such passion that it just moved me. Later I was thinking about what I wanted the family to know - how they are to deal with grief…. how to move through it…what they are to do with the pain.
This led me to recall the account of David when he grieved the death of his son with Bathsheba. Here is the scripture reference of the whole story 2 Samuel 12: 16-23

“David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in a sackcloth on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.”
David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked.
“Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the Lord and worshipped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The Lord may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”
I want to emphasize verses 20 and 23 “I go to him”. We will go to our loved ones; they will not return to us!!! This is the greatest assurance of hope that we have. God will make all things new. It is well with our Souls!
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"The Misguided and the Misinformed"

(The Story You Live In is the Story You Live Out, Pt.2)

10/29/23 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Humanity runs down every path the world has to offer in hopes of finding life, happiness, meaning, purpose, fulfillment, love, and peace, to find themselves, only to find each path a road of empty promises. They are taught that they will find love, joy, peace, meaning, purpose, and fulfillment if they have more, do more, see more, know more; if they give more, serve more, sacrifice more; if they work harder, work smarter; if they pray more, read more, sing more, jump more, cry more, laugh more, attend more; if they focus on modifying, adapting, improving, and bettering self, then they will be “more,” they will find their self, be who and what they were made to be, and enter into that full life they’ve been longing for. To their disappointment and destruction, none of these brings about the life they are looking for—not in this world and not in the next.

As the church, are we clear with people what Jesus has invited us all into? Are we clear on His expectations, or are we simply inviting people to an easy or hard moralistic, religious, psychotherapy, behavioral-modification group where the goal is to produce more people like ourselves? Are we being clear that a “win,” “success,” and/or “to find one’s self,” according to Jesus, is to lose it, to die? This Sunday I hope to be very clear and share with you how we got here.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

10/22/23 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett:

"Beloved Son, Beloved Daughter"

Luke 15:11-32

10/15/23 Sermon:

The Story You Live In Is The Story You Live Out, Part 1:

"There is a Better Story"

1 Corinthians 6:9-11

We all have different stories, personalities, and thus unique experiences with how God met us and brought us into the family of God. The Story You Live in is the Story You Live Out! When collaborating with long-time churched people, especially those who grew up in the church, I will sometimes ask them, “What did Jesus save you from?” I get all kinds of answers from people (addiction, sexual immorality, lying, anger, anxiety, depression, hopelessness, an unhappy marriage, financial distress, sin, etc.). All these things are true and praiseworthy, but rarely the one thing I’m looking for. The Good News is Jesus saves, but saves from what? When boiled down to its simplest answer, Jesus saves us from ourselves.
Self is the problem, not food or drink, not sex, not emotions, not wealth, not status. As Peter Lord said, “Sin originates in you. No one can provoke inside of you what does not originate there.” This makes all the more real the words of Dennis Kinlaw, “In truth, we are a million times worse than we know, and our attempts to control our lives destroy us and the ones we love. The world’s ways are never the ways of God, and the world’s people are never the people of God.” It can be difficult to hear, but there are two categories of people in the world, and it isn’t based on race or gender, it is our identities as children of God or children of the devil (1 John 3:10).
This leads me to a crucial point, as stated in previous messages: the Gospel calls people out and it calls people into. Into what? Through our response of faith and repentance (a faith-filled surrender to the Lordship of Christ, turning away from self-rule and toward Christ’s rule) God makes us a new person/creature, gives us a new heart/spirit (Ezekiel 11:19), and we are spiritually born again as literal children of God (John 1:12–13). This new creature/spirit/heart on the inside, through the working of the Holy Spirit, is meant to work a transformation in our life from the inside out that affects every area of our life (2 Corinthians 3:18; 7:1; Ephesians 4:22–24;). This is our identity, who and what we are now. Now our entire life (our thoughts, attitudes, words, and actions) is to be defined and directed by this new identity (Romans 8:1–8). “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:1–4).
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Have You Seen My Joy?

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

King Solomon was highly favored and richly blessed by the Lord. He asked for a discerning heart so he could properly govern the Lord’s people. This moved God’s heart and He blessed Solomon, not only with wisdom from above but He also gave him great wealth and honor. Solomon was fully devoted to God at first but he disobeyed the Lord’s commands and strayed far from Him. We’ll examine our own lives and seek to avoid the snares and pitfalls that can shipwreck our relationship with the Lord. May it be our deepest desire to walk closely with Jesus through every season of life and to hear the words, “well done my good and faithful servant.”
I love y'all
doug

We all have free access to all that is great and good and happy and carry within ourselves a key to all the treasures of heaven. It’s called prayer. The first step to true prayer is to expect nothing from yourself. The second step is to expect everything from God with all your heart. Instead of focusing your thoughts on yourself and your needs, focus on God’s glory and his love. Then prayer will become a joy and a power, and your trials will become your greatest blessing because they will compel you to wait on God.
Prayer is the Key to the Kingdom. We are only far from God if we are void of the spirit of prayer that opens heaven, and the kingdom of God within us. The kingdom of God means that God rules in our hearts just as he rules in the kingdom of heaven. A Christians true citizenship is in heaven; he or she serves the King, whose kingdom never ends. We are all of us by birth the offspring of God, more closely related to him than we are to one another. For in him, we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28). The first man had the breath and spirit of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit breathed into him, and so became a living soul. He was the image and likeness of God, not with regard to his outward shape or form, but because the Holy Trinity had breathed Their own nature and spirit in him.
And as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, are always in heaven, and make heaven to be everywhere, so the spirit breathed by them into man, brought heaven into man along with it. And so, man was in heaven, as well as on earth. It is also our paradise, a heavenly state, or birth, of a new life on earth. As willing as the sun is to shine, it’s light and warmth on the earth, the living, God is waiting to work in the heart of his child. That is, if we do not prevent him by our unbelief, or our surrender to the spirit of this world.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

God delivered the Israelites out of their slavery to the kingdom of darkness, baptized them in the Red Sea, fed them the bread of heaven, gave them water of life, and was preparing them for the next phase of the conquest of the promised land. In preparation, He warned them that when they experienced the many blessings and good of the land, to guard their hearts vigilantly, because they would be tempted to become proud and forget the Lord. He warned them, “You may say to yourself, ‘My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.’ But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today” (Deuteronomy 8:17–18).
It is common for our vision to get blurry or obstructed by circumstances; and when this happens, we must focus and adjust our position to get our vision cleared up. But this warning from God in Deuteronomy 8 is not about blurry or obstructed vision. It addresses the drift and even hijacking of our vision. God’s warning to the Israelites is a warning to all God’s people. We forget how desperate and dependent we are (not were but are). We forget where God brought us from, why, and how. It wasn’t our goodness or greatness or worthiness. As Dennis Kinlaw said, “In truth, we are a million times worse than we know… You and I desperately need God. From him flows all that is good, true, and right.” Every Christian would acknowledge this as true, and when God brings us out of the slavery of sin into the new, free, abundant, and good life that He has provided for us by His great love, power, and goodness, we find ourselves initially full of great gratitude, joy, and unwavering focus on the Source.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

God Vision Part 4: Fact or Fiction

2 Peter 1:16-21

Recently, a store that’s part of a vast retail chain labeled its Bibles as “fiction.” A pastor shopping for a gift came across the Bibles and saw “Fiction” written on the price tag. He took a picture and posted it on social media with the comment: “[Name withheld] has Bibles for sale under the genre of FICTION.” The retailer later apologized, saying the Bibles were mislabeled and the mistake had been corrected. We would never find the apostle Peter making a similar mistake. He was emphatic that he didn’t create cleverly invented fiction but wrote from the real-life angle of his eyewitness experiences. “For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes.” 2 Peter 1:16-18In other words, the Bible is grounded in historical truth. At the transfiguration, God affirmed Jesus as His Son. Philip said, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus.” (Matthew 17:1-9) And whatever the prophets wrote, it wasn’t the product of the author’s “own understanding or from human initiative.” (2 Peter 1:20-21). Ensuring the accuracy and reliability of what was written, the human authors were “moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:21) In fact, the Holy Spirit guided different people of diverse backgrounds to reveal God’s inspired truth. So, as he wrote of the power and trustworthiness of Scripture, Peter affirmed their authority to speak into our lives. He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. —Mark 16:15

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Senior Pastor: Stephen StreettWorship Pastor: Doug Allen

For those of us who were born, we know where we were and what we were doing 22 years ago on September 11, 2001. We remember how we felt because to some degree we have felt that way ever since, and this pandemic, divisiveness, riots, killings, natural disasters, and anniversaries such as this one reminds us that nothing is normal now. What should we do when pandemics and cataclysmic events strike?
I. HAVE FAITH - NOT Fear Isaiah 43
II. PRAY - DON’T Panic
III. BELIEVE GOD - DON’T Blame HIM
IV. RESPOND - DON’T Run
V. BE ASSURED - NOT Angry

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"God Vision, Part Three: The World"

9/3/23 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

It seems that nothing in the world is safe from change. Most brands we loved as kids look different today. Famous hamburger chains now offer salads. We grow taller and wider. Our hair turns gray or falls out. Our athletic abilities and mental faculties slip away. The six pack abs morph into a spare tire. We get wrinkles. Our teeth fall out. Even my most treasured relationships change. Best friends get transferred. Our kids grow up and move away. The fact remains that everything changes, everything except for God.
Only God is unchanging. God is not rebranded. He does not evolve. He does not grow old and fall apart. He does not move away. He is the same yesterday, today and forever more. And when everything in our life is so unstable, it gives us great comfort to know that God won’t change. He is the same today as he was at creation. What security that provides. Folks God is our constant security and foundation. As James reminds us: James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Dear Misty Creek faithful,

There’s been a huge amount of talk about “vision” in the church world, especially for the last 3–5 decades. Vision is about seeing—specifically seeing clearly. Seeing what clearly? Reality, facts, truth, potential, and opportunities, to name a few. The whole world for all of history has been on a “Vision Quest”—a search for God, Truth, Love, meaning, and purpose. The world has spent millennia knowing there is more, something other, that there is an Answer, a Source for this otherworldly longing for the transcendent and default operating system based on it.
History is the story of the corporate and individual journeys of humanity to find the fulfillment of that Vision Quest. Every decision that led to every experience (promotions, pleasure, position, power, acquisition, success, thrills, romance, procreation, all of it) goes beyond people acting human and doing what humans are designed to do. They are the pursuit of God and purpose and the fulfillment these two bring, and the realization that everything else falls short to meet them. This is what Steve Winwood was singing about as he sang, “Think about it. There must be a higher love, down in the heart or hidden in the stars above … without it, time is wasted time … bring me a higher love.” Every bite, every drink, every puff, every hit, every snort, every relationship, every piece of art, every form of entertainment, every rebellion, it is all the Vision Quest searching for God and purpose and the fulfillment they bring.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

The combination of our recent experiences of “Thin Spaces” between heaven and earth, and the powerful sense of God’s manifest presence through the body of Christ at Misty Creek, reminded me again of the scene from Jesus Revolution where Lonnie Frisbee spoke to Pastor Chuck Smith. He said, “My people are sheep without a shepherd, chasing hard after lies. It’s a quest for God. How can you not see that? There is an entire generation right now searching for God. I know we must seem a little strange. But if you look a little deeper, if you look with love, you'll see a bunch of kids that are searching for all the right things, just in all the wrong places. And my people, well, they’re a desperate bunch. And desperation, man, there is power in that word. What would it take for you, Chuck Smith, to be desperate?”
I felt the Lord remind me of two things that I will address in two parts: God Vision—The World, and God Vision—The Church.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

If We Are The Body: Part 4
Romans 12:1-5 and 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Many of you have heard Joye Percival and I speak of thin places, meaning a thin space between heaven and earth.” While we cannot manufacture these thin spaces, where heaven and earth meet, there are those sacred moments (some are practices) that are predictable and even promised “thin spaces.” God promises that when we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us; that where two or three gather in the name of Jesus, He is there with them; that “God inhabits the praises of His people” (Psalm 22:3 – the Hebrew word, “inhabits” is yashab which means to sit, settle, dwell, inhabit, and abide); that “the word of God is living and active” (Hebrews 4:12); that if we ask, seek, and knock it will be given, we will find, and the door will be opened to us (Matthew 7:7); that God initiates, calling and knocking at the door and if we will hear and answer He will come in (Revelation 3:20); the reward of our loving obedience is God showing himself to us (John 14:21 — the word “show” means to reveal and manifest); to name a few.
These promises are so powerful and point to the power and presence of God and His revelation. It is in these “thin spaces” where the source of revelation (God Vision) is able to work and speak into our lives. It is in these “thin spaces” that we’re in a position spiritually to hear and see what God is wanting to say and show us.
The church struggles with the temptation to look to alternative sources or to make the moments and practices the point and purpose, when in fact they are merely a pathway to the point and purpose. It isn’t the singing, the praying, the gathering, the obeying, etc., that are the main experiences. It is where those take us, into the awareness and manifest presence and revelation of God! Revelation (God Vision) is the work of the Spirit. If we are not careful, we can easily find ourselves in a position of loving the work of the Lord more than the Lord of the work.” In the end, He is the vine, we are the branches, and apart from Him we can do nothing, not even have a clear or right vision.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"If We Are The Body... " (pt3)

Romans 12:1-5 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

8/6/23 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

Swimming Against the Current
Matthew 5:14-16

As followers of Jesus, we have been called to be light in a dark world, to proclaim truth where there is deception, bring peace where there is chaos and spread hope where there is utter despair. It may seem like this world has fallen far beyond saving but greater is He who is in us (Jesus) than he who is in this world. Christian, God Almighty has promised us that nothing in all creation will ever separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! That is real hope for a lost and dying world! Are you ready to shine your light for Christ Jesus?
I love y'all
doug

Worship Pastor: Doug Allen

If we are the Body: Part 2
Romans 12:1-5 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The sermon this Sunday will be broadcasted live from Misahualli, Ecuador. We will begin with each MC3 Into the Wild Team member sharing about the trip. If the reception is good, our mission team may sing a song during the message. Questions the team will be answering:
How has our team been the body of Christ this week?
Share your God wink moments.
What is your greatest take away from this experience?
I will tell a powerful story about one of my palliative care patients and the body of Christ.
I will share real life experiences of how our Mission team and Misty Creek continue to be a healthy body of Christ. How we share one another’s joys and sorrows. How we have remained connected to the MCCC body of Christ while in Ecuador. How we all work together for one purpose. Please Continue to pray for our team as we prepare to return from Ecuador July 23, arriving back in Atlanta July 24 at 5:46am.
Our MC3 Into the Wild 2023 Team: Pastor Stephen and SJ Streett, Lisa and Mike Nemetz, Jacob Menefee, Sam and MJ Eads, Amy, Andy and Katie Trizzino, Ellison Finke, Brianne Lonergan, Elegance Lonergan, and Alicia Cosby.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

If we are the Body: Part 1
Romans 12:1-5 & 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Back in 1985, William R. Greer performed an in-depth chemical analysis of the human body and its mineral properties. His conclusions were published in the International Herald Tribune and The New York Times. Greer claimed that the average human body contained 5 pounds of calcium, 9 ounces of potassium, 1 and 1/2 pounds of phosphorus, 6 ounces of sodium, 6 ounces of sulfur, 1 ounce of magnesium, and trace amounts of iron, iodine, and copper. According to a professor at the Illinois Medical School, the total value of these minerals is just a little over $8.00. So, the value of the human body is roughly equal to the price of a movie ticket in most major cities. Makes you feel good, doesn't it? Our Bible passages for Sunday are about the church being the body of Christ. Why do you think the apostle Paul used the image of a body to symbolize the church?

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

You Are Not Alone
Psalm 139
“You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”
Psalm 139:2

Often the loneliest people are the people we assume are not lonely at all. They may seem to be social butterflies; however, deep down, many feel utterly alone. God knows every microcosm and nanosecond of your existence—every cell, atom, and molecule; every interest, weakness, and achievement; every hope, dream, and concern. He knows every movement you’ll make today (Psalm 139:2-3), every action, step, and pause for rest, every blink, glance, and breath. He knows when I will stop preaching this message and when you’ll stop listening to it. He knows your personality. He knows your emotional triggers, behavioral patterns, bad habits, and comfort zones. He knows what you’re good and lousy at doing, every temptation and victory. When you’re troubled, He can unravel the complicated issues you are facing. Loneliness isn’t just the feeling of being alone, but of being surrounded by many people and yet really not known and understood by anyone.

He was there as you were crafted in the womb. (Psalm 139:13-15) He remembers the headlines on the day of your birth and knows the events that will take place on your final day on earth. (Psalm 139:16) He knows what your future holds and the pathways you’ll choose to arrive there.
In a world of social media but ever-declining personal relationships, of megacities with more and more lonely people, of billions of individuals who secretly wonder if anyone even knows their name, here is a truth that we must focus on: God knows you, and you are never truly alone.

Grace and Peace,
Stephe

A note from our Pastor

Nothing to Hide, Nothing to Lose and Nothing to Fear
(What makes a person truly free?)
Galatians 5:16-25
What makes a person truly free? Just because we live in a free country doesn’t make us free. I have known many young people who thought that becoming an adult would make them free. There are many adults that will tell you that’s not true. What makes us free? I think there is one person we can turn to to know freedom: Paul. Paul spent most of his time in prison, yet he knew more about freedom than most of us ever will. You might ask, why would that be true? Paul knew complete freedom because of three things. He had nothing to hide. Nothing to lose. Nothing to fear. May we all learn to live by Paul’s example.
How do we do that? It simply means that you trust Jesus more than you fear your circumstances. After all, if we can trust Him when things are good, we should trust Him even more when things are less than ideal!
How we live today impacts where we will be in eternity. Now is the time to number our days and live for eternity. I do believe that how we live today will impact where we will be in eternity. Psalm 90:12 tells us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. I believe that’s where this phrase “live for eternity” is based. Nothing to Hide, Nothing to Lose, and Nothing to Fear - that’s what makes a person truly free!
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Pray for Your Enemies? Love Your Enemies? Are You Kidding?
Luke 6:27-38
Lucy says in a Peanuts cartoon, “I love humankind; it’s people I can’t stand.” Love your enemy? Pray for our enemies? These days? Possible perhaps, but not likely. In fact, we would prefer not to. But now we pick up our Bibles and are confronted by the words of Jesus: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28). Nuts! Truth is, we would rather have permission to bomb the enemy back to the Stone Age, or at least some punishment that would fit the crime, not this. Love your enemies? What does Jesus mean?
It should be noted that, both in Jesus' time and in our own, there are some folks who seem to think that it is almost a sacred duty to hate anyone who is not "one of us" — forget this love stuff. The Essenes of the Qumran community, the people who preserved the Dead Sea scrolls, were like that. They believed that they were to "love all the children of light and hate all the children of darkness.” You biblical scholars know that this reference in Luke's gospel is not the only place we find this instruction in the New Testament — it is also in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 where Jesus is reported to have said, "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44).
Whether Jesus was thinking of the Essenes when he brought this subject up we have no way of knowing, but the point is that people (religious or not) do think and act in terms of hatred for their enemies, and Jesus says, "This ought not to be." E. Stanley Jones once asked Mahatma Gandhi why he refused to become a Christian when he so regularly quoted the words of Christ. Gandhi replied, “I don’t reject your Christ, I love your Christ. It’s just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ. When will we who call ourselves Christian, become what we call ourselves? Love your enemies? Are you kidding, Lord? No. Jesus says, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you" (Luke 6:27-28).
As William Temple, Archbishop of Canterbury, said, "The only way a Christian has of getting rid of his enemies is to love them into being his friends." There are days when that might seem preposterous, ill-timed, and unrealistic. But, you know, it just might work. On top of that, this is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
Stephen

Complete Joy
John 15:9–11
Currently, we are no strangers to stress. Mental tension and worry caused by our problems and life in general can be a hallmark of daily life. Stress can fuel cancer, shrink the brain, age you prematurely, lead to clinical depression, weaken your immune system, and increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. In short, stress is killing us. Many of you are dealing with aging parents, cancer diagnoses, health problems, wayward children, job loss, income loss, and grief. To top things off, you are struggling to balance everything in your life. And it’s not just the big events in our lives that cause stress. It’s the day-to-day grind we put ourselves through. We live in a fast-paced society where it’s common to have an overly busy schedule. Day in and day out, we sacrifice ourselves for our job, our friends, our hobbies, and our family. You may be a student trying to work and go to school, a dad trying to work two jobs to provide for your family, or a stay-at-home mom cleaning the house and taking the kids to school and practices. If stress is killing you slowly, it’s time to put on the brakes.
It’s not God’s will for you to live a life full of stress. The Bible tells us that we can maintain a sense of joy in our lives. So, what do we do to break the stress cycle? Simply starting your day with a morning devotional and a few minutes of prayer can set the tone for a stress-free day. Listening to worship music and meditating on Scripture throughout the day can help you keep your sanity and maintain a peaceful spirit. Try embarking on your day infused with the peace and joy of God in your heart. It will help you to sail right through those potentially stressful situations with ease and grace.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now abide in my love. If you keep my commands, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and abide in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." John 15:9–11 (NIV) Notice how Jesus makes the shift in John 15 from abiding to love to joy. Rarely does Jesus tell us so explicitly why He has told us something. He does so here. I have told you this so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Notice, not just some garden variety joy, but My joy. And notice why—so that your joy may be complete.
Let yourself try to fathom this, being filled with the "My joy of Jesus" and your joy being complete. This is not a flimsy, brief emotion. This is the durable, unflappable "joy of heaven, to earth come down." And let's be clear. Joy does not mean happy times. In fact, the greatest joy comes in the most unhappy times; in the midst of fiery trials. Joy is not optimism. It is not a can-do spirit. It is not positive thinking. It can look like the denial of reality only because it is witnessing to the much deeper reality of the abiding, presenting, perfecting love of Jesus.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start a Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit, pt.9
That’s so Fire!!
John 17:1-11
That’s so fire! That’s current Gen Z teen slang for “off the charts awesome!” When something happens that is dynamic, amazing, and, as we older generations might say, “really, really cool,” it’s now “SO fire!” People in the workforce recognize “FIRE” as a different concept. For many, FIRE means “financial independence, retire early,” a lifestyle aspired to by many. The idea is to work hard and long in your early years so that you can retire early and enjoy your later years. Sadly though, this strategy has backfired for many, leaving some retirees to languish for years upon years without a feeling of connection and purpose, while their money declines rapidly in an inflation economy. Some have returned to the workforce in their later years due to necessity, some due to financial or psychological need, as a panacea for their dilemma. We need connection. The “FIRE” lifestyle may seem enticing in the short term, but it’s the purposeful engagement with something that “fires us up” that makes us feel that life can be “so fire!”
It’s no wonder then that Jesus’ best promise to us is the kind of life that he knows will give us our best sense of identity, connection, purpose, mission, and joy: the “life of God.” Or better said perhaps: “life in sync with God”––a life that is Fully Intimate, Relational, and Exceptional! A FIRE life. Not the kind of FIRE life in which we “retire” and remove ourselves from work, mission, purpose, and connection, but the kind that immerses us entirely within it. That’s what entering into the “life of God” means. It’s a kind of spiritual life in which we exude joy, peace, holiness, and intimacy. And it happens right in the here and now no matter our other circumstances. Eternal Life. That’s the promise Jesus makes to his disciples.
But what exactly does that mean? Scholars tell us that the word “eternal life” here in the Greek is “zoe aionis.” The phrase suggests a kind of life that happens in the fullness of time. It refers not to a duration of life or a future destination in life but to a “quality of life” based in the “knowledge” (ginosko) of God (the Father/Son/Holy Spirit). As we said when we talked about the “Way” of Jesus, “eternal life” in this sense is not something we look for in the hereafter, but something we can have right now –a fully intimate, personal relationship with God, in which we “know” God spiritually, emotionally, deeply, and truly. We bond with God in a way that makes us “one” with God. Jesus explains to his disciples that he has had this relationship with God himself as he completed his mission on earth. He now offers that same kind of relationship to his disciples, so that they too can “know” God (and Jesus) in the person of the Holy Spirit personally and intimately and can therefore do amazing things in Jesus’ name.
The Holy Spirit is tasked therefore with a mission to unify the disciples with God and with each other in a way that enables them to harness the power of healing and change that will enable them to make an impact in the world in which they are living right now.
The disciples by way of this “eternal life” condition will experience a special relationship with God. All who belong to Jesus, who believe in him, will be gifted “eternal life” –the ability to forge a life with God in which Jesus resides in them and they in him now and in the future.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start a Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit, Pt.8 "Getting Directions" John 14:25-27 & Acts 16:9-15

We have been living on borrowed time. In the over 3,100 years of recorded world history, the world has only been at peace 8% of the time or a total of 286 years, and 8,000 treaties have been made and broken. On any given day, soldiers are firing in thirty to forty nations. Wars of liberation. Territorial disputes. Religious principles. "One man's freedom fighter is another's terrorist," the saying goes, but the common denominator is death. Day in and day out. I wonder if the apostle Paul ever felt that way. Probably. After all, he lived in a scary world himself — no nuclear nightmares, but just about every other kind. Listen to what he says:

"Five times I have received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I received a stoning. Three times I was shipwrecked; for a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from bandits, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers and sisters; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, hungry and thirsty, often without food, cold and naked. And, besides other things, I am under daily pressure because of my anxiety for all the churches." — 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

But Paul had something to get him through, something that every Christian has (if we only allow ourselves the luxury). Paul had the sure and certain conviction that he was not alone in this scary world, and that the Lord who loved him and gave himself on the cross would not leave him to fend for himself. The promise had come from Jesus' own lips:

"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the ... Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." — John 14:25-27 (NRSV)

And yes, I did leave out one word, an important one, one which describes the work of the Holy Spirit. Depending on your translation, it might be "Advocate," "Comforter," or "Encourager." The Greek verb behind it is parakaleo, which means literally "to call to one's side" — usually asking the other for help. In a legal context, it has the flavor of "helper at court." Whose helper then? Ours? Perhaps. But it might mean Jesus' helper, as well. The Paraclete comes to speak to us for Jesus. What was it Jesus said? Teach us? Remind us of all that Jesus said to us? The Holy Spirit speaks to us on behalf of Jesus. The Holy Spirit helps us remember the continuing presence of this Jesus who promised to be with us always. The Holy Spirit helps us hear Jesus.

Grace and Peace, Stephen

5/28/23 SERMON ONLY

"What Is Pentecost?" (How to Start a Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit, 7)

Misty Creek Community ChurchSenior Pastor: Stephen Streett

How to Start a Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit, pt.6
Empowered by the Spirit, Part 2
1 Corinthians 12:1-12

Imagine a church where everyone understands his own gifting as well as the giftings of the other believers they serve with. Imagine understanding the gifts given to your children and spouse. Imagine being able to recognize these gifts in new believers and helping them grow into them. We talk about "every member in ministry" but how can this happen without an understanding of these gifts and how to "minister" using these gifts. Sunday, we will look at the three broad categories of gifts. Then we'll explore the operation of these gifts. From last week’s message, I hope you have a general familiarity with the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Will you open your heart and mind to receive the gifts that God wants to give you?
• The discerning gifts are words of knowledge, words of wisdom, and discernment of spirits.
• The declarative gifts are prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
• The dynamic giftsare faith, gifts of healings, and working of miracles.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start A Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit, Pt.5
Empowered by the Spirit
1 Corinthians 12:1-12
Before we can go any further with this teaching series about the Holy Spirit, let me warn you, you will undergo transformation. That does not mean that you will become weird, charismatic, or Pentecostal. Did you know that three different sets of gifts are given in the Bible? The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit each gave a set of gifts for the fullest functioning of The Body of Christ, the Church. Each believer in the Church has been given a unique assortment of these gifts for the advancement of the Kingdom of God on the earth and for maximum fulfillment of God's call for each individual believer. Imagine a church where everyone understands his own gifting as well as the gifting’s of the other believers they serve with. Imagine understanding the gifts given to your family... to your children and spouse. Imagine being able to recognize these gifts in new believers and helping them grow into them. We talk about "every member in ministry" but how can this happen without an understanding of these gifts and how to "minister" using these gifts? This Sunday, we will take a look at the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start A Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit, Pt. 4
Unconditional Surrender
John 16:5-16
This month we will celebrate the ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ into heaven and the arrival of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. In this sermon series we are learning that God came in all his glory and power when he sent the Holy Spirit. And when you accept Jesus into your heart, you also accept the Holy Spirit. One of the goals in this series is for you to fully utilize one of God's greatest gifts. The question today is will you surrender unconditionally to live with the full power and indwelling of the Holy Spirit?
This power is still the guarantee of what God can do. If the children of God were to unite each day to wait on his promises, there would be no limit to what God could do for them and through them. I believe that the greatest desire of the Holy Spirit and of the Father is for Christ to be glorified in you. I pray this also will be your greatest desire. Many years ago, it dawned on me that the most important spiritual exercise of each day is to pray that God will send the Holy Spirit to us for our daily crisis and needs. Without the Spirit, we can neither please God nor support others. Our prayers must have their own origin in God, the highest source of power, if they are to raise our lives to fulfill God's purpose. If the Holy Spirit prays through us, as human channels, our prayers will rise again to God, who is their source, and will be answered by the divine working in ourselves and in others. Our life depends chiefly on the quality of our prayers and not on the quantity. When you pray therefore, ask your heavenly Father to again give you the Holy Spirit today. He longs to do it.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start A Fire Part 3: Receive the Holy Spirit
Baptism of the Holy Spirit
Luke 3:15-22
The heavens are breaking open. Breaking wide open. Can you hear the voice of God? Imagine with me that we are part of the crowd, gathered around the Jordan River, witnessing the baptism of Jesus. Witnessing the heavens opening… We’re expectant…filled with great expectations of what might be happening. We’ve been following John the Baptist, this wild and woolly prophet who promises us better days ahead. Who assures us that God is with us and we will be saved. We’re tired of the government…the government who uses violence and militarism against its own people; abuses us with taxes; discriminates based on religious belief.
We are in desperate need of salvation….not some kind of salvation that only comes to us when we die, but salvation in the here and the now…some hope that we can be saved from tyranny and oppression and find a new way of life. So, we are attracted to John the Baptist, and hope that he might be the one to save us. But he surprises us, by announcing that he is not the Messiah…no someone more powerful than he is coming, and this person won’t baptize us with water, but with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit? We don’t even know what that means. We can see and touch this water—we bathe in it and drink from it–but we can’t even conceive of the Spirit. We can’t see or smell or taste or touch the spirit of God. How can we be baptized with it? And he will also baptize with fire…what on earth could that mean? And who, we wonder, could be greater than John?
The word "Baptism" is a transliteration of the Greek word BAPTIZO which means to immerse. In 1 Corinthians 2:13 Paul says, we have all been baptized by one Spirit into one body.” The next step for a new believer is water baptism. This Sunday, we will gather at the river and witness God’s claim on those being baptized. For those who have been baptized you will have a chance to remember your baptism. And for those who have never been immersed, you will have the opportunity to remember your baptism through immersion. Ephesians 4:5 says there is one Lord one faith and one Baptism. One Lord 3 persons = Trinity, likewise, one baptism 3 distinct forms.
The Holy Spirit baptizes us in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 12:13 teaches us that it is the Holy Spirit who baptizes us into Jesus. The Holy Spirit reveals Jesus to us, and when we repent and believe in Jesus we are saved.
The disciples baptize us in water. Romans 6:3–4 says that when we are water baptized, we are buried with Him into His death. Our old life is put away when we get water baptized. After salvation, a believer makes a conscious decision to get water baptized.
Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. All four gospels (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33) confirm how Jesus baptizes us in the Holy Spirit. When we are baptized in the Holy Spirit, we are empowered to live our new life in Christ.
Scripture confirms all three baptisms. 1 John 5:7–8 shows that the blood (salvation), water (baptism), and Spirit (baptism in the Holy Spirit) are all in one agreement. Acts 2:38 tells us to repent (salvation), be baptized (water baptism), and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (baptism in the Holy Spirit). Five years later in Acts 8:12–17, people are told to believe, and then they were water baptized. Afterward Peter and John prayed that they would receive the Holy Spirit. Twenty-five years later, in Acts 19, the same pattern of all three baptisms occurred.
Father, thank you for the three baptisms in scripture. Thank you for the gift of salvation and water baptism. Thank you for baptizing us in the Holy Spirit so we can be empowered to live a victorious life. Allow the Holy Spirit to work through us with his grace and gifts. In Jesus name, Amen.
-Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start A Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit
Is the Holy Spirit a Person?
Romans 8:26–28; Ephesians 4:25–32
The Holy Spirit has a distinct personality. As the third person of the Trinity, He has a soul. He has the mind of God, He knows the will of God, and He has God’s emotions. The Holy Spirit is a person, and He has a mind. If you don’t see the Holy Spirit as a person, then you won’t develop a personal relationship with Him. A person has a personality and a mind. The Holy Spirit helps us think what God thinks, desire what God desires, and feel what God feels. John 16:13 says that the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth.
The Holy Spirit knows everything, lives inside of you, and is committed to being your teacher. He has a soul. If you would like to know God’s will, get to know the Holy Spirit. We know the general will of God from the Bible, but we can know the specific will of God when we hear His voice. Romans 8:26–27 says that when we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit can help us because He knows the mind and will of God. Jesus came so we could have a personal relationship with God. The way we know God’s will is to get to know the Holy Spirit.
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

How to Start A Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit
John 14:16–17, 25–26, 15:26, 16:7, 12–13
This Sunday, we begin a new six-week sermon series
How to Start a Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit
The most misunderstood person in the Trinity is the Holy Spirit. Many people don’t know how to interact with the Holy Spirit or what His presence offers us. In this six-week series, How to Start a Fire: Receive the Holy Spirit , Pastor Stephen Streett explains that the Holy Spirit’s chief desire is for relationship—to offer us the encouragement and guidance of a trusted friend. He will move beyond religious tradition and cultural misconceptions to clarify what the Holy Spirit promises to do in your life. With examples and powerful testimonies, this series will encourage you and challenge the way you interact with the Holy Spirit.

Serving With Joy,
Stephen

Goodbye is Not the End
John 20:1-18

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single act in history that separates Christianity from every other religion, every other philosophy, and every belief system.

We find, like those at the tomb, that what looks like an ending is actually a beginning. Life is about endings and beginnings. Life is a succession of losses. Do you think God doesn’t know that? Do you feel like God cannot relate? Look at Jesus as he ate at the table with those who would betray and abandon him—ending; facing death, a redemptive death but an unjust death—ending; feeling the strength and life and breath leave his body at the place of the skull, Golgotha—ending.
In our lives there are many Good Fridays. You could probably make a list of the Good Fridays in your own life right now. Days when you have felt forsaken; days when strength and life and breath seem to be leaving your body. Days when you were betrayed, and you wrestled with forgiveness. And yet, Easter reminds us of what looks like an ending is actually a beginning. Through the resurrection, Christ has conquered death and He holds the keys of heaven and hell.

It’s Friday, but Sunday is coming!
Grace and Peace, Stephen

"I Will Rise"

Sermon from the 2023 Easter Sunrise Service at Misty Creek Community Church.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

"Words From The Cross"

Sermon message from Good Friday 2023 at Misty Creek Community Church.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Worship Pastor: Doug Allen

"Radical Humility" Sermon from the 2023 Maundy Thursday service at Misty Creek Community Church.

Holy Week 2023

JESUS IN THE WILD Part 6: THE BEAUTY AFTER THE BATTLE
Luke 4:14
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. "They took branches of palm trees and went forth to meet him, and cried, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" John 12:13 Hosanna is from a Biblical Hebrew phrase meaning "Pray, save us." Any kind of thanks and adoration aimed at God could be considered a hosanna. In church, many of the prayers and songs are hosannas. I hope you’ll join us this Sunday as we offer many hosannas to the King of Kings.

When we are walking in the fullness of our calling, what are the results in our hearts, homes, churches, and cities?
Resilience is a commonly heard word these days. When challenges come (and our nation has faced many this past week), and we face them with faith and fortitude, we come off our battlefields with a greater capacity to hold up—spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically— through the wilds of life. “Forty days, three temptations, and three vocationally charged answers later, the devil walks away from the battle. In other words, the devil calls it quits on the game—but is not calling it quits on the season.
There are seasons of relief in our battle with the adversary of our souls—and for those, we can be grateful”. Like Jesus, there are battles we go through with the enemy of our souls, battles during which our calling is deeply and relentlessly contested. But every battle has an end, and it is in taking them on one by one that we find the strength to walk with Jesus through them to the other side. Our calling will always be contested but know that with each challenge we can emerge with greater spiritual resilience, capacity to trust, and, hopefully, a more fierce and steadfast commitment to walk in our calling into union with Christ.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

JESUS IN THE WILD Part 5: THE POWER OF “IT IS WRITTEN”
Luke 4:4, 8, 12
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone.’” “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” “It is said: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Jesus has been tempted. And the Word-of-God-Made-Flesh begins his answer to each temptation with a form of one, small, universe-bending statement: “It is written.” In a world full of indignation, alarm, and shock, with a social media population reacting online with anger, angst, and argument to all manner of news and offenses, we read that Jesus responded to the devil. In my imagination, Jesus was calm, he was cool, and he was unequivocally clear in those moments. In this wild, Jesus is not reacting to the temptations, the struggle, his own fears, or the attack. He is not controlled by the devil’s plays or moves. Jesus has chosen to answer the devil in his own way, on his own terms.
What promise or passage from the Word of God has most strengthened you in your seasons of battle in the last few years? What word have you hidden deep in your heart that is serving you in this season you are in? What word are you using to address the enemy who seeks to unseat you from your royal throne? What is your “It is written” word for this season?
Grace and Peace,
Stephen

JESUS IN THE WILD Part 4:

The Jesus Revolution
Matthew 9:36
Recently, Karen and I watched The Jesus Revolution movie—a depiction of the Jesus Movement, specifically following the stories of Pastor Greg Laurie, Pastor Chuck Smith, Lonnie Frisbee, and Calvary Chapel. In the mid-1950s through the 1960s, society was unraveling spiritually, relationally, socially, and politically. On top of the growing tension and violence of the civil rights movement, the evolving liberality of the entertainment industry, and the chaotic, disturbing, and divisive political climate, the teens and young adults of the day were challenging and rejecting the accepted norms of life, truth, spirituality, identity, society, and morality. While rejecting the establishment of government, religion, social constructs and the rules and standards they represented, young people turned to sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll to find freedom, love, belonging, truth, consciousness, and identity/self.
If they investigated religion, it was usually Eastern mysticism, not Christianity. The few who dared walk into a church were frequently met with looks of suspicion and judgment. Sadly, churches (pastors, church leaders, and congregations as a whole) did not navigate this season of change, tension, and unraveling well. The light and love of Jesus did not shine brightly from very many churches and Christians. Instead, they frequently preached against the latest headlines, threw their hands in the air at a loss, and saw the young—even society at large—as a lost cause, beyond the reach of the gospel of Jesus Christ and redemption. (Many Christians and churches still struggle with this sense of hopelessness as we find ourselves in a very similar political, social, moral, and spiritual climate.)
But God was neither hopeless or helpless and in His prevenient grace, He sovereignly poured out His Spirit on individuals and churches and the Jesus Movement was birthed. Across the United States through the mid-60s through early 70s, young people were radically encountering and engaging with the living God, turning away from the sex, drugs, rock-n-roll, and the false-religion scene in mass numbers.

I told Karen as we left the theater that the Jesus Revolution never ended. It’s a movement of the Holy Spirit, it’s not an institution, building or personality. Movements go through occasional plateaus and then surge again. God is moving powerfully right now, and lives are being transformed in 2023. I don’t believe It’s a coincidence that this movie came out on the heels of the latest Asbury Revival and the other revivals breaking out at campuses and churches all over the world.
I do hope people check it out and compare it to 2023. It is based on a very true story, and there are so many similarities to today. Can we love like Jesus has asked us to? Can we share Truth with Grace? Can we leave egos at the door and let God move? Can we understand that God’s movement is always rooted in the Word and in the Gospel itself? It’s about Him! Does God want to move and reach all generations with His truth? Yes! There’s so much we all can learn from one another regardless of our age and our shortcomings. Let’s get out of the way and let God move through us to reach the lost and hurting.
-Stephen

JESUS IN THE WILD Part 3:

FACING DOWN THE IF IN OUR LIVES
Luke 4:3, 7, 9

The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”
“If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
“If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down from here.”

What is the last “if” you heard in your heart? If you were loved by God, you wouldn’t have this problem, if you were really close with God, this job would just appear before you, or these trials wouldn’t be happening to you. The enemy’s goal, according to the story of Jesus in the wild, in the untamed places where we feel most vulnerable, is simply to put question marks in our minds. And some of the most potent questions begin with one tiny, little, itty bitty word that can set our world on fire: IF

For us today, let’s explore how we handle the if challenges to our own calling that come from the adversary. Your calling and mine will be contested; we must learn to identify the little demonic words that call it into question. If is one of them. How does the accuser speak to you? What is the enemy of your soul seeking to get you to question?

If is a word God uses to build us. God uses the word if to stir faith in us, hope, and love! If you act in this way, he says, then I will bless you and we will do great things together. The word if is neutral in itself; the effect of it holds power according to the one speaking it and the motivation behind its use. God uses the word if for our benefit and flourishing; the enemy uses the word if for our confusion and ultimately, our extermination. If is a word of possibility, of new potential—of another way to live.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land”
(2 Chron. 7:14).

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matt. 7:11).

Let’s explore the IF in our lives more this Sunday at 10:30am.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

JESUS IN THE WILD Part 2 What is Your Identity as a Child of God?
Luke 4:1
“Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.” Luke 4:1

Jesus’s experience in the wild in Luke 4 is different from suffering or even just temptation. Many of us were taught to conflate the two ideas of the wilderness and suffering, and though testing from all sides happens in all kinds of trials, the wild Jesus enters is a field of battle onto which he has been guided by the Spirit of God. That puts the wild in a different light. If the Spirit sends us there, then the Spirit is with us in it.

Therefore, the wild, the place of testing, can happen to us, or we and the Spirit can happen to it. Jesus goes in to the wild isolated (alone) and empty by choice (fasting) to face down the sinister voice that is about to tell him that everything God has said is untrue—and that there is a better, easier way. He begins to turn the selfless nature of Jesus’s calling toward a vision of a new kind of self-satisfying, self-fulfilling, self-focused calling that Jesus could embrace if he so chooses. Do you know that voice and the version of life purpose it offers? I know it well. The wild is a dangerous place to be for making big decisions, especially weak and hungry. Into the wilderness of testing, armed with only the spiritual business card his Father had affirmed at his baptism, Jesus went.

When the first time you truly felt the love of God touch your heart. Where were you? What did it feel like? What did you do after you felt God’s love that very first time?

In what ways have you recently experienced the wild—meaning the world as being unpredictable, untamed, and
unruly? What happened in your heart when you experienced that feeling of being out of control?

How does knowing our belovedness help us walk through difficult circumstances?

-Stephen

JESUS IN THE WILD PART 1: Tested, Tempted and Challenged
Luke 4:1–14
There is, perhaps, no more unusual story in the Gospels than the story of Jesus in the wilderness. We are led to Jesus’s baptismal waters in Luke 3:21–22. Then, placed between that mighty declaration of belovedness and affirmation from the Father and the launch of his Isaiah 61 ministry in Luke 4:14–21—Jesus is tested, tempted, and challenged. Luke 4:1–14 is, in my view, an extended meditation on Jesus’s calling, or what we can also call his vocation. The story of Jesus in the wild (“wild” is short for “wilderness” and is another name for those untamed places where we confront the devil along our own journey) is our focus for these six sermons in the series I will preach until Easter Sunday.

Ultimately, these lessons will have implications for understanding our own calling in the world, and what it means to start with who and whose we are before we talk about what we do. Each sermon will focus on one lesson we can learn from the story of Jesus in the desert (in Greek, the eremos), and has the goal of moving the disciple toward hope: hope that recognizes that Jesus understands what it means to be in a place of vulnerability, coming out of his wilderness season “in the power of the Spirit” (Luke 4:14). Since the time of my conversion 40 years ago, I have truly been fascinated by this particular story in the Gospels. I have always felt there was more to the story than met the eye.

Along the way, I humbly confess, I have been reading the story somewhat out of context—along with many preachers and teachers in the body of Christ, I’m sure. I won’t say my reading of the wilderness narrative has been completely wrong, but I will say that I often missed the wider, all-important context of Luke 3 and 4 within which the story takes place. It’s easy to do. The strange narrative of fasting, satanic attack, temptation, and resistance can draw us in, leaving the context of the stories that surround it in the background. But the stories between which the wilderness narrative is placed are vital to understanding the specific nature of the wilderness into which Jesus was led. The story of Jesus in the wilderness is about the surprising, unexpected places we must go—often led by the Holy Spirit—in order to face our enemy and to discover more deeply who God is, who we are, and what this life is truly all about.

Grace and Peace
Stephen

"Beauty from Ashes" - 2/22/23 Ash Wednesday Service - Misty Creek Community Church

Love that Transforms (Transfiguration Sunday)
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 & Luke 9:28-36

In our reading from 2 Corinthians this Sunday, we get the notion from Paul that the glory of God is reflected, not seen directly. How true of life, that God’s surprises break out in the most unexpected ways and places: in that little moment where someone reaches out to you in a time of need (for those of you whom have been sick you know what a comfort it is to have the body of Christ tend to you); where you have joy over being of assistance to someone; or where a baby shows up in a manger and changes lives and history. Maybe God has to surprise us in order to get our attention sometimes. The problem with that, however, is that we might not notice the reflections of God’s glory that are happening around us. Part of the task of worship is the rehearsing of how we learn not only to look for God’s surprises in life, but also how to recognize them. While Jesus was praying on a mountain, his face and clothing changed to dazzling white, Moses and Elijah appeared, and a voice from a cloud says, "This is my Son! My chosen. Listen to him!"

The Son of God came to earth in the form of a man to be the true servant of God and to gift humankind with the greatest gift ever given, eternal life. The word "transfigured" is a very interesting word. The Greek word is "metamorpho" and it means to transform, literally or figuratively to metamorphose, or to change. The word is a verb that means to change into another form. It also means to change the outside to match the inside. The prefix "meta" means to change and the "morphe" means form. In the case of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ it means to match the outside with the reality of the inside. To change the outward so that it matches the inward reality. Jesus' divine nature was "veiled" (Hebrews 10:20) in human form and the transfiguration was a glimpse of that glory. The transfiguration of Jesus Christ was a visible sign in the presence of reliable witnesses of the reality of the power of God and the glory, which is Christ Jesus.

The Transfiguration clarifies Jesus’ identity—especially his divine sonship and foreshadows his exaltation to heaven. Jesus' identity and work cannot be understood apart from the cross and resurrection. Only in their light do we ever understand the character of God. We are created in the image of God. We are reflections of the Divine.
When we begin to see through God’s eyes and think and act like God, we find God’s power to change. The transition is the ultimate makeover. Other people will look at us and see something much bigger than us.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

A note from our Worship Pastor, Doug Allen:

Come And See

In the Gospel of John, you will find the account of Jesus calling Philip to follow him. Now Jesus would soon call Nathanael to follow him as well but not before something significant happened. John 14:45-46 Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." "Come and see," said Philip. 3 little words, but words rich with impact. Philip had only been a disciple of Christ for a very short time but he was already actively reaching the world for Jesus. He was bursting at the seams with excitement to tell his friend about the One who changed his life, about the One who could change Nathanael's life, about the One who would change the whole world! And just like Philip, the Samaritan woman had a similar encounter with Jesus at Jacob's well and an identical response... John 4:28-30 Then the woman left her water jar, went back into the town, and said to the people, "Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" So, they left the town and made their way toward Jesus. Both Philip and the Samaritan woman were transformed by Jesus, but they didn't keep the good news to themselves, no they said what everyone should say that has encountered the Son of God, come and see. Christian, this should be our posture every single day. We all personally know people that need their lives touched by Jesus. Just like Philip and the Samaritan woman, God wants to use you and me to prepare the way for Christ to enter and change someone's life. To the person struggling with a hopeless addiction, come and see. To the parents with the wayward child who are brokenhearted and wondering where they went wrong, come and see. To the couple who appear to have it all together, but behind the facade, they're on the brink of divorce, come and see. To the confused teen who struggles with dark depression and thoughts of suicide, come and see. To the family that is completely brokenhearted and crushed in spirit at the loss of a loved one, come and see. Beloved, Christ living in you might be the only Gospel that these hurting, broken people will ever see. God Almighty is counting on you and I to be a witness and a bright light to this dark world. We too were once lost but now we're found...We were blind but now we can see. Christian, this is our challenge every single day from the very lips of Jesus... Matthew 5:14-16 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Ask God to bring people across your path that need to hear the Good News of the Gospel, I promise you, He will do it! And then from a heart of gratitude for what the Lord has done in your life may you be willing to humbly say, come and see...

All glory, honor, dominion and power be unto the King of kings, the Lord of lords and the Light of the world, Jesus! Amen and amen...

I love y'all doug

Is Your House in Order?
Matthew 25:14-30

In the Parable of the Talents, Jesus tells of a master who entrusts his estate and finances to 3 servants. He gives one 5 talents, another 2 talents and yet another 1 talent. Two of the servants put their master’s money to work earning interest and building his estate, while the servant with 1 talent buried his in the ground. When the master returned, he praised the 2 servants for using what they were given to build up his estate but the master had harsh and condemning words for the lazy servant who simply buried his talent in the dirt.

Jesus has given us all unique and individual abilities and talents and he expects us to use those talents to build his kingdom on earth. He has entrusted his kingdom to us, and as his ambassadors he commissions us to spread the gospel, to love others, to care for the church, to be salt and light to a dark world and to care for the poor, sick and less fortunate. Just like the master in the parable, Jesus is returning. Are you doing the good works that he’s entrusted to you?
Is your house in order?

I love y'all
doug

Misty Creek Community Church

Worship Pastor: Doug Allen

Teach us to Pray Part 3: A Nation Calls on the Lord
Connecting with God Through Prayer
Colossians 2:4-6, Luke 11:1-4, Romans 8:26

Several centuries ago, the famous Protestant reformer Martin Luther made a couple of interesting observations about prayer that are still helpful today. Both of his observations are in the form of what prayer is not.

First, prayer is not telling God something that God otherwise would not know. When we pray, we are not bringing God up to date on what is going on. As Jesus commented to his disciples, God knows what we need even before we speak. Prayer does not tell God anything.

Second, prayer is not a means of forcing God to do something that God otherwise would not do. Prayer is not leverage with God or a way to manipulate God. What God does, God does because of who God is, because of God’s gracious nature. Prayer does not make God do anything. Even Jesus prayed, “Not as I will, but as you will.” And in the Lord’s prayer, he asks us to pray, “Your will be done.”

What do you think about Martin Luther’s thoughts on what prayer is not? What do you think prayer is or does?

Here’s what prayer is: Prayer brings us closer to God. We grow in faith as we develop our relationship with God. Relationships require good communication. Prayer is conversation. It is talking to God and listening to God. Prayer changes us. Prayer makes us aware of who we are, of who God is, of what we need, and from Whom we get what we need. It’s through prayer that God speaks, and we hear more clearly.

Prayer is a mystery. Just as we can never know and understand completely, we do not fully understand prayer. It is more than we can grasp. But we do know that prayer has power. Jesus reminds us in Luke 11:1-4 that prayer is something that we can learn how to do. Romans 8:26 reminds us that we do not have to have perfect ways to pray. When we pray, God’s Spirit knows what is in our hearts and intercedes for us.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

January 22, 2023 Sermon:
Teach us to Pray Part 2: A Nation Calls on the Lord
The Power of Persistence
Luke 11:1-13, Luke 18:1-8
A hesitant driver, waiting for a traffic jam to clear, came to a stop on the expressway ramp. The traffic thinned, but the timid driver still waited. Finally, an infuriated voice came from behind shouting: “The sign says Yield, not give up.” The primary actors in Sunday’s parables neither yielded nor gave up. In fact, that really is the lesson of these parables: The Power of Persistence.

Jesus told two parables with almost identical messages about persistence. The stories are different only in their setting; they make the same point. The first story is recorded in Luke 11:5-13. Jesus told that parable just after he had taught his disciples to pray, using the prayer we call the Lord’s Prayer. We can imagine the parable answering a question from Peter, “Master, should we really bother God with small concerns like our daily bread?” Jesus answered such a thought, spoken or unspoken, with a story right out of the experiences of everyday life, the parable of the friend at midnight. Both Jesus and his listeners would have enjoyed the humor of this story.

In both instances someone—the reluctant neighbor and the unjust judge—did the decent thing because it was the least bothersome thing to do. They didn’t do it out of love or mercy or justice. They did it because they were badgered. Jesus is making the big point that resistance can be battered down by sheer persistence. He also makes the point that if it’s true with two not-so-admirable persons, how much more may we expect God to respond to us as we keep our needs before Him. Let’s glean some significant truths from the parable.

If goodness is produced by less than righteous, even evil powers, we can expect limitless goodness from God.
Both parables immediately follow the request of the disciples for Jesus to teach them how to pray.
So, Jesus is teaching us about prayer. And I believe he’s saying at least three things:

Sincere prayers are always answered.
Persistent prayers are always answered.
Prayers that voice our deepest needs in keeping with God’s will are always answered.

Note that Jesus does not picture either the unjust judge nor the reluctant neighbor as a symbol or a metaphor for God. He’s not teaching us about the nature of God—he’s teaching us about the nature of our praying. Sincerity, persistence, the voicing of our deepest need in keeping with God’s will. That’s what prayer is all about.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Teach us to Pray Part 1: A Nation Calls on the Lord
Matthew 13:31-35, Matthew 13:44-46, Matthew 13:47-52

The phrase “thoughts and prayers” has been spoken, texted and tweeted countless times since Damar Hamlin went into cardiac arrest on “Monday Night Football January 2.” One ESPN analyst took the phrase to heart Tuesday, praying for Hamlin on live TV. As Hamlin remains in critical condition, Dan Orlovsky said a prayer for the Buffalo Bills safety during Tuesday’s edition of “NFL Live.” “God, we come to you in these moments that we don’t understand, that are hard, because we believe that you’re God, and coming to you and praying to you has impact,” Orlovsky said. “We’re sad, we’re angry, and we want answers, but some things are unanswerable. We just want to pray, truly come to you, and pray for strength for Damar, for healing for Damar, for comfort for Damar, to be with his family, to give them peace. If we didn’t believe that prayer didn’t work, we wouldn’t ask this of you, God. I believe in prayer; we believe in prayer. We lift up Damar Hamlin’s name in your name. Amen.”

Folks, our nation is ready to hear the story that shall set them free. A story of the present Kingdom and the future Kingdom. We are on the cusp of an awakening!

“We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
That shall set their hearts to the right.
A story of truth and mercy,
A story of peace and light.
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
And dawning to noonday bright.
And Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
A kingdom of love and light.” (H. Ernest Nichol, 1896)

Do you believe that?
We come to the second petition in the Lord’s Prayer this Sunday, and it may take the greatest faith and the greatest imagination of all that we are taught to pray. So, we pray “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Have we any idea what we are praying when we ask for the kingdom of God to come and the will of God to be done? Come with me as we try to unpack this petition of the Lord’s prayer on January 15 at 10:30am.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

Christ is our Living Hope
Isaiah 43:18-19 & Philippians 3:13-14
There’s nothing quite like tearing off the last page of a calendar and turning to a new year. It brings a clean slate, offering a new start with fresh possibilities. New Year’s resolutions will abound. New habits will be attempted. Once again, we will aspire to put our best foot forward. But before we do that, let’s remind ourselves of our back story. It’s an all too human thing to want to be better and to strive for more. We are created in the image of God. The inconvenient truth is that our ancient ancestors determined that bearing the image of God was not enough. They wanted to be God. They were reaching to be God’s equals. And maybe that’s our problem—reaching. Isn’t that where things went wrong?

When our ancestors reached for the forbidden fruit. It wasn’t an apple they were reaching for. They were reaching for equality with God. They wanted to be their own god. Then and now, sooner or later, it always leads to epic failure. You see, by definition, God has no equal.

We’ve been doing it ever since. That’s the essence of sin—not trusting in the trustworthy goodness of God. The minute we do that we set out on a course to find another god or worse, to become our own god. We make great humans, but terrible gods. And when we set out on a course to find other gods, we can become quite terrible humans.

We were not made to reach for God, but to bow before him. That’s the one place where we discover that God was reaching for us all along. That’s who Jesus is—the one who reaches to us, right where we are. Not only does he reach us, but he also restores his glorious image in us and remakes us into the people he created us to be in the first place. In short, he reminds us to think like God thinks and to act like God acts and to love like God loves.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"What Christmas is Not"

Christmas Day Sermon - 12/25/22

Misty Creek Community Church

I pray that you have a blessed Christmas and may the revelation of Christ be manifest in your life and home in 2023. We are just a few days away from the celebration God’s greatest gift to the world. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15. Come celebrate the joy, love, hope and peace of the season at Misty Creek, by joining us for some dynamic worship services.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

"An Indescribable Gift"

2 Corinthians 9:15

Christmas Eve Sermon

12/24/22 Misty Creek Community Church

I pray that you have a blessed Christmas and may the revelation of Christ be manifest in your life and home in 2023. We are just a few days away from the celebration God’s greatest gift to the world. “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15. Come celebrate the joy, love, hope and peace of the season at Misty Creek, by joining us for some dynamic worship services.

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

The God of Peace! (The Fourth Sunday of Advent)
John 14:27 and Philippians 4:6-7

Is this the season of Advent or the season of Anxiety? Are you anticipating the arrival of our Savior or are you anxious about all that the holidays bring?
What is peace? I have mostly thought of peace as the absence of something else, like conflict, strife, enmity, or war. I mostly think of peace as the absence of war. Truth is, the absence of war, from nearest of kin to nations, is mostly the presence of some form of truce. It is just old conflict buried like landmines across the field of our inmost being—quietly waiting to be triggered when someone steps on the tripwire. Some are thinking, "Sounds like the holidays at our house." So, what is this peace we speak of? Now that you ask me, I'm not sure I know what real peace is. Is it a "state of being" as some make it out to be? Is it the flexed threat of war withheld, as signaled by all those protesting placards, "No justice! No peace!" Give us justice or we will give you war. That's just another name for the revolution of vengeance; another tired version of the Pax Romana.

Peace is beyond understanding. It doesn't fit into the calculus of war at all. Just like the opposite of love is not hatred, but indifference; so, the opposite of war is not peace but truce.
What if the truth is more like, "No Peace. No Justice."? The Hebrew word for peace is shalom. It means something like all of the broken and dislocated pieces of creation, our relationships, and our lives put back together again by God into a divine integration and wellness. Peace is one of the deepest essences of agape—the love of God. Notice what happens when Jesus, who was supposed to be dead and buried, walks into the most broken and despairing rooms in history to greet the eleven most wanted men in the country.

Note how he greets them: On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! . . . ” (John 20:19–21) Is it any wonder he is referenced by the prophets as the Prince of Peace.

What is your faith concerning peace?

What is your experience?

Where do you need peace in your inmost being? Where was it broken?

Where do you need the peace of Jesus in your relationships? How will you open yourself to the Prince of Peace today?

Grace and Peace,
Stephen

The God of Joy! (The third Sunday of Advent)
Luke 1:39-56

This passage in Luke’s gospel contains Mary’s song. It is one of the most famous songs in Christianity.
It has been whispered in monasteries, chanted in cathedrals, recited in small churches by evening candlelight,
and set to music with trumpets and kettledrums by Johann Sebastian Bach. It is a song of joy, a song of praise!

When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!
As Mary entered the house, Elizabeth heard her greeting and was filled with the Holy Spirit; And she was told by the Lord why Mary was there. Notice in verse 42 the first word that filled Elizabeth’s lips – it is "blessed." Notice that she did not say that Mary was blessed ABOVE women but AMONG women, and that was certainly true. While we don't want to ascribe to Mary that which only belongs to God, neither do we want to minimize her place in the plan of God.

If you are familiar with the story: You will know that Elizabeth & Mary could not be more different. Elizabeth is elderly, well on in years. Mary was a teenage girl/young woman. Elizabeth was barren all her life, unable to have children until late in life. Mary has conceived a child early, in fact too early, as a single (engaged) woman. Elizabeth is respectable, married to the priest Zechariah. Mary will cause a scandal, unmarried and pregnant. Elizabeth lives in the south Judean hill community. Mary lives in the north, in Nazareth (a place of nobody’s). Elizabeth’s life is settled and comfortable. Mary’s life, at this point in time could not be more unsettled. Yet, these two women are joined together by a common experience: Both of them are carrying special babies: Elizabeth is carrying John the Baptist. Miracle child because he is the child of her old age; He is also a child filled with the Holy Spirit from before he was born. Mary is carrying Jesus the Messiah. Miracle child because he is the Son of God.

These two women are brought together by a Spirit-birthed joy. Until they meet, each is troubled, scared. Alone, they are entering places they never imagined. But now they share the experience of an unexpected pregnancy; A first child for each. And they spend three months of seclusion together. Sunday, we will hear their story.

Grace & Peace,
Stephen

“When did Christmas get so complicated?
Mark 1:1-8

When did Christmas get so complicated? Funny thing is, "Christmas" is still the same as it's always been, the celebrating of our Lord and Savior at His birth. Anything outside of that lies the complication whether in thought or deed! For many of us Christmas is about making lists. Checking them twice. Decking the halls. Dashing through the snow. What if we rethink what we’re celebrating? What is we start decking the halls with love? Focus on comforting others and sharing the greatest gift of all. This Sunday I want to offer a few of my suggestions on how we can make Christmas less complicated and more focused on the God of love. I hope to see you in person at 10:30am or on Facebook Live!

Grace & Peace,
Stephen

The First Sunday in Advent

What is Advent?
Advent is a season of the Christian year when we focus on the coming of Christ. It's a time of waiting, hoping, and getting in touch with our need for a Savior. It's a season of preparation for Christmas, much as Lent is a season of preparation for Easter. In some Christian churches, Advent is a time of fasting and repentance.

In Advent we look back to the experience of the Israelites as they yearned for God to forgive their sin and restore their nation. We put ourselves in their shoes as they hoped for the coming of the Messiah. Thus, we ready our hearts to celebrate the good news of Christmas.
Yet Advent is also a time to look forward to the second coming of Christ. Though defeating sin and death through His cross and resurrection, Christ hasn't yet finished His work of renewing creation and restoring the kingdom of God. Thus, we continue to experience the brokenness of this world, in violence, disease, natural disasters, and other forms of human suffering. In Advent we yearn for God's completion of the salvation begun in Christ.

What does "Advent" mean?
"Advent" comes from the Latin word adventus, which means "visit" or "coming" or "arrival." The season of Advent is a time to get ready for the two "visits" of Christ: His first coming through the Incarnation, and His second coming as the reigning Lord.

Grace & Peace,
Stephen

Post-Election Realities

Ephesians 2:13–22

No matter the results of the recent election, the reality is that our world is divided by nations, ethnicities, skin color, languages, genders, politics, religions, economics, entertainment, sex, even issues of right and wrong and justice. Really, just about anything you can think of. While many within each of these groups—and many more who are outside those groups—talk a lot about justice, equality, and inclusion, they hold tightly to their earthly identities and do not want to lose them. Additionally, while they say they want a society of justice, equality, and inclusion, they do not want people from other groups coming in and possibly changing the general culture and/or identity of their group. They are selective about and even resistant to newcomers, so society continues on in its divided state over a myriad of issues.

Because of what Jesus has done, society has been radically impacted in that now, in Christ, all those divisive issues are supposed to be done away with except one; those who are in Christ and those who are not. Jesus alone, God incarnate, Savior of the world, tore down “the dividing walls of hostility” (something many are attempting to do apart from Christ and failing) between those who were “citizens” and “members of God’s household” and those who were not. Now, with His blood, He “purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation” (Revelation 5:9). As born-again children of God not only are we different persons individually, but we are a different people collectively. Now we are one people; no longer divided by the uniqueness, diversity, and distinctives of how God made us and our “place” in this world, but instead we are one people in Christ and the only division is between those who are saved and those who are perishing, those who believe and those who disbelieve, those who are in Christ and those who are not, those who are obedient and those who disobey.

As it is written, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). And “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all (Colossians 3:11). This truth, this reality of a new identity, individually and collectively, is to impact how we relate with the world around us, as the Apostle Paul wrote, “So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:16–17). We are no longer worldly, mere humans (1 Corinthians 3:1–3) who are defined and directed by all differences between us.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

True Freedom (Veteran’s Day Sunday)

Romans 8:14-15 and 2 Corinthians 3:17

In our passage from Romans 8:14-15 we see that the Father's love is always making his power benevolent, the Spirit sets us free (2 Corinthians 3:17) and brings us deeper into love. Having a Sabbath for example, is all about deepening in love as we refuse to be a slave to work and reorient our identity once again to simply being a beloved child of our ABBA in heaven. We are made for the Father's perfect love, no longer to be subject to the bonds of spiritual, psychological, or emotional slavery. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. “Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

As a pastor who has spent more than half of my life in ministry, I have witnessed healings. I believe in the gifts of healing and prophecy. When someone is healed right there on the spot, it's exciting. But for me the healing is not the point of what is happening in that moment. It never is. The love of God for the person is the most amazing thing happening in that moment. When someone's eyes light up with the love of God, expressed in quiet tears or loud rejoicing at what God has done, I'm pretty sure the angels in heaven are dancing whether a miracle occurs or not!

I am so grateful for people like my grandmother who mentored me in praying for the sick and those in need. She would always remind me that the very least a person should leave with after a time of me praying for them is a deeper experience of the love of God. When a person feels that Jesus sees them and knows them it can trigger a deep inner healing to which even a physical healing can seem secondary. God's love brings an eternal miracle of union with the person. That is always the Father's goal.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

A Biblical Response to Grief and Pain (All Saints Sunday)

Lamentations 3:22-23 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday, we remember those who have served God on earth and now enjoy His company in heaven. This is not a day of sorrow, but a day of gladness, for we know that because Christ lives, we too shall live with the company of all those who are part of the family of Christ. We remember the words of Paul when he instructed the church with these words, “brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14). Notice that Paul is not telling these believers that Christians do not grieve. Rather he is telling them not to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. Many people who are trying to comfort someone experiencing grief say, “God never gives us more than we can handle.” I believe this can backfire, making the person grieving feel worse.

Life—not God—sends adversity to us all. As pastor and chaplain, I have learned that empathy and shared grief can work miracles. Sometimes we are tested beyond our resources and strength. I know this all too well with my own personal losses. I feel overwhelmed by life and sometimes it is more than I can handle. I understand that these feelings come and go, and God gives us something to enable us to endure. The apostle Paul assures us that when we are tested beyond our strength, God will provide away through until, free on the other side, we can walk forward into the light of a new day.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

How He Loves You

Luke 19:1-10 (Missions Sunday)

Our story this Sunday centers around a man named Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector in Jericho. Tax collectors were hated by the Jewish community. They worked for the oppressive Roman government, and they often collected excessively high taxes. They gave the Roman government its required amount, then kept the excess for themselves. Tax collectors were excommunicated from the synagogue. They couldn’t participate in the religious and social supports of their community. Our Bible passage says that Zacchaeus was wealthy, so it’s likely he was profiting off the exploitation and oppression of his neighbors. I’d guess he earned the title Least Popular Guy in Jericho. I think that explains why Zacchaeus didn’t want Jesus to see him.

These Bible verses tell us that Zacchaeus ran ahead of the crowd. It’s reasonable to assume he could have gotten close enough to talk to Jesus or touch him. Instead, he climbed up a sycamore-fig tree. He wanted to see Jesus, but I don’t think he wanted Jesus to see him. There are a lot of people who feel that they are unacceptable to God. That’s the first insight we get from today’s story. There are many people who feel that they are unacceptable to God. Maybe you feel that way. You come to church searching for something, but you’re afraid to commit to anything. You’re afraid to let anyone get to know you. You’re afraid someone will discover that you’re “not a REAL Christian.” And there are plenty of people outside these church walls who feel that way. They think they have gone too far from God. The real tragedy is someone in their life may have told them that. One of the most destructive lies we can believe about ourselves is, “I am not worthy of God’s love.”

And that brings me to the second insight we get from today’s Bible passage: one of the greatest truths Jesus came to teach us is, “God loves you anyway.” No matter what you’ve done, no matter how unacceptable you feel, God loves you anyway. See how Jesus treated people who were considered nobodies or outsiders? He’s showing us a picture of what God would do if God were to walk into our lives. Our hearts may condemn us. Others may reject us. God loves us anyway. And Zacchaeus was about to discover that in the most surprising way.

Starting with verse 5 we read, “When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’ So, he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. “All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’” Remember, Jesus was surrounded by a crowd. He could have used this moment to preach a rousing sermon, or perform a few healings, or challenge the local religious leaders to a debate. At least he could have done something to help his reputation. But no, he does the exact opposite. Jesus uses this moment to show love to the Least Popular Guy in Jericho. Because Jesus never passed up a chance to show people the heart of God. And remember, no matter how unacceptable we feel we are, God loves us anyway.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

I’m Only Human

Genesis 1:26-27

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:26–27

Consider this “I’m only human.” Can we agree to never say that again? A human being is the most remarkable and glorious creature in all of creation. So, God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. We are created in the image of God. It could be the single most extraordinary thing revealed to us in all of Scripture. And I’m afraid we mostly read right past it and fail to consider the extraordinary implications.

We are created in the image of God. Do you see how absurd it is to make the lament-filled claim, “I’m only human.” What if instead we said, I am a human being, a glorious image-bearer of the living God of heaven and earth! Look how the psalmist puts it only eight psalms in: “Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:5). My friends, you are a glorious image-bearer of the living God.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Suffering in Silence

Psalm 32:1-7 & Psalm 51:1-19

“So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers and from that day on the spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.” 1 Samuel 16:13

In 1 Samuel 16, we meet David. David is first introduced to us as a shepherd, the youngest son of his father, Jesse. We later discover that David is also a musician, singer-songwriter, and brave warrior. He has been known to hang around sheep for extended periods of time, and to kill attacking lions and bears on an as needed basis. He even takes down the giant Goliath. As David is being anointed by Samuel the spirit came powerfully on the new king as the anointed one. The Hebrew word for “came powerfully” actually can convey the meaning that the spirit rushed on David, forcefully and unequivocally, empowering him for the life of obedience that was ahead.

David starts his kingly journey as a man after God's own heart. During this time, David possesses humility. Humility welcomes the Holy Spirit. Despite being identified by God as “a man after my own heart” (Acts 13:22, NIV), David sinned in his affair with Bathsheba—and sinned again by attempting to cover up his illicit activity. God didn’t fall for any of the cover up and sent Nathan to spotlight David’s guilt. In Psalm 51, David poured out his heart in repentance over his sin and sought God’s forgiveness. In Psalm 32, David rejoiced over the forgiveness he received.

God doesn’t keep score or expect us to make things up to Him when we’re wrong. Instead, He delights in restoring us. Psalm 32 gives us a portrait of the pain David experienced from his unconfessed sin. But later we get an opportunity to see the joy that can come when God forgives and restores. He wants to direct our steps. He wants to forgive us, restore us, and give us the greatest joy we can ever imagine. David found out that suffering in silence does not bring about forgiveness and restoration. David realized God was pleased with a broken spirit and a broken and humble heart. This is the kind of confession that brings deliverance and forgiveness. (Psalm 51:17 “My sacrifice, oh God, is a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”)

David attributed the cause of distress to keeping silent and refusing to confess his sin. He first admitted that when he kept silent his bones became brittle or wore out in groaning all day long. The Hebrew word for groaning can also be translated as the roaring of a lion. In regard to human subjects, it could refer to groaning or anguished cries. When David opened up and acknowledged his hidden sin to God that led to a breakthrough. “I will confess” indicates David’s personal resolve to end the physical and emotional pain that came from harboring sin in the heart. David's confession was immediately met with God's forgiveness.

This Sunday we will unpack Psalm 32:1-7 and Psalm 51:1-19, and discover the freedom that comes when we sit in the shelter of God's forgiveness and profess our desire to live a life of victory, free of confusion, fear, guilt, and regret.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What’s Next? (Part 3)

Our Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Values

Acts 2:42:47

We are in a three-part series called “What’s Next.” As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled to celebrate our three-year launch anniversary, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church. Sunday, we will look specifically at our remaining eight core values as well as look at what we believe as a community of faith.

We Live in community –We believe Christianity is personal, but not private and is lived out and fully experienced in sharing life with others.

Every Christian is a MISSIONARY and MINISTER We believe God has called every person to proclaim the message of Jesus and serve in team ministry using their God-given gifts/resources.

The healing is in the HELPING –We believe the fullness of God’s healing in our life is experienced when we spend ourselves on helping others.

We’re blessed to be a BLESSING –We believe God blesses our lives to bless others and the more we bless the more blessed we will be.

PEOPLE matter to God –We believe in the value of every human being and take seriously the mission of reaching people for Jesus, locally and beyond.

Intentional radical acts of KINDNESS –We believe the best way to share the message of Jesus is with intentional and radical acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name.

Culturally RELEVANT and ENGAGING –We believe we should try to reach people in a way they UNDERSTAND and that ENGAGES the culture.

WHATEVER It Takes –We believe Jesus set the example and called us to live His mission whatever it takes, no matter the cost.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What’s Next Part 2? Our Purpose, Vision, Mission, and Values

Acts 2:42:47

This Sunday there will be a presentation from our renovations team. God is truly on the move at Misty Creek as we seek His plan for His church.

Last Sunday I began a two-part series called “What’s Next.” We have copies of our PVMV for you to have and follow along today. As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled to celebrate our three-year launch anniversary, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church. Sunday, we will look specifically at our remaining 8 core values as well as look at what we believe as a community of faith.

We Live in community –We believe Christianity is personal, but not private and is lived out and fully experienced in sharing life with others.

Every Christian is a MISSIONARY and MINISTER We believe God has called every person to proclaim the message of Jesus and serve in team ministry using their God-given gifts/resources.

The healing is in the HELPING –We believe the fullness of God’s healing in our life is experienced when we spend ourselves on helping others.

We’re blessed to be a BLESSING –We believe God blesses our lives to bless others and the more we bless the more blessed we will be.

PEOPLE matter to God –We believe in the value of every human being and take seriously the mission of reaching people for Jesus, locally and beyond.

Intentional radical acts of KINDNESS –We believe the best way to share the message of Jesus is with intentional and radical acts of kindness done in Jesus’ name.

Culturally RELEVANT and ENGAGING –We believe we should try to reach people in a way they UNDERSTAND and that ENGAGES the culture.

WHATEVER It Takes –We believe Jesus set the example and called us to live His mission whatever it takes, no matter the cost.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What’s Next?

Matthew 28:18-20 & Mark 12:30-31

The Spirit of God was with us over three years ago as we first gathered in a living room for Home Church. The Spirit is with us now in the stone chapel, where hundreds of lives have been saved since it was dedicated over 100 years ago. After standing empty, void of worshippers for the last few years, God had a plan to fill a once vibrant, beautiful chapel with His worshippers again and here we are. While we celebrate the past three years of being in this chapel, it is exhilarating to think to the future about what God has in store for us next.

As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled to celebrate our three-year anniversary in this sacred space, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church. For the next two Sundays under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will look at what is next for Misty Creek.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What is Your Legacy?

Luke 16:1-13

The question at the heart of today’s scripture lesson is one that I hope you’ll take seriously. Jesus is talking to his disciples in this passage. He knows he’s not going to be with them much longer. And he wants them to think seriously about the direction of their lives. Even though his ministry is popular now, he knows it won’t last. After his death, his disciples will be persecuted for spreading his message. They will be forced to make a choice: commit their lives to the work of the kingdom of God or go back to pursuing their own safe and comfortable interests. And so, he tells them a very strange parable, a story about a rich man who accuses his household manager of mismanaging his resources. The rich man calls this manager into his office and asks, “What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management because you cannot be my manager any longer.”

Why do I think we should all take this summons seriously? Because Jesus wants all his disciples to consider this question in light of their own responsibility to God. What if this were the last day of your life? What if tonight God came to you and asked, “What is this I hear about you? Give an account of how you have managed this life I’ve given you.” How would you answer? Have you been a wise manager of this life God gifted you?

Jesus is saying, first of all, that God is the master of our life and He created us for His own purpose. Our life is not our own. We belong to God. The second thing Jesus is trying to teach his disciples in this story is that what you desire most becomes your master. Got that? It’s so important. What you desire most becomes your master. Jesus showed us what this looked like in his own life. His greatest desire was to do the will of God. He had plenty of people around him questioning his ministry, questioning his character, questioning his priorities. But he never lost his focus on doing God’s will. He could say with both enthusiasm and conviction that no one can serve two Masters.

If we build our life around our own desires for happiness or security or respect, we will fail to fulfill the purpose God made us for. And the final lesson Jesus is trying to teach his disciples in this passage is this: The master you serve will shape the legacy you leave. If God is our Master, then our life will have an eternal impact. We will follow the example of Jesus as his Spirit grows in us.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Remembering 9/11 (21st anniversary)

Where were you on September 11th, 2001: The Day the World Shrank? How did you feel? Not only do we recall the fear we felt and the grief we shared, but also our resolve as a country. More than twenty years later, we pay tribute to our God being a God of unity. He gives hope, heals, and restores the broken. May we never forget the compassion that grew in us all because of our God who turns disaster into deliverance. Many of us know where we were and what we were doing 21 years ago September 11, 2001. We remember how we felt because to some degree we have felt that way ever since, and this pandemic, divisiveness, riots, killings, natural disasters, and anniversaries such as this one reminds us that nothing is normal now. What should we do when pandemics and cataclysmic events strike?

I. HAVE FAITH - NOT FEAR II. PRAY - DON’T PANIC III. BELIEVE GOD - DON’T BLAME HIM IV. RESPOND - DON’T RUN V. BE ASSURED – NOT ANGRY

Serving with joy, Stephen

The Best Meal Ever!

Mark 14:22-25; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

This is the Labor Day Weekend. Labor Day is a strange holiday. While we call it "Labor Day,” we try to do as little labor as possible and most working people have the day off. Nobody has wished me a "Happy Labor Day". We didn’t get any Labor Day cards. We don’t decorate the house or give Labor Day gifts. The florists and greeting card manufacturers haven’t found a way to capitalize on it. It’s a bad weekend for a Church because everyone wants to travel.

Labor Day is different things to different people. To the factory or office worker, it may be a day off. For policemen, who deal with extra traffic and alcohol abuse, it’s a tough day. To farmers and ranchers, it’s just another day to feed the cattle and work in the fields. For preachers, it is an opportunity to talk about work. Work is a very important part of God’s will for people. This Sunday, I will to teach on the greatest work ever and it involves the best meal ever.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Will Our Children Have Faith?

I Samuel 3:1-10

Most of us never imagined we would be living in such a divided world. My grandfather fought and lived through the second world war, and he was convinced that our world would be drawn together in harmony, peace, and plenty. He was convinced that the sacrifices were so enormous that he seemed certain that we would never again permit our world to become so divided. But here we are, nations are increasingly hostile toward one another, communities are divided around issues of education, development, and the status quo.

Folks, Religion is divided with each claiming to have a firm grip on the truth. Denominations and congregations are divided over doctrine and what constitutes faithful discipleship and mortal sin. And families are divided by competing agendas, rival priorities, and the daily pressure to survive and thrive in an increasingly competitive culture. We’re just plain exhausted, aren’t we? Those who seek to follow Jesus must be asking if this is the way Christians are to live? Are we really measuring up to our calling as children of God?

Is there a better way for us to practice our faith? Will our children have faith? Are we the living answer to the prayer of Jesus, Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11. Do we look at one another and see movement toward our oneness in Christ? Do others look at us and see God at work in our life together? Is our way of living life-giving rather than life draining? Is our way of living one that will enhance the quality of life of each of us for as long as we live? If we live a life of faith, then the answer to all these questions will be yes!

Deep within, I believe all of us do want to live that faithful and fruitful life even though we have often turned away from God’s invitation to Holy living.

This Sunday we will hear some things that will help our children and us have faith.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

MORE THAN A POPULARITY CONTEST

Luke 12:49-56

We have been spending some time in Luke’s Gospel the last few weeks. We have learned that popularity is not a measure of success in God’s eyes; obedience is. How do you measure popularity? These days most people measure popularity by social media followers and likes. But that’s not always an authentic measure. There are companies that will sell large blocks of fake followers to those who want to look more popular than they really are.

In the beginning of Luke 12, we read that Jesus’ popularity has become so great that he and his disciples were being followed by a crowd of “many thousands” of people. And he didn’t have to pay for any of them. The crowd was so boisterous that Jesus and his disciples were in danger of being trampled by them. How does it feel to be a rockstar? The disciples must have felt really good about their decision to follow Jesus, seeing as how his ministry was becoming so influential. Only Jesus understood that they were following him, not to a throne or a new political movement, but to his death on the cross, the death of an outcast. From popularity to shame and suffering and persecution. In a short time, that crowd of many thousands would be lining the streets of Jerusalem and loudly demanding Jesus’ death at the hands of the Roman government.

So, Luke 12 is basically one long teaching on how to disengage from the world’s attractions, from its values, from its popularity contests. Jesus is trying to warn his disciples that they can’t count on the crowd’s approval for long. He knows he will be leaving them soon, and they will suffer greatly as they try to carry on his mission without him. They will pay a price for following him, so they’d better be prepared for it. But he can also see how the Holy Spirit, his Spirit living in them, will lead them to change the world.

Many leaders gauge the success of their ministry on its popularity, on the number of followers they have. Jesus gauged the success of his ministry on his obedience to God. And he warned us that obedience to God will make us unpopular with the world. In Luke 12, he’s teaching his disciples, “Don’t let your current circumstances blind you, or your current comforts bind you to this world. Saying ‘Yes’ to me means saying ‘No’ to this world and its comforts and priorities and value systems.”

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"Wake Up! Get Ready!"

Luke 12:32-40

8/14/22 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Post-Traumatic Church Disorders

Galatians 1:6-9

8/7/22 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Stephen Streett, Senior Pastor

If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat

Matthew 14:22-33

God has called His children to a life of significance, a life of adventure, and He’s created good works for each of us to do. Jesus came to save us yes, but that’s just the beginning. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, God wants to use us to accomplish the greater things that Jesus spoke of in John 14:12. But these greater things are almost always outside our comfort zone, we have to trust God and keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. Like Peter, He’s calling you and I to step out of the boat of complacency and to courageously walk upon the water.

Are you ready to accomplish the greater things that God has created for you?

I love y'all

doug

FIRST WORLD PROBLEMS

Luke 12:13-21

Have you ever stopped to notice the things that you worry about? If you were to make a list of the last three things you worried about, what would be on it? I ask this question because most of us live insulated lives. We have a place to live. We have enough food to eat. We are not in danger of starvation or homelessness or dying from a simple infection because we can’t afford antibiotics. We are insulated from the dangers of extreme poverty that afflict about 689 million people worldwide. That’s almost 10% of the world’s population just in case you were doing math in your head.

The problems most of us complain about are a little less life-threatening. In fact, our problems are so minimal in comparison to the rest of the world that they have earned a strange nickname: First World problems. First World problems are inconveniences, not threats. They come from having too much of everything and not enough gratitude for anything. All of us are familiar with Third World problems: poverty, hunger, lack of adequate health care, etc. But what about First World problems?

Our Scripture Lesson today is about a man who suffered from First World problems. And though we may not have the same problem as the man in this story, we may have the same mindset he did. And according to God, that is the biggest problem of all. So I hope you’ll open your mind as you hear our story from Luke 12:13-21.

Jesus is surrounded by a crowd of people, and someone in the crowd says to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

Jesus is so wise here. He could have made money, or goats, or vineyards—whatever counted as half of this man’s inheritance—appear out of thin air. He could have easily solved this man’s problem. The man would have been thrilled. The crowd would have been impressed. But no one would have learned anything about God. And that is the greatest need any of us have in life. Jesus knows that. We need to remember that the next time we question why God doesn’t solve our temporary problems.

Jesus didn’t come to make our life better; he came to lead us from death to life. In the Book of John, chapter 17 verse 3, John writes, “Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” Read through the first four books of the New Testament. When Jesus doesn’t give people what they want in life, it’s because he’s about to give them what they really need: a greater understanding of God, the Source of true Life.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING

Luke 10:38-42

If you’ve ever hosted an event at your house—a Bible study, a Super Bowl party, a holiday meal, a book club meeting—you know that there are a hundred little details that need to be taken care of before the guests arrive. And one or two details could make the difference between a great event and a hosting nightmare. So it takes a certain spiritual gift and an inner fortitude to be a good host. Not everyone is cut out for this job.

Every time I read our scripture lesson for Sunday, I wonder how Martha had the energy and skill to host a large group of people on short notice. Our lesson for this morning begins, “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.” As she rushed around preparing, she noticed that Mary, her sister, wasn’t helping her. Where was she? She was sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to him teach.

Verse 40 reads, “But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.” The Greek word used here for “distracted” literally means “to drag all around.” Have you ever experienced this? You feel like you are dragging around others’ demands on your time and energy. You are dragging around others’ expectations and standards. You are dragging around other people’s priorities. Of course, Martha was stressed out!

Stress comes from the sense that someone always needs something from you. Peace comes from the realization that you need something from God. The one thing we need, the only thing that can never be taken away from us, is our love for Jesus Christ. And this love will change everything about our lives. It will decide what gets us out of bed in the morning. What breaks our hearts. What amazes us with joy and gratitude. And that love comes from spending time at Jesus’ feet. So, I encourage you to lay aside your agenda and your distractions and spend time praying, meditating, worshiping Jesus every day. Fall in love with him, stay in love with him, and it will decide everything.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

A Plan to Restore the World

Ephesians 3:16-21

This Sunday, we will hear a personal testimony from Eli Allen. I will offer a reflective message from Ephesians 3:16-20.

*“I pray that out of his glorious riches that God may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Ephesians 3:16-21*

Christ was always Gods plan to restore the world. These are some of the points that I will teach on this Sunday:

A prayer for strength.

A source of strength that comes from the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants to move in and take up residence in your heart.

Love; God does not give His power for show. The essence of the Christian life is love. There’s nothing easy about love. Be able to love each other well.
The step of knowing. That we would grasp the love of Christ. This a love that goes beyond mere understanding. To fully experience the full scope of his love.
The full measure of God's goodness.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

God's Eternal Freedom

John 8:31-47

Monday our nation celebrates Independence Day, which commemorates the day that the 13 original colonies joined together to declare their independence from Great Britain. In fact, the first time we were ever referred to as the “United States of America” was in the Declaration of Independence, which was accepted by the leadership of the 13 colonies on July 4, 1776. July 3, we were a collection of colonies. July 4, we were the United States of America. That’s why we call July 4 the birthday of our nation. So, I hope you take some time to recognize and give God thanks for the blessings we enjoy as a nation.

I hope you take some time this weekend to consider what virtues make our nation strong, and what obstacles make us weak, and what part each of us can play in building a nation that will last another 246 years.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Identity Theft, How to Avoid Being Ripped Off!

1 Peter 2:9-10

Satan never stops lying to the believers, trying to convince us that we are not who God declares that we are in Christ Jesus. The Bible says so much about our true identity. I'll be unpacking some of Satan's schemes to undermine us and walk through some practical tips to help us live a victorious life and experience the fullness of God. I hope to see you tomorrow!

I love y'all

doug

~This week's message is presented by our Worship Pastor, Doug Allen.

WWJD Part I: The Good Samaritan Church

Matthew 25:31-46 ; Luke 10:25-37

Why do we ask the question, what would Jesus do? Is it because when we become Christians, we become one with Christ? We commit our life to Him. If we're dedicated to our commitment, He will give us the strength we need to deal with whatever we face in life. We depend on His strength, and as we do, we become more conformed to His image, living the Gospel that He taught us and anxious to do so. We're supposed to renew our minds, and the new mind that we're supposed to acquire is a Jesus-like mind. With that kind of mind, you know that you are living in the center of God's will.

Are you living in the center of God’s will? How do you know whether you are or not? By allowing the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and put a right Spirit within your heart. The new mind and spirit is the transformation that occurs when you conform to His will and not the pattern of the world. Romans 12:2 “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

What does it mean to acquire a Jesus-like mind? Study the gospels and the letters of Paul. Learn as much as you can about Jesus. Mirror his lifestyle. Serve others. Affirm them. Validate their concerns, pray for them, and embrace them. Stop judging. Surround yourself with other believers.

How do you renew your mind, heart, and spirit? Seek the things of God daily! Today, there's much confusion about what it is to be a Christian. Churches have defined it in many ways; how we worship, the music we use, etc. Being a Christian has been defined by particular rules, such as what we wear, the version of the Bible we use, how we baptize folks. In a society that has become very secular, we need to get to the point of what it is to be a Christian. Peter sought to answer that in 1 Peter 2:21: “You were called to this kind of endurance, because Christ suffered on your behalf. He left you an example so that you might follow in his footsteps.”

In Luke 10, Jesus tells a story of a man attacked on the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. Some people coming down the road see he has been robbed and is injured, in a desperate condition; they are too busy to stop and help (the women in the truck story—pouring ran). The Good Samaritan sees the man and stops to help. He goes beyond normal courtesy, even placing himself in danger. Jesus says at the end of this story that we are to go out and “do likewise.” We need to be the people who help if we are going to do what would Jesus would do.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

From Powerless to Powerful

John 14:16-18

There are three ingredients that are necessary to take the Gospel of Jesus Christ into the world. The first is power. Jesus, in his final instructions to his disciples, told them to wait in Jerusalem “until you are clothed with power from on high.” (Luke 24:49) That power would be the Holy Spirit at work in their lives.

For example, on the Day of Pentecost Simon Peter preached and 3,000 souls were added to the church. But that’s not all. In a relatively brief period of history the tiny Christian community swept across the entire Roman Empire. Power was promised and power was delivered. The very gates of hell were threatened by the battering ram of God’s Spirit. When the Holy Spirit is experienced, people walk with courage and confidence. No one asks, “Can we do this, dare we try that?” Nothing is impossible to people who are led by the Spirit. Misty Creek is a living example of a people who are led by the Spirit.

The second ingredient in taking the Gospel of Christ to the world is purpose. There is no power without a great purpose calling us to accomplish great things. That purpose comes from a shared vision. God declares through the prophet Joel, “I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams . . .” What vision has God given to the people called Christians? It is a vision of the entire world joined into one family—the family of God. I am thankful that Misty Creek is an outward church not inward. A church called by the Holy Spirit to take the Gospel of Christ to the world has power, it has purpose—and it has one thing more.

It has God’s presence. Jesus had ascended to be with the Father. What would his disciples do now? He was the Way, the Truth, the Life for them. What would happen to the sheep without the shepherd? They were not to worry, Jesus told them. “I will give you another Counselor, to be with you forever . . .” (John 14: 16) That Counselor came like a mighty wind, like tongues of fire at Pentecost. The Holy Spirit is Christ’s presence in the hearts of his followers.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

A PREVIEW OF HEAVEN (PENTECOST)

ACTS 2:1-21

Pentecost is meant to be a little preview of heaven. In Revelation 7, John is given a vision of what heaven will actually look like. In verse 9, he says he sees a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. And what is the great multitude doing? Singing praises for their salvation through Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. So Pentecost was a preview of this explosion of praise that naturally flows from God's people. But so is worship. Every time Jesus followers get together to worship or pray and sing praises or to learn the Bible or do mission projects, there should be an outbreak of praise. Think about your last few conversations at church? Did they revolve around politics, work issues, family issues, sports? Or did they revolve around declaring the wonders of God? If we want the transforming power of the church at Pentecost, then we need to start with a shared passion for God’s work and an outbreak of praise to God. Pentecost was an outbreak of praise.

Another blessing of Pentecost is a call to prophesy. Notice what Peter says in verses 17-18 when he quotes the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my spirit on all your people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.” Notice it says all, everybody. And they will prophesy. God isn't just talking about those 120 believers who were there on the day of Pentecost. God is talking about a day when every believer will prohesy in God’s name. God is talking about you and me. Don't let the word prophecy scare you. Prophets are simply truth tellers. They are chosen by God to share the message of God. A message of warning period, a message of hope.

But every prophet's message is essentially the glorious and grace-filled message in verse 21 of our Bible passage today: “And everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved.” that's the message you and I need to share with our family and friends and neighbors and coworkers and random strangers and everyone. Share it with your words. Share it with your actions. Share it with your life. God didn't pour out the Holy Spirit, the spirit of Jesus Christ, so we could keep God’s glory and power and love and truth inside these four walls. The call of the church is not to fill churches but to fill heaven. You and I are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to be prophets, to share the truth of God and salvation through Jesus Christ with everyone. Every person we ever meet is God's opportunity. What God opportunities are right in front of you?

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Who is Listening to You?

Acts 16:16-34

This Sunday we’re going to talk about a prayer that moved both Heaven and earth. Imagine visiting a foreign city in which you are falsely accused of a crime, attacked by a violent mob, stripped naked and beaten, and thrown into a dark prison cell. Few of us will ever endure that kind of violence and injustice. But many of us know what it’s like to lose everything that is important to us. Everything that is secure. Many of us know what it is like to feel trapped and alone and beyond all help. And that brings us to the first question for this morning: How do you respond to life in your weakest and worst moments? I’m not asking this to shame anyone this morning. I’m asking because our weakest and worst moments expose what we really believe in and what we really value. So how did Paul and Silas respond to being treated so unjustly? Verse 25 tells us. We read, “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Think of that! In their weakest and worst moment, in a prison cell, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God. Is that the way you respond when you are placed in a really bad situation?

Do you think Paul and Silas only worshipped God because they expected that God would rescue them? Were they praying for rescue? Were they praying for strength? Or were they praising God for His goodness? I suspect it was the latter. Whatever the content of that prayer, it was powerful enough to break open prison doors and yank shackles off of hands and feet. Think of it. In their weakest and worst moment, when everything had been stripped away from them, Paul and Silas proved Who they truly believed in and what they truly valued. I don’t believe they prayed for God to save their lives; I believe they prayed and praised God because in Him they found the true purpose of life. What could be more freeing than that?

Who is listening to you?” Let’s look at our focus verse, verse 25, again: “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” That’s important. The other prisoners were listening to them.

The prayers of Paul and Silas didn’t just give the prisoners a brief moment of freedom. They set all the prisoners free. Which led to the jailer and all the members of his household coming to faith in Jesus Christ. Which set all of them free. Which led Luke to write his story in the book of Acts—a book which has led countless people to find freedom in Jesus Christ over the past 2,000 years. And it’s my hope and prayer that you will remember this story and will trust God in your weakest and worst moments.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

God has a purpose for you

Acts 16:9-15

I want to ask you a question: how do you respond when God—or life itself—changes your plans? This question is relevant for everyone because at some point in your life, God, or life, if you will, will suddenly and unexpectedly change your plans for your day, maybe even for your life. There is an old “Peanuts” cartoon strip that I suspect we all can relate to. In the first panel Charlie Brown says, “I learned something in school today, I signed up for folk guitar, computer programming, stained glass art, shoemaking and a natural foods workshop.” In the second panel he says, “[Instead] I got spelling, history, arithmetic, and two study periods.” In the third panel Charlie’s friend asks, “So, what did you learn?”

Charlie says, “I learned that what you sign up for and what you get are two different things.” Welcome to life, Charlie Brown! What you sign up for and what you get are often two different things. So how do you respond to unexpected disappointments? To a sudden change in your plans? How you respond will, in large part, depend on your trust in God and your commitment to place your life in God’s hands, to let God use you for His work.

If you’ve ever questioned God’s will for your life, if you’ve ever thought that your life just took an unexpected detour, then you can appreciate this story from Acts 16. Paul and Silas and Timothy discovered that sometimes God’s will looks like an unexpected detour or a closed door. “The Holy Spirit often guides as much by the closing of doors as He does by the opening of doors.” And how we respond to these unexpected moments, those closed or opened doors, says a lot about our belief in God, and it says a lot about how God can use us to accomplish His will. Do you expect God to do something important with your life? He will! Do you believe God has a purpose for you? He does!!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Do you want to be in God’s way or in God’s will?

Acts 11:1-18

I want us to focus today on Peter’s response in Acts 11:1-18 because it’s a powerful example of how to pivot our mindset from being God’s bouncer to being God’s ambassador. Peter ends his story by saying, “So if God gave them the same gift, He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” He was referring, of course to the gift of the Holy Spirit. If God gave Gentiles the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter is saying, how could they be excluded from the church?

Here’s a powerful question: Are there times when you and I could be standing in God’s way?

Are our beliefs, attitudes, prejudices, or actions interfering with the work of God in our community?

Are we withholding the love and truth of Jesus Christ from certain people or certain groups because we think they are unacceptable to God? Are we standing in God’s way or standing in God’s will?

When we really understand the greatness of God’s grace, we realize that we can’t leave anybody out. Do you want to be in God’s way or in God’s will? The best way to ensure you are in God’s will is to ask yourself the questions, “How big is my spiritual family?” and “How great is God’s grace?

In God’s eyes, there’s only one type of person: greatly loved and worth dying for. In the book of Galatians 3:28, the apostle Paul writes, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are not God’s bouncers; we are God’s ambassadors. It’s not our job to put limits on God’s love. It’s our job to share the love and the salvation of Jesus Christ with everyone we meet, so that all God’s children can someday be gathered into His kingdom.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

A Woman with a Sense of Purpose

Acts 9:36-43

We will honor Mother’s this Sunday with a few extra special surprises in the service.

I don’t think you can overestimate the influence of a parent on a child’s sense of compassion. Compassion is what being a follower of Jesus is all about. Compassion is concern for the suffering of others. It’s an active response to another person’s pain. Compassion is at the heart of our lesson for today. Some people seem gifted with compassion, and some not so much. Do you think that’s why our world seems less compassionate these days? Do you think we’ve lost the courage to care? Do we keep a secret store of indifference as a sort of self-protection against getting hurt?

Those are some questions that flow from our Scripture lesson from Acts 9 for this coming Sunday. It is the story of a remarkable disciple of Jesus Christ named Tabitha. Our story begins like this, “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.”

Someone once wrote that a truly great life can be summed up in just a few words. An epitaph of excellence. This is our introduction to Tabitha: “she was always doing good and helping the poor.” What a wonderful epitaph. Here we are in the year 2022 talking about a woman who lived two thousand years ago. Why? Because of the caring life that she lived. What a legacy Tabitha left us. As long as people tell the Gospel story, Tabitha will not be forgotten. You and I were made to be Jesus in the world. That means living with a sense of purpose and translating our compassion into action. And if we commit to living this way, then our lives will have an eternal impact too.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

WHAT DOES GOD EXPECTS OF US?

Acts 9:1-20

The first question we should ask ourselves from Sunday’s Scripture lesson would be this, “What kind of God do you believe God is?” Do you see how messed up Saul’s mission had become? His primary motivation for persecuting Christians wasn’t hatred and destruction. His primary motivation for hunting down and arresting the followers of Jesus was his desire to serve God. Scary, isn’t it? Serving God whose very nature is love but doing it by killing innocent people. On the road to Damascus, Saul needed to confront his entire approach to life. He needed to see that any mission that isn’t aligned with the heart of Jesus isn’t from God. A mission that is divorced from the heart of Jesus may have noble intentions and tragic results. Such a mission will drive people further from God rather than draw people to God. Paul’s faith wasn’t in God; it was in the misunderstanding of the kind of god God is. He served the law, not the Lord. And we Christians can be just as short-sighted and destructive if we don’t align our lives with the heart of Jesus.

The second question we should ask ourselves is, “WHAT DOES GOD EXPECTS OF US?

The most important thing you can do with your life is to discover who God is and what God’s purpose is for your life. And just because we are in church this morning doesn’t necessarily mean we’ve discovered the answers to these questions. Throughout history, some Christians have driven people away from God with their anger and condemnation and misplaced priorities. How do we align our life and mission with Jesus? By asking ourselves why we believe what we believe, by asking who the Lord is, and by asking what the Lord wants us to do. And when our mission is aligned with Jesus’ heart, then our life will have an eternal impact.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Rumor Has it!

John 20:19-31

In our Gospel lesson for Sunday, the disciples were hiding behind closed doors. One reason the disciples were hiding may have been the proliferation of rumors in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. I’ve dealt with this before, but it is so important for our day and time, I want to emphasize it again. John says that the disciples were behind closed doors because of “fear of the Jews.”

There is no indication in the Scripture that such fears were justified. There is no evidence that the terrible violence of that weekend went beyond the torture and crucifixion of Jesus. But Rumor has it that they were threatened. Whenever there is conflict between rival groups, rumors fly. Fear seems to escalate. Reason is suspended. There is much fear in our society, even today. That fear is often fed by rumor. Of course, we have perfected the rumor mill in our time. We have the news media to thank for this unparalleled access to misinformation. Even worse, we have social media which feeds us a steady stream of hateful misinformation.

If the disciples had taken to heart the rumors that were circulating around Jerusalem about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus, the Christian message would not have gotten off the ground. Satan would have won for sure. But thanks to the steadfastness of that small band of believers, the word got out, “He is risen from the grave.”

Serving with joy,

Stephen

The Greatest of All Time

I Corinthians 15:19-26; Luke 24: 1-12

Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Billy Graham, Tiger Woods, Esther, Joan of Arc, Michael, Jackson, Whitney Houston, Elvis, Lebron James, Sacajawea, George Washington, Eleanor Roosevelt, Martin Luther King, Babe Ruth, Abraham Lincoln. You could add so many more to the list. But that’s not necessary because none would exist without the resurrection of the greatest of all time, Jesus Christ! That is why we will gather on Easter Sunday, to celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Why is it important to believe in the resurrection of the dead? Certainly, it is not so that we can believe in God. Creation provides more than enough proof of His existence. Many people believe in God who do not believe in Easter. God’s power and His omnipotence are not at stake. What is at stake is whether your life or mine has any ultimate significance. Do we live only for a season, then cease to exist forever? Or are we so significant in God’s eyes that even death cannot separate us from His love?

Do not say that Christianity can exist independently from Easter. Christianity is not simply a set of values, a moral code, a style of living, a grand philosophy. Christian faith is Easter faith. It is the conviction that people matter so much to God that he gave his own son in our behalf; that he allowed him to be crucified on the cross for our sins and on the third day raised him from the grave as sign and symbol that our lives are of eternal significance. God is involved. Christ is victorious. But even more importantly, we really do matter to God.

That is why the empty tomb is central to our faith. Bruce A. Demarest summed it up in a beautiful way in his book, Who Is Jesus? He writes, “Throughout the centuries men have tried to honor their heroes (GOAT) by erecting lavish monuments: the massive pyramids of Egypt, built as resting places for the Egyptian pharaohs; the glistening Taj Mahal, the tomb of an Indian emperor and his favorite wife; Lenin’s Tomb in Red Square, the place where the body of the Marxist leader is preserved by some mysterious process; the burial vault at Mt. Vernon, the site of President Washington’s interred body.

In its stark simplicity Jesus’ grave can’t compare with these costly crypts. But the tomb of Jesus excels in the most important respect. It lies empty! He is not there!” He is not there. He is alive. He is victorious, and because he lives, we, too, can live victorious lives as well.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Easter Sunrise - SERMON ONLY - 4/17/22 - Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

He Walked a Mile in My Shoes

Luke 19:28-40; Philippians 2:5-11

As we celebrate Palm Sunday this week—as we celebrate the joyful procession and the cheering crowds—let’s acknowledge that Jesus’ life was not always that way, just as our life is not always that way. His was a life begun and ended in shame. His was a love reaching to the least and the lowest. But more importantly he is the light that can lead us from the darkness of shame and rejection into the bright day of hope and wholeness once again.

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”

“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Amen.

Who are you? You too have been crucified with Christ, you no longer live, it is Christ who lives in you. Embrace your cross today and follow him in the way that leads from death to resurrection life!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Resurrection Stories Part 3: A Generation Apart: What Will Unite Us?

2 Timothy 1:1-7

The divisions in our nation seem many these days, and not just between political parties. “What divides Americans most,” said a recent Time magazine article, “isn’t race, gender, geography, or ideology. It is the year we were born.” The biggest gap between us is the generation gap. An extensive new Pew Research Center poll found that today we have the largest generation gap since 1972. The sheer numbers of people in the middle (Baby Boomers and Gen Xers) creates a demographic chasm between the Silent Generation (over 65) and the Millennials (18–30-year-olds). The survey revealed that the youngest and oldest generations have strikingly different views on everything from how they feel about the Internet, the government, how they’ll vote, the economy, the church, interracial marriages, and same sex unions and so on.

As I read these words of Paul to Timothy, I recognize that he was building our understanding of faith even as he was building a church. In this brief illustration to Timothy, he is reminding us of the covenant nature of the church. How all generations serve the purpose of God. In verses one and two, Paul identifies himself as a spiritual father to Timothy. In verse three, Paul reminds us that his faith is not new but is the faith of his forefathers. In verses four and five, Timothy's faith as a young man brings joy to Paul. In verse six, Paul and the council of elders lay hands on Timothy. Timothy's mother and grandmother are of faith. We see that the generations support one another in the work of God, and yet we realize how hard it is to be an intergenerational church.

Thanks be to God we are becoming the church that Paul and Timothy envisioned.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Resurrection Stories Part 2: God is Waiting for You!

Luke 15:1-3,11b-32

I think it’s important to point out before I jump into our Bible story today that we have all made decisions that have moved us further from the ideal person we want to be. We have all made decisions that have moved us further from the ideal person God made us to be. That’s exactly what sin is: moving away from God’s perfect character and perfect will. Romans 3: 23 reads, “. . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. . .” So today’s Bible story is good news for all of us. It’s about a son who rebels against his family. He asks for his share of the family inheritance so he can go off to a distant country and start a new life. The result was he squandered his fortune in wild living and ended up broke and alone in a foreign land. When a severe famine spread throughout the whole country, the young man became desperate and hired himself out to a pig farmer just to keep from starving to death. Feeding pigs was rock-bottom, the most shameful job a young Jewish man could have.

The son in Jesus’ story had rejected his father, lost his inheritance, and brought shame on his whole household. According to Old Testament custom, he was worthy of death. This is one of Jesus’ most famous stories. But Jesus’ stories are never just about the story. Every story Jesus told is an introduction to God’s heart. If you’ve ever wanted to know what God is like, then this story is for you. And if you truly want to understand the nature of God’s heart, then always look at who Jesus’ audience is. Jesus never just told a story to entertain or instruct. He told stories to draw people closer to God. So he was very careful to choose the right story for the right audience. So our story begins with the words, “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ Then Jesus told them this parable. . .” What do these verses tell us about God’s heart? Jesus is telling his audience of outcasts, “God welcomes you.” You are important to me. Not as a project or a charity case. As a friend. “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

God is waiting to welcome you home. God is waiting to restore you. No matter how far away you may have gone from God’s character and God’s will, God is saying through Jesus, “Let’s pick up the pieces and see what we can make out of what is left.” And this isn’t just a moment of restoration, it’s a moment of celebration! Jesus’ story ends with these words:

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

God is never giving up on you. You are accepted. You are loved. You are welcomed and you are waited for. That was the message of Jesus’ life and the motivation for his death—to show us that God would give everything He has to save us and restore us and bring us home again. Can you trust your life to a God like that? I pray that today is the day that you commit your life to God and come home to the God who is running to meet you with open arms.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Resurrection Stories Part 1: Be Still, Give Thanks, Reflect, Pray and Hope

For the next two Sundays we will hear from folks in our congregation who have experienced their own “Resurrection Story.” These testimonies will inspire as well as encourage us to share our own story that God is writing for our lives.

Sunday, we will have the opportunity to experience an ancient method of prayer given to us by St. Ignatius. He believed this method was a gift directly from God. During this time, we will encounter the presence of God as we pray and reflect.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

**Finding Your True North

(Developing a Relationship with God Through His Word)**

Hebrews 4:12 & 2 Timothy 3:16-17

We've always needed the truth of God's Word but never more than today. We live in a day where deception is running rampant. Our society doesn't know up from down, or truth from lies. In America, it seems that everyone wants to do what is right in their own eyes and the desire for the absolute truth of Almighty God is almost non-existent.

Christian, this Sunday I'll unpack our vital need to read and study the Holy Bible. God's Word reveals His character to us, the Word protects us from deception and it helps us fall deeper in love with Jesus. The common theme from Genesis to Revelation is the love and redemption of fallen humanity made possible through God's only Son, Jesus Christ. I hope to see you Sunday.

I love y'all

To God be the glory!

doug

Handling Pressure

Luke 4:1-13 (First Sunday of Lent)

Our Scripture lesson on Sunday is about Jesus confronting temptation in the wilderness. On a deeper level, it’s about how our wilderness times are the training ground for experiencing God’s power in our lives. In Luke 3, Jesus is publicly baptized by John the Baptist. The Holy Spirit comes down on him in the form of a dove, and God speaks from heaven and confirms Jesus as His beloved Son. Pretty exciting stuff! Jesus must have been feeling pretty good. And then we read in Luke 4, “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil.”

Wait—the Holy Spirit led him into the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil? That sounds like a mistake. Except it isn’t. Look at the stories of every person in the Bible whom God has chosen to do mighty things. They all had to endure a wilderness time—a time of fears and questions and doubts and pain. A time when God seems silent. It’s not a punishment. It’s God’s way of preparing those whom He has called to be leaders. God reserves His greatest work for those who have been through the wilderness. So, the first insight we get from the Scripture is, if you are planning to do anything significant with your life, prepare yourself for the wilderness. Preparation is the pathway to power and peace. The second insight we get from this passage is to decide ahead of time to trust your pain to God’s purposes. And a final insight we get from this passage is to focus on your eternal purpose more than on your immediate circumstances.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Why Ash Wednesday?

There is no literal mention of Ash Wednesday in the Bible. But there is a tradition of donning ashes as a sign of penitence that predates Jesus. In the Old Testament, Job repents “in dust and ashes,” and there are other associations of ashes and repentance in Esther, Samuel, Isaiah, and Jeremiah. We find this reference in Genesis 3:19

“By the sweat of your face You will eat bread Until you return to the ground, for from it you were taken; For you are dust, And to dust you shall return.”

Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, usually begins with a service where we recognize our mortality, repent of our sins, and return to our loving God. We recognize life as a precious gift from God, and we re-turn our lives toward Jesus Christ. We may make resolutions and commit to change our lives over the next forty days so that we might be more like Christ. In an Ash Wednesday service, usually a minister or priest marks the sign of the cross on people’s foreheads, using ashes.

Why ashes?

In Jewish and Christian history, ashes are a sign of mortality and repentance. Mortality, because when we die, our bodies eventually decompose, and we become dust/dirt/ash/whatever. Repentance, because long ago, when people felt remorse for something they did, they would put ashes on their head and wear “sackcloth” (scratchy clothing) to remind them that sin is uncomfortable and leads to a sort of death of the spirit. This was their way of confessing their sins and asking for forgiveness.

We hope you will join us for a very contemplative Ash Wednesday service that includes worship, a brief reflective message, elements of prayer, and the imposition of ashes.

Do You Love Regardless? (Motivated to Love Our Enemies)

Luke 6:27-39

Our passage for Sunday mentions grace and mercy. What is God’s grace and mercy? God’s grace is His unmerited favor and unconditional love.

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

God’s mercy is not getting what we deserve. His grace and mercy go hand in hand.

Titus 3:5 “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”

People are into boasting today, aren’t they? They are also into shutting you off if you are not in alignment with them (no mercy, no grace, no agree to disagree or let’s discuss each other’s point of view). People don’t care to ask for clarification regarding what you mean. You're just wrong and close minded.

Listen to Jesus’ words for us: “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

Jesus isn’t calling us to an easy task! So, what would this kind of love look like in real life? And how could it change your life story? The first thing we learn from this passage is that Jesus calls us to a courageous love. The second thing we learn from this passage is that Jesus calls us to a generous love. And the final thing we learn from this passage is that Jesus calls us to an unconditional love. We are to love regardless!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Are you Tired? (How to heal a tired spirit)

Luke 5:1-11

A study came out last year that was disturbing but not necessarily surprising. The World Health Organization did a study of people around the world who worked 55 or more hours per week compared to those who worked 35-40 hours per week. The study covered health and workplace data from the 1970s to 2018 and included workers in 154 countries. They concluded that, “People working 55 or more hours each week face an estimated 35% higher risk of a stroke and a 17% higher risk of dying from heart disease, compared to people following the widely accepted standard of working 35 to 40 hours in a week.” They also estimated that more than 745,000 people worldwide died in 2016 from the physical stress of working excess hours. Those are some scary numbers. Of course, this study was completed before the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A lot of companies cut their workforce, and the remaining employees worked longer hours to compensate. Also, many people began working from home, which made it harder to leave work at work. The result: working unpaid overtime.

We all know that the U.S. is the nation of “rise and grind.” Hard work is in our DNA. But so is being tired. We complain about how busy and tired we are. We compare our busy schedules and shrug our shoulders. “Oh well, that’s just how life is. What can you do about it?” How many of you have said, “I’m tired” this week (maybe just to yourself)? Sometimes the tiredness runs spirit-deep. And it steals away our joy, our peace, our hope. That’s not what God intended for our lives. Our God is a creative God, and God made us for peace, hope and joy. So that spirit-deep tiredness poisons the life that God intended for us to have.

That’s why we can relate to Simon Peter and the other disciples in our Bible passage for today. Crowds of people have come to the shore of the lake to hear Jesus preach. On the edge of the lake are the fishing boats that have come in after a long night’s work. Professional fishermen in Jesus’ day lowered large nets into the lake. In the dark of night, the fish couldn’t see the nets, so schools of fish were easier to catch at night. Unfortunately, Simon Peter and his colleagues had an unsuccessful night. Jesus climbed into Simon’s boat and asked him to float out a short distance from shore. After Jesus finished teaching the people on the shore, he told Simon Peter to sail into deeper waters and let down his nets again.

Put yourself in Simon Peter’s shoes. He’s just finished working all night with no results. In addition to being tired and ready to go home, he’s probably frustrated that his hard work didn’t pay off. He was tired and ready to quit. And now Jesus is telling him how to do his job. Simon answers, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”

In this story, Jesus gives us a gift. He shows us how to heal a tired spirit. For example, one thing we learn from this story is that doing meaningful work can heal a tired spirit. A great way to stay energized and effective in your work and in your life is to seek to do something that you truly believe in.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Got Hope? (Hope for the world, hope in God, hope in the future)

Romans 8:28

Last weekend on the visioning retreat, I floated around to each of the small groups. There was such synergy and unity amongst the groups. People came together in a brief weekend retreat to produce something great as the Spirit directed them. I left with such hope for Misty Creek. Hope for the world, hope in God, hope in the future. What is it about hope that makes it so important? Why did Jesus put it up there alongside faith and love? The Bible tells us “We are saved by hope” (Romans 8:24). Never more than now do we need to be hopeful. Where there is hope there is life. Hope rises above hard economic times, depression, grief, despair, anxiety, etc. Hope is contagious. Got hope?

“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. – Romans 8:28

The promise of Romans 8:28 that God works for our good “in all things” is reassuring. It means that no matter the circumstance, there are only two qualifiers for God to be working all things together for our good: (1) Those who love God (2) and are called according to His purpose.

There’s a lot of hope in this folks. I believe that if you apply hope to a situation however difficult, you will rise above your trouble. Hope can overcome the greatest of odds. When everywhere there seems to be no hope, fill your mind with hope, put yourself in God's hands, submit yourself completely to God's will as a worthy servant. Then God will open the door and will pour out everything you need upon you. Hope opens the way when there seems to be no way.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Wounded?

Romans 8:18 & Colossians 3:4

This Sunday will be a Service of Restoration and Wholeness. The apostle Paul assures us that when we are tested beyond our strength, God will provide a way through, until, free on the other side, we can walk forward into the light of a new day. Where there is hope there is life. The Bible tells us “We are saved by hope” (Romans 8:24). Never more than now do we need to be hopeful.

Have you been wounded? Nobody escapes being wounded. We all are wounded people, whether physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. The main question is not “How can we hide our wounds?” so we don’t have to be embarrassed, but “How can we put our woundedness in the service of others?” When our wounds cease to be a source of shame, and become a source of healing, we have become wounded healers. (Henri Nouwen)

Jesus is God’s wounded healer: through his wounds we are healed. Jesus’ suffering and death brought joy and life. His humiliation brought glory; his rejection brought a community of love. As followers of Jesus, we can also allow our wounds to bring healing to others.

This Sunday you will have the opportunity to experience restoration and wholeness through a service of healing. Our focus will be emotional health both spiritually and relationally. Jesus said, “love God with all you heart, soul, mind, and strength.” If we are not loving God with the whole person, there is brokenness within us. I hope you will join us this Sunday at 10:30am to begin the healing process.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

When Faced with Crisis (Restoration Amid Turmoil)

John 2:1-11

Our Scripture this Sunday is about a wedding planner faced with a crisis. Jesus and his disciples and his mother are attending a wedding in Cana. In that culture, wedding parties lasted for days. At some point during the festivities, the hosting family ran out of wine. Jesus lived in a culture that valued hospitality and community. No more wine meant no more wedding celebration, which would be humiliating for the bride and groom’s families. Jesus’ mother, Mary, must have heard whispers about the lack of wine, so she took the problem to Jesus.

“They have no more wine,” she said. Jesus answered, “Woman, why do you involve me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” This passage is a great example of what I would call mom-power. Mothers have that unique power to talk their kids into doing their bidding. Mary didn’t ask Jesus directly to do anything. She didn’t demand. She just presented the problem to him in such a way that he couldn’t say, “No.” That’s mom-power.

Imagine the master of the banquet’s surprise when he tasted the wine the servants brought him! He didn’t even know Jesus had performed a miracle. He called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.”

It’s easy to look at Jesus’ first miracle and think it’s just an impressive party trick. We might as well end this passage with the words, “And they lived happily ever after. The End.” But the last line of our Bible passage reads, “What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” This miracle revealed his glory and caused his disciples to believe in him? I call that an important miracle.

This miracle is not about the wedding. It’s not even about the wine. God is not a showman. He isn’t desperate for our attention. So, the miracles we read about in the Bible aren’t just special effects to impress us. Miracles are meant to show us the nature and priorities of God. Every time you read about a miracle in the Bible, ask yourself, “What does this tell me about the nature and priorities of God?

Serving With Joy,

Stephen

Is There A God?!

Luke 4:14-21

God Has Come to Bring you Good News

The passage Jesus read in the synagogue was a prophecy from the prophet Isaiah, who had lived about 700 years earlier. But instead of interpreting this passage for his listeners in the synagogue, Jesus simply ended his reading of the scripture with these words: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” I guarantee you that nobody was expecting that! If there were microphones in Jesus’ day, this would be the perfect moment for a “mic drop!” Because Jesus, a local boy, a carpenter from a family of modest means, had just announced that he was the Messiah sent from God. How’s that for something to talk about over Sabbath lunch? The nation of Israel had waited around 1,000 years for God to send His Messiah, His Anointed One. They believed the Messiah would be “a descendent of King David (2 Samuel 7:12-13; Jeremiah 23:5), observant of Jewish law (Isaiah 11:2-5), a righteous judge (Jeremiah 33:15), and a great military leader.” They didn’t expect that one of their own would claim that title for himself. So what was Jesus talking about? If he was the long-promised Messiah, the hope of the nation, then what was God revealing about His nature and His plan for the world?

The first thing we learn is that Christ came to bring good news to the poor. That’s a vital truth to understand about the Messiah. Because it tells us so much about God’s heart, about God’s character. When you have good news to tell, who do you want to share it with? You want to share it with those most affected by that news and in this case, it is the poor. Think about our society. How would you like to be poor in America? How would you like to have limited access to health care? How would you like to own a car that you could not keep in good repair—that sometimes breaks down at the most inconvenient times? How would you like to watch your children’s teeth rot out because you couldn’t afford a trip to the dentist? I could go on, but you get the idea. In the most affluent society in the world, there are still people for whom everyday life is a nightmare. Those are the people about which God is most concerned. Jesus identified with the least and the lowest. It is no accident that Christ’s first bed was a manger where cattle are fed. It is no accident that Jesus spent his adult life without a home of his own, without any possessions beyond what he could carry as he traveled from town to town sharing the message of the love of God with everyone he met. Folks here’s Jesus’ life summed up.

Regardless of how much many affluent pastors might love their state-of-the-art air-conditioned church sanctuaries with their coffee bars, bookshops, and valet parking lots, we cannot forget that Jesus died on the cross naked and empty-handed.

God cares about the poor. When I say that, I’m not putting limits on God’s love. I’m declaring how limitless it is. You can measure the limits of someone’s heart by how well they can love those whom others ignore. They may be overlooked, left out and powerless in our world. But in God’s kingdom, the poor are precious and held close to His heart. He loved them so much He chose to walk in their shoes. And he calls his followers to do the same.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Living Without Fear: How Big is your God?

Jeremiah 1:4-10

We all know what it’s like to wake up from a frightening dream and think, “Wait a minute! Was that real?” And once we get a little more alert, we realize that it was just a dream, and we hopefully fall back to sleep. Psychologists say there is one type of dream that is nearly universal. Can you guess what it is? It’s the dream of being unprepared for an exam. It’s awful, isn’t it? School children all over the world report having this dream, or I should say, this nightmare, for that is what it truly is. In this dream, you realize on the day of the exam that you never showed up for class—you missed the entire semester. Or the exam questions are written in a foreign language you don’t recognize, or you completely forgot to study the night before.

I suspect I’m not the only one who panics at the thought of facing a big challenge unprepared. And it helps us relate to the situation of Jeremiah the prophet in our Scripture lesson for today. Jeremiah was a young priest in a small settlement near Jerusalem when God spoke to him one day and called him to be a prophet to the nations. Nothing scary about that, is there? Don’t kid yourself. It’s funny, but I’ve often said, and I’ve heard others say, “If God would just speak to me! If He would just tell me what I should do with my life, it would be so much easier.” We all think that if God spoke to us in a clear and unmistakable way, we would feel instant relief, and would obey instantly. But look at all the people God spoke to in the Bible. Very few responded with, “Sounds great! I’m on it! Thanks for the clear directions.” Almost every person responded with fear, questions, or excuses. So, let’s not kid ourselves that we are so faithful or courageous to respond when God calls us to fulfill His purposes.

Jeremiah responds like we probably would, “Alas, Sovereign Lord” [which is another way of saying “Oh no!”] “I don’t know how to speak; I’m too young.” Which seems like a reasonable excuse to us. “No, thank You, Lord. I’m not ready. I’m sure You meant to give this job to someone else.” All Jeremiah heard was the responsibility. He didn’t hear the reassurance. God never gives a responsibility without first giving reassurance. God never calls someone without first comforting them. God never appoints someone without first anointing them.

How big is your God? Look at God’s words in the beginning of this passage: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart . . .” I hope you hear these words too just as Jeremiah did . . . and plant them in your heart and mind. Because your life will never have the impact God created you for unless you understand this truth: God made you for a purpose. That’s the first truth we need to understand from Jeremiah’s story. God made you for a purpose. In fact, when God tells Jeremiah “. . . before you were born, I set you apart,” the word used here literally means “set apart for a sacred purpose” or “consecrated.” You weren’t just made for a purpose. You were made for a sacred purpose. For God’s purposes.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What Happens When We Pray?

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22

According to the Gospel writer Luke, John the Baptist was baptizing people on the banks of the Jordan River. Then Luke makes one of the most startling pronouncements in the New Testament. He writes, “When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too.” Each year on the First Sunday after Epiphany, liturgical churches celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. For us, it is a major event. The Son of God submits to being baptized at the hands of a somewhat eccentric preacher called John the Baptist. Mark describes John as wearing clothes of camel's hair, living on locusts and wild honey, making his home in the wilderness. John admits that he is not worthy to carry Christ’s sandals. In fact, he seeks to deter Jesus from being baptized at his unworthy hands. And yet Jesus comes to John to be baptized. It is a remarkable scene. He who was without sin submits himself to a religious rite that most of us associate with the symbolic act of washing sin away.

And notice what happens next, after Jesus’ baptism. Luke writes, “And as he was praying . . .” (Note those words.) “And as he was praying, heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’' You’ve heard or read those words many times. It is a most familiar scene. But have you noticed those words coming immediately after Jesus’ baptism—"And as he was praying" . . .? Was it not entirely natural that Jesus, immediately following his baptism, should pray? Prayer played a major role in his entire ministry. Here he was, the very manifestation of God on earth, and yet he felt the need to be in continuous communication with his Father.

Contrast his example with the practice of many of us. We have a very limited acquaintance with the Father, yet we spend only a nominal amount of time in prayer. We are so busy that we have crowded out the one necessary practice for a truly successful life. Jesus never let that happen. Immediately after he was baptized, Jesus was praying, and what happened next? Luke tells us, “The heaven opened.” What an exciting statement. When good people pray, good things happen. “The heaven opened.” Something like that should happen at some time in our life. Baptism at its best should result in our becoming a new person. We should become aware of our identity as a part of the family of God. We should discover that we, too, are children of God.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"What Is God's Plan For Your Life In 2022?"

1/2/22 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

"What If Things Are Not Perfect This Christmas?"

An Unbreakable Christmas, Pt.5

12/24/21 Sermon

Misty Creek Community Church

Sermon from Christmas Eve Service 2021 at Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

An Unbreakable Christmas Part 4: MARY’S WITNESS

Luke 1:39-55

I’ve got some good news for you. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t been that good this year. Jesus still came for you. The Christmas story is such a magnificent one—so full of tenderness and love. The young bride-to-be of Joseph knew that God was at work in her life. Her cousin Elizabeth knew too. When she greeted Mary, she spoke out with a loud voice, “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the fruit of your womb . . .” Mary answered Elizabeth with a song of joy, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden; for, behold, from hence forth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name . . .”

We would do well this day to spend a few moments with this charming young woman named Mary, wise beyond her years. Her experience of Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection was the most intimate one of all. After all, she was his mother. If Mary were here with us this today, what are some lessons she might share with us, as the mother of God’s Messiah? I think the first lesson Mary would share with us is that God is working in the small things of the universe. That’s the message of Christmas, isn’t it? That God, the Almighty Creator of the universe, the Great I AM, set aside His own majesty and authority to be born as a tiny baby to a poor young couple. He could have come as a conquering warrior, a charismatic king, a commanding emperor. Instead, God came as a poor and helpless baby to show us that God loves us enough to enter our daily lives.

What an incredible gift! In the birth of Jesus, God wrapped Himself inside the unexpected. It is easy to miss the joy of Christmas because we are looking for the big moment, the big gift, the big pageantry of decorations and lights and flashy worship services. But the actual Christmas story is almost entirely composed of little, private moments of joy when God shared the message of the coming Messiah with humble, poor, nobodies like the shepherds, or Anna, the widow praying in the Temple. Or you and me.

I think the second lesson Mary would share with us is God is working in difficult circumstances. And the third lesson Mary would share with us is God is working in everyone who opens their heart to Him.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

An Unbreakable Christmas Part 3: The God of Joy and Peace

Philippians 4:4-7

No matter what your Christmas preparations look like, I hope you experience the love, joy, hope and peace of God this Christmas season and all year. We all know in our hearts that there is no gift that can compare to the gift of knowing God. That’s why our Bible passage for Sunday is so relevant. It was written by a man who knew what it was like to have every form of success and comfort, and to lose it all. But he found Jesus Christ. And his writings are full of the love, joy, hope and peace of God that changed his life.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4: 4-7, NIV)

How did he do it? How did Paul live with joy and peace under such stressful circumstances? Verse 7 in our passage is one of the most popular benedictions, or blessings, in the church. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Then in verse nine, Paul inverts two of the important words in that benediction. Instead of saying “the peace of God”, he says, “And the God of peace will be with you.” I think we found our answer to the question of how Paul lived with joy and peace in the face of suffering and stress. I hope you find that same answer this Christmas season.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

An Unbreakable Christmas Part 2 PREPARING FOR THE KING

Luke 3:1-6

During this season of Advent, you and I are preparing our hearts to celebrate Christ’s coming. We are buying our gifts, putting out our brightly colored lights, baking special treats for family and friends. The preparation and anticipation are part of the joy of Christmas. But are such preparations adequate? Considering John’s message, there are some other things we need to do if we are truly going to be ready for his coming. Sunday, we will learn what those things are.

Do you want this Christmas season to be like every other Christmas season? Do you ever look back a few days after Christmas with this vague feeling that you missed something important? That you expected something special to happen and it just didn’t? Maybe the problem is you didn’t expect anything from God. You didn’t prepare for a new life in Christ. It begins with repentance, turning back to God. It requires a commitment to right living. And it means receiving God’s grace and mercy. God is offering it. Now’s the time for you to decide if you are ready to find new life in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Are you ready for the Christ child to be born anew in your heart?

Serving with joy,

Stephen

An Unbreakable Christmas Part 1 Mary’s Song (1st Sunday of Advent)

Luke 1:46-55

How do we prepare the way of the Lord? Misty Creek has been asking this question, not just during Advent, but since we began as a home church. The last several weeks we have been anticipating acquiring the chapel and the surrounding campus that we've met in for the last 2 years. Today, we celebrate what God has done and what He will continue to do as He channels His Holy Spirit through this this sacred space. We’ve engaged in an extensive visioning process as a new church plant. A critical question we’ve asked is this: Who lives in our community?

And now that we have our own worship space, God desires that we prepare this community for revival by delivering hope. Mary delivered hope to all of us with the birth of Christ. This Advent season we light the candles to remind us of that hope, peace, love, and joy are to be shared in some way. When we serve others, we provide hope to the ones we serve and to us as servants. Let us be beacons of hope, peace, love, and joy as we dash to comfort others this season.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

DON’T WORRY—GIVE THANKS

Matthew 6:25-33

What are you worried about? If you are like most people, you are probably worried about your weight. Don’t you think it is ironic that right before Thanksgiving is when we are worried most about our weight. And then comes the eating extravaganza of the Christmas season (we have no chance). Our text for Sunday should begin like this: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear . . .”? Many of us would say, “Thank the Lord. He’s giving us permission to indulge . . . and not feel guilty.” Jesus begins this passage by saying don’t worry about what you eat and the thing they most worry about is our weight. Fortunately, our text is not on gluttony—but on worry which is a really a big issue in many people’s lives.

The best preventive to worry is to focus your mind on giving thanks to God. Believe that you can trust God to handle any situation that you may confront and then relax. Do what God asks you to do; God will do more than you can ask Him to do. God’s resources are greater than your resources. Live your life in perpetual praise to God for God’s goodness, and fear and worry will melt away. Worry and trust cannot live in the same house. When worry is allowed to come in one door, trust walks out the other door; and worry stays until trust is invited in again, whereupon worry walks out.” How true it is.

Notice Jesus’ words in Sunday’s text: “Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Do you see why we are not to worry? It is because we are valuable to God. Do you believe that you are valuable to God? The God who created the heavens and the earth and everything that exists upon it cares about you. What are you worried about? “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” Then he adds a very practical admonition: “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” No, you can’t, but you can sure take many hours, days, months or even years off your life by indulging in an exercise that can poison every cell in your body. That’s worry.

Friends, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” That’s the primary reason to give thanks today. We are of value to God. He cares so much about us that he gave his beloved Son in our behalf. Don’t worry about a thing. Relax in the knowledge that God loves you.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

IT’S NO FUN TO MOVE (Veterans’ Day Sunday Observance 11/14)

Ruth 1:1-18

Sunday we will hear the story of Jacob Deshazer. He was a Doolittle Raider and a bombardier in a B-25 bomber in WWII. In 1942, Jake was captured by the Japanese and remained a POW until the end of the war. While in prison, he gave his life to Christ and his heart was filled with love and forgiveness for his Japanese captors. After the war, Jake went back and spent several decades as a missionary to Japan where thousands of Japanese came to faith in Christ including the pilot who led the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Jacob Deshazer, just like millions of other people around the world experienced PTSD and others Combat-related Moral Injury. Moral Injury is a term that originated about military combat exposure, when troops experience psychological distress as a result from actions, or lack of actions, that violate one’s moral-ethical code. Moral Injury has been confused with PTSD. “PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.” Psychotherapists are now saying that PTSD can happen from traumatizing relocation. One of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic is that frontline healthcare workers are experiencing moral injury. I have witnessed this firsthand as a hospital and hospice chaplain.

Back in the late 1960s, two psychiatrists studied the records of more than 5,000 medical patients to determine if recent stressful events in their lives might have contributed to their illness. Out of this work, they created the Social Readjustment Stress Scale, a tool that ranks the 43 most stressful events the average person could face in life. “Death of a spouse” ranks number 1 on the list. “Change in living conditions” ranks number 28. And “Change in residence” ranks number 32 on the list. I think about this combination of stressful life events when I read our Bible story for this Sunday, the story of Naomi and Ruth. They suffered all these negative life events and more, you could say they experienced a form of PTSD and Moral Injury. If you’ve ever thought, “What has happened to my life? Will things ever feel normal again?” then our Bible story this Sunday is for you.

Serving with joy,

Stephen

Crying is Okay

Laminations 3:22 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

November 7 is All Saints Sunday, we remember those who have served God on earth and now enjoy his company in heaven. This is not a day of sorrow, but a day of gladness, for we know that because Christ lives, we, two shall live with the company of all those who are part of the family of Christ. We remember the words of Paul when he instructed the church with these words, “brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” (1 Thessalonians 4:134-14).

Notice that Paul is not telling these believers that Christians do not grieve. Rather he is telling them not to grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. Many people who are trying to comfort someone experiencing grief say, “God never gives us more than we can handle.” I believe this can backfire, making the person grieving feel worse.

Life—not God—sends adversity to us all. As pastor and chaplain, I have learned that empathy and shared grief can work miracles. Sometimes we are tested beyond our resources and strength. I know this all too well with my own personal losses. I feel overwhelmed by life and sometimes it is more than I can handle. I understand that these feelings come and go, and God gives us something to enable us to endure. The apostle Paul assures us that when we are tested beyond our strength, God will provide away through until, free on the other side, we can walk forward into the light of a new day.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Our youth group will be participating in the service. The theme is “Patience”. Our Scripture focus is Isaiah 40:28-31.

John and Vickie Mancina are coming up from New Orleans to visit Misty Creek this Sunday. Our congregation has been praying for John and Vickie for several months. John had serious cancer return to his mouth and had to have facial and palate reconstruction at MD Anderson to get rid of it. He miraculously survived all the hours of surgery and radiation! He is cancer free! We are thrilled to have John and Vickie with us in person. I know you will want to greet them with some Misty Creek hospitality!

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Help Wanted

Mark 10:35-45

Help Wanted, Help Wanted, Help Wanted.

The signs are everywhere. Many places of business are understaffed. To attract workers some businesses are offering perks. What would you say are the best employee perks in your workplace? Some places offer “casual Fridays,” where the dress code is less formal. For most workplaces, that’s as cutting-edge as they get when it comes to employee perks. But other business owners go out of their way to offer unique benefits to attract and retain employees

In our Bible passage for Sunday, two of Jesus’ closest disciples, James and John, ask him for a favor. They ask him to allow them to sit on his right and left hand in glory. They want the best seats in the house—places of honor and prestige. But they wanted to be appointed to these choice places not because they had earned them or deserved them, but because they had influence with the Boss’ Son. They wanted some special “employee perks” for following Jesus. Does that sound familiar? Jesus said to James and John, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink from the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?” In other words, he was asking, “Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to see my kingdom established?”

To their credit James and John answered, “We are able.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup that I drink, you will drink, and the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized, but to sit at my right or left hand is not mine to grant . . .” What does it take to drink from Jesus’ cup? What does it mean to be baptized with Jesus’ baptism? Actually, the process is quite simple.

First of all, drinking from Jesus’ cup and being baptized with Jesus’ baptism means you are willing to pay a price no one else will pay.

Are you willing to do whatever is necessary—whatever Christ may call upon you to do? Are you willing to pay a price greater than others are willing to pay, to make hard decisions others are unwilling to make and to give more than others are willing to give? Need I say to you that this chapel exists because there were a group of people who were willing to drink from Christ’s cup and be baptized with his baptism? Their names are not known like St. Paul’s or Simon Peter’s. But they are truly disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, and whether they sit at the right and left hand of Jesus or not, they are most certainly in His presence.

How about you? Are you made of such stuff? Will your contributions to this world live long after you are gone? Will the earth be a better place because you have walked upon it? At Misty Creek we have been given a God-sized vision of what can be and what I believe will be if we are willing to do whatever Christ may call us to do.

Are you willing to do whatever is necessary to see my God’s kingdom established?”

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

In God We Trust

Mark 10:17-31

The story of the rich young ruler may not be one of our favorite passages of scripture. For one thing, most of us probably don’t think of ourselves as rich. Like Erma Bombeck, we have our own definitions of “rich.” Rich is . . . carrying a lap dog as an accessory. Rich is having a TV screen the same size as your SUV. Rich is having no idea of the actual cost of bread or gasoline or insurance because your accountant just pays the bill for you. How would you finish the sentence, “Rich is . . . ?”

What if Jesus appeared to you right now and told you to sell everything you have, give the money to the poor, and then follow him? Would you be aghast? Our Bible passage says that the rich young ruler’s “face fell” and he went away sad over Jesus’ words. The Greek word used in this passage was also used metaphorically in Jesus’ day to refer to the gloominess of clouds covering the sun. This young man’s life was all sunshine and good times. He was wealthy. He was powerful. He was morally upright. If he were single, you’d fix him up with your daughter (no question about it). And then Jesus had to come along and steal his fun.

Wealth is dangerous when we learn to overvalue things and undervalue people. It is important that we develop a sense of perspective about life. For some of us, accumulating things has blotted out the importance of the people around us. I think that I have money and possessions in their proper place until I read this story of the rich young ruler. And then I wonder if Jesus were to make the same demand of me at this very moment . . . “sell everything you have, give the money to the poor, and follow me” . . . would I make excuses? Would I be aghast? Would I walk away from Jesus and from abundant and eternal life (I certainly hope not).

Wealth is also dangerous when we see our possessions as an end rather than as a means. When the accumulation of great wealth is our primary reason for living then we are in trouble. Wealth is simply a means to improve the world, to improve our community, to improve our lives, but when it becomes an end then it is dangerous. It’s not necessary for wealth to keep you out of the Kingdom of God, but wealth can be a snare that can stop your spiritual progress if it becomes an end rather than a means.

At some point in our lives, we all have to choose who or what we will place our trust in. We all have to choose what we will value, what will take first place in our lives.

Jesus didn’t try to make this choice any easier. In every generation, following Jesus means giving up the things that our culture values. It means giving up our own security and comfort and control. But Jesus also ends this passage with the promise that whatever we give up for him will be returned to us a hundredfold, through the riches of knowing him and sharing eternal life with him. Learn from the loss of the rich young ruler. Decide now that following Jesus is worth more than anything else in life and discover the rich blessings he has for all those who put their total trust in him and live a life of generosity.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

At Misty Creek we are blessed to offer several unique worship services throughout the year. One of my favorite services is the bluegrass service. Not only is the music off the charts amazing, but the Holy Spirit is also active and moving throughout the service as the Word of God is proclaimed.

The Bluegrass & BBQ service is cosponsored by Misty Creek and First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs. The service was held in the sanctuary at First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs, GA.

HOLDING ON (Let Go and Let God)

Job 1:1; Job 2:1-10

There are times in our life’s journey when many of us will whisper those desperate words, “I must hold on. I must hold on.” There was an interesting man in the Old Testament who certainly knew what it was to hold on. His name was Job. Listen as the author of this drama describes Job: “In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”

Now this is an interesting twist right at the beginning of Job’s story. This drama takes place in a time when it was assumed that prosperity and good fortune came as the result of a righteous lifestyle. If you lived as God would have you live, you would be blessed financially and physically as well as spiritually. Do you agree with this theology? There are many who have this shallow approach to faith even today. I don’t know of many of Jesus’ original followers who occupied beautiful and ornate mansions—except after their death. And yet here we are introduced to a man who was chosen to experience unbelievable pain and suffering. And the reason he was chosen to experience these tragic circumstances was that he was “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.”

You know the story. In the course of a conversation between God and the fallen angel Satan, God allowed Satan to strip away from Job everything he held dear—his family and friends, his health and his wealth. Nothing was spared except his life. His body was covered with awful sores. His friends accused him of some unknown sin, since it was an important piece of Old Testament theology that suffering was a by-product of sin. But Job knew he had not committed any sin. Even God knew that. And yet, there he was. Desperately holding on.

No one in this room has suffered quite like Job, but a few of us may have come close. It may be a problem with our health or a problem with someone we love, or a problem in our workplace. If that describes your life, only you know. Whatever that problem may be, there is a battle going on, and you are not sure that you can endure.

What is the secret to holding on—when you are down to your last shred of hope, when there is no longer enough rope to make a knot to hold on to? Where do you find help at such times? Let me give you some simple steps that I am convinced will help:

First, learn to live one day at a time.

The second key is this: Remember that you are loved.

And finally, a third key: Learn how to let go.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

DRIVEN TO COMPETE

Mark 9:30-37

Would you consider yourself a competitive person? Or maybe I should ask, in what area are you most competitive? Maybe you’re competitive in getting the best grades in your class or the best parking spot at work. Maybe you compete to make the best pancakes in your family or tell the funniest knock-knock joke or to get up the earliest on Christmas morning. Humans are naturally competitive. We like to have an edge over those around us.

That’s the problem with being a competitive person. You’re always chasing after some other person, after some other record. Someone will always be greater than you. You can waste a lot of energy, and lose a lot of joy, by always trying to stay a step ahead of the other guy.

Of course, Jesus understands our need to compete. He understands our desire to be the greatest. Fear and pride drive us to put our needs first, and to compare ourselves to others. But fear and pride are cannibalistic urges. They may drive us to achieve great things, but they also steal away the joy of achievement, and drive us further away from God and from others. Remember Jesus’ words in John 10:10 where he said that he has come to give us a more abundant life? When Jesus confronted his disciples in this passage, he wasn’t trying to shame them. He was trying to open their minds to the abundant life God had made them for.

And that brings us to our Bible passage for Sunday, Mark 9: 30-37. I love how Jesus, who has the infinite knowledge of God, asks questions of us. He doesn’t ask because he is ignorant. Jesus asks us questions so we will be honest with ourselves. Sometimes when you say something out loud, you realize how crazy it is. So, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.” That’s hilarious, isn’t it? The disciples had seen Jesus feed a crowd of thousands, heal the sick and disabled, and heal a boy who was possessed by a demon. And yet they were arguing over which of them was the greatest in the group.

It doesn’t matter how our culture defines “greatness.” According to Jesus, the first rule for greatness is to go where The Greatest would go. And the second rule of greatness is that greatness isn’t about you. It’s about God working through you.

Read through the Bible from beginning to end and look very carefully at who God used to do His work. God didn’t choose the strongest, the most powerful, the bravest, the smartest people to change the world. In fact, almost everyone God chose to use for His work would have been voted “Least Likely to Succeed.” So how did they end up being heroes of the faith? They let God use them for His good works. So what would happen if you and I did the same thing?

Why did God create you? Was it to collect paychecks and promotions and first place in the pecking order? Or was it to bring hope and life to a dying world? Greatness, as defined by The Greatest One of All, Jesus Christ, consists of two rules: Go where Jesus would go—to the least, the last, the lost and the lonely. And let God use you to serve those in need. Your life will have an eternal, immeasurable impact if you compete to be “the greatest” in the kingdom of God.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Me, Myself and I: CAN YOU DENY YOURSELF?

Mark 8:27-38

Jesus says to us, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.” In our culture, we have lost the understanding of dying to our self. That’s what the cross meant to early Christians. It was a symbol that Jesus was willing to give up everything—his power, his authority, his rights, his safety and comfort, his very life—to do the will of God and to restore our relationship with God. He chose to give up his own agenda, his own desires, his own comforts to show us how much God loves us. He chose death to give us eternal life. And he challenges his followers to follow his example.

We like Jesus. His teachings are inspiring. His miracles are exciting. But do we really want Jesus to live in us? Do we really want the responsibility? Most Christians are good with the Gospel stories of Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection. But dying to self and surrendering fully to the Lordship of Christ is another story. Being filled with the Holy Spirit and being a “flame thrower” (witness) for Christ, is a little much to comprehend. I wonder if it’s even possible to speak to this culture, this generation, about self-denial. After all, some of us grew up in the so-called ME generation. “I’ve got to find myself,” we said. “I’ve got to do my own thing. I will buy only the finest, because after all, ‘I’m worth it.’” We place so much emphasis on self: self-satisfaction, on self-actualization, on self-protection. How could Jesus ask us to die to our self? What’s so wrong about putting our self first?

The influence of social media has made our desire for image and wealth and self-gratification even more difficult. There are now businesses that sell fake backdrops to make it appear on your social media site that you are living a luxurious and exciting lifestyle, even if you’re living paycheck to paycheck.

How strange these words of Jesus seem in this context: “If you would follow me you must deny yourself.” Deny yourself. How out of place such words may seem in today’s world. The key to truly successful living is to deny ourselves in order that God may fill us to overflowing with His presence and power. As St. Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

There is the path to real success. If we who are followers of Jesus would but learn that one simple truth, we could turn this world upside down. Deny yourself. Take up the cross of the Master. No other lifestyle is ultimately satisfying. No other lifestyle can permanently change the world in which we live.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Remembering 9/11 (20th anniversary)

This Sunday we will welcome several first responders to Misty Creek, and we will honor their service. We remember those who lost their lives when our country was attacked by evil on September 11, 2001. Many of us know where we were and what we were doing 20 years ago. We remember how we felt because to some degree we have felt that way ever since, and this pandemic, divisiveness, riots, killings, natural disasters, and anniversaries such as this one reminds us that nothing is normal now. August was a tough month. The horror in Afghanistan, destruction in Haiti, flooding in TN, Hurricane IDA wrecking Louisiana and the Eastern Seaboard.

At the 9/11 National Day of Prayer in remembrance service, Billy Graham shared these words:

We’ve always needed God from the very beginning of this nation, but today we need Him especially. We’re facing a new kind of enemy. We’re involved in a new type of warfare, and we need the help of the Spirit of God. The Bible’s words are our hope: "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth gives way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea."

On 9/11 2001 we faced and enemy from without. Today, we face an enemy from within.

We must never forget 9/11.

We must never forget the heroes that day.

We must never forget those who ran INTO burning buildings.

We must never forget those who said, “let’s roll!”

We must never forget the endless stories of sacrifice.

We must never forget the men and women who since that day have stood in harm’s way defending us and making it their mission to prevent such an attack from happening again.

We hope you will join us for a cookout lunch on the grounds after the worship service this Sunday.

Grace & Peace, Stephen

GIVING OUR BEST WHEN RUNNING ON EMPTY

Mark 7:24-37

A few weeks ago, Karen and I went to see Jackson Brown and James Taylor in concert. We went with our friends Doug, Sherry, Kerry, and Martha. We had a marvelous time. The concert was one of the best I had ever attended. In 1977 singer songwriter Jackson Browne released a live album with the title song, Running on Empty. The song was featured prominently in the film Forrest Gump as he runs across America. In one part of the song, Browne writes, “Everyone I know, everywhere I go; People need some reason to believe. I don't know where I’m running now, I’m just running on.” The meaning behind that phrase, running on empty, means to “have exhausted all of one’s resources.” To be sure, there are those who start out with no plan but only a dream and that is enough. But as life grinds on, dreams can fade, relationships do change and everyone has to move on. And the question to consider is, “Will there be anything left in the tank when all this ends?” Will you be running on empty?

The Bible is full of stories where people are running on empty. There is Elijah, who after a great spiritual victory, literally ran for forty days and ended up in a cave, empty (I Kings 19). There is Jonah who ran from a God-given assignment and ended up in the empty belly of a great fish (Jonah 1:17). Or consider Peter, who lost his way and ended up at an empty tomb (John 20:3-4). Jackson Browne goes on to write, “The friends he used to turn to, to pull him through, he looked into their empty eyes and sees them running too” (verse 4). So what fuels your life to keep you living each day with intentionality? Consider this suggestion: Use your everyday life to bring about a positive change in the lives of others (like Forrest).

Mahatma Gandhi famously said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” The good news is you don’t have to start when you are on empty, start now so you can stay full. Be your best and deliver your best each day to make a positive impact on others to make the world a better place.

Leadership coach John Maxwell writes, “If you have the heart to make a difference, there is always an answer. But if you have a heart of indifference, there is never an answer.” History is full of difference makers. Each person had a story to share, a dream to pursue and a purpose to live. It is not necessary to be a famous to make a difference; just be faithful, be intentional!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"How To Beat A Stress Test"

The End of Summer Series, Pt.4

8/29/21 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

Wisdom

Ephesians 5:15-20

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Wisdom isn’t going to get you a nicer car, or a bigger paycheck. Wisdom won’t win you any awards or make you the life of the party. And yet, there are so many verses in the Bible about the value of wisdom. In fact, the Bible makes it clear that the way of the foolish person leads to emptiness and even death, while the way of a wise person leads to joy, peace, and eternal life. The first thing Paul wants us to understand is that the foolish person lives as if there is no God. If there is no God, life has no purpose. If there is no God, then it’s perfectly logical for everyone to simply do his or her own thing. Do you remember that tragic verse in the book of Judges, chapter 21:25? In the King James Version, it reads like this, “In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Can you imagine the chaos that ensued from people doing only what seemed right to them? How does that parallel with our world today?

The second thing Paul wants us to know is that wise folks know that every moment of their life is an opportunity to know God and live in God’s will. The wise person knows that he or she belongs to God, and his or her first priority is to understand the will of God.

What would change about your life if you saw life through the eyes of God, and lived your life in the will of God? Would it change your attitude? Your relationships? Your priorities? Your work? Your future? How?

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

Worth Fighting For

Matthew 15:21-28

There are times when Christ wants us to stand up for ourselves. Jesus doesn’t want us to be wimps. It takes a strong person to stand up to his or her peers and do the right thing. It is so much easier to do the expedient thing than to do the right thing. That’s true in school when bullying is taking place. That’s true at work when ethical corners are being cut. That’s true in the community when injustice of any kind is occurring.

I say it takes a strong person to stand up to one’s peers. I wish I could say simply, it takes a Christian to stand up to one’s peers, but often Christians are content to be “nice” and “sweet” rather than people who stand up to evil.

It’s hard to believe that we call ourselves followers of One who went to the cross because of the evil and injustice of the world, when we in turn are so timid about confronting evil. One thing nobody ever said about Jesus was that he was a really nice, sweet person. Jesus was a troublemaker. He said that he had not come to bring peace, but a sword. There was no neutral ground in his view of the world. You were either on the side of the kingdom or you were a child of Satan. You belonged either to the light or you belonged to the darkness. You were either hot or cold, but if you were lukewarm, he would spit you out of his mouth.

I’m deliberately speaking in strong terms because it is increasingly evident that too many Christians today are confusing humility with timidity. That’s a sad mistake. Jesus was humble, but he was not timid. You don’t drive money-changers out of the Temple if you are timid.

But you say, “What about the beatitude that says,

“Blessed are the meek . . . ?” Scholars tell us that “meekness” in the context that Jesus uses it is closer to the word “obedient.” A tame horse is obedient, but it is not timid. A humble Christian is obedient to the commands of God but is not timid in the face of injustice. Jesus needs people who will speak out against evil and injustice. Jesus needs people who will boldly witness to their faith. I fear that the Christian community no longer has any real impact on our world simply because we no longer stand for anything of consequence. We are afraid of rocking the boat. We are afraid of offending our neighbor. We are afraid others will criticize us.

This woman from our Scripture lesson was of great faith which made her a woman of great courage. Can that be said of you? What are some lessons we can learn from this courageous woman? Are you a woman or a man of great faith and, therefore, of great courage? Or are you satisfied to simply be another nice, sweet person who never ripples the waters, never stands up to your peers? Let us pray for the courage of our beliefs. Let us pray to be authentic followers of Jesus. For it’s in Christ’s name we make our prayer.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

The End of Summer Series, pt. 1: "Great Expectations"

8/8/21 sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Message by Misty Creek Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

ARE YOU BEING TESTED?

Romans 5:1–5 and I Corinthians 10:13

Do you ever feel like you are being tested? “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1–5

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13

“Problems…help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.”

God looks to how we respond to temptation. Do we take the easy way out?

Endurance: a commitment to draw on His grace and keep moving forward regardless of circumstances.

Strength of character: inner fortitude based on personal integrity.

Confident hope: a deep conviction that whatever it takes, ultimately, we’ll make it.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What Are You Hungry For?

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

Jesus alone has the power to satisfy our hungry hearts. We end our Bible passage the same way we began it. After a day of ministering to people, Jesus and the disciples still hoped to get away for a while. So that night they took a boat and went to the other side of the lake. But again, as soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized them and flocked to them. People came from all over to see Jesus. Sick people were set out in the streets so that Jesus would heal them. And Jesus did heal them. No matter how much he needed a vacation, if there were people who needed his healing, he was there for them, both spiritually and physically, and he ministered to their deepest needs.

And this is the critical point for the day. We cannot wear Jesus down with our problems. He sees our hunger. He has compassion and he will respond.

The disciples had hoped for a short vacation, a time to be alone with the Savior, but instead they saw another dimension of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ. There will always be people who hunger for that which only Christ has to offer. He does not weary in caring for those he loves. He has the power to feed our hungry hearts. Have you found new life, comfort, peace, strength and purpose from giving your life to Jesus? If so, then he has called you to share in the ministry of caring for the needs of others.

Think about the people you encounter regularly. What are they hungry for?

What substitutes are they using to fill this hunger?

How can God use you to meet their needs and satisfy their hunger for new life?

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

What Love is Not and How Love Grows the Church

1 Corinthians 13

Contrary to popular opinion, 1Corinthians 13 was not written for weddings. It was written as a rebuke. Just look at the first 12 chapters, it is all about dysfunctional churches. They were divided. They were arrogant, boastful, prideful, self-seeking and the list goes on and on. Paul referred to them as spiritual infants. Love without truth is not love. Truthless love is full of compromise, it is conforming. Love is a verb. Love is something you do, an active choice you make. Making love a verb is the foundation for staying in love. Love one another. It’s an imperative not a declarative, it is a command. Jesus said love regardless.

Our model in this is Christ, who gave His life while submitting to us and making our needs His priority. The essence of God is love. Love is about serving, blessing, and giving oneself away. The love that Paul talks about in 1 Corinthians 13 is who Jesus is. Jesus never fails, Jesus never finds joy in your failures, and Jesus does not delight in evil.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Because We Are Chosen

Ephesians 1:3-14

We are blessed that we have been chosen! Paul writes to the Ephesians, reminding them God has blessed them “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world.”

The words “in Christ” appears ten times in the book of Ephesians. Paul wants us to realize that Jesus did the work for us. We do not have to earn it. We do not have to be “good enough” to deserve it. Out of his love for us, Jesus sacrificed his own life to guarantee us all the spiritual blessings that flow from his relationship with God. So, when we read that “in Christ” we become children of God, it means that our identity and inheritance are sealed by the sacrificial, unconditional love of Jesus. As Paul put it, God “destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ.”

So, what does it mean that we are chosen in Christ? If you are chosen, that means you are valued. You are loved. It means that God has a purpose for you. You do not choose a painting unless you plan to display it and enjoy it. You do not choose a pet unless you plan to nurture and protect it. You do not choose a spouse unless you plan to cherish and love that person. Now consider that God chose you and destined you for adoption as His child before the creation of the world. Once we understand this truth, how can we doubt God’s love for us or God’s plans for us?

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Blind Spots

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

July the 4th Weekend

This weekend our nation celebrates Independence Day, which commemorates the day that the 13 original colonies joined together to declare their independence from Great Britain. In fact, the first time we were ever referred to as the “United States of America” was in the Declaration of Independence, which was accepted by the leadership of the 13 colonies on July 4, 1776. July 3, we were a collection of colonies. July 4, we were the United States of America. That’s why we call July 4 the birthday of our nation. So, I hope you take some time to recognize and give God thanks for the blessings we enjoy as a nation.

I hope you take some time today to consider what virtues make our nation strong, and what obstacles make us weak, and what part each of us can play in building a nation that will last another 245 years. Of course, there are some well-meaning people who believe that pointing out any weakness in our republic is unpatriotic. What are some of our “blind spots” as a nation?

Some of our weaknesses are physical, some are mental, some are moral. Some of those weaknesses have to do with our work, some with our family life, some with our relationship with Christ. Some of us, for example, have short tempers, others of us struggle with depression or anxiety. Some of us are too proud, others of us lack back-bone—we give in too quickly. But all of us are weak in some area of our life.

Saint Paul had his weaknesses. One in particular caused him much heartache. We don’t know for certain what it was. He called it his “thorn in the flesh.” Some have suggested that St. Paul suffered from epileptic seizures. If so, he was in good company. Two of the most powerful men who ever lived—Julius Caesar and Napoleon—were epileptics, as have been many other great individuals through history. In St. Paul’s day there was no Dilantin or Keppra to control seizures. If that was his thorn, he was stuck with it.

St. Paul prayed that God would deliver him from his affliction. Three times he beseeched God about this matter, but God’s answer to him was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Notice those final words: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In other words, God seemed to be saying to Paul, “Trust me, Paul. I will take care of you. And I can use your weakness to demonstrate my power.”

We can learn from Paul’s experience. Paul not only learned to accept his thorn in the flesh, he even began to boast about his weakness in order to show the power of Christ. There’s a wonderful lesson there. Our weakness, whatever it may be, can become our strength if we will commit it to God. We are made strong in our weakness to be a source of healing for others. We make our deepest connection with God and others through our shared experience of suffering. We are fellow sufferers not just professionals. When we share our weaknesses, they lose their power over us.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

God Goes Where We Go!

Matthew 14:22-33

Preceding Sunday’s lesson Jesus has just fed the 5,000 men and unknown numbers of women and children. He had gone to rest and pray. He sent the crowd away and sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee. Remember the Sea of Galilee was a big lake. When evening came a big storm came and waves pounded the boat to the point it was far away from land. The Disciples are terrified and then they see a ghost like figure on the water. They cry out in fear, It’s a ghost!! Right away Jesus called out to them and said, “Take heart it is I, do not be afraid.” Peter had enough faith to step out of the dry, sturdy boat, in the dark, as the wind was whipping up the waves. At first, Peter’s eyes were fixed on Jesus. Peter didn’t have to worry about the wind or waves because he had faith that Jesus would not let him sink. While Peter was focused on Jesus, his faith was strong. He could see the power that Jesus held over all things. He knew how much Jesus loved him, and that Jesus would never let him down.

Your faith will be strong when you keep your eyes on Jesus. As we have learned, Jesus has power over all things. Is there anything that He can’t do? And Jesus loves you. He loves you enough to lay down His life for you. When you know Jesus, you know He is completely deserving of your trust. When you keep your focus on His power and His love for you, your faith will be strong. Are you struggling in your marriage, with your kids, with transitioning, with addiction or self-worth? Are you fearful of taking the first step to get help? We have nothing to fear when we are in the presence of God. Things won’t always be perfect but through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit, He promises to always be with us step by step. God goes where we go.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

WHEN STORMS HIT HOME

The best way to get to know God is to be caught in a storm with Him.

Mark 4:35-41

(Father’s Day)

Good fathers and mothers have a natural impulse to protect their children and to serve as an example to them in tough times. I think it’s appropriate that our Bible text for Sunday falls on Father’s Day. This is a story about the disciples caught in a terrible storm. They need courage. They need leadership. And they need an example of how to face a challenge that is beyond their strength. If you’ve ever been through a storm like that in your life, then I believe you’ll get something out of today’s Bible passage.

Our story begins at the end of a typical day for Jesus and his disciples. Jesus has been teaching huge crowds of people by the Sea of Galilee. But the crowds have finally gone home, and it’s time to pack up and head to their next ministry spot in the region of Gerasenes, in modern-day Jordan. It must have been a tiring day. Jesus went to the back of the boat to catch a nap. And suddenly a storm swept in. Verses 37-38 read, “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

The story in Mark’s Gospel is an affirmation. Yes, Jesus does care. When the storms of life are raging, he does care. When it seems, you cannot hold on a moment longer, he does care. When the waters threaten to engulf, he does care. Remember this: Jesus had all power in heaven and earth available to him. He chose to empty himself of his power and take on the life of an average man. He chose to endure hardship. He chose to endure oppression from the Roman government and rejection from the religious establishment and his own family. He chose to be hungry, to be lonely, to be abandoned and betrayed by his closest friends. He chose to suffer wrongful arrest and torture and humiliation and death. Jesus chose to place himself into every imaginable storm because he had faith that God was using these storms for a greater purpose, for the salvation of the world.

Jesus chose to place himself into every imaginable storm because he knew God Almighty was with him every step of the way. That’s how he could face down every storm without fear.

Serving with joy,

Stephen

Power in the Ordinary

Mark 4:26-34

Mustard seed faith celebrates the importance of attitude to accomplishment. Where there is faith in God, there is hope. Where there is faith in God, there is joy. Where there is faith in God, there is peace. Faith is a positive force. Faith is an active force. I have learned in my studies as a clinical chaplain that patients who have cheerful feelings about impending surgery recover faster from the operation. Those who express fears about postsurgical discomfort not only report more pain but also take longer to recover. I provide pastoral care to my patients in hopes of helping reduce their hospital stays by asking them about their fears and counseling them.

Many years ago, the writer for the popular “Ann Landers” advice column was asked about the dominant theme she saw in the thousands of letters she received from people seeking advice. Landers replied that the dominant theme in all her letters was a sense of fear. People wrote to her because they were afraid of losing a significant relationship, losing their job, losing their security, losing their wealth. Even sadder, they were afraid to take action to change the things that scared them. They needed advice and encouragement, but they also needed someone to inspire them to take action to deal with their fear.

We are all afraid of losing the things that are important to us. But Jesus-followers have a weapon for fighting fear. We do that by focusing on the goodness of God’s character and the certainty of God’s promises. And God promises that His kingdom is all around us. Wherever God’s Spirit is present, that’s where God’s kingdom is made real. How can we be negative, fearful, passive or apathetic when we carry the presence and power of God with us wherever we go? So, trusting God is key to a positive, effective attitude. God’s game plan is to establish Heaven on Earth, His kingdom of peace, love, justice and holiness. As Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

It will happen. And God offers us a chance to get off the bench and join Him in this awesome work. We are created in God’s image. Mustard seed faith says that this is a marvelous world in which God has placed us. It is an exciting and wonderful thing to be alive. We are fortunate when we can get up each morning and go to our schools, offices, fields and factories and share in the abundance of God’s creation. So take delight and be diligent in the little things. Understand the relationship between attitude and accomplishment, believing and building, daring, and doing.

Serving with joy,

Stephen

Living Out the Gospel

Luke 14:25-33

In Luke 14:25-33 Jesus says some very harsh words as he challenges the people to realize that, though living out the Gospel is not always an easy matter or pleasing matter, like most things in life, one gets what one is willing to pay for. To be in good physical shape you must be willing to exercise, get the right amount of rest, and eat a good diet. To be in good financial shape, you must learn to tell the difference between what you want and what you need.

So as it is with our faith; we must be willing to "pay the price. “Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, in The Cost of Discipleship, "Cheap grace is the grace we bestow upon ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate."

We are in the season of Pentecost, instead of permitting the Holy Spirit to blow through the church we are living in a time when people exalt their personal beliefs found on compromise over the Bible. Sweeping doctrinal changes are blowing through the church like strong winds often do, these destructive winds of doctrine are creating confusion, disorder, and mayhem among God‘s precious people. God is never a God of confusion, disorder, and mayhem.

We must learn to partner with the Holy Spirit to see the power of God released in the church to drive back the forces of darkness in society and set people free. We must be alert and more watchful than ever!

Serving with joy,

Stephen

5/30/21 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

"Worth the Wait"

Stephen Streett, Senior Pastor

Do You Know the Master's Voice?

John 10:14-16, 27-28

Jesus tells us in John that He is the Good Shepherd and that His sheep know His voice. The power of voices are significant in our lives, God created us to be relational beings and voice recognition is a big part of our interaction with others. The Triune God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost wants to have a relationship with us, that's a pretty astounding thought isn't it? It's true though. Sunday we'll look at ways that we can position ourselves to hear from God, and we'll discuss the myriad of ways that He can choose to speak to us. I hope you can either join us in person or via Facebook Live.

I love y'all

doug

Doug Allen: Worship Pastor

Happiness Is Part 2

**Telling Our Story

(THE MAIN BUSINESS OF THE CHURCH)**

Acts 1:1-11

Ascension of the Lord

Here, my friends, is the main business of the church—to witness to the love of God made manifest in Jesus Christ. We, the church, do not exist for own pleasure or fellowship. Neither are we simply a social service institution. We are the body of Jesus Christ reaching out with loving arms to the world. It is so easy to forget who we are and what we are about. We want to be a church that defines our culture. We don’t want to be defined by what’s out there. We want to be defined by what’s in the Word of God! We love all sinners, but we do not love sin. The church is called to help the sinner please God not the other way around. We love you just away you are, but we don’t want you stay that way. The goal is complete transformation (Romans 12). We want you to experience the transformation and the power that comes from the Holy Spirit.

Our primary goal is for everyone to accept Jesus Christ. To know him as their Savior. Trade the pursuit of more for a life worth pursuing. I don’t expect you to be like me, Doug, or to be like the folks in this faith community. We want you to be like Jesus. Our goal is to help you get there! Our mission is to love God, love people, and make disciples. Culture encourages those who don’t like the truth or don’t know the truth to make up their own truth. If you don’t like it make up your own. We must draw near to Christ with boldness. God is saying to us draw near. Yes, it might be a little difficult at first, but you will be healed and restored. To draw near to God in boldness you must embrace the whole gospel. You can’t separate or piecemeal the gospel.

After ministering to teens and young adults for 30 years, here is the overarching message of what is being taught and believed in our culture today. If it feels good and doesn’t hurt anybody go ahead and do it. Let’s refuse to cheapen God’s grace. Let’s never sell out the word of God for the sake of public opinion and to make everyone feel good. Instead, lets tell the true, authentic story of Jesus and how he set us free to be who He created us to be.

Here are Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. His final words. His last chance to instruct them and what does he say? “You shall be my witnesses . . .”

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Happiness Is... (Part 1)

John 15: 9-17

This Sunday we honor Mothers. I would like to thank all of you who shape our lives and build our families and serve as our safe place as we go out into the world. Mothers have a unique power to influence their children no matter how old those children get. It is not easy being a mom. But most of us have learned to appreciate the many sacrifices our moms have made on our behalf. As a pastor, I am reminded not to get too sentimental about motherhood because:

(a) For some, motherhood is an accident, and not always a welcome one.

(b) For some, biological motherhood is not possible.

(c) For some, mothers were not all that nice.

(d) For some, motherhood under the best of circumstances is still less than a bed of roses and for some who have lost their mothers, this can be a sad day. For some mothers, even when their children disappoint, their love does not cease.

Jesus told his followers, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” Jesus’ words are the model for us all: mothers and fathers and grandmothers and grandfathers, as well as children and siblings and friends. Because God loves us, we love one another. Because He forgives us, we forgive one another. At the center of the Gospel is the self-giving love of God. Notice from our text the link between love and happiness. Jesus says to his disciples, “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be complete.” Notice that love is essential to joy.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Where Do You Find Your Identity?

John 15:1-8

Where do you find your identity? Because your identity—who or what you identify with—shapes your life. It impacts your values and choices and relationships. If your identity is rooted in being an athlete, you’re not going to sit on the couch and binge-watch Netflix. You’re going to spend your spare time building your physical and mental endurance. If your identity is rooted in being a father, you’re not going to ignore your children, or spend all your paycheck on your own needs. You’re going to pay close attention to your children’s needs, and budget wisely to provide for them.

What do you hunger for? What do you want? What should you want? What you praise is what you pursue. You become what you praise. You become what you worship. We are intended to be children of God. That’s the story of the Bible over and over again (idols). Everyone of us worships something and we become conformed to it. What are you known for? What do people think of when they think of you (he’s a great golfer, she’s a terrific accountant, she a supermom, etc.) How about she’s a Christian accountant? She’s a Christian mom, he’s a Christian golfer, etc. If Jesus is your main thing, make Him your main thing. Do you hunger and thirst for Righteousness or are you faking it?

In our lesson for Sunday, Jesus gives us our identity. Jesus reveals the source of our identity, and it is out of this identity that we find hope and strength and the foundation for our lives. “I am the vine,” said Jesus, “and you are the branches.” Have you ever thought about how much hope is packed into that little sentence?

In Sunday’s lesson, Jesus gives us the ultimate gift. He says, “You are connected to me. And you are not just connected to me—you are now a part of my substance. You are not alone. Your life is not random or meaningless. The divine nature, the wisdom, the life, the joy that flows through me now flows through you.” If you stay connected to Christ, you have meaning and purpose for your life.

*Grace and Peace,

Stephen*

Spirit Come

The Spirit of God was with us two years ago as we first gathered in the Menefee’s living room for Home Church. The Spirit is with us now in this sacred space, where hundreds of lives have been saved since it was dedicated over 100 years ago. After standing empty, void of worshippers for the last few years, God had a plan to fill this beautiful chapel with His worshippers again and here we are. While we celebrate the past 2 years of being MCCC, it is exhilarating to think to the future about what God has in store for us next. As a body of believers, we have made a commitment to be led completely by the Holy Spirit of God and we continue to ask the Spirit to give us God’s vision for the future of Misty Creek Community Church. We are thrilled that you are here today to celebrate our two-year anniversary, to witness the mighty power of God through worship, and to be a part of the continued growth of His church.

In Christ,

Stephen and Doug

THE LIFE OF THE PARTY (Having joy and confidence)

Luke 24:36b-48

I read a story recently about a man named Fred Karger who has earned the unofficial title of the “World’s Greatest Party Crasher.” Over the years, Karger has crashed hundreds of high-profile parties and celebrity events. He even ended up several years ago on the stage at the Academy Awards and at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner for President Obama. He had crashed these as well. Karger claims there is no high-profile party or wedding or funeral or political event he can’t crash. He says the key to being a successful party crasher is to look confident, as if you belong there, and no one will question you.

Our Bible verses this Sunday make me think of Fred Karger and the “art” of party-crashing. This time, though, the party crasher was Jesus. The interesting thing is that it wasn’t a party until Jesus showed up there. Before he got there, in fact, things were kind of gloomy. Jesus wasn’t exactly an uninvited guest in this story, but he certainly was unexpected. After his crucifixion, his disciples were trying to sort out the meaning of the reports they had been receiving about appearances of the risen Christ. It was most confusing to them. Was it a hoax? Perhaps it was some kind of ghost?

Last week we talked about Doubting Thomas. But it’s important for us to see that at first it was difficult for all his followers to deal with Christ’s resurrection. Then suddenly it happened. The disciples were gathered together in one place and the crucified Christ himself stood among them. The disciples were startled and frightened. Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you troubled and why do questionings rise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself . .

The response of the disciples is a sermon in itself. Luke tells us that they “disbelieved for joy . . .” It was simply too wonderful to be true. He was alive and he was with them—right there . . . in their presence! He had been raised from the dead. Talk about bringing life to a party! No wonder they had difficulty believing. Some persons still have that problem today. Many desperately want to believe but something holds them back. “See my hands and my feet . . .”

The risen Jesus showed the disciples his scars because he was going to send them out to do the work the Father had sent him to do—to save wounded people. And they couldn’t save wounded people unless they could see and touch and make friends with Jesus’ wounds. Only then could they proclaim with confidence the limitless love of God. Many people desperately want to believe, but something holds them back. Maybe if they could see his scars, it would make a difference. Why? Several reasons. For one thing, some people have difficulty believing that God really cares about hurting people that much—that he would give His life for them. A Savior with scars in his hands and feet and side? Some of us are more comfortable with an impersonal God who is the First Cause, the Ground of Being, a Source of life and power but not of personality. The idea of God with nail prints in his hands and feet and side because of His great love for us is an idea we are not ready for.

Jesus’ resurrected body shows his disciples that the triumph of life over death is “not a victory without cost.” God’s love for us required that He humble Himself, give up His power and authority, take on human form, and suffer humiliation and injustice and persecution and torture and death to save us. Victory didn’t erase the scars. He continued to carry on his very skin the evidence of a life lived in radical commitment to God’s love and justice.

Serving with joy,

Stephen

Removing All Doubt

John 20: 19-31

Research tells us that no one is easier to fool than a really smart person. Do you think that’s why Thomas refused to believe the other disciples when they told him that they had seen the risen Christ? Was he afraid of appearing gullible? Afraid to trust something that was too good to be true? Is that why we have trouble believing in Jesus’ resurrection too, some of us?

Our Scripture lesson this Sunday from John’s Gospel is about the world’s most famous doubter. The news of Jesus’ resurrection spread quickly among his disciples. You can imagine the quickened pulse and the rapid, excited speech of those who had encountered the risen Christ as they shared their experience with others. You can also imagine the difficulty that those who heard their story had in believing them.

The first recipients of the good news of Easter considered it the idle nonsense of distraught and hysterical women and did not believe it. As more and more of the disciples and followers of Jesus encountered the risen Christ, however, the stories gained credibility. The most famous holdout of the group was a disciple named Thomas, called the Twin. “Unless I see the print of the nails in his hands,” said Thomas, “and place my fingers in the print of the nails, and unless I can put my hand in his side, I will not believe.”

Thomas was a doubter. He had to see for himself. Jesus did not condemn him for that. However, Jesus did say that “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Doubt is an obstacle that, when overcome, can cause us to have a deeper, richer, more meaningful faith. In the struggle for meaning the wise person learns to move beyond his doubts. The way to prove faith is to surrender yourself to the Lordship of Christ, walk in his way and experience his love for yourself.

Serving with Joy,

Stephen

It’s Time to Heal Part 5: Flawless

Easter Sunday

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single act in history that separates Christianity from every other religion, every other philosophy, and every belief system. Jesus is on the loose. He is alive, he is risen, heaven's gates are open wide! We find like those at the tomb, that what looks like an ending is a beginning. Life is about endings and beginnings. Life is a succession of losses. Do you think God does not know that? Do you feel like God cannot relate? Look at Jesus as he ate at the table with those who would betray and abandon him—ending; facing death, a redemptive death but an unjust death—ending; feeling the strength and life and breath leave his body at the place of the skull, Golgotha--ending.

In our lives there are many Good Fridays. You could probably make a list of the Good Fridays in your own life right now during this crisis: days when you have felt forsaken; days when strength and life and breath seem to be leaving your body. Days when you were betrayed, and you wrestled with forgiveness. And yet, Easter reminds us what looks like an ending is a beginning.

God brings resurrection because of who God is. The reality of the empty tomb reminds us God is at work in the world doing what only God can do. In all humility, without much fanfare, and certainly not dependent on the response of people, God goes about God’s business; our lives and the life of the world will never be the same again. Mary came looking for the Jesus who had died. Peter and John came looking in response to news of a possible grave robbing of Jesus’ body. Why attend church on Easter? Why are you watching online? Is it because you’ve been set free from sin and death?

Jesus talks about the Kingdom of Heaven coming near (Matthew 4:17). This Sunday, we celebrate that the Kingdom is here. Thanks be to resurrection we have been set free from sin and death.

He is Risen!

Stephen

"Have You Seen The Lord?" 2021 Easter Sunrise Service - Misty Creek Community Church

Sermon: Pastor Stephen Streett

Praise and Worship: Doug Allen

Dramatic Presentation: Melissa Culpepper

"Sunday Is Coming" Good Friday 2021 - 4/2/21 Misty Creek Community Church

Sermon and dramatic presentation by Misty Creek Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

It’s Time to Heal Part 4: Misguided Expectations

Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11

When the people along the way saw Jesus riding a colt approaching Jerusalem, they immediately thought that Jesus would enter the city to smash, shatter and break up the established order. They thought it would be a showdown between Jesus and the Roman officials. This was what they wanted; this was what they were hoping for. The people were asking Jesus to throw off their Roman oppressors and restore the throne of David as the legitimate rule over Israel and to do it right away. The palm branches also had a specific symbolic meaning.

Two hundred years earlier Simon Maccabeus had defeated foreign armies and kept Israel independent. When he rode into Jerusalem the people shouted cheers and waved palm branches because he was looked upon as a deliverer. If Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah, the people expected no less from him. And so the people were bubbling up with enthusiasm, but sometimes enthusiasm can be misguided.

What the people who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem that day did not realize was that God was offering them an opportunity to join him in doing a new thing. Rather than simply smashing the oppressive government of that day, God was beginning at the bottom up to build a new world order. He was starting with a small group of men and women that would grow person by person through the ages until it transcended all the governments of this world.

That ragtag army now numbers in the millions and it is still growing. It is building hospitals and universities and schools. It is healing the wounded and setting at liberty captive peoples. It is bringing people from darkness into light. That is, of course, the church of Jesus Christ. That is why we lift up our anthems of praise Palm Sunday. That is why we are shouting, “Hosanna!” Christ is alive and he is still leading his church until that day comes when oppression is no more, and everyone lives in dignity and peace and freedom together under the Lordship of Christ. Can he count on you?

Serving with joy,

Stephen

It’s Time to Heal Part 3: What’s Important to You?

John 12:20-33

In our Scripture this Sunday, some men from Greece were seeking to meet Jesus. It was very important that they see Him. There was something about the very person of Jesus himself that has fascinated people of every generation over the twenty centuries since he first caused such a commotion in that little region called Galilee. That is why those words first spoken by some Greeks to the disciple Philip are so important to men and women and young people and boys and girls today: “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

That is the sincerest desire of our hearts. We want to see Jesus. We want to experience him for ourselves. A second-hand report is not enough. We long to be in his presence. We want to assure ourselves that he is real—that he is relevant—that he is resurrected. We, like Thomas, want to put our hands into his hands and feet and side. We want to know him as our Savior and Friend.

We would like to see him because some of us have never experienced the peace that Christ brings. We need something to give our lives not only meaning, but also new vitality. We are empty, and we are bored. And because we are empty and bored, we have no vitality, no zest, no drive. There is an energy crisis in our lives, and it has nothing to do with oil or nuclear power. It has to do with that inner emptiness. We are tired, listless, and apathetic. What we need is a new heart. Not a donated or man-made heart, but the heart that Jeremiah spoke of—a heart that only seeing Jesus can give.

Jesus came to show us that one day we can live with God. And we don’t have to deserve it. Before the creation of the world, God planned to give His life on the cross to guarantee it. No matter how much of a disaster our lives may seem to be, there is one who offers us more grace, more peace, more love than we could ever exhaust in a million lifetimes. “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.” We want to see Jesus so that we may obtain new meaning, new vitality, new possibilities, and the blessed assurance that we are never alone.

My friends, Jesus is the Way. He is the Truth. He is the Life. No wonder we all long to see him, and we can see him. Through the eyes of faith, we can perceive him in our midst. He is here. He is available to us today. To all who would receive him, he is here. Let us take new hope, new courage, let us commit ourselves anew to his work, for we have beheld his glory: the glory as of the only begotten son of the Father. As someone has so beautifully said, “Christianity is not a philosophy Jesus came to teach. It is a life Jesus came to impart.” Won’t you receive the life that he has to give?

Serving with joy,

Stephen

It’s Time to Heal Part 2: Dodging Anger

John 2:13-22

It’s sad, but the pandemic, riots, elections and injustices have caused people to have short fuses. There have been studies that show that Americans are angrier than ever. National Public Radio and IBM Watson Health teamed up to survey Americans on their attitudes toward anger. The results may not surprise you. Eighty-four percent of people surveyed said “Americans are angrier today compared with a generation ago.” Forty-two percent of people reported feeling angrier in the past year than they had been in times past. Sixty-nine percent of people surveyed believe that anger is a negative emotion. But 31% said anger can have a positive effect if it moves people to take action. There are times when it is right to get angry. Jesus was angry when he drove the moneychangers out of the temple. They had turned a place of worship into what he called a “den of robbers.”

The moneychangers were originally an answer to a problem raised by Roman coinage. The coins had on them the image of Caesar. Therefore, they were unacceptable to the Jews for Temple ceremonies. The people were thus forced to change their Roman coins into coins that were acceptable. Those of you who have traveled abroad have probably traded currency at a little shop set up for that purpose. It can be a very profitable enterprise for the moneychanger. The moneychangers Jesus confronted, however, had brought their little shops right into the Temple itself.

Even worse, they were also selling sacrificial animals right there in the temple precincts. They were clearly running the risk that an animal might get loose and violate the sanctuary. Worse than that was the competitiveness among the shopkeepers vying for the business of the worshippers. The most sacred shrine of the Jews had become a tawdry, commercialized circus. This made Jesus mad and he wasn’t going to take it anymore. This was his Father’s house and they had desecrated it. Suddenly he was turning over tables, scattering coins across the pavement. Then he took a whip and forced the traders out of the temple and drove the sacrificial animals out into the courtyard.

When the dust cleared, people probably wondered what had hit them. Nobody, however, protested. Everybody knew deep down Jesus was right. Christ’s example tells us there are times when a Christian ought to get angry. Our anger reveals our deepest values and priorities. The Bible warns us to avoid people who are quick-tempered, or who get angry about petty things. But anger and love are not mutually exclusive emotions. In fact, if we are complacent or apathetic about the things that matter to God, then we should question whether we love God at all. If we can look at suffering and injustice and evil in the world and not get angry, then we need to question our commitment as followers of Christ.

Jesus got angry about the right things, and he got angry in the right way. He took positive action. But God knew that our anger would too often lead us away from our relationship with Him and with those who are made in His image. So, God provided a path for reconciliation, for restoring our relationship with God and with others, through Jesus’ death on the cross. If he can love us so much that he would be willing to lay down his life for us, surely, we can reach out in love to forgive others and restore our relationship with them. The key to our success – not to mention our survival – is our ability to stay calm and avoid the anger that makes us ineffective.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Does Normal Feel Wrong? It’s Time for Us to Heal

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16

It has been almost a year that normal disappeared. It’s time for us to heal. Healing requires faith like that of Abraham and Sarah. Our lesson for Sunday is from the book of Genesis and begins like this: “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, (that’s pretty old, wouldn’t you agree) the Lord appeared to him and said, ‘I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless. Then I will make my covenant between me and you and will greatly increase your numbers.”

Ninety-nine years old! But this was not the first time that God asked something from Abram or Abraham, as we know him. It is said that Jewish history began with a command to Abraham which he received from God to leave the country in which he was born and to go “to the land I will show you.” That happened in Genesis 12. Abraham believed God. God said, “Take up your family and go.” Abraham went. That was the kind of faith Abraham had. And it was that faith that gave birth to the nation of Israel.

In Sunday’s lesson, God challenges Abraham’s faith with even more of a fantastic promise. God tells Abraham that Sarah, his aging wife, will bear him a son. Remember he was 99 and Sarah was 89. Abraham laughed at first. Wouldn’t you? He asked God how could it be that a woman of 90 and a man of 100 could become parents? But again, he believed God. Paul tells us that Abraham “hoped against hope” that the message was true. And Abraham moved forward with faith.

As we consider Abraham’s example, we see what faith really is. Faith is a dynamic, forward looking relationship with God. Faith is not sitting on your hands waiting for God to perform a miracle on your behalf. Faith is a matter of movement. It is a matter of achievement. It is a matter of reaching out for a miracle. It is a matter of obedience to God’s commands. Faith is not accepting a handful of propositions and saying “Oh yes, I believe. Now I am saved. Now I am bound for the promised land.” That is a pale imitation of the real thing. The real thing is when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord and you seek to live courageously and victoriously for him in this world—staking everything you are and hope to be on his eternal purpose and promise—like Abraham hoping against hope that the message of an eternal covenant is true. That is real faith. That is the kind of faith that can turn a world upside down.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

The Motivation Factor Part 4: Motivated to Please

Genesis 9:8-17

You know just two years ago I felt like a complete failure. Have you ever felt that way? There are so many people right around us that feel hopeless (two suicides in our community, isolation, mental illness, etc.). What are we to do? Listen to I Corinthians 4:20 “For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.”

One of the things that I think this world needs most is for people to turn from being self-centered to being God-centered. What would our social media posts look like if we did just that? Just a few weeks ago, a high-profile political personality died, and then came the hate on social media. Self-consumed people rejoicing over the death of someone because they judged them to be rude and without compassion. Is that the heart of Jesus? Is that being God-centered? Our self-awareness is just that, we are only aware of ourselves.

God gave Noah an assignment, and He has given you an assignment. What is your assignment? I have been asked on occasion what was the most significant change in my life after me and my family went through the wilderness? God had a new assignment for us after He saw how we handled our wilderness journey. He had an assignment for Jesus when He came out of the wilderness. When I came out of the wilderness, I was available for the Holy Spirit to work through my life, and He did. Not in word, but in power!! This intimacy with the Spirit is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my spiritual journey. It begins with and ends with humility. This was my assignment, Misty Creek Community Church.

I wonder if God doesn’t sometimes look at us, the pinnacle of His creation, and wonder with disappointment how we turned out the way we did? It’s something to think about as we look at today’s Bible passage. The Old Testament is full of exhilarating stories of very ordinary people possessed by an extraordinary faith. Consider Noah.

The story of Noah and the great flood is one of the best known and best loved stories in Scripture. It is also one of the most important because it represents the beginning of the concept of a covenant relationship between the Creator and his creation. We are a covenant people. As descendants of Noah, we share in the benefits of this relationship which God has established with his children. What are some of the implications of this covenant relationship? What does it mean to our lives today? There are two implications that glare at us. The first implication sounds a little negative, but I hope you will give it serious thought.

Here it is: God is disappointed—even in the best of us.

Though God is disappointed even in the best of us, He is hopelessly, passionately, in love even with the worst of us.

God’s plan to save the world started before God ever created it. He sealed his promise with a rainbow. Then made good on the promise with a cross. None of us are all we might be. But still Somebody loves us and He sent His Son to die for us. That’s the Gospel. A Father willing to welcome home a disobedient child. A Father willing to take that child’s place on the cross of Calvary.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

The Motivation Factor Part 3: Motivated to Sacrifice

2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10

St. Paul writes, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” A few lines later he adds, “Now is the day of salvation.”

And there is a sense of urgency about his words. He reminds us of what Christ has done on our behalf. We have a debt to be paid. And we pay it by reminding people who don’t yet know him of his great love for them. Our Sovereign has given His life on our behalf. What will we give up and give back in return?

At Jesus' baptism the sky split open, the Spirit of God, which looked like a dove, descended and landed on Jesus, and a voice from heaven said, "This is my Son, My Beloved, with whom I am pleased." Afterward, as told in Matthew 4:1-11, the Spirit sent Jesus into the wilderness, where He fasted and prayed for 40 days. During His time there He was tempted by Satan and found clarity and strength to resist temptation. Afterward, He was ready to begin His ministry. Maybe Jesus needed some time with God to sort through the major changes happening in His life. Maybe He needed to get away from family, friends, and the familiar routine in order to see God (and Himself) more clearly. Perhaps He wanted some intentional time with God as He searched for direction and answers. Like Jesus, we may need to take some serious time to pray and listen for God.

Are you searching for something more? Tired of running in circles, but not really living life with direction, purpose, or passion? It's pretty easy to get caught up in the drama of classes, relationships, family, and work. Our lives are filled with distractions that take us away from living a life with Christ. We try to fill the emptiness inside us with mindless TV, meaningless chatter, stimulants, alcohol, too many activities, or other irrelevant stuff. We run away from life and from God. Lent is a great time to “repent” — to return to God and refocus our lives to be more in line with Jesus. It’s a 40-day trial run in changing your lifestyle and letting God change your heart.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

An inspiring message for Ash Wednesday from Misty Creek Community Church Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett.

Motivated to Love

2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 & Luke 9:28-36

(Transfiguration Sunday 2/14)

In our reading from 2 Corinthians this Sunday we get the notion from Paul that the glory of God is reflected, not seen directly. How true of life, that God’s surprises break out in the most unexpected ways and places: in that little moment where someone reaches out to you in a time of need (for those of you whom have been sick you know what a comfort it is to have the body of Christ tend to you); where you have joy over being of assistance to someone; or where a baby shows up in a manger and changes lives and history. Maybe God has to surprise us in order to get our attention sometimes. The problem with that, however, is that we might not notice the reflections of God’s glory that are happening around us. Part of the task of worship is the rehearsing of how we learn not only to look for God’s surprise in life, but also how to recognize them.

The Transfiguration clarifies Jesus’ identity—especially his divine sonship and foreshadows his exaltation to heaven. Jesus' identity and work cannot be understood apart from the cross and resurrection. Only in their light do we ever understand the character of God. We are created in the image of God. We are reflections of the Divine.

When we begin to see through God’s eyes and think and act like God, we find God’s power to change. The transition is the ultimate makeover. Other people will look at us and see something much bigger than us. People will look at you and see God’s reflection.

This Sunday, we will learn about the transforming love of God. We are created in the Divine image. We become born again when we accept God’s unconditional love through Jesus Christ. Nicodemus had a hard time grasping this concept as did many then and many do today.

-At Home in Jesus’ Love

Jesus clarifies his meaning of love when he says, in effect, “This is what I mean by love. When you love others as I have loved you.” (See John 15:12). Though he existed in the form of God, he set that aside and pitched his tent right where we live. (See John 1:14). He modeled the importance of physical presence, of appropriate touch, and of the relationship between healing and wholeness.

-Grace-Space

Jesus what not just physically present but he was also emotionally present. Jesus said, “Make yourselves at home in my love” (John 15:7, The Message). You are secure and strong in being who God created you to be. Your identity is shaped by the Lord Jesus, not those around you. Can you imagine a people who live in an environment of grace and unconditional love?

Let’s face it; we serve a God of Love. The essence of God is love. The ultimate example of sacrificial love is Jesus’ redemptive act on the cross. Are you open to the serendipity of God’s love? Are you receptive to the Spirit’s direction in your life? As we prepare for the season of the Resurrection, let us receive God’s love and be open to God’s Presence and guidance. Let’s be transformed, transfigured, and motivated by God’s love and experience the ultimate extreme makeover of our hearts, minds, souls and body.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

The Motivation Factor Part 1:

THE GREATEST MOTIVATOR

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

My heart and mind have been racing this week with the thought of folks contracting this virus through our church community. I am sad that several precious souls have been so sick. I can tell you from working in the medical field that this virus is everywhere and in the most unsuspecting of places. God has given me a peace about all of this, with the assurance that He has something bodaciously awesome on the horizon. I am so encouraged with how God has moved through our church to provide such amazing support to all those who are ill. We will be stronger and closer as a church body through this.

Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen”

His power is at work within us. Let us continue to walk in the Spirit!

The national economic shutdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced most of the world to hit “Pause” on our work and our social activities and our plans for the future. Businesses shut down overnight. Churches closed their doors. Weddings and funerals and graduations were postponed, or significantly altered. Hanging out with family and friends was off-limits. Many people found themselves with a lot of time on their hands. Everyone, from governments, to corporations, to hospitals, to schools, to churches, to individuals, began questioning why they do what they do. What is it that motivates you to get out of bed every morning? What is the underlying motivation for your work? Your relationships? Your hobbies? How you choose to spend your time and your money?

What is it that motivates you? There is only one motivation that matters in the Christian faith: Love. St Paul says at the end of 1st Corinthians: “Do all things in the spirit of love.” That is the only motivation. That is what motivated Paul. Love for Jesus and love for people. Do you love Christ? Do your work, your priorities, your lifestyle and your relationships reflect that love? Most of us can prove we are alive by the fact we are breathing and moving around and doing our jobs. But to live with absolute passion, to be compelled by love, as Paul was, to stand up to any obstacle, to break through any barrier, to sacrifice everything for the sake of knowing God and sharing God with others—and to find absolute joy in doing it—that’s really living! There is a man who lived with joy and died with no regrets because he gave everything he had in the service of love.

What about you? What kind of difference could you make in this world if love for God and love for other people became your motivating force? If love became the “why” for everything you do? It starts with giving your life to Jesus wholeheartedly. Then pray daily for the Holy Spirit to guide you in wisdom and love. Let God examine your mind and heart and show you areas of your life that are not conformed to His love. And as you do these things, you will find new courage and conviction and joy in everything you do.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

ARE YOU TROUBLED BY DEMONS?

Mark 1: 21-28

All of us have times in our life when we are confronted with problems and emotions that almost overwhelm us. There have been times in my life when, emotionally, I was at the end of my rope and feared it would break. Perhaps you have had that experience too. What comfort it is to know that we have a Friend who can heal brokenness of any kind—whether it is physical, emotional, or spiritual—if we will let Him.

This poor man in the synagogue was tortured of spirit. Maybe the demons that were troubling him were hatred, envy, resentment and especially un-forgiveness or guilt. “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!”

“Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. Let’s not allow the drama of this encounter to blind us to what is really happening here. Jesus saw a man who needed help and he gave that help just as he has helped millions since. Do you believe he wants to help you whatever your need may be? Are you willing to trust him?

Paul Tournier was a brilliant thinker and writer, and an influential Christian therapist during his time. Doctors from around the world traveled to his home in Switzerland to learn from him. He wrote, “It is a little embarrassing for students to come over and study my ‘techniques.’ They always go away disappointed because all I do is accept people.” That’s what Jesus does for people too. He accepts them. It makes no difference who they are or what they’ve done, he accepts them. And if they will trust him, really trust him, He is willing to deliver them, heal them, quiet their spirit and make them whole once again.

How about you? Are you troubled by such worrisome, but everyday demons like worry, hatred, envy, resentment, guilt or un-forgiveness? You have a friend who loves to cast out demons. He wants to help if you will let him.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

In Matthew 1:14-20 we find Jesus walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. If that is not an opportunity, I do not know what is. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” If the disciples ever had an opportunity to cherish the moment this is it. Cherish this moment when the Messiah, the Savior of the world, offered you the greatest opportunity on earth: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.”

And I want you to pay special attention to this opportunity because Christ is offering you the same opportunity today.You have a responsibility to live for something beyond your own desires. You can be part of healing the world and bringing the kingdom of God on earth. God’s love created this world. God’s love saved this world. God’s love is recreating this world. And yes, sharing God’s love can make a world of difference. That is what Jesus came to show us. That is what he called the disciples to do. That is what he calls us to do. If you say yes, you will be able to look back at this day and say, “Cherish this moment. Cherish this moment when I became an ambassador of hope. Cherish this moment when my life changed from being goal-oriented to being purpose-driven. And cherish this moment when I had the opportunity to share good news of the kingdom of God.” And I guarantee that you will cherish this moment with joy.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Get Used to Different Part 3: A QUANTUM DECISION

Mark 1:4-11

(Baptism of the Lord)

There is a book with the interesting title, Quantum Change. The authors of this book interviewed people who had what they called a moment of great clarity that led them to make a decision that changed the course of their lives—hence the title, Quantum Change. The authors noticed two things about this sudden, life-changing moment: first, each person felt as if he had received a mystical message from outside himself that gave him this insight, and secondly, each person’s life was never the same after receiving this insight. What is striking about this study is that ten years later the authors interviewed their subjects again and found that their lives had been permanently changed by this decisive moment. As Dr. Miller, one of the book’s co-authors, said, “The moment it happened, they knew they had gone through a one-way door—there was no going back.”

Quantum Change. That’s a great way to describe the decision to be baptized into the Christian faith—“a one-way door—there’s no going back.” Because it happens for many people when they are infants or, depending on your background, as a young person, we might not give much thought to it. But we ought to regard it as the most significant moment in our life. Ideally, we should carry with us at all times the consciousness that we are a baptized person. And that baptism should make a difference in everything we do.

This Sunday at Misty Creek we will have the opportunity to remember our baptisms and experience an outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Grace and peace,

Stephen

Stephen Streett, Senior Pastor

Get Used to Different, Pt. 2: "The Searching Still Continues"

01/10/21 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

Did You Get My Message?

John 1:1-5

Do you want to head into this New Year with a message from God? Then these verses from John have some exciting things to tell us.

When we look at Jesus, we see God’s plan for our lives. From the beginning of time, God planned for us to be His children. We see it in verse 12 here: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Everyone who receives Jesus as Lord gets adopted into God’s family, and into His love. Here’s the second thing John tells us:

When we look at Jesus, we see God’s love for us. John 1:14 reads, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Not just, “I have come to visit you,” but “I have come to live with you.” Instead of waiting for you to come to me, I’m coming to meet you right where you are.

I think most of us start off the New Year searching for something. Maybe we’re searching for closure from this past year. Maybe we’re searching for understanding or forgiveness. Some of us are searching for a second chance to get things right. Maybe some of you sitting here this morning don’t even know if you believe in God, or if God believes in you. You want to believe that God is real, but you don’t think you are good enough for Him to notice you. In your mind, all these smiley, sincere, Bible-quoting people around you—God came for them. But you’ve got a lot of work to do on yourself before you can even think of asking for His attention. Friend, you’ve got it all wrong. This Bible passage makes it clear. God came to live in your neighborhood. God came looking for you.

And finally, when we look at Jesus, we see God’s gift to us. In Jesus, God poured out grace on us. He flooded this world with grace. What is grace? The word means “loving-kindness” or “merciful kindness.” Verse 14 says that Jesus came to us “full of grace and truth.” Jesus came to show us the heart and character and mind of God. And all those qualities were compressed into these two words: grace and truth. Most of us want to start off a new year with clarity. If there is one area of your life where I hope you have total and complete clarity, it’s in your view of God. This is the one issue that will affect every other area of life, so it’s essential that you understand who God is and what God’s plans are for you. God has a plan for you, a plan to adopt you into His family and have a loving relationship with you. This is the Good News. The eternal Creator God wants a relationship with you. God loves you that much. And God has gifts of loving-kindness and mercy and truth for all those who believe in and receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Can you hear me now? God sent you a message. I hope you’ve received it. But the real test of effective communication is whether you act on it. Now that you’ve received God’s message, will you choose to submit your life to Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

Serving with joy,

Stephen

Senior Pastor Stephen Streett's Christmas message from a special Candlelight Christmas Eve service from Misty Creek Community Church in Sandy Springs, GA. 12/24/2020

This Sunday is the 4thSunday of Advent (Hope)

The Angel’s Message

Luke 1:26-38

Long ago, in a remote corner of this earth God broke into our world through the voice of an angel named Gabriel. Gabriel came to a young woman named Mary. As was the custom of the day, Mary’s parents made all the arrangements for her marriage. At the proper age she would marry Joseph the local carpenter. The negotiations were made between Mary’s parents and Joseph’s parents with the couple having no say in the matter. Since Nazareth was a small village Mary probably knew Joseph quite well. Perhaps, she had seen him working in his carpenter’s shop. Then came the day when Mary and Joseph were betrothed to each other. Betrothal was for a period of one year and was as binding as marriage. It was so official that, during this year, if Joseph died, Mary would be considered a widow.

One day as Mary was daydreaming about her marriage to Joseph, she looked up and saw an angel standing before her. She was startled and frightened. Mary never in a million years dreamed of being visited by an angel.

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Gabriel said to a frightened Mary. What an unusual way to begin. “You who are highly favored.” Why, Mary was just an ordinary girl, barely a teenager. There was nothing special about her that we know of. She didn’t come from a wealthy family. She wasn’t listed in the society pages of the Nazareth times. No one outside of Nazareth had ever heard of her. She was just your average young woman.

Mary was perplexed and confused. Gabriel sensed Mary’s fear. He tried to comfort her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” Mary didn’t realize it at the time, but God had chosen her for a very special purpose. “You will conceive and give birth to a son,” said Gabriel, “and you are to call him Jesus.” Mary was mystified. What could this all mean? Mary listened to the angel’s words. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Mary’s response was one of bewilderment—particularly with her role in this amazing drama. “How can this be?” she asked the divine messenger, “since I am a virgin?” Gabriel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

“To satisfy her confusion about bearing a child and yet being a virgin Gabriel reminded her that her cousin, Elizabeth, was far past the child-bearing age, but she was six months pregnant. This was God’s doing, the angel told her, for nothing is impossible with God. That was all it took for Mary to be convinced. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then Gabriel left her. But Mary believed Gabriel’s message. And the rest, as they say, is history.

May the joy of our Savior surround you this Christmas!

-Stephen

Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Advent (Joy)

Prepare the Way

John 1:6-8;19-28

Advent is a time for us to prepare for the peace, joy, love and hope of Christmas (Jesus), as well as to prepare our hearts for the days ahead with an awareness that God goes with us. You are invited to join us each Sunday in worship for the Advent sermon series, “Christmas Snapshots.” Remember, if you miss a Sunday, you can watch the entire service on the Misty Creek Facebook page and YouTube. You can also listen to the sermon on your favorite podcast provider.

From his birth, John the Baptist was set aside as a Nazirite. A Nazirite . . . was a person who was devoted to God and therefore lived away from society . . . A Nazirite: did not trim the beard, did not cut the hair, lived in an unusual way.” Two things may surprise us then about John the Baptist. One is how popular John was. The other is his role in the drama of the first Christmas. As to his popularity, Mark tells us that “the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River,” (Mark 1:5). That was quite an amazing response to this wilderness preacher. Can you imagine every single person in the Atlanta area and in all the surrounding countys repenting of their sins and being baptized in a river? I would love to witness something like this in Atlanta. I do believe a massive revival is on the horizon.

Over the years there have been many outstanding preachers, but none as effective as John the Baptist. John bore witness to the light in his preaching. He bore witness in his life. On the banks of the Jordan he proclaimed that the Kingdom of God was at hand. When he saw Jesus he declared, “Behold the Lamb of God . . .” He was the ultimate “advance man.” He prepared the way for the coming Messiah.

So, as you celebrate this Christmas season, as you think about the shepherds and the wise men and the star and Mary and Joseph and all the rest of the important figures and events of that first Christmas, give a little thought to another small child born six months before Christ to a deeply devout couple named Zacharias and Elizabeth. Their son was not the Messiah. He simply bore witness to the Messiah. There was no star shining over the house where he lay, just a mute old man beaming down at him with pride and great joy. It was the joy of one who had lived to see the promises of God fulfilled. It was plain at John’s birth according to Luke that the Lord’s blessing was upon him, and it was. He grew into a man of humility and courage who proclaimed the coming of the Lord. Jesus himself composed John’s epitaph when he said on one occasion, “No greater man has ever been born than John” (Mt. 11:11). That was John the Baptist—humility, courage. And a commitment to bear witness to the light of God.

May the joy of our Savior surround you this Christmas!

-Stephen

**This Sunday 12/6 is the second Sunday of Advent (Love)

Giving Comfort

Isaiah 40:1-11**

Advent is a time for us to prepare for the peace, joy, love and hope of Christmas (Jesus), as well as to prepare our hearts for the days ahead with an awareness that God goes with us. You are invited to join us each Sunday in worship for the Advent sermon series, “Christmas Snapshots.” Remember, if you miss a Sunday, you can watch the entire service on the Misty Creek Facebook page and YouTube. You can also listen to the sermon on your favorite podcast provider.

Our Scripture lesson this Sunday from Isaiah 40 begins like this: “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for . . .” It has been said that the task of a prophet is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Here is the setting for this passage: The Babylonian army had invaded the land. Many of the leading citizens have been taken away to exile in Babylon. The temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed. The holy city lay in ruins. The people were in shock. Those carried away to exile had the extra burden of being displaced from their home, the Promised Land.

As the psalmist cried out during this time of exile: “By the waters of Babylon—there we sat down and there we wept when we remembered Zion.” (Psalm 137:1) That is the situation that the prophet Isaiah is addressing. But rather than issuing any more words of warning, he becomes a herald of hope. “Comfort, comfort my people,” says your God. “Speak tenderly to Jerusalem.” The Lord has not forgotten His people. Indeed, God Himself will soon be coming to them. This is one of the many messianic prophecies of Isaiah. Isaiah is telling the people that God will not leave them desolate—just as He will not leave us desolate.

As he says in chapter 7, verse 40, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel” which means “God is with us.” God with us. Are there any words in scripture more beautiful than these: God with us. There is only one place where lasting comfort can be found—in the arms of the one who as a babe laid his head in the manger of Bethlehem.

Advent and Christmas at Misty Creek

12/6 GIVING COMFORT Isaiah 40:1-11

12/13 JESUS’ ADVANCE MAN John 1:6-8; 19-28 (special drama)

12/20 THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE Luke 1: 26-38

12/23 A Night Of Christmas Worship 7pm in the FBCSS Sanctuary

12/24 Candlelight Christmas Eve Service “Christmas Snapshots”

Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) 5pm in the Stone Chapel

May God bless you,

Stephen R. Streett

This Sunday 11/29 is the First Sunday of Advent (Peace)

OH, THAT YOU WOULD COME DOWN?Isaiah 64:1-8

Advent is a time for us to prepare for the peace, joy, love and hope of Christmas (Jesus), as well as to prepare our hearts for the days ahead with an awareness that God goes with us. You are invited to join us each Sunday in worship for the Advent sermon series, “Christmas Snapshots.” Remember, if you miss a Sunday, you can watch the entire service on the Misty Creek Facebook page and YouTube. You can also listen to the sermon on your favorite podcast provider.

A Preview of Advent:Christmas Snapshots(A Five Part Series)

11/29 OH, THAT YOU WOULD COME DOWN Isaiah 64:1-8

12/6 GIVING COMFORT Isaiah 40:1-11

12/13 JESUS’ ADVANCE MAN John 1:6-8; 19-28 (special drama, The Uninvited Guest)

12/20 THE ANGEL’S MESSAGE Luke 1: 26-38

12/23 A Night Of Christmas Worship 7pm in the FBCSS Sanctuary

12/24 Christmas Eve Service “Christmas Snapshots” Luke 2:1-14, (15-20) 5pm in the Stone Chapel

May God bless you,

Stephen R. Streett

"We've Got a Friend in High Places" (A Time for Gratitude, pt. 3) sermon by Misty Creek Community Church senior pastor, Stephen Streett.

**“The Goodness of God ”

PSALM 100**

The 100th Psalm was written for the people of Israel in order to help the people remember that God is their helper.

God had basically said to them, “When you come into the promised land, and settle down in your warm homes, and you have plenty to eat……don’t forget Me……I led you out of the wilderness and I brought you into a land flowing with milk and honey.” But it does not take very long to realize that the people of Israel needed a reminder……and we need one too. And I believe God had us in mind, too, when this Psalm was written.

Did we notice to whom it is addressed? The first verse says that it’s addressed to “all the earth,” and the last verse says that it includes “all generations.”The importance of thanksgiving is so deep and so wide that it applies to every person of every generation who has ever lived! Webster’s New World Dictionary defines the word thanksgiving as “a formal public expression of thanks to God.”And there is something about giving thanks together to God that breaks down barriers between people and brings about a unity.Psalm 100 is a hymn that was sung while entering the temple, and it probably was done in connection with a thanksgiving ceremony. God is the source of our thanksgiving!!! I pray that this will be a most meaningful thanksgiving season for all of us!

May our hearts overflow with thanksgiving to the Lord as we meditate on God’s Word, on God’s goodness, on God’s love, and on God’s faithfulness this Thanksgiving season!!!

Stephen

A Time For Gratitude Part 1: “The Deepest Thanks”

Some veterans bear visible signs of their service: a missing limb, a jagged scar, a certain look in the eye. Others may carry the evidence inside them: a pin holding a bone together, or like my father who served in Vietnam, several pieces of shrapnel in his arms, legs, and face. Except in parades, however, the men and women who have kept America safe wear no badge or emblem. You cannot tell a vet just by looking. Maybe you have seen the commercial showing vets working at the grocery store, the mall, a restaurant, a school.

So, remember, each time you see someone who has served our country, just lean over, and say, "Thank you." That is all most people need, and in most cases, it will mean more than any medals they could have been awarded or were awarded.This Sunday we will think about what it takes to be a veteran of the faith of Christ, something we all need to be and do.

1- Obey the Commander

2- Engage the enemy

3- Fight to the end

Grace & Peace

Stephen

Life is a Gift --All Saints Sunday

Hebrews 12:1 and Luke 22:14-20

This Sunday is All Saints Sunday. We will gather to worship God, especially remember, honour, and be grateful for those who have gone before us. May we remember that all of life is an act of praise to God—our worship extends to the fellowship and service that takes place all week long. Sunday, we will celebrate Holy Communion together. When we gather at the table, we enter the realm of God’s time in our remembering; where past, present and future are one. We remember the past and are hosted by all those saints who came before us. We remember the present through Christ’s call to spread the banquet of love to all. We remember the future in the promise of Jesus to be with us always. And so, it is that this Sunday morning, we will remember with love those who set a banquet of love for us. We give thanks for their hospitality, the tables they set for us and the gifts they gave to us. It is through their witness that we have tasted, and we have seen the goodness of God.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1

Grace and peace,

Stephen

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Pastor Stephen Streett addresses the question, "Who Is Jesus?" in this inspiring message from Misty Creek Community Church.

**YOUR WAKE-UP CALL

Philippians 3:4b-14**

What does it take to get you fully awake and ready for a new day? Are you one of those people who wake up easily and jump out of bed? Or are you one of those people who need to be shaken awake and kicked out of bed before you can start your morning? If the second description sounds more like you, then you will relate to today’s lesson from the Scriptures. It was written by Paul, a man who needed to be shaken awake and kicked out of bed. But he did not need to be awakened from a deep sleep. He needed to be awakened from a way of life that was leading him far away from God and closer to death and destruction.

Ironically, it was a way of life that looked, on the outside, like a great success. Paul, whose Hebrew name was Saul, was an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. He had a respected family heritage. He was a student of the Law of Israel. He studied under Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee. Paul was educated, influential and respected. By all measures in his society, he was a success. And he had a singular goal in life: to protect the Hebrew Law. We need to note, first of all, that successful people usually have worthwhile goals for their life. If you want to honor God with your life, if you want to make sure that you don’t waste the precious gifts God has given you, then the best thing you can do is create some worthwhile goals for yourself. Goal setting comes from the belief that your life has purpose.

If your life were random and meaningless, then setting goals would not make sense. But if your life has purpose, if you have the opportunity to make an impact in your sphere of influence, then setting worthwhile goals is the best way to do it. Worthwhile goals require vision, planning, discipline, sacrifice. Successful people have a vision for where they want to go and who they want to be, and they create a plan to get them there.

Paul had encountered Christ on the Damascus Road. After three days of blindness, Paul was healed through the intervention of a follower of Jesus named Ananias. And at that moment, Paul’s previous goals for his life began to look like a lot of garbage. That’s how he describes his previous life goals in today’s lesson.

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage . . .” Later, in this same passage, he declares, “I want to know Christ —yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead . . .” Still later he sums up his new goal: “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Now Paul had only one goal—to serve Jesus Christ. Wouldn’t it be great to have only one goal in life? One goal that you knew in your bones was the purpose God made you for? This is it. You were made to serve Jesus Christ. You were made to live out Jesus’ values and priorities. You were made to do good works that express the love and hope of Jesus Christ in the world. And if God made you for that purpose, then it is only in serving Jesus Christ that you will find your identity and peace and fulfillment.

Grace & Peace,

Stephen

A pair of brief sermons from the 2020 Bluegrass & BBQ service.

1st segment: Pastor Stephen Streett (Misty Creek Community Church)

2nd segment: Pastor Mitch Hagins (First Baptist Church of Sandy Springs).

HOW DO WE FORGIVE?

Matthew 18:21-35

In today’s lesson Simon Peter wanted to know exactly what the Master expected out of him when it came to forgiveness. The prominent Rabbis of the day were teaching that one should forgive his brother three times. Was that enough? Simon Peter wondered. So, one day he asked Christ this important question: “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him—as many as seven times?” Peter was exceeding the demands of the rabbis, but he still was unsure that he was doing what Christ expected of him. Some of us probably would like an answer to the same question. Forgiveness is a big problem in our lives. There have been persons who have wronged us and it is so, so difficult to let go of our feelings of anger, resentment and even hatred.

For many Christians, forgiveness of people who have hurt them is the biggest obstacle to their mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. Do you understand why we must forgive? Our refusal to forgive one who has hurt us can have devastating effects not only on them, but also on ourselves. It can shorten our lives, poison our memories, weaken our relationship with God and even afflict our feelings of self-worth. This is in addition to the damage to the relationship with the person we cannot forgive. That is a high price to pay in order to hold on to resentment, anger and even hatred.

But how, you may ask, how do we forgive those who have wronged us? How do we let go of the pain, the resentment, the sense of betrayal? We let go, first of all, by recognizing that we ourselves have been forgiven.We have been forgiven, and thus we are able to forgive others. Is there someone you need to forgive—an unfaithful spouse—an overbearing parent —a friend who has stabbed you in the back—an employer who has taken advantage of you? I know there is pain, but the most powerful witness we have to the action of the grace of God at work in our own lives is the ability to forgive others. As we forgive, we heal not only the wounds of a broken relationship, we find healing for wounds inflicted in our own hearts by anger, hurt and resentment. God has forgiven each of us for every soiled thought, act, and deed of which we are capable. Can we not forgive one another? Three times? Seven times? Yes, even seventy times seven?

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"Bridging the Generational Gap" - 9/27/20

Matthew 21:28-32

We all know people whose first response to anything is always “No!” Fortunately, many of these somewhat ornery people have good hearts, and if they have time to reconsider and see the worth of a project, they will eventually pitch in and be among the best workers. That was the first son in this parable that Jesus told. He was initially defiant, but after reflecting on his father’s request, he changed his mind, put on his work clothes, and went out into the vineyard. Though he was quite polite, the response of the second son was much worse than his older brother’s defiance; his response was insincere. The second son was like many of us. There are many people who are nice, friendly, basically Christian people who will never argue when asked to do something, never even protest, and yet getting them to do anything is a near impossibility.

Now you may be thinking, “I get it, Stephen. I am supposed to go out and work in the vineyard. I am supposed to follow Jesus more closely. I am supposed to serve others as he did. I really have good intentions, but where does the power come from to enable a person to make that kind of commitment to serve Christ?” The power to make that kind of change in our lives comes from Christ alone. None of us have the power to fulfill Christ’s call on our own. There is not a person in this church who does not have good intentions about being a better person, but the desire to accomplish that goal is not enough. We must see ourselves in this story of the two sons who were asked by their father to go into the vineyard and ask which of the two brothers we more resemble—the one who rebelled at first, but finally did his father’s work, or the son who said, “Sure, I’ll go,” but never did. Then we must ask God for the courage and the commitment to leave our comfort zone and to seek to walk in the steps of the Master more closely.

The world is a better place because of the contributions of a host of persons who at first said, “Not me,” but eventually did what God called them to do. Listen very carefully to the voice of Christ . Is there something that he has been asking you to do—something here in the church, something in your neighborhood, something in your family—but you have been saying, “Not me.” Isn’t it time for you to join the older son, put on your work clothes and get into the vineyard?

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Misty Creek is On the Move with Christ

Many churches are known for one specific type of ministry:

worship, preaching, teaching, youth, community programs, discipleship, or evangelism. I believe Misty Creek is gifted in all these areas, however, when I hear people talking about Misty Creek, I hear them say that we are a missions-focused church and that we love to help people. And that’s true: from our beginning as a house church, this body of believers has focused on serving others. Doesn’t 30 weeks of making and delivering over 35,000 lunches to those in need confirm this? It’s this servanthood that we are celebrating this Sunday morning.

Our Mission is straightforward: Love God, Love People and Make Disciples

“Jesus said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation.” Mark 16:15.

At Misty Creek, we believe in sharing the love of Jesus in our local community and abroad. We are a Bible centered, Christ focused church that relies on the power of the Holy Spirit. Our prayer is that our church would become like our community.

I am disappointed that I cannot be with you in person on Sunday. I will be going before the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy certification committee in hopes of becoming a Board-certified clinical chaplain and pastoral care counselor.

I am thankful to pastor such a supportive congregation who delights in serving others.

May the Lord always be glorified in all that we do and say!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

UNITY Sermon by Misty Creek Community Church Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett. 9/13/2020.

When Buildings Fall and Waters Rise

Matthew 14:22-33

Many of us know where we were and what we were doing 19 years ago September 11, 2001. We remember how we felt because to some degree we have felt that way ever since, and this pandemic, divisiveness, riots, killings, natural disasters and anniversaries such as this one remind us of the return of Christ and the coming judgment for this earth. What should we do when pandemics and cataclysmic events strike?

I. HAVE FAITH - NOT FEAR

II. PRAY - DON’T PANIC

III. BELIEVE GOD - DON’T BLAME HIM

IV. RESPOND - DON’T RUN

V. BE ASSURED - NOT ANGRY

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

8/30/20 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church, Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett.

When Life is Put on Hold Part 4

*In it for the Long Haul

John 6:60-69*

Jesus knew what it was to deal with fair weather fans. As he began to share the difficult details of his ministry, many of his followers started getting disenchanted. Just a short time before they wanted to crown him king. They wanted to push him into the political arena. They wanted him to establish his kingdom in this world. They were not in for the long haul. They wanted it to happen now! So, one by one, as they sensed that he was not going to give them what they wanted, they drifted away. Even some of his closest followers seemed to be losing their enthusiasm.

This was alarming. John writes, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him . . .” “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the twelve disciples who had been with him from the beginning. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” Who could have given such an answer except Simon Peter? “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Don’t you love Simon Peter? Impetuous. Excitable. Sometimes speaking before his mind is fully in gear. But Simon Peter was in it for the long haul. His commitment was no momentary, fleeting experience--good only when things were going his way. Certainly, Peter got discouraged from time to time.

After the crucifixion, he was ready to go back to his fishing nets. We can understand that. After all, he felt terribly let down. He had invested all his dreams in this man Jesus. Now Christ lay in a borrowed tomb. Still, Simon Peter’s commitment to Christ never failed. He might show a little weakness on occasion, but he was in there for the long haul. Faith is hanging in there when the day looks dark and the options are limited, because you know that somehow God is at work in your life. So, you have decided that by the grace of God you are here for the long haul. You have placed yourself in God’s hands and you say with Simon Peter: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.” That is what faith is all about. Life is a marathon. It’s not how you start, but how you finish. Faith has to do with both having a great race and an even greater finish. The writer of the Revelation put God’s promise to us about finishing the race like this: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown” (2:10). That is faith for the long haul--the only kind of faith that really counts.

Grace and Peace

Stephen

8/16/2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church: "Searching For Happiness" - When Life Is Put On Hold, Part 4.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Sermon from 8/9/20 service at Misty Creek Community Church.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Intro clip: "God Sent a Cleaner" from the Normal Christian Life YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXQKugue_j6hF-VgeRP0IvQ

"Filling the Emptiness Within" - When Life Gets Put On Hold, pt. 1

“Bread of Life? Jesus lived up to the title, but an unopened loaf does a person no good. Have you received the bread?” asks Lucado. “Have you received God’s forgiveness?” Those are questions you and I need to answer this day. The world is still hungry for true bread. Christ is that bread. “Sir,” the people said in response to Christ’s teaching, “. . . give us this bread.” Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” And that’s true. The greatest need that each of us has is to feed on Christ.

I invite you to join us for a brand new, relevant sermon series in August entitled, “When Life is Put on Hold.” Before the sermon each week, we will hear from various folks on how they are moving forward with God despite life being put on hold.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"Walking by Faith, Not by Sight" 7/26/2020 sermon from Misty Creek Community Church.

Sermon by Misty Creek worship pastor, Doug Allen.

What is Essential in Your Life Part 6: “FISHING LESSONS”

7/19/20 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church

Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett

What Essential in Your Life? Pt. 5: Breaking Down the Barriers that Divide Us"

7/12/2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church in Sandy Springs, GA.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

What is Essential in your life Part 4: Not Good Enough: The Power of God’s Goodness

Genesis 50:15-21

It may seem odd on the Sunday after Independence Day to share a sermon on the power of God’s goodness! In fact, it may seem odd not to focus on God’s grace “shed on thee,” or on America as a “shining city on a hill.” Never mind that Jesus called the church to assume this position among all the nations of the world. The whole notion of a “royal priesthood” might pale in comparison to the power of the state (1 Peter 2:9). Nevertheless, we ask: How does the power of God’s goodness provide a message of hope to a people struggling to remain faithful in a time of uncertainty? Indeed, how may we, as God’s chosen, overhear what God is saying to us as both citizens and disciples?

In a world becoming fragmented through racism and war, in a nation becoming fractured by violence and poverty and drugs, —the promise of God’s goodness remains steadfast.Despite our worst intentions, God redeems. God can take the fragile pieces of our lives and weave them into a new creation, working behind the scenes to shape a whole new future. That future brings Redemption-the hope of forgiveness, acceptance, and freedom.

Jesus is Prophet, Priest, and King. In Him we have a new record, regeneration, freedom, the Holy Spirit, a new heart, a new power, a new heaven, and a new earth. Things are not the way they are supposed to be right now. We are in a strange interim time. Jesus will return and make all things new. Between now and then we have a foretaste and appetizer for what is to come. Life is fleeting but there is real hope. We have the promise of a future hope for tomorrow. The kingdom has come, you have been delivered from sins penalty, the kingdom is coming, you are being delivered from sins domineering power, there will be no evil, no suffering, no pain, no injustice, no death, humanity will rule over God's creation with joy. You can already taste it now (taste and see that the Lord is good).

Our hope is in Him making all things new and He will do it! He is making us new every day!

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ Phil 1:6

God desires the transformation of the entire world not just one particular people. Our church desires to become like our community not the other way around. This includes welcoming the stranger and the outcast (the one thrown away and left to die). This does not mean compromising the gospel, it means being a church of multi-ethnicity and multi-cultures. One Lord, one faith and one baptism. We are more than good enough. We are the children of the most-high God!

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

“What is Essential in Your Life? “Part 3

Unexpected Setbacks

June 28, 2020

Genesis 17:15-22

Setbacks are a part of life. How many of you have ever had a setback? When you receive the setback news, you will either fall apart or choose to find the good in the situation and trust God. The second choice is much, much harder than the first, but the payoff is immeasurable. Sometimes we only see the terrible thing in front of us and do not realize that it could have been far worse. What we make of setbacks, how we handle them, and what we choose to do about them defines us and makes us who we are. When you choose to look for good and you handle setbacks with godly grace, it points people to your source—God! We may not love disappointments and setbacks, but we should not hate them. Instead, see them as opportunities to say, “What is good about this?”

The story of Abraham and Sarah requires us to cross the threshold of faith in ways we cannot imagine. Do you ever wonder what could have been going through Abraham’s and Sarah’s minds as they received the news, they were going to have a baby. We know that God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to make him the father of many nations. We have journeyed with Abraham and Sarah to this juncture, and now we are left with a question: How will God work out the covenant promises? How will hope be victorious where barrenness rules?

Perhaps it is an understatement to share that in times of uncertainty people begin to look for hope. In fact, as the Presidential campaign warms up, we see that politicians run on the theme of hope, proclaiming that they represent a break with the past; indeed, they are the ones who can provide hope! Give hope a chance! In times of uncertainty, it is easy to send out a search party to find hope. Where can we find it? Where is it?

Since, the shutdown of America in March, the protesting, and the violence in June, we may be asking the question, “what does the future hold?” Will people continue to resort to endless violence and vocal bashing of one another? What is happening in our country is a tragedy felt across faith traditions. We are a center of Hope. As a church, we are to create a safe, nurturing environment where folks can come and hear the truth of the Gospel, experience the Holy Spirit, and be challenged to follow God’s call in their lives.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

"What is Essential in Your Life?" Part 2 (Self-worth/Approval of Others)

Matthew 10:29-31

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

Eleanor Roosevelt

We all like to be appreciated. Psychologists tell us that it is one of the greatest desires in every individual. If you are honest with yourself, you will admit that you enjoy being appreciated—we all do. Whether it is a pat on the back from your boss, a handshake of appreciation from your pastor, or a simple “thanks, dad” from your child for making pancakes for breakfast, we all want to be appreciated. Appreciation provides us with a sense of purpose, and it is one of the most powerful motivators.

But we get into dangerous territory when we begin to rely on the approval of others to determine our self-worth or the level of joy in our life. We can begin to volunteer at church so everyone will see what good Christians we are. We can pray with a little more zeal to show friends how spiritual we are. We can try to be the perfect dad and husband in public so people will notice and recognize our accomplishments. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves doing the right things— for the wrong reasons. If you start viewing your importance, your ability, and your worth the way you think those around you view it, it is time for a change. If you are constantly seeking the approval of others to determine your happiness, you will find yourself living a very unhappy life. If you put too much emphasis on what others think, you may make decisions based on how you think others will respond, not based on your own purpose, destiny, desires, or God’s word. Let God remind you who you are in Christ today!

In Matthew 10:29-31 we have one of the most important Scriptural reminders of the love of our Heavenly Father for His children. It tells us how far reaching God’s love is: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?” asked Jesus. “Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So, don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”

What a moving testimony to the very intimate love that God has for each of us. A second grader once asked his teacher how much the earth weighed. The teacher looked up the answer on the Internet. “One thousand trillion metric tons,” she answered. The little boy thought for a minute and then asked, “Is that with or without people?” Viewed from one perspective, it might very well seem that people do not really matter very much in the grand scheme of things. After all, we are but microscopic inhabitants of a somewhat miniscule planet orbiting a relatively obscure star in a small galaxy among the billions and billions of stars and galaxies that make up creation. Yet the God of creation has counted the very hairs of our heads. Wow! What a magnificent picture of the love of our Heavenly Father.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

“What is Essential in Your Life? “Part 1

From Self-Criticism to Self-Evaluation (becoming the witness Christ calls us to be)

So often we can be our own worst enemies. We set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and are critical of ourselves when we do not live up to them. But self-criticism is a destructive process that can undermine what God wants to accomplish in our lives.

Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt creep in: Forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin at serenely and too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson

It’s time to borrow a page from God’s playbook and give yourself some grace. We are all works in progress. We all make mistakes, we all drop the ball, and we all fall short.With Gods help we can get back up and get into the game again

There’s always room for improvement and yes, we should make a habit of evaluating our own lives. Everyone needs to make adjustments at times to get back on track to living a more fulfilled and productive life, but there is a big difference between self-evaluation and self- criticism. Self-evaluation is a constructive, beneficial exercise that helps us recognize the areas where we need to improve. On the other hand self-criticism is a destructive force that can lead to discouragement, discontent, and depression.

If we want a change in our lives, then instead of constantly criticizing ourselves and tearing ourselves down, we need to build ourselves up by meditating on and speaking aloud God’s word. God is not in heaven criticizing you. He is at the head of a great crowd of witnesses cheering you on! God’s word has strength, direction and promises for you— if you will seek them out. Ask the Lord to help you in areas you need to improve. By his spirit and through his word, you can accomplish anything.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

A special sermon that addresses the frustrations or our current times and how God has instructed us to deal with them.

Peace Over Frustration (Refusing to be Frustrated)

Do you ever feel fatigued? Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration, and resentment.

Life is full of little daily annoyances and frustrations. There are inconsiderate drivers, fast food drive-through clerks who never get your order right, and endless series of red lights when you’re in a hurry, the clueless shopper that takes 45 things to the 10 items or less check out register, and on and on.

Maybe you face frustration on a higher level— like feeling as though you’re stuck in a dead-end job, or trying to get through to a rebellious teen. Perhaps you are frustrated with yourself because you just cannot seem to lose weight or stick with that exercise plan. Maybe you cannot find the opportunity to spend quality time with your spouse or kids or you feel you are not on the spiritual level you desire. Whatever the source, frustration can keep you agitated, upset, and just no fun to be around.

The Bible has an excellent weapon to keep frustrations from infiltrating your life. It is maintaining an attitude of gratitude and cultivating a lifestyle of thanksgiving. When you catch yourself starting to get frustrated, start saying out loud, Lord with your help I refuse to get frustrated, I have a lot to be thankful for. Then begin to say some of the things you are thankful for out loud. Your frustration will start to melt away like a snowball in the hot August sun. If it is a problem that needs to be solved, then ask for God‘s help. He said he would give wisdom to anyone who would ask (James 1:5).

Refuse to let petty frustrations affect you or steal your joy. Instead, enter into God’s presence by giving thanks and praising Him!

This Sunday we honor the Trinity. Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost to honor the Holy Trinity—the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Although the word “trinity” does not appear in Scripture, it is taught in Matthew 28:18-20 and 2 Corinthians 13:14 (and many other biblical passages). People are often frustrated trying to understand how the Trinity plays out in their life. The concept of the trinity can never be completely understood or rationalized, but it is clearly taught in Scripture.

Understanding of all scriptural doctrine is by faith which comes through the work of the Holy Spirit; therefore, it is appropriate that this mystery is celebrated the first Sunday after the Pentecost, when the outpouring of the Holy Spirit first occurred. Understanding the roles of the Trinity brings us indescribable peace.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

From Stress to Joy (Power to Overcome Stress)

Pentecost Sunday

Acts 2:1-21

We are no strangers to stress. This pandemic is really weighing on folks. Mental tension and worry caused by our problems and life in general can be a hallmark of daily life. Stress can fuel cancer, shrink the brain, age you prematurely, lead to clinical depression, weaken your immune system, and increase the risk of stroke and heart attack. In short, stress is killing us.

And it is not just the big events in our lives that causes stress. It is the day-to-day grind we put ourselves through. We live in a fast-paced society where it is common to have an overly busy schedule. Day in and day out, we sacrifice ourselves for our job, our friends, our hobbies, and our family. You may be a student trying to work and go to school, a dad trying to work two jobs to provide for your family, or a stay at home mom cleaning the house and taking the kids to school and practices— if stress is killing you slowly, it’s time to put on the brakes.

It’s not God‘s will for you to live a life full of stress. The Bible tells us that we can maintain a sense of peace in our lives. So, what do we do to break the stress cycle?

Simply starting your day with a morning devotional, a few minutes of prayer can set the tone for a stress-free day. Listening to worship music and meditating on Scripture throughout the day can help you keep your sanity and maintain a peaceful spirit. Try embarking on your day infused with the peace and joy of God in your heart. It will help you to sail right through those potentially stressful situations with ease and grace.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

This week, Misty Creek Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett, continues the Overcoming Challenges sermon series with "Rise Up from Regret."

In the 5th episode in the Overcoming Challenges series, Misty Creek senior pastor, Stephen Streett, talks about the pressures of today's world. Pastor Stephen offers practical and biblically sound advice for dealing with pressure.

In the 4th episode in the Overcoming Challenges series, Misty Creek senior pastor, Stephen Streett, talks about the topic of depression. Pastor Stephen offers practical and biblically sound advice for those dealing with depression, as well as for those who might know someone who is.

Worry is the topic of the third sermon from the Overcoming Challenges series.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett.

May 2nd, 2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church.

In the second sermon from the Overcoming Challenges series, Senior Pastor Stephen Streett, talks about how we might be "Consumed with Anxiety" in today's world. But Pastor Stephen goes on to explain how our relationship with Jesus Christ can make us free. Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church 4/25/20.

4/18/2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church Senior Pastor Stephen Streett: Overcoming Challenges: "Fear of the Future"

The first in a series of sermons for April, May and June 2020. Relevant Messages that provide answers, encouragement, strength and inspiration to overcome whatever challenges you may be facing in life. Pastor Stephen will utilize his recent training in Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) and Pastoral Care Counseling, to cover the following topics:

Fear of the future

Anxiety

Worry

Depression

Pressure

Regret

Stress

Frustration

Self-criticism

Approval of others

Unexpected Setbacks

Not good enough

"Grace Pays the Bill"

Easter Sunday sermon from Misty Creek Community Church senior pastor, Stephen Streett.

"The Grief and Despair of Good Friday"

Good Friday 2020 (4/10/20) Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett.

4/4/2020 sermon from Misty Creek Community Church: Resurrection Stories, Pt. 6 -"It is Finished"

Senior Pastor: Stephen Street

Misty Creek Community Church Sermon, 3/28/2020: Resurrection Stories Part 5: “I Thirst.”

John 19:28-29

God is always looking for people of faith and generosity. How will you respond during this state of emergency? Will you lean into God and trust Him? God is in control. He is sovereign and He has always been sovereign.

Rather than hoarding will you reach out and help others? Will you be a voice of encouragement? Will you remember the elderly, singles, and the homeless? How about the high school or college senior? The couple expecting their first child? Homeless needs are going to go up. Restaurant wait staffs and musicians are going to struggle to survive.

A lot of folks are saying, “God is testing us and the church”. That’s been the primary message I’ve heard from some very prominent speakers.Whether that’s true of not, I do believe God rewards the faithful and that He is absolutely in control.

The world hungers and thirsts for righteousness. What do you thirst for? Do you thirst for human interaction? Do you thirst to go someplace? Do you thirst for your friends? Do you thirst for happiness? Have you ever been literally thirsty?

How does it make you feel to know that your Savior thirsted?

“I Thirst.” This is such a simple statement compared to the other dramatic statements that Jesus made from the cross (Father forgive, paradise, mother behold, My God). Yet, I believe that this statement recorded by John alone has a deeper meaning than you might expect.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

3/22/2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church. "Resurrection Stories, Pt. 4 - Feeling Forsaken in the Midst of Chaos"

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

3/15/2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church: Resurrection Stories, Pt. 3

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Misty Creek Community Church Sermon 3/8/2020.

Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”Jesus speaks the first word not to us but to God. For three years he has spoken, preached, taught, exhorted and instructed. Now He has been hung on the cross to die. Don’t you find it curious that the first word, the very first word that Jesus speaks in agony on the cross, is “father, forgive? “Such blood, violence, injustice, crushed bone, ripped flesh, and hands nailed to the wood.

With all the possible words of recrimination, condemnation, and accusation, the first thing Jesus says is, “Father forgive.”Jesus was not merely pointing out sin, He was praying for God‘s mercy toward those who sin. What makes this prayer of Jesus remarkable is that He prayed for God‘s mercy for those who stood at the foot of the cross while they were still tormenting Him. They were spitting on Him and hurling insults at Him and gambling for His clothes when He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” Jesus prayed for them and for us before any of us realized our need— and while we were still in the midst of our sin. The apostle Paul captures it in this way in Romans 5:6-8:“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person— no, perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves His love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

This idea that Jesus was praying from the cross for our forgiveness, and that he was, even before we repented, dying for us, is a mind blowing idea. God knew the sinful things that you would do and forgave you in advance. On the cross, Jesus suffered and died to save you from your sins and redeem you.

Grace and Peace,

Stephen

Misty Creek Community Church - Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett

Ash Wednesday 2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church. Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett.

February 23, 2020 sermon from Misty Creek Community Church. Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett.

February 16, 2020 sermon from Misty Creek Community Church. Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett.

February 9, 2020 Sermon from Misty Creek Community Church. Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett.

February 2, 2020 sermon from Misty Creek Community Church. Senior Pastor: Stephen Streett.

Misty Creek Community Church January 26, 2020 sermon by Stephen Streett.

Sermon by Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett, from January 19, 2020 at Misty Creek Community Church in Sandy Springs, GA.

Misty Creek Community Church Senior Pastor, Stephen Streett, teaches on the topic of hearing from God.

Lessons from the Wise Men of the Gospel of Matthew. Stephen Street, Senior Pastor - Misty Creek Community Church.