Victory Faith Church: Recent Episodes
Victory Faith Church
Pastors Kyle & Anna Sadler are the Lead Pastors of Victory Faith Church in Fort Madison, Iowa. They are passionate about raising up leaders, investing in their lives, and helping people move in their spiritual journey with Jesus. The Sadlers have one adopted son, Isaiah (Zay) and one biological child, Moxie. You can join us live on Sundays at live.victoryfaith.online at 10:00am CT
Pastor Marty's message instructs us to get rid of our anger, referencing many scriptures including Ecclesiastes 7:9. He encourages us to choose to be unoffended and to find love for everyone as Christ did.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Scott encourages us to not take on the burdens of the world alone. Referencing Matthew 11, Romans 15, and John 16, he invites us to share the burdens with God and to experience God's peace here on earth.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Thank you for joining us! Pastor Welty encourages us in his message on Colossians 3 to focus on things above and not on the menial things of earth.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle Sadler reflects on his realization that trying to handle all responsibilities himself was not only overwhelming but also prevented others from using their unique gifts. He emphasizes that the church thrives when every member contributes their individual talents and supports one another, highlighting that God’s design involves collaborative effort rather than individualism. Ultimately, the message calls the church to embrace shared responsibilities and trust in God’s provision, fostering a more effective and unified community.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message emphasizes the importance of prioritizing a personal relationship with Jesus over busyness and service. She highlights how Martha's distraction with tasks contrasts with Mary's focus on Jesus, urging believers to simplify their approach to faith by spending quality time with God. The core message is that true fulfillment and answers to life's challenges come from fully committing to a relationship with Jesus, rather than just performing religious duties.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
The Cecils’ message highlights that while we can make our own plans, it is ultimately God who directs our steps, as emphasized by Proverbs 16:9. They illustrate this with the analogy of navigating through dark caves, reflecting on how life’s journey includes clear paths and moments of darkness where faith becomes crucial. Their message encourages trusting in God's faithfulness through all circumstances, believing that even in the darkest times, He remains present and will guide us towards light and resolution.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle's message emphasizes that true strength is found not in our own striving but in surrendering to God. He shares a personal story of overcoming burnout by admitting weakness and relying on God’s strength, illustrating that contentment and strength come from a deep, trusting relationship with Jesus. The message challenges listeners to let go of self-reliance, embrace surrender, and experience God's abundant provision and peace.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message emphasizes finding genuine peace amidst life’s challenges by actively pursuing reconciliation and addressing internal conflicts. She highlights the importance of embracing Jesus' way of peace, which involves direct confrontation of issues, joyful perspective, and thoughtful focus on what is pure and true. The message encourages us to move beyond mere avoidance of conflict and to seek a profound, protective peace through intentional actions and trust in God's guidance.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle's message highlights that selfless service and genuine care for others are foundational for building strong communities and advancing God’s mission, as seen in the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus in Philippians. He emphasizes that true leaders prioritize the needs of others over personal gain, fostering unity and love within the church. Additionally, recognizing and honoring those who serve selflessly strengthens community bonds and reflects the work of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In Pastor Kyle's message on finding our true identity in Christ, he emphasizes that while we all struggle to understand our true selves, God has a unique design for our identity. By exploring the life of Paul, who realized that his previous sense of worth was empty compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ, we learn that true fulfillment comes from embracing our identity as children of God rather than relying on external achievements or possessions. Pastor Kyle encourages us to reject worldly comparisons and instead focus on the transformative relationship with Jesus, which redefines our identity and purpose.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message emphasizes that the church functions as a unified body, similar to the parts of a human body, each integral and necessary for the whole. She highlights the responsibility of every believer to contribute their unique gifts without comparison, emphasizing unity in diversity. Ultimately, she underscores Jesus Christ as the true leader of the church, with pastors serving to guide and equip the community in their shared mission.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message emphasizes the profound worth of actively living out one's salvation in Jesus Christ. Drawing from athletic discipline, she underscores the importance of obedience, continuous spiritual growth, and surrender to God's grace. Highlighting respect for God's power and the call to stand out in a world filled with challenges, she encourages believers to embrace their faith with passion, understanding that it involves sacrifice and a distinctive way of life rooted in God's truth and love.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna shares a personal story about a family cookie debate to illustrate how our desires for recognition and status often lead to division. Drawing from Philippians 2, she emphasizes Jesus' example of humility and sacrificial love as the solution to selfish ambition. She invites everyone to emulate Jesus' humility in their daily lives, reflecting on the call to prioritize unity and servanthood over personal glory.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message on Philippians 1:27-30 challenges believers to embrace their dual citizenship: earthly and heavenly. She emphasizes living as citizens of heaven, prioritizing unity, faith, and the Good News of Christ despite earthly pressures. By choosing heavenly values over earthly conflicts, believers find inner peace, strength in suffering, and a distinctive life that reflects God's love and truth to the world.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Jeanne's message revolves around finding joy in facing life's challenges, echoing the wisdom that crisis can present opportunities. She draws inspiration from Paul's experiences of faith, identity, and obedience, citing examples of how hardships not only strengthened his ministry but also encouraged others to be bolder in their spiritual journeys. Her overarching message encourages believers to embrace trials as opportunities to deepen their faith, clarify their purpose, and faithfully obey God's calling.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message on Philippians underscores the relevance of Jesus' lordship amidst modern cultural and political tensions, emphasizing how Christians should prioritize their identity in Christ over national allegiances or societal pressures. By focusing on love, purpose, and spiritual growth as outlined in Paul's letter, believers are encouraged to find true freedom and direction, ensuring Jesus remains central in their lives amidst the challenges of today's world.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In Paster Dan's sermon based on Mark 2:1-12, we explore the power of intercession, the transformative impact of understanding our identity in Christ, and the importance of forgiveness within our families, as exemplified by Jesus' healing of the paralytic and calling him "Son."
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's sermon explores feeling misunderstood and navigating life's challenges through the lens of the story of Lazarus. She emphasizes Jesus's invitation to see life differently, free from the constraints of worldly perspectives and the curse of sin and death. Through trust in God's bigger picture and transformation of our understanding, she encourages choosing kingdom living over cursed living, letting faith turn us upside down for a deeper connection with God.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message beautifully parallels a mother's sacrificial love with Jesus's unconditional love for humanity, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate protector and provider of abundant life. Drawing from John 10, she highlights Jesus as the gate and shepherd, offering protection, care, and a fulfilling life to those who follow Him. The message urges listeners to prioritize their relationship with Jesus, recognizing His voice, ignoring other influences, trusting Him fully, and refusing to settle for less, thus experiencing the profound depth of His love.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message emphasizes Jesus as the true vine and the importance of remaining connected to Him for spiritual fruitfulness. She highlights how distractions, doubts, and a sense of inadequacy can hinder our relationship with Jesus. However, the solution lies in trusting God, recognizing Jesus as sufficient, embracing healing, and abiding in Him through prayer and community. Ultimately, she urges everyone to prioritize knowing the real Jesus, who provides all we need and more for true peace and fulfillment.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle's message urges listeners to embrace Jesus as the ultimate satisfaction for their spiritual hunger, drawing parallels between physical and spiritual nourishment. Through the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and his declaration as the "bread of life," he emphasizes Jesus as the source of eternal fulfillment. He challenges listeners to reflect on their pursuits, offering the sacrificial aspect of Jesus as the living bread and inviting them to find lasting contentment in Him.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle's message compares life's struggles to the choreographed wrestling entertainment, emphasizing the spiritual battle behind our daily challenges. Drawing from Ephesians, he underscores the importance of understanding the spiritual dimension of our struggles and living out our faith in practical ways, such as at work, in our families, and in our relationships. Through examples like Tiger Woods and practical applications, he urges believers to integrate their faith into every aspect of life, transforming each moment into an opportunity to honor God and impact others positively.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In Pastor Anna's introduction, she shares personal reflections on marriage, emphasizing the importance of aligning relationships with God's principles. She highlights the correlation between faith-centered marriages and lower divorce rates, urging listeners to prioritize their connection with God for lasting fulfillment. Through biblical teachings and practical advice, she encourages individuals at every relationship stage to seek God's guidance and actively invest in their marriages for transformative power and lasting joy.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message emphasizes the spiritual battle of life using boxing as a metaphor. She urges recognition of unseen struggles and emphasizes fighting from a position of victory in Christ rather than for personal gain. The keys to effective fighting include avoiding darkness, embracing honesty and gratitude, and remembering the profound "why" rooted in God's love, driving believers toward victory.--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Boxing, while not a traditional message theme, resonates with the journey of faith through movies like the Rocky and Creed series, illustrating battles against adversity and the quest for redemption akin to Jesus' victory over death. These stories parallel the spiritual fights we face, reminding us that life's trials test our resilience and faith, encouraging us to persevere with God by our side. Just as the biblical figures fought their good fights, we're called to embrace our struggles with courage and faith, understanding that our victories, like Christ's resurrection, signify triumph over darkness and promise redemption and eternal life.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message centers around the necessity of embracing God's holiness and love, highlighting that many are distant from the concept of holiness. She defines "Win" as experiencing God's love deeply enough to drive us toward repentance and leave the congregation with a desire to draw closer to Jesus and engage more fully with the Bible. Through personal anecdotes and biblical references, Pastor Anna addresses the challenges of parenting, the pitfalls of pride, taking God for granted, and disobedience. She outlines solutions such as humility, gratitude, embracing discipline, and trust to overcome these challenges. The message culminates in a call to live in alignment with God's love, trust in Jesus, and follow the Spirit, encouraging the congregation to respond by becoming more like Jesus in every aspect of their lives, leading to a life filled with purpose, fulfillment, and transformation.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's sermon emphasizes the concept of holiness, aligning one's mind with God's and living set apart for His purpose. She highlights the privilege of holiness, stressing that it's not about personal merit but God's love and the call to shine His light in a dark world. The sermon encourages acceptance, cultivation, and protection of holiness as a response to God's passionate pursuit of His people, urging individuals to choose to follow Him wholeheartedly.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle emphasizes the transformative power of staying intimately connected to God, likening it to being fully charged, which enables us to shine God's love brightly in the world. He highlights the importance of personal spiritual health for effective ministry, using scriptural references to illustrate how our relationship with God fuels our ability to serve others. Encouraging quiet time with God and sharing our faith as natural outflows of our relationship with Him, he assures us that this connection not only enriches our lives but also inspires those around us.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In this message, Pastor Beth Hackbarth highlights the importance of community within the church. She shares her experience with the Manatu Incline as a metaphor for community, emphasizing the different levels of relationship - from mere contact to deep, sacrificial connection. Pastor Beth urges the church to move beyond superficial interactions to a genuine community characterized by agape love, mutual encouragement, and growth through bearing with one another. She calls us to embrace community as both our creation and our calling, to lean into vulnerability and intentional relationships, and to recognize that overcoming isolation and fostering genuine connections requires effort from each individual within the church.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In the final week of The Blessed Life series, Pastor Robert Morris invites us to join in and urges us to jump into the principles of multiplication, illustrating God's ability to amplify our resources beyond mere addition, as demonstrated in the miracle of feeding the 5,000 with only five loaves and two fish. This act of divine multiplication, paired with a personal testimony about the power and blessings of giving, highlights his core message: God blesses those who give first and freely, enabling their resources to multiply in ways that surpass human understanding.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In Pastor Robert's message introduction, he emphasizes God's desire to bless our lives abundantly and prepares the congregation for a message on growth and blessings. Through prayer and affirmation, he underscores the importance of openness to God's plan and concludes with a call to trust in Him for guidance and provision. The subsequent question and answer session covers practical aspects of tithing, offering guidance on issues like frequency, net vs. gross income, and addressing potential challenges, reinforcing the message of trust and faith in God's plan.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Robert welcomed all attendees, expressing gratitude. He then directed everyone to Exodus 13 for a pivotal message in "The Blessed Life" series, focusing on the Principle of First. The message emphasized prioritizing God in life, explored Exodus 13:1-14, connecting it to tithing and offering first fruits, presenting Leviticus 27:30 as a directive for tithing. Pastor Robert provided personal examples, related the message to personal experiences, and urged attendees to commit to prioritizing God in their financial stewardship, emphasizing the blessings of aligning with God's principles.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Robert's message introduces "The Blessed Life" series, emphasizing that while it revolves around money, its core is about trust and faith in God through good and tough times. He highlights tithing as a recurring biblical test, supported by verses from Malachi and other scriptures, stressing its role as a symbol of gratitude and obedience. Through personal testimony and biblical examples, he underscores tithing as a timeless principle of blessing, urging listeners to embrace it with faith and obedience for a deeper connection to God's provision and promises.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle emphasizes the importance of persistent and passionate prayer based on Ephesians 6:18. He encourages believers to maintain a continuous conversation with God, listen to His Spirit, stay alert, and persevere in prayer. He provides practical tips such as making prayer a daily habit, finding a dedicated prayer spot, having a game plan for prayer, and praying with deep sincerity. Additionally, he urges believers to connect with God on a deeper level, emphasizing the significance of knowing God, finding freedom from obstacles, discovering one's purpose, and making a positive difference in the world.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Prayer is a simple yet profound way of communicating with God, not just a ritual or a means to get answers. It's about practicing dedicated time with God to grow closer to Him and align with His will, rather than just fulfilling a religious duty or seeking personal gain. By learning to talk to, talk with, and listen to God, and by just being in His presence, we deepen our relationship with Him and become more attuned to His voice and guidance in our lives.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna encourages everyone to reflect on their resolutions for 2024 related to food, emphasizing the spiritual practice of fasting. She discusses the historical significance of fasting among early Christians and its role in connecting with God. She highlights four reasons for fasting: offering oneself to Jesus, pursuing holiness, amplifying prayers, and standing with the poor, providing practical suggestions for incorporating fasting into one's life. The call to incorporate fasting into regular life is presented as a means to break through complacency and experience spiritual breakthroughs.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Kyle passionately emphasizes placing God first in all aspects of life. By anchoring every relationship, decision, and priority with God at the forefront, he highlights the essence of biblical teachings. It's not just about giving 10% or mere actions; it's about prioritizing God in the first moments of every day, week, month, and year, intertwining faith with focus to expect blessings in abundance, healing, holiness, and divine help. in alignment with biblical principles from Genesis to Isaiah.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna discusses our fascination with apocalyptic scenarios, linking it to the Christmas season. She emphasizes the need to actively wait for and serve Jesus, live ready for His return, be guarded against deception, pursue a life of peace, and most importantly, be excited about the promise of a new heaven and earth described in Revelation. The message encourages believers to align their lives with the anticipation of Jesus' return and the ultimate hope of a renewed existence.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In Pastor Kyle's message, he emphasizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, drawing on biblical passages like Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8. He highlights the Holy Spirit's role in guiding, empowering, and unifying believers, comparing it to a constant companion similar to a GPS. Additionally, Pastor Kyle underscores the gifts and benefits that come with the Holy Spirit, including conviction of sin, trust in the Lord's guidance, and the ability to fulfill God's mission.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message centers on Matthew 19:16–30, discussing the challenge of achieving eternal life and the significance of living generously. She explores the story of the rich young ruler, highlighting the idea that God's math differs from the world's, emphasizing the impact of generosity and the challenge of releasing what one holds dearest. She urges the congregation to trust God's math, linking surrender and generosity as pathways to a happier and more fulfilling life, encouraging practical steps like budgeting in alignment with God's principles and engaging in consistent giving. Finally, she envisions the transformative impact of living generously, emphasizing the necessity of gratitude as a precursor to genuine generosity.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna's message parallels the Israelites making golden calves in the Bible and our modern struggles with financial decisions. She highlights the tendency to prioritize convenience and immediate gratification over trusting God's guidance in managing our finances. She emphasizes three fundamental principles: putting God first in all aspects of life, stewarding God's gifts wisely, and using money as a tool to bless rather than a source of stress. She encourages her congregation to trust God's plan, apply biblical principles to their finances, and store treasures in Heaven rather than on Earth.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In this message, Pastor Kyle speaks to the parents' hearts and addresses parents directly. In the first part, you stressed the significance of community involvement in parenting, acknowledged that no one is perfect, and reassured parents that God is with them, providing grace and strength. In the second part, you discussed how children belong to God, the necessity of intentional parenting at different stages, and the importance of fighting for your children's spiritual growth and well-being.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Randy Blankenship shares his personal and family stories of adoption into the Kingdom of God in this message. When we surrender our lives to God, He graciously adopts us into His loving family, embracing us with open arms. Just as a loving parent welcomes a lost child, our Heavenly Father invites us to be part of His divine family, where His love and grace abound.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Anna Sadler's message emphasizes the importance of recognizing and listening to God's voice in our lives. She highlights that our relationship with God hinges on our ability to hear and respond to His voice. Pastor Anna discusses common barriers to hearing God, including unconfessed sin, rebellion, and busyness. She also outlines five ways in which God speaks to us: through His still, small voice, through the Rhema word of God, through a sense of peace, through open and closed doors, and through other people. The key takeaway is that it's not a problem on God's end; instead, it's our responsibility to make space to listen and recognize His voice to strengthen our relationship with Him.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
In this sermon, we explore the concept of living unhurried lives by following the example of Jesus. The focus is on how our hurried lifestyles impact our relationship with God, the teachings of the Bible, and practical steps for personal transformation.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Pastor Scott Collier's message centers on faith and the importance of taking the first step in trusting God. He begins by sharing a personal wall of faith, symbolizing significant moments in his journey with Jesus. He emphasizes that faith is built brick by brick daily and that trials are often the building blocks of faith.
--- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Week 3 of "Worship Unleashed," Pastor Anna passionately emphasized the significance of worship and its role in the Christian faith. She began by discussing the importance of passion in serving the Lord and how passion is essential for sustaining greatness. Pastor Anna highlighted that Christians should be passionate about their love, service, and worship of God. He explained that worship isn't about style or tradition but should align with Scripture. She delved into the "3 Whys" of why worship should be passionate, emphasizing that it's because God asks for it, because of what He has done, and because worship can change everything. Pastor Anna encouraged active participation in worship, including singing, clapping, dancing, lifting hands, and raising voices in prayer, all supported by biblical references. She concluded by emphasizing the transformative power of worship and the importance of leaving church services changed and spiritually uplifted.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Founded in 2001, Destiny Rescue’s story began with founder and international president Tony Kirwan.
Tony overheard about a man in Thailand who was once invited to have sex with children.
“When I heard this story, it really hit me, and I knew I had to do something,” Tony says. “It was at this point I believe God put the vision of Destiny Rescue in my heart.”
Destiny Rescue’s work has grown into a worldwide organization dedicated to rescuing children from sexual exploitation and trafficking and helping them stay free. We serve to help amplify the voices of both those who are enslaved and have been freed from abuse.
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/victoryfaithonline/support
Small groups ensure that there is a place for everyone to be known and pastored throughout the week. Our church must get both smaller (through groups/discipleship) and larger (through evangelism), at the same time. We grow larger to reach as many people as possible with the life-giving message of Jesus. We gather in Small Groups to build community and care for people. Small groups are how we pastor and disciple our people. The goal of small groups is to make disciples Jesus’ way: doing life together.
Anyone’s heart can harden, even faithful Christians’. Sin causes hearts to grow hard, especially continual and unrepentant sin. Now we know that “if we confess our sins, [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins." However, if we don’t confess our sins, they have a cumulative and desensitizing effect on the conscience, making it difficult to even distinguish right from wrong.
God appoints our leaders, and it is our job to follow and stand beside the vision that God has given to them.
To love God the proper way, we must build a team of people around us who will help lead us to God when we are weak.
Why is it hard to know the difference between the lies of the world and the truth of Jesus? We must develop a closeness to the Holy Spirit to hear when teaching is a lie or the truth.
Spiritual growth enhances our ability to deal with life's ups and downs and bounce back from those difficult experiences. It is easy to look at others with judgment and criticism. Still, when we start to grow spiritually, we realize how much healthier it is to cultivate compassion and understanding for others instead.
Jesus brings us salvation from the punishment of sin. The Holy Spirit saves us from the power of sin by filling us with the ability to live in that salvation to fullness.
Christian spirituality, without integration of emotional health, can be deadly to -- yourself, your relationship with God, and the people around you.
You're invited to the most incredible experience that life has to offer. Jesus offers us a life that is beyond our comprehension. He wants to spend time with us and for us to follow him closely to find this life.
Everything that Jesus did on earth is the life-giving message he came to give us. It’s still ringing in their ears because it was such a shock to their system. They didn’t see it coming. Everyone thought the Messiah would be a military ruler, and then BAM. He came as he did. At the same time, God is pure light - with no trace of darkness in him.
We experience personal endings in many ways with those we love and care about. A loved one dies, suffers cancer or another severe illness, or we experience divorce, job downsizing, economic hardship, an affair, a broken dream — even the aging process itself. This is the inevitable suffering that comes during the seasons of life: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). We cannot control or stop the seasons. They come in God’s time.
Forgiveness is integral in our discipleship to Jesus. We live in a world polluted by sin and shame, and relationships in this broken world are often marked by disappointment, loss, and pain. The call of God throughout the Scriptures is to release those who sin against us from our right to collect on the moral debt for their offense. We see this embodied best in the person of Jesus, who, in the face of sin, chose not to look the other way nor to pay the person back but to deal with the sins committed against him most compellingly: by forgiving them.
As we follow Jesus, we need partners for the journey, a community to help us along the way. Jesus invites all who follow him to join a new family. This family of God is not a social club or a group of friends who look, think, and talk similarly but a community of disciples following Jesus’ way of life. And despite the work it takes, the fights we will endure, and the learning we will do along the way, we’re figuring out how to be with Jesus, become like him, and do what he did.
Very few of us want to revisit the past. But the reality is our past influences our present. Who we are has been shaped by where we come from. For most of us, our family of origin is the most significant influence on our life, for good or evil. And no matter how healthy your family and childhood experience were, every family is dysfunctional at some level. We all inherit ways of living from our family of origin and culture that are out of sync with the way of Jesus. So an essential task in our apprenticeship with Jesus is re-learning how to be human in our relationship with the Father. But first, we have to go back to go forward.
One of the key tasks of following Jesus is discovering our identity and calling. Knowing who you are and who God made you to become is a profound realization for every follower of Jesus.
Christian spirituality, without integration of emotional health, can be deadly to -- yourself, your relationship with God, and the people around you.
Prayer is the center point of life with God. It should be woven into our morning routine and our weekly schedule. We should pray every day, even if we have to stay up all night. It is here where we get to enjoy the Father’s company. Prayer is our opportunity to interact with the Creator God and participate in his work of bringing redemption to earth. This practice will explore areas of prayer like contemplation, intercession, lament, unanswered prayer, imaginative prayer, and listening prayer.
Fasting is willing abstinence from food for a period of time. It is one of the most abused and least used of all the practices of Jesus. Yet, for millennia, it was a core practice of apprenticeship. We live in a culture not only of food but of excess, luxury, and addiction. For so many of us, the desires of our bodies have come to hold power over us. In the battle with our “flesh,” we have become its slave, not its master.
This week, Pastor Kyle completed our Legacy series by teaching us about grace giving. During this season of generosity, we must understand the motivation behind it. We never want to be led in any part of our faith with a “have to” mentality. Instead, through the overflow of love and grace, we have in a vibrant relationship with Jesus, we GET TO enjoy every part of our faith- including giving. Remember, God doesn’t just want our obedience, He wants our hearts!
In this message, Pastor Anna encouraged us to remember that Christmas is a celebration of Jesus’ birthday. The best way to celebrate Christmas is to give something to Jesus. But what do we give Jesus if we don’t think we have anything? We may not have the wise men’s gold, frankincense, and myrrh to give, but the wise men gave three additional gifts that we can all give as well. They gave Jesus their hope, following the light of the star. They gave Jesus their fervent pursuit, following the star for over two years. And they gave Jesus their worship, bowing down before Him in awe and reverence. Let’s all give these gifts to Jesus for Christmas — they are actually what He wants most!
This week Pastor Kyle kicked off our Legacy season with Part 1 of our new series that we’re calling, “Legacy.” Legacy is not only what people remember when we’re gone, but what God rewards when we stand before Him. When this time comes, we want to be able to say that we knew Jesus personally and that we used the time, energy, and resources given to us to make an eternal difference. We are called by God to live in a way that serves others. Today, let’s intentionally do so by living an Eternal Return on Investment kind of life!
At the center of following Jesus is a symbol: the cross. We have lost the gravity and power of this image in our modern world. What it requires of us is lost or ignored in our culture. But, as we look at the invitation of Jesus to “deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me,” we have to wrestle with the call to self-denial in an age of self-fulfillment.
Hurry is the great enemy of spiritual life. To live the way of Jesus, we have to slow down. But this is not easy in the chaos of our digital world. To experience the life of Jesus, we have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus. Allow his pace and his practices to rule our lives. Hurry will sever your connection to God, to other people, and to your own soul. We must ask ourselves, who are we becoming? Slow down, learn the unforced rhythms of grace, and find rest for your soul.
How do we actually do what he did? As followers of Jesus, we are called to not only follow Jesus in spirit but we are called to continue his work on earth as it is in heaven. This means healing the sick, praying for the lost, and opening our homes and lives to those far from God. The end goal is to do what he did. In this teaching, we explore the next steps in forming our lives around the practices of Jesus.
The promise of the New Testament is nothing short of full-on transformation, but so many of us feel a disconnect between that promise and our reality. Is change really possible? The answer is: yes, but the odds are, it’s not what you think. To become like Jesus, you must be increasingly possessed and permeated by the character traits of Jesus. Allow yourself to be transformed, from the inside out, as you work to become like Jesus.
Our primary goal as followers of Jesus is learning to live in a constant state of connection to the Spirit. This is how we are able to be with Jesus, our teacher. We must invite him into every moment and learn to always be in two places at once—at home and with Jesus, at work and with Jesus, on your commute and with Jesus. Bring his presence into the routine of your daily life. But how do we accomplish that in the chaos of the urban, digital world? It’s pretty straightforward: to experience the life of Jesus, we must adopt the lifestyle of Jesus.
We hear the language “follower of Jesus” all the time, but what does it mean to be a disciple, or apprentice, of the rabbi from Nazareth? Put simply, it means you re-organize your life around three goals: 1. Be with Jesus, 2. Become like Jesus, and 3. Do what Jesus did.
What is the correct response for a Christian when culture shifts around us? Pastor Kyle Mills takes us through the book of Daniel to find the answer.
Losses that are not grieved accumulate in our souls like heavy stones that weigh us down.
A common misconception is that work is a result of Adam & Eve's sin. God works, he created us to work, and work is an important part of our life.
During this message, Pastor Kyle Sadler takes us through three extremely important areas where we need to surrender our life to God before we can expect to have great relationships.
During this message, Pastor Loren Houltberg, Regional Pastor of Nebraska, South Dakota, Kansas, and Iowa for The Foursquare Church, goes through the book of Revelation and reminds us how important our intimate relationship with Jesus is.
The Church doesn't fight wars against people. The church fights wars against a spiritual enemy.
The word submission can bring up a lot of negative connotations. During this message, we take a look at the biblical meaning of submission and how we, as the Church, are to submit to one another.
The light cannot be hidden. You are either a part of shining the light, or not. But it won't be hidden.
Your best attempt at being perfect will never be enough. But Jesus' work on the cross is always enough to save you from even your worst sins.
Our individuality is important, but it's not important for ourselves; it’s important for God and his people. It’s important for the greater mission of the Church.
When God asks you to do something what is your first step? Do you fill in the blanks with your own presuppositions? Or do you take the first step and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal the next step?
As God’s people, we are called to rescue the poor and helpless and help them stay free. Jesus rescued us so that we can rescue others.
God doesn't want us to be anxious about our basic needs in life. He wants us to have faith and to be continually filled with faith. He always has and always will provide whatever we need. And most of the time, we will be blessed abundantly.
For it was always in his perfect plan to adopt us as his delightful children, through our union with Jesus, the Anointed One, so that his tremendous love that cascades over us would glorify his grace —for the same love he has for the Beloved, Jesus, he has for us. And this unfolding plan brings him great pleasure! (Ephesians 1:5-6)
Jesus told us one of the greatest stories about family that we'll ever hear. Listen to Kevin explain the significance of each person in the story. You're likely to relate to at least one of them.
We've all walked into a classroom and had someone ask us if we're ready for the test, only to turn to them and say, "what test?" Not you? Well, many of us don't realize that tithing is actually just a test of our heart.
God wants you to live a life that is truly blessed, but what are the steps to getting there? Two important factors to having a blessed life is being generous and grateful.
One of the most important pieces of financial advice God offers is to get out of debt because debt creates unnecessary risks in our lives. (Because of technical problems the last ten minutes of the message were not recorded)
If you do what culture says when it comes to money, you'll get culture-like results. If you do what the redeemed says, you'll get redeemed results.
When life’s circumstances force you to rethink your finances, where do you turn for answers? No matter where you are on your financial journey, it’s possible to honor God with your money. Together, let’s learn what the Bible says about finances and gain some practical tools that will give us the freedom to say, “Keep the Change!”
The resurrection of Jesus proves that God has the power to resurrect our lives from spiritual death to life.
Jesus experienced an unfair judgment that led to the most excruciatingly painful death of his time. Why did he do this? Because it was needed in order for us to experience the spiritual healing that we needed.
In this message, we will learn how to make the best of every opportunity that we have in our life.
Jesus taught them many things, but it was by stories (parables)… which would tempt them to hear. People love to be spoken to in their own language.
Jesus came to start a kingdom on earth but it would be different than any kingdom we’ve ever heard of.
Rabbi means master teacher. Jesus is not only the God of the universe, but he is our teacher.
Are you sure that you know who the Jesus of the Bible is? Take a listen to get to know him.