Good News Church - Powell Ohio: Recent Episodes
Good News Church
Good News Church is located in Powell, OH (478 W. Olentangy Street, Powell, OH 43065). We hope that you are blessed by these messages, and that you will consider joining us in person soon!
Temptation is nothing new. In fact, the strategy the enemy uses today goes all the way back to the garden. Join us as Pastor George unpacks the "M.O." of temptation.
Join us this week as Pastor Aaron lays out a vision of what God is calling us to as a church over the next 5 years!
In part 1 of our Advent series we take a look at Hope and the impact that it can have on our faith walk. Since we live between the 2 Advents (Jesus' first and second coming), it is imperative that our hope is anchored in the promises of a faithful God. That has huge ramifications on how we live and how we prepare for his return.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Disciples of Jesus should live out the necessity of God’s love toward others through Jesus’ example and definition of what love truly looks like."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If you truly understand that God loves you so much that He died to save you, your gratitude will lead you to love Him with every fiber of your being."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Do not be afraid, for God’s peace has come into the world through Jesus so that we can all experience heavenly peace now and forever more!"
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Admonishment is best given and received within the trust of a mutually loving relationship that is built on God’s Word."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "When you truly realize how great a debt that God has forgiven you of, you will begin to understand the necessity of forgiveness toward one another."
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"Compelled by His patience with us, the body of Christ must pursue unity as we bear with one another in love."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Choosing sacrifice and suffering over safety and security best resemble the example of Jesus that we should model in our faith."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The source of our identity must never come from anything that we can lose, but only from our eternal Lord and Savior, Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "We have been created in God's image to exalt His status, not promote our own."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Any other heart posture toward God than the reality that, “everything in your life is from God and for God”, is idolatry."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The impact of the Kingdom accelerates as the collective of God's people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, faithfully carry out the mandate and the mission of Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Priority must always be given to contextualizing the Gospel and mission of Jesus instead of contextualizing our comforts and preferences."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "When the church is healthy, the mission of the church is unstoppable."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "What do you need to do today in order to make your faith in Jesus strong enough to withstand the tests of tomorrow’s fiery trials?"
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "God has a purpose for your life that is eternally better than your plans."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "A self-reliant heart that is focused on building your kingdom instead of God’s kingdom will always lead to ruin, not life."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "When we trust the presence and power of the God we don’t see, we will have the confidence to face any trouble that we do see."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Self-control comes from the Spirit of God and allows us to live into the will of God."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "By choosing to live out the generosity of Jesus, we put our faith into action and create opportunities for others to experience true healing and forgiveness."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The intentionality of Jesus reveals the Good News of the Gospel. Anyone who is thirsty may come to the well of grace!"
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "We must never separate truth from love because they are innately connected in the character of Christ."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The resurrection of Jesus restores your hope for the future and your purpose for today!"
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "It was the willing sacrifice of the spotless Lamb of God that provides us a way out of our sinful condition."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If we truly love Jesus, then we will desire more of His voice and presence in our lives."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The call to follow Jesus is a journey into deep waters of faith that requires a commitment to His Word so we can know the direction we are going and the character of the one we are following."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "To build your life on a solid foundation is to deeply root yourself in the truth of God’s word."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Because the Word of God is eternally relevant, it is extremely useful and I can live my life by it!"
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Often times, our problem with the Bible isn’t intellectual, but rather a heart posture turned against God’s authority over our lives."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "By learning to place each part of Scripture into the bigger story of God's grace, it becomes less intimidating and more enjoyable and inspiring to read."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If God is believable, then the Bible should not be unbelievable."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Your story is one of God’s favorite vehicles to deliver His saving Good News."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Everyone’s story is unique, but what is not unique is that everyone’s story needs the redeeming power of Jesus in it."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The realization that Jesus is Immanuel is the realization of lasting hope."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "What makes the waiting so worth it is the hope that we have in the midst of the unknown."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The secret to being content is resting in the finished work of Jesus, and not the unfinished work of our lives."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Anxiety is the thief of joy, but prayer is the remedy for worry that leads to peace."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Stop bragging about your garbage like it’s a trophy and start boasting about the true treasure of Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Joy and contentment are found when we lean into God’s promises and live out our Kingdom purpose rather than dwell on our situation or circumstances."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The deep love we should have for one another comes from our unity together as parters in the Gospel."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The self-seeking mindset actually steals the good life that we desire."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "A heart that is rooted in Jesus is a soul that is anchored to life."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The unknown causes us to hold our plans loosely and trust the plans of a sovereign God."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "There is nothing more life changing than accepting the gift of God’s grace."
SERMON IN A QUESTION: "Do you actually want what you truly deserve?" SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "You don’t actually want what you truly deserve."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Knowing the purpose of your freedom will motivate you to truly live free."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The first step toward freedom is acknowledging that you are a slave."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The types of memories you hope to have tomorrow should determine the types of things you live for today."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The Word of God is both a tool and a weapon, but you must know when it is which."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "In Christ we have been freed from the penalty of sin, are daily being freed from the power of sin, and will one day be free from the presence of sin."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Faith is not simply what you believe, but a full confidence in who you can trust."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Our role is to help set the captives free through the Gospel of peace."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "You are no longer defined by what you have done wrong. You are defined by what Christ has done right."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "True living hope is powerful enough to provide us life-giving joy, even in the midst of suffering."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Being devoted to prayer happens when your heart is devoted to God."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The body obeys the heart and mind, but who does your heart and mind obey?"
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Jesus nailed your sins to the cross so that you can experience the fullness of life."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The only thing that should captivate your heart & mind is the grace and truth of Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "That which you are willing to sacrifice for reveals what you truly hold as valuable."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "God used His ultimate authority to powerfully save us through His love and grace."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The Church that Jesus designed is beautiful, messy, powerful and essential."
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "What you believe has value is what you will leverage your things of value for."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Time is one of the most valuable gifts that God has entrusted to us."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Your level of gratitude towards God effects your attitude toward your neighbor."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "We are called to obey earthly authorities, as long as they don’t ask us to disobey our Lord’s authority."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Our supreme allegiance is to the King of kings both now and forever."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If God is able to create the universe, then He is more than able to give us a reliable bible."
*Note: The phrase above in the "Sermon In A Sentence" does not prove all by itself the reliability and trustworthiness of the Bible. You'll have to watch/listen to the sermon to hear more of those details.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If just one miracle is possible, then more miracles are also possible."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The better question isn’t if God exists, but which God you’ve chosen to serve."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "In claiming there are no absolute truths, you are making an absolute truth claim."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Your DEFINITION of love will greatly affect your EXPRESSION of love, which will directly determine love’s IMPACT on the world around you."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The power of darkness doesn’t hold a candle to the power of light."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Burning the bridges that lead you to sin will help ensure you won’t go back."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If Jesus didn't hold our sins against us, we can't hold our differences against one another."
"Surrendering to the will of God doesn’t mean we lose control, but rather that God gains full control."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The goal is not to be good, but to surrender to the only one who is good."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "You can either choose to be shaken, or be the one doing the shaking."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "It is impossible to live out the mission of Jesus without the power of Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Living as though everything is from God and for God will lead you to your God-given potential."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The question isn’t the amount of proof, but your willingness to accept it."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "When you actually realize who Jesus is, you will understand why He is worth more than everything."
Preparing for life before death is wise, but neglecting life after death is disastrous.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Treating others the way you would want to be treated is how you show God’s love."
Thank you for joining us for this special Park & Pray gathering, in the midst of this social distancing covid season. Please feel free to listen along as we seek to lead your heart and prayers toward Jesus.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Relationships that are unified on the love and purpose of Jesus will have a fearlessness to take on any situation."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Fearless finances flow out of being anchored to an unchanging hope."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Our physical mortality should focus us on our need for spiritual immortality."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Don’t expect to see life change if you aren’t intentionally engaging in the things that God uses to create life change."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Jesus is the only one worth following in life’s journey of faith."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The role of a shepherd is to point people to the Chief Shepherd."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Jesus took care of your past so that you can free others from theirs."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Just as a frame supports a house, so a church’s model supports its mission."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The only gift better than having God with us is having God in us."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The light of the world came FOR US so He could light up our darkness with grace and truth."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If your relationship with God feels distant, stop running from Him."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Love isn’t just what we all need, but should be who we are and what we are known for."
To learn more about taking a next step in your generosity journey, please visit: https://www.goodnewsfamily.org/generosity
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If you try to find lasting satisfaction from things that don’t last, you will be unsatisfied."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "What has greatest value should determine what has greatest priority."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If you give up good things in exchange for better things, more will experience the best things."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "It takes humility and a desire for the truth to admit when you’ve been wrong."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Healthy habits allow you to continue moving forward even when life hits pause."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If you don’t stay fueled for the journey, then you will never reach your destination."
"Your faith doesn’t stop bad things from happening in this life, but without it we have no assurance for a perfect and eternal life."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Transformation happens when we realize that only God can do what needs done."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "God’s Grace allows us to learn from our sin, not be condemned by it."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The most effective method to lead people away from God is to point them to a man made religion."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Staying FOCUSED on the RIGHT things helps us PUSH through the HARD things so that we can EXPERIENCE the BEST things."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "You cannot be ashamed of that which you are convinced is the very best."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "What you’re fighting for and who’s doing the fighting will make all the difference."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Allowing the 'why' to drive the 'what' keeps you pointed toward the 'WHO'."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Who you want to be in 10 years should determine what you are doing now."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: The resurrection of Jesus proves that His love for us won't go away.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Having a seared conscience should be as tolerable to you as a red-hot iron being placed on your chest."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The role of a shepherd is to point people to the Good Shepherd."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Make every decision through a framework of eternal and you will live a FLOURISHING, THRIVING, FULFILLING, ABUNDANT LIFE every day.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Your value in God’s sight is not defined by your past, present, or position."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "To have a heart like God will cause you to have a heart for all people."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The very things that you want to conceal are the exact things that God wants to display."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Every person, without exception, is called to give up what feels most natural, in order to follow the One who is supernatural."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Truthful things that are not said in love will be perceived as false."
Recorded session of "Conversations on Marriage" with Jeff Stevenson, who is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. This conversation was hosted by Cody Balch.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "God designed you with the need to be surrounded by a healthy and loving family, regardless of what you were born into."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Our opportunities are as endless as our hearts are surrendered."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Living with a clear purpose makes sacrifice worth it and the mundane meaningful."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Who you honor with your treasure is more important than the treasure itself.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with it is your gift back to God."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The gift of the Holy Spirit empowers ordinary people to do extraordinary things."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "The giver of life has designed each of us with unique gifts, but there is one gift that unlocks our purpose to use them all for His glory."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Knowing with certainty where you are going and that you will have everything you need to get there doesn’t just impact your destination, but your journey as well."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Without God’s perfect love alive in us, we will personally experience fear, as well as create fear in others."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Love is a proper noun named Jesus and we are called to be His verb to the world."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Any voice that doesn’t point you to Jesus is not a voice you should follow."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If your arms are so full of your self, than your arms will never be free to fully show the love of Jesus to others."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "It is not unreasonable for God to expect life change when we choose to give our life to Him."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Jesus took care of perfection so that we could be free to transform."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Knowing Jesus should lead to sharing Jesus, which will lead to sharing in Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Communion helps remind us that the Gospel should stay at the center of our lives and is meant to be lived out in a right relationship with God and others.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "True worship is a lifestyle in constant response to the Good News of Jesus."
Experience God-->Respond to God in Worship-->Go and Do what God Calls you to. Repeat.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Prayer centers us in God's presence and helps us align our will with His will.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Living your life without the wisdom of God's Word is like walking through a minefield at night.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "In Baptism, the saving work of Jesus changes us forever and begins the life-changing process in us."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Very different people who choose to unify around Jesus will make a very big difference."
ONE LORD=ONE TEAM
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Believing that God can care for you better than you could ever care for yourself truly allows you to live selflessly toward others."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Unresolved dissonance creates distance in relationships."
*Relationships matter to Jesus.
As we wrap up the YOLO series and celebrated two baptisms this Sunday, my prayer is that God has stirred something in your heart. This life isn't easy, and there are no guarantees outside of God's authority. The whirlwind of life can seem too tough at times, but God has the power to meet us where we're at and to help us move forward. Each season of life is a new opportunity. You only live once, and this beautiful journey is worth it in Christ!
This world, and everything in it, belongs to the LORD. That includes you. Even if you don't feel worthy - God is fighting for you. Jesus loves you, and He's equipping you. In this message we'll be talking about the gifts that come from above, and how He calls us to faithfully manage those gifts.
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Why? He didn't NEED to create it, but chose to. He did this out of love. He loved His creation and wanted to be together with us forever; but we broke the promise. The rest of the Bible is a love story where God is fighting for us to return home to be with Him. Our purpose is to return to be with God, and to bring many with us.
Paul's letter to the Philippian church offered encouragement and hope for eternity, even though we will face challenges in this life. While in prison he wrote, "To live is Christ, but to die is gain." Paul's eternal perspective points us to the resurrected Savior who has the power to overcome death, and promises an eternity in the presence of God... free from death, pain, tears, and sorrow.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Jesus' resurrection should change the trajectory of your entire life.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: It's not IF you'll experience dark times, but how you'll response WHEN they come.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: We should aim to live and serve like the one who was the greatest.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE(ish): You can't read God's story without reading about God's people. You can't journey with Jesus without journeying with His people.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Fully trusting God is not risky, but actually the safest decision we could ever make.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: “Don’t let today’s trends turn into tomorrow’s traditions, which could lead people’s hearts away from Jesus.”
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: When you don't accept the challenge, you are not allowing the growth.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE:
Having an eternal perspective helps the big things in this life feel more like small things.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: “Surrendering to the One who is ALL powerful allows the impossible to become possible.”
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: “Your heart is like a garden; it is as receptive to the Word of God as it is tended to.”
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: “Jesus’ demonstration of power is meant to point people to His divine purpose.”
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Coming face-to-face with Jesus incites a response to either follow Him or reject Him.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: God allows evil because He loves you and wants you to freely love Him back.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: The real question isn't whether you can trust the Bible, but do you trust Jesus?
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: It is technically an oxymoron to say that you love Jesus but not the church.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: God has an eternal purpose for your life, and He's calling you to step into it.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: Getting clarity on where you are at will help you determine the next step in where you are going.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: God intimately knows you, your story, and your sin, yet He still loves you.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Everyone is a person of faith...it's just a matter of what they've put their faith in."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Coming into contact with Jesus and His people should change you forever."
Luke 19:1-10 - "1 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 7 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.” 8 But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Philippians 1:15-18 -- "15 It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice."
Luke 12:15-21 - "15 Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” 16 And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ 20 “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”
Luke 16:10-15 "10 Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight."
Mark 10:13-16 "13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them."
Romans 6:3-14 "3 Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace."
Matthew 6:24 - "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."
Acts 17:16-23 "16 While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. 17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with both Jews and God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there. 18 A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to debate with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection. 19 Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? 20 You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” 21 (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "We desire to be a church that is CLEAR about our purpose, and CLEAR about how people can grow in their God-given purpose."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Please don’t have an urgency to help save people from physical death, yet be complacent about the eternal salvation that they need through Jesus."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Fighting against sin all alone is as deadly as trying to perform your own open heart surgery."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "If people can’t trust your words, then they will never trust your message."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Knowing how our story ends allows us to be patient through the trials of life."
Matthew 6:19-21 "19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Let's leave the judging to the all-knowing Judge, and instead focus on living thankful lives to the true Judge for not giving us what we truly deserve."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "To win the battle within yourself, you must first surrender yourself to a life of selflessness."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "God desires to give us transcendent wisdom that is beyond our years."
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "What you say matters, and can be used in both amazingly great ways, as well as incredibly destructive ways."
Dax is the "Pastor for Pastors" at 104.9 the River radio station in Columbus and was our guest preacher on June 11th 2017.
SERMON IN A SENTENCE: "Simply believing in something and actually allowing your life to be changed by that belief are two very different things."
James 2:1-13 "2 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment."
James 1:26-27 "26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."
Sermon In A Sentence: "Authentically following Jesus should not imply perfection, but instead an honest dependency and gratitude for the grace of Jesus."
James 1:19-21 - "19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you."
James 1:22-25 "22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."
Romans 8:31b-34 "If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us."
James 1:9-12 -- "9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him."
Sermon In A Sentence: "True riches are only found by humbly serving the eternal king Jesus."
James 1:5-8 - "5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."
Sermon In A Sentence: "Wisdom is given to those who are humble enough to ask God and who believe enough to receive it."
Sermon In A Sentence:
"God is more interested in making us HOLY than making us HAPPY."
James 1:1-4 "1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
Matthew 16:21-28 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. 28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”
3 Questions:
— Can you identify & do you celebrate God’s mighty hand in your life? (Psalm 34:8)
— Are you seizing the opportunity & privilege that God has granted you? (Matthew 3:8-10)
— What will we as Good News Church collectively be known for? (John 13:35)
Sermon In A Sentence: "Running together toward God's life-giving mission enables us to flee the sin that tries to kills us."
What is holiness and what do you think of when you hear the word "holy"?
Sermon In A Sentence: "When you hear the word “holy”, feelings of joy, gratitude, and reverence should fill your heart."
Acts 2:42-47 - "42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
May God's vision become our vision, and our vision be His vision. May we have open hearts and open hands to do whatever God wills for our lives and church. It is all His and all for His glory!
Sermon In A Sentence: Loving others means going out of your comfort zone to create a comfort zone for others.
God is with us! Jesus, Emmanuel, means that God became a man to dwell among us, to teach us God's truth, and to die in our place. Praise God for this Good News!
"Don't just think generosity is good, live it out." Listen in as Cody Balch challenges us with James 1:22-25 & Luke 17:11-19. We must be thankful, which will lead us action in our generosity journey.
Part 2 in our sermon series "Take A Step" deals with the topic of how God is more concerned with the sacrifice of the giver than the size of the gift. Mark 12:41-44
Jesus said in Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." Part 2 in our series takes a look at the tension between our desire to "get" verses the beauty and necessity of giving.
"What you sow, is what you grow". Lessons on generosity by Cody Balch from 2 Corinthians 9:6-11. Join us in person this Sunday @ 10am.
Jesus came to serve, not to be served, and we should do likewise. No servant is greater than his master.
God is right under our nose, if we only have eyes to see Him. Journey along with us as we take a look at the story of two men to walked a few miles with Jesus and didn't even know it (Luke 24).