Northwest Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Northwest Bible Church
Sunday audio sermons from Northwest Bible Church located in Hilliard, Ohio.
Our mission is to lead and equip people in a growing relationship with Jesus. You’ll find this common thread running through our Bible-centered sermons. So, no matter your past or what questions you might have, Northwest is a church where you’ll hear the truth and find the grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers everyone!
When life stops making sense, where do we go? Most of us reach for the Bible when things get hard, then put it back on the shelf. In Psalm 119, God’s Word holds up every part of life: our decisions, our relationships, our emotions, our sense of direction.
Ever look around and feel like everyone else has it easier? Even one of Israel’s greatest worship leaders felt that way. In Psalm 73, Asaph almost loses his footing to envy, until God meets him in worship and shows him the whole picture.
Most of us live like we have unlimited time. In Psalm 90, Moses gets honest about how short life really is. But he doesn’t leave us there. This prayer points us to the God who has been our refuge in every generation and who makes our few days count.
Stop letting fear make your decisions. Fear is a terrible leader that takes you exactly where faith never would. In Psalm 34, David learned that the hard way, and found God to be the refuge fear kept promising but never delivered.
We treat purity like a fence, convinced the right rules and boundaries will keep our hearts clean. But Psalm 101 shows that a fence can mark a boundary and still never purify a heart. Purity isn’t something you build; it’s what God grows in a heart running toward Him.
Most of us run somewhere when life caves in: our phones, our anxieties, anyone who’ll agree with us. Psalm 31 is David’s honest prayer from the middle of the pain, not after it. He runs to God with his fear, his grief, even his own sin, and finds that his times were always in God’s hands.
You spend so much energy hiding the parts of you that you’re sure would make people leave. But God already knows all of it. The sin, the fear, the things you bury. And He doesn’t love you less. He loves you fully. You don’t have to hide from the God who made you.
Psalm 2 opens with the whole world raging against God… and God laughing. But it ends with a crowned King who absorbed the rod of iron before he ever held it. He stands with one hand clenched in judgment and the other open in refuge. The choice is ours.
Have you ever prayed, stayed faithful, and watched nothing change? David knew that valley. Psalm 86 is his prayer from it. The thing he really prayed wasn’t “fix it all.” It was “show me You’re in it.” Maybe that’s you, praying for a fix. But God wants to give you something more. Himself.
God is always speaking—through creation and through His Word—and most of us aren’t tuned in. The real distance usually isn’t a faith gap; it’s an attention gap. Psalm 19 is about learning to listen again, and letting what He’s said do its work in us.
You’re either rooted in God’s Word or blown away by everything else… there’s no middle ground. Psalm 1 reveals that a fruitful life isn’t built through willpower, but through delighting in the Word that roots you deep and trusting God, who walks you through what you can’t see.
When life gets uncertain, our instinct is to analyze the damage and tackle it ourselves. In Psalm 25, David starts somewhere completely different… with God. His prayer offers us a posture for the in-between seasons: not more effort, but surrender to the God who sees the whole picture.
Would you take the promise of God without the presence of God? Most of us already live that way—doing His work without depending on Him. Through Christ, the Holy Spirit dwells within you. Prayer is how you stop settling and start knowing Him.
We tend to think we need to clean ourselves up before coming back to God. Jesus tells a different story: a Father who ran to his son before the confession was even finished. Grace is for everyone—never deserved, always available—and God is already running toward you.
When a believer falls into sin, the easiest thing is to turn our back on them. But Galatians 6 calls the church to something harder and better… Spirit-led restoration. When a believer falls, the response isn’t exposure or shame but patient, gentle grace. The cross doesn’t just save you from sin… it changes how you see the people still in it.
When a believer falls into sin, the easiest thing is to turn our back on them. But Galatians 6 calls the church to something harder and better… Spirit-led restoration. When a believer falls, the response isn’t exposure or shame but patient, gentle grace. The cross doesn’t just save you from sin… it changes how you see the people still in it.
The answer to the problem of sin isn’t more rules… that’s like pouring water on a grease fire. It only makes it worse. True freedom isn’t the absence of sin’s pull; it’s walking in the Spirit’s power… and that’s something you can’t produce on your own.
What feels like a step toward greater spirituality might actually be a step away from grace. Stand firm in your freedom.
The Galatians didn’t abandon Scripture… they misinterpreted it. And that one mistake distorted the gospel. In Galatians 4:21–31, Paul shows that while the Law has its place, it cannot justify you, and those who try to earn their standing before God end up in bondage. The Holy Spirit illuminates Scripture, but only when we let the text speak for itself instead of making it echo what we already believe.
Most of us either wield truth like a weapon or stay quiet to protect the relationship. Neither is love. In Galatians 4, Paul refuses to separate grace and truth… and shows us how to speak hard things and receive them through the power of Jesus Christ.
Most believers know they’re forgiven… but still relate to God through fear, pressure, and performance. Christ set you free, making you an heir. Start living like it.
The Law was never designed to save, secure, or sustain you… it was meant to show you that you can’t. We keep trying to earn what Christ already fulfilled. Stop living a life God never intended and walk as a fully accepted child of God.
You can’t earn God’s favor through better behavior or spiritual disciplines. The Law was never meant to save you—it was meant to show your need for grace through a relationship with Jesus. Discover why your attempts to manufacture spirituality through rule-keeping are actually rooted in distrust of God’s promises and reliance on your own performance.
You were saved by faith, but now you’re trying to earn God’s blessing through works. You tithe, serve, obey… hoping to secure His favor. But God isn’t bribed by your righteousness. The same Spirit who saved you by grace will complete what He started.
Most of us make the same mistake: we stay silent when we should speak truth, or we correct people over personal preferences instead of biblical error. When one of Jesus’s closest followers made this mistake, Paul confronted him publicly. Discover what biblical rebuke actually preserves.
Some fights are worth fighting. There is no “agree to disagree” when it comes to gospel truth. Paul fought to preserve the gospel while refusing to fight over preferences… and he shows us how to tell the difference.
Paul was accused of man-pleasing for preaching grace instead of rules. His conversion proved the gospel doesn’t need your approval. Religion doesn’t change you… Jesus does. God’s truth, all of it (not just the comfortable parts), is what transforms you through His grace.
What feels like a minor adjustment to the gospel is actually a departure from God Himself. In Galatians 1, Paul shows that the gospel isn’t just how you’re saved… it’s the ongoing work of God that justifies, sanctifies, and sustains you. Any other message doesn’t transform; it replaces the truth.
What makes you deep in faith isn’t what you know… it’s obeying God without guaranteed outcomes. When you say yes to His nudges, when you’re in over your head and can’t touch bottom, that’s where faith gets vibrant. God wants you dependent on His power, not your ability.
Christmas celebrates God reconciling us to Himself… but that reconciliation changes how we live. Your relationship with God is inseparable from your relationships with people. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, you’re called to extend the same peace Jesus gave you. The reconciled should be reconcilers.
There’s a way that seems right… until it ends in death. Confident and clueless, we wander further than we realize. Our deepest problem is being separated from God by sin. Christmas is God’s answer: Jesus didn’t come to show the way back. He IS the way.
The world affirms everything you do but doesn’t actually love you. Jesus loves you but isn’t okay with what’s destroying you. Discover why real love requires both clarity about sin and compassion that transforms… not through your effort, but the Holy Spirit making you entirely new.
You’ve been told that if you pray with doubts, God won’t answer. That if your faith isn’t perfect, you’re disqualified. But that’s bad theology—built on pulling a few verses out of context and missing what James actually meant.
Your doubts don’t disqualify you from God. Faith isn’t having it all together… it’s trusting the One who does. We’re looking at what the Bible really says about doubt, double-mindedness, and the kind of faith God honors.
Your words carry more weight than you realize. Guest pastor Robby Greene shares how words he spoke a decade ago came back with consequences he never imagined. Sow to the wind, reap the whirlwind.
Stop asking God to fulfill YOUR dreams. He’s calling you into waters too deep to touch bottom… where real faith begins. Discover what “with God all things are possible” really means and why trusting Him in the impossible transforms you more than staying comfortable ever could.
Everything is too much for you to bear—but nothing is too much for Him. Stop relying on your strength.
Bad theology twists “Do not judge” to avoid accountability. God calls us to judge within the church… but leave the world to Him.
Theology is easy to get wrong… especially when we love a verse so much we stop asking what it actually means. In this first message of Bad Theology, we look at Jeremiah 29:11 and discover we’ve been seeking the wrong thing. Stop chasing God’s plans for your life. Chase God… that’s where you’ll find Him.
Pride whispers, “you deserve this.” Humility reminds you: “God entrusted you with this.”
Chasing recognition will never satisfy you. Everything in your hands came from God—here’s what that changes.
Pride hides in your holiness. Stop comparing yourself to others and start seeing your desperate need for mercy.
Pride blinds you to the sin that’s destroying everything you care about. Here’s how to finally see it.
Pride is a prison you can’t escape alone. Stop letting the worst part of you control the rest of you.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8
While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.
It’s the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8
While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.
It’s the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.
Stop letting emotions make your decisions. Let God’s peace be the umpire of your heart.
Some of us spend our days trying to be “good enough.”
We swap bad habits for better ones. We adjust our image, polish our reputation.
But what if the change God wants for you doesn’t start with effort—it starts with identity?
In Colossians 3, we see that life with Jesus isn’t about self-improvement.
It’s about living from who you already are: chosen, loved, and free.
Stop trying. Start living.
And discover the freedom that lasts.
That thing you keep trying to control instead of actually dealing with it? The habit, anger, or pattern you’ve managed to keep mostly hidden?
Pastor Matt gets real about why our self-control strategies backfire and what it actually means to “put off the old self.”
This isn’t about trying harder or summoning more willpower.
Drawing from Colossians 3, he unpacks the difference between managing our struggles and actually putting them to death. Whether it’s anger that explodes at bad moments, words that cut too deep, or just living like you’re still the person you used to be.
Matt shares what it looks like to stop caging your sin and start killing it.
Plus how to wake up each day and put on your new identity in Christ.
For anyone tired of exhausting self-management cycles and ready for the freedom Jesus actually offers.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8
While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.
It’s the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.
Different Christians reading the same Bible somehow reach completely different conclusions about what’s okay and what isn’t.
Where do you draw the lines?
This message cuts through the confusion by showing how believers can disagree on practical matters while staying unified in what actually matters. You’ll discover the difference between biblical commands, personal convictions, and man-made rules.
The surprising truth: spiritual growth isn’t about following more rules or staying farther from sin.
It’s about staying closer to Jesus.
Learn to navigate gray areas with confidence and discover the freedom that comes from relationship over rules.
You know you’re forgiven, but you still feel guilty.
You understand grace, but you’re still trying to earn God’s approval.
You’ve been set free, but you keep going back to the same patterns.
Sound familiar?
Anthony dives into Colossians 2 to show how the cross isn’t just about your salvation—it’s about your daily freedom.
When Jesus was nailed to the cross, your guilt, shame, fear, and regret were nailed there too.
Yet we keep carrying weight we were never meant to bear.
This message challenges the gap between what we know theologically and how we actually live.
If you’re tired of trying harder and ready to trust deeper, this could change everything.
The pressure to be perfect is everywhere.
Follow these rules. Add this practice. Try harder. Be better.
But what if all that effort is actually pulling you away from what really matters?
Paul warns the Colossians about getting caught up in empty philosophies and man-made traditions that promise spiritual growth but deliver spiritual kindergarten.
The truth is simpler and more freeing: Jesus is enough.
You don’t need to add anything to Him—not religious performance, not self-help strategies, not the latest spiritual trend.
Discover what it means to be grounded in Christ when everything else is shifting around you.
Ever feel like you’re trying to earn your way to being a “good enough” Christian?
Pastor Anthony gets it.
Growing up in a legalistic church, he learned how man-made rules can actually pull us away from Jesus instead of closer to Him.
In this message from Colossians 2:6–7, we discover Paul’s simple truth:
The same way you started with Christ is the same way you keep growing.
No performance.
No extra rules.
No spiritual scorecards.
Just faith. Just Jesus.
Whether you’re navigating career stress, relationships, or figuring out authentic faith in your twenties and thirties…
This is a reminder:
Spiritual growth isn’t about trying harder.
It’s about trusting deeper.
Discover what it means to be rooted in Christ through His grace, not your effort.
“See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.” —Colossians 2:8
While under house arrest, the apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes a letter to the growing church in Colossae. A church that knew Jesus but needed to be reminded of the truth.
It’s the truth still needed today. The truth of the gospel is that salvation comes through Jesus alone, and once we receive salvation, we are called to live in a manner worthy of the One who saved us.
Ever feel like you’re trying to earn your way to spiritual maturity?
Like maybe if you read the right books, follow the right rules, or gain enough knowledge, you’ll finally “level up” in your faith?
Pastor Cory breaks down Paul’s approach in Colossians 1:28–29 and shows us something freeing: spiritual growth isn’t about checking boxes or striving harder.
It’s about understanding that Jesus has already done everything for you.
When you start trusting and applying that truth, you discover something powerful—it’s His strength working through you that changes everything, not your own willpower.
You’ll walk away challenged to ask yourself: Am I exhausting myself for Jesus, or am I exhausting myself for myself?
Ever wonder why life feels so hard—even when you’re trying to do everything right?
In this message from Colossians 1:24–27, we look at how suffering, setbacks, and uncertainty can actually have purpose when viewed through the lens of faith.
Paul writes from prison with a surprising perspective: joy. Not because life is easy—but because Christ is in him.
That same mystery—Jesus in you—is what gives us hope, transformation, and a future that’s secure.
You’re not alone in what you’re facing.
And you already have what you need.
What if your life had a “once” and a “but now”?
This week’s message from Colossians 1 reminds us that before Jesus, we were alienated—separated from God and stuck in our sin. But now, through His death and resurrection, we’ve been completely reconciled—made holy, faultless, and blameless before God.
It’s not just theology—it’s your story.
Your “once” doesn’t define you.
Your “but now” shapes everything.
Discover what it means to stay grounded in faith, live with real hope, and share the good news of reconciliation with the world around you.
You were made new. Let that change everything.
Ever feel like you’re the main character of your own story—trying to figure out your career, relationships, and what really matters?
What if everything we think we know about life’s purpose is actually backwards?
In this message, guest speaker Joel Penton walks through one of the most important passages ever written—a stunning portrait of who Jesus really is. Layer by layer, we discover that Christ isn’t just a good teacher, but the maker of everything and the rightful King over every aspect of our lives.
This isn’t about making your life better.
It’s about seeing Jesus clearly—and letting that reality transform how you live, work, and love.
Ever feel like you’re doing your best, but something deeper still feels off? Like there’s a weight you can’t quite shake or a pull back to patterns you thought you’d left behind? We all have moments where we wonder if real change is possible.
This message from Colossians 1:13–14 unpacks the powerful truth that we don’t have to rescue ourselves. Jesus has already done it. Through his own river rescue story, Pastor Matt shows how Christ pulls us from the darkness we can’t escape on our own and transfers us into something brand new—a kingdom life marked by redemption and transformation.
Whether you’re exploring faith or need a reminder of what’s true, these two verses offer both comfort and challenge: if you’ve trusted Christ as your Savior, you belong to a new kingdom now, and you don’t have to go back to what once held you captive.
Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right things” spiritually but not actually growing? In this message from Colossians, Pastor Anthony reveals what authentic spiritual growth truly looks like beyond church attendance and Bible knowledge.
Discover the life-changing difference between knowing facts about God and actually walking with Him daily. Learn how finding strength in weakness and yielding to God’s work transforms how you handle everything from workplace stress to relationship challenges.
This isn’t about religious performance—it’s about experiencing real transformation as God shapes something beautiful in you.
Tired of maintaining a perfect image? In a world where authenticity seems rare, this message explores what genuine faith looks like beyond religious checklists and cultural Christianity.
Discover the three marks of authentic Christianity from Colossians—faith in Jesus as both Savior and daily Sustainer, love that flows from the Spirit rather than selfish motives, and a kingdom mindset focused on God’s eternal purposes.
Learn why real faith isn’t about what you do, but about yielding to God’s work in you. Break free from performance-based spirituality and experience the freedom that comes from living authentically through surrender.
Ever feel like you know what the Bible says but struggle to live it out? This first message in our Colossians series explores how this ancient letter speaks directly to your daily life.
As we begin this verse-by-verse journey, we uncover three key principles that transform faith from theory to practice:
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Paul gives us profound truths in a simple way
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Right theology is the basis for right living
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The centrality of Jesus Christ
When we receive God’s guidance with grace rather than neglect or pride, we discover what church is meant to be—not just a place to attend, but a family where we truly belong and grow together.
When Jesus died, hope died with him—but something happened that changed everything. This Easter message explores the historical reality of the resurrection and how it brings three powerful gifts into our lives today: power over our deepest fears, hope when all seems lost, and peace in our uncertain world. Whether you’re a longtime believer or just exploring faith, discover how this event from history continues to transform lives in the present.
There’s a lot to learn from David’s life. In Scripture, we see his successes and failures. We see a man who chose to follow after God, and we see his sin and the fallout. We see a man who trusted God with the impossible, and we see a man who chose instead to rely on himself. We see his spiritual highs and his rock bottom.
But God, knowing the beginning from the end, called David a man after His own heart. In this series, as we walk through David’s life, we’ll learn from the highs and lows what God wants for us.
Ever feel like you’re frantically searching for solutions instead of seeking God Himself? In this message, we explore David’s cry in Psalm 61 and discover that God doesn’t promise to remove our difficulties—He offers something more valuable: His presence within them. The rock higher than ourselves isn't escape—it’s refuge. What if our breaking points aren’t problems to be solved, but precisely where God’s strength becomes most visible, reshaping us into who we’re meant to become?
Ever had life completely wreck your plans? Through King David’s story—fleeing his throne at age 61 as his own son led a rebellion—we discover what to do when dreams don’t come true.
David made a profound choice in his darkest moment: “Not my will, but yours be done.” The foundation of our faith isn’t in answered prayers or happy endings, but in the unwavering confidence that God remains good even when circumstances aren’t. When we feel forsaken, we're mistaken—broken dreams say nothing about God's presence or faithfulness in our lives.
There’s a lot to learn from David’s life. In Scripture, we see his successes and failures. We see a man who chose to follow after God, and we see his sin and the fallout. We see a man who trusted God with the impossible, and we see a man who chose instead to rely on himself. We see his spiritual highs and his rock bottom.
But God, knowing the beginning from the end, called David a man after His own heart. In this series, as we walk through David’s life, we’ll learn from the highs and lows what God wants for us.
There’s a lot to learn from David’s life. In Scripture, we see his successes and failures. We see a man who chose to follow after God, and we see his sin and the fallout. We see a man who trusted God with the impossible, and we see a man who chose instead to rely on himself. We see his spiritual highs and his rock bottom.
But God, knowing the beginning from the end, called David a man after His own heart. In this series, as we walk through David’s life, we’ll learn from the highs and lows what God wants for us.
Ever feel your decision-making clouded by fear or anger? Even David—the giant-slayer himself—panicked when his life was threatened, forgetting God’s faithfulness and making choices he’d regret forever. His journey from courageous warrior to frightened fugitive mirrors our own tendency to take control when life spirals.
This message unpacks why we often run away from God when we need Him most, and how we can break this destructive cycle. Discover in David’s story both a warning and a powerful reminder that when we feel forsaken, we’re actually just mistaken—God remains our refuge even in our panic moments.
Ever feel like you’re facing giants that are just too big to overcome? We all have moments when life’s challenges seem overwhelming. In this first message of our new David series, we explore how a young shepherd boy had the courage to face a 9-foot warrior when an entire army trembled in fear.
David saw what everyone else missed—it wasn’t about physical strength but spiritual clarity. When we place our hope in temporary things (careers, finances, relationships), we’re left terrified when those things falter. But those who place their hope in God see clearly, act confidently, and walk humbly, even when facing impossible odds. What “Goliath” are you facing today, and where have you anchored your hope?
Join us as we journey through the life of this imperfect yet extraordinary man after God’s own heart, discovering timeless wisdom for our modern battles.
This Sunday, we’re excited to welcome Jonathan Autrey, a missionary from the Dominican Republic, as our guest speaker. Jonathan has seen firsthand how God is changing lives through missions, and he’ll be sharing his story—why missions matter, what it means to stand in the gap, and how we can all be part of something bigger than ourselves.
As followers of Jesus, we want to get to the point where we anticipate hearing from God, listen to Him when He speaks, and obey after hearing from Him.
But what do we do when He’s silent?
What do we do when we can’t hear His voice or see Him at work? We look at our circumstances, and it’s easy to start making assumptions about how He must feel about us. We look at what we’re going through, our feelings take over, and we can’t see how God is working in us and the world around us.
In life, there will be times when it feels like God is silent. But that’s when we choose to trust Him even when we don’t feel it. We choose to trust Him because of who He is, what He’s already said, and what He has promised to do.
When it feels like God is silent, we choose to trust.
Ever felt like your prayers are hitting a wall? In this powerful message from our “When God Is Silent” series, we tackle one of faith’s most challenging experiences: those seasons when God seems distant or unresponsive. Drawing from the Apostle Paul’s personal struggles, we explore how God’s “no” or silence doesn’t reflect His absence—but might reveal His strength working through our weakness.
Through the lens of 2 Corinthians 12, discover how divine silence isn’t a reflection of God’s love for you, your faith, or your obedience. Whether you’re wrestling with unanswered prayers in your career, relationships, or personal life, this message offers profound insight into how God’s grace proves sufficient even when answers don’t come as expected.
As followers of Jesus, we want to get to the point where we anticipate hearing from God, listen to Him when He speaks, and obey after hearing from Him.
But what do we do when He’s silent?
What do we do when we can’t hear His voice or see Him at work? We look at our circumstances, and it’s easy to start making assumptions about how He must feel about us. We look at what we’re going through, our feelings take over, and we can’t see how God is working in us and the world around us.
In life, there will be times when it feels like God is silent. But that’s when we choose to trust Him even when we don’t feel it. We choose to trust Him because of who He is, what He’s already said, and what He has promised to do.
When it feels like God is silent, we choose to trust.
Samuel. Moses. Elijah. Abraham. Each experienced moments in their lives when they heard the voice of God.
And while their experiences were specific to them, the truth is for us, even now.
As His children, the Spirit of God dwells in us, and He desires for us to listen for, to listen to, and then to obey Him. Not as a one-time thing, but living in the ever-continuing, ever-deepening process of trusting Him and surrendering our way to His.
Samuel. Moses. Elijah. Abraham. Each experienced moments in their lives when they heard the voice of God.
And while their experiences were specific to them, the truth is for us, even now.
As His children, the Spirit of God dwells in us, and He desires for us to listen for, to listen to, and then to obey Him. Not as a one-time thing, but living in the ever-continuing, ever-deepening process of trusting Him and surrendering our way to His.
Samuel. Moses. Elijah. Abraham. Each experienced moments in their lives when they heard the voice of God.
And while their experiences were specific to them, the truth is for us, even now.
As His children, the Spirit of God dwells in us, and He desires for us to listen for, to listen to, and then to obey Him. Not as a one-time thing, but living in the ever-continuing, ever-deepening process of trusting Him and surrendering our way to His.
This week, we took time to pause, reflect, and celebrate God’s faithfulness as the year comes to a close. Together, we worshiped through songs, prayer, and Scripture, giving thanks for all God has done in our church and our lives while looking ahead with anticipation for what’s to come.
If you missed the service or want to experience it again, watch the full replay here. Let’s continue to fix our eyes on Jesus and lift His name high as we step into a new year filled with hope and purpose.
Into the darkness, Jesus brought light.
Into the hopelessness of our hurt, suffering, disillusionment, fear, and failure, Jesus brought hope.
He came for the scorned and the rejected. He came for the unclean and the outcast. He came for the broken and the shamed.
He came for the lost.
He came for the sinner.
He came for us.
… and into the sin of our dark and hopeless world, Jesus brought the light and hope of salvation.
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).
Into the darkness, Jesus brought light.
Into the hopelessness of our hurt, suffering, disillusionment, fear, and failure, Jesus brought hope.
He came for the scorned and the rejected. He came for the unclean and the outcast. He came for the broken and the shamed.
He came for the lost.
He came for the sinner.
He came for us.
… and into the sin of our dark and hopeless world, Jesus brought the light and hope of salvation.
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).
Into the darkness, Jesus brought light.
Into the hopelessness of our hurt, suffering, disillusionment, fear, and failure, Jesus brought hope.
He came for the scorned and the rejected. He came for the unclean and the outcast. He came for the broken and the shamed.
He came for the lost.
He came for the sinner.
He came for us.
… and into the sin of our dark and hopeless world, Jesus brought the light and hope of salvation.
“I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).
What if we’ve made prayer to be something different than what God intended prayer to be?
What if prayer was less about asking and receiving things from God and more about aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives?
What if prayer was less about God granting our requests and more about God changing us?
What if prayer was less about what we want God to do for us and more about what God wants to do in us?
In our verse-by-verse series through the model prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6, we’ll see prayer as God intended when Jesus told His disciples, “Pray, then, in this way…”
What if we’ve made prayer to be something different than what God intended prayer to be?
What if prayer was less about asking and receiving things from God and more about aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives?
What if prayer was less about God granting our requests and more about God changing us?
What if prayer was less about what we want God to do for us and more about what God wants to do in us?
In our verse-by-verse series through the model prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6, we’ll see prayer as God intended when Jesus told His disciples, “Pray, then, in this way…”
What if we’ve made prayer to be something different than what God intended prayer to be?
What if prayer was less about asking and receiving things from God and more about aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives?
What if prayer was less about God granting our requests and more about God changing us?
What if prayer was less about what we want God to do for us and more about what God wants to do in us?
In our verse-by-verse series through the model prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6, we’ll see prayer as God intended when Jesus told His disciples, “Pray, then, in this way…”
What if we’ve made prayer to be something different than what God intended prayer to be?
What if prayer was less about asking and receiving things from God and more about aligning ourselves with God and His will for our lives?
What if prayer was less about God granting our requests and more about God changing us?
What if prayer was less about what we want God to do for us and more about what God wants to do in us?
In our verse-by-verse series through the model prayer Jesus gave us in Matthew 6, we’ll see prayer as God intended when Jesus told His disciples, “Pray, then, in this way…”
A couple of bad decisions spiraled, or bad choices became even worse habits. Before you know it, life has sunk to a place you never thought it would reach. And the way we try to solve the problem? We dress our mess up to look like we’ve got it all together.
But when we’re honest with ourselves, no matter how good we look on the outside, on the inside, we’re still a mess.
We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re there right now. Mess is something all of humanity has in common.
But in our mess, there’s hope. Because that mess didn’t send God running. Our mess is what drew God near.
A couple of bad decisions spiraled, or bad choices became even worse habits. Before you know it, life has sunk to a place you never thought it would reach. And the way we try to solve the problem? We dress our mess up to look like we’ve got it all together.
But when we’re honest with ourselves, no matter how good we look on the outside, on the inside, we’re still a mess.
We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re there right now. Mess is something all of humanity has in common.
But in our mess, there’s hope. Because that mess didn’t send God running. Our mess is what drew God near.
A couple of bad decisions spiraled, or bad choices became even worse habits. Before you know it, life has sunk to a place you never thought it would reach. And the way we try to solve the problem? We dress our mess up to look like we’ve got it all together.
But when we’re honest with ourselves, no matter how good we look on the outside, on the inside, we’re still a mess.
We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re there right now. Mess is something all of humanity has in common.
But in our mess, there’s hope. Because that mess didn’t send God running. Our mess is what drew God near.
A couple of bad decisions spiraled, or bad choices became even worse habits. Before you know it, life has sunk to a place you never thought it would reach. And the way we try to solve the problem? We dress our mess up to look like we’ve got it all together.
But when we’re honest with ourselves, no matter how good we look on the outside, on the inside, we’re still a mess.
We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re there right now. Mess is something all of humanity has in common.
But in our mess, there’s hope. Because that mess didn’t send God running. Our mess is what drew God near.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ: to the chosen, living as exiles…” With these words, Peter opened his letter to followers of Jesus who were spread out and isolated, struggling and suffering.
The message Peter wrote back then… inspired by the Spirit of God… is a message God still means for us now.
Because, as believers, we will experience suffering. But it’s not what it seems. Suffering is not being done to us… it’s for us. And as we move through 1 Peter, we’ll see that even when we suffer, we’re called to live well.
We’re called to live like Jesus.
Pain is inevitable. We try to avoid it, numb it or downplay it, but it doesn’t erase the fact that pain is real.
But for believers, we can have hope in our pain.
There can be hope because we have a God who doesn’t want our pain to be wasted. It’s our pain that He uses to draw us closer… go deeper… with Him. And at the end of the pain, for those who choose to cling tighter… draw closer… go deeper with God, then that hope becomes reality. The hope that says we can be better… not in spite of… but because of our pain and brokenness.
Pain is inevitable. We try to avoid it, numb it or downplay it, but it doesn’t erase the fact that pain is real.
But for believers, we can have hope in our pain.
There can be hope because we have a God who doesn’t want our pain to be wasted. It’s our pain that He uses to draw us closer… go deeper… with Him. And at the end of the pain, for those who choose to cling tighter… draw closer… go deeper with God, then that hope becomes reality. The hope that says we can be better… not in spite of… but because of our pain and brokenness.
Pain is inevitable. We try to avoid it, numb it or downplay it, but it doesn’t erase the fact that pain is real.
But for believers, we can have hope in our pain.
There can be hope because we have a God who doesn’t want our pain to be wasted. It’s our pain that He uses to draw us closer… go deeper… with Him. And at the end of the pain, for those who choose to cling tighter… draw closer… go deeper with God, then that hope becomes reality. The hope that says we can be better… not in spite of… but because of our pain and brokenness.
Pain is inevitable. We try to avoid it, numb it or downplay it, but it doesn’t erase the fact that pain is real.
But for believers, we can have hope in our pain.
There can be hope because we have a God who doesn’t want our pain to be wasted. It’s our pain that He uses to draw us closer… go deeper… with Him. And at the end of the pain, for those who choose to cling tighter… draw closer… go deeper with God, then that hope becomes reality. The hope that says we can be better… not in spite of… but because of our pain and brokenness.
Death to LIFE… we’ve been saying this phrase over and over leading up to this Sunday.
Death to LIFE… it’s what that first Easter was all about
Death to LIFE… because of Jesus, it can be our reality
Today we celebrate that Jesus is alive, and that because of Him, we can have true life-change!
“One another” is a phrase found over 50 times in the New Testament, and each time we come across one, we see how it’s intended for us as believers to live out in relationship… in community… with each other.
We could choose to treat each of these “one another” verses like a suggestion and attempt to go through this life on our own, even priding ourselves over the fact that we don’t really need others. But we’d be wrong.
“One another”—He commanded us in His Word, and He perfectly modeled it for us while Jesus lived here on earth. The simple truth is this…
You weren’t created to do life alone.
“One another” is a phrase found over 50 times in the New Testament, and each time we come across one, we see how it’s intended for us as believers to live out in relationship… in community… with each other.
We could choose to treat each of these “one another” verses like a suggestion and attempt to go through this life on our own, even priding ourselves over the fact that we don’t really need others. But we’d be wrong.
“One another”—He commanded us in His Word, and He perfectly modeled it for us while Jesus lived here on earth. The simple truth is this…
You weren’t created to do life alone.
“One another” is a phrase found over 50 times in the New Testament, and each time we come across one, we see how it’s intended for us as believers to live out in relationship… in community… with each other.
We could choose to treat each of these “one another” verses like a suggestion and attempt to go through this life on our own, even priding ourselves over the fact that we don’t really need others. But we’d be wrong.
“One another”—He commanded us in His Word, and He perfectly modeled it for us while Jesus lived here on earth. The simple truth is this…
You weren’t created to do life alone.
“One another” is a phrase found over 50 times in the New Testament, and each time we come across one, we see how it’s intended for us as believers to live out in relationship… in community… with each other.
We could choose to treat each of these “one another” verses like a suggestion and attempt to go through this life on our own, even priding ourselves over the fact that we don’t really need others. But we’d be wrong.
“One another”—He commanded us in His Word, and He perfectly modeled it for us while Jesus lived here on earth. The simple truth is this…
You weren’t created to do life alone.
“One another” is a phrase found over 50 times in the New Testament, and each time we come across one, we see how it’s intended for us as believers to live out in relationship… in community… with each other.
We could choose to treat each of these “one another” verses like a suggestion and attempt to go through this life on our own, even priding ourselves over the fact that we don’t really need others. But we’d be wrong.
“One another”—He commanded us in His Word, and He perfectly modeled it for us while Jesus lived here on earth. The simple truth is this…
You weren’t created to do life alone.
Over the years, we’ve relegated the church to become a place we go rather than what God intended His church to be… a Holy Spirit-empowered movement… people… living on mission. As believers, we are the church… the “called-out ones” with the God-given purpose of being the physical representation of Jesus to the world around us.
Scripture tells us we are the church, and God’s message to the church is this: be the Church.
During this series, we’re moving past what the church has culturally become, and we’re going to see what the Bible says the church is at its very core and how we are meant to live in light of that truth.
Over the years, we’ve relegated the church to become a place we go rather than what God intended His church to be… a Holy Spirit-empowered movement… people… living on mission. As believers, we are the church… the “called-out ones” with the God-given purpose of being the physical representation of Jesus to the world around us.
Scripture tells us we are the church, and God’s message to the church is this: be the Church.
During this series, we’re moving past what the church has culturally become, and we’re going to see what the Bible says the church is at its very core and how we are meant to live in light of that truth.
Over the years, we’ve relegated the church to become a place we go rather than what God intended His church to be… a Holy Spirit-empowered movement… people… living on mission. As believers, we are the church… the “called-out ones” with the God-given purpose of being the physical representation of Jesus to the world around us.
Scripture tells us we are the church, and God’s message to the church is this: be the Church.
During this series, we’re moving past what the church has culturally become, and we’re going to see what the Bible says the church is at its very core and how we are meant to live in light of that truth.
Over the years, we’ve relegated the church to become a place we go rather than what God intended His church to be… a Holy Spirit-empowered movement… people… living on mission. As believers, we are the church… the “called-out ones” with the God-given purpose of being the physical representation of Jesus to the world around us.
Scripture tells us we are the church, and God’s message to the church is this: be the Church.
During this series, we’re moving past what the church has culturally become, and we’re going to see what the Bible says the church is at its very core and how we are meant to live in light of that truth.
Over the years, we’ve relegated the church to become a place we go rather than what God intended His church to be… a Holy Spirit-empowered movement… people… living on mission. As believers, we are the church… the “called-out ones” with the God-given purpose of being the physical representation of Jesus to the world around us.
Scripture tells us we are the church, and God’s message to the church is this: be the Church.
During this series, we’re moving past what the church has culturally become, and we’re going to see what the Bible says the church is at its very core and how we are meant to live in light of that truth.
Over the years, we’ve relegated the church to become a place we go rather than what God intended His church to be… a Holy Spirit-empowered movement… people… living on mission. As believers, we are the church… the “called-out ones” with the God-given purpose of being the physical representation of Jesus to the world around us.
Scripture tells us we are the church, and God’s message to the church is this: be the Church.
During this series, we’re moving past what the church has culturally become, and we’re going to see what the Bible says the church is at its very core and how we are meant to live in light of that truth.
Welcome to our Christmas Eve Candlelight service! The theme of this year’s Christmas service is “Nothing Else”. Nothing else than the perfect sacrifice. Nothing else than a true Savior. Nothing else than a life of sanctification, conforming to the image of Christ.
We sit in chairs every day. Chances are you’ve got all different types around your house. But what you may not realize is that each and every day, you are choosing to sit in a spiritual chair. There are three different chairs for you to choose from, and the choice is completely up to you. But the thing you’ve got to keep in mind is that your choice will have consequences.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” —Joshua 24:15
To live out the mission God has for our church, we need to realize we’re a hospital… not a showcase.
The message to the church at Ephesus… and us: More important than anything we do for Jesus has to be our love for Jesus.
We can downplay our sin and trick ourselves into thinking we’ve got it all under control. But the truth is, sin ends in destruction, which is why when it comes to sin, we need to have “A Very Healthy Fear.”
As the end of his life was approaching, God had a message for King Hezekiah: “Set your house in order.” Fast forward a few thousand years, and the message is just as important for us because there is no aspect of our life that God isn’t concerned with.
It’s a matter of when, not if you are going to go through difficult times in life. The question we must ask ourselves, before we’re in the thick of it… Is God enough?
Welcoming Aaron Baer, the President of Center for Christian Virtue (CCV). CCV seeks the good of their neighbors by advocating for public policy that reflects the truth of the Gospel.
The Book of Acts gives us an up-close look at the life of Christians after Jesus’ resurrection, the spread of the Gospel, and how the early church developed. As you read through the Book of Acts, those who followed Jesus had one thing that impacted everything around them. What’s remarkable is that one thing is available to us today and still has the potential to impact everything around us.
We like a sure thing… we want to know how everything will work out before we even get started. But then we’re met with a roadblock… a job loss… a lousy health report… a relationship ends… and we’re stuck in this place of uncertainty.
When facing the Unknown, we need to focus on our Heavenly Father, who tells us—even when we can’t see the way out—He’s in the middle of it with us… walking with us every step!
One man with a problem. One Savior with the solution. Four friends willing to do whatever it takes.
It’s on the news… it’s in stores… it’s being addressed in our schools. The Transgender Movement is becoming more and more loud and visible.
But it’s so much bigger than just an issue of gender. There’s a spiritual battle being fought over men and women, boys and girls… people who were created in the image of God.
For those who know Jesus as their Savior, it’s not just a political issue. It’s not just a matter of opinion. We have the Answer… and how we respond to those around us who need Jesus matters.
The world is watching.
Peter gives us practical insight in 1 Peter 4, showing us how the unknown of the future should impact how we live our lives… right here… right now… today.
In part five of the Unknown series, Pastor Matt shares about the life of Hannah, in 1 Samuel 1, as a practical example of someone who faced the unknown… and how God carried them from despair to hope!
Hope… that thing that we want, and oftentimes, while we’re trying to dig around and find out what’s next… find out what we’re so uncertain about… we’re looking for some hope. Sadly we look for hope in all the wrong places.
We like a sure thing… we want to know how everything will work out before we even get started. But then we’re met with a roadblock… a job loss… a lousy health report… a relationship ends… and we’re stuck in this place of uncertainty.
When facing the Unknown, we need to focus on our Heavenly Father, who tells us—even when we can’t see the way out—He’s in the middle of it with us… walking with us every step!
A child is born with physical needs for survival, but as that child grows, there are other needs that become evident… needs that parents have to meet that are just as vital for that child to thrive.
When Paul was writing his letter to the church at Ephesus, he had a message God wanted him to write just to dads… “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” God isn’t just looking for dads to be good providers… He wants them to make an impact in their child’s life for eternity!
Standing at the altar, no one thinks their love is going to come to an end. But as time goes by, it becomes clear that those feelings of love don’t just naturally last. It takes work… every… single… day.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “‘TRAIN Up a Child’ in the way he should go…” This is God’s instruction to parents. Parenting God’s way isn’t hands-off… it’s intentional.
God gave us the commandment: Honor your father and mother. It doesn’t come naturally to kids, so it’s up to parents to show them what it looks like to honor… God’s way.
Motherhood is full of highs and lows… success and failures… blessings and disappointments. It’s far from easy, but “Leaving a Legacy” for their child that points them to Jesus is doing motherhood God’s way.
We use “crisis” to define a critical or dangerous situation. And when we look at families today… men, women, marriages, parents, kids… that definition would be right on target. “The Crisis in the Family” is real, and we’re in a situation that seems hopeless. But make no mistake; it’s only hopeless if we sit back and do nothing and let the outside world call the shots… when we don’t go to battle for ourselves, our spouse, and our kids. See, the crisis in the family means we’re not only in a critical situation but it’s also defined as a turning point… for better or worse.
As humans, we worry. We worry about so many things… money… life… the future. Before we know it, we’re consumed.
The truth is, we’re always going to struggle with worry as long as our focus is on the wrong thing. At the end of Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the solution by saying to us “Look up. Eyes on Me.”
Because when we’ve got our focus on God, we see there is no reason to worry. God is the One doing the providing!
As humans, we worry. We worry about so many things… money… life… the future. Before we know it, we’re consumed.
The truth is, we’re always going to struggle with worry as long as our focus is on the wrong thing. At the end of Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the solution by saying to us “Look up. Eyes on Me.”
Because when we’ve got our focus on God, we see there is no reason to worry. God is the One doing the providing!
As humans, we worry. We worry about so many things… money… life… the future. Before we know it, we’re consumed.
The truth is, we’re always going to struggle with worry as long as our focus is on the wrong thing. At the end of Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the solution by saying to us “Look up. Eyes on Me.”
Because when we’ve got our focus on God, we see there is no reason to worry. God is the One doing the providing!
That Friday, Jesus was dead. But on Sunday, the tomb was empty, and Jesus was alive to show there can be “Life After Death”… for Him and us.
During His most famous sermon, Jesus told His followers what He was calling them to in just two words… “you are.” He didn’t say to work towards some future potential. He told us it’s already a reality. For those who know Jesus as Savior, we ARE the salt and light. That’s a given. The question is, are we actually doing what we were made to do?
During His most famous sermon, Jesus told His followers what He was calling them to in just two words… “you are.” He didn’t say to work towards some future potential. He told us it’s already a reality. For those who know Jesus as Savior, we ARE the salt and light. That’s a given. The question is, are we actually doing what we were made to do?
During His most famous sermon, Jesus told His followers what He was calling them to in just two words… “you are.” He didn’t say to work towards some future potential. He told us it’s already a reality. For those who know Jesus as Savior, we ARE the salt and light. That’s a given. The question is, are we actually doing what we were made to do?
In light of eternity, it’s “The Greatest Investment” we can make. The question we must ask ourselves is this… if we truly believe the value that God places on a soul, how can we do anything less than invest our lives in telling people about Jesus?
When it comes to the future, you’ve got a choice… choose to trust the God who holds each and every day of your past, present and future, or choose to worry about the unknown that tomorrow brings. Jesus tells us, as God’s children, “When You’re Tempted to Worry”… choose to trust instead.
Many different things move us to tears. But does that which sadden God also sadden us? Pastor Austin Watts looks at a passage in Luke to see what moves the heart of Christ.
As God told Jeremiah, like a potter works with the clay, so it is with “God at Work” with His children. In the easy times and the hard times, He’s working for our good and His glory.
At the start of the new year, it’s all about beginnings… there’s not much thought given to the ending. But as believers, we should be living with the end in mind. And when we get quiet and ask ourselves, “What If?” 2023 was the last 12 months we spent on earth; what does the Bible have to say about what God would want us to be doing?
In the Old Testament, God paints a clear and beautiful picture through Samuel of what it looks like to be used by Him. As we read about Samuel’s calling and development into a servant, we’ll find qualities of a servant’s heart that we can exemplify and grow into in this new year!
Merry Christmas! Thank you for joining us from home for worship. We hope this special service helps you connect with Jesus and praise Him this Christmas morning!
These weren’t typical gifts from a store. These weren’t cute gifts meant to entertain. God wants us to see that the Wisemen brought “Intentional Gifts” specifically chosen for this one unique Child. And even though they were given over 2,000 years ago, these “Intentional Gifts” have much to teach us today.
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given…” Isaiah wrote this prophecy about a baby who had yet to come. But while there were countless babies born, this prophecy was fulfilled in just one… “Only Jesus.”
What God asks of us won’t always make sense, and it won’t always be easy. But there’s only one response that we should have when God speaks: “Obedience… No Matter What”.
We’re dedicating the entire morning to communion. It’s the time we set aside to reflect on the greatest gift ever given…the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us on the cross.
Demas is only mentioned a couple of times in Scripture, but there’s a world of difference between the first mention and the last. He started out so strong with so much promise but ended in complete defeat. And what we need to learn from Demas’ life is that, at the end of the day, compromise leads to ruin.
God used two of Jesus’ own disciples to give us a very important example of what a follower of Christ should be like. When Andrew and Philip met Jesus, they didn’t just follow after Him and keep it to themselves… they went and found others who needed to meet Jesus, too.
Ever heard the saying, “the days are long, but the years are short”?
When it comes to parenting, it’s so very true. And raising kids God’s way is so important that we can’t afford to let the early years slip by.
Because when it comes to God’s way of parenting, they aren’t the “early” years. They are “The Most Strategic Years.”
She didn’t know going to the well that day was a Divine appointment with the Savior of the world. She just needed water for the day, but Jesus showed her He could provide what she needed for all eternity. And after that one meeting at the well, her mission became clear… tell everyone she knew to come and see what Jesus had done.
Changed… Different… Set apart. It’s what God wants us to be. The saying “God loves you just the way you are” is true… He really does. But that’s not the end; it’s just the beginning. Because God loves us far too much to leave us that way.
Once we meet the Savior, He’s all about the transformation… the old being made new because He placed us here in this world that desperately needs to see the difference in us. And as believers… His children… we wear His name. And God wants our life to be “A Marked Life” that says to the world around us, I have decided to follow Jesus… no turning back.
As humans, we like options. But while options work for some aspects of life, when it comes to how a person receives salvation, there are no options. Jesus didn’t give us add-ons or a process… it’s clearly spelled out in John 3 …“When Jesus Said ‘You Must!’”
God has a mission for each of us. But we can allow our doubt and fear to get in the way of His mission being accomplished through us. We’ll look at the life of Gideon to see how when God says “go,” He gives us everything we need.
The words “I have learned the secret of being content…” were written by a man who had been shipwrecked… beaten… imprisoned… stoned… and more.
But rather than be discontent in his circumstances, Paul kept his focus on his Savior, knowing that no matter how big the trials he faced, his God was bigger.
It’s a given that you’re going to go through hard times… the question is, “How Big Is Your God?”
Pastor Pilira Chibwana, husband to Omega, father to Caleb and Watipatsa, is Pastor of Mulunguzi Community Church and the National Director for Passion Center for Children in Zomba, Malawi.
Welcoming our missionary friends, Chris and Joni Weaver, as Pastor Harrell has a conversation with them about Malawi, Africa. Then Chris preaches from the book of Isaiah.
We’re dedicating the entire morning to communion. It’s the time we set aside to reflect on the greatest gift ever given…the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us on the cross.
Life is full of the unexpected and the unwanted. What we say and do when those times come often reveal our true character.
When we look at God’s Word, we see David faced one of these times. And we can learn a lot from how he reacts “When God Says ‘No.’”
When it comes to power, “all” is THE word to describe our God. He is all-powerful.
We want power, and we strive for power, but we’ll never come close to having—or even fully comprehending “The Power of God.”
His power wasn’t attained, it isn’t just a part of Him, and He doesn’t turn it on and off… God’s power is Who He is… 100% of the time.
We’ve made love a common word, but there is absolutely nothing common about “The Love of God.” And though we use it to describe human emotion, it pales in comparison to the reality of our God.
He doesn’t just feel love or say, love… He is love. He doesn’t grow to love or quit loving… He is love.
His love knows no limits, and it’s never conditional. And the second we are tempted to question “The Love of God,” He reminds us we need only to look to the Cross.
Not getting what we deserve… in the simplest of terms, this is the definition of mercy.
But “The Mercy of God” is anything but simple. It’s vast… incomprehensible… and God wants us to understand it so we can begin to change the way we see Him and interact with others.
God is love… God is merciful… God is just and so much more. But in the Bible there is only one attribute of God that He wanted to be emphasized above the rest. Because it’s His holiness that is at the very center of who He is. It’s out of His holiness that everything else flows. And it’s only when we begin to grasp “The Holiness of God”, that we can see ourselves as we really are.
Baptism has nothing to do with receiving salvation. But don’t miss this… for the believer, it’s what God expects of each of us. Baptism was never listed as an option. Instead, it was given as a command. Which means when it comes to being baptized, every believer needs to see it as God does… “A Matter of Obedience”.
God is…love…holy…powerful…faithful…all of this and infinitely more. But before we can ever attempt to grasp the attributes of our God, we need to nail one fact down. He’s “The Unchanging God”. The God of the Bible didn’t develop these attributes over time. He can’t increase or diminish His character. What He said in Malachi 3:6 is still true today, “I am the Lord—I do not change.”
Dads who parent God’s way are all about “Building a Legacy”. This never happens by accident… it happens when they choose to get intentional. It happens when parents realize that their kids need from them so much more than what a paycheck can provide. They need parents who are pouring into them today with eternity in mind.
When you got saved, that was just the beginning! There’s a very important reason God didn’t take you to Heaven right away… “God Wants to Use YOU” to bring others to Him. And here’s the thing… it doesn’t matter your background, your personality, or your depth of knowledge. God wants to do what only He can do through each one of us to see the others come to know Jesus.
When you got saved, that was just the beginning! There’s a very important reason God didn’t take you to Heaven right away… “God Wants to Use YOU” to bring others to Him. And here’s the thing… it doesn’t matter your background, your personality, or your depth of knowledge. God wants to do what only He can do through each one of us to see the others come to know Jesus.
This is the third and final message in Pastor Harrell’s series, No Greater Calling. In this message, Pastor looks to Matthew 7 to help us lay a solid foundation so that our families will remain standing on Christ the, solid rock, “When the Storms Arrive.”
As parents, we spend a lot of time thinking and planning for our child’s future. Where to send them to school… what activities to get them signed up for. We do an awful lot to help prepare them for this life. But God is calling parents to more. Academics, sports, future jobs… these are all secondary. In God’s eyes, there is “NO Greater Calling” that a parent has than to make a deliberate decision to point and lead their children to Him.
In part two, Pastor Harrell shifts the focus to protecting our marriages, so that our families can reap the benefit and Jesus can receive the glory!
As parents, we spend a lot of time thinking and planning for our child’s future. Where to send them to school… what activities to get them signed up for. We do an awful lot to help prepare them for this life. But God is calling parents to more. Academics, sports, future jobs… these are all secondary. In God’s eyes, there is “NO Greater Calling” that a parent has than to make a deliberate decision to point and lead their children to Him.
Her gift brought on the criticism of men and the praise of her Savior. She didn’t speak any words, but her extravagant gift, poured on the head of Jesus was an act of utmost worship that has preached countless messages. Because Jesus Himself said that this act of worship serves as “One Woman’s Memorial” and it shows us today exactly what Jesus desires from each and every one of us… everything.
When it comes to good works, this guy had everything going for him. And he fully expected to get Jesus’ stamp of approval.
But this passage shows us that with God, it’s never just about our good works. He wants our heart.
And what was true for the rich young ruler then is true for us today. Our God has a standard, and He’ll never lower it. It’s up to us to decide… do we come to Him on His terms, or do we walk away like the man in Mark 10, headed toward “A Tragic Ending”?
All too often churches today can focus on the “doing” rather than the “being”, but here’s the thing: our God is much more concerned with what we are as a church family than what we do.
When Jesus came to earth, each and every day He lived out His life as a model for us. And He made it very clear when He showed that there’s only one way to greatness in God’s economy… follow His example and learn to be a servant.
The tomb is empty! And it’s important we understand why this is a big deal… the biggest deal!
Easter Sunday is the Sunday of all Sundays… because on this morning all those years ago, the angel spoke the message at the tomb where the stone had been rolled away: “Jesus Is Alive… Just as He Said!”
When we answer the question of how Jesus died, one common reply is “they crucified Him.” They… the religious leaders, the political leaders, His enemies. But while that answer is true, the fact is it goes so much deeper than that. And when we go deeper the answer gets personal. When we say “‘They’ Crucified Him”, we need to stop and remind ourselves of who is included in that word “they”.
When it comes to accomplishing His plan, God wants His children to understand something… it has to be all about Him. He wants to involve us in the process, but make no mistake, He wants all the glory. So if we want to be used by God, and God wants the glory, the question we need to ask ourselves is, “Am I Willing?”
There are many believers who desperately need a second touch. Yes, they’re saved, on their way to Heaven, but that’s it.
The potential to be more for Jesus is there, but they’re not tapping into it. They’re content to do things God’s way on Sunday and then live the way they want to Monday–Saturday.
God wants so much more for us, but we are never going to be able to get there on our own. We’ve got to get real with ourselves, honestly admit we’re not living up to our God-given potential, and then ask our God for “Another Touch”.
A Christian who has a Bible that is only opened on Sundays at church and then put on a shelf for the rest of the week is simply put… powerless.
Hands down, the time we spend with our God each day in His Word and in prayer is the most important time of our day.
God doesn’t just want our Sundays. He WANTS time with us… and we NEED time with Him “Seven Days a Week”.
Jesus Himself was tempted, but He didn’t go up against Satan on His own. He was armed with Scripture and completely submitted to His Father.
As believers, we need to be aware that temptation WILL happen to us… every single day. But it’s not enough to just be aware, we have to “Be Aware… and Prepared”.
We’re dedicating the entire morning to communion. It’s the time we set aside to reflect on the greatest gift ever given…the sacrifice that Jesus made for each of us on the cross.
Paul writes in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…”
Simply put… you are either being conformed, or you are being transformed. There’s no other option.
God wants us to change, but in His economy, the only kind of change that matters is the kind that comes from the “INSIDE Out”.
God didn’t save us and then leave us to live the rest of our life however we wanted to. He knows what He wants from each and every one of us. He’s calling us to look more like Jesus each and every day. And there’s only one way to do that… a “Radical Abandonment” of self.
When you accepted Christ as your Savior, that was never intended to be the end. We have to live the rest of our life. And our lives are going to take very different paths… schooling, careers, family life… no two are exactly the same.
But the reality for every believer is, our God is calling each and every one of us to live lives that are exactly the same. Wholly devoted to Him. It’s the call He gives for “Every Christian’s Life”.
Nobody likes a braggart… hearing someone brag about their accomplishments just rubs us the wrong way. But as believers, there’s one thing we can, and should boast about because it has nothing to do with any accomplishment of our own. Paul said it this way… “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” When it comes to the cross, the rules change… when it comes to the cross, it’s “Boasting Permitted”.
Nobody likes a braggart… hearing someone brag about their accomplishments just rubs us the wrong way. But as believers, there’s one thing we can, and should boast about because it has nothing to do with any accomplishment of our own. Paul said it this way… “But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ…” When it comes to the cross, the rules change… when it comes to the cross, it’s “Boasting Permitted”.
With the time we have left to live this Christian life, we want to walk in confidence, not doubt. And we can walk confidently, assured of our salvation because the Word of God tells us clearly that once we’ve received the Lord as our Savior, it’s a done deal.
Three words sum it all up when it comes to this thing of eternal security. It was purchased for you by Christ. It was promised to you by God. And this week, we’re going to see…you’ve been sealed by the Holy Spirit.
We’re diving into God’s Word to see what it has to say about the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of every single believer. Simply put, “You Are SEALED!”… and this truth makes all the difference.
Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. —Jude 1:24–25
Our God is able!
If we’re honest, most of us have had times where we question… even doubt… our salvation. But the thing about our salvation is it’s not based on our feelings. It’s based on the truths in God’s Word. And the truth about eternal security is it has nothing to do with us and everything to do with our God. Want a grasp on eternal security? First step, start with “Understanding God”.
If you’re a follower of Christ, then God has called you to life. But as Christians, God never intended for us to just coast through this life until we get to Heaven. God wants us to be all about living, but not just living… He’s all about us “Living Intentionally”.
Grab a pen and notebook, or fire up your notes app… we don’t have fill-in notes this week.
Jesus’ first arrival here on earth looked a lot different than what his second coming will. What we find is the most unique birth story… ever! Because although Jesus became a human like us, He was still very much in a category of His own.
Nine months before there was a baby in a manger, there was a young virgin girl being told that she would conceive… and her child would be the Son of the Most High God.
This can’t ever be just a sweet Christmas story, because it’s so much more. We have got to know “Why the Virgin Birth Matters”.
The clock is ticking… and no one but God knows when time will run out. But it sure does feel like the end is near… really near. Which means that more than reading the headlines as just events happening around the world, we need to read them as a warning from God Himself… in what very well could be “The Final Warning.”
As we’ve been in the series, “The End”, we’ve looked at Israel… nations in the Middle East… Russia. All key players when it comes to prophecy.
But this week it gets personal. We’re looking inward rather than outward. And the thing is when you look at Scripture, there’s nothing written that makes a reference to this nation we live in.
Our country that has been a superpower for so long… nothing. So where do we fit into prophecy? Or as we’ll hear on Sunday, the better question to ask is “Will America Survive?”
The horror that started during the first 3½ years of the tribulation is only going to intensify. The wrath of God will be poured out and it will be terror like this world has never seen. The human mind can’t fully comprehend what “The Worst 3½ Years in Human History” will be like for those who don’t know Jesus.
The horror that started during the first three and a half years of the tribulation is only going to intensify. The wrath of God will be poured out and it will be terror like this world has never seen.
The human mind can’t fully comprehend what “The Worst 3½ Years in Human History” will be like for those who don’t know Jesus.
In the Bible, we see the unique relationship between God and Israel. They’re His chosen people. The Jews are the people that God’s own Son, Jesus, was born into. However, the enemy of God, Satan, has one mission. Destroy them. All through history, the devil has tried. But during the Tribulation, the target on Israel’s back is magnified like never before. The enemies of Israel will join forces and come at them in an invasion like this world has never seen.
One day, God will fulfill another promise He made. At a time no one knows, there’s going to be a shout that breaks through the sky, and in that split second, every single man, woman, and child who knows Jesus as their Savior is going to be caught up and meet Jesus in the air. This is amazing news for those who know the Savior but think about the rest of the world who doesn’t know Him. When every Christian disappears in that split second, God is going to remove all restraint on evil, and unimaginable chaos and evil is going to erupt on earth. May the upcoming events drive us to reach people and see them come to know Him.
This week we’re looking at the place that holds center stage during the end-times. It’s just one city in one small country. It’s less than 50 square miles. To bring it home, it has about the same number of people as right here in Columbus, Ohio.
It is a dot on the map.
But as Pastor Harrell brings the message on Sunday, we’ll see that when it comes to The End, Jerusalem isn’t just any city. It is literally Ground Zero. It all starts here, and this one city will hold the attention of the entire world.
We don’t know when the rapture of the church, the Antichrist, the tribulation period, and ultimately Jesus’ return will occur. But here’s what we do know. “The Stage Is Set!” Each day is one step closer. The question is are we ready? We need to ask ourselves if Jesus were to come back this year… this month… this week, what is He going to find us doing? The reality we face is that with every new day it feels more and more like the increasing labor pains Jesus spoke of as a sign of His return?
Having a fire to reach people for Jesus is fueled by our personal emphasis on the Word, will, and works of God.
You can’t escape sin. We’re born into it, and it has a very steep price tag. And while God can’t ever overlook our sin, He didn’t leave us without hope. As 1 Peter 3:18 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust…” So when we ask “How Does God Forgive Sins?” the answer is found by looking to the Cross.
Turn on any TV, click on any post, subscribe to any feed and you’ll be bombarded with all that’s going on in the world. At times it can be overwhelming, mentally challenging, even crippling. In the midst of all the chaos is Jesus. The One who holds all things in His hands brings peace and has ultimate victory. It’s time to get our eyes back on Him. It’s time to remember who He is. It’s time to make sure we draw close to Him. In this two-part series, we’ll do just that, rise above the chaos and focus back on Jesus!
Turn on any TV, click on any post, subscribe to any feed and you’ll be bombarded with all that’s going on in the world. At times it can be overwhelming, mentally challenging, even crippling. In the midst of all the chaos is Jesus. The One who holds all things in His hands brings peace and has ultimate victory. It’s time to get our eyes back on Him. It’s time to remember who He is. It’s time to make sure we draw close to Him. In this two-part series, we’ll do just that, rise above the chaos and focus back on Jesus!
Turn on any TV, click on any post, subscribe to any feed and you’ll be bombarded with all that’s going on in the world. At times it can be overwhelming, mentally challenging, even crippling. In the midst of all the chaos is Jesus. The One who holds all things in His hands brings peace and has ultimate victory. It’s time to get our eyes back on Him. It’s time to remember who He is. It’s time to make sure we draw close to Him. In this two-part series, we’ll do just that, rise above the chaos and focus back on Jesus!
Turn on any TV, click on any post, subscribe to any feed and you’ll be bombarded with all that’s going on in the world. At times it can be overwhelming, mentally challenging, even crippling. In the midst of all the chaos is Jesus. The One who holds all things in His hands, brings peace, and has ultimate victory. It’s time to get our eyes back on Him. It’s time to remember who He is. It’s time to make sure we draw close to Him. In this two-part series, we’ll do just that, rise above the chaos and focus back on Jesus!
Parenting God’s way isn’t easy… but it’s worth it. And when we do it His way, it looks a lot different than the world around us. We find that greater than any award, school choice, or career accomplishment your child may have in their future, “The Greatest Joy” comes from seeing them grow up to follow hard after Jesus.
We don’t say “I do” planning to one day destroy our family. But the reality is, in today’s world it happens all the time. And as Christians, we aren’t exempt. The devil is out to ruin your marriage, and in this area, he’s subtle and he’s crafty. It’s why we have to be on guard against “The Slow Fade.”
We’re good at taking all the precautions to keep ourselves safe from the dangers outside our door. But what we fail to realize is our greatest enemy has found a way to sneak inside, completely undetected, and he’s got one goal… destroy us. It’s time we wake up and see the greatest danger isn’t outside… it’s “The Danger Within.”
We’re good at taking all the precautions to keep ourselves safe from the dangers outside our door. But what we fail to realize is our greatest enemy has found a way to sneak inside, completely undetected, and he’s got one goal… destroy us. It’s time we wake up and see the greatest danger isn’t outside… it’s “The Danger Within.”
The very first institution God established was the family. Our home life matters to God. And what God places a priority on, Satan is determined to claim for himself. Every day we’re waking up in a war zone and the battleground is right in our homes. God wants your marriage and your kids. Satan wants your marriage and your kids. We can’t afford to play nice. We’ve got to face reality. We’re in a battle. It’s a battle for your family, and “The Battle Is Raging.”
There’s something that God wants each and every believer to do after they accept Jesus as their Savior. It’s a BIG deal to God. So we’ve made it a big deal at Northwest. This service is dedicated to worshiping our God and celebrating those in our church family who have chosen to take the next step of obedience and be baptized!
The Church isn’t just a building… it’s the people. We are the Church. And God doesn’t want us to be just another church. He doesn’t even want us to be a good Church. So if we know God wants more from us, we need to ask ourselves, “What Defines a Great Church?”
We sit in chairs every day. Chances are you’ve got all different types around your house. But what you may not realize is that each and every day you are choosing to sit in a spiritual chair. There are three different chairs for you to choose from, and the choice is completely up to you. But the thing you’ve got to keep in mind is that your choice will have consequences.
“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…” —Joshua 24:15
At the edge of the land God had promised them centuries before, the Israelites were about to claim it. But there was one last lesson they needed to learn, a lesson we still need to grasp in 2021. But, in their case, the Israelites had to learn it the hard way… in God’s economy, it’s always “Vision Over Sight.”
All too often, we equate the word “normal” to mean common, lackadaisical, or what is expected. In God’s economy, “normal” calls us to live a life according to His standards, not ours. Jesus modeled what it looked like to be a servant, and He expects nothing less from us.
A person accepts Jesus as their Savior… then what? If as believers we know that one day we’ll be in Heaven with our God, why don’t we go there right after we get saved? When we ask the question, “why are we still here?”, the answer God shows us in His Word comes down to one word… people.
We’ve seen firsthand… and maybe even experienced ourselves… how easy it is to withdraw, and before we know it, we’re living as though we’re on an island, going through life solo. But God never intended our Christian life to be lived out on our own. So as we move to get back to normal, one thing we don’t want to miss is “Why One-Another” is so important to God in the life of the believer.
Fourteen months… 61 Sunday mornings… have passed since we had our last normal Sunday morning together. And as week after week has gone by, one churning thought has become crystal clear. God isn’t done with His church yet. And we’re ready for it. Whatever He’s got for us, we are all in. It’s time church… “It’s Time to Get Back to Normal”.
We may love to have options for everything from food to housing, but Jesus’ words in John 14 leave no room for that. With one little word, He removes every other option. Three letters… a world of difference… THE. With one word He tells us there is no alternate plan, no room for interpretation, no other way, period. When it comes to eternity, there’s no way around Jesus’ words: “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
We may love to have options for everything from food to housing, but Jesus’ words in John 14 leave no room for that. With one little word, He removes every other option. Three letters… a world of difference… THE. With one word He tells us there is no alternate plan, no room for interpretation, no other way, period. When it comes to eternity, there’s no way around Jesus’ words: “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
Long before the Battle of Jericho, God promised Abraham that His people, the Israelites, would one day experience the promised land. And now, after enduring centuries of slavery in Egypt and then wandering with Moses in the desert for almost 40 years, the Israelites finally stood at the edge of the promised land, Canaan. But before they could enter, there was one more giant roadblock… and God chose to use two very different characters with two very different stories to accomplish His plan.
This week, we’ll look at the second character in the story, Rahab. Although her past would make many write her off as unusable, God chose to use her to help save the entire Israelite nation.
The Bible is clear that life won’t automatically become perfect for those who follow Jesus. But when the bottom falls out, and there comes a time “When Life Doesn’t Make Sense”, we can rest assured that we have a God we can trust.
As long as you’ve got breath, you’re in the midst of a season. Some are good… some are rough. But not one of them is pointless. No matter which season you’re in, you can know for sure that God wants to use it.
As long as you’ve got breath, you’re in the midst of a season. Some are good… some are rough. But not one of them is pointless. No matter which season you’re in, you can know for sure that God wants to use it.
The book of 1 Peter was written to Christians who were experiencing trials and hardships. They felt hopeless and helpless, living in a land that wasn’t their own. And as followers of Jesus today, we can empathize. Just as this world wasn’t their home, it’s not ours either.
The Apostle Paul compared the Christian life to a race, and he knew that just as a race has a beginning and an end, so does this life here on earth that we live for Jesus. And every day we wake up puts us one day closer to the finish line. But the thing Paul wanted us to grasp is not when… it’s how we “Finish!”
The Christmas story is so much more than just the birth of a baby. That monumental event was literally “God’s Plan… Fulfilled”.
“That They May Be One…” Jesus prayed these words about believers. And the enemy is going to do everything in his power to keep that from happening. But don’t think he’s all we need to be on guard against. When it comes to being unified, “The Great Threat” can often come from within.
We can pray for a lot of different things… for ourselves, and for others. But do you realize that Jesus Himself prayed for us? Not just humanity in general, but specifically for those who are believers. And when He prayed for us, He prayed for what matters most. His prayer?…“That They May Be One.”
Sunday is the time of the week we get to come together as a church family, but we can’t make the mistake of thinking that’s enough. In reality, as believers, we’re never going to grow closer to Jesus if Sunday is all we give Him. It’s that time on Monday through Saturday as we are “Spending Time with God” that is where we can truly begin to delight in Him.
It’s a definite that suffering is going to hit our lives at some point… and oftentimes more than once. Suffering hurts, it’s harsh, and it’s confusing. But this week, we’re Clarifying the Confusion…because when suffering hits, it’s up to us whether it makes us bitter or better. It all comes down to what we’re focusing on.
At some point, suffering is a reality for each and every one of us. But when it comes, it’s imperative that we don’t allow it to derail us. How do you stop that from happening? You’ve got to hold tight to the truth that our God wants to use even the worst times to bring about two things: Our Good… His Glory.
If you haven’t already experienced it, at some point it’s going to happen… and chances are, it’ll happen more than once. It’s beyond our control, but the good news is we aren’t left to figure it out on our own. We can rest assured knowing that When Life Makes No Sense, God has given us principles to guide us every step of the way.
It happens every four years. Americans cast their vote for their choice as to who should be our nation’s president.
But perhaps this year, there’s reason to give it a little more prayerful thought. Because beyond the normal yard signs, the attack ads, the constant barrage of text messages from political parties… this one is just different.
This election, there’s a lot hanging in the balance. And while it’s easy to get caught up in personality, campaign promises, and how this all affects our bank account, that’s not the issue.
The issue is with God.
God doesn’t have a yard sign and He has never registered as a Republican or Democrat. But don’t for a second think that this election isn’t about Him. It is.
Because from the very beginning of time there have been non-negotiables with God, and when we cast our ballot this election, we better know where the candidate we are voting for stands on what matters to God.
Any way you look at it, this election is different. This election is a little heavier… a little more sobering. This election really does matter.
Because this election, America is at a Crossroads.
It happens every four years. Americans cast their vote for their choice as to who should be our nation’s president.
But perhaps this year, there’s reason to give it a little more prayerful thought. Because beyond the normal yard signs, the attack ads, the constant barrage of text messages from political parties… this one is just different.
This election, there’s a lot hanging in the balance. And while it’s easy to get caught up in personality, campaign promises, and how this all affects our bank account, that’s not the issue.
The issue is with God.
God doesn’t have a yard sign and He has never registered as a Republican or Democrat. But don’t for a second think that this election isn’t about Him. It is.
Because from the very beginning of time there have been non-negotiables with God, and when we cast our ballot this election, we better know where the candidate we are voting for stands on what matters to God.
Any way you look at it, this election is different. This election is a little heavier… a little more sobering. This election really does matter.
Because this election, America is at a Crossroads.
We’ve got a very real enemy, and his desire is to destroy. And while thousands of years may have passed since that first sin in the Garden of Eden… “Satan’s M.O.” hasn’t changed. And it’s important to know who we’re up against and how he works, because he’s not backing down.
It goes without saying that there’s a lot that comes at us in life that is completely out of our control. That’s a given. But no matter how bad the situation we’re faced with, there is always “One Thing You CAN Control.”
In life there are a lot of questions we get asked where the answer is a matter of opinion. But when it comes to your eternity there’s no room for opinion. There are “Three Questions You’ve Got to Get Right”.
Welcoming our missionary friends, Chris and Joni Weaver, as Pastor Harrell has a conversation with them about Malawi, Africa. Then Chris preaches from the book of Exodus, the message entitled, “Responding to God’s Call.”
On one side, one man couldn’t see beyond his own dire circumstances, while on the other side, an entire army was able to be distracted from their mission. Both had something in common… they were blinded to the way God was working out His plan all around them. And if we’re honest, we can find ourselves in this same position all too often.
On one side, one man couldn’t see beyond his own dire circumstances, while on the other side, an entire army was able to be distracted from their mission. Both had something in common… they were blinded to the way God was working out His plan all around them. And if we’re honest, we can find ourselves in this same position all too often.
We are all on a journey…a journey God is taking each one of us on to experience Him and allow us to join Him to make disciples!
When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He had many to choose from. But with God, there will only ever be one that has to claim that top spot. And because Jesus knew It All Comes Down to This, He began to answer their question this way: “You shall love the Lord your God…”
When God used the Apostle Paul to write 1 Corinthians 4:2, the message was crystal clear. Because God wants His church to know that no matter what our circumstances, we have got to be faithful. So He had Paul write it this way: “It Is Required…”
When Paul wrote the words “in everything give thanks”, he knew each of us would have a choice to make. Either we would choose to live a grateful life, or an ungrateful one. And this choice will determine “Which Type” of Christian we are.
Two men dying at the same place and same time. But only one made the choice that changed his eternal destiny. Now each one of us has to make a choice… and “Which Side” we choose is the most important decision we’ll ever make.
Ten men with the same death sentence. One experience with the Savior. Two very different responses. When we look closely at the ten men, we’ll see ourselves, and it’s up to each of us to decide “Which Number” we’re choosing to be.
Three little words…“go after it.” But as simple as the instruction Joshua gave to the people of Israel was, he knew that it was imperative the people follow it… no matter what. And the reality is, God wants the same from us today.
God knows that strong, committed families don’t just happen. They take time, effort, dedication… and first and foremost, Him. And while families look a lot different now from when God first passed down His instructions, “What God Wants from You, Dad”, hasn’t changed at all.
There’s a lot of things in life that we can get by with just being good at… but when it comes to getting into Heaven, each one of us needs to ask ourselves, Is Good Good Enough?
Life may look very different for all of us, whether it’s our home life, work life, or personal life. But each and every one of us has something in common when it comes to this thing called life: we’re going to face adversity. And while we can’t control the fact that adversity is going to be a reality, we can for sure control how we respond WHEN Adversity Comes.
When it comes to us worrying about what tomorrow holds, God has clear instructions. Don’t do it. But how is that even possible when there’s so much unknown? The good news is, He doesn’t leave us to figure it out for ourselves. He knows that when it comes to worry, it all boils down to what holds our focus… is it going to be the unknown that tomorrow might bring, or is it going to be Him?
We all have priorities… family, work, self-care. But no matter how many things compete for our attention, God didn’t leave any question about what needs to be our first priority. For every new “Today” we are given, our top priority is always to be the same… “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
It’s not a subject we like to dwell on… we’re too busy being caught up in the here and now of life to think about what comes next. But despite the fact that it’s unpopular, the hard truth is that death is unavoidable. And it’s crucial we get the “what’s next” part right, because Your Life… After Death is a subject no one can afford to put off for later.
It’s a fact… in our lives, there’s going to be adversity that at times can seem completely overwhelming. And the truth is, for us, it is. But when adversity meets God, there’s no contest.
When everyone around them bowed on command, only three young men stood standing. It wasn’t just an act of youthful disobedience… and it wasn’t a form of political protest. These three remained standing because they refused to disobey God. And even when faced with a fiery death, these three young men had one thing that never wavered… Unshakable Character.
We may not be aware, but each and every day there’s a battle raging all around us. It’s raging in our schools, in our churches, in our government, and in our courts. It’s the battle over Absolute Truth. And this is one battle we can’t afford to lose.
// Take Away / Application: God’s Word is the standard for absolute truth. His truth can be trusted, known, and is never obsolete.
It’s easy to flippantly quote “all things work together for good” when everything is going smooth. But when life throws us a curveball and we’re living in the midst of a storm, we can start to question if there is any way good can come out of bad. But here’s the thing… “All Things” Means “All Things.”
The Bible tells us that after Jesus died on the Cross, He was buried in a tomb. But three days later that tomb was empty. What happened that Sunday morning makes all the difference. And as we look at the reality of the empty tomb, we’re left with one question we have to answer… What Will You Decide?
// Questions? // If you have questions about a relationship with Jesus, text us at (614) 892-7272.
Jesus’ death on the Cross… It’s not just a historical fact… It’s not just an event we observe on the calendar each year. There’s no getting around it or downplaying its significance because all through the pages of the Bible one message is crystal clear… there had to be a Cross.
Isolate… social distance… stay at home… everything we hear is telling us to keep away from others. And while we’re doing our best to maintain good health, if we aren’t careful we can become self-absorbed. But now is the perfect opportunity to shift the focus to others because everyone can benefit from “The Power of One.”
Regardless of your past, current circumstances or biggest worries, God is your greatest encourager.
Genuine faith is evident when we:
- Humble ourselves and ask Jesus for help.
- Are persistent in pursuing Jesus.
- Walk in faith believing the God of the Word.
- Are unashamed to share our faith with others.
All Christians are called to witness and share their faith. By observing how Jesus interacted with the woman at the well, we can learn from the Master how to best evangelize in a Christ-like way.
Learn from Jesus: we have the opportunity to leverage every conversation, every encounter, every day to bring something of Jesus to people.
Genuine humility can be found when we grasp that Jesus must increase and we must decrease.
The way I choose to live my life makes an eternal impact…not just for myself, but also countless others.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” —John 3:3
“Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” —John 3:15–17
Jesus can’t be fooled. He knows our motives and heart. He wants the lives of His people to be clean.
// Take Away / Application:
There is absolutely no such thing as following Christ unless you make His life the purpose in your life! It’s not “what”, but “who” are you living for?
// Action: In your place of work, study or leisure; put your physically Bible on display and see what conversations the Lord allows you to have. Remember, be ready to give an answer for your faith, do so with grace and truth, but do so with gentleness.
Like John the Baptist, we must selflessly live for Jesus, exalt Jesus and be a witness for Jesus.
What are you doing with Jesus? Are you a witness, full of grace and truth, in the world but not of the world?
Jesus is eternally God. Jesus is equally God. Jesus is essentially God. Jesus is the Master Creator. Jesus is the giver of life.
When you wake up each morning, you may have a plan for your day…errands to run, going to work, going to school… but, in fact, there’s a bigger reality waiting for you.
Because each day you wake up, you’re going to war.
Your opponent? Satan.
The battleground? Your mind.
And Satan doesn’t give a flip that you go to church each Sunday, attend a Bible study, or say you love Jesus. The enemy knows that if he can get your mind, he’s got you right where he wants you. Because the enemy knows the truth of Proverbs 23:7… the truth that tells us that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
We can’t afford to sit back and just let the enemy get the victory over our minds. It’s why Proverbs 4 says that we are to guard this “ABOVE ALL ELSE.”
In the battle for your mind, there is going to be a victor… and this is one battle that you can’t afford to lose.
When you wake up each morning, you may have a plan for your day…errands to run, going to work, going to school… but, in fact, there’s a bigger reality waiting for you.
Because each day you wake up, you’re going to war.
Your opponent? Satan.
The battleground? Your mind.
And Satan doesn’t give a flip that you go to church each Sunday, attend a Bible study, or say you love Jesus. The enemy knows that if he can get your mind, he’s got you right where he wants you. Because the enemy knows the truth of Proverbs 23:7… the truth that tells us that “as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”
We can’t afford to sit back and just let the enemy get the victory over our minds. It’s why Proverbs 4 says that we are to guard this “ABOVE ALL ELSE.”
In the battle for your mind, there is going to be a victor… and this is one battle that you can’t afford to lose.
When we examine our lives and ask the question, “Am I content with who I am and where I am in life?”, what answer do you come up with? What brings contentment and what keeps you content? The apostle Paul has something to say to us regarding this specifically in Philippians 4:10–13.
Long-suffering provides visible proof of God working in the heart of a believer. The way to learn long-suffering is through loving others with the love of Christ.
Peace comes from the assurance that God is control of my life. This results from my living in obedience to His Word.
The distinguishing characteristics we’re to model from the early church are:
- Reaching people for Jesus.
- Carrying out genuine worship.
- Making God’s Word a priority.
As we read in the Bible, we find men and women whose lives intersected with Jesus and they were never the same again… their lives were changed forever. And the thing is, Jesus wants the same for you and me today. During this series, we’ll be looking at different Jesus encounters in the Bible and seeing what God has to say. Because in today’s world, change can be exciting or scary, but Jesus knows exactly how much we need it.
Take Away / Application: May the passion of living and sharing the Gospel, along with reaching those who do not know Jesus, dominate our lives.
As we read in the Bible, we find men and women whose lives intersected with Jesus and they were never the same again… their lives were changed forever. And the thing is, Jesus wants the same for you and me today. During this series, we’ll be looking at different Jesus encounters in the Bible and seeing what God has to say. Because in today’s world, change can be exciting or scary, but Jesus knows exactly how much we need it.
Thankfulness is a rare trait these days. Whether it’s the next app we download, order of groceries we pick up or home purchase we make, we’re accustomed to getting what we want and quickly moving on. We desire, we acquire, then move to the next thing.
However, God’s will is for us to be thankful in all things and that thankfulness is rooted in what Jesus did on the cross for each of us. In this message, we discuss the principles involved in a thankful heart.
Baptism is an outward display and celebration of your inward decision to trust and follow Christ. It’s also a step of obedience and allows a Christ follower to communicate to the world their commitment to Christ. In Scripture, we see that people were baptized after they made a decision to follow Christ. In this message, we’ll discuss why baptism is a key step in every Christians relationship with Jesus.
We place value on so many things, cars, houses, time, etc., but how much value do we place on a person’s soul?
Every day we invest our time, resources and finances in various areas. How are we investing in people’s souls? God gives us two key ways of investing in others: divine intersects and relationships. In this message, we learn how to practically put these into practice.
Throughout life, we all look for stability, strength, results, purpose, and direction.
When it comes to making decisions, how we live and what we focus on… knowing what to do is valuable, however, sometimes it’s just as important to know what not to do.
Psalm 1 gives us wisdom and direction into how we should, and should not live our lives. It challenges us to examine our lives and apply its truth.
Take Away/Application: Ingredients to a great church include pliability, expendability, and ownership.
What makes a church a good church? And then what does it take to make a good church great?
We often use the phrase “go to church,” but in reality, as believers, you and I were called to be the church.
So what does that look like? What characteristics should make up those who Christ called “My church”… what does Jesus want His church to look like?
It’s not just a building. It’s not just a ministry program. And it’s not just on Sunday morning.
The characteristics that Jesus wants His church to have are for all day, every day.
Commitment… Compassion… Pliability… Expendability… Ownership.
This is what Jesus’ church should look like.
In this two-part series, Pastor Harrell takes us to God’s Word to lay out the characteristics of a great church.
Through the account of Gideon in Judges 6–7 we see and learn that God has the ability and desire to use anyone that is willing to be used by Him. God loves you and wants to use you right where you’re at. However, in order to be used to your maximum capabilities, there are some things our life must exhibit. In this message, we examine four key qualities in being used by God.
It’s more valuable than status, money, and power combined…it’s wisdom and it’s priceless. However, not just any wisdom will do. It’s biblical wisdom we must seek. What a privilege and resource to be able to receive wisdom from God, the Creator of the universe! But how do we obtain God’s wisdom? What’s the key? What’s the source? These questions and more are answered in today’s message called, “Anything.”
This special service welcomes Tom Thompson of The Refuge. Pastor Harrell and Tom discussed how The Refuge helps men and women overcome addiction through Christ!
Take Away / Application: When dealing with doubt, danger, and difficulty, you can trust God’s promise.
When it’s just you by yourself, what is your God like?
Really think about it, because the answer to that question matters.
It matters because what you know and think about God affects everything in life… the decisions you make, your day to day actions, even your attitude—whether good or bad.
In the Bible, Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,”… but do you believe that God really is that powerful?
When you yourself are faced with what seems like an insurmountable problem, is He the same big God of the Bible to you personally, or is your view of His power limited by the fact you don’t really see Him for who He is.
But He wants you to really know Him.
Because you can’t really know God and stay the same.
The story of the prodigal son is one of the most well-known parables in all of the Bible. This fresh look at a familiar story challenges us to examine ourselves and see the similarities in our lives to the rebel son and the religious son. It also points to a perfect Heavenly Father who patiently pursues us and meets us right where we are.
God has left Christians on earth to reach others with the Gospel and invest in people. We do this through helping one another live out the instructions of God’s Word, love God and love others. How are you organizing your time? Do make you make room to invest in others? In order to bear fruit what needs to change in your life today?
Take Away / Application: • Understanding our common ministry to believers (restoration) and non-believers (leading a person to Jesus). • What to do when someone turns from Jesus.
All of us hold important things or pieces of information. From grandma’s secret recipe, our bank account information or the password that we use for everything online. But what is the most important piece of information we need to know and let others know? The Bible gives us the answer to what truly is of first importance.
Take Away / Application: Understanding the spiritual response to life when you go through hard times, good times and sickness.
Key Scripture: James 5:7–12
Take Away / Application: James points forward to Jesus coming again to right every wrong—a time when our Savior will return to gather the faithful and judge those who do not acknowledge him. And until this time comes, Christians are left with the call to persevere in both our faith and our deeds.
Key Scripture: James 5:1–5
Take Away / Application: Do your possessions control you or do you control your possessions?
Key Scripture: James 4:13–17
**Take Away / Application
• Invite God into the details and plans of our lives. • The simple plan for your life is to follow God’s will.
Key Scripture: James 3:1–12
Take Away / Application
• What you really are is demonstrated by the things you say. The tongue reveals what’s in your heart. • We have a captain, in Jesus, that can control the rudder (our tongue) of our life.
Key Scripture: James 2:14–26
Take Away / Application:
We are not saved by good works; we are saved for good works. • Is your faith in Jesus public and evident in your daily life?
Every one of us has a birthday that celebrates the day we were born. Parents tell stories around the brith of their children. Children are reminded of the joyful day mom and dad got to bring them home for the very first time.
Yet, there is one birth in the history of mankind that is unlike any other. The birth of Jesus Christ was unlike any birth that has or will take place. Of all the births we can talk about, Jesus’ is unlike any other.
As we enter the Christmas season, this three-part series will focus us on Jesus’ birth, life and death that make Him unlike anyone that’s ever lived.