Community Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Dr. Ed Newton
Every person is either on their way to a storm, coming out of a storm, or are in the middle of a storm.
(John 6:14-21 ESV // Matthew 14:22-27 ESV // Mark 6:45-51 ESV)
Walking by faith is more than eyesight, it’s the combination of hindsight and foresight.
(John 4:46-54)
We will never know the rescue of a Savior if we don’t think we need one.
(John 4:15-26)
Every flood began with a drop of rain, every blizzard began with a snowflake, and every breakthrough began with a prayer for change.
(2 Samuel 5:20)
The overflow of God’s anointing over your life is determined by what you're willing to empty from your life.
(2 Kings 4:1-7)
After much suffering and four centuries of silence, God did something new.
(Isaiah 43:18-19)
"My God is so big, so strong, and so mighty. There's nothing my God cannot do for you." (Kid's song)
Wonder doesn't come from having all the answers; it's more about the journey to find them.
"Gratitude makes sense of your past, brings peace for today, and creates vision for tomorrow." -Melody Beattie
(Colossians 4:2-18)
"If our faith doesn't work at home, then our faith doesn't work." -Anonymous
(Colossians 3:18-4:1)
"Define yourself as one radically beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion." -Brennan Manning
(Colossians 3:5-17)
"If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old." - Peter F. Drucker.
(Colossians 3:5-17)
A spirituality that is produced in human effort finds the rewards in the hands of men, not the heart of God.
(Colossians 2:16-3:4)
God calls us to grow in Christ and deepen our faith in him because when we do, we will not only find our identity in him but also discover that in him, he is enough.
(Colossians 2:6-15)
When you see the success of someone, do not overlook the adversity that was required to get them where they are.
(Colossians 1:14-2:5)
Your view of God determines the value you place upon God, thus possibly creating a version of God that is way too small.
Our forgiveness in Christ purchased freedom from our sin, not permission to continue to sin or live in such a way to cause others to be tempted to sin.
Gender is a biological reality determined by God in the creation of each and every human.
(Proverbs 31:30-31)
Become awakened by the Holy Spirit to God's righteous standard of holy living according to His word while being aware/activists to the injustices of humanity.
In this special, Pastor Hutch and Pastor Matt outline practical steps and tools for parents to create a safe social media experience for their children.
"You may choose to look the other way, but you can never say again you did. not know." - William Wilberforce, Freedom Fighter, 18th century
We all love seasons of rest; however, if we aren't careful, peace and security will lead to complacency.
(Judges 10:1-6, Judges 12:8-15)
Valor is more than a choice, but a conviction, more than a belief, but a boldness, more than an attitude, but an action.
Judges 6:11-34
It just takes one decision, one mistake, one consequence, one demise, to lead to one cry, one hope, one savior, for one rescue, ONE NEW BEGINNING.
(Judges 3:7-11)
Memorial Day's are to be etched in history not only to honor those who have gone before us, but also for those who come behind us.
Don’t see the next level in your life as a position, place, or a promotion, but instead a pursuit of the best version of you.
"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy." James 1:2 (NLT)
And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!”
- Luke 9:35
A "Whole-Heart" surrendered to Jesus is more than a figurative mindset; it's a daily reset.
(Psalm 119:10)
A "Whole-Heart" surrendered to Jesus is more than a figurative mindset; it's a daily reset.
(Psalm 119:10)
Easter is the receipt of the purchase on Good Friday.
Mark 16:6: "Do not be alarmed, you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See the place where they laid Him."
The triumphant entry of Jesus is based upon His willingness to pick the road of suffering instead of popularity.
Matthew 21:1-11
Because of the different ways the Holy Spirit moves, it is possible to sin against the Holy Spirit. Some warning signs and solutions for rejecting the Holy Spirit.
“You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good...…All [spiritual gifts] are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Cor. 12:7,11 NIV).
The fruit of the Holy Spirit begins when the lust of the flesh comes to an end.
Galatians 5:16-25
Experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives begins with an understanding of how to Recognize the Holy Spirit and how to Respond to the Holy Spirit.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” (Rev. 2:7a) “Speak, for your servant hears.” (1 Samuel 3:10)
There is no such thing as a Christian not having the Holy Spirit…What every Christian should know about the Holy Spirit.
He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:22)
God opens doors that are closed, and closes doors that are open, and creates doors that do not exist.
Exodus 14:10-16/Hebrews 11:29-31
The intersection of breakthrough is when desperation collides with deliverance.
Mark 10:46-52
Do not let expectations of how you think breakthrough should happen prevent you from seeing how God is making breakthrough happen.
John 5:1-9
The space between your breakthrough and your burden is the place God does the miracle in you.
Luke 2:36-38
The journey toward Christmas has taken a minute to get here, but it unwraps in seconds. “Home for Christmas” is making the choice not just to do Christmas, but be Christmas.
Luke 2:13-20
With every gift there is a thoughtfulness and intentionality invested for the purpose of a desired outcome, so much more is this gift of JESUS!
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
With every gift there is a thoughtfulness and intentionality invested for the purpose of a desired outcome, so much more is this gift of JESUS!
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
The place where God comes to encounter you will always be an experience customized for you.
Luke 2:8-10
As followers of Jesus we prepare and go through the Christmas season not looking any different than the rest of the world.
Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38 ESV
Our hope in Jesus Christ is not the sentiment of wishful thinking but convictional living.
1 John 5:13-21
The testimony of what God has brought you THROUGH can be mightily used to bring someone TO the ultimate truth of Jesus.
1 John 5:1-12
Stop telling people and yourself you don’t have what it takes because that’s a lie.
1 John 3:19-4:18
What you have IN CHRIST will always be worth more than what you have WITHOUT CHRIST.
1 John 2:28-3:10
1 John 5:13 – “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”
1 John 1
We do not fight FOR victory over satan, but we fight FROM Victory over satan.
Colossians 2:15: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
We do not fight FOR victory over satan, but we fight FROM Victory over satan.
Colossians 2:15: “He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
“Church health” begins when the church recognizes that “church hurt” impacts us all.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
“Church health” begins when the church recognizes that “church hurt” impacts us all.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:24-25)
“I’m not so different from you; we all hear voices. We just have to decide which ones we are going to listen to.”
-A Beautiful Mind.“
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
“I’m not so different from you; we all hear voices. We just have to decide which ones we are going to listen to.”
-A Beautiful Mind.“
You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3
The goal is not sameness, but oneness, because we are made in God’s likeness.
Ephesians 2:11-22
The Bible is more than just a book that spotlights sin, it is the journal of God’s heart that spotlights a Savior who came to take away sin.
The Bible is more than just a book that spotlights sin, it is the journal of God’s heart that spotlights a Savior who came to take away sin.
The sanctity of life is so much more than a political talking point; it is giving worth and value to humanity from the womb to the tomb.
The supernatural work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is solely predicated upon whether or not we will make room for it to happen.
Then he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6
A saving faith was never intended to be a secret faith, but instead a shared faith.
Malachi 2:5-8
God wants to do a work through you, but first God must do a work in you.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” ( Zephaniah 3:17)
God wants to do a work through you, but first God must do a work in you.
“The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” ( Zephaniah 3:17)
To see pride in ourselves the way we so clearly see pride in other people.
Obadiah (Servant or Worshiper of the LORD)
To see the four distinct “Days of the Lord” mentioned in Joel and determine which one you are living in.
Joel 1-3
Putting on the armor of God is more than a drawing, it is an everyday, multiple times throughout the day, decision.
Ephesians 6:11-18
Target: There is a prodigal spirit in all of us that always will be tempted to look FAR FROM HOME only to discover that what we have with us will always be better than what is beyond us.
Luke 15:12-32
Target: The godly characteristics of motherhood allow us all to ask ourselves “what are we passing on to those under our influence?”
2 Timothy 1:5-7
Target: God’s word is designed to empower and equip us, so that we maximize the gifts within us, individually and collectively. God is calling us to step up and to step out by using our gifts and influence to point people to Jesus! We are called to be salt and light!
Matthew 5:13-16
When the confidence of Resurrection Sunday collides with doubts of life on Monday how do we respond?
“And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.” John 1:34
Target: The resurrection of Jesus is your resurrection story.
“and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17
Target: To experience for ourselves the person of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
● Matthew 3:16: “and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him.”
● Mark 1:10: “the Spirit descending on him like a dove.”
● Luke 3:22: “and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove.”
● John 1:32: “And John
Target: An open heaven is afforded and available to us only IN JESUS NAME.
● “And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were OPENED to him.” (Matthew 3:16a).
● “Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and (was praying), the heavens were OPENED.” (Luke 3:21)
● “And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn OPEN and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.” (Mark 1:10) Target: An open heaven is afforded and available to us on
Joshua 6
Take away: Our walls are not obstacles they are opportunities for God to make a way.
Target: What seems overwhelming in the natural, must be seen by the filter of the supernatural.
Text: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Target: The Lion in you is greater than the lions surrounding you!
Text: Daniel 6 (God is my judge)
"There can be no maturity in the spiritual life, no obedience in following Jesus, no wholeness in the Christian life apart from an immersion in, and embrace of, community. I am not myself by myself." -Eugene Peterson
Target: To discover the daily rhythm of the life of Jesus of what was most important, and there we will find the answer of how Jesus walked.
Text: 1 John 2:6: “whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.”
The collision of what we preach and what we practice is who we really are!
Acts 2:42-47
What consumes you, controls you, and what controls you, eventually characterizes you. (Ex. Hangry)
Target: The Gold pointed to the Royalty of Jesus, the Frankincense pointed to the Divinity of Jesus, and the Myrrh pointed to the Humanity of Jesus.
Text: Matthew 2:11: They fell down and worshiped him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Target: The hope that led the wise men is proof that for those who seek Jesus, will find Him.
Matthew 2:1-10
Target: Heaven is more than a destination, it’s a road trip where the view changes every single day! Every day you will…
Revelation 22
In the darkest of days, there is a light that shines brighter, but sometimes it has to be discovered due to the distractions that seek to cloud it.
Revelation 15-16
May we understand the heart of God to tell us the truth about our eternal destination is not unloving, but extremely loving because He loves us enough to tell us the truth!
Revelation 14
Target: Understand the reason for the pause between every 6th and 7th judgment in a time of tribulation is only because of the grace of Jesus.
Revelation 10-11
Target: The 7th Seal unlocks 7 Trumpet blasts for one purpose and that is to get our attention on Jesus.
Revelation 8-9
Do not let the fear of the unknown prevent you from seeing what is fully known.
Revelation 6-7
To take a journey to the center of heaven and realize what is taking place must take place at the center of our heart!
Revelation 4-5
To no longer just go through the motions for the sake of motions, but for a movement of God.
Revelation 3
3 Perspectives for us: Prophetic-Indicators of Culture, Practical-Insights toward the Church, Personal-Implications towards our Character
Revelation 2
The centerpiece of the book of Revelation is not the events of the future, but instead the love of an eternal Father.
Revelation 1
God wants to give us peace in the middle of chaos, craziness, and confusion! But we will never experience peace until we are willing to stand firm on His promises.
Philippians 4:4-9 (ESV)
The Voices of this world will compete for our attention and affection for the purpose of causing distraction from the one Voice that matters.
1 Kings 18, 19
To develop a checkpoint in our heart that prevents us from sta>ng something that is not accurate or leaving out something that is accurate.
Exodus 20:16: “you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”
To Love God requires us to Love People, and to steal from people is not only an offense to people, but also an offense towards God. Thus, this commandment makes the TOP 10.
Exodus 20:15: “You shall not steal”
Target: The proof of the existence of God is found in this command, for the moral compass we are guided by in how we are to treat other people is given by Him because...
Exodus 20:13: you shall not murder
Raising children, empty nesters, yet to have children, or not wanting children, we are all children of someone. Today’s message is more than just about compliance, it is about alignment.
Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.”
Weight of your words are not valued in the number of them, but the value in them.
Exodus 20:7: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
If not careful, we will assume this is the commandment we struggle with the least. Today, we will discover that we actually struggle with this commandment the most
Exodus 20:4-6
Understanding and applying this first commandment of the ten commandments is not just recommended, it is critically imperative. Because without clarity of who God is, one will lack the motivation and means to live a life fully set free.
Exodus 20:1-3
If it was easy to do what God was calling you to do everybody would be doing it, but what you have been called to do is not for the Elite , it is for those who have Endurance.
Joshua 1:6-9
Your life is a book filled with chapters that tell the story of your journey from beginning to end. Every chapter builds upon each other but were never intended to remain in forever. “Turn the Tassel” is a reminder that we serve a God of “new chapters!”
Joshua 1:1-5
Being apart of CBC is more than an affiliation by proximity, occasional attendance, but an ascent to the “Upper Room” belief of the following:
UPPER ROOM IDENTITY: Making a choice to partner with the mission of the Church
Acts 2:42-47
A life empowered by the Holy Spirit will not only be obvious to you, but to those around you!
Acts 2: 1-21, 36-41
The Holy Spirit in the life of a follower of Jesus is the difference maker between living in daily victory or living in defeat.
Acts 1
TARGET: The moments that you feel you have wrecked it beyond repair there is a God who chooses not to leave you in your ruin, but instead use the ruin to bring about redemption.
John 21
The empty tomb of Jesus is more than a grave that was robbed, but a grace that is revealed!
John 20:1-18
The way Jesus heals the blind man reveals that He is unconventional to the conventional, unorthodox to the orthodox, and irrelevant to the relevant, all in the name of love.
John 9:1-41
We can spend the rest of our lives asking for a sign all while missing the evidence that is pointing to the sign.
John 6
To discover why Jesus would do a miracle as a sign for a man who doesn’t express gratitude in being healed.
John 5:1-17
The first of seven signs in the gospel of John takes place at a wedding feast pointing to THE EVIDENCE of something more. Today's effort is to draw that out!
John 2:1-11
Target: The church has always been the hope of the world. Our internal health, our togetherness, will determine our external effectiveness
Philippians 1:9-11
“And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (ESV)
The journey with Jesus is not for the faint of heart, because there will be people along the way that will seek to break it.
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them." Romans 12:14
Every Jesus follower has been graced with a spiritual gift that is to be used for the glory of God and for the service and caring of others.
Romans 12:3-8
Today’s message is for us to see that worship is more than a song or a service, it is a way of life!
Romans 12:1-2
There are signs/symbols in the Christmas story that speak uniquely to each person that encounters and engages them not only for what they are saying, but better yet, who they are speaking about! JESUS
Matthew 2 & Luke 2
The One who conquered sin, death and hell not only speaks victory over you, but secures victory through you.
Romans 8:35-39
There is no such thing as coincidence or happenstance. By looking back at every major event of your life, you will discover that it led you to this very moment! It is all connected for a BIGGER purpose.
Romans 8:29-30
There is nothing that ever catches God off guard or by surprise, and that not only applies in politics, but in your personal life too!
Romans 8:28b-30
There is never a moment in your life that will not be used for your good!
“And we know that in all things God works (together) for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)
In order for God’s people to do what we are called to do and be who we are called to be, there must be a shiK in our hearts and minds to move from excepOng a spirit of mediocracy to embracing a spirit of excellence.
Ephesians 3:20 – 21
To understand that pain and suffering cannot be avoided in this life, but pain and suffering can be used to make us attentive to the heavenly life.
Romans 8:18-25
I want you to know who you are and WHOSE you are because WHOSE you are will tell you who you are!
Romans 8:12-17
Today, we learn how to face our temptations versus fall from our temptations!
Romans 8:5-11
The lessons of Nehemiah are not just to be LEARNED but LIVED!
Nehemiah 13:2: “...Yet, our God turned the curse into a blessing”
The moments in life that teach you the most may not always be the most treasured, but they are often the most transformational.
Nehemiah 12
To understand the importance of VALOR being more than a medal to achieve, but a declaration to receive.
Nehemiah 11
: To be reminded that Talk is cheap, and empty promises have never changed the world! However, when there is an encounter with God there will be evidence beyond words, there will be ACTION by doing the following:
● Submitting to the Principles of God
● Separation as the People of God
● Support the Place of God
Nehemiah 10
To understand that God is moving you from the margins of existence to the story of God for eternity.
Nehemiah 9
To see God’s Word not as a place of outdated commandments, but instead a place of relevant solutions to life.
Nehemiah 8
When God places something or someone on your heart it is a Prompting by God that is either preparing or pointing to the purpose of God that could include you! See Something, Say Something, Hear Something, Do Something!
Nehemiah 7
Effective leadership is not just the ability to move people to the accomplishment of a mission; it is also modeling how to navigate towards conflict resolution.
Nehemiah 5
To understand that every person has a significant part to play in the rebuilding of a nation.
Nehemiah 3
Some things are worth fighting for and though that list may feel short, its ramifications are long!
Nehemiah 4
Target: If we know we win in the end then why do we live in defeat today?
2 Thessalonians 2:1-8
The giving of the Holy Spirit is the source of vitality and victory in the daily life of a follower of Jesus and this sermon’s attempt will prove it.
John 20:19-23
The breath that conquers sin, death, hell and Satan forevermore is the same breath that allows you to not live in defeat during the unknown; but let it be known because He lives you can face tomorrow!
There are moments in life that take your breath away because of astonishment, awe and wonder. Those moments are not always defined by the breath taking complexities of life, but rather the breath taking intentionality’s in life.
John 12:9-19
Valleys are the low places in our lives that cause us to feel that hope is lost and what once was will never be again. However, could we embrace this truth that our Valley is not a VAULT BUT A VINEYARD!
Ezekiel 37:1-14
Valleys are the low places in our lives that cause us to feel that hope is lost and what once was will never be again. However, could we embrace this truth that our Valley is not a VAULT BUT A VINEYARD!
Ezekiel 37:1-14
You were created for the pleasure of God, and when your pleasure is found in bringing Him pleasure, then your pleasure won’t be found in empty pleasure but in eternal treasure!
Psalm 150:6: “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD! Praise the LORD!”
The breath of God highlighted in Scripture CREATION marks an awakening in all of our lives that we are created for so much more!
Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7, 2:22
For every individual follower of Jesus there is a call to be a part of God’s mission for the world. The goal of this message is to see yourself in the story of God for the salvation of the world.
Jonah 1-3
A leader is not a leader unless there is a follower. What made Jesus worth following? Knowing these attributes not only makes us better leaders for Jesus while seeking to be a better follower of Jesus
Luke 5:11: “And when they brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”
The quickest way to the top is to serve from the bottom.
John 13:1-20, Mark 10:45, Philippians 2:7, Matthew 23:11
It’s NOT “if” you will fall, it’s “when” you fall, but it’s how quick you get up that counts.
Proverbs 24:16
The power to influence others comes when our focus shifts from “me-centered” to “you-centered”
Proverbs 3:3-4
In order to lead others, you must be able to lead yourself, but you can’t lead yourself, if you don’t know yourself.
1 Timothy 4:15-16
To live a life with healthy boundaries that allow “U” to do more with less.
Ephesians 5:15-17
Doing big things for God begins with the willingness to do the small things that only God will see.
Luke 16:10
Vision that goes beyond what is apparent or evident requires F.O.C.U.S. to see what is essential and necessary.
Proverbs 29:18
Every person needs a Joseph type figure in their life. However, in that effort to find that person, could we be that person!
Matthew 1:18-24
The invitation of God is a message of inclusion towards the least and last, all the while causing every person to feel first and foremost. The shepherds are the proof of this statement!
Luke 2:8-21
"Our expectations of Jesus shape our encounters with Jesus which ultimately determine how we experience Jesus. Therefore, our expectations have to be aligned by God’s word and driven by God’s glory."
Luke 2:25-38
The Advent season, or better understood as the season of Jesus’ coming or arrival, was marked by ANTICIPATION. Our first response in preparing our Heart for the Gift of Jesus is to long for His coming.
Luke 2:36-38
The Sermon on the Mount from Jesus was an invitation to a better way of living that was expressed by an illustration of relevance leading to a decision of pertinence.
Matthew 7:24-29
The existence of a person’s faith in Jesus will give evidence to personal fruit. What should that fruit be and what should it look like? Today, we seek to answer that question!
Matthew 7:15-23
To not lose heart in the journey of doing what is right by realizing that God is working even when we don’t see it or feel it.
Matthew 7:7-14
To be a people that is known more for "what we are for," versus "what we are against"!
Matthew 7:1-6
"To address the reality of anxiety in everyday life and learn how to deal with it by letting Jesus have it."
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 6:19-24
In every facet of our lives, there are just two choices on the shelf, “pleasing God or pleasing self!” The goal of today’s message is to connect our “Heart to the ultimate Treasure!” by recognizing GREED and Rejecting it!
Text: Matthew 6:1-4
Target: To recognize the immediate daily tension of the underlying reasons of why we seek
Jesus and why we choose to follow Him. Our hope is to move from the perspective of
Christianity that begins with the idea of “what about me”, then settles for “what's in it for me” to
know the reward of following Jesus “is not about me”.
Text: Matthew 5:38-42
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.”
Romans 12:17-18
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Target: Living in peace and harmony happens when wesee people through the lens of the gospel. We resist retaliation when we:
Text: Matthew 5:33-37
Target: The weight of our words are measured not by the number of them, but the value in them.
Text: Matthew 5:31-32
Target: To understand that Jesus reframes the conversation of divorce in order to create HONOR FOR marriage and HEALING to those who have been wounded BY marriage.
Text: Matthew 5:27-30
Target: To develop an understanding that purity is more than a line, it is direction.
Text: Matthew 5:21-26
Target: To understand that every one of us has an “anger issue” at some level revealing at times the worst part of who we are, but the difference between the “management of anger” and “anger management” is found in changing the order in which we process disappointment.
Text: Matthew 5:17-20
Target: The tension between the “Law of God” and the “Grace of God” is never solved with an either-or mindset, but rather both and lifestyle.
Text: Matthew 5:13-16
Target: Living according to the “Kingdom Principles” of the Beatitudes advances “Kingdom Purpose,” and today we look at two metaphors that show us how!
Text: Matthew 5:1-11
Target: Every principle carries a promise, but when the promise carries us, we live by no ordinary principles, but instead KINGDOM PRINCIPLES.
Text: Matthew 11:1-6
Target: Today we discover that when “in doubt” there should be “no doubt” about how we should respond!
Text: John 3:31-36
Target: The final words of John the Baptist to the masses is one of the most systematic synopses on the life and ministry of Jesus. The pursuit of today’s message is to allow belief to drive our behavior, not our behavior to dictate our beliefs.
Text: John 3:26-30
Target: As Christians when you understand that you are called to be a REBEL “with a cause”, your mission becomes clear, and your life points to Christ.
Text: Matthew 3:17, Luke 3:22
Target: To discover that our performance for God does not determine our place with God.
Text: Luke 3:21-22, Matthew 3:15-17, Mark 1:9-11
Target: Today, we examine the pronouncement from heaven over Jesus and discover how these promises give us purpose on this earth.
Text: John 1:29, Matthew 3:13-17
Target: The greatest privilege of John the Baptist was to introduce Jesus to the world, but that same privilege God gives us every day. Seize the Moment you have been given!
Text: Matthew 3:1-12
Target: Messages that are most memorable are the ones that are insightful, impactful, but most of all...impressionable! What John the Baptist had to say, how he said it, and how he lived it encourages us all to live a life worth imitating!
Text: Malachi 4:6: “And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers.”
Target: The way a person perceives God is the lens in which a person sees the world, and the way they see themselves. Our effort today is to change out the lens!
Text: Luke 1:6-23
Target: The belief of “unanswered prayer” is to assume that God is indifferent and uninterested and that today’s message REBELS against that assumption!
There are “3 Distinct DNA Markers” that distinguish and define every follower of Jesus and every Church.
A rock is rock until a rock is repurposed and then it becomes a stone. For the rock itself hasn’t changed, but what it is being used for has, thus requiring a name change. Today, we seek to repurpose rocks into stones.
The hope of every follower of Jesus is His return to this earth to make all things new. Though many Christians don’t agree on every detail on “end time events” we can fully agree on these things.
Proverbs 31 has been a standard of inspiration for all women but has also quietly served as a mark of intimidation. My hope today is by revealing the “Unknown Mom” behind this proverb a new perspective would be gained, and an unspoken pressure would be relieved.
TEXT: John 3:3-16
The world spends trillions of dollars each year on healthcare, vitamins, diets and exercise, and yet the death rate still remains at 100%, and the average life is 71.
“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear and we fly away.” (Psalms 90:10)
But where do we fly away to?
Text: Acts 17:16-31
Target: The way you define God will always be the way you describe God, but most importantly display God.
Life is a series of “unknown interruptions” requiring constant consideration and consolidation of whether or not the interruption is important enough to cause redirection. However, what if the “unknown interruption” was seen not as an inconvenience, but an intervention, could we see the “unknown interruption” differently?
When life feels like it is unraveling at the seams and you are beneath the fray, just know there is a God who only needs a thread of faith to mend a garment of praise.
We serve a God that forgives all sin when we seek forgiveness and confess it. There is a freedom found in making known what you tried to keep unknown. God declares you fully known, but yet fully loved.
When you are on the outside looking in, hoping to be heard, given hope and healing, but you can’t move another step, could we believe that what seems final is not finished?
The most radical paradigm shift of sharing Jesus to all nations happened when persecution drove the early church to disperse. This dispersion, did not destroy the movement of Jesus, but instead deployed it to the ends of the earth. The vehicle...the Church at Antioch.
The theme of Psalm 23 is that God always protects and provides. The psalm relies on an extended metaphor of God as a shepherd and the speaker as one of his sheep. With God as his shepherd, the speaker says ''I lack nothing.'' Through the psalm, he details the ways in which God provides: he leads, he guides, he refreshes. The psalmist concludes with the idea that if he remains with God, then ''Surely your goodness and love will follow me/all the days of my life,'' claiming God's protection and provision as eternal.
The theme of Psalm 23 is that God always protects and provides. The psalm relies on an extended metaphor of God as a shepherd and the speaker as one of his sheep. With God as his shepherd, the speaker says ''I lack nothing.'' Through the psalm, he details the ways in which God provides: he leads, he guides, he refreshes. The psalmist concludes with the idea that if he remains with God, then ''Surely your goodness and love will follow me/all the days of my life,'' claiming God's protection and provision as eternal.
The theme of Psalm 23 is that God always protects and provides. The psalm relies on an extended metaphor of God as a shepherd and the speaker as one of his sheep. With God as his shepherd, the speaker says ''I lack nothing.'' Through the psalm, he details the ways in which God provides: he leads, he guides, he refreshes. The psalmist concludes with the idea that if he remains with God, then ''Surely your goodness and love will follow me/all the days of my life,'' claiming God's protection and provision as eternal.
God chooses to speak to us personally in Kairos moments, which are divine moments that are qualified in 4 distinctions: Speed Bump-Deciphering Moment, Brick Wall-Detouring Moment, Mirror-Discovering Moment, and Window-Defining Moment, but is it possible that at the same time in the same place God speaks to us a shared message?
The loudest echo of God’s voice often comes from within the hallways of hurt, pain, and anguish. According to C.S. Lewis: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, and shouts in our pain.” Today, we learn How to Recognize God’s Voice in Pain.
God speaks to you through His Spirit, verified by His Word, and confirmed by other people and circumstances. Therefore, being able to experience God's work in you and around you, is simply about being able to not only recognize God’s activity, but also being able to classify God’s activity in a practical way that leads to action.
The role of the Holy Spirit in the life of a follower of Jesus is multifaceted and, when recognized, God becomes multidimensional.
The primary way in which God has chosen to speak to His people is to reveal Himself through His Word, but can we trust it that is true? The desire of this message is to reveal the importance of the power of God’s word as not only reliable, but relevant for all people, in all places at all times.
What defines and directs us as people of destiny is to be able to discern the right voice(s) to give our attention and acceptance. The ability to decipher and determine what decisions to make in the daily rhythm of your life requires you to see Jesus as a Shepherd.
There is an automatic assumption that God doesn’t speak anymore and has chosen to be silent at the completion of the Holy Scriptures. Though, the Scriptures are complete and there is no new revelation beyond what’s contained in the 66 books of the Bible; God is still speaking making known what has already be known in the past, fresh and new today by applying it to us individually.
The closing message of the series gives the reminder to keep in an attitude of prayer. Remind me to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions.” Be alert and always praying for the saints; to be joyful and to give thanks in everything.
God desires to not only save you but to sustain you, shape you, and see you live supernaturally in your setting for the purpose of leading other people to encounter the God who saved you.
Faith becomes activated or devastated in this life’s journey. What will you do, how will you respond when life gets tough on purpose because the enemy is trying to destroy you? Will you fight or will you fold?
There is deliberate irony in today’s message as we consider the message of peace in the midst of spiritual warfare, especially during this Christmas season. The gospel of peace enables us to wage war against the forces of evil not just effectively, but confidently.
My hope is that we would wake up to the truth that we have an enemy who is after the very source of our lives, and that this awareness would push us to take serious the fight for righteousness and push us to suit up for war.
A life based in truth is a life that is tethered to truth, thus allowing every thought, belief, action to be filtered and applied in what is good, honorable and right.
God does not promise to deliver us FROM Spiritual Warfare, but THROUGH Spiritual Warfare!
We must recognize that the enemy has been using the same three lies for centuries leading unto destruction. Today, we will expose them and equip you to live not only in awareness of them, but in effectiveness in debunking them.
“There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second, is claimed by God and counter-claimed by Satan.” C.S. Lewis
Today’s message on the “elder brother” gives insight that we may be externally compliant in obedience, but internally defiant in disobedience. Thus, causing us to realize that we don’t work FOR acceptance from the Father, but we work FROM acceptance with the father.
It’s never too late to come back home! The steps to a new beginning require bravery and boldness in accepting fault, but choosing to advance forward…1…Step…at…a…Time..!
The prodigal spirit within us challenges daily the idea of whether or not the heavenly Father is able to fully satisfy your greatest longings. Today’s message exposes the lie that happiness is found away from the Father and will give hope to the fact it is never too late to come home.
Jonah is considered by many as fable, but because we believe it’s factual (Luke 11:30; Matthew 12:39-40) we are able to discover God’s faithfulness.
The book of Esther is critiqued by scholars because it never mentions God by title, but today we will discover not only the thumbprint of God is evident in this story, but yours as well.
A bonus podcast taken fro the 1pm service: In seeking to define who is actually one’s neighbor reveals the underlying issue that we all face, which is to define the limits and the lines of how we love others. In Jesus, he crossed the line to realign how we see and serve all people.
In seeking to define who is actually one’s neighbor reveals the underlying issue that we all face, which is to define the limits and the lines of how we love others. In Jesus, he crossed the line to realign how we see and serve all people.
WE AT CBC ARE CALLED—AS A CHURCH AND A PEOPLE—TO HELP LIFT PEOPLE FROM ALL THAT BLOCKS JESUS IN ORDER TO SEE JESUS!
For centuries persecuted Christians have taken comfort in the courage of Daniel. Today, we approach a familiar story of bravery and boldness that was forged when no one was watching thus preparing to stand strong when everyone was watching.
God desires to use our weakness, our faltering faith, our reluctant obedience and our availability more than He desires to use our strength, our talents, our confidence and our abilities.
The aim of a heart that follows God is to come to the place where God’s plan or His will becomes our primary pursuit. However, the tension usually lies in understanding what exactly God is asking us to do. Today’s message seeks to give clarity in how to TRUST GOD VS. TEST GOD.
THE CHECKLIST has become the gauge of whether or not we hit the target, thus causing us to place THE CHECKLIST into every sector of our lives, but there is one CHECKLIST missing from most of our lives and that is in our relationship with God. Today’s message will help us do exactly that!!!
We all have the tendency to believe the very best for everyone else around us, while often times failing to believe what we are actually telling other people.
Therefore, what you may think is your personal limitation actually can become your prolific liberation!
Galatians 5:1 - For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
As we wait, He works! Jesus as our kinsman redeemer fulfills the role as your deliverer not only today, but forevermore by pleading your case, defending your cause, and calling you His own.
Finding rest in the promises of God, and having faith to wait on them to come to pass is the tension of every follower of Jesus. We wait in the wonder of what if, feeling like time is running out, but instead we discover that God has been running ahead of us the entire time. Today’s message is a reminder that as we wait, God is working!
What if you were to step outside of the spaces that you currently reside and occupy only to discover that you have failed to do what you were called to do, and be what would you were called to be? Would you have the courage to reengage, the courage to redirect, and the courage to reclaim what God wanted to be said about the impact of your life?
To reduce our circumstances both positive and negative to a lucky break, bad luck, bad timing, fortune or fate, fails to take into consideration that the God that we serve is all powerful, all seeing and all knowing. Today’s message helps us see that He isn’t a distance God, but a detailed God who is working for your good and for His glory.
There is prodigal in all of us. The desire to know for ourselves what many have warned us against is the propensity within us all. Many have gone before us, warning us, steering us away from the distant country of regrets and remorse, but the draw is magnetic. Unfortunately, the only aspects that seem to adhere are the unfortunate mishaps and mistakes that label you and shame you. The story of Ruth is one of Return, Reconciliation, and Restoration.
The redundancy of a phrase like “dry ground” is a statement of the obvious. It is making a comparison of what once was, but now has changed. The beauty of a journey through the Jordan River was to eventually be standing on “dry ground”. A “dry ground” moment for us today is the commemoration of Memorial Day. In a day where it seems the coordinates of our country are lost; what’s not lost is the breathtaking beauty of freedom afforded by the many who have gone before us and paid the highest price for our democracy. We will never forget!
The mission is clear! To be Winsome is to win some to Jesus through “Irresistible Influence”. The motivation to live this mission may be lacking at times, but allow the manifestation of a “shared blessing” cause you to live in the wonder of not what is always gained, but what is given. Living “Winsome” is more than a decision, it is a direction, but most of it is a distinction.
A relationship with Jesus requires a response that results in meeting natural needs in supernatural ways.
It makes sense that God has called us to love Him. It is intuitively RIGHT that God has called us to care for our families. It is even sensible that God has called us to be the kind of people who gather many friends! In OUR world, it is incredibly challenging that God calls us to LOVE strangers. This brings us to our fourth core value: "Hospitality."
There is has a higher calling leading you not to just do what is asked, but to go above and beyond so that God may be glorified, and others would benefit. This is the essence of our third core value: “Hustle”!
C.S. Lewis said it best when he stated: humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. Therefore, in the effort to live a life of irresistible influence as winsome, how does one choose to develop a virtue that is designed to give, not gain?
We live in a culture void of honor. Value is often associated with power, prestige, performance, possessions and anything else that is considered popular. Therefore, the Kingdom of Jesus challenges a cultural mindset of what is considered honorable by deeming value to all people, not just a select few.
As followers of Jesus there are missional dynamics that we are all to embrace regardless of our vocation. For in every profession, platform, or place of participation, there is a way of thinking and living that is to be embraced by all, and that is to see your place in that space as the mission field. Now, before you panic under the weight of expectation, know this is not something you do, but what God does through YOU.
When Jesus says, “IT IS FINISHED”, He’s saying to you that no matter what your facing or feeling YOU ARE NOT FINISHED. These three words give Hope and Healing, Confidence and Courage not only for today, but also tomorrow! These are words for us all to rally around, rely on, and rest within and in this message I will explain why.
There is a thirst within us all that we all long to be forever quenched, causing us at times to search for significance. Settle for something less, stumble in shame, all the while continuing to cause more pain. So, today your “thirst quencher” has a name, but in order to quench your thirst, He had to experience your thirst. With joy today He speaks over your life…”I thirst” so you can boldly say “I’m no longer cursed”.
There is a thirst within us all that we all long to be forever quenched, causing us at times to search for significance. Settle for something less, stumble in shame, all the while continuing to cause more pain. So, today your “thirst quencher” has a name, but in order to quench your thirst, He had to experience your thirst. With joy today He speaks over your life…”I thirst” so you can boldly say “I’m no longer cursed”.
The moments in your life when you feel as if you haven’t done anything wrong, but yet you feel despair, disjointed, and dejection by God is considered a “dark night of the soul”. Your life is filled with questions that center around God’s lack of presence in a situation or stretch of road that seems like you’re on the way to nowhere from somewhere. You may not feel like this now, but most likely there will be a moment, or you know someone going through it; allow these words today to be comfort for you or someone near you.
This one word “paradise” not only cancels out your past, but also gives courage towards your future.
The fear of what happens after death has caused people to live daily in doubt and dismay, but there is a hope found in the promise of Jesus from the cross that not only applied to the thief on the cross, but to you as well.
The fear of what happens after death has caused people to live daily in doubt and dismay, but there is a hope found in the promise of Jesus from the cross that not only applied to the thief on the cross, but to you as well.
One conversation, ONE RESPONSE, changes EVERYTHING. When we surrender EVERYTHING that we have, we are able to receive EVERYTHING that He offers.
For the next 7 weeks we will listen, learn and lean into the final words of Jesus upon the cross, seeking to understand why He chose these 7 statements, what did they mean in context, and how do they lead us to respond today. The first statement of Jesus centers on the word “forgiveness” teaching us to bring a resolution to what may be unresolved that needs to be reconciled.
The message is simple and clear. If you were the only representation of Jesus that a person ever saw would your life be an accurate reflection of Jesus?
Today, we bring our season of 21 days of prayer and fasting to a culminating moment of completion. We have asked God for blessings and breakthroughs in our life that would not only affect our lives, but the people around us. For our new friends to CBC today, you have been invited to this church not because we want to change you, but because we want you to know the person that changed us. Thank you for saying “Yes” to being here today!
You are a part of the “bringing in the harvest”! We have been asking God for the harvest and the harvest is here! However, reaping the harvest takes a willingness to enter into it and engage with it. The harvest simply described is people entering into a relationship with Jesus through your testimony. Invest and Invite someone to come with you next weekend February 3rd or 4th
We will at one point in our life find ourselves at empty wells to quench a thirst that only God can satisfy. We can choose behavior modifications to treat our condition, but today, we seek the true way through heart transformation.
As we set our sights to begin our 21-day journey of prayer and fasting, we do so with the intentionality of giving up something good for something better; disrupting our routines, to devote our requests for the miraculous in our lives, this church, our nation, and the world.
As we look to a new year, there is not a new directive for our sense of purpose as a church, but an invitation to continue on what was started two thousand years ago, with the hopes of fulfilling and finishing the mission…Make Jesus Known and Make Disciples.
The 1st Christmas Carol ever sung was in the home of two cousins, both pregnant because of a miraculous intervention by God. There were no shepherds, no magi with gifts, no angels on high signing in perfect harmony, just a teenage girl asked to do the unthinkable, the unexplainable, risking her own life to bring forth the giver of Life. The Magnificat of Mary, a song of praise, becomes the mirror causing us to ask the question to ourselves, am I moved by the gift of Jesus?
The suspense of “Unwrapping Christmas” is found in the possibility of three aspects meeting at the intersection of hope and healing: “It Can’t be”, becoming “it could be”, proving “it will be”!
There are certain practices and expressions concerning the Christian faith that are open unto debate and discussion, but the Virgin birth is not one of them. Why is this doctrine the bedrock of our faith? Today, we explore the importance of embracing this doctrine as a core conviction through the criticism’s commonly referenced.
Contentment is not contingent on circumstances but is rooted in your confidence in Christ.
Thankfulness is most accurately described as “think”fulness! To be thankful is to be (think)ful. Therefore, in order to live in a persistent attitude of gratitude, despite our circumstances we must develop an awareness of the power of persistent prayer.
Your testimony is the story of your past colliding with your future leading you to make a decision for the present. This decision is to understand that everything you thought brought you gain was loss, and what you thought was a loss in Jesus was the ultimate gain. (Jesus + 0 = Everything)
We as the people of God have been given an opportunity like never before, to engage a world searching for answers. Not that we are the answer, but we know the ONE who is the answer. Therefore, to effectively share our hope with those who need it, it is important to be reminded of the directives of His plan and purpose.
In the English dictionary the word “honor” comes before the word “humility”. However, in the economy of God’s kingdom what seems logical is not always lasting. Therefore, if you seek honor, then choose humility, but know that when you choose humility, it will lead you to not seek honor, but bestow it.
There is battle cry within all of us that goes unheard, unsaid, and unannounced at times. However, this battle cry serves as the motivation, the cadence in our soul that keeps us focused, fixed, and faced in the right direction seeking to live a life of significance! The question is what is it that motivation?
- “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (ESV)
- “Alive, I’m Christ’s messenger; dead, I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose” (The Message)
- “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better” (NLT)
- “To me the only important thing about living is Christ, and dying would be profit for me” (New Century Version)
God is extending to you an invitation to be a part of something bigger than you, beyond you, all while seeking to bless you. This invitation is simply “WE can do more together than apart.” Being “in it” is choosing to define what we are willing to fight for, and today’s message challenges us to “FIGHT FOR UNITY”.
The Christian life is best summarized as a road trip, where the destination
is known, but the details of getting to that destination are unknown. There lies the
tension, a destiny known-Heaven, but the details to that destiny unknown-Earth.
The purpose of this message is to understand that this is not a problem to solve, but
a tension to manage. How do we do that?
You are not forgotten, but favored. You are not a failure, but favored. You are not fatherless, but favored. You are not finished, but favored. You are not filthiness, but favored. You are not forsaken, but favored.
If you want to be able to still rejoice when you have lost everything, then you have to possess something greater than what you lost. Therefore, happiness is based upon circumstances, while joy is based upon a concrete reality of something that never changes. What is that reality? JESUS
The only way in your life that you will never face criticism according to the parody of Aristotle is to: To do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. This is not an option considering you were called unto a life of purpose. So, how do we deal with the criticism in our head without having a catastrophe in our heart?
You were created to live for all eternity. Your significance is found beyond scientific explanation, material accumulation or human validation. You are His workmanship, created for God’s glory and man’s good! God’s plan for you is not to just embrace WHO you are but WHOSE you are.
There is nothing that the Lord doesn’t know about you. There is nothing hidden, everything is in full view, everything accounted for, nothing missing. These words were not intended to haunt you, but help you know that you are “fully known” to God and “fully loved”. How can we be guaranteed of this truth?
The essence of love is found in the character of God put on full display not only in His demonstration of sacrifice, but in the devotion in which His Love always
confronts! The mission of God is to confront us ALL in the space where we think we can live without Him. That space where we feel like we can live without Him is invaded by three simple
words… “AND THE LORD”
The true test of one’s leadership is not only what is done in the sunlight, but also what is done in the shadows. Therefore, if what is done in the shadows is not willingly brought into the sunlight, then know that God will intentionally bring the sunlight to the shadows.
There is a cave of depression that is inevitable for all, where darkness abounds and the walls are so tall. You sit in the shadows of sorrow with no hope for tomorrow. There is a light in the distance drawing near with persistence, bringing comfort in pain. He’s familiar with the darkness of the cave, for there once His body was laid, but on the 3rd day He was raised to give you a promise that this giant you face has already been slain.
Friends become family when the reason for the relationship transcends selfishness and embraces sacrifice. Therefore, to become a BFF with someone is truly a gift from God.
Everyone loves an underdog story, but what if I were to tell you that the narrative of David versus Goliath is not an underdog story, would you believe it? Today, it is our hope that whatever has set itself as a GIANT in your life will fall and be defeated not because of you trying to be David, but instead being confident in the God of David.
Value and worth are not quantified nor qualified by an external perspective, but instead the eternal perspective, which is one’s HEART. Today, we are once more reminded to never judge a book by its cover, but instead trust in the God that writes His story upon the pages of your heart, making your life a life worth knowing!
We study Jesus' conversation on the cross with the criminal next to Him, which gives us a beautiful example of His grace. "Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, 'If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.' But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.' Then he said to Jesus, 'Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.' And Jesus said to him, 'Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.'" Luke 23: 39-43.
The priority of investment begins with a simple framework of understanding the product of Investment, the profit of Interest, the possibility of the Indefinite, and the point of Involvement. Therefore, Jesus through the teaching of a parable concerning property, possessions and percentages, allows us to understand the expectation of His greatest asset of worth, and that is YOU. It’s understandable that you may not feel like you are worth investing in, but Jesus thinks otherwise.
: Radical Generosity is not a destination, but a direction of living life with a divine intentionality of investment. Therefore, a journey of joyous giving begins with a systematic approach to establishing consistent reproducible habits worth imitating. Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.” Leave a legacy not just by leaving behind an inheritance, but a heritage.
The brevity of life in contrast to eternal life challenges the very value system of success and significance that our society has constructed. To pursue the pleasure of riches at the expense of everyone else to only be enjoyed by yourself contradicts the very purpose of your existence. To gain and not give, guarantees that someone will get what you have guarded when you are gone, thus not allowing you to enjoy the gift of giving.
The concept of “Paying it Forward” begins with a willingness to make a sacrificial investment without concern for immediate gratification. However, what if I were to tell you that the return on your investment may not yield a return for YOU to actually count, carry or celebrate, but for SOMEONE else; would you still “Pay it Forward”?
The expression of generosity is more about faith than it is about finances.
It is in the spirit of benevolence that the early church made such a profound impact
upon a culture saturated in greed. Therefore, to live a life with a loose grip on every
earthly possession, because of a heavenly perspective, is to believe that we are not
owners of nothing, but instead stewards of everything.
The perception of an individual's significance is usually without the filter of a backstory of the investment of those in the background. Therefore, your legacy as a person of significant influence is not only defined by the tangible qualities you possess, but also the intangible qualities you deposit.
We've all heard athletes, actors, couples, and successful people thank the Lord for blessing their lives. How do we get Gods blessings in our home?
The abundant life of a believer is found in the vineyard between the upper room of the Lord’s last supper and the garden of Gethsemane. Learning the “Secret of the Vine” will allow you to live in the power of the Empty Tomb.
It is important to note that the exclusivity of Jesus is not based upon a lack of being inclusive, but instead a factual reality of the “law of non-contradiction”, which states when two statements are opposed to each other, one must be false. Therefore, Jesus is fully inclusive to all people, through the exclusive reality that with {JESUS plus nothing is everything}.
What has been deemed or decreed as impossible in and around your life can become possible because of one singular supernatural event in history, the resurrection of Jesus! Therefore, today it is our desire that you would discover your comeback story in a tomb that is empty, a Savior who is living and a salvation that has been afforded by grace through Jesus.
The language of sheep and the shepherd is used by the Apostle John over 30 times in his writings to the early church. The word “sheep” is referenced over 300 times in Scripture, all the while depicting a guiding relationship between God and his people, leading us to know our worth and value.
We continue our “I AM” series on the 7 statements of Jesus that declare His deity; we arrive at a two-part message that reveals Jesus as the “Good Shepherd”, serving as a fulfillment of Ezekiel 34:11-17. Shepherding imagery in Scripture is always a reflection of role and responsibility in the context of relationship, which is the very invitation that Jesus extends to all through Him being the “OPEN DOOR POLICY”.
No one has ever said “turn on the dark”, but instead by turning on the light, darkness has no choice but to submit and vanquish. Today’s message is the continuation of our “I AM” series revealing the teachings of Jesus as God through everyday life illustrations revealing His divine attributes for personal application. Be challenged, encouraged and convinced that through Jesus as the Light of the World, you are the light of the world.
The first of the 7 “I AM” statements of Jesus are in alignment with the fourth miracle recorded in John, which is the feeding of the multitude, estimating nearly 5000 people. The only two miracles recorded in all 4-gospel accounts are the resurrection of Jesus and the feeding of the 5000. This occurrence reveals the intentionality of the writer to point out that this memorable miracle is more fulfilling than simply a meal replacement.
You are the workmanship of God, created for Him to give glory to Him by living through Him. The greatest challenge to a life of higher calling is a failure to understand who the One is doing the calling. Therefore, to live life with meaning, magnitude, and great measure, I must allow my limitations of what “I am not” to be transformed by the “I AM”.
We are honored to have our One Weekend Pastor Jason Cook with us: Jason Cook played collegiate football at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where he would be a 4 year starter and 4 year letter winner at Fullback. In 2009, Jason enjoyed a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens through the pre-season before embracing the call to ministry. Jason holds a Masters of Divinity from Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. Jason and his wife Courtney, have two children Charlie and Cager. Together they serve as the Associate Pastor of Preaching at Fellowship Memphis and as the editor with the Gospel Coalition contributing to the Faith and Work initiative.
The “Lord’s prayer” or “model prayer” was given as a guide to move every disciple of Jesus through 6 anchor statements that keep one in a constant attitude of prayer. It is in the rhythm of the Lord’s Prayer that hope is held, a cry of help is heard, and a hand of heaven holds.
This verse is considered the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer, meaning “doxa” equals honor and “logy” or “logos” means word. Therefore, put the two definitions together and you have “words of honor”. The Lord’s Prayer is embedded in this doxology and serves as a succinct reminder of what we have and who we are in Christ. So, don’t forget…
The freedom of forgiveness causes the child of God not to seek how much one can get away with, but instead how much they can get away from. The tension between these two realities has been considered “the fight”! The battle is between the desires of the flesh versus the delight of the Spirit, and the one who wins is determined by which one is given permission. Therefore, walking in victory is determined by recognizing the following principles.
The Lord’s Prayer or model prayer is a revelation of the character of God as Father, King, Provider, Forgiver, Leader and Deliverer revealing a rhythm of invitation and challenge. Therefore, our relationship with God spiritually is to permeate our relationships physically, causing God to become most visible in our lives when we embrace and model forgiveness.
As we wait for the fullness of the physical Kingdom of God to come to this earth, we move in confidence that the Kingdom of Jesus is advancing in us. However, in our limitations, frailty and weakness, the “model prayer” shifts to a need for His provision to sustain us. The question is what is that provision?
As followers of Jesus we live within two historical book ends such as “Jesus leaving his rule as king to dwell on earth” and “Jesus as our reigning king on this earth”. Therefore, there is more than a calling to embrace, but a command to embark upon, which is the advancement of this kingdom through our lives.
Today’s message begins a new series that will cover the “Lord’s Prayer or Model Prayer” line by line over the next several weeks to discover not a routine, but a rhythm, not a prescription, but a pattern, not a formula, but a flow for life.