CityReach Cumberland: Recent Episodes
CityReach Cumberland
City Reach Cumberland uses unlikely people in overlooked places doing extraordinary things to lay claim to that for which Jesus has already PAID!
Before anything else, God is a Father. This Father’s Day message highlights how Jesus came to reveal the heart of the Father and invite us into a close, personal relationship with Him.
In any relationship, fruit is the natural byproduct of intimacy. This is also true of our union with Christ in that we are married to Him so that we can bear fruit to God. In this teaching, we'll discover three keys to abiding from John 15 that are necessary for bearing the quality and quantity of fruit that God intends.
We are more than conquerors through Christ, but it requires a continuing faith to experience and live out a victorious life. In today’s message, you will receive three keys from the story of Gideon that will help anchor your thoughts and transform your life into a living expression of the victory that Jesus has already paid for.
There are three distinct things that the Apostle Paul highlights in his prayer for the Ephesians that you need to have the eyes of your understanding opened to. These things belong to the Lord, they are available to you through your union with Him. In this message, you will learn to access them through the revelatory work of the Holy Spirit for the purpose of living a victorious life.
As believers, we can be and should be rejoicing, celebrating, and shouting praise to God continually. Because of being declared righteous by faith, we have peace and access, now it's time to celebrate. The apostle Paul says that through Christ we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God or in other words, in the confident expectation of Christ's return. In addition to that, we also rejoice in tribulations because of what God is producing in us, and we rejoice in God Himself because Christ reconciled us back to Him.
Another result of having been declared righteous by faith is that we have access into grace. In today's teaching, you will learn that God has hidden grace just waiting for you to discover and how you can boldly access and receive all that He has made available for you.
Once you have been justified by faith, there are certain results due to that righteous standing that are now yours; all of which are made available through Christ. In today's teaching, we look at the first of these effects, which is peace with God. Because of the absolute work that Christ did in satisfying God's wrath, God is not angry with you and His covenant of peace will never end.
There is a dimension of grace called favor, that God visibly displays in His kindness toward us through Jesus Christ. While it will take all of eternity for the fullness of this favor to be unveiled, it is nonetheless being revealed to us right now. In today's teaching, we will look at several aspects of God's favor from the story of King David (a picture of Christ) in the kindness that he displayed to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth.
It is obvious that Jesus lived a supernatural lifestyle while on the earth, but it was not because He was God. His continual display of the miraculous was done as a man who lived in complete dependent on the Holy Spirit to provide us an example of what would still be possible for us today. In this concluding message on the fullness of Christ, you will understand how it is possible for each of us to fulfill the promise that Jesus made that those who believe in Him would do the same miraculous works that He did.
The wisdom of God that is received through direct revelation from the Holy Spirit equips us to display the mind of Christ. While every born-again believer has access to the mind of Christ, it is obvious that many settle for the wisdom of this age and never tap into the wisdom of the age to come. In today's teaching you will receive keys to that will allow you to access the unlimited resources that God has hidden just for you.
The fullness of Christ is the standard of measure of maturity for a believer. One dimension of that fullness is the word of Christ, which we are to allow it to dwell richly in us as instructed by the Apostle Paul. The word of Christ is so much greater than just the "letters in red" that are contained in our Bibles today. In today's teaching, we unpack some of the mystery and misunderstanding surrounding God's word that so often limits believers from accessing all of His fullness.
Jesus said that a fully trained disciple will be like his teacher. The apostle Paul echoed this same thought by saying that the “fullness of Christ” is the standard of measure of a fully equipped and mature believer. In this message, Pastor Fred teaches on the dimensions of Christ’s fullness, the first of which is love.
One of the goals of equipping the saints is for the building up of the body of Christ. In this message, you will gain an understanding of how this kingdom process occurs. It starts with unity, progresses into growth and maturity, and then culminates with each part effectively doing what God uniquely designed it to do.
A fully equipped and mature body will manifest the fullness of Christ. When Jesus ascended, He gave certain gifts to the church, His body, for the purpose of fully preparing us to serve others effectively. In today's message, we launch the refined mission statement of CityReach Church which is: "Equipping the one that knows Jesus to reach the one that needs Jesus."
While on the earth, Jesus perfectly revealed God the Father's nature in every way because He was the exact image of God. In eternity past, God predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus. Therefore, as His sons and daughters, we also have a responsibility to reveal the Father to the world.
You were created for glory – not just to bring glory to God, but to also carry His glory. This glory of God that is in you can be released in various ways, but there is a dimension of His glory that is only manifest through the difficult situations and circumstances of life. In the end, God uses these temporary afflictions to work on your behalf in producing an eternal weight of glory that is beyond all measure.
A partaker is a partner, associate, companion, or sharer in something. And while every believer in Jesus Christ possesses a new nature, not every believer partakes of that nature. The apostle Peter says that we were given great and precious promises that we might be partakers of Christ’s divine nature and by knowing and believing in these promises, you can access all that God has prepared for you.
God freely gives always! Our struggle to freely receive can block us from experiencing all that God has for us.
When someone restores an automobile, a building, a piece of artwork or furniture, they bring it back into its former or original state. However, when Jesus restores you, your condition or situation, He restores better than before. In this teaching, you will see how Jesus revealed His restoring nature in His restoration of the Apostle Peter into ministry after he denied Christ and returned to his previous occupation of fishing.
Jesus is alive! In this message from His resurrection day, we unpack several Old Testament types and shadows that point Jesus, the Messiah. Hidden within this story are glimpses of Jesus as the Ark of the Covenant, the last Adam, and the atoning sacrifice. Our hope is that as you listen, you will not only receive a greater revelation of Jesus and His finished work but will fall deeper in love with Him.
When the apostles asked Jesus to increase their faith, He didn’t actually teach them how to do that. Instead, He told them that if they had faith as a mustard seed, nothing would be impossible for them. In reality, believing for and seeing the impossible is not a matter of producing more faith, but eliminating the unbelief.
From the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, this message will show how your capacity for more is increased through faithfulness. Faith asks the question, "Can you trust God?" However, faithfulness asks, "Can God trust you?" Regardless of the amount that you are initially entrusted with, as you steward well what you have been given, your personal capacity will grow as well.
In the same way that capacity can be increased in the natural realm, our spiritual capacity can also be increased. While we have an unlimited God living in us, our unbelief can hinder what He wants to do in our lives and in the lives of those around us. In this message, you'll discover areas of potential limitation and what God instructs us to do so that we can increase our capacity to receive and believe Him for more.
Being experienced with the word of righteousness is how the Apostle Paul calls describes a mature Christian. New Covenant righteousness is the righteousness of God by faith and not our own righteousness through effort. In today's teaching you will gain a deeper understanding of your righteousness nature in Christ and how the Holy Spirit works in your life to continually remind you of who you are in Him.
We are not to stay as baby Christians, although that's where everyone begins their Christian life. As we grow up into Christ, there will be markers along the way that indicate whether or not we're going in the right direction. And since we are all members of one another, our individual growth, or lack of it, will have a definite impact on the growth of the entire body.
In order to measure growth, there must be a standard of measurement. That is not only true in one's natural life, but in their spiritual life as well. As Christians, we should be continually maturing and the "measuring stick" of growth is not our spouse, our sponsor, our friends or ever our leaders, but it is the fullness of Christ Himself.
How do you respond to increase in your life when it comes? According to Solomon, sandwiched right between increase and abundance is the issue of honoring the Lord and that’s the very place that many Christians “drop the ball.” Listen to today’s teaching and learn how honoring the Lord with everything He puts in your hand will lead to a life of fullness and overflow.
When the angel Gabriel appears to Mary, he tells her that she was blessed and highly favored. The statement troubled her, and he continued to tell her not to be afraid. We can sometimes be fearful of God’s favor also, thinking we don’t deserve it – and ultimately, we don’t. But, because of Jesus’ perfect obedience and our relationship with Him, we inherit all that He deserves. The Apostle Paul would later echo Gabriel’s words to the church at Ephesus, telling them that they too were blessed and highly favored in Christ.
There are four separate instances in the Christmas story that the angel Gabriel tells someone that they are not to fear. In today’s teaching we look at the story of Zacharias and Elizabeth and see how God hears our prayers, remembers them and ultimately answers them. If you’ve been praying and believing God for something; no matter how long it has been, don’t give up.
God is love! If we have faith in God, we have been established in love! That understanding allows us to work from love, not for love. "LOVE" is the key, 1 Corinthians 13:13 says "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love." If we don't have love, we don't have anything!
To fear the Lord does not mean to be afraid of Him, but rather implies a sense of awe, reverence and submission. However, Jesus gave us another definition and deeper revelation to the meaning of the fear of the Lord - worship. And in today’s teaching, you will hear how worship becomes a place of exchange; either for wisdom from God or wisdom from the world.
Godly wisdom attracts people - even those who don’t have a relationship with God, yet. In today’s teaching, we’ll look at some of the characteristics of wisdom in Solomon’s life that drew the Queen of Sheba to Jerusalem. When we reign in life, through Christ who is the very wisdom of God, the world will recognize we carry something they need and will be drawn to it.
While social media influencers have the ability to alter the decisions of others, we have the ability to bring the influence of God’s Kingdom into the situations of life. It’s a much, much greater influence but one that hinges on our continually receiving His abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness.
We are doing one of two things, reigning in life, or letting sin reign in our life. Jesus has freed us from the authority of sin over our lives, sin no longer has dominion! We must see the victory to walk in victory!
When we receive the abundance of God’s grace and His gift of righteousness we reign as kings in life through Christ. The Apostle Paul says that this one truth is more certain than death. Listen to today’s message and learn how you can exercise your kingly influence over circumstances of life instead of allowing them to influence you.
"Love others as you love yourself" is not a suggestion, it's a command. When we complete that command it reveals the trust we have in God. If we have God talk, without God acts we produce nonsense.
To be generous is to display a willingness to give more of something than is necessary or expected. Since you are made in God's image, and He is the most generous person in the universe; your royal identity is one of generosity. In today's teaching, you'll see what made king David a man after God's own heart in terms of his extravagant giving and how you too can have the same heart.
“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” These are the words that the Father spoke to the disciples about Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. And these words are still necessary today in order to stay grounded in the place where He can continue to transform us into His image. Hear Him and Him alone!
What did Jesus do? Is the question we need to start asking. Jesus purchased peace on the cross. His resurrected presence enables peace. He is the ultimate peacemaker. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Peace has to be made... What will you choose? To Make or Break.
There are many methods people use in trying to achieve lasting change in their lives. However, there is only one way and His name is Jesus. In this message, you will learn the key to ongoing transformation in the story of Jesus being transfigured on the mountain.
The ongoing transformation that each Christian should be experiencing is one that the Apostle Paul describes as “from one degree of glory to even more glory” (2 Cor. 3:18 AMP). While this is entirely a work of the Holy Spirit, there are various encounters that He will use to initiate change in us. In today’s teaching, we’ll look at three of those encounters in the story of Samuel anointing Saul to be the first king of Israel.
Are you walking In or Out? In this new series, we are focusing on our "WALK" as believers. Kingdom lifestyle is about our walk progressing/maturing as we continue to grow in relationship with the father. Our reasoning for following God will determine what type of lifestyle we live. Ephesians 5: 1-2 instructs us to be Imitators of Christ and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.
Regardless of what you have been told or may have even come to believe; God created the "new you" in Christ for a definite purpose. In today's teaching from Ephesians 2:10, Pastor Fred will share that since God made you brand new, you are in fact His own work of art - His masterpiece. When God created you in Christ, He gave you everything that you would need to do what He created you for - that is to live a lifestyle of good works that illuminate God's nature and bring glory to Him. Listen today and start walking out your God-created purpose.
Our first teaching series of 2023 is called 23andWE - Discovering Our Spiritual DNA. The moment you put your faith in Jesus, you become a brand new creation - God gives you a new genetic code that is just like Him! In today’s message, Pastor Fred teaches on what our part is in the New Covenant and how it is a game-changer for the Believer.
Knowing your ABC’s is foundational in learning how to read and write. Similarly, there are essential truths about your position in Christ, that believers must be aware of and understand. Otherwise, we can spend years trying to obtain by effort what Jesus has already provided by grace. In today’s teaching, we’ll look at at just a few things from Ephesians chapter one that we already have already been given and are available to us right now.
How would you complete this statement, “Right now my life is ___________”? Most likely, your first response reveals the perspective from which you view your life and the reality from which you live. What if you could actually get to a place where the attacks and issues that arise don’t alter your day to day life? It’s not only possible, it’s available! Listen to today's teaching by Pastor Fred from Colossians 3:1-4 to find out how.
How would you complete this statement, “Right now my life is ___________”? Most likely, your first response reveals the perspective from which you view your life and the reality from which you live. What if you could actually get to a place where the attacks and issues that arise don’t alter your day to day life? It’s not only possible, it’s available! Listen to today's teaching by Pastor Fred from Colossians 3:1-4 to find out how.
A reality check is an occasion that causes you to consider the facts about a situation and not your opinions, ideas or beliefs. In today’s teaching, you will see the reality that is in Christ versus a few other things that seem real, but are actually just shadows. Colossians 2:16-23.
A reality check is an occasion that causes you to consider the facts about a situation and not your opinions, ideas or beliefs. In today’s teaching, you will see the reality that is in Christ versus a few other things that seem real, but are actually just shadows. Colossians 2:16-23.
Today is the day that we celebrate Palm Sunday, and in today’s message, we’ll learn three things about Jesus that take place as He makes His journey to Jerusalem. Since this day had been prophesied about over 500 years earlier and it came to pass just as God’s Word prophesied that it would, we know that Jesus is dependable. When Jesus saw the city, he wept over it and because He became a man we understand that He identifies with us. Then as He enters the city, the people ask, “Who is this?” And the reply of His followers, “This is Jesus” gives us hope that He is the answer to every one of life’s issues.
The name of Jesus not only gives us access to the Father, but also grants us authority over the enemy and everything attached to him. Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He said that all authority in heaven and earth had been given to Him and then He gave that authority to each one of us who believe in Him. In today’s teaching, you’ll hear about three areas that the name of Jesus is above – every sin, every demonic spirit and every sickness.
The things that you think are valuable become worthless when compared to something of infinite value. That's exactly how the Apostle Paul described all of his accomplishments in comparison to knowing Jesus. In this message, you'll discover the benefit of knowing Him intimately why it is worth so much.
It is possible to have peace in the midst of all circumstances. However, the peace of God is very different than the peace that the world is familiar with because the world’s peace can only be experienced in the absence of turmoil and problems. In today’s teaching, you will learn of three ways that peace beyond all understanding can be released in your life. By praying with thanksgiving, meditating on good things and then putting those things into practice, you too will experience the supernatural peace of God.
Do you remember what life was like when you first found out that Jesus loved you and you fell in love with Him? However, somewhere in their relationship with the Lord, many Christians begin to make it all about their love for the Lord and forget that we only love Him because He first loved us. In today's teaching, we will learn from the Apostle Paul's prayer for the Ephesian church about what it means to be comprehend the width, length, depth and height of God's love and to experience His love which is beyond knowledge.
When you sacrifice things in your life for Jesus’ sake or the gospel’s, there is a promise of rewards in this life and not only in the next one. However, many of us have incorrect attitudes or mindsets that must be dealt with first. In today’s teaching we will discuss how both comparing and complaining can hinder us from receiving all that God intends for us and that we must learn to completely trust the One who is eternally good and gracious.
What moves you into action for someone else? What motivates you to serve and help others? Many times, before Jesus ministered to individuals or the crowds, the Bible tells us that He was moved with compassion for them. In today's teaching, we'll look at some of the characteristics that identify whether or not compassion is truly at the heart of what we do.
The giving of the firstfruits offering was a requirement under the Old Testament law. Although we're not under the obligation of the Law, the principles surrounding the firstfruit are still applicable today. In this teaching, Pastor Fred focuses on how the firstfruit offering is a reminder and also a test.
The message that the angel of the Lord delivered to the shepherds on that first Christmas was good news then and is still good news today. He announced that there was a born for you in Bethlehem a Savior who is Christ the Lord. In today's message, learn why it is important that Jesus is not only Savior, but also Christ and Lord.
Faith is an essential to the Christian life because without it we cannot be saved and one of the greatest enemies of faith is fear. In today's teaching, we will look at four times in the Christmas story where the angel instructed someone to "fear not." In each instance that the angel told them to not be afraid, he also told them a reason why and those four reasons are still apply to our lives today.
Jesus told His disciples that even though the harvest is plentiful, there are few laborers. In today's message, Pastor Fred teaches about what hinders believers from entering the Lord's harvest and how we must continually seek His direction. Since there is never a shortage with the potential of the harvest, our focus in praying for the lost must be for laborers to be sent out.
The Bible says that everyone who is in Christ is a new creation. That means that the day you accepted Jesus, the spirit part of your was made brand new. This is the part of you that Holy Spirit now lives in and through His Spirit you are now ONE with Christ. Understanding and believing the reality of your union with Him, will allow you to begin to walk in and release His supernatural power that already resides in you
Once you receive Jesus as your Savior, you are a new creation in Christ. Even though the old things have passed away and all things have become new, quite often what you experience seems to contradict the truth of God’s word. In today’s teaching, we’ll begin to lay the groundwork for understanding the difference between your spirit, your soul and your body. When you begin to renew your mind to the reality that exists in your born again spirit, you’ll start seeing evidence of it begin to flow into your life.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. This means that He sent Jesus to eliminate the barrier of sin that stood between God and man and regardless of what you might have heard or been taught, God is no longer mad at you. Harmony has been restored and this is the gospel message that we should be preaching. Even though God has made the provision for you, you still have to receive his free gift and “be reconciled to God.”
Jesus tells three stories in Luke 15 that give us some insight on God’s perspective of reaching the one. While the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son reveal a distinct person of the Godhead (Father, Son & Holy Spirit), they also have some very common themes. In today’s message, Pastor Fred shares how God reacts to the lost one, how He responds when the lost one is found and how He restores everything that was lost.
Just like the man who was born blind in John 9, we too, are all born "spiritually blind." Apart from the healing touch of Jesus, we are unable to restore our own sight and will live our lives in utter darkness. Listen to today's teaching as we take a deeper dive into Jesus' conversation with his disciples about this man's situation, as well as, a few things that can distract us from our mission of reaching the one.
In part four of our "Reaching The One" series, we discuss breaking the cycle of sin as found in the story of a woman who was caught in adultery. Jesus, the Person of grace, masterfully navigates a seemingly impossible situation in which He both satisfies the law of Moses and pronounces a "not guilty" verdict to the woman. While the law is great at pointing out sin, it doesn't have the power to break sin, but grace does. If you're struggling with any repetitive issues in your life, listen to today's message and be set free by the grace of Jesus.
In today’s teaching, Jesus reaches the ONE that has been suffering with an infirmity for 38 years. What’s interesting is that when Jesus asked him if he wanted to be made well, the man didn’t say “Yes” immediately. Just like the man in the story, there are still many people today who continue to embrace their sickness or will even make excuses for it. The good news is that no matter how long you’ve been dealing with something or how bad it might seem, Jesus is still able and wanting to heal you of it.
Reaching a city starts by reaching the one and that's just what Jesus did in the story about the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well. In today's teaching, Pastor Fred shares how we must listen to the Holy Spirit as He leads you to the one in need, as well as, some practical ways to engage them in a conversation that leads them toward Jesus.
Nicodemus, like many people, was a good person. He observed the commandments, gave tithes, fasted regularly and was a well respected Jewish teacher. However, Jesus told him that unless he was born again he would never be able to enter heaven, regardless of every good thing he had done. This is still an essential today and in this teaching, Pastor Fred will talk about the new birth and the effects it will have on your life.
If you saw a thief outside of your house at night, would you unlock the door and leave it cracked for him? Most likely not, but many Christians live with doors in their lives left wide open to the enemy. In today’s message, Pastor Fred covers the three main categories of open doors that the enemy uses in his attempt to steal, kill and destroy you.
To be “free indeed” is to be “free through and through” as the Message translation of the Bible interprets Jesus’ words in John 8:36. However, there are many Christians today who are 100% positionally free, but experientially they are still living in bondage to something. In today’s teaching, Pastor Fred lays out three warning signs that could indicate that a Believer has, at some point, believed a lie and has become enslaved to it.
The bible tells us that faith is the substance of things hoped for which means that hope is a necessary component of faith. Today Pastor Fred continues last week's teaching on enduring faith and how hope is an anchor for our soul that is both sure and steadfast. What makes this anchor different from other anchors is that instead of holding you back, it actually pulls you toward your destination since it is fastened in the heavenly realm.
We are saved by grace through faith, but faith was never intended to merely get us into God's family. Faith is the nature of life in His family and through it we have access to all of the Father's resources. However, there are many times when we must wait for a period of time between the promise and it coming to pass. Even Abraham patiently endured for 25 years before his son Isaac was born. Listen today and learn how your faith can endure until the promise becomes a reality.
To the crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as a river of living water flowing from within you. Prior to this, He told the Samaritan woman at the well that anyone who would drink from the living water that He gives would never thirst again. In today’s teaching, Pastor Fred talks about the difference between having a well of living water in you and a river of living water flowing from you. While the well in you supplies life to you, the river flowing from you is intended to bring life to those around you.
Just because someone has been set free doesn’t mean that they live in freedom. In this week’s message we’ll dig into the Apostle Paul’s interpretation of the old testament story of Abraham’s two wives and how they illustrate the old and new covenants. Free-born children should live a life of freedom and today’s message will address how to avoid two common areas of bondage that a Believer can fall into.
The things that you think give you significance and/or security probably don’t at all. Jesus said that that we are not to store up treasures on earth which are subject to decay and theft, but in heaven, where they are eternally safe and secure. Listen to today’s teaching and learn what treasures in heaven are and how to get them there.
According to Jesus, if you are one of His disciples, then you are the salt of the earth and you are the light of the world. We know that salt enhances the flavor of food and light enhances one's ability to see, but how does that apply to our everyday lives? In today's teaching, you will learn how the nature of Christ in you should have a transforming effect on the culture around you.
You become the righteousness of God in Christ the moment you accept Jesus. Practically speaking, that means you stand before God as innocent, guiltless and faultless as Jesus. But, what about after that? If you’ve ever wondered about what happens to my righteousness after I sin, listen to today’s teaching and allow God’s Word to strengthen your confidence in Him and who He’s created you to be.
At CityReach Cumberland, one of our passions has always been using unlikely people in overlooked places to do extraordinary things for the Kingdom of God. In today’s message, Pastor Fred teaches from the story of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and how He used His disciples and a donkey to do exactly that. Listen and see how Jesus has a plan and purpose for you too.
We’ve all heard someone quote the verse, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” When used by itself, it sounds as if Jesus is prohibiting judging altogether, but He’s not. What He is exposing and correcting is hypocritical judging. Listen today as Pastor Fred teaches on how we are to judge appropriately and with authenticity.
Worry is a mental distress or agitation resulting from concern over something that’s anticipated. Since worrying will divide your attention and draw you in another direction; Jesus clearly instructs us not to do it. Today, Pastor Fred concludes his teaching on worry, by sharing some practical questions that we must answer if we want to live worry-free lives.
Living free from worry is a key element in building a life with rock solid foundation. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He tells us not to worry about the things that pertain to our everyday lives. In today’s message, Pastor Fred teaches on the first of three questions that we can ask ourselves that will help us in eliminating worry from our lives.
Jesus tells a story at the end of the Sermon on The Mount about two men who built a house. These two men both had the same desire to build, listened to the same teaching and experienced the same storm. However, in the end, one man’s house stood because it was founded on the rock, while the other man’s house fell. Listen to this teaching by Pastor Fred to learn how to ensure that your foundation is rock solid.
Even at the young age of twelve, Jesus had a keen awareness of His purpose when He told His parents that He must be about His Father’s business. Twenty-one years later, after Jesus fully completed His assignment on earth, He passed the baton to His disciples (and to us) when He said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” In the same way the Father sent Jesus on a mission, Jesus commissions us; and as long as there is still ONE who is far from God, the Father’s business remains unfinished.
When “the Word became flesh,” Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament prophecy that a virgin would bear a Son and they will call His name Immanuel which means “God with us”. When Jesus took on human flesh, He gave the world a visible expression of the true nature of God the Father. When Jesus came, grace came because Jesus is the Person of grace.
When the angel announced that “in the City of David there has been born for you a Savior,” he wasn’t only speaking to the shepherds because the good news of the Savior’s birth was for “all people.” In today’s teaching, we’ll look at each of the four names that Isaiah says that the Savior will be called; Wonder Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father & Prince of Peace and how they apply to us personally.
If the enemy can’t keep you from being saved, he’ll do his best to keep you from serving. Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, gives a prophecy about Jesus just months before His birth. In that prophecy, he says that we are saved to serve, but all too often, many people get saved to be served. Listen to today’s teaching and hear how we are to serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him and all the days of our life.
King David had first-hand experience with difficult times, but he didn’t allow his situations to control his life. In tough times, he would remind himself of God’s benefits; that God forgives all sin and heals all disease; that God redeemed his life, crowned him with love and mercy and satisfied him with good things. There is great value in remembering who God is and what He has done because He doesn’t change and He doesn’t play favorites. If He did it before, He’ll do it again and if He did it for someone else, He’ll do it for you!
Jesus has called us into a place of co-laboring with Him where He literally writes us into equation of bringing His will to pass. However, when you’ve had people telling you your whole life that you’re inadequate, it’s not uncommon to start thinking that you’re not qualified work with God. The good news is that God has already qualified you and when He qualifies you, you’re never unqualified, underqualified or even disqualified.
The Apostle Paul said that we are co-laborers with Christ. We know that God can do anything that He wants, completely independent of us, but He chooses not to. What an incredible thought - that we actually get to partner with Him and have the opportunity to shape history by having a creative effect on our surroundings.
A renewed mind doesn't merely think the thoughts that God thinks, but actually thinks those thoughts from the same perspective that God thinks from. In other words, the renewed mind thinks from a different direction and a different reality. However, having a hardened heart will limit the degree to which your mind is able to be renewed. In today's teaching, you will be able to evaluate your own thought processes as we look at three different encounters that Jesus had with His disciples in which their hardness of heart affected how they responded to a particular situation.
If you think that your lifestyle choices only affect you, then you’re forgetting that we are all part of the same body. In order for the whole body of Christ to reach the fullness that God intends, each member must do his or her part and that includes our lifestyle. Only when we allow our minds to be renewed and our attitudes to be changed can we be successful in putting off the former way of life and putting on our new self.
Do you ever struggle with saying "No" to the wrong things that your flesh wants to do? God's Word says that the solution for not carrying out the desires of the flesh is to walk in the Spirit. But what does that mean? If you want to experience absolute victory in your life, listen to today's teaching and hear about seven practical ways that you can walk in the Spirit.
Jesus didn’t save you so that you would be stuck in your sin for the rest of your life. In order to help us to live in newness of life, the Apostle Paul tells us that there are a couple of things that we need to know. Since the old man was crucified with Christ, sin no longer has any power in our lives. So much so, that we are to consider ourselves as dead to sin and as alive to God as Jesus is. You now have a brand new nature that is completely righteous, just like Jesus, and He empowers you to live a life free from sin.
Water baptism is not a requirement for salvation, but since it is a commandment of Jesus, it should be one of the first steps of obedience a Believer takes after receiving Him. It symbolizes the spiritual realities that occurred the moment that you accepted Jesus; that you died with Him, you were buried with Him and you were raised to life with Him. You are in reality saying “Goodbye” to the old man and “Hello” to the new and now because of what Jesus has done, you can live and act differently.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Where is God in all of this,” then this message is for you. The prophet Nahum lived in a time when Judah was being oppressed by Nineveh and in the middle of his prophecy of judgment against that city, he also proclaimed a promise of hope for the people of God that still holds true today. He said, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him.”
Three out four times that Jesus called the Holy Spirit, the Helper, He also referred to Him as the Spirit of truth. Today, Pastor Fred continues with The Spirit of Truth, Part 2, and talks about how important of a role truth plays in being victorious over the schemes of the enemy. The more truth that you receive, the more victory that will manifest in your life.
Three out of the four times that Jesus called the Holy Spirit, the Helper, He also referred to Him as the Spirit of truth. There are many things today that people consider to be the truth, but real truth never changes. So despite what someone’s personal preference might be or what might be popular at the time, you can be confident knowing that the Holy Spirit will guide you into all truth
We often ask ourselves? what is the line between right and wrong? How do I know what choices to make? Thankfully we have the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and acts as a moral compass, helping us to make the toughest decisions. When we follow His lead, we are promised to have the fruits of the spirit enrich our lives and make life complete.
Jesus said that when the Helper comes, He will convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment. Quite often, our view of conviction is shaped based on our understanding of or experience with our legal system. Today, Pastor Fred teaches on these three convicting works of the Holy Spirit and how He operates in the lives of both non-believers and believers.
Jesus perfectly represented the Father while He was on the earth. Since He had to leave, He told His disciples that He would send them another Helper - another One just like Him. Pastor Fred begins a new series this week entitled, The Helper. In today's teaching, he explains how the Holy Spirit is not only with you, but also desires to be in you and upon you.
Jesus said that He is the vine, the Father is the vinedresser and we are the branches. His ultimate desire is for us to bear fruit that remains, but there’s a process in getting there. The key for us is staying connected and in total dependence on Him. If you want to be brought into a place of more fruitfulness, then listen to today’s teaching by Pastor Fred as he explains how He repositions and prunes us to accomplish His purpose through us.
This week, Pastor Fred teaches on several aspects of Jesus being our good Shepherd. The Shepherd leads us with His voice, protects us from the enemy and holds us securely in His hand. If you’ve been getting led astray by other voices or experiencing attacks from the enemy, listen how your good Shepherd will lead you out and will never run from a fight.
When the answer to your prayer is delayed or isn’t exactly what you asked for, it doesn’t mean that Jesus didn’t hear you or doesn’t love you. Quite often, He has something greater in mind for you. As you listen to this week’s teaching by Pastor Fred, you’ll see that just because you have experienced death or decay in some area of your life, doesn’t mean that it is beyond the resurrection power of Jesus.
The enemy wants nothing more than to isolate you and steal you from the protection of the sheepfold. The good news is that Jesus is the door that guards the sheepfold and He is the only way in and the only way out. When the enemy comes- remind him who you belong to. Pastor Jay reminds you in this message that Jesus is your door to peace, love, and everlasting life.
Most people who are stuck in some secret sin are fearful to come into the light. Listen as Fred Timbrook explains why coming into the light is exactly what you need. When Jesus is that Light, He’s never condemning and there’s nothing to fear.
Today Fred Timbrook begins a new series with the first of Jesus’ seven “I AM” statements from the book of John. Jesus, the Bread of Life, is spiritual food for your spirit, soul and body, but all too we waste time and energy chasing “food” that has a shelf life. He has a word for you every day and His bread is everlasting.
Like most of us, the Apostle Paul had a bad reputation before he came to Christ. Today Fred Timbrook shares how that no matter what you may have done, God had a predesigned plan for your life that was in place before you were even born. Then listen to our four most recent Hope Home graduates tell of how God’s love and grace has dramatically changed their lives.
Grace doesn’t play favorites. Let your mind be renewed with this verse, “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.” Listen as Fred Timbrook and Jay Atkinson teach on how the unmerited, unearned and undeserved favor of God is available for everyone, but you’ve got to receive it for yourself.
Today’s teaching by Fred Timbrook and Jay Atkinson focuses on the fact that God has delivered you in the past, is delivering you now and will continue to deliver you in the future. Jesus doesn’t give Himself for our sins, so that would be “saved, but stuck” until we get to heaven one day. Don’t ever think that God gets tired of delivering you. Since deliverance is His will, He actually takes pleasure in doing it.
God’s not mad at you and He has already reconciled the world to Himself through Jesus. Fred Timbrook and Jay Atkinson teach that NOW is the acceptable time and NOW is the day of salvation. There is a purpose for God’s grace beyond your initial salvation.