Relate Church: Recent Episodes
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Wisdom From Above: Learning to Judge Rightly
What if some of the things we think are obvious in Scripture are actually the very things we need to understand most?
In this sermon, we explore what it means to rightly judge—not according to our emotions, envy, selfish ambition, or personal preferences, but according to the wisdom that comes from God.
Jesus repeatedly challenged the religious leaders of His day because they knew the Law but missed the heart of the Law: love. He healed on the Sabbath, ate with sinners, touched lepers, welcomed people from every background, and confronted religious hypocrisy. His actions remind us that knowing Scripture isn't enough—we must know God's heart.
James 3:13–18 gives us a powerful contrast between wisdom from above and wisdom from below.
Wisdom from above is:
• Pure
• Peace-loving
• Considerate
• Full of mercy
• Impartial
• Sincere
• Producing good fruit
Wisdom from below is marked by:
• Bitter envy
• Selfish ambition
• Disorder
• Accusation
• Pride
• Division
The challenge is to recognize when our own flesh is influencing the way we judge our spouse, family, friends, coworkers, church, and the people around us.
Are we frustrated because someone isn't doing things our way?
Are we bothered because someone else is receiving the recognition we wanted?
Are we constantly looking for what others are doing wrong?
Are we using Scripture to justify what our flesh already wants to believe?
Jesus calls us to something higher.
“Don’t be hypercritical; use your head—and heart!—to discern what is right.” — John 7:24 MSG
There is no law against love.
This message challenges us to examine our hearts, crucify selfish ambition and envy, and pursue the wisdom that comes from above.
Scriptures referenced:
Matthew 24:1–11
2 Timothy 4:3–4
1 Corinthians 10:12
James 3:13–18
John 7
1 Samuel 18:7
Hebrews 11:31
Galatians 5:19–26
If this message speaks to you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.
ChristianSermon #GodlyWisdom #WisdomFromAbove #Jesus #BibleTeaching #Christianity #Faith #James3 #Galatians5 #SpiritualGrowth #GodsWord #ChristianLiving
Who are you when no one else is looking?
In this powerful message, we explore the "secret place"—the hidden courtroom where only you and God see what happens. Jesus taught that our private lives reveal the true condition of our hearts, and that God doesn't just see what is done in secret—He rewards it.
This sermon examines how our unseen choices shape our relationship with God, why secret faithfulness matters, and how God honors those who choose obedience, generosity, prayer, and worship when no one is watching.
📖 Scriptures:
• Matthew 6:1–21
• Proverbs 9:17
• Deuteronomy 29:29
• 2 Samuel 12
• Romans 2:16
• 1 Timothy 5:25
In this message you'll discover:
• Why your private life reveals your spiritual condition.
• The difference between secret sin and secret faithfulness.
• How God rewards giving, praying, and fasting done in secret.
• Why heavenly rewards are greater than earthly recognition.
• How to build a genuine relationship with God that doesn't depend on public approval.
Whether you're struggling with temptation, longing for a deeper walk with Christ, or simply want your faith to be authentic, this message will encourage and challenge you to live for an audience of One.
If this message encouraged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs this reminder today.
Faith #ChristianSermon #Matthew6 #SecretPlace #Prayer #Faithfulness #Jesus #BibleTeaching #ChristianLiving #WalkWithGod
What guides your decisions when life isn't black and white?
In this message, we explore the biblical principle of precedent—the idea that God's consistent character and timeless truth provide a foundation for how we live today. Throughout Scripture, God establishes principles that bring predictability, trust, and justice, but He also calls us to discern the difference between eternal truths and situational instructions.
This sermon tackles several important topics, including:
The purpose of biblical precedent
Why God's consistency gives us confidence
The Ten Commandments as enduring precedent
Women in ministry and interpreting difficult passages
Divorce, remarriage, spiritual gifts, food laws, and Christian freedom
Solomon's wisdom and the question that should guide every decision:
"Is it love?"
Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and love others. When we allow the law of love to shape our decisions, we discover the heart behind God's commands and build lives that honor Him.
Key Scriptures:
• Exodus 20
• Galatians 3:26–28
• Romans 16
• Acts 16, 18 & 21
• Ephesians 5:18
• 1 Kings 3:16–28
• 1 Corinthians 13
If this message encouraged or challenged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs hope and biblical wisdom today.
Sermon #BibleTeaching #ChristianLiving #Faith #Jesus #Love #Truth #BiblicalWisdom #KingdomOfGod #Church
Words have power—and so do accusations.
In this message, we explore the serious danger of frivolous, false, and careless accusations, and what God's Word teaches about handling conflict with wisdom, humility, and love. In a culture that is quick to judge and quick to point fingers, Jesus calls His followers to examine their own hearts before confronting others.
Through Scripture and real-life stories, this sermon reveals why Satan is called "the accuser," how accusations can destroy relationships and reputations, and the biblical process for addressing wrongdoing in a way that honors God and restores people.
Key Scriptures:
• Matthew 7:1–5
• Matthew 18:15–17
• Proverbs 6:16–19
• Deuteronomy 19:15–19
In this message you'll discover:
The difference between righteous correction and harmful accusation
Why false accusations are so destructive
How Jesus teaches us to confront others with humility
The biblical steps for resolving conflict
How examining your own heart can protect your relationships
Whether you're struggling with conflict in your marriage, family, workplace, church, or friendships, this message offers practical biblical wisdom for pursuing peace instead of drama.
If this sermon encouraged you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs this message. We'd also love to hear from you in the comments: How has God taught you to handle conflict with grace and truth?
Sermon #ChristianLiving #ConflictResolution #Matthew7 #Forgiveness #BiblicalWisdom #Faith #Church #Relationships #BibleTeaching #Jesus #ChristianMessage
One day, every person will stand before God. The question is: What will matter most?
In this powerful message from our People's Court summer series, we explore the two judgments described in Scripture—the Great White Throne Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ—and discover what God desires from those who belong to Him.
The Bible makes it clear that while salvation is by God's grace, our lives will still be evaluated. What will remain when our works are tested? According to Scripture, the answer is simple yet profound: Love matters.
Drawing from 1 Corinthians 13, 2 Corinthians 5, Revelation 20, and other key passages, this sermon challenges us to examine not only our actions, but the motives behind them. True love is more than a feeling or attitude—it's a decision to honor God and serve others, even when it's difficult.
In this message, you'll discover:
• The difference between the Great White Throne Judgment and the Judgment Seat of Christ
• Why every believer will give an account of their life
• How God evaluates our motives—not just our actions
• What it means to live a life that pleases Christ
• Why love is the greatest investment you can make for eternity
Key Scriptures:
📖 Revelation 20:11–15
📖 2 Corinthians 5:9–10
📖 1 Corinthians 3:12–15
📖 1 Corinthians 13
📖 Romans 14:12
📖 Matthew 21:28–31
If this message encouraged or challenged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs this reminder. Our prayer is that each of us will live with eternity in view and pursue the "more excellent way"—the way of love.
PeoplesCourt #LoveMatters #JudgmentSeatOfChrist #ChristianSermon #Faith #BibleTeaching #1Corinthians13 #Revelation20 #JesusChrist #Eternity #ChristianLiving
What happens when God asks, "Where are you?" It isn't because He doesn't know where you are—it's because He wants you to honestly see where you've ended up.
In this powerful message, we explore some of the most searching questions God asks throughout Scripture. From Adam and Eve hiding in the garden, to the Prodigal Son coming to his senses, to Jonah's anger, Job's humility, and Elijah's discouragement, each story reveals a God who lovingly confronts us with truth before leading us toward restoration.
Sometimes the greatest breakthrough begins with an honest answer to one question: "How did I get here?"
If you've been blaming others, carrying anger, living in regret, or wondering why you feel distant from God, this sermon is an invitation to stop, let God speak, and allow Him to locate your heart.
Scriptures in this message:
• Genesis 3:9–13
• Genesis 4:9–10
• Luke 15:11–24
• Jonah 4
• Job 38–42
• 1 Kings 19:9–13
Key Takeaways:
God's questions are invitations to truth, not condemnation.
Healing begins when we stop making excuses.
Humility opens the door to repentance and restoration.
God meets us where we are—but He loves us too much to leave us there.
If this message encouraged you, please Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs to hear that God is still calling them back to Himself.
Sermon #ChristianMessage #BibleTeaching #Faith #Repentance #Genesis3 #ProdigalSon #Job #Jonah #Elijah #Jesus #ChristianLiving #WhereAreYou #Truth #Grace
Who is protecting the innocent?
In a world where accusations spread faster than truth and social media often becomes the court of public opinion, God calls His people to something different. Justice isn't about winning arguments—it's about protecting the innocent, confronting wrongdoing, and restoring relationships whenever possible.
In this message from The People's Court series, we examine God's heart for justice through the Cities of Refuge, the wisdom of Proverbs, and ultimately the life of Jesus Christ—the only truly innocent One who was condemned so that we could be forgiven.
Discover why God values the "lower courts" of family, friendships, and the church, how to respond when you've hurt someone unintentionally, and why defending truth matters more than taking sides.
In this message you'll learn:
• Why God commands us to protect the innocent
• The danger of the "court of public opinion"
• The difference between accidental harm and malicious harm
• How to restore relationships before conflict grows
• Why Jesus is our ultimate Refuge and example of perfect justice and mercy
If this message encouraged you, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share it with someone who needs hope and biblical wisdom for navigating conflict.
To learn more about Relate Church, plan your visit, or access additional resources, visit:
https://irelatechurch.com
RelateChurch #ThePeoplesCourt #ProtectTheInnocent #Justice #Truth #Forgiveness #ConflictResolution #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #Faith #Jesus #Gospel #ChurchOnline #ChristianLiving #BiblicalJustice #Relationships #Grace #Mercy #CitiesOfRefuge #SundaySermon
The story of your life is your relationships.
In this message from The People’s Court, we continue exploring what it means to live under God’s wisdom in how we treat one another. From family to marriage, friendships to community, God’s Word calls us to a life shaped by justice, mercy, and humility.
Based on Micah 6:8, this sermon challenges us to examine how we handle relationships in the “lower courts” of life—home, church, and everyday interactions—so we don’t end up in higher courts of conflict, brokeness, and regret.
You’ll be challenged to consider:
• What does it mean to act justly in your home?
• How do we love mercy when it costs us something?
• What does it look like to walk humbly with God in real life?
When we live by the Fruit of the Spirit and follow God’s design for relationships, we reflect His heart and build stronger families, healthier communities, and deeper faith.
📖 Scripture References:
Micah 6:8
Galatians 5:22–23
Matthew 7:6
🏠 Relate Church
Building meaningful, trusting, and lasting relationships God’s way.
If this message encourages you, like, share, and subscribe for more teachings.
ThePeoplesCourt #Micah68 #BibleSermon #ChristianTeaching #RelateChurch #FaithAndFamily #ChristianLiving #JusticeMercyHumility #FruitOfTheSpirit #Sermon #ChurchOnline #BiblicalWisdom #Jesus #ChristianFaith
What if the story of your life is really the story of your relationships?
In this message, we begin a powerful new series by exploring God's heart for justice, truth, mercy, and healthy relationships. Through Micah 6:8 and Exodus 18, we discover that one of the first gifts God gave His people after delivering them from Egypt was judges—people who could help settle disputes, reveal truth, and restore peace.
Our relationships tell the story of who we are:
• How do we treat others?
• Do we seek truth, even when it exposes our own faults?
• Do we forgive when we've been hurt?
• Do we allow justice and mercy to work together?
• Are we teaching God's ways in our homes?
In a world filled with competing voices, opinions, and agendas, God calls His people to pursue something greater—the truth. Healthy families, strong churches, and thriving communities are built when people desire God's will more than simply being right.
Join us as we examine what it means to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God, and how these principles can transform every relationship in our lives.
📖 Scriptures:
Micah 6:8
Exodus 18:13-26
John 8:44
The story of your life is your relationships. What story are you writing?
RelateChurch #ActJustly #LoveMercy #WalkHumbly #Micah68 #ChristianLiving #BiblicalTruth #HealthyRelationships #FaithAndFamily #Exodus18 #JusticeAndMercy #FollowingJesus #BibleTeaching #ChristianSermon #TruthMatters
What happens when the wells of life get stopped up?
In this powerful message, we explore the story of Isaac in Genesis 26 and discover how the battle over wells was about much more than water—it was about access, blessing, purpose, and God's provision.
From the daily struggles faced by millions around the world who lack access to clean water to the spiritual reality of our need for the Living Water of God's Spirit, this sermon challenges us to examine what may be blocking the flow of God's life in us.
Just as Isaac faced conflict, opposition, jealousy, and discouragement while digging wells, many of us encounter obstacles that threaten to stop our spiritual growth. Yet God calls us to keep digging until we find the place of abundance, purpose, and blessing.
In this message you'll discover:
• The significance of Isaac's wells in Genesis 26
• How the enemy attempts to stop up the wells of our spiritual lives
• The connection between physical water and spiritual thirst
• What it means to create good soil for God's Word to grow
• How Jesus fulfills our deepest thirst through the Living Water of the Holy Spirit
• Why persistence in God's calling leads to breakthrough
Jesus declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in Me." (John 7:37-39)
If you're feeling dry, discouraged, stuck, or thirsty for more of God, this message is for you.
Genesis26 #Isaac #LivingWater #HolySpirit #ChristianSermon #Faith #TrustGod #BibleTeaching #JesusChrist #RelateChurch
Many people believe ministry is for pastors, missionaries, or church staff. But the truth is that every follower of Jesus has been called to ministry.
In this message, we discover that ministry simply means serving—and God has uniquely designed each of us to serve Him and others through our gifts, experiences, and calling. Whether meeting physical needs, helping people heal emotionally, or building healthy relationships, God has a purpose for your life that extends far beyond simply attending church.
We'll explore what spiritual maturity looks like, why emotional and relational health matter in our walk with Christ, and how God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things for His Kingdom.
You were created for ministry.
You were saved for ministry.
You are called into ministry.
The question isn't whether God has a ministry for you—the question is whether you'll say yes.
Key Scriptures:
• Ephesians 2:10
• 2 Timothy 1:9
• Galatians 1:15
• 1 John 3:18
• Matthew 25:35-40
• James 5:16
• 2 Corinthians 5:18
• Colossians 1:28-29
• Galatians 5:22-23
If this message encouraged you, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to discover God's purpose for their life.
RelateChurch #LetGodWin #TrustAndSurrender #CalledToMinistry #Purpose #ChristianLiving #Discipleship #SpiritualGrowth #ServeOthers #FaithInAction #ChurchSermon #BibleTeaching #KingdomPurpose #FollowJesus #Relate
In the final message of our series, Arguing with God: Let God Win – Trust and Surrender, we explore one of the most powerful spiritual choices a person can make: contentment.
Why do we struggle to trust God’s limits, timing, and ways? Why do we constantly crave more—more success, more control, more pleasure, more recognition? Scripture reveals that discontentment is often at the root of our arguments with God.
In this message, we look at Israel demanding a king in 1 Samuel 8 and discover how contentment is:
A throne issue
A memory issue
A trust and surrender issue
God has always been searching for people who will decide that He is enough.
This sermon will challenge you to:
Trust God’s leadership over your life
Remember His faithfulness in your past
Surrender your cravings and comparisons
Find balance through contentment
Stop chasing what was never meant to rule you
If you’ve been frustrated with God, wrestling with His timing, or struggling to feel satisfied in life, this message is for you.
Let God win. Trust Him. Surrender to Him. And discover the freedom of contentment.
Faith #TrustGod #Contentment #LetGodWin #SurrenderToGod #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #1Samuel8 #FaithJourney #ChurchSermon #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #TrustAndSurrender
Why do we argue with God? Why do we resist His direction, question His authority, and insist on our own way?
In this message from our “Let God Win – Trust & Surrender” series, we take a deep look at the root issue behind so much conflict with God: PRIDE.
From Adam and Eve in the garden to the story of Esther, Mordecai, Haman, and King Xerxes, this sermon reveals how pride deceives us into believing we are in control, always right, and above correction. But Scripture reminds us that pride always leads to destruction while humility leads to wisdom and life.
📖 “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” – Proverbs 16:18
This sermon will challenge you to:
• Recognize the subtle ways pride operates in your life
• Understand why pride makes us argue with God
• Learn the freedom that comes through humility and surrender
• Discover how God opposes pride but honors the humble
• Trust God’s plan even when you don’t understand it
The story of Esther powerfully reminds us that God is always working behind the scenes—even when prideful people think they are in control.
If you’ve ever struggled with control, demanded answers from God, or wrestled with surrender, this message is for you.
LetGodWin #TrustGod #Surrender #Pride #BookOfEsther #ChristianSermon #Faith #Humility #BibleTeaching #Jesus #Church #Proverbs16 #Esther #GodsPlan #ChristianLiving
In this special Mother’s Day message from our series, Arguing with God: Let God Win — Trust & Surrender, we look at the lives of powerful women throughout Scripture who faced moments of fear, disappointment, uncertainty, and impossible situations.
From Deborah, Jael, Abigail, Hannah, Esther, Rahab, Sarah, and Eve… to Mary, the mother of Jesus — each woman had a choice: argue with God or trust Him.
What happens when we stop fighting God’s plan?
What if the breakthrough is found in surrender?
What if God’s timing is greater than our understanding?
This message is a reminder that God is not holding out on you. He is working through every season, every delay, every challenge, and every act of obedience for a greater purpose.
No matter your past, your fears, or your current situation, God can use your faith and surrender to impact generations.
📖 Scriptures:
Judges 4–5
1 Samuel 25
Genesis 3 & 18
Esther 4
Luke 1
Hebrews 11
If this message encouraged you, be sure to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE it with someone who needs hope today.
MothersDay #LetGodWin #TrustGod #SurrenderToGod #ChristianSermon #Faith #BibleTeaching #Deborah #MaryMotherOfJesus #WomenOfTheBible #ChurchSermon #Jesus #ChristianFaith #HopeInGod #BibleMessage
What if the greatest struggle in your life isn’t your circumstances—but your resistance to God’s calling?
In this message, His Calling, we confront a powerful truth: many of us spend our lives arguing with God. We question who He made us to be, where He’s leading us, and what He’s asking us to do. We disqualify ourselves, delay obedience, and make excuses—often missing the very purpose we were created for.
But here’s the reality: you are not here by accident.
Every generation before you, every moment in history, every detail of your life points to intentional design. God formed you, shaped you, and brought you here for such a time as this.
Through the lives of Jeremiah, Jonah, and Moses, we see that even those called by God wrestled with fear, doubt, and frustration. They argued. They resisted. But ultimately, God’s purpose prevailed.
This message will challenge you to:
• Stop arguing with God about your identity
• Stop running from His voice
• Stop letting fear and insecurity disqualify you
• And start trusting His plan, even when it’s difficult
God’s calling may stretch you. It may lead you into uncomfortable places. But it will always lead to purpose, impact, and life.
It’s time to stop resisting and start surrendering.
Let God win.
HisCalling #LetGodWin #TrustAndSurrender #PurposeInChrist #FaithOverFear #Obedience #ChristianLiving #GodsPlan #WalkInFaith #SermonMessage
We all have moments where we wrestle with God—questioning His justice, His plans, His mercy, and even His goodness. But is there a difference between honest questions and a heart that resists Him?
In this powerful opening message of Arguing with God: Let God Win, we explore the tension between lament and accusation. Through the story of Job, we see a man who endured unimaginable loss and suffering, yet refused to turn his back on God. Job asked hard questions—but he never rejected God. And in the end, God responded in a way that brought clarity, humility, and deeper trust.
This message challenges us to examine our own hearts:
Are we seeking to understand God, or are we trying to prove Him wrong?
God invites honest engagement—but He also calls us to trust, surrender, and let Him be God. Even when life doesn’t make sense, He is still good, still sovereign, and still at work.
It’s time to stop arguing to win—and start surrendering so God can.
Key Takeaways:
The difference between honest lament and rejection
Why people argue with God’s justice, mercy, and plans
What the story of Job teaches us about suffering
How to trust God even when you don’t understand
Learning to surrender and let God win
If this message encouraged you, be sure to like, share, and subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this series.
LetGodWin #TrustGod #Surrender #FaithOverFear #BookOfJob #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #FaithJourney #HopeInSuffering #GodsPlan
We’re closing out our Moving Forward series with a powerful and challenging truth: not all fear is bad. In fact, there is a kind of fear that will actually move your life forward.
After experiencing one of the greatest miracles in history—the parting of the Red Sea—the Israelites stepped into freedom. But it didn’t take long before fear, doubt, and complaining crept back in. Even after witnessing God’s power, they struggled to trust Him in the wilderness.
Why? Because God wasn’t just leading them out of Egypt—He was leading them into a relationship.
In this message, we explore how God used testing, provision, and instruction to build trust with His people. From manna in the morning to water from the rock, from battles in the wilderness to the powerful moment at Mount Sinai—God was showing them who He is and what it means to truly follow Him.
We also unpack the tension in Moses’ words:
“Do not be afraid”… yet “fear God.”
There is a fear that paralyzes—but there is also a holy fear that produces:
• Reverence for God
• Obedience to His Word
• A deeper, authentic relationship with Him
God gave His people something to run to (His promises) and something to run from (disobedience and separation). But more than anything, He wanted their hearts.
And that same call is for us today.
How you treat others reflects how you treat God.
What you do with His instructions reveals your trust in Him.
So the question is:
Are you moving forward in fear—or in the right kind of fear?
It’s time to move forward with reverence, trust, and obedience.
MovingForward #FearOfGod #FaithOverFear #ChristianSermon #BibleTeaching #TrustGod #Obedience #SpiritualGrowth #ExodusJourney #WalkByFaith #ChurchOnline #RelationshipWithGod #SeriesFinale
Have you ever felt like things got worse right after you decided to follow God?
In this powerful message, “Believe Until You Receive,” we walk through the story of Moses and the Israelites to uncover a truth many people don’t expect: deliverance often gets harder before it gets better.
The enemy wants to keep you stuck—whispering lies that you’ll never change, never heal, never break free. But God is calling you to stay the course, to keep moving forward, and to trust Him even when the journey gets difficult.
From Moses’ imperfections to the moment at the Red Sea, this message will challenge you to keep believing when everything in you wants to quit. Because the truth is—your breakthrough may be closer than you think.
Don’t give up in the “worse.”
Don’t go back to what God called you out of.
Believe… until you receive.
🙏 If this message speaks to you, make sure to like, share, and subscribe to stay connected.
BelieveUntilYouReceive #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #KeepGoing #ChristianMotivation #Sermon #BibleTeaching #Exodus #Moses #Deliverance #Breakthrough #DontGiveUp #GodIsFaithful #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #HopeInGod #MoveForward #ChristianYouTube #Encouragement #GodsTiming
What if the pain you’re experiencing right now isn’t meant to stop you—but to move you?
In this message, we continue the journey from Joseph to the Israelites in Egypt, where years of slavery, suffering, and oppression led to one of the most powerful moments in history—deliverance. Through the story of Passover, we see how God used pain, pressure, and even plagues to push His people toward freedom.
Pharaoh refused to let go. His heart grew harder with every warning. And yet, what stood in the way of their freedom ultimately became the very thing that pushed them out of bondage.
And the same can be true in your life.
Sometimes the struggle feels overwhelming. Sometimes the pressure keeps building. But what if God is allowing certain things—not to destroy you—but to move you forward?
From the plagues of Egypt to the sacrifice of the Passover lamb, and ultimately to Jesus—our true Deliverer—we see that God has always had a plan to bring His people out of slavery and into freedom.
Jesus didn’t come to negotiate your release—He came to invite you:
“Come, follow Me.”
If you’ve been stuck, discouraged, or overwhelmed, this message will challenge you to stop hardening your heart and start trusting God. Your pain has a purpose. Don’t let it hold you back—let it push you forward.
Hashtags:
PainWillPushYouForward #ChristianSermon #FaithOverFear #TrustGod #JesusSaves #BibleTeaching #Passover #Exodus #SpiritualGrowth #KeepGoing #GodIsFaithful #HopeInChrist #ResurrectionPower #MoveForward #DontGiveUp
In Moving Forward: Our Deliverer, we journey from Joseph’s coffin in Egypt to the empty tomb of Jesus—uncovering God’s faithfulness across generations. Even in seasons of waiting, suffering, and silence, God was preparing a deliverer.
Through the story of the Israelites, the rise of Moses, and the promise fulfilled in Jesus, this message reminds us that deliverance may not come how we expect—but it always comes through God’s perfect plan. Jesus didn’t come just to change circumstances—He came to change eternity.
If you’re in a season of waiting or wondering if God sees you, this message will remind you: your Deliverer has come—and He is coming again.
OurDeliverer #MovingForwardSeries #JesusSaves #FaithInGod #BiblicalTruth #ChristianSermon #MosesAndJesus #GodsPromises #HopeInChrist #ExodusStory #GenesisToJesus #EmptyTomb #VictoryInJesus #ChristianEncouragement #FaithOverFear #GodIsFaithful #SermonClips #ChurchOnline #BibleTeaching #TrustGod #Deliverance #JesusIsKing #HolySpirit #ChristianContent #SundaySermon
What you bless is shaping your life more than you think.
In a culture that celebrates comfort, status, and instant gratification, it’s easy to give your approval to the wrong things—unhealthy relationships, empty success, and surface-level spirituality. But if you want to truly move forward, you have to change what you bless.
This powerful message walks through the story of Jacob and shows how one decision—to align his blessing with God’s will instead of tradition—changed everything. From broken patterns to misplaced priorities, this sermon challenges you to take a hard look at where your time, energy, and approval are going.
Are you blessing what’s hurting you… or what’s healing you?
Jesus didn’t bless what looked good—He blessed what was good. And when you start doing the same, your direction, your relationships, and your future begin to change.
🔥 It’s time to cross your hands, trust God, and start blessing what truly matters.
ChangeWhatYouBless #MoveForward #FaithOverCulture #ChristianLiving #SundaySermon #KingdomMindset #SpiritualGrowth #LetGoAndGrow #TrustGod #BiblicalTruth #FaithInAction #HeartCheck #JesusFirst #RenewYourMind #GodsWill #PurposeDriven #BreakTheCycle #FaithMessage #ChurchOnline #HopeInJesus
Are you feeling weighed down by the past? To step into the "abundant provision" God has for you, you must first master the art of the release. In the fourth installment of our series on the life of Joseph, we explore the pivotal moment when Jacob’s family prepares to move to Egypt.
Moving forward isn't just about where you're going—it’s about what you choose to leave behind. Joseph’s brothers were invited to live like royalty, but they couldn't fully embrace their future until they lightened their emotional and spiritual load.
In this message, we discuss:
- Leaving Quarreling Behind: Why sweating the "small stuff" and pettiness steals your peace and shrinks your future.
- The Burden of Forgiveness: Understanding that sometimes, moving forward means making things right with God and protecting others from further pain, rather than demanding a "clean slate" from people.
- The Essential Travel Kit: What you should take with you—including your integrity, your "Rope" (supporting relationships), your God-given dreams, and a healthy dose of humor.
Stop letting the weight of yesterday keep you from the greatness of tomorrow. It’s time to lighten the load and move forward!
Key Scriptures: Genesis 45-47, Proverbs 20:3, 2 Timothy 2:23-24, Psalm 51:4
Faith #MovingForward #Joseph #Forgiveness #ChristianLiving #Peace #SpiritualGrowth #Sermon #BibleStudy #NewBeginnings #Grace #LightenTheLoad
In this message from the “Move Forward” series, we look at the powerful story of Joseph in Genesis and the life-changing truth that forgiveness is necessary if you want to move forward.
Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, stripped of his identity, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned for years. Yet God was still working in the middle of the pain. In an incredible turn of events, Joseph went from a prison cell to becoming the second most powerful man in Egypt.
But the real test came years later when the very brothers who betrayed him stood before him, desperate for food during a famine. Joseph had a choice: hold on to bitterness or choose forgiveness.
Forgiveness isn’t easy. Our minds naturally hold on to pain and injustice. It can feel like forgiving someone means letting them get away with what they did. But true forgiveness doesn’t excuse the wrong—it sets you free from being controlled by it.
Through Joseph’s story, we see how God can take the worst moments of our lives and turn them into something meaningful and redemptive. The pain that once seemed unbearable can become part of the purpose God is working out in our lives.
If you’re struggling with past hurts, guilt, resentment, or regret, this message will encourage you to trust God with your story. Forgiveness brings freedom. Forgiveness restores perspective. And forgiveness allows God to turn your past into something good.
Without forgiveness, you stay stuck in the past. But when you forgive, you step into the future God has prepared for you.
ForgivenessIsFreedom #MoveForwardWithGod #ChristianLife #FaithOverFear #LetGoAndLetGod #JosephStory #GodsPurpose #HealingThroughFaith #OvercomingBitterness #FaithInAction #TrustGod #BibleTeaching #ChristianEncouragement #ForgiveAndMoveForward #GodsPlan #FaithJourney #SpiritualGrowth #FreedomInChrist #HopeInGod #GodsTiming
What if the “normal” you’re living in… isn’t normal at all?
From a remote island in Metlakatla to the story of Joseph rising to power in Egypt, this message challenges the routines, guilt, addictions, grief, and environments that keep us stuck.
Joseph left betrayal and prison behind to step into purpose (Genesis 41). Lot was told not to look back when fleeing Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19). Both stories carry the same truth: survival and purpose require leaving what’s familiar.
Are you sitting in a “normal” that is:
• Not healthy?
• Not producing life?
• Not aligned with God’s truth?
Sometimes normal is just predictable bondage.
Sometimes normal is just unchallenged pain.
Sometimes normal is the very thing God is calling you to leave.
It’s time to move forward.
Don’t look back.
Leave normal.
LeaveNormal #MoveForward #FaithOverFear #SundaySermon #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #BreakFree #HealingJourney #GodsPlan #PurposeDrivenLife #Transformation #LetGoAndLetGod #NoMoreStuck #ChurchOnline #BiblicalTruth #ForwardNotBack #KingdomMindset #HopeInChrist #NewSeason #WalkByFaith
What do you do when life shatters the story you thought you’d be living?
In this message, Moving Forward: Outlast the Enemy, we look at the life of Joseph and discover how God uses pain, betrayal, delay, and disappointment to prepare us for purpose.
From the pit to the prison to the palace, Joseph’s journey in Egypt proves that God never wastes a season. What looked like abandonment was actually preparation. What felt like delay was divine positioning. Joseph didn’t defeat the enemy in a single moment—he simply outlasted him.
If you feel forgotten, stuck, or weary from waiting, this sermon will remind you:
• God has located you.
• God has not forgotten you.
• God will finish your story.
You don’t have to win every battle. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep moving forward.
Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Outlast the enemy.
MovingForward #OutlastTheEnemy #Joseph #Genesis #FaithInTrials #TrustGod #ChristianSermon #NeverGiveUp #Perseverance #GodsTiming #HopeInHardTimes #Purpose #ChurchOnline
What if your entire life was shaped by something that wasn’t even true?
In this eye-opening message, we explore how false beliefs become false realities—and how those realities quietly shape our identity, our choices, and even our understanding of God.
From the powerful psychological lessons of the Milgram experiment to Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son in Gospel of Luke 15, this sermon challenges us to examine the narratives we’ve built in our own minds.
The younger son believed:
Freedom meant leaving his father
Satisfaction meant spending everything
Identity meant defining life on his own
But sin always sells a dream and delivers a nightmare.
When he “came to his senses,” everything changed.
This message will challenge you to:
Stop believing your own press
Question the false narratives excusing sin or fear
Refuse to let feelings become your authority
Embrace your restored identity in Christ
You are not still condemned.
You are not still defined by your worst moment.
You are not still wearing a scar God has already removed.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” — Second Epistle to the Corinthians 5:17
God is calling you to leave false reality and step into the new and true reality He has prepared for you.
If this message encouraged or challenged you, make sure to like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to come home.
Have you ever watched other people’s faith stories and wondered, “Why don’t I experience God like that?”
In this message, we talk about what it really means to experience God, not just learn about Him.
It’s easy to live off borrowed faith—sermons, books, testimonies—while never stepping into a living, personal relationship with Jesus ourselves. But Christianity was never meant to be a snow globe: beautiful to look at, but never entered.
Through Scripture, real-life stories, and practical teaching, this sermon challenges us to stop watching from the outside and begin experiencing the Christian life firsthand.
In this message, you’ll discover:
What it means to truly experience Jesus, not just study Him
Why life change only happens when faith becomes personal
How everyday obedience carries eternal impact
What parts of your life today will matter for eternity?
How loving God, loving people, making disciples, and walking faithfully shape an eternal legacy
If you’re hungry for more than routine religion—if you want your own stories of God’s power, presence, and transformation—this message is for you.
📖 Key Scriptures include: John 17:3, Matthew 22:37–39, Matthew 28:19–20, Romans 8:18, Colossians 3:1–2, and more.
Have you ever wanted to be accepted by someone who barely noticed you?
A co-worker. Someone at church. A neighbor. Someone you admire from a distance.
That longing to be seen, known, and approved of runs deep in all of us.
In this message, we explore one of the most powerful truths of the gospel: the only acceptance that truly gives life is God’s acceptance. The apostle Paul learned this through hardship, rejection, and suffering. Jesus lived it out through His actions—welcoming the messy, the broken, the overlooked, and the ashamed.
From children brought to Jesus…
to a woman with a painful past…
to tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts…
Jesus consistently sends one message: “I accept you.”
But this sermon also wrestles honestly with the tension we often miss—
God accepts us as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us there.
You’ll hear stories from Scripture and real life that confront pride, dismantle shame, and invite us into a deeper way of living—not striving for approval, but living in gratitude for the favor we’ve already received.
If you’ve ever felt:
Unworthy
Overlooked
Not enough
Or quietly dismissed
This message is for you.
Scriptures referenced include Galatians 1, Luke 4, Matthew 19, Mark 2 & 5, Luke 7, John 8, and Psalm 84.
Watch, reflect, and be reminded:
You don’t earn God’s acceptance.
You live from it.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
When you come to Christ, you receive a new life, a new King, and a new way of living. But living the new you requires more than a moment—it requires daily choices.
In this message from our Living the New You series, we talk about where you are planted and how the winds and storms of life don’t weaken us when we are rooted in God—they strengthen us.
Scripture shows us that:
Wind makes trees grow stronger, not weaker
Stress produces strength when roots are deep
Fruit comes from health, not comfort
God calls His people “Oaks of Righteousness” (Isaiah 61), planted by the water, drawing life from Him even in seasons of drought.
📖 Scriptures referenced:
2 Corinthians 5:17
Mark 12:30–31
Isaiah 61:1–3
Matthew 12:33–35
Jeremiah 17:5–8
This sermon also includes a deeply personal testimony of loss, healing, and God’s faithfulness—showing how even the strongest storms can lead us closer to the light when we stay planted by the living water.
👉 Two decisions we all must make:
Choose to be planted by the water
Choose to turn toward God when the winds of life blow
If you’re facing pressure, change, or uncertainty, this message will encourage you to stay rooted, keep reaching for the light, and trust what God is growing in you.
Today we begin a brand-new series called Living the New You, rooted in the truth of 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
When you came to Christ, everything changed… but did your daily life change?
This message challenges us to move beyond belief into intentional living.
Using the powerful transition from King David to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28–29), we discover what it means to live under new Lordship — with Jesus as King — and how that new life requires structure, preparation, and love.
In this sermon, you’ll learn:
What it really means to live as a new creation
Why Jesus gives you freedom and responsibility over your life
The greatest commandment that guides your new life: Love
How your life is God’s temple, meant to be built with care and purpose
Why living your new life starts with being your own butler — a servant who prepares, organizes, and plans wisely
How order, discipline, and preparation create stability, peace, and strength
Practical ways to make your life easier, healthier, and more God-honoring
How planning, preparation, and generosity build God’s Kingdom right where you live
This message is practical, challenging, and deeply hopeful. God doesn’t want you merely surviving — He wants you living your new life with purpose, order, and love.
Your new life begins today.
Your new life begins at home.
Your new life begins with you.
As we begin a new year, we are confronted with one of the greatest struggles of the human heart: God’s will versus our will.
God does not force people to love Him or obey Him. He honors the will He gave us—and that makes the battle between what we want and what God wants very real. From Jonah running the opposite direction, to Jacob wrestling with God, Scripture shows us that God will never override our will… but He will fight for us until we choose to trust Him.
In this message, we look at:
Why free will is central to God’s covenant with humanity
Jonah’s resistance and surrender to God’s clear calling
Mary’s willing trust in a plan far bigger than her own
Jacob’s lifelong struggle with God—and how learning to lean changed everything
Why God’s will for your life is always bigger than your will
God isn’t trying to win a wrestling match—He’s trying to save you from unnecessary pain, delay, and regret.
The question for 2026 is simple, but life-changing:
Will you let God win?
📖 Scriptures referenced: Jonah 1–2, Luke 1:46–47, Genesis 32 & 48, Hebrews 11:21
Have you ever stopped and asked yourself this question:
Are the struggles in my life making me stronger—or are they making me a victim?
Most of us don’t mind the victory stories in the Bible.
It’s the training seasons we struggle with.
Before David ever stood in front of Goliath, he stood alone in a field—watching sheep, fighting lions and bears, and learning how to trust God when no one else was watching. That wasn’t wasted time. That was preparation.
So let me ask you:
👉 What field has God placed you in right now?
👉 What feels small, overlooked, or unfair—but might actually be training?
In this message, we walk through the true, historical account of David and Goliath and discover why David saw the giant differently than everyone else. While the army saw a problem, David saw an opportunity for God to be made known.
David didn’t fight for rewards.
He fought because someone was defying the living God.
And here’s the part we all wrestle with—faith always requires a step forward before you know how it will turn out. David had to run toward Goliath trusting that God would show up.
So what about you?
Are you standing on the hill waiting…
Or are you ready to step into the moment God has been preparing you for?
If this message encouraged you, consider liking, sharing, and subscribing—it may be exactly what someone else needs to hear this week.
Scripture References:
1 Samuel 17
James 1:2–4
Romans 5:3–4
1 Peter 1:6–7
Loneliness often comes when responsibility is heavy and no one else can carry it for you. One of the loneliest moments in life is when something depends entirely on you—when there is no one else to step in.
That’s why God chose to come as a baby.
A baby changes everything.
Where you go.
What you do.
Who you spend time with.
What you value.
In this message, we explore why Jesus didn’t arrive with power, spectacle, or force—but instead came helpless, innocent, and dependent. Not because He lacked power, but because He was inviting love.
We often ask, “Do I have room for Jesus?”
But the real question is, “Will I make room?”
Will you make room in your habits?
Your relationships?
Your addictions?
Your dreams and plans for the future?
Through Jesus’ teaching about the hidden treasure, the story of His birth, and the powerful restoration of Peter after denial and failure, we see this truth clearly:
The way back to God is love.
If you’ve ever felt lonely, disqualified, ashamed, or unsure whether God still wants you—this message is for you.
Make room for the Baby.
Make room for Jesus.
Let Him change everything.
We can—and we should—leave loneliness behind.
In this message, Living With Acceptance, we talk about accepting God’s story for your life, even when it doesn’t look like the life you planned. From the dreams we had growing up to the reality we live in today, unmet expectations can leave us feeling lonely, frustrated, and forgotten.
Using the Christmas story of Mary and Joseph, along with powerful parallels from It’s a Wonderful Life, this sermon shows how God often redirects our lives through moments of disappointment, delay, and sacrifice to bring meaning and purpose far greater than we imagined.
When life feels out of control…
When your plans fall apart…
When there seems to be no room for you…
God is still at work.
This message will challenge you to stop fighting God’s plan, stop living as a victim of your circumstances, and begin trusting Him—one godly decision at a time.
📖 In this sermon you’ll discover:
Why unmet dreams can lead to loneliness
How God’s story often differs from our plans
What it means to live with acceptance and faith
How to trust God when life feels unfair or overwhelming
Why your “manger moments” may be God’s greatest opportunity
👉 Is there room in your life for Jesus—and His story?
If you’re struggling with loneliness, disappointment, or trusting God’s direction, this message is for you.
Loneliness is one of the deepest struggles of our generation—but God never intended for us to live life empty, isolated, or disconnected. In this message, we explore how Godly meaningfulness reshapes every relationship in your life and gives you a firm foundation no matter who stays, who leaves, or who comes close.
Jesus modeled intentional layers of relationships—from the world, to the crowds, to the 12, to the 3, to the one—and ultimately a life fully united with the Father. Today, we look at how to apply that model to your own life so you can define who belongs in each circle, who influences you, and who walks closest with you.
In this sermon we discuss:
🔹 Why the meaning of your life should determine the relationships in your life
🔹 How modern culture has blurred the boundaries of the “relationship layers”
🔹 What happens when the world becomes your inner circle
🔹 How to let God—not loneliness—decide who gets close to you
🔹 Why having any relationship is not better than having the right relationship
🔹 How God fills the deepest circle of your life when no human can
🔹 The story of David and how meaningfulness drew the right people toward him
With Scriptures from John 12, John 15, James 4, Romans 8, and the life of David, we discover how God invites us into closeness, connection, and purpose.
If you’ve been searching for belonging…
If you’ve felt the pain of distance or disconnection…
If you’ve been unsure who to trust or who should truly be close…
This message will help you redefine your relational world and step into a life anchored in Godly meaning, not fear or loneliness.
💬 Reflection:
On a scale of 0–10, how meaningful are the lives of the people closest to you? What does that reveal about your own pursuit of Godly purpose?
Leave loneliness behind. Embrace Godly meaning. Build the life Jesus modeled.
Have you ever felt like you’re walking through life alone? In today’s message, we look back to one of the most isolating moments in human history—when Noah and his family stepped off the Ark into a world emptied by the flood. No neighbors. No community. No familiar places. Just eight people… and the promises of God.
Just like Noah, we all face seasons where life feels empty, unpredictable, or overwhelming. But God has given us promises—real, unshakable truths—to help us endure and overcome loneliness.
In this sermon, we explore five of God’s promises that still carry us today:
A Promise of Predictability
Seasons may change, but God gives us a stable world and a steady hope. Winter doesn’t last forever—harvest is coming.
The Blessing of Children & Community
God designed us for relationships, for connection, and for belonging. You don’t have to do life alone.
The Blessing of Dominion
From pets to purpose, God provides companionship and meaningful responsibility that enriches our lives.
The Blessing to Uphold Justice
God empowers us to stand up for what is right, protect one another, and build safe, healthy communities.
The Promise of His Presence
The greatest truth of all: You are never alone. God goes with you, leads you, comforts you, and walks beside you every step of the way.
Whether you’re grieving, adjusting to a new season, recovering from loss, or trying to build new relationships, this message will remind you that God has already made a way forward—and He never leaves His people behind.
Today’s message explores how your personal choices shape your emotional health and your ability to build meaningful, connected relationships. Using the powerful story of Elijah in 1 Kings 18–19, we uncover what happens when our lives swing between emotional highs and deep lows, and how God restores us to balance.
Elijah stood fearless on Mount Carmel—then crashed into fear, exhaustion, and loneliness. God met him through rest, nourishment, direction, and a gentle whisper, showing us the path back to emotional, spiritual, and relational health.
In this sermon, you’ll learn:
✔ How dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin affect your mood and relationships
✔ Why unhealthy habits create emotional spikes and loneliness
✔ How to build a “healthy dopamine pie chart” that brings connection, not emptiness
✔ Why compulsive behaviors leave you drained
✔ How God uses rest, truth, and community to heal your heart
✔ That you are never alone, even when you feel like Elijah
✔ How cultivating God-honoring habits builds healthier relationships
If you’re ready to leave loneliness behind and make decisions that lead to joy, balance, and deeper connection—this message will encourage and challenge you.
As the holiday season approaches, we’re launching a brand-new series called Leaving Loneliness—a deep look at one of the most widespread and often hidden struggles in our culture: loneliness.
The truth is, everyone looks put together on the outside… but inside, many are hurting.
Singles feel lonely. Married people feel lonely. Successful people, insecure people, busy people, even pastors—loneliness shows no favoritism.
In this message, we uncover the unhealthy ways we cope with our loneliness, using the visual of gambling our lives away. From compulsive behaviors and screens, to avoidance, impulsiveness, overworking, and substances—we often seek dopamine spikes instead of real connection. But Jesus offers something better.
You’ll learn:
🎲 Why unhealthy relationships keep us stuck in cycles of loneliness
🎲 The danger of living off dopamine spikes without true connection
🎲 How avoidance isolates us from the very people who need us
🎲 Why God created us for depth, not distractions
🎲 The choice we all must make: FEEL or ACT
Throughout Scripture, God’s people wrestled with loneliness—Elijah under the broom tree, David on the run, Hagar in the wilderness, Joseph in prison, Paul in chains, and even Jesus on the cross. Yet in every story, God speaks the same promise:
“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
📖 Key Scriptures:
Isaiah 41:10 • Psalm 25:16 • Genesis 39 • Psalm 68:5–6 • Hebrews 13:5 • Joshua 1:9 • Matthew 28:20 • 1 Peter 5:7 • Proverbs 18:24
If you are struggling with loneliness—or love someone who is—this message will help you take your first step toward healing, connection, and hope.
✨ God is with you. God sees you. You don’t have to stay lonely.
In a world that celebrates individuality and diversity, Jesus calls His followers to something far greater — UNITY.
Our flesh craves independence and self-sufficiency, but true purpose and power are only found when we unite with the Body of Christ.
In this powerful message, Pastor John exposes how modern Christianity has drifted toward comfort, criticism, and isolation — and calls believers back to the heart of Jesus’ prayer in John 17, “that they may be one as We are one.”
Unity is not about losing your identity — it’s about using your unique gifts to serve a greater purpose. The Church is not a crowd; it’s a tribe. It’s a body made of many parts, moving together to do what Christ did — proclaim freedom, bring healing, and reveal the love of God to the world.
📖 Scriptures: John 17:11, 20–23 • 1 Corinthians 12:4–31 • Colossians 3:10–11 • Luke 4:18–19
🔥 Key Takeaway:
Jesus prayed for unity.
Jesus died for unity.
Jesus expects unity.
Mental illness, fear, and foolishness are all around us—and often, they touch our own lives more than we’d like to admit. In this message, we explore how God’s Word teaches us to live with wisdom, peace, and love—even when surrounded by the foolishness of others.
Through the RELATE framework—Reroute your thinking, Elevate others, List your threats, Accept your part, Turn from sin, and Enlist accountability—you’ll learn how to:
Recognize foolish behavior without becoming part of it
Set healthy, Godly boundaries
Respond in love instead of fear
Stay focused on your God-given purpose
Jesus showed us how to live wisely in a world gone mad. Let’s follow His example and build relationships God’s way—sane, strong, and Spirit-led.
📖 Key Scriptures: Proverbs 22:13, Proverbs 23:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:10, 2 Timothy 3:1–5, Luke 19:1–10, Mark 3:20–35, Ephesians 4:15–16
RELATE #ChristianTeaching #Faith #Boundaries #Wisdom #Jesus
We’ve all wondered it at some point — why don’t some people like me?
In this message from Pastor John, part of the RELATE series, we uncover a powerful truth: the reason we don’t like some people — and the reason some people don’t like us — is often because we threaten them in some way.
God calls us to remove the threats we pose to others so we can live in peace. The Ten Commandments show us how to stop being a danger to our relationships and start being a blessing. Through the example of Jesus in Isaiah 53, we learn how He removed every threat between us and God — and how we can follow His example in our relationships today.
No, we can’t control other people — but with God’s help, we can control ourselves.
When we let Him deal with our pride, anger, rebellion, and selfishness, we become people who bring peace instead of pain.
This message will help you:
✅ Identify the threats you bring into relationships
✅ Understand why others may feel threatened by you
✅ Learn to respond with humility instead of offense
✅ Build lasting, God-centered relationships
📖 “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” — Luke 6:31
Watch now and discover how to live free from offense, walk in peace, and build relationships God’s way.
RELATE #RelationshipsGodsWay #ChristianLiving #Faith #Sermon #Jesus #SpiritualGrowth #RemoveTheThreat #Accountability
Anytime you want to do something without anyone of substance knowing about it—without wise, godly voices speaking into it—it’s time to pause and re-evaluate your direction. True success in life, relationships, and faith begins with accountability.
In this message, Pastor John teaches that enlisting accountability isn’t weakness—it’s strength. It’s what smart, humble, and spiritually mature people do when they want to live in God’s truth and love.
Through the story of Martha and Mary, the example of Ananias and Sapphira, and powerful lessons from Ephesians and James, you’ll see how accountability keeps your life anchored in true love.
Because at the end of the day, all of life comes down to one thing:
Love God. Love people.
Key Themes:
Why people who want to succeed ask for help before they fail
How accountability protects you from pain and poor choices
The difference between living distracted and living with purpose
What Martha learned from Jesus about choosing “the good part”
How real love is patient, kind, humble, and enduring
📖 Scriptures: James 5:16–20, Ephesians 5:6–21, Luke 10:38–42, 1 Corinthians 13:4–8
🙏 Don’t walk alone—invite truth, wisdom, and love into your life. That’s where healing, strength, and direction begin.
Accountability #TrueLove #Faith #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianLiving #JacobKolbert #KojacksWarehouse #Sermon
In this powerful RELATE series, we discover what it truly means to turn from sin to God. Repentance isn’t about guilt—it’s about agreeing with God about our sin and choosing His way instead of our own.
This message exposes the root of the seven deadly sins—Pride, Anger, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, and Sloth—and reveals the virtues that conquer them: humility, patience, generosity, love, gratitude, self-control, and diligence.
Learn how pride destroys relationships, how anger hides behind our desire for control, and how greed distorts our sense of security. Through Scripture and reflection, Pastor Jacob challenges us to trade our “I deserve” mindset for God’s greater reward and to live in true repentance.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 5, Luke 18, Ephesians 4, 1 Timothy 6
Series: RELATE — Building Relationships God’s Way
Message: Turning From Sin to God
RELATE #Repentance #SevenDeadlySins #ChristianLiving #Faith #Transformation #Jesus #SpiritualGrowth
In this message, we dive into one of the most overlooked yet life-changing fruits of the Spirit — self-control.
Through the story of Esau and Jacob, we see what happens when a single moment of weakness costs a lifetime of blessing. Esau traded his entire inheritance for one bowl of soup. In the same way, many today trade their purpose, peace, and future for temporary satisfaction.
But God has called us to something greater. Self-control is not about restriction — it’s about strength, focus, and trusting God’s timing. When you learn to say “no” to the flesh, you’re saying “yes” to the future God has for you.
Join us as we explore how self-control can:
Build stronger relationships
Guard your calling
Unlock God’s favor and blessing
Keep you from trading eternity for temporary pleasure
Don’t make the rest of your life about a bowl of soup — choose the Kingdom instead.
Scriptures referenced: Galatians 5:22–23, Genesis 25:27–34, Hebrews 12:17, Matthew 13:45–50, Revelation 21–22
Subscribe for more faith-filled messages that will challenge, inspire, and draw you closer to God.
SelfControl #FruitOfTheSpirit #EsauAndJacob #FaithMessage #ChristianSermon #SpiritualGrowth
Why do we keep doing the very things we hate? Paul wrestled with this same question in Romans 7, and if we’re honest, so do we. We want to do good, but sin trips us up. We make promises, but our flesh craves shortcuts. We even create conflict just so we can justify sin.
In this message, we uncover the lie that sin will somehow work for us—even though it’s never worked for anyone else in history. We’ll explore why we can’t trust our own hearts, why God’s commands are necessary, and how the RELATE process helps us break free from predictable patterns of destruction.
If you’ve ever asked, “Why do I keep messing up?”—this sermon will give you clarity, hope, and the good news that Jesus Christ is the One who sets us free.
📖 Scripture: Romans 7:15–25 MSG, Jeremiah 17:9, Matthew 5:17
🔑 Key Topics: Sin, self-deception, pride, RELATE process, accountability, freedom in Christ
🙌 Don’t just survive sin’s cycle—learn how to reroute, elevate, list, accept, turn, and enlist.
Every one of us faces threats to our security, our significance, and our relationships. When we don’t process those threats God’s way, fear, pride, and anger take over—and like Ahab, Jezebel, or Haman, it can lead to ruin. But when we learn to RELATE, we find freedom and true love.
RELATE stands for:
Reroute my thinking
Elevate others
List my threats
Accept my part
Turn from my sin
Enlist accountability
In this message, we walk through the stories of Ahab & Naboth and Queen Esther to see how people respond when they feel threatened. Some collapse in selfishness, others rise in faith. How you process threats determines which side of history you’ll be on.
Scriptures: 1 Kings 21, Esther 1–7, John 14, Luke 12, Revelation 21, Psalm 8
Key takeaway: God has already spoken about your security, your significance, and your relationships. The question is—do you believe Him?
Subscribe for more sermons and messages of hope.
Like & share this video to encourage someone who is struggling in their relationships.
RELATE #Sermon #Esther #ChristianRelationships #Faith
This week, we dive deep into the second step of the RELATE journey—Elevate Others.
What does it really mean to put others first in a world that constantly tells you to protect yourself at all costs? Jesus showed us a different way—a way of love, responsibility, and purpose.
🧭 In this message, you’ll learn:* Why true love begins with you taking care of YOU. * How living responsibly is actually the first step to loving others. * What it looks like to stop being a threat to others and start being a blessing. * How to set boundaries that honor both your purpose and the people in your life. * Why recognizing others as God’s possession changes how you treat them. * How to lovingly challenge others to rise to the identity God gave them.
🧩 Part of the RELATE Framework:
- R – Reroute My Thinking (Watch last week’s sermon!)
- E – Elevate Others 👈
- L – List My Threats
- A – Accept My Part
- T – Turn From My Sin
- E – Enlist Accountability
📖 Scripture References:* Mark 3:20–21, 31–35 * Leviticus 25:23–24 * Hebrews 2:6–8 * Ephesians 4:15, 4:14–16 (MSG)
💡 Key Quote:
"Elevating others starts when I remove the threat I pose to them—by taking care of me and living out my God-given purpose."
Last week we uncovered the original narcissist—the father of lies, the enemy of our souls. He manipulates, gaslights, and deceives, but Jesus shows us a better way.
In this message, Pastor John shares how to re-route your thinking when fear and selfishness threaten to take control. Discover how conflict often comes from our fear of not getting what we want or losing what we have, and how Jesus calls us to trust the Good Father instead of clinging to possessions, pride, or control.
Through the story of Naboth’s vineyard, the teachings of Jesus, and the promises of Romans 8, we learn how to live free from fear, stop reacting to threats, and walk in peace knowing nothing can separate us from God’s love.
Key Points:
Conflict happens when selfishness collides.
Fear of losing or not getting drives most of our struggles.
Rerouting your thinking means choosing truth over fear.
Trust the Good Father for justice, timing, and provision.
Nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate us from the love of Christ.
Scriptures: Matthew 5:40–42, 1 Kings 21, Romans 8:31–39, Matthew 16:24–26
If this message encourages you, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to hear more teachings that help you build meaningful, lasting relationships God’s way.
RELATE: Building Relationships God’s Way
What’s your life built on—control or intimacy? Leverage or love? In this message, we explore the stark contrast between the Father of Light and the father of lies, and how that contrast impacts every relationship we have.
Jesus modeled a life fully surrendered to His Father’s will, showing us what true intimacy with God looks like. Satan, on the other hand, seeks only to deceive, accuse, and destroy. When we live in control, manipulation, or accusation, we reflect the enemy’s nature. But when we live in truth, forgiveness, and love—we reflect the Father’s heart.
Through the story of Job, Paul’s words in Ephesians, and Jesus’ teaching, we’ll uncover how to:
✅ Recognize the schemes of the enemy
✅ Live as children of the Light
✅ Build marriages and friendships on intimacy, not leverage
✅ Step into freedom, truth, and lasting hope
This sermon will challenge you to examine your relationships and choose the way of light over darkness, intimacy over control.
📖 Scripture References: Isaiah 14, Ezekiel 28, John 8, Job 1, Ephesians 4–5
Have you ever prayed for a sign from God—whether to take that job, marry that person, or make a big life decision? In this message, Pastor John Eaton explores what the Bible really says about signs from God. From Moses and the burning bush to the “Sign of Jonah,” we’ll uncover why God gives signs, what they mean, and how to discern between God’s direction and our own desires.
You’ll discover:
✅ The 6 reasons God gives signs
✅ How to tell if a sign is truly from Him
✅ Why Jesus’ resurrection is the ultimate sign of God’s love
✅ How to avoid chasing false signs that lead to confusion
Don’t miss this life-changing word—it’s time to see clearly how God is speaking to you!
📖 Key Scriptures: Exodus 3–4, Matthew 16:2-4, Job 9:8-9, Psalm 19, Romans 10, Revelation 12
If this message blesses you, be sure to like 👍, subscribe 🔔, and share it with someone who needs encouragement today!
What’s weighing you down? Old regrets, broken relationships, toxic habits, or memories you should have let go of years ago? In this message, we explore what it means to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (Hebrews 12:1–3) and how to finally take out the trash in your life.
Through practical examples, biblical truth, and a clear call to freedom, you’ll discover:
✅ How to identify the “junk” you’ve been carrying.
✅ Why holding on costs you more than you think.
✅ What Jesus says about moving forward into your purpose.
✅ How to let go of past failures, regrets, and toxic influences.
It’s time to stop storing what’s weighing you down and start living the life God has called you to.
Scriptures referenced: Hebrews 12:1–3, Luke 9:59–62, Romans 12:2, Psalm 51:10, Isaiah 1:18, 1 John 1:9, Hebrews 10:22, James 4:8, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Romans 5:1
If this message encouraged you, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more faith-filled sermons. Share this with someone who needs to take out their trash today!
TakeOutTheTrash #Hebrews12 #FaithOverFear #ChristianSermon #LetGoAndLetGod
Life is hard—really hard. We all face loss, disappointment, suffering, and the daily grind that seems to outweigh the wins. But what if there’s something greater than the pain? What if you could live a life so filled with meaning, purpose, and calling that even the hardest moments can’t steal your hope?
In this powerful message, we explore the Apostle Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 4 and 2 Timothy 4—words written not from comfort, but from the heart of suffering. Yet he didn’t lose heart. Why? Because he had a purpose bigger than the pain.
In this sermon, you'll discover:
Why pleasure and ease alone will never make life worth living
How God invites you into His eternal mission
What it means to carry the message of Christ in the midst of a broken world
How to endure suffering without becoming bitter
What you can do today to live with true, lasting purpose
This is not about shallow positivity. It’s about deep-rooted hope in something eternal. If you’ve ever asked yourself, "What am I doing today that makes life worth it?" — this message is for you.
Scripture Focus:
2 Corinthians 4:1-18 (MSG, NIV)
2 Timothy 4:1-8 (MSG)
One of the most dangerous things we can do is silence the very voice God placed inside us—our conscience. In this powerful and raw message, we explore how violating our God-given moral compass leads to chaos, broken relationships, and spiritual confusion.
Through personal stories, biblical truth, and cultural reflection, we unpack the difference between real conviction from the Holy Spirit and the crushing weight of manmade guilt.
🔹 What is your conscience really for?
🔹 Why does ignoring it make life feel more empty—even when sin feels good at first?
🔹 How can we tell the difference between God’s truth and religion’s manipulation?
🔹 And what does it mean to protect your conscience in a world pulling toward chaos?
You’ll hear biblical insight from Romans 2, 1 Timothy 4, and 1 Corinthians 10, and be challenged to tune back into the voice that brings life, peace, and order.
🕊️ If you’ve ever felt weighed down by guilt, unsure about right and wrong, or numb to spiritual conviction—this message is for you.
Are You Growing Spiritually or Just Coasting?
Are you becoming more like Christ, or just going through the motions? In this powerful and honest message, we explore one of life’s most important questions: What direction is your life really headed?
✅ Are you spiritually stronger than you were a year ago?
✅ Are your relationships deeper, or more surface-level?
✅ Are you truly pursuing a mature relationship with God — or just casually dating Him?
Drawing from Hebrews 12:11, 1 Timothy 4:8-10, and Matthew 25, this message challenges believers to move beyond comfort and into commitment. Discover how childlike faith leads to spiritual maturity, and why God isn’t looking for a half-hearted relationship — but a fully surrendered life.
Topics Covered:
How to measure spiritual growth
The dangers of spiritual complacency
Why church attendance matters for maturity
What Jesus meant by keeping your lamp burning (Matt. 25)
The difference between dating God and marrying Him
If your relationship with God feels distant or shallow, this sermon will help realign your heart and inspire a deeper, lasting connection with the one true living God.
Subscribe for weekly messages that challenge, encourage, and equip you to grow in your faith.
Like this message if it speaks to you, and share it with someone who needs to hear it today.
SpiritualGrowth #ChristianSermon #FaithDirection #MatureFaith #Jesus #Hebrews1211 #Matthew25 #ChristianLiving #RelationshipWithGod
Are you tired of the ups and downs in life? Feeling like your foundation is always shaking?
In today’s message, we conclude our Journey to Meaning series by focusing on something we all need — STABILITY.
✅ Real friendships
✅ Financial strength
✅ Health and stamina
✅ Purpose-driven living
✅ A solid spiritual foundation
Pastor John Eaton brings a timely word about what it means to build your life on the unshakable foundation of God’s Kingdom — a life that isn’t blown around by circumstances, drama, or empty pursuits.
Key Topics Covered in This Message:
- Why acquaintances aren’t enough — you need true, stable relationships
- The danger of investing your life in temporary pleasures
- How to commit to the things that truly matter
- The power of spiritual maturity and daily discipline
- Jesus’ call to build your life on the Rock, not the sand (Matt. 7:24-27)
From broken beginnings to lasting strength — this message is your invitation to start building a life that lasts.
Make today the day you place your "stone marker" and say: From this moment forward, I’m committing to a stable life in Christ.
"The Gentle Whisper: Hearing God's Voice in a Noisy World" | 1 Kings 19:1–18 Sermon
In this powerful sermon, we explore one of the most profound moments in Scripture—when the prophet Elijah encounters God not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire... but in a gentle whisper.
What voice are YOU listening to?
Is it the voice of distraction, fear, ambition—or the quiet voice of the Father?
Text: 1 Kings 19:1–18
Learn how to:
Discern Divine Dialogue in your daily life
Distinguish Distractions that drown out God's voice
Dedicate Yourself to Daily Devotion and spiritual growth
This message will help you tune your heart to the frequency of heaven and hear God’s whisper in the middle of the chaos. Don't miss this timely word!
Subscribe for more biblically-rooted, practical messages to help you grow in faith.
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HearingGodsVoice #StillSmallVoice #1Kings19 #Elijah #ChristianSermon #Devotion #SpiritualGrowth #DailyDevotion #FaithOverFear
Are you tired of feeling like you don’t measure up? In this powerful and honest sermon, we explore the dangers of comparison—how it robs us of joy, distorts our identity, and distracts us from our true calling.
We reflect on the final words of Steve Jobs, the lives of biblical figures like Cain, Rachel, and the prodigal son, and most importantly, we focus on Jesus—the only true standard for our lives.
Learn why comparing yourself to others will always leave you empty
Discover the peace that comes from embracing your identity in Christ
Understand your God-given responsibility and purpose
Be inspired to live a life that reflects Jesus—not the world
Key Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Galatians 6:2–5, Hebrews 12:1–7, James 3:16, Proverbs 14:30
Like, comment, and subscribe for more Bible-based teaching that challenges and encourages you to live the life God created you for.
ComparisonTrap #ChristianSermon #IdentityInChrist #StopComparing #FaithOverFame #JesusIsTheIdeal #ChristianMotivation
In this powerful message, we dive into the principle of sowing with meaning and how the measures we are willing to sow will determine the depth of meaning we reap in our lives. It's easy to chase instant success, but true significance requires sacrifice, perseverance, and a heart dedicated to sowing good seeds—even in the toughest of places.
Join us as we explore:
The law of sowing: Little sowing = Little meaning, Big sowing = Big meaning
Biblical examples of meaningful lives: Moses, Esther, Paul, and David
What it really means to live a meaningful life—beyond success and worldly recognition
Passion, risk, and purpose: How to make every moment count
If you're tired of living a humdrum life and want to embrace something bigger, more purposeful, and more impactful, this message is for you. Discover how to sow seeds of meaning in your relationships, career, and personal journey.
Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to stay updated with our latest videos on living a life of meaning!
SowingWithMeaning #LivingWithPurpose #MeaningfulLife #Passion #Faith #Bible #BiblicalInspiration #PurposeDriven #SpiritualGrowth
What does it really mean to live a meaningful life?
In today’s message, “A Journey to Meaning: Meaning by Being Peacemakers,” we explore Jesus’ powerful words:
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)
Being a peacemaker isn’t about being passive, cheesy, or politically correct. It’s about living with real strength, the kind that comes from love and immortality. True peacemakers believe they are eternal beings, and that belief gives them the courage to sacrifice, to stand up for others, and to live boldly in the face of fear and injustice.
In this powerful message, you’ll discover:
- Why Jesus called peacemakers “sons of God”
- The difference between worldly power and heavenly strength
- How Barnabas risked everything to stand up for Saul (Paul)
- What it means to live for the life after this one
- How dying to self brings resurrection-level purpose
If you’re searching for meaning, longing to make a difference, and ready to live with eternal perspective, this message is for you.
- Don’t just live to survive—live to bring peace. Live like you were made for more.
Your life is defined by the sacrifices you make—or refuse to make. In this special Father’s Day message, we explore how the right sacrifices shape your marriage, family, faith, health, and future. Learn from the story of Cain and Abel, and discover why some people never move forward—not because they aren’t trying, but because they’re sacrificing the wrong things.
What are you trading your future for?
Are you holding back your best?
Is fear stopping your faith?
Whether you're a dad, a husband, or simply someone looking to grow, this message will challenge and encourage you to live with purpose, faith, and love. The greatest things in life require the greatest sacrifices—are you willing?
What’s the point of it all? Ever asked that question? In this first message of our new sermon series, A Journey to Meaning, we explore the raw, honest words of King Solomon in Ecclesiastes:
“Meaningless! Everything is meaningless…”
Solomon had it all—wisdom, wealth, power, pleasure—and yet still found life empty without one essential thing.
Join us as we unpack what truly gives life purpose. Whether you're successful and still feeling empty, or struggling to find direction, this message will help you take a powerful step toward a life of true meaning rooted in loving God and others.
Have you ever stopped to think… when the history of this church is written in Heaven—what will be by your name?
Not your title.
Not your status.
But your sacrifice, your faith, your obedience.
In this message, we look at the story of David and his Mighty Men—not just as a history lesson, but as a spiritual challenge for today. These were broken, outcast, ordinary people… who became legends in the Kingdom because they chose to follow the right king—even before he wore the crown.
Just like them, we’re being called to serve King Jesus—now, in the wilderness, in the trenches, in the unseen places.
This isn’t about being perfect, talented, or polished. It’s about being willing. It’s about seeing the needs around us—because every hungry person, every hurting soul, every “cup of water” moment… is Jesus in disguise.
Let’s talk about what really matters to God—and what will be remembered in Heaven.
Are you ready to be one of His Mighty Men or Women?
Let us know in the comments: What do YOU want Heaven to write next to your name?
KingdomCalling #DavidAndHisMightyMen #LivingForJesus #FaithInAction #HeavenlyHistory
In today’s powerful and challenging message, we explore the difference between manipulated service and true, loving commitment to God and His Kingdom. This sermon invites you to ask the hard questions:
- What are you really committed to?
- Are your commitments driven by love—or by guilt, pressure, or habit?
- Are you carrying the cross that Jesus personally assigned to you?
Drawing from Luke 14:16–27, we hear the parable of the Great Banquet, where Jesus exposes the excuses people make to avoid responding to God’s invitation. Whether it’s relationships, success, or past failures, many of us have placed our priorities above the call of Christ.
This message isn’t about religion—it’s about loyalty born out of love, and the God-given responsibility placed on each of our lives. We also reflect on the words of Peter in 1 Peter 1:18–25, reminding us that this life is a journey to be traveled with a deep consciousness of God, not shallow distractions.
"You cannot be My disciple unless you love Me more than your own life." – Jesus
It's time to count the cost. Choose love. Choose commitment. Choose to carry your cross.
Scripture References:
Luke 14:16–27, 1 Peter 1:18–25 (MSG)
Sermon #ChristianLiving #Commitment #Luke14 #Discipleship #Faith #Cross #GodsKingdom #LoveGod #1Peter #CarryYourCross
In this sermon, we explore how God’s gift of routine and predictability shapes our lives, relationships, and spiritual journeys. Drawing inspiration from the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, we discuss the importance of faithfulness, consistency, and loyalty in building strong foundations for our families, communities, and personal growth.
Key takeaways
The significance of routine in providing stability and order in our lives.
How living a life of faithfulness and predictability can positively impact those around us.
Lessons from Daniel's unwavering commitment to his daily practices, even in the face of adversity.
The consequences of deviating from established principles and the importance of maintaining integrity.
RoutineAndFaith #LoyaltyInLife #DanielInTheLionsDen #ConsistencyMatters #FaithfulnessInAction
This is a deeply thoughtful and inspiring reflection on Living with Joy, and you’ve beautifully woven together personal experience, Scripture, and practical spiritual insight. It offers a powerful challenge to choose joy, not as a denial of reality, but as a deeply rooted act of faith and alignment with God’s purpose. A few key themes stand out strongly:
-
Joy as a Command, Not Just a Feeling
You’ve made a compelling case that joy isn’t just a mood we stumble into, but a spiritual discipline. Repeated Scriptural commands—“Rejoice in the Lord always,” “Be glad,” “Shout for joy”—show that joy is something God calls us to decide to embrace, even when circumstances are hard. That’s not shallow cheerfulness; it’s deep resilience rooted in trust. -
Joy Comes from Knowing God’s Big Plan
This theme is central. You highlighted how Jesus tells His disciples to take heart in the face of trouble because He has already overcome the world. That same promise is offered to us. True joy isn’t rooted in everything going well—but in knowing that, whatever happens, God is in control and His plan includes us. -
Joy is a Product of Gratitude and Worship
You noted that joy flows when we spend time in the Word, when we worship, when we recall God’s goodness. That practical invitation—to read, to sing, to reflect on blessings—is so simple, but powerful. When we lift our eyes to the eternal, we stop being ruled by the temporary. -
Joy Is Strength
Nehemiah 8:10 might be one of the most hopeful verses in Scripture: “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” That’s the kind of power we all need—especially when life is discouraging or overwhelming. It’s not joy after we’re strong, it’s joy that makes us strong. -
Joy is a Choice We Make in Faith
From Mary to the Israelites rebuilding Jerusalem, to the early church under persecution, the examples you gave show that joy often shows up in hard, even confusing times. Not because of denial—but because of belief.
Your reflection also brings a very honest voice to the struggle of living joyfully. It’s not always easy, and those who pretend it is may come off as naïve or tone-deaf. But you’ve acknowledged the struggle and pointed to the source of strength that allows us to rise above it—not by willpower, but by anchoring our hearts in God.
Would you like help turning this into a spoken message, devotional, or small group study?
When life feels heavy, choosing joy can seem impossible. But what if joy isn’t just a feeling—what if it’s a command and a source of strength? In this encouraging message, we explore how Scripture calls us to live with joy, not by ignoring pain, but by trusting in God's Big Plan.
Discover how worship, gratitude, and time in God’s Word can help shift your perspective, renew your hope, and give you the strength to keep going—no matter what you’re facing. Whether you're walking through hardship or just feeling spiritually dry, this video will remind you that joy is possible, joy is powerful, and joy is a gift from God.
Key Scriptures:
Psalm 100 • Philippians 4:4-9 • Nehemiah 8 • John 16:33 • Luke 1:46-50
LivingWithJoy #ChristianEncouragement #ChooseJoy #BibleTeaching #Faith #Scripture #Jesus #Worship #Nehemiah #Philippians #HopeInHardTimes
In this life-changing sermon, we explore what it means to honor the position God appoints — even when the person in that position seems unworthy.
From David’s loyalty to Saul, to Jacob’s impatience with God’s promise, to Absalom’s rebellion against his father David — this message dives deep into the tension between loyalty to people and loyalty to God’s mission.
What you’ll learn:
Why David refused to take shortcuts to the throne
How Jacob’s manipulation cost him years of peace
The danger of misplaced loyalty in relationships, family, and church
How to discern when loyalty is godly, and when it’s compromise
Why God honors those who honor His appointed order
“David wasn’t being loyal to Saul. He was being loyal to God.”
You’ll be challenged to examine your heart:
Who are you loyal to?
Are they building or tearing down?
Are they walking in God’s mission or pushing their own agenda?
This message will help you develop godly loyalty — the kind that builds unity, honors authority, and stays rooted in love.
“Outdo one another in showing honor.” – Romans 12:10
“God honors those who honor.” – 1 Samuel 2:30
Don’t forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share if this word speaks to your heart!
Sermon #BiblicalLoyalty #KingDavid #GodsTiming #SpiritualLeadership #Honor #ChristianLiving #ChurchUnity #SermonOnLoyalty #FaithInAction
Loyalty is one of the qualities that moves the heart of God. In a culture where commitment is rare and leaving is easy, God is still looking for people who stay faithful—to Him, to their calling, and to the people He’s placed in their lives.
In this message, we explore what true loyalty looks like through powerful stories from Scripture: Eve in the Garden, Judas and Jesus, the prophet in 1 Kings 13, and the nation of Israel demanding a king. Each moment reveals what happens when we stay loyal—and what happens when we don’t.
If you’ve ever felt tempted to walk away, chase “something better,” or spiritualize a decision that’s really about discomfort, this is for you.
Learn: • Why God values loyalty so deeply
• How discontentment leads to disloyalty
• The difference between healthy change and spiritual compromise
• Why loyalty often looks like endurance in hard seasons
• How to discern when a "better" opportunity is really a test
This powerful Easter Sunday message from Pastor John takes us deep into the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prepared His heart for the cross—and where loyalty and betrayal collided.
In a world that often values convenience over commitment, loyalty is a rare but essential virtue. Through the story of Judas’s betrayal, Peter’s denial, and ultimately, Jesus’s unwavering faithfulness, Pastor John challenges us to reflect on our own loyalty—especially to God, to truth, and to the people and responsibilities He has entrusted to us.
We’re reminded that God keeps a record—not out of bitterness or control, but out of a divine commitment to justice. And yet, through the blood of Jesus, we are offered complete forgiveness and restoration. God’s justice isn’t about condemnation; it’s about setting things right through love and sacrifice.
✨ Are you in a moment of trial or temptation?
✨ Have you failed, denied, or walked away?
✨ This message is for you.
Join us as we explore:
The weight of loyalty in the eyes of God
How betrayal impacts relationships
The redemptive power of the Resurrection
Why Jesus’s question to Peter—"Do you love me?"—is still being asked today
📖 Scripture References:
John 18:2-6, Mark 14:34-50, John 21:15-17
Today marks a powerful and sacred moment in the life of our church family, as we witness Laura Ashley Kolbert—one of our own—officially step into her calling as a Minister of the Word.
Through Scripture, reflection, and heartfelt commissioning, this service celebrates Laura Ashley’s years of faithful service, biblical training, and unwavering commitment to Christ and His Church. Drawing from Ephesians 4, 1 Samuel 16, and the pastoral charge in 2 Timothy 4, the message highlights how God chooses and equips leaders not based on appearance, but by the condition of their heart.
We honor Laura Ashley’s journey and her “yes” to God’s call—even through seasons of loss and service. Surrounded by her church family and husband Jacob, she is charged with preaching the Word, shepherding God’s people, and walking with integrity in all seasons.
Join us in prayer and celebration as we recognize the anointing of Reverend Laura Ashley Kolbert and the continued work of the Holy Spirit in and through her life.
“The harvest is great, but the workers are few…” (Matthew 9:37-38)
In this powerful sermon, we dive deep into one of the most important qualities that God cherishes—loyalty. Loyalty isn't just about being committed when everything is going well, but staying true through trials, disappointments, and tests of faith. God calls us to embody true loyalty, but it can also be easily exploited when misused for the wrong purposes.
We explore how loyalty can be tested in everyday situations—whether in our friendships, churches, families, or workplaces. Often, God tests our loyalty, and it's essential to understand what it looks like and how it reflects our love for Him and for others.
The sermon also covers:
The dangers of misplaced loyalty (e.g., loyalty to sinful causes like gangs, toxic relationships, or narcissistic behavior)
How loyalty is rooted in gratitude, love, and commitment
Biblical stories that teach powerful lessons about loyalty, including the story of the sinful woman in Luke 7 and the anointing of Jesus' feet by Mary in John 12
The loyalty Jesus demonstrated toward His followers, even when it wasn't easy
Practical advice on how to remain loyal, even when faced with difficult decisions or temptation
Loyalty isn't just about being there in good times—it's about showing up, sticking around, and loving unconditionally, just as Jesus has shown us.
In today’s sermon, we dive deep into the concept of Appearing Full-Handed in our relationships with God and others. Life and love thrive on two key principles: Responsibility and Generosity. These principles not only sustain relationships but make them vibrant and fulfilling.
Drawing from Scripture, Pastor explores how God teaches us the importance of giving and living generously—whether in our relationship with Him or in the way we treat others. Through the teachings in Exodus, we learn that God desires us to approach Him with our best, to give not out of obligation, but out of love and passion.
Responsibility is what keeps relationships going, but Generosity is what takes them to the next level, bringing joy, healing, and lasting impact. God wants us to appear full-handed, not empty-handed, in our relationship with Him and in all areas of our life.
Join us as we reflect on how we can bring our best to God, our spouses, and our friendships—and learn to enjoy the blessings of giving cheerfully and generously. Let's build healthier, stronger relationships that honor God’s design.
Key Bible Verses:
Exodus 23:15: “No one is to appear before me empty-handed.”
Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.”
Matthew 25:23: “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
In this teaching, we delve into the idea of The Good Boss – God, and how He is the ultimate employer who sees, values, and rewards His workers like no one else can. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical examples, including the powerful story of Ruth and Boaz, we discover that God offers justice, fairness, and eternal rewards for those who serve Him faithfully. Have you ever worked for a boss who didn’t appreciate you, or felt like your hard work went unnoticed? This sermon contrasts those painful experiences with the unmatched goodness of working for God, who rewards us beyond measure. From the story of Ruth’s humble work in the fields to God’s promise of fair wages and eternal blessings, this message will inspire you to serve God with all your heart, knowing that He is watching and will bless your labor in His Kingdom. God is the perfect boss who treats His employees with respect, rewards us with joy, and calls us to be a “display of His splendor.” Whether you’re working in the smallest tasks or leading others, God is keeping track, and He will reward you abundantly.
We look at Jesus’s first miracle at the wedding in Cana and uncover key principles to receiving favor:
- Invite Jesus into your life. Just like Jesus was invited to the wedding, you must welcome Him into your life and circumstances.
- Seek no glory but God’s. Favor is not about personal recognition but about serving God’s purpose.
- Believe that God cares and be persistent. Trust that God is good, and keep your faith in His ability to help you.
- Trust God’s way. Whether through a miracle or a different path, God's way is always the best.
Through powerful examples in Scripture—like the royal official’s desperate plea for his son’s healing and Peter’s trust in Jesus during a challenging fishing trip—we see how God’s favor flows when we invite Him in, trust His plan, and honor Him with all the glory.
If you need favor in your life, this sermon will encourage you to trust God fully and seek His presence in your challenges.
Life’s challenges are like the wind—shaping us, strengthening us, and making us unique. In this powerful message, we explore how God uses trials to grow us into “Oaks of Righteousness” (Isaiah 61:3). Just as trees develop strength through wind, we, too, become stronger through life’s storms.
When difficulties come, will you turn toward the light—toward God—or will you let hardships uproot you? Learn how to stay planted by the stream of living water (Jeremiah 17:7-8) and bear the good fruit God created you to produce (Matthew 12:33).
No storm is wasted. Every challenge can bring you closer to Him. Watch now and be encouraged to stand firm, grow deeper, and thrive with God!
How close are you planted to the stream of life? When you live in the desert, your needs, your desires, everything you want is different than when you live by the water. In the desert, you are just hoping to survive. Everyone and everything you see is about your survival. Hoping for a drop of rain. Hoping someone will come pour some water on you. But when you live by the stream, all is well. Even when bad storms come. Even when there is drought. All is well. By the stream, you get to produce leaves, and bear fruit. You get to sow seeds for others to grow. Life is completely different! We can claim God’s favor on our lives and our church because it is what Jesus came and did for us.
No matter who you are, where you’ve come from, what you’ve done, and who you’ve done it with, you belong with God in His home. But it is your choice to live with Him. Look at how God is building to know how to build your own home. If you will begin focusing on the home God is building, your life is going to be restored.
Have you ever messed up something in a big way and wish you could go back and do it differently? What if today, if instead of messing up in a big way, you put your life together in a big way? What if you decided to thrive? What if you did something so great, so big, that your future you will always look back and remember this moment? It begins with you deciding to do level with yourself and God. What is the reality of where you are? What needs to be changed? What if you can change now? What if you started learning new things, new ways, trying new things? What if you chose to plow new ground? What if you chose to plow new ground? Instead of doing life the way you’ve always done life, do something new. Instead of looking for comfort the wrong ways, plow new ground. Do something new and different, only this time, do it right. Break up your unplowed ground and sow seed there, not among the thorns. Stop throwing your good seed into the weeds.
“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19 NKJV). Fishing isn’t always fun, Fishing isn’t always rewarding, and Fishing isn’t always safe. Telling people about Jesus is
your way to sanity. If you don’t have FISHING FEVER, it’s because you’ve never had a good fishing day. If you aren’t bonded to other followers of Jesus, you’ve never faced
danger for being one. Have you come to Christ, by your own choice? Love Matters, Words Matter, Soldiering Well Matters, Commitment Matters, What is Done in Secret Matters. What if you miss out on the greatest adventure of your Christian life? The greatest quest: The search and rescue mission for the human
soul.
What we do in secret matters to God. In this powerful message, we explore how our private actions, thoughts, and faithfulness shape our spiritual lives and determine the rewards we receive at the Judgment Seat of Christ. Through biblical examples like King David and Uriah, and Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6, we see how God honors those who give, pray, and worship in secret. Are you living for His approval or the applause of others? Watch this message and be encouraged to cultivate a heart that seeks God in the unseen moments of life! #Faith #JudgmentSeatOfChrist #LivingForGod
GOD IS ONLY INTERESTED IN A CLOSED RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU. Jesus is saying that based on your level of commitment to Him, you will be given reward at the Judgment
Seat of Christ. Jesus is saying that not being committed to Him can result in you going to The Great White Throne Judgment and being judged among the
hypocrites. Can God be gentle on your mind? Only if you are committed to Him.
Whether you want to be in a spiritual war or not doesn’t matter; you are in it. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. God uses bad things in God’s people to bring good things. He begins with: Endurance: “Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Dedicate Yourself: Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life. Aim to Please God: Don’t do these things…for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
We will face what is called The Judgment Seat of Christ. Jesus said that the things we say will be important on the day of judgment. God isn’t going to pull your words out of context and use them against you. God isn’t interested in us becoming the word police on each other. Not only do the words you say matter, but the words you should have said and didn’t matter too.
Your silence can be just as damaging or more than being the perpetrator. Taking the words of Jesus Himself to heart is a good place to always start. Jesus said it plainly that it isn’t enough to just believe for yourself.You need to find your voice. You need to work on your story, telling others what Jesus has done for you.
Have you come to Christ, by your own choice? What will matter in that moment when you stand before Him? LOVE Matters -- Your job from now to the end of this life is to learn and practice the way of LOVE.
If God is love, then God is saying it is LOVE that we wrestle with.Love isn’t the attitude or feeling; love is the motive behind the action.
Love is doing for others what I would hope someone would do for me. Love is doing what is right, no matter how difficult it is to make the sacrifice.
Love is doing what is pleasing to someone, because THEY like it. Love is deciding to NOT do what is displeasing to someone, simply because they don’t like it.
What if you passionately started doing something, thinking you were really doing something God would appreciate, only to find out that it really wasn’t something He wanted?
This is really what the entire Bible is full of—stories of people living their lives thinking they were doing things that impressed God, that God didn’t even care about.
What is God looking for? That’s the big question of life. What does He like and what doesn’t He like. He is communicating what He wants you to be doing to accommodate for Him.
There are two doorways at the threshold of fear. One is faith, and the other is failure. If it is important enough for you to be afraid of it—then it is important enough for God to lead you through it. How do you turn your fear into faith? One way: Love.
“God is with us” is all about love. God is with us could have been about power, an ego trip, a celestial experiment. God says the only way you’ll spend eternity with Me is if you love Me.The test of where you live for eternity isn’t does God love you, it’s do you love God? Do You Worship Him When Life Goes Bad, Obey His commands and love doing it, Choose to Love People? God doesn’t just call us to stop hurting others, His call is to start loving.
Hope is one of the essentials of life. Because we know we need hope, we fall for false hope. God’s Presence is with You, God’s Purpose is on You, God’s Place is Prepared for You. God is the source – the source of hope.
God, the biggest target in the Universe and beyond, could have come with His protection surrounding Him. The Heart of Christmas begins here: God gave. God saved. God gave…so believers could have. God came to “save” every individual who would be “saved.”
The key to happiness is not found in what others can do for you. You enter into happiness with the key words, “Thank you.” Being thankful opens up all the doors in your life to be happy and realize you are blessed by God. A life of gratitude to God changed everything!
One of the greatest “love blockers” in our lives is the lack of believing that someone actually loves you. Insecurity can cause you to start backing away in a manipulative way. Insecurity causes us to jump to conclusions. Insecurity can cause you to be controlling. Insecurity can cause you to be cutting. Insecurity is self-fulfilled prophecy of broken relationships. God and others are only able to love me as much as I believe they love me.
Are you gradually getting better, or worse? What direction am I headed in life? The ultimate goal in life is to have a mature relationship with God.
When you judge someone, you are only setting the standard for the judgment on you. When you judge someone, you have forgotten to guard yourself. All God has ever asked us to do is remind people that it is Him that we are accountable to. Our time as Christians is more useful if we spend our time and energy on finding things that we can do—not on things each other shouldn’t be doing.
Kindness to others is nourishment to your own soul. It’s easy for us to look at people’s problems as burdens rather than opportunities. Your soul is nourished because your own kindness!
The path to truly feeling good about life is not an easy path. The path to truly feeling good about your life is not natural to you. The path to truly feeling good about your life is not instant. The path to truly feeling good about your life will not be accepted by everyone—and is often misunderstood. Are you ready to go on this journey with us?
Hard hearts are blind to truth and will even make up lies to get what they want. Paul was on trial for sharing the gospel. The Jews hearts were hardened, they continued to bring charges against Paul. When you face the storms of life you will either harden your heart more or soften your heart.
God heard the story Paul told in Jerusalem and He wanted him to tell it in Rome. God loves your story. God loves how you came to Christ. God loves the intricate details of what it took for you to find salvation in Him. He loves to hear what you have to say.
Paul challenged them, warned them, not to dilute the message. When we water down, dilute the message, tell people that they can live however they want, living for themselves, and still get to go to heaven, there is no love.
Guest speaker Dale Van Steenis shares the impact that Relate Church has on international missionary work.
In Acts Chapter 19 Paul is in Ephesus wanting to take the stage at the Great Theater.
The crowd in the Great Theater gets threatened in their security of their idol that they worship.
The church was deemed a threat to the world by not using their product anymore.
To use the Name of Jesus, to invoke the Name of Jesus for power, it takes having a relationship with Him. But I have used the Name of Jesus, and nothing happened. Why? Well, there are times that even Jesus either couldn’t, or just didn’t heal people.
Jesus called individuals to be on His team. To be useful on the team, they had to give themselves over to Him, they had to accept each other, and their former way of wrong thinking, wrong living, all of it had to be laid down. To be useful on the team, they had to do what Jesus was doing.
In Acts 17 Paul is in Athens and encounters a city full of idols.
He sees a culture of people who want to believe, people who hope to believe, people who are trying to worship,
but have no idea who the living God is. Paul debates with Epicurean and Stoic philosophers over Jesus and His Resurrection.
The true church of Jesus, the true Body of Christ, will welcome all who are believers in Jesus.
The True Body of Christ, you will feel right at home no matter what your financial situation is,
no matter what color your skin is, you don’t even have to have a membership card.
You can travel a thousand miles and walk into a True Body of Christ church and feel like you are home.
When someone comes to Christ it’s about a relationship of love. An individual relationship.
Which means that some things you do may not be offensive to God for you to do them, but they would be for me.
The principle here is so important to how we live our daily lives as believers.
You live under Christ’s law of LOVE.
God has called us to live lives of love. And when you live a life of love, you never have to worry about the law. This is the life of the New Covenant.
Have you ever heard the saying, “Shake the Dust off your feet?” It comes from Jesus. In three of the 4 Gospels, Matthew 10:14, Luke 9:5, and Mark 6:11, it is recorded that Jesus told the disciples that if anyone rejected them and wouldn’t listen to them, to shake the dust off their feet when they leave that house or town.
Jesus gave us freedom to walk away from people who reject Him, knowing they did their part.
God knows that you can only say so much, that you can only do so much, and so long as you have done your part, you can walk away knowing you did your part and are free to let them go.
The interaction of the heavenly realms in the New Churches was very real. Although it wasn’t an everyday occurrence, it is something the believers experienced on God-willing occasions.
I wonder how many times you have been protected by an angel and don’t even know it.
I wonder how different your life would be had it not been for God’s army watching out for you.
I have to wonder how many times your life was over, but God….
God’s plan was to save the world. It was always His plan. And most likely this is the part of God’s plan that most caused the Jews to reject the Messiah. God gave hints throughout the Old Testament that this was His plan.
The priests and religious leaders and scholars wanted only Israel to be God's. They wanted to be the special and chosen. They didn’t want the entire world to be joined to God.
And the idea that God would allow others to join Him was appalling.
God’s plan from the very beginning was to save the world. And that’s what He did through Jesus.
You know what it is to get into a groove? When you know what you are doing, why you are doing it, and have the resources and freedom to do it. When you are immersed in a way of doing something and it is working very well, performing successfully.
“Things calmed down,” after Paul quit hunting them down and persecuting them. They were able to get in a groove of living their lives in a way that was good and productive.
And here are some key things that tell us how they were in the groove:
They had deep reverence, fear for God.
The Holy Spirit was with them.
The Holy Spirit strengthened them.
The results were that they prospered wonderfully.
God gave Saul direction, a path to take. The first sign that you have truly repented is that you will be willing to walk that path.
When you have wronged someone, there is always a path for you to take to make it right. For some wrongs it will take years to walk that path. For more minor wrongs, it can be as simple as flipping a light switch.
And know this: just because you walk that path of repentance doesn’t mean that you will always have an opportunity to be back in their life. But it does mean that you will be able to be right with God.
One of God’s tools to spread His invitation to the world has been to cause, or allow something bad to happen that makes His people scatter.
God will, at times, allow tragedy in your life. But if you will trust Him long enough, He will bring good from it.
God knows that sometimes the only way we get up and go is if our comfort has got up and went.
Often, God’s plan gets set in motion with pain. You can’t just look at your life and see the pain. Look back and see that your pain was God trying to set His plan in motion.
God wants us to be fathers. God wants good people to make more good people. I don’t mean to diminish being an earthly father at all. But I want to challenge you today to take a step into another kind of fatherhood. This kind of fatherhood can’t happen accidentally. It can’t happen without intention. God wants us to be Spiritual Fathers.
The most important men in the Bible weren’t human fathers, they were Spiritual Fathers.
One of the most important parts of Christianity is “the meeting together.”
Being with fellow believers, growing, learning, supporting, loving one another, worshipping together, validating God’s presence in each other’s lives, all of it has always been highly important in the Kingdom of God.
The early church was full of commitment and love towards one another. They met together all the time. They prayed together. They worshiped together.
Walking this life together in the church, it’s all too easy to let our guards down and forget how serious what we are doing. Yes, God wants us to enjoy each other, to relax in His grace, but there are lines that we don’t dare cross.
And as the early church experienced, God is very aware of what His people are doing and how we are functioning together.
God is Truth. And when you go against Him, you are going to hit Truth.
Satan’s words and thoughts will always cause you to be braver than you should be against Truth.
When you find out that God doesn’t like something, how do you respond? Are you defiant, or compliant with Truth?
When life and death is on the line, you need to know God is…. A genuine, true, real, experience with God.
The apostles knew their lives were on the line. There weren’t arguments over petty differences. They weren’t talking behind each other’s backs. They weren’t divided over their differences in opinion.
They prayed and people were healed.
They preached, went to prison, and people were saved.
They prayed and God’s presence and power were revealed.
If you want to change your life, this is the recipe. This is how.
If you are tired of a bad marriage, this is how to make it good. If you struggle with sin, change your devotion.
If you struggle with an addiction, shift your affections and life’s dedication from that to God and His people.
Your life, up to now, if you have lived, really lived; if you have tried, really tried; if you have given yourself a chance to go after something that is difficult; your life has had trouble, upsetting, painful and sometimes even disturbing experiences.
The Bible is full of stories about women, some great women, and some not so great women. There were so many things for the women in the Bible to overcome. I hope you are reading about them to be encouraged and strengthened.
When Jesus left, He confirmed that the promise His Father had made would come to them, that He would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and empower His people.
God’s ways are so huge, we can’t even begin to wrap our heads around what He has done.
Have you ever thought about your prayer life? Have you ever examined it and wished that you could be better at communicating with God? Have you ever just felt like there were times when your prayers were just hitting the ceiling and bouncing right back down? What if we could just learn to pray like Jesus?
God’s direction in your life: do you really want it? If God were to come and take over your life and live it out exactly the way He wants to, what would that look like?
What changes would He make? What decisions would He make?
God is looking for people who will take risk.
God is looking for people who won’t just read about adventure, but live one.
God is looking for people who will take what He gave them and invest it. Do something with it. Your talent. Your money. Your love. Your very breath! He’s not looking for “play-it-safe” people.
Being True in this context has to do with being dedicated, constant, loyal, devoted, no matter what happens.
There are two times your Trueness gets tested in your faith:
1. When things are bad.
2. When things finally go your way.
We talk a lot about what we do when things go bad. When things do finally go your way, BE TRUE.
Our culture is continually telling us that we must find ways to feel like we deserve, to feel like we are great and powerful.
The truth is, you can survive a self-help seminar, you can survive walking on hot coals, being boiled alive, and walk out of that seminar weekend feeling like you are the most powerful person in the world, ready to grab life by the tail and tell it where to go, but suddenly you simply fall and your leg is severely broken and you are in bed for 6 months.
God teaches us something completely different when it comes to the path to power in our lives.
What God offers is so much more powerful, so much more freeing, so much more sane.
There are times in your relationships that you don’t need to run, you don’t need to jog, you don’t even need to walk, you need to Drag Your Feet.
Jesus riding into town on a donkey is one of the funniest stories in the history of mankind.
He wasn’t coming to rule. He was coming to relate.
Jesus wasn’t coming to look powerful. Instead, He used His power to heal people, to help people. He could have used His power and authority for so many other things. Instead, He helped people with their problems and needs.
Being firm, resolved, set, made-up in your mind, makes you faithful.
What’s interesting about faithfulness is that What God says about faithfulness is so different than what we have embraced as a culture. Our culture is so bent on letting our feelings guide us when it comes to love and faithfulness.
o We are so afraid something better is going to come along.
o We have been trained in so many ways to think in terms of buyers remorse, that every commitment we make could have been better.
o And our decision to be faithful is so connected to how we feel.
God is looking for people who are FIRM IN THEIR FAITH.
How many of you came to church today hoping to receive a blessing?
In my 48 years of ministry, I’ve found that almost everyone in attendance came hoping to receive a blessing from God! Now, if you are one of those people, I have some good news for you. God wants to bless you! But, some of you need to understand a little more about blessings The Hebrew language uses the word BARUCH to mean BLESSING. Notably it’s a word that means to INCREASE.
So, when you and I ask God for a blessing we are saying, “God, increase us”. We want to receive more of You and we want to give more of You.
God takes no shortcuts…not even one. He does things perfect. He does things right.
God provides paths to freedom. Paths to healing. Paths to wealth. Paths to good relationships. A path to life.
Anything worth having is worth the steady path it takes to have it.
How God operates in His relationships: He remains faithful even when we aren’t; and He shows Himself faithful to the faithful.
Don’t base your faithfulness on whether or not others are. Be the stable one.
And surround yourself with the faithful. Be faithful to the faithful. Show yourself to be stable to those who are faithful and stable in your life. Don’t let them down. Do whatever it takes to protect those relationships.
To be faithful, you have to start with faith. The Scripture tells us what faith is: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11:1 NIV).
Faith is knowing that something right and good is going to happen and doing something right and good because of that.
You have the ability to listen to and understand properly what God is saying. You don’t have to live in the dark, like everything God has said is in code, too hard to understand.
There are times that people don’t want to hear what I am actually saying, trying to teach God’s principles, so they will not only not actually hear what I am saying, but they will make up words that I never said to justify their not listening. I know exactly what Jesus was talking about when He looked at the disciples and people around Him and said, “Are you listening? Really listening?”
To start this series, I want to talk with you about Remember You Love.
This is one of the things that God has a big problem with, people forget they love Him.
In Revelation, listen to what God said to His church: “But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first” (Rev. 2:4 GNT).
Like we talked about last week, God allows certain moments to get people where the need to be, for His Mission.
Your pain is a setup.
Even your failure is a setup.
God is always trying to reach people; it’s His Mission.
And God is always trying to recruit people to His Mission.
God does have a plan. And every one of us have a part in that plan. You have a part. And no matter how small or seemingly insignificant you may feel you are, your part makes a huge difference.
You may think you are being humble by staying back, shrinking to the background of life, staying out of sight, not putting yourself out there. But BECAUSE you were created by God to do His PLAN, your life won’t make sense until you begin doing it.
Today I want to talk with you about committing yourself to love. Without God, there is no love.
God IS love. Love IS God. For anyone to say they have love for anything or anyone is to acknowledge God’s existence. Love does not exist without God.
It’s important for you to know that in God’s Kingdom, you can’t wait for someone to twist your arm to get you to make the commitments you really need to make.
You are going to have to do the work to love God and love us. God and nobody here is going to beg you, or talk you into it.
Here’s a question for you to answer as we get started in this new year:
Is your life committed to doing what you have chosen to love?
This time of the year is a time when we get to put all of this past year’s success and failures behind us.
It’s a time when we get to start with a clean slate.
When you look at things through that lens, its like God is saying, “Take a deep breath, I’m giving you a fresh start”.
So right now, take a deep breath and say to yourself, “This is going to be my best year ever”.
Because no matter what this coming year throws at you, God has a formula for you to be successful.
God wanted to experience true love—so He became a baby.
The whole point of your entire existence is that God wants to know what it is to be loved by you. Do you care about Him? Do you care about what He likes and doesn’t like? What He wants and doesn’t want?
Or are you so caught up in your own desires, your own needs and wants? Demanding your own way?
“Lord, I am overwhelmed. Please come to my help” (Isaiah 38:14b).
Have you ever felt like Isaiah? What can you do when you are overwhelmed?
Here’s a little hint: Start by doing the exact opposite of what you feel like doing.
It’s one thing to say Jesus is your Savior, but an entirely different thing to make Him your Lord.
Have you made room for Him to tell you what to do?
Have you made room for Him to guide you?
Have you made room for Jesus to give you His vision? His plans?
God made you because He needs you. With that comes purpose and meaning for your life. And as long as you are still breathing and have blood pumping in your veins, God still has need for you in this life that you can begin to do.
Fear is your opportunity for faith.
There are two doorways at the threshold of fear. One is failure, and the other is faith. You have a choice to make every time God brings you to the threshold of fear— “Am I going to walk in failure or faith?”
Intellectual wellness begins when a human recognizes that God is God, and I am not. Without THAT at the core of your thinking, everything else gets out of whack.
Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom….” Without God, #1, at the core of your life, you will be scrambling to find what or who is #1. Nothing will make sense until you put Him in that place. And until you do, you’ll use and abuse His creation and your body, making yourself more and more hopeless, insecure, addicted, changing your God-given identity, and confused.
This one decision could change your entire life.
Thoughts of appreciation, cultivated over a period of time can be far reaching in changing everything in your life.
Your happiness. Your peace. Your ability to let go of negativity that keeps you stuck in your past. Your stress levels will go down. You’ll sleep better. You’ll have more creativity. Better relationships. Better health. This one decision can greatly improve everything in your life: Think Thankful.
One of the most tangible ways to know where your heart is, is to look and see where you put your valuable resources.
Jesus talked about your treasure and heart going hand in hand: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” (Matthew 6:21).
The context of this passage is Jesus saying that if you aren’t storing up treasures in heaven, your heart isn’t going to be set on heaven.
The key to balance in your life is to choose contentment.
And this quality of contentment, staying within the boundaries of good and not crossing over to indulgence, will not only make you Well with God physically, but it will make your life better in every area.
Contentment means you have accepted God and His ways as being enough.
One of the most destructive things you can do in your life is to go it alone. We want to be autonomous; we want to be self-sufficient, self-made, independent, self-reliant, self-contained, self-supporting, self-financing…. But even the guy or woman that has a billion dollars stuffed in mattresses all over their home would need a support system.
You Need to Build Your Life-Support.
Your mental health is going to suffer greatly when you aren’t living out the life God intended you to live.
The key to this is looking at who He created you to be and see what He made you to do and intentionally live it.
God was intentional when He made you; AND you need to be intentional living out your life.
One tangible decision you can make for your Spiritual health today is to Take God at His Word.
The old saying goes, If God said it, I believe it, and that settles it.
The person who lives by those words will grow to be very well with God.
All throughout Scripture, we find God involved with people eating. If you are paying attention as you read, you will see that eating with people is one of those parts of His character, what He desires, that is enjoyable for Him.
When you sit down and begin reading His word, you are dining at the table of God. And God begins to teach you, converse with you and enjoy a moment with you. God wants to eat with you.
Jesus was a realist and was very honest about the consequences of following Him.
He said if you follow Him, there are many people who aren't going to approve of your decision, they're not going to like it. If you live by these beatitudes we've been looking at now for eight weeks you can expect some people to be upset with you.
But He also said, "Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!" (Matt. 5:10)
Matthew 5:9 "Happy are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God."
It doesn't say, "Happy are the peace lovers", everybody loves peace. Or, "Happy are the peaceable," those who never get disturbed by anything.
It says: Happy are those who make peace -- who actively seek to resolve conflict.
Because of the finished work on the cross, we no longer have to be afraid of sinning, You only need to be afraid of not loving.
God wants you to begin loving. Love your spouse. Love your husband. Love your wife. Love your children. Love your parents. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love your church family. Love your co-workers.
Because love will overcome sin.
Mercy is love in action—it’s tough, tender love.
It’s the tough, tender love that we see on the cross.
Jesus was taking a stand against our sinful nature and destructive lives—by giving His own, and tender by not destroying us in the process.
A lot of people really don't know what they want in life. The Bible says we are spiritual beings and God made us to love Him and to know Him and be loved by Him. Nothing will take the place of that. There is no substitute.
You need to recognize what your real hunger is. Your hunger is your spiritual being and its hunger for God. The sooner you recognize that, the better.
What is meekness? Meekness is not weakness. The word used for Meek in the old language literally referred to something like a wild horse that was tamed or medicine that could tame a fever. Strength under control.
How can you be happy after a loss, after a broken heart? How can you be happy after the worst of the worst has happened? Or when your dream is crushed? Or even worse, when someone intentionally takes someone from you, or intentionally destroys your dream. Happiness begins with the peace and comfort of God in your life.
If you have to have all of your problems solved before you become happy, will you ever be happy? No. If you have to have everything perfect in your life before you're happy, will you be happy? No. My happiness is not determined by what's happening around me, but rather by what's happening in me.
"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 The truth is that we were never meant to blend in! We were never saved to sit! Why? Because sitting does nothing for God! It may make you feel better but it does nothing for God We were saved to serve!
God loves providing a good plot twist in our lives. God loves for people to look at our lives and see the difference between before we knew Him, and after we knew Him. Some of you are in that position today—you feel like your life is spiraling. I’m here to encourage you today. God wants to swing the pendulum in your direction. God wants to twist the plot in your life.
So often, we feel like God has forgotten about us. We feel like we are spending all our time taking care of everyone else’s dreams, wondering if God is ever going to bring our own dreams to pass. Can I tell you that if you’ll be like Joseph, never give up. Keep your attitude right. Trust God. Wait for God. Never stop believing. In fact, instead of getting more discouraged day after day, you decide to be more encouraged. Knowing that with the passing of every day, it just means you are one day closer to God bringing you into your God-given purpose.
If you believe God brought you to this wilderness to let you die, then you forgot who He is. If you believe God brought you to this prison to rot and die, then you forgot who He is. The wilderness was the path to the promised land. The prison was the path to the palace, God’s purpose. Today is a day that you begin to believe in who God really is. He is God who can be trusted. No matter what you are facing. No matter what you are going through, begin to believe He is God your deliverer. God your healer. God your provider. God who sees you. God your Savior!
Knowledge is like a key. Having keys to bad places is the kind of knowledge we want to avoid. If you have a key, you are responsible for whatever it opens. The less keys you have, the less you have to worry about. Some people want a master key to know what everyone is doing, and what everyone is thinking. And I say to you, IGNORANCE IS BLISS. You don’t need to know all that.
You can sell your entire future blessing for only one meal. The feeling of getting revenge, is it worth it? That one moment of pleasure, for your entire future. Is it worth it? When your pride gets hurt, someone does something this big to you, and you deserve to do something THIS big back. Using RELATE will protect your future. Doing relationships God’s way will keep you from trading your life for one measly bowl of soup.
What’s most interesting is while David is out watching sheep, God was preparing him for war, and to be the king of Israel. David had spent time with God in the fields and God was going to take him to the throne. If God was faithful in helping him save a few sheep from a hungry lion or bear, then certainly God would be faithful in other ways.
After all that has been said and done in your life, after all the things you have seen people do, after all the pain you have experienced from going the wrong way at times and doing the wrong things, you would think that by now you would have stopped intentionally doing bad things. Your sin is predictable. What you do to destroy your relationships is predictable if you will start looking at yourself. Listen to see what you can do.
Listing my threats: Me looking at me, to see how I’m being threatened by the situation or person(s) involved. In other words, the goal is to begin doing an inventory on me when I’m experiencing negative emotions, finding the area(s) in me that are being threatened.
Elevating others is this: Putting others first, making me last. Considering others above me, not by putting me down, but by elevating them higher. When you live a responsible life, going to work, paying your bills, keeping your body in reasonable health, eating reasonably healthy, keeping your mental health, physical health, spiritual health, financial health, that’s a very big step to being a loving person.
Re-routing my thinking is this: When I have a negative emotion, instead of giving in to it I decide to go another direction to seek truth and/or to just forgive.
The battle begins with changing the direction of our thoughts. It’s a choice.
Decide to deal with negative emotions, before dealing with the problem. Then you can fix it.
As we move into RELATE, I wanted to begin by saying, you need to decide now that Making and Keeping Relationships is Your Priority.
Will you decide to be intimate with God? And will you make relationships with humans the priority of your life?
Jesus said this is the ONE THING to get done in your life, as we talked about last week. LOVE. Love God, love people. That’s the will of God.
What your God has laid on my heart to tell you today is this: Do this one thing, and everything else will work out.
What’s the one thing? What is the one thing that God says if you do this, it will all work out?
Today I want to talk with you about Being a Good Fishing Buddy. This is a short and simple sermon of great importance that I pray you will take to heart.
If you’ve ever been stuck on a fishing trip with someone that you should have never gone fishing with, you understand how important this is.
The temptation in your fishing for Christ expeditions is to try to chum someone in. To try to make it all attractive and sound like God will give them money and all kinds of stuff. But then when God doesn’t “perform” the way you want Him to perform, you get frustrated!
God doesn’t settle for big crowds. He is looking for one fish at a time.
Here’s what you need: You need a response to people of why you have hope in Jesus, and you need a life that shows it.
That when others look at you, deep down they know you live what you believe and it is good. Even though on the surface they criticize you or make fun of you, or talk down to you, they have nothing to really say.
What if you miss out on the greatest adventure of your Christian life?
That would be like a bird never flying, it just sits on the ground its entire life. Then finding out this whole time it could have been soaring way up high.
The greatest adventure, most exhilarating undertaking, the greatest quest is this: The search and rescue mission for the human soul.
The story of Jesus is so big, so powerful, that it is a deeply intimate story. It’s about God, the Creator of the Universe and beyond, Who Chose You—To Be His.
It’s the story of God, who is so BIG, not just choosing a nation, not just choosing a group of people, but God choosing individuals—every individual. God chose to make it possible for anyone and everyone who wants Him, to have Him. Not to have Him as THEY want Him. But to have Him and love Him AS HE IS.
God made a way for you to leave your life of brokenness, imprisonment, entrapment, and pain behind you.
You are called into a new life of freedom, wholeness, purpose, meaning, hope, health, friendship, true intimacy, adventure, and so much more in the Kingdom of God!
God chose you—to deliver you.
Some people come into God’s Kingdom and struggle:
• with depression,
• struggle to feel connected.
• They have a hard time hearing from God.
• They never get to see God do something tangible.
• They get stuck watching everyone else do their part.
Eventually, they don’t even believe being in His Kingdom matters. So they fall away discouraged, never knowing what the problem was.
God has chosen you, to send. To send you into this world with His message.
The Bible is the story of God’s pursuit of you. It’s the story of what God has been willing to do to find you.
When you pick up this book and begin to read all the way from Genesis, the story of Creation, The Flood, The Tower of Babel, Abraham, the Nation of Israel, them being slaves in Egypt, and their deliverance out of Egypt, and all of the stories of King David, the prophets, the Temple, Jesus being born and dying and raising from the dead, the disciples going out all over and starting churches, Christians giving their lives for the cause of Christ all throughout church history---ALL OF IT IS THE STORY OF GOD CHOOSING YOU!
In your life, as a believer in Christ, God has equipped you, and He wants to empower you to live this life victoriously. And God is so wise and amazing, that when He put all of this together for you, He didn’t complicate it.
All of our gifts, talents, experiences in life, failures and successes only become truly meaningful as you become a part of the team.Who you are, where you’ve been, what you’ve done, and what you’ve experienced are all important factors for knowing how God can use you on His team.But, to be useful to God’s team, you have to give yourself over to Him.
When you adore God, worship God, you are getting to the best you can possibly be. When you adore Him, you lay aside your insecurities and welcome Him into your life as someone much greater than you, there is mental and emotional health.Worshiping Him means you are putting Him where He needs to be in your life.
When it comes to a relationship with God, it is important that you learn what He wants you to learn about Him.If you aren’t careful, you can spend your life looking for the wrong information about God instead of finding what He wants you to find. I’m going to teach you today how to find the things in Scripture that are most important to find.
Evangelism, simply put, is sharing the story of Jesus with someone. When you share Jesus with someone, you experience God in a new way. You experience God’s Spirit speaking through you. You experience God’s Spirit giving you boldness, courage, and strength. You experience God’s Spirit giving you words to say, reminding you of Scriptures you have heard, learned or memorized. And you experience what it is like to see God do for someone else what He did for you!
The biggest test of your life is what you think about God. Who do you choose to believe God is? Some mean monster? A big do-nothing?One thing Jesus communicated over and over was how He and the Father had a relationship, and how the Father wanted that with us.If you are wondering what God wants from you, this is it.
Is the Christian life for you like shaking a Christmas globe—watching the winters snow swirl and settle—never really experiencing it?I’m asking you and challenging myself to not be content any longer with a snow-globe Christian life. No longer on the outside looking in. No longer will I be satisfied with other’s stories or Christianity from long ago. I want my own stories about God’s miracles, signs and wonders.
Prophecy is important to our faith in Christ because it shows that God has complete control over history and future. That what God says He will do will come to pass.The gift of prophesying is understanding and communicating God’s will and God’s activity, God’s “mysteries and knowledge,” to people. Prophecy is what God has said He is doing and going to do.
Right now, you possess things that belong to God. Your time, your energy, your talent, your resources, God loaned it all to you to manage. And in your stewardship of His things, He says to sow these seeds – not to dogs. Don’t put something that is valuable out to the pigs—where they will trample it.
You need to know that God works in processes. Your life is a process. And everything going on in your life is about the process.How you dine spiritually is part of the process for your eternal life. Feeding your spiritual body on God and His nutrition for your spiritual life is essential.
If you partake in the things of the world, you will crave the things of the world. And if you partake in the things of God, you will begin to crave the things of God.As you begin this year, what if you decide today that you are going to begin having a healthy diet of God in your life?
As we move into the week approaching Christmas, the message of Christmas is either life, or death to you. Jesus arriving was such a threat to the world that doesn’t want God, that the mere mention of His name to them is offensive and asking for conflict.But to others, who actually understand what God has done, who reroute their thinking to truly see what He did by coming into this world for us, HIS COMING IS LIFE!
Manger Moments are those times that you are most vulnerable, confused, lonely, wondering where God is, and know that the direction of your life is way different than you thought it was going to go—and there is nothing you can do about it. Manger Moments are those opportunities to show God you love Him.
God is a loving Father, a good Father. And good Fathers reward their children. Good Fathers are there to bless their children along the way. But when a child is heading the wrong direction in life, good Fathers also withhold a blessing until they see their child make a change for the better.God will never stop inspiring you to do better, be better, live better, love more.
Like the Evil Queen, all too often we look into the mirror to find the answers to life that we want. But in reality, all we find in the mirror is our problem with life—ourselves. If all you are doing is looking into the mirror to figure out your life, you will be a most miserable person. The truth is, the way to enjoy who you are is by forgetting about yourself and loving others. Let go of yourself, give yourself up to God.
Today I want to do something a different for our approach to Thanksgiving. BibleStudyTools.com has put out a list of the top 20 Scriptures that were searched online throughout this year and we are going to read those Scriptures today. These Scriptures reflect a lot about our hopes, needs, and relationship with God.
Here’s the reality: Everyone has threats, there are real fears in life that we all face. It’s up to us to decide how much those fears and threats will keep us from loving. Threats Thwart love because everyone believes their threat is more important. How do you function in your own home? Is your home about managing threats? Or is it built on love? Do you clean your home because you are afraid of disease and illness? Or do you do it because you love?
Here’s what I want to encourage you with today: Most of what others are saying and doing to you isn’t intended to hurt you. Most of what people are doing is about them just trying to survive and take care of their own threats in life. It’s time for you to rewrite the stories of your life. Change the narrative. Like King David, instead of only hearing the voice of the accuser and abuser, it’s time to hear the other side of the story. LET GO OF THE UNNECESSARY PAIN.
The fear of not getting what we want will drive us insane. Especially when it seems we have crossed every T and dotted every I in the list of doing what it takes to get it. The key to getting to the best you is to align your wants with what your Creator made you to want and do. Your looks, were so the right people would be attracted to you. Your gifts and talents, were so you could do what He made you to do. Your experiences in life, are for His purposes.
Today I’m going to give you some insight into your brain and how it works. You need to know that your brain wasn’t meant to be a junk yard, or a sanitation yard, and by no means a waste station. Your brain was given to you to manage, protect, and closely watch over so that you can be greatly connect to God and His purpose for your life.
You can actually have a relationship with God in spite of your current condition. God’s grace is sufficient for you. He accepts you today, just as you are, if you humbly come to Him and want to grow and want to be better, and want a genuine relationship with Him.
I want to begin today by taking you to what God says is the most important, absolute highest priority of our lives: RELATIONSHIPS. Not just relationships, but long-term relationships. Your thinking, the way you process life, what you believe, what you interpret, what you think about others, and what you think others think about you—all of it affects whether or not you will have long-term relationships in your life.
Spiritually, are you in a foster care program? Or have you been adopted? It seems many people who attend church and call themselves a Christian, have only gotten into the Foster Care program, and have not allowed themselves to actually be adopted as God’s child. Church can be like a foster GROUP HOME for many, instead of it being a home where you BELONG. GOD WANTS TO ADOPT YOU.
Spiritually, are you in a foster care program? Or have you been adopted? It seems many people who attend church and call themselves a Christian, have only gotten into the Foster Care program, and have not allowed themselves to actually be adopted as God’s child. Church can be like a foster GROUP HOME for many, instead of it being a home where you BELONG. GOD WANTS TO ADOPT YOU.
Here’s a principle that I hope each of us can embrace: True faith is based on the REALITY of who God is, what He likes, and what He does. If your perception of God is skewed, your acts of faith are going to be skewed. Why? Because we do based on what we believe. We have to remember that we aren’t running after what we like. We have to lay that aside to get to what God likes. When Jesus came to earth, He came to show us who He is, what He likes and what He does.
Here’s a principle that I hope each of us can embrace: True faith is based on the REALITY of who God is, what He likes, and what He does. If your perception of God is skewed, your acts of faith are going to be skewed. Why? Because we do based on what we believe. We have to remember that we aren’t running after what we like. We have to lay that aside to get to what God likes. When Jesus came to earth, He came to show us who He is, what He likes and what He does.
Have you ever been to a junk yard? The owner of a salvage yard buys cars that have been damaged so much that they aren’t worth the money to fix restore the vehicle. So they buy it to tear it apart and sell the parts individually and make a ton of money. They don’t buy the cars to restore them, they buy them to tear them apart so that others can be fixed. God isn’t running a salvage yard. God is in the restoration business. He didn’t buy you with the blood of Jesus to part you out. He bought you to restore you.
Laughter is one of the most important things you can do for your body, mind, and soul. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). There are so many benefits to laughter, that without it, we may be causing great damage to ourselves if we aren’t allowing it into our lives.
Some of you grew up in anything but stability. Your parents didn’t provide a stable family, or a stable place to live. Maybe they got divorced along the way and it was drama all the time. Or maybe they were an addict that never even tried to get their life together to raise you in a good place. Let’s do something in your life today that really needs to be done. In the Old Testament, whenever there was a big decision made, or a big experience had, they would mark the place with a stone and write one it. Today, in your heart, set up a stone marker that you can always look at to remind you that from this day forward, your life is going to be focused on stability.
What kind of gifts are you presenting to Jesus as a thank you for His Grace? The Scripture indicates that we cannot take anything with us, but we can send stuff ahead of us. God has an organization keeping track of your account in heaven. You can make as many deposits as you would like into that account every day. The work you do to fill your heavenly account is LOVE.
It takes every Church doing its’ part to make the global body of Christ function properly. Our part at this point may seem to be small or insignificant, but we are here and doing it. Our presence in the Global Body of Christ matters. We are meaningful. We are significant.
The struggle our generation faces, unlike any other previous generation is that our minds and emotions have been trained how to be content with experiencing someone else’s story. We are able to live out the greatness of characters in movies and tv without ever having to experience those accomplishments ourselves. This frame of mind is exactly how so many have approached Christianity. Deep inside we all have a desire to experience Christianity, the adventures we read about in the Bible. I’m asking you and challenging myself to not be content with others' stories or Christianity from long ago. I want my own stories about God’s miracles, signs and wonders.
Ask yourself, “What direction am I headed in life?” If your life were to be mapped out, what would it look like? What would the map look like for your life’s road to a mature relationship with Him? That is, Your ultimate purpose in living: A meaningful relationship with God. How much closer to that goal are you getting?
What are you doing today that makes life worth living in spite of the pain? You can live with such meaning and purpose today that the pain and suffering of this life are no longer relevant compared to the good you are doing. The only real problem we face in this life is not living a life with purpose and meaning that outweighs the pain.
Hard wired in each of us is the ability to see and appreciate “the ideal” in everything. And humans have a unique ability to look at other humans, and mimic what they like about others in themselves. When we choose the wrong things or wrong people to imitate, major problems arise in our lives. Here's the truth, the only one you and I should be comparing ourselves to is Jesus. Comparing our lives to anyone other than Christ causes a lot of pain and unnecessary problems in our lives.
As good soldiers of Christ we need to look at every area of our lives and get it together to the best of our ability. Our finances. Our health. Our homes. Our emotions. Our schedules. Some of us are letting everyone and everything run our lives so much that we have zero time to do anything for God. What is keeping you from being a good soldier for Christ? When the church needs your gifts, your talents, your abilities to help, to teach, to facilitate, to clean, to welcome guests, to reach the lost, whatever---what keeps you from doing it?
The reason people aren’t where they want to be in life could very well be, and mostly is because that they aren’t making the right sacrifices in life. If you make sacrifices to have a healthy relationship with God, healthy body, a healthy marriage, a healthy church, a healthy family, a healthy financial situation -- all of those things are going to work out.
God wants us to be fathers. God wants good people to make more good people. I don’t mean to diminish being an earthly father at all. But I want to challenge you today to take a step into another kind of fatherhood. This kind of fatherhood can’t happen accidentally. It can’t happen without intention. It’s called being a Spiritual Father.
Pastor Dale VanSteenis guest speaks- providing an update on success in mission's abroad and a message on what Jesus really did on the Cross.
What you are willing to do, the measures you are willing to go through, determines the measure of meaning in your life. Our flesh wants big meaning from minimal measures. It would be great if suddenly today, you could say something that changes the world. But it doesn’t work that way. To influence the world with lasting-meaning, you have to have a story. You have to have a history of preparation, or a serious sacrifice of some sort, or a story of great perseverance. Meaningful measures yield great meaning to your life.
When you think of a peacemaker, what do you envision? It seems to give the picture of someone blowing bubbles at everyone, or a person always being positive and encouraging, saying the right thing with a big cheesy smile. Jesus said this, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9 NIV). He also made this statement about us when we are in heaven: “they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection” (Luke 20:36 ESV). Jesus was saying that His peacemakers in heaven cannot die anymore! And because we cannot die for eternity, Peacemakers are powerful, strong, have nothing to fear but God, kind of people. We may be able to die here, but not there!
There is one reason, and only one reason to live: To love God and people. There is one way to live a meaningful life: To do everything in love. Throughout his writings, Solomon says that the only thing he really enjoyed along the way was friends, and work. Those two things made life bearable. And that’s what we see when we look around us. People in the world, just getting by. They have a few friends, and they have their work. Day after day after day, the same people, and work. This keeps the world going. But God invites us to so much more than all of that! God invites us to meaningfulness. God invites us to purpose. Doing everything in love fills your life with passion.
Here was the challenge as we came into this year: This world is entirely about growing to maturity in a relationship with God and others— Growing to be like Jesus. For people to grow to maturity in a relationship with God and others.
We live in a world that is full of reasons not to trust anyone, and not to hope anyone. The biggest question of your life is, will you put your hope in Jesus? You need to know that God really isn’t interested in people who worship Him, serve Him, and hope in Him because He is nice to them or because He does things the way they want Him to. Jesus is looking for people whose HOPE is in Him even when it seems He can’t be trusted.
God built you to last forever. His economy isn’t dependent on you breaking down. In fact, it’s just the opposite. God wants you to last forever. God wants you to join Him for eternity. And God has made a way for you to shine now and forever!
The first step to good friends and good influencers in your life is to stop walking with people heading the wrong way. King Solomon pleaded wrote to his son and said, “My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them” (Prov. 1:10). You need to let people of God influence you on to bigger and better things. People who will inspire you to grow spiritually. People who have a good understanding of what true love is, so you can see it in their life and learn from them for your own life.
Every day the people all over this planet hope and pray that the darkness of this life will not overcome them. Praying that the light of life will continue to shine on us. That all will not be lost. On April 3, AD 33, from Noon to 3pm there was a solar eclipse. The Sun was eventually completely blocked by the Moon. It wasn’t time for the Sun to go down yet. It was only 3 in the afternoon. When God set into motion this giant watch we call our solar system, He intentionally set a time, a specific day, that the Earth would go dark while Jesus would be hanging on the cross—and at around 3pm Jesus would die. Jesus chose when He would die. This is what Easter is about. Jesus came and showed us that losing everything in this life is the beginning of real life!
In your spiritual life, as you grow to maturity in Christ, you will also come to find that God has perfect timing in everything He does. It may seem like He made a mistake. It may look like if He had done something different then things would have been better. Or it may seem like there is a conflict in the cosmos. But you are dealing with the God who created the biggest watch ever, that keeps perfect timing—our solar system!
There are certain things in the Bible that God is clear on, and those are the things we take a hard stand on. First and foremost, we must love people and be willing to lay down our lives for them. But second, we must obey Him. To have a healthy life, a healthy family and church family, we must obey Him.
What kind of fruit is coming from you? Are good things happening because you exist? Or are people stressed because of how you live your life? God made you to bear fruit. Good fruit. Good things can come from you. Imagine an apple tree never bearing apples. Or if you bought a new phone and none of the apps worked. It just existed. God gave you the opportunity to be more than just existing. He gives you he opportunity to be more than just a survivor.
People try to put love as the foundation of their life. And we get sorely disappointed every time. In fact, when you put love as the foundation to build your life on, it isn’t love at all. It has the APPEARANCE OF LOVE, but it isn’t. It takes work to get to true love. Love isn’t the foundation, it’s the destination.
The motivation to work together in this world is money and survival. People work together for money. Buildings are built, roads are paved, technology is increased because of money. But the church is different. The people of the church aren’t here to get money or find a way to scrape by. God’s people are here to give, love, care for, share with, work together to grow and build God’s Kingdom, His church.
What is Godliness? Isn’t GOODNESS, being good, doing good things, GODLINESS? Godliness is making the transition in your spiritual life from it being about you to it being about others. Godliness is doing life God’s way, in God’s Spirit, in God’s Truth.
Perseverance is one of the most necessary qualities and child of God must acquire. Perseverance is that digging in part of life. That reaching down deep into yourself and finding that part of you that says, “This is really what I want. I want a genuine, authentic, relationship with God and no one is going to stop me."
Most people, people that are Christians, and even non-Christians will say that the ideal spiritual life would be one that God is in control of. But that isn’t what God teaches us in the Bible. God wants us to have self-control.
There’s a difference between being led by the Spirit and your feelings. The challenge you have is learning the voice of the Spirit as opposed to the voice of your flesh. Adding the quality of TRUTHFUL KNOWLEDGE to your life is key to following God’s Spirit in your life.
This life in Christ isn’t just about saying NO to things that are ungodly; it’s about saying YES to things that are Godly. Yes to living a good, healthy lifestyle. Yes to being honest. Yes to living a moral life. Yes to doing ministry. Yes to building God’s Kingdom. Yes to eating and drinking healthier, taking care of this body, the Temple of the Lord. Yes, not just to barely making it to church, but a BIG YES to coming to the house of God!
The foundation of your life is this spot where you choose in whom or what you will place your faith. And who or what you have faith in, who you trust determines everything else. In times like we have been going through, my kids and I feel like my entire life has been shaken—everything except my foundation of faith. Knowing that all I need is Christ, and really, the truth is, all I really have is Christ, means that no matter how difficult life gets I’m ok.
You have a divine nature. That nature is far more than you could ever imagine. The question is, are you allowing that new “you” shine through this body of sin and death? When we talk about growing in spiritual maturity, this is exactly what we are talking about. You feeding, nurturing, exercising this divine you and growing this new you.
What is spiritual maturity? This world is entirely about growing to maturity in a relationship with God and others-- Growing to be like Jesus. Every experience you have today is to grow you. Every trial, hardship, reward, relationship, failure, struggle, and pain is about you growing to spiritual maturity. You are in living in God’s school. When you finally see that, everything will make more sense in your life.
The sacrifices you make today, bring either comfort or fear for tomorrow. How can a sacrifice today bring fear for tomorrow? Doesn’t a sacrifice always mean a better tomorrow? No, here’s how you can make the wrong sacrifice: If you sacrifice your future, you will only have today. Living this life God’s way is my sacrifice in hopes for something better. For a better future.
Jesus coming the way He came, as a baby lying in a manger, is symbolic of simplicity, romance, and comfort to us. The message of comfort is that God makes His home in us. Forever.
When your life has meaning, you have comfort. God gives you personally selected ideals to strive for, that are unique to you, that gives you meaning. And it is your life’s meaning to focus on them, and go for those ideals. But until you find and follow the path pursuing those ideals from God for your life, you are going to feel meaningless.
Your life, and mine are full of troubles, struggles, mountains to climb and rivers to forge. You have past hurts and pains that seem to linger. You have situations that happened to you that you still don’t understand. And it seems all of us are concerned about our future here. The fear of our economy falling, politics, riots, viruses, and all that is going on around us…we need comfort. While God is the amazing, awesome, Creator of the Universe and all there is, He is also the God of all Comfort.
Prophecy? Are we all supposed to walk around acting like we know the future? Yes! God has told us what is to come. And it’s important for us to continually remind each other about it. You know that Jesus is coming back for His people. You know that God is going to win. You know that He will wipe every tear from our eyes and welcome us into heaven. You know about many things to come because God has said it! And prophecy is nothing more than saying something God has said will happen.
Here’s the challenge: Stop begging God and start thanking God. Thank God that He knows what you need before you even ask. Thank God that He cares about your life. Thank God that He has your best interest in mind and is working on your behalf. Thank Him that He is doing His will. Thank Him for healing, don’t beg for it.
Like it or not, we are in a spiritual war. Whether you want to be in a spiritual war or not doesn’t matter; you are in it. You are either on the Lord’s side, or the side of evil. One or the other. As good soldiers of Christ we need to look at every area of our lives and get it together to the best of our ability. Our finances. Our health. Our homes. Our emotions. Our schedules. Some of us are letting everyone and everything run our lives so much that we have zero time to do anything for God. We are so caught up in everything BUT GOD.
When you and I stand before God at the Judgment seat of Christ, our commitment to God will be called into question. Did we fervently and patiently serve and wait for Him while we lived on earth? When our moment of death came, were our eyes fixed on Jesus? Much of Jesus’s parables have this theme to them. And in each of these parables there are people who passed and people who failed. Jesus was clearly communicating what God is looking for when it comes to a relationship.
Today I want to talk with you about the secret. What you do and who you are in the secret will be rewarded. God is most interested in this area of our lives, and we should be too. What you do in the secret tells you more about you than anything else. The words I use, the thoughts I have, the things I do—when no one is looking, all tell me a lot about what kind of a person I really am. Do I give or take when no one is looking? Do I sacrifice or withhold from others based on who is looking? I want to encourage you today to begin to do positive things when you are alone.
Jesus said that the things we say will be important on the day of judgment. Am I helping the people around me to be able to think this way? Am I promoting unity, peace, love, and purity? Or am I promoting my own way, my own importance, my own ego? And here’s another question we should challenge ourselves with: Am I speaking words of life to reach others for Christ? Are the words we speak building? Or tearing down?
Does God know you respect His presence in your life? Does He know you want to know Him more? Are you seeking to know Him? Reading His Book? Growing in that relationship? Or are you lax in it? Just hoping to make it to the little corner of heaven? Does God see where you have changed the things you say and do because He is with you?
What will matter on your Final? Here’s the beginning and end of it: LOVE Matters -- Your job from now to the end of this life is to learn and practice the way of LOVE. Let’s get this clear: Love isn’t the attitude; love is the motive behind the action. This is where we make the mistake of understanding love. We think love is about how I feel while I’m doing something for someone else—the attitude. But love is found in the motive.
Imagine when you stand before God to be judged, and you find out that nothing you stood for, nothing you did on earth had anything to do with the final test…. What is God looking for? Is He communicating what He wants you to be doing to prepare for the final? Or has He left us here to guess on our own and hope we figure it out?
Most of life is between the parties, the days after the party, and the days until the next party. Most of the time you are waiting for that great moment to happen. Most of the time you are in a season of meantime. And if you are just wishing those moments away, you are wishing your life away and missing out on enjoying great moments. The daily ingredients of your life need to be laced with purpose, enough that you can enjoy the meantime.
There are times in your life that you have gone through, and will go through that feel like prison. You were captured, told where to go, what to do, and there wasn’t a way out. No matter how bad the situation seems, you can count on God to not only bring you out, but also to bring purpose to it. As a believer in Christ, your body, your blood, your work, your tears, your sweat, ALL OF YOU belongs to God. Even if you are working for a slave-master, you aren’t working for them—you are working for THE LORD. Do it with ALL YOUR MIGHT. If God has seen fit for you to face a trial, He has purpose for you to be in the trial.
We have been talking about His Story. You need to know that your church is not built on superstition, or man-made tradition. It’s better than that. It’s our history. His Story is our history. Our faith is not just some hope-crutch. It’s not a dream without proof. The God we serve is real. And all the earth is filled with His Story with us, and the people who served Him before us.
Our victory is not that we win all these battles; our victory is found in this: We outlast the enemy. We don’t give up. No matter what trial you face—health, finances, grief, betrayal, even if you lose the battle, if you outlast the enemy you win the war.
All throughout Scripture there is a visual given to us that we need to beware of, be warned about. The visual is this. Being on the inside with the world, or on the outside where God is. Conformity to the world is conformity to the powers and principalities of darkness that rule the world. You can conform to the pattern of this world, or you can be transformed into a mighty imager of God.
The more we discover, the more we learn, the more we uncover, the more God’s story is validated and stands. It’s amazing that God’s story, the story recorded in the Bible, for thousands of years is still relevant, historically accurate, and archeologically being proven day after day to be accurate. The same is true in your life. The longer you live, the more you can see God’s purpose and plan for your life unfold. You will go through times you don’t understand, but on the back side, you can always look back and see His hand.
Imagers of God live with purpose. We live with meaning. We live with hope unlike those of the world live. Be careful whose table you sit at and get comfortable, because therein lies your loyalty. At the same time, we have to be careful to understand that Jesus was continuously accused of eating at the table with sinners. But, Jesus didn’t eat with them to join their position in life; He ate with them so they could begin eating with Him!
Why is this world full of so much struggle? Why are our communities filled with pain and upheaval? Why is the color of skin so divisive? Why is life this way? Because what we see isn’t all there is.
How can you receive His favor? You need to know that Jesus cares. You need to KNOW He wants to help. Whether it is for your manic moment, or someone else’s, God wants to help. In this sermon, we reexamine the principles Jesus established for receiving His favor.
God can do anything and everything. He has free will. God was not created, and certainly is not programmed to only be and only do good. Good is His will. Because God is love, everything He does and doesn’t do is good. But it isn’t that God doesn’t have free will to do anything, it’s that God knows everything, and in His infinite knowledge of all things, He can see that love is the only way to live and ultimately enjoy who He is and what He does.
What does God have in mind for His Kingdom? God’s plan from the very beginning was to dwell among His people, to live with His people, and for His people to be His imagers to all the world. Showing the world His goodness, His greatness, His creativity, His love, His grace, His mercy, His blessings—all the good things God! People who come to the living God change their lives for Him—to become His imagers to the world. Our mission is to make disciples—imagers of God.
With all the struggles of life comes a need that must be met and is in great demand today: The need for Good Fathers. Fathers, your responsibility to your children, no matter how old or young they are, is that you image their heavenly father.
God created humans to image His glory, His care for them, His love for them, and His relationship with them. When God made all things as we know them, He singled out humans from all of Creation and said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness…” (Gen. 1:26 NIV). What does that really mean?
God is a relational God. God created this place, Earth, us, and all that is in it, not just as His own domain, but because He desires to live among His people. Yahweh, God, the Almighty God, desires a kingdom full of people who weren’t made to serve Him, made to worship Him, but chose to love Him with all their heart, soul, mind and strength. God delights in creating people who represent Him, people who show the image of Him, people who represent Him, who carry out His wishes because they love Him.
When you look around the room, everyone here has different clothes that match their personalities on. We are all communicating different things about ourselves with what we are wearing. The question we need to answer today is, how have I clothed my soul? Is your soul stuck in the identity of your flesh? Are you believing that the story of your flesh is the only story of your life?
What have you set your heart on? What your heart is set on determines where you go, not just in this life, but in the next to come. The real story of your life is going to be found in the room where you store your treasures. When God takes you to the place you have stored up an eternal inheritance, the story of your life, the real story will be told.
God’s will for His people is that we live free from the fear of people, finances and politics. There is freedom in fearing God. Respecting and fearing God brings freedom. Knowing that He is the one you belong to. Knowing He is the one that bought you. Knowing He redeemed you gives you freedom!
Is it possible that God knows what you really need and has given you everything to be happy here and now, today? When the real story of your life comes out, it won’t be about what you had or didn’t have, it will be about what you did with what God gave you. God is calling you to begin living out the MOST IMPORTANT STORY OF YOUR LIFE.
Too often, we are so caught up in this body of flesh that we completely miss what is happening in our real body, the one that will never die. God wants us to remember that this body of flesh will die and the real you will come out. The only question you have to answer is, will the seed that dies be good seed? Until you are alive in Christ, you are bad seed that will not live. But when you accept Christ into your life, the Spirit of God comes alive inside of you and this body of sin and death becomes a good seed! The Spirit of God is the water of life, He comes and brings water to you so you can live.
The real story of your life is the story of your soul—God’s story in you. How life affected your soul. The goal that we have is to begin letting that real you—your soul—begin to tell the temporary you where to go and what to do in life. A big part of living the life of your real story—the story of your soul—is choosing your battles wisely.
Does the story of your life reflect decisive actions that you are trying to grow in love? Or are you spending your life just gritting our teeth trying not to sin? Your old spouse, sin, is continually seducing you, manipulating you, and trying to get you to come back. You may fall from time to time, but have you kept coming back to God?
The question you need to answer in this series is: What is the story of my soul? You can recall where the scars on your body came from, but have you considered the scars on your soul? You have memories of all the things you have acquired in life, your home, your cars, sentimental things. What things has your soul acquired? Things that made a difference in your soul…. What has the eyes and ears of your soul seen and heard? That is your real story.
When you truly experience God’s salvation, nothing humans do to you matters anymore. You can be talked about, even by religious people. You can be rejected, even by religious people. You can face death, even death ordered by religious people. But nothing will shake you. Because you ARE SAVED. There are three ingredients for salvation in life: WATER, BLOOD, AND BREAD. Will you embrace all three?
In the journey of life, if you miss having a relationship with God, you’ve missed the entire point. You can do all kinds of this for God, but not with God. You can go on missions trips for God, but not with God. You can start a church, build a building, even teach and preach for God, but are you with God?
If Jesus were to come and use His words, piercing you with the Tip of the Spear—His words, not to hurt, but to heal—what would He say to you? When God pierces through all the confusion, clutter and mess of this world and gives you His words—you know it. Ask God for direction, and He'll give it to you.
One of the most common spiritual conditions you will find yourself struggling with if you don’t keep yourself in check, is a hard heart. In a world where we are surrounded by confusion, injustice, and where right is wrong and wrong is right, we are going to face more temptations than ever to let our hearts be hardened in an effort to protect ourselves. Today is the day to remember God. Let Him pierce your heart with hope. Peace. And soften you.
In military operations, the first soldiers to go into a war zone are called the Tip of the Spear. In new endeavors, new adventures, the first explorers are called the tip of the Spear. Jesus was just the Tip of the Spear. The Church, you and me are here to penetrate deep into this world bringing life, peace, hope, and salvation full and free to all who will come to Him.
Happiness is here and ready for us to enjoy in Christ! We simply have to begin living the life God gave us to live. Begin DOING what He said to do, and you’ll be amazed at how happy you are.
God wants to show you favor. God wants to bless you. God wants you to be a display of His splendor. God wants the world to scratch their heads wondering how and why your life is so good, and figure it out when they realize it is because you work for God…
I have a feeling that a lot more healing would happen in our lives if we said, “God, I do want to be healed.” “God, I will embrace Your purpose for my lie.” God loves to restore lives. He’s like the guy that loves to restore an old rickety car to make it look beautiful again. God loves for His people to be put on display after He has restored them.
How can you receive His favor? 1. Invite Him, welcome Him in. Have a relationship with Him. Talk to Him about it and don’t be afraid. Let God in. 2. Decide—ALL THE GLORY GOES TO GOD. 3. Believe Jesus cares enough, and be persistent. 4. Trust His way is the best way.
God wants your life to be whole and healed—not just from your past—but in your future. God would have never said you need to go and live a different life if He didn’t know you could do it.
It’s easy to begin feeling like evil wins and good always loses. Our natural mind begins telling us that living right, and fighting fair never wins. Before too long, if we aren’t careful, we give up. Don't. Know that God will have the last word in your story. Know that His vengeance will make things right. Stay the course. God will provide justice.
When you honor God with your life—His face shines on you. His favor finds you. BECAUSE HE IS A GOOD FATHER. God wants to make us strong. God wants to show us favor. God wants to bless us. When we believe in Him and honor Him, He is able to.
But God calls us to be like Oaks of Righteousness. When the storms of life rage against us, we are planted by the STREAM OF LIVING WATER. Every wind makes us bend. The greater the wind, the bigger the bend—the bigger the bend the stronger we MEND!
Are you ready for an amazing new year? Are you open to God doing some greater things in your life? Do you really want to make God a greater part of your life in 2021? Or do you just want Him to be on the fringes of your life?
Hope is one of the essentials of life. When hope is gone, life is over. You need hope to cope. At the heart of Christmas, we find hope. The good news is regardless of what happens, you and I don’t have to go through it alone. Our God is with us. That is one of the certainties of life that I can hold on to. When I hold onto that certainty, I have hope.
God looked on planet earth and saw the mess we were in, not just as nations and local governments, but as individuals. God didn’t come and try to change our lives by fixing our government. He knew our government could be better by changing our individual lives. God came to save every individual who would be saved. That’s what Christmas is. God gave, and God saved.
The church is a hospital for fixing relationships. When you work on fixing relationships, everything else comes together. We work on relationships with God and people by defining and rewarding the good ways of relating, and not rewarding the bad in our lives. You should be able to know how well you are doing in your relationship with God based on how well you are doing in your relationship with us.
When you say no to what God says no to, and yes to what God says yes to, your life comes together. If you want your life to be together, stay together, and your people to live together, you need a good leader--Jesus.
It’s one thing to get healed. It’s a completely different thing to be saved.
Thankfulness is the pathway to salvation. Jesus healing this body is nothing compared to the surpassing greatness of KNOWING HIM.
Have you noticed that in our pursuit of happiness, very few actually find it? We try everything from buying stuff, eating food, to drinking and smoking things. And although these things bring a their moments of pleasure, nothing seems to stick. Happiness is still unreachable. Here’s the good news. The key to happiness is not found in what others can do for you, waiting for someone to give you what you want. You enter into happiness with the key words, “Thank you." Gratitude brings immediate satisfaction, good feelings, and peace of mind.
Have you noticed that some attend church just to get to heaven, but have no desire to ever do the will of God. If your WANT is only to get to heaven, you are going to get really frustrated along the way. When you want to make a shift in your life, you have to change your WANTER. Instead of what you want, you have to embrace wanting what God wants.
When you personally stand before God, and His fiery eyes burn away your life, what will be left? Do you want to present Him with a thanks for His Grace? The Scripture indicates that we cannot take anything with us, but we can send stuff ahead. God says, whatever you do in love, true love is going to last. Do you know if you are ready for that moment of judgment?
At Relate Church, we expect you to grow Spiritually, and we have people dedicating their lives to that growth. Some Christians never change their lives to accommodate for God living in them. God is building a home. A family. A place where it’s normal for spiritual babies to grow up and be mature. Here’s the call to you: Be raised. Allow yourself to be raised up in your faith. Don’t fight progress in your spiritual life. God needs people to become spiritually mature so they can raise more.
Sharing any part of the Gospel is a seed sown, or a seed watered. Sometimes you are the one planting a seed in someone. And sometimes you are the one watering a seed already planted. Here’s what God is interested in: God wants us to unite about reaching the lost so much, that our differences don’t even matter.
Often people stop at serving the Lord in prayer, fasting, and just coming to church. We consider ourselves disqualified from doing more. Or we think that it is the responsibility of the pastor to do ministry, and we just barely survive spiritually enough to eventually make it to heaven. God wants you to flourish in your relationship with Him so much that your life becomes a life of love to Him and to others. He wants your life to be full of purpose with Him.
Many people INTEND on telling people about Jesus. But never do. Many people INTEND on learning how to teach about Jesus. But never do. Intending to be good to God isn’t being rich toward God. We are so focused on our needs and desires that even when we do get involved in God’s Kingdom it is still about us and not Him.
People have a tendency to come to church just because it’s the right thing to do. People serve in positions at a church because it’s the right thing to do. People even pay tithe to a church because God said to. God doesn’t just want you to do the right thing. God wants you to love Him.
Marriages are on the rocks today because of all the false images and videos that we worship. Never before, in the history of mankind, has there been so much fake romance available. It’s destroying our ability to love, really love. To focus on one human for life. But it’s not just marriages these things kill, it’s intimacy with God too. God wants your thoughts to be on Him, your affections, your friendship, your love. True romance in your life begins when you cultivate your love with God.
The key to being a loving person is letting God love you. When you let God’s love in, you then can love others. Letting God come in is letting love come in. God is love. But it’s better than that. It isn’t just that God IS love, it’s that God loves you. Cultivating love in your life begins with believing, accepting, and receiving, God’s love for you.
All too often, the majority of our affections we feel are negative. Bad experiences. Painful moments in life. Times when we failed. The time we went left and should have gone right. Today is the day to let your affections be fueled by God’s love, not by this world. Set your affections on things above.
Here’s the challenge today: Invest you—into STABILITY. Think about that family member who is always struggling through life. Why are they struggling? Because they have always invested wrong. You say, well, they didn’t have much to begin with. The beauty of investing is, it doesn’t matter how much you start with. When you invest right, whatever you have, grows.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of good, is for good men to do something. When God’s people stand up against evil, even if it is just a couple of people standing against the world, great things happen. When good people do something, God does something.
God says our pain put in His hands heals. When you put your pain in His hands, you find healing. But as long as you hold onto it, you’ll never find freedom. You’ll never have healing. You’ll never get on to your purpose. And you’ll never find God’s purpose for allowing that pain.
Just coming to church and singing a few songs and half-heartedly listening to a sermon isn’t worship. That’s no different than singing along to a catchy song driving down the road. Worship is more than that. It’s observation and emulation. Worship is when others look at you and see who you follow.
One of the key components to overcoming temptation and yourself is believing you have more important things to do in life. God created you to operate at a very important level. Don’t wait for someone to come along and tell you that you are important, BE important.
When you worship God, you serve in love. When you worship an idol, you serve in lust. Worshiping God, the living God – making yourself a living sacrifice is the most fulfilling act you can do on earth! We have to remember, when we do for others as unto the Lord, we aren’t worshiping them, we are worshiping Him.
A key to being a peacemaker: Believe your afterlife is your real-life. As long as you are holding on to this life so tight, you’ll never be willing to give it up for something bigger than you. Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul” (Matt. 16:25-26 NIV).
God is calling us to relationship—with Him, and we live it out with each other. God’s way is relationship. There are things that because of what God did for us, He demands we change or do for Him, and because of our gratitude and love for Him, we will do it.
God’s way of life, and God’s way of living together is far different than anything man comes up with. The starting point for doing life God’s Way: Remember what He did for you. Because living God’s way is a response to God’s Grace, not a way to achieve God’s Grace.
When all is said and done, what will be said about you? Is there anything of substance to you that REALLY matters? Have you really tried to find what your purpose in life from Almighty God is?
What does God want from you during this time? Because God removed the pressure for you, He expects you to remove the pressure for others. God redeemed you from the clutches of evil. He paid the price so ALL OF YOUR DEBT IS PAID IN FULL. God held NOTHING back to restore your life. He removed the pressure. Because He removed the pressure, we must remove the pressure for others.
"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 Chronicles 7:14 The land God was talking about was the Temple. But the Temple isn't in Israel anymore. The Temple is You. God wants to reside in you. God wants to make His home inside of you. God wants the world to know He lives inside of you. God wants to heal your land. When God moves in, He cleanses you. This is how He will heal our land.
God wants to live with you. Moving in with God means relationship—a working, growing relationship. Let God move in with you. It will be the best decision you ever make.
Some people are only interested in hearing the Law of God, they aren't interested in knowing God. God is interested in love, true love. Real relationship. With people who care about who He is.
God wants you to live a passionate life. He wants you to sense the passion that He put within you by His nature. Here’s the question today: Are you passionate about your life? If not, why? Passion will keep you on the right path.
What will it take for you to finally be happy where you are? For you to realize you are enough. You have enough. And you will always have enough. Happiness comes when you shift your thinking. Happiness doesn’t come from the right man or woman. The right children. The right amount of money. Great health. I know that great hair can help, but true happiness comes from THE RIGHT GOD.
So many people have zero understanding that God isn’t trying to build an Empire in the Galaxy. He isn’t trying to find a way to be the most powerful entity in the universe—He already is. God is building a home, and you are invited.
God’s dream was and is to have people who find out what He likes and they pursue it. God wants His people to give to Him, and do things He likes—because you want to. He doesn't want you to show empty-handed. Staying together takes people bringing their best to the table every day, every week, every year. Children helping clean around the house. To our kids, I say you may not have money to help pay the bills, but you certainly have two hands to clean up. Appear full-handed.
I need to be gracious to others, to forgive others who've hurt me because God has been gracious to me. Genuine forgiveness is responding to evil with good. Luke 6:27 "Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you."
Jesus’ last words on the cross were “It is finished.” God planned that moment when He created darkness and light—when He said, “IT IS GOOD,” THAT WAS “IT!” From the beginning, God was after real relationships. God created humans for the purpose of having a mutual relationship of love with someone. People who could choose to love Him. People who could choose to talk to Him. People who could choose to avoid things that would break a relationship with Him. God wanted real relationships. Not robots. Not forced obedience. But true love.
When Jesus entered Jerusalem Triumphantly, He did so riding a small donkey--dragging His feet. This wasn’t an accident. This was a decision. Jesus wasn’t looking for Dictator Power in this world, He was and is looking for a relationship with people. He proved it that day. If your vision of a successful home, marriage and family is everyone doing everything your way, you are going to fail. In this time while you are quarantined at home, take time to fix things for others. Help your kid with their car, or fix their computer. Repair that door lock that won’t give them privacy. Detail your wife’s car. Do the things that matter to them. Instead of riding in to be their Dictator, drag your feet, ride in to be the answer to their problem.
Cabin Fever is starting to set in for many. And even if you don’t have cabin fever, these are some important things for you to pay attention to while growing and developing a family and personal relationships in your life.
The challenge today:
- Set and Communicate Your Boundaries.
- Protect the Boundaries of Others.
- Remove unnecessary boundaries for others to be closer to you.
In this time of change, it’s time to break up your un-plowed ground and sow seed there, not among the thorns.
Maybe when life starts going back to normal—you do things different.
Instead of letting things get in the way of you having a strong connection with God and His church family, make Him your priority.
There is something about eating together that brings relationships closer. If you want to get to know someone better, you invite them out to eat. When you sit down and begin reading His word, you are dining at the table of God. And God begins to teach you, converse with you and enjoy a moment with you. God wants to eat with you.
When it comes to the real issues in our lives, our daily struggles, we need to choose a team. Your basketball team can win or lose and it really doesn’t affect your life. But if you win or lose money, it does. If you are healthy today, that affects your life in a big way. We cheer and cheer for these athletes to win like it really matters to our lives, but when do we cheer for what REALLY MATTERS? Let God manage your fights. God wants to give you a taste of victory.
How many times in your life was the answer to your problem was right there? But instead of asking God “what is the answer?”, you just dismissed it. Is it possible that the answers to your greatest problems are right here, right now, but you haven’t recognized them? It’s time to look around you and ask, “What is it?” Here’s what IT is: IT is a relationship that gives salvation- a relationship with God.
When difficult things happen, or we meet resistance in life, we have a tendency to get stuck and never get on to the things God created us for. But if you begin moving, God will open a path for your deliverance. Your past---the one that is chasing you down and trying to take you back, can be destroyed. God will be seen in your life!
The church is not built on superstition, or man-made tradition. It’s better than that. Our faith is not just some hope-crutch. It’s not a dream without proof. It’s not the handy-mind work of some guy smoking pot who had a vision. Who we believe in, the God we serve is real. And all the earth is filled with His Story with us, and the people who served Him before us.