Arborway Community Church: Recent Episodes
Arborway Community Church
Weekly Sermon Audio from Arborway Community Church. Arborway Community Church is a new church in Boston in the neighborhood of Jamaica Plain. We are a vibrant and diverse Christian community with a deep love for God, the Bible, and the city. At Arborway, we believe God is Father; therefore the church is family.
There’s a battle raging inside each of us. A battle between who we were before Christ and who we are in Him. This week, we look at Galatians 5, where the Apostle Paul reminds us: we’re not fighting alone! If you’re a Christian, God’s Spirit lives in you and empowers you for victory. Join Pastor Ivey as he unpacks the works of the flesh, the fruit of the Spirit, and how to win the fight within.
Followers of Christ have been adopted into God's family. We live in a new house and according to new rules of grace. The Apostle Paul points out that while we have a new home, we often live like we're still in our old family. This week Pastor Ivey helps us examine which house we're living in and how to live according to our new house rules of grace.
Living with confidence as a Christian can be difficult. It is built on faith. There are days when you may not feel like Christians. If our faith isn't strong, are we still Christians? Can we lose our salvation? How do we know if we still have it? These are questions Pastor Ivey tackles this week through Galatians 3 and 4. We'll see 3 ways to be secure in our salvation.
After weeks of having the Apostle Paul preach against the law, the question might be, "Well, what's the point of the law then?" Is the Old Testament useless? The short answer?: No. The longer answer is this week's message in Galatians. This week Pastor Ivey brings us through four unexpected ancient and modern reasons for the law.
Faith is essential for salvation, and it's easy to think that's its entire purspose. Yet, what we see is that faith is for more than just salvation. Faith is important for every single day of the Christian life. Watch this week as Pastor Ivey brings us through Galatians 3 and shows us how we live by faith in Christ.
We all feel trapped at times by culture, expectations, or tradition. The Galatians faced the same issue when outsiders tried to burden them with extra rules that were not a part of the gospel. This week, Paul reminds us that the gospel sets us free. In Christ, we’re no longer captives, but we are free.
The power of a good story cannot be understated. Because, the stories that we believe shape how we see the world. That's one reason the gospel is so important! The gospel is a story of hope that impacts everything in our lives. This week Pastor Ivey brings us to the Apostle Paul's story and shows us the deep importance of God's work in our lives. Every story of gospel change is a story worth telling. This week we learn how to share the story God has given you.
This week, we begin our new series in Galatians. While Romans may be Paul's Gospel Magnum Opus, Galatians is the foundation that Romans was written on. In Galatians, the Apostle Paul gives us a clear and passionate lesson on the gospel. Pastor Ivey explores why it's so important to stay faithful to the true gospel.
If the resurrection is true, it changes everything. It tells us that, no matter what, everything will be made right in the end. So even if you don’t believe the resurrection is true, you should want it to be. This week, Pastor Ivey shares six amazing realities that the resurrection brings for the Christian.
In this service Pastor Ivey looks at the disciples from Jesus' point of view. He starts on Maundy Thursday and transitions into Good Friday. Not a single disciple stays by his side while he is beat and and crucified.
Palm Sunday is the day Jesus rode into Jerusalem, boldly declaring Himself as King. Crowds gathered to cheer and praise Him, but most didn’t truly understand who He was. Each group celebrated their own version of Jesus, shaped by their hopes and expectations. But none of those versions were the real Jesus. This week, Pastor Ivey explores the false messiahs we often worship. The versions of Jesus that fit our preferences but miss the truth. He’ll help us uncover the difference and guide us back to the real Jesus.
Wouldn't it be nice if we never had to think about money? But that's just not realistic for most people. For good or bad, money will be a part of our lives. We're always thinking about how to spend, save it, or get it. So, if money is such a big part of our lives, Christians should develop a holistic view of it. This week, Pastor Ivey tours us through Proverbs to discover what the wise know about money and how we can benefit from this ancient wisdom. Watch to learn how God wants you to use your money.
Most people will spend at least a third of their waking life at their jobs. With that much time dedicated to work, it's important for Christians to have a godly perspective on it. So, what does God say about work? Is it just a necessary evil? This week Pastor Josh shows us God's plan for work and how we can make those hours eternally meaningful. If you have ever had a hard time understanding how your job fits into God's plan, make sure to watch this week's message.
Our mouths have the potential to get us into a lot of trouble, but the words we say can also be life giving. It all depends how we use them. Because our words are so important, the book of Proverbs talks about them more than any other subject besides wisdom. This week Pastor Ivey shows us how to transform our mouths to help and not to hurt. To heal and not to destroy.
Conflict is something we all deal with and not just sometimes. We probably deal with some amount of conflict every single day. Sometimes at work, home, or on our daily commute. This week we turn to Proverbs and learn about handling conflict well. We will see that it's not about avoiding or hiding from conflict, but about managing it in a godly way. Pastor Ivey shows us that our God is reconciling God, and that should lead us to reconcile with others.
Society has a lot to say about justice issues. Some people say justice is "law and order." Others say that justice is "Equity and inclusion." So which is it? While we can learn a lot from different philosophies, the most important view on justice is God's view. This week pastor Ivey shows us the unique way that the Bible speaks about justice issues. Proverbs is filled with wisdom on justice. Watch this week and learn what it means to truly be a just and wise person.
This week, we’re diving into the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is packed with pithy, powerful wisdom for everyday life, and living by these truths can set us on the right path, but here’s the twist: true wisdom isn’t just about following "God’s life hacks." It’s about knowing God Himself. Join us as Pastor Ivey reveals the secret to real wisdom!
Want to grow closer to God? This week, Pastor Ivey turns to the Scriptures to reveal the key that fuels every other spiritual practice: community. God designed the church to encourage, challenge, and shape us into stronger disciples. Don’t miss this message. Discover how community is the secret to deepening your faith!
Prayer is at the heart of the Christian faith, yet we often overlook its incredible power. This week, Pastor Ivey leads us through the Lord’s Prayer—one of the most well-known passages in the New Testament. But rather than just reciting it, we’re invited to rediscover its beauty, depth, and transformative power. If you’re longing to grow deeper in your prayer life, don’t miss this week’s message!
When we think about the disciplines of Christianity, we often think about prayer and reading our Bibles. There is no doubt that those are top tier essential practices of the faith, but there are other important practices that we often overlook. Solitude is one of those forgotten practices. We are often told that Jesus escaped to secluded places to be with his Father. This week pastor Ivey shows us the importance of finding a quiet place, like Jesus did, so that we can hear from God.
We often think of the rhythms of the faith as reading our Bible and praying. While those are essential, there are more practices than those two. One that we often forget is the practice of sharing our faith. This week Andy Geffers brings a compelling message about God sending each and every Christian to share their faith. Some are sent across the world, and others are sent to their neighborhood. Watch this week's message as we learn that whatever the context, everyone is sent somewhere!
Do you want to be happy? Of course you do, everyone wants to be happy. Society tells us earning more money, getting more things, and buying a bigger house is the path to happiness. But is that the truth? Jesus had something to say about happiness, and taught that "getting" will never make us happy. So, what is his solution? Jesus said it was generosity. This week Pastor Ivey shows us Jesus' life-hack to find happiness and contentment in life.
While fasting is a beautiful, ancient, and spiritual practice, it is also one of the most misunderstood spiritual practices. It has all but disappeared from our modern Christian culture. You are more likely to hear a fitness guru talk about fasting than a pastor. This week, Pastor Ivey brings us to Jesus' teaching on fasting. We learn learn the theological purpose and practical steps of fasting. Watch to learn how fasting helps you grow in your faith.
In a world obsessed with instant results, but the journey of following Jesus invites us to embrace a different pace. This week Pastor Ivey explores the beauty of slow, steady discipleship. We will see that the Christian life is less about dramatic leaps and more about consistent, unhurried growth. Join us as we learn to walk at God’s pace, trusting His timing and discovering the deep joy of a faith that lasts.
Life is a journey. And it's a journey best made with Christ. We close our series on Biblical friendship by looking at the most important friendship that anyone can have: Friendship with Jesus. We will see that the most amazing thing is not that Jesus would be our friend (Which is amazing!), but the most amazing thing is that Jesus wants to be our friend. Watch this week as Pastor Ivey helps us see how friendship with Jesus revolutionizes our lives by making us better people in every aspect of life.
This week Pastor Ivey brings us back to Acts 20 to see the multifaceted beauty of gospel friendship. Because of Christ, gospel friendship should be easier, deeper, and more life giving than any other type of friendship. First, we will learn how God designed friendship to work, and then we will see how we can pursue and strengthen ongoing friendships with other Christians.
Friendship is a beautiful gift from God. Yet, many times misunderstand what true friendship is. It's not unusual for modern friendships to surface level or transactional, but these types of relationships won't last. What we really need and desire are long lasting friendships. Watch this week as Pastor Ivey digs into the Scriptures to see what God says about gospel Friendship.
Friendship is more important than most of us know. Friendship is essential for our mental health and our physical health. Studies show that our friends are some of the most important relationships we will have. In this new series, Pastor Ivey shows our need for friendship and how God is the spiritual foundation for it.
It's easy for us to think that we chose where we're living. We may think that we live in our house because we got a great deal, the size was right, the location was close to work, or it's close to an MBTA station. But that would be wrong. God placed you on your block to be a light for Christ to your street. There is a real sense in which you are God's plan for your street! This week Pastor Ivey helps us learn the best practices for being a light on our block for the gospel.
This week we continue The Art of Neighboring series. Loving neighbors can be wonderful, but the truth is, it's often difficult and scary. This week Pastor Ivey challenges us to face our fears about neighboring. Taking Jesus' Great Commandment seriously means that we're going to have to face some of our fears. We're looking at Numbers 13 and learning what happens when we follow God's commands and pursue loving our neighbors.
Life is so busy. The only way we're ever going to slow down is when we die, (Let's hope that doesn't happen any time soon!) or we get intentional about slowing down. While it may be wise to slow down so we can rest, the truth is, if we're going to get serious about the Great Commandment we are going to have to make time. If you have a hard time finding any extra time, watch this week as Pastor Ivey shows us the secrets to making and having more time.
Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors. If you live in Boston, you live in one of the most densely populated areas in the world. In Jamaica Plain, you have about 100-200 people on your one block alone! We have an amazing opportunity and capacity to love our neighbors. This week Pastor Ivey shows us the importance of loving our neighbors and even gives us a simple tool to start the process.
How important is it for Christians to actually be in a church? Is it possible to live the Christian life without being a part of a church? This are normal questions, and this week Pastor Ivey shows us that they are the wrong questions to ask. Sure, you might be able to be a Christian without a church... but should you? Listen this week and learn how community is not just helpful for our Christian walk but essential.
One of the most extraordinary things about Jesus was his humility. While being God, he humbled himself and became a man. But even more than that, he became a servant! Jesus did the work that most people didn't want to do, and eventually, Jesus' humility culminated in the cross. It's in Christ's example that we can see who we are supposed to be. This week Pastor Ivey shows us that the path to power is counterintuitively through humble service.
In the final week of our series through Jonah, Jonah learns that God loves everyone... even Jonah's enemies. Even more amazing, God loves his own enemies! While Jonah hated the idea that God would spare the Ninevites, this turns out to be really good news for us. Watch this week as Pastor Ivey shows us the beauty of a God who loves us regardless of our relational standing with him.
All of us have needed a second chance at some point. Maybe you've needed a third, fourth, or fifth chance too. If this is you, don't miss this message from Pastor Ivey. This week we take a look at Jonah 3 and learn about the abundant mercy and grace of God. God is a God of second chances.
This week we begin a new series in the book of Jonah. Have you ever tried to run from God? If so, the story of Jonah is a powerful reminder that God is always with us and that even in the midst of disobedience, God full of mercy. Watch as Pastor Ivey brings us through the first chapter and we learn about God's unrelenting love for us.
This week, we conclude our captivating series on the extraordinary life of David. Imagine a man who has attained every conceivable dream, blessed by God with immense wealth, power, and success. Yet, beneath the surface of his triumphs, David grapples with an insatiable void, a profound longing for something more. Join us as Pastor Ivey unveils a compelling story from David's journey, revealing the surprising source of true satisfaction.
People may define success differently, but everybody wants to live a successful life. Most people want to make a difference in the world, leave their mark on society, and hope to be remembered for their accomplishments. What is the biggest factor in finding life success? Pastor Ivey brings us to 2 Samuel 23 and looks at David's mighty warriors to discover the true Biblical secret to a successful life.
What will your legacy be? We don't like to think about the end of our lives, but we all want to leave a meaningful legacy. So much of what we do, we hope, will outlive us. This Sunday we turn to the final words of King David. As we look at David's words, Pastor Ivey will help us discover three truths about building a legacy that glorifies God and is full of meaning.
This week we see the rise and fall of David's son Absalom. Absalom rises up against David and causes great pain to his dad. It is a grim time for David and the Kingdom of Israel. Yet, somehow David keeps his trust in the Lord and exhibits the heart of God in the most difficult circumstances. David helps us learn how to forgive, defeat anxiety, and live in the Gospel.
Being a good dad is tough, and it can often feel overwhelming. Even the best dads may worry they're not doing enough. How can fathers excel at raising the next generation while honoring God? This week, we'll draw valuable lessons from David, the king of Israel and father of 20 children, on how to disciple the next generation.
This week we see one of the most important figures of the Bible fall. David, the chosen king of Israel, was a godly model for decades, but in one afternoon, he threw it all away. Pastor Ivey takes us through the tragic story of David and Bathsheba and we will learn from David's biggest error how to better honor God with our lives.
At this point in 2 Samuel, King David is well established. God has taken him from the pasture to the palace. David now wants to do something very special for the Lord: Build him a temple! It sounds like a wonderful plan, but God refuses. God had a different plan for David's life. This week we explore how to trust God's plan even when it clashes with our own. Watch this and get help on discerning and doing God's will.
David is one of the most important people in the Bible. His influence on worship cannot be overstated. He sang, played an instrument, danced, and wrote almost half of the Psalms! This week we get a master course on what true worship looks like. In 2 Samuel 6 we get three perspectives on worshiping God. Two examples of how not to worship from Uzzah and Michal, and one example from David on how to truly worship. Watch this week if you want a helpful perspective on what worship should look like.
This week we come to the tragic conclusion of King Saul. As Saul fell further from the Lord, he made increasingly more destructive decisions. Rather than seeking the Lord, in 1 Samuel 28, Saul turned to a witch for insight into the future. This becomes the peak of his destructive actions and the end of his life. Pastor Ivey shows us 4 ways to avoid Saul's mistakes and stay in communion with God. We also look at how Christians should view witchcraft and the supernatural.
As kids, friends seem to happen to us, but it is possible to go through adulthood without any significant friendships. If you live in the city, that possibility is multiplied. We live in a place where we are surrounded by strangers. The struggle is even worse because over the past 30 years friendship has plummeted while loneliness is on the rise. Yet, friendship is essential. It's beneficial to our physical, mental health, and spiritual health. Watch this week as Pastor Ivey turns to 1 Samuel 18-20 to show us the how and why of real friendship from the most intimate friendship in the Bible.
While most sin has moments of pleasure or satisfaction, jealousy is the one sin we struggle with that never feels good. We don't want to be jealous, it just seems happen. Is there any hope? This week Pastor Ivey brings us to 1 Samuel 18 to look at three significant ways to defeat feelings of jealousy in our hearts.
Every one of us has fears. We can live cowering or we can live in victory. What compels Christians to face their fears with confidence? This week we look at the story of David and Goliath to learn how to face those fears. Pastor Ivey will show us that we do not defeat our fears by becoming like David, but by trusting in Jesus, our hero.
This week Samuel is sent on a search for a new king from the son's of Jesse, and he's surprised by who God chooses. God didn't care about their status or stature. God cared about the hearts. This week, Pastor Ivey shows us the importance of having a heart that follow's God completely and helps us examine our own hearts.
This week we turn to King Saul. Saul was exactly what you might imagine a king looks like. Yet, despite all his good looks and kingly stature, he failed as the first king of Israel. This week Saul will receive a command from the Lord, but only partially obey. Then, when he is confronted about it, Saul does not respond well. We will learn a valuable lesson on how to respond to the Lord's correction. Then Pastor Ivey will help us follow through with God's commands.
This week pastor Ivey begins a new series through 1 and 2 Samuel. While most of this series will focus on the life of David, this first sermon explores Hannah's search for happiness and satisfaction. While she will look in the wrong places a lot of the time, by the end, she finally finds contentment in an unexpected place. Watch this week's message and find encouragement.
Join us as guest speaker Dr. Stephen Um teaches us about the gospel according to David in 2 Samuel 9:1-9. Grace is at the heart of the gospel, but it is largely missing in our culture. We learn about the grace of God that David exhibits and how it is a picture of God's grace toward us.
This week, we conclude our self-control series by exploring the profound impact of habits in our daily lives. Diving into the scriptures, we discover valuable insights into the significance of habits and how to align them with God's purpose for us. Pastor Ivey guides us in understanding our habits, provides tools for change, and shows us hope when we fail to help us better glorify God with our lives.
If you struggle with self-control, there is hope! In 2 Peter, we are told to "Make every effort..." to become like Christ. When Peter mentions what is looks like to become like Christ, he drops self-control right in the middle. This week pastor Ivey helps us see what it means to make every effort to grow in godliness, and gives us a program to strengthen our self-control.
Do you ever feel like a battle is raging between what you know is right and what you know is wrong? There is a part of you that wants to do the right thing, but a part of you really wants to do what is wrong. You are not alone. That just means you are human. This week, Pastor Ivey brings us to a passage from the Apostle Paul that explores our struggle with temptation, sin, and struggling to do what is right. We will learn what our biggest issue is and who can fix it.
In some way, everyone has self-control issues. It's different for each person. It may be sex, anger, relationships, procrastination, workaholism, food, alcohol, or many other areas of weakness. Lacking self-control will destroy your life. That's why this new series will be helpful for you. In this series, we will uncover deep and ancient wisdom about self-control from the Scriptures. Listen to this first message as pastor Ivey helps us understand what self-control is and then shows us the great motivator for it.
Christmas morning is so much fun because we exchange gifts. Who doesn't love presents? These gifts help us express our love for each other in tangible ways. On the first Christmas God expressed his love for us by giving us the best gift ever: His Son. Join us at our Christmas Candlelight service as we explore the amazing gift that is Jesus Christ.
Have you ever prayed for God to be with you? We tend to pray for God's presence when we are in need of divine intervention. But what does it actually mean for God to be with us? This week pastor Ivey brings us to Matthew 1 where Joseph is told that his bride to be was pregnant with Immanuel, which literally means "God with us." Watch and learn that God's ever-presence empowers us to navigate life most difficult days.
We mostly think about Jesus during Christmas is a beautiful baby resting in a manger. Most assuredly he was a beautiful and cute baby, but the Bible has a greater description of him: Lord. The Song, "Away in a Manger," holds these two equal descriptions of his birth in balance by calling him, "The Little Lord Jesus." This week pastor Ivey shows us why it's important for us to recognize Jesus as more than a cute baby and surrender to him as Lord.
This week we see a paradox between the exalted lyrics of "O Come All Ye Faithful" and the reality of that first Christmas. Truly, Jesus was and is all "O Come All Ye Faithful” describes, but the differences between the exalted heavenly reality and the humble earthly reality are shocking. Yet, they give us a glimpse of what Jesus's kingdom is like. This week Pastor Ivey helps us see who Jesus really was. When we understand the Jesus of Scripture, it helps us live out our faith with confidence and peace.
If there is one word that captures the world today it is: weary. We see wars, we just exited a once a century global pandemic, we are enduring high inflation, and the presidential race is ramping up. It can make a person feel quite weary. Jesus was also born into a weary world, but his birth introduced hope! Today, we rejoice in our weariness because a new and glorious morn' has dawned. This week watch as we see how the carol O Holy Night reflect the beautiful hope of Jesus.
Our life is the sum total of the choices we’ve made. We’ve all made good choices, difficult choices, and choices that produced out some really painful consequences. This week, Pastor Ivey answers the question: What should be the ultimate test for the choices we make? The time and place we focus our mind is the single most important factor in living a successful life (As God measures success).
There are two equal but opposite mistakes people make in our world regarding the devil and demons: Either they completely dismiss the spiritual world or have an unhealthy obsession with it. The Christian should recognize its existence, but also know they are equipped by God to have victory over it. Pastor Ivey brings us to Ephesians 6 and helps us understand the way believers are equipped to go to war against our spiritual enemies.
Your greatest battle is the one in your mind. It's a battle between right and wrong. A fight between constructive and destructive. A war between good and bad. We all struggle with our thoughts. This week Pastor Ivey shows us that loving God with our minds means taking control of our thoughts so we can win the war that rages inside.
Have you ever wondered if people can people actually change? How about you? Can you change and grow? The Scriptures say change is real. This week Pastor Ivey brings us to Romans 12 where we see how true transformation takes place, what it looks like, and what our part is in it. Watch this helpful message on transforming your mind.
It has been said before, that you're either coming out of, going into, or in the middle of a difficult situation. Life is complicated and often full of problems, and it is easy to be filled with worry. We can be worried about international situations, local problems, and personal issues. If we aren't careful, our days are consumed with debilitating worry. This week we learn how to find peace of mind as Pastor Ivey shows us practical ways the Apostle Paul overcame worry and anxiety.
What is your greatest fear in life? If you wish there was a way to overcome it, this week will be helpful for you. Our guest speaker John Ames teaches us how Jesus can overcome all our fears.
On the night of the resurrection Jesus told his disciples that as the Father had sent him on a rescue mission to the world, he was now sending them on that same mission. Their mission was to tell people the good news of the Kingdom of God and show them the hope of salvation available through Christ alone. This week we see how God has also given us that mission, and empowered and partnered with us to complete it.
When we seek to discover life's purpose, a burning question emerges: "What is my true calling?" Our existence finds its meaning in the tapestry of our actions, woven day by day. It's not just about going through the motions; it's about ensuring that each action resonates with purpose. This week, Pastor Ivey shows us from the Scriptures which actions truly matter. This lesson will give you guidance and clarity on your journey.
This week Pastor Ivey brings us to 2 Timothy where Paul encourages a young pastor to stay faithful in his ministry. This Sunday was a special Sunday as we ordained our newest elder. This sermon was preached to charge him and our congregation with this exciting development.
This week Pastor Ivey turns us to Acts where we witness the birth of the church. When we look at how the early church lived, we may be shocked at how different and extraordinary it was. We believe the church at its birth was the church at its best. That's the type of church Jesus wants to see, and the church Arborway strives to be. This week's message will help you see your purpose in the church and the beauty of a church living out the gospel.
Life is hard. Life without Christ is even harder. Pastor Ivey brings us to 1 Peter where we learn how to fight life's hardest battles. This week's message will help you defeat pride, the devil, and despair and challenge you to live out humility, victory, and joy. And some of the solutions are pretty unexpected. Watch this week for help in living a successful Christian life.
Many in the early church assumed that Jesus was returning in their lifetimes. Perhaps, they were surprised when he did not. The fact remains that he could return at any time. How should Christians live their lives in light of Jesus' imminent return? This week Pastor Ivey brings us to 1 Peter 4, where Peter shows us what a life anticipating Christ's return should look like.
Peter writes this letter as an encouragement to the churches of Asia Minor. Essentially he is saying that no matter how bad things get in this life, you have a heavenly Father waiting to receive you home in the next. We know this because Christ faced the heat of this world and was welcomed home, and one day so will we. So, Christians should live righteously and courageously today in anticipation of that day. It is this eternal perspective that gives us relief in the midst of the heat.
Over the past few weeks we have looked at the role of exiles in society. First Peter talks about a Christians responsibility to the government and leadership. In chapter three, Peter turns to the home. He answers questions like, "How should a Christian wife live with their non-Christian husband?" And "How should Christian husbands love their wives?" This week, Pastor Ivey teaches through this often misunderstood and helpful passage.
What does it mean to be a Christian in an unjust government? Does a Christian still have to submit to the governing authorities? Or does having Jesus as our king mean we are free to ignore the law? While the answers may seem obvious, we all have questions about the degree to which we must submit to authority. This week Pastor Ivey brings us to 1 Peter 2, where Peter teaches us how to live as heavenly exiles under earthly authorities, even when that earthly authority is severely unjust.
All of us have experienced what it’s like to be an outsider, and as a Christian, there are days when it is even more difficult. We have been commanded to be in the world and not of it. So, especially in a place like Boston, we are outsiders to an even greater degree. But with the proper perspective, not only can we survive this world, but we can thrive. Listen as Pastor Ivey brings us through Peter's appeal to embrace our peculiarity.
All of us have had terrible days. They can lead to frustration, confusion, or even anger toward God. But in our second week of 1 Peter the Apostle encourages us by helping us understand that God even uses our worst days for our good and his glory. We will face trials in life, but we can take comfort that, in God, none of it is wasted. Watch this week as we see the ways God is redeeming our pain.
We've all had moments where we felt like we were on the outside looking in. Maybe it was because you moved to a new school, city, or even country. That feeling can be difficult and isolating. The Apostle Peter knows and experienced this himself. He called this situation being an "Exile." And to encourage and combat the hardship of being an exile, he encourages us to embrace it rather than fight it. Because, if we are believers, we have a hope greater than the angst of our situation. Listen this week as Pastor Ivey introduces us to 1 Peter. A book for the exile.
At the end of Nehemiah, he comes back to see how Jerusalem is doing. When he returns he finds that it is an absolute mess. The people fell back on everything they had promised God. So Nehemiah rises to get to work again. And this time he goes a little crazy. This week Pastor Ivey reflects on Nehemiah's final days in leadership of Jerusalem. We will learn a lot about good leadership and our true hope in life.
The temple was reconstructed, the walls were built, and this week we get to join Jerusalem's celebration. God had been so good to them and their only reasonable response was worship with many may have classified as "over-the-top" celebration. Listen this week as Pastor Ivey shows us from Nehemiah 12 how God did a great work for them and has done an even greater work for us in Christ.
Any meaningful relationship will have a DTR: Define the relationship. Sometimes that means the relationship is defined as being over, and other times it means it goes to the next level. These are essential conversations. This week Pastor Ivey takes us to Nehemiah 10 where we see God's people, fresh off repentance, defining their relationship with him. God had already shown them they were loved, but would they love him back? We will also take time to define our relationship with the Lord.
In this message Pastor Ivey takes us through the beautiful aftermath of revival. We see God's people remembering their history, mourning their sin, and praying for a more promising future. As we take a journey through Israel's history, we see that God is not only great, although he is. He is so much better and desires good for us.
This week, revival will sweep God's people. And it takes over them when they rediscover the Word of God. We will see a mix of sadness & joy in Nehemiah 8 as the people discover God's ancient and life-giving Word. It was a resource that was there the whole time, yet many had forgotten the power of it.
Jesus tells his disciples that the two signs they are genuine believers is that they love God and love others. John continues that theme in his book. John gives us the reason why: God is love. This week Pastor Ivey shows us that when we experience the love of God we will become more loving people. There is no way we cannot.
Knowing if we are a genuine believer is the most important question we can have the answer to. This week, Professor John gives us another test. He tells us we cannot love the world and love the Father at the same time. Because They are incompatible with each other. We will learn what John actually means by "love for the world." Then Pastor Ivey will give us three observations to discern if we love the world or the Father.
1 John was written to help us know the answer to life's most important questions. The most important question we can ask ourselves is if we truly know God. John gives us three signs regarding our attitude about sin that help us determine if we really know God. Listen this week to learn how we can deal with sin in such a way to be assured we will be with Christ in Heaven forever.
We have all had profoundly impactful experiences, good and bad. Experiences that change us, and shake us to the core. In ten seconds, a single experience can change our perspective on all of life. So, how important is our experience of God? What if we have never felt God's presence? Are we even Christians if we do not feel God's presence? Pastor Ivey answers all these questions and more this week.
Not knowing where we will go when we die can be quite distressing. Our eternal destination is the most important thing we could ever know, but how can we know? This week Pastor Ivey brings us to 1 John where we will find two tests to help us to know our eternal destination. If you have ever doubted your salvation (and who hasn't?), this sermon will be helpful for you.
Easter Sunday is the biggest Sunday on the Christian calendar. Why? Because it celebrates the most important event in Christianity: The resurrection of Jesus. Now, a resurrection is a nice story, but can someone actually rise from the dead? Is this a myth made up by the followers of Jesus to promote their new religion? This week pastor Ivey explores the facts and implications for the resurrection. Then he encourages us to weigh the evidence for ourselves.
You may have heard that Jesus called "The Bread of Life." This is actually a title he gave to himself. Yet he went even further than the title. He said that if we want eternal life we have to eat his flesh and drink his blood. Which if we are honest, that is a strange statement. What did he mean by it? Check out our Good Friday service as pastor Ivey unpacks this infamous, important, and profound teaching of Jesus.
As Nehemiah comes to the end of his project on Jerusalem's walls, his life does not get easier, n fact, it gets much more difficult. He faces debilitating distractions and life threatening encounters. It seems the closer he gets to finishing the work, the more intense the attacks from his enemies get. Yet, he stands strong through it all. This week we learn how to defeat distractions and stand strong with integrity.
Are you facing opposition in your life right now? When God has called us to do something significant for his kingdom, there is one thing you can count on: Opposition. We have a spiritual enemy that hates us, hates those around us, and wants to tear destroy God's good work. This week pastor Ivey brings us to Nehemiah 4 so we can learn from Nehemiah how to handle obstacles and opposition.
If you follow Jesus, God has called you to something great. That great calling in our life can cause us to dream, but dreaming only gets us so far. There comes a point where we have to start the dream. We have to make it a reality. This week we see how Nehemiah begins the good work that God called him to. His methods can be a faithful template for when we need to start God's good work. Watch as Pastor Ivey breaks down the start of Nehemiah's dream.
There are times in our life when God calls us to do something great for him. When we are called to do something that if he does not come through, it will never be accomplished. It can feel like moving a mountain, but when we go in the power of God to complete God's purposes, he will move the mountain. This week God does what seems impossible for Nehemiah so that he can complete what God called him to.
Have you ever seen something that breaks your heart and keeps you awake at night? At some point we've all seen a disaster, suffering, or injustice that we felt in the pit of our stomach. That's what happens to Nehemiah. Nehemiah finds himself broken by the disgrace of his people, city, and family. And God puts it on his heart to solve what is wrong, but only by the Lord's leading and through his power. This week Pastor Ivey begins our new series and we focus on building God's kingdom where our hearts break.
In our final week of Habits of Holiness we turn to worship. Humans were created to worship. We find that if we don't worship God, we will worship something. Even atheists worship something! It's as natural as breathing. As believers, we don't need to develop a habit of worship, we need to develop a regular habit of right worship. Join us this week as Pastor Ivey shows us the foundation of worship and helps us orient ourselves to it.
The word evangelism will strike fear into the heart of the most seasoned Christian. We love Jesus, but sharing our faith is hard. Maybe we are afraid we will offend someone. Perhaps we will cause a rift in a relationships. At the same time, we know Jesus commanded us to share. We need some help! This week pastor Ivey brings us to the Scriptures to learn the habit of evangelism from Jesus. Hopefully some of these simple techniques can make evangelism less terrifying and more joyful.
Money is a big deal. In fact, it's so important, that Jesus almost talked about it as much as any other subject. Whether we like it or not, money impacts our lives a lot. Maybe you have wondered how much money God gets and how much we can keep? Do we even have to tithe? This week pastor Ivey takes us to a passage about a generous church that gave until it hurt. We will learn a better way than tithing.
Do you need a break? Are you worn out? We live in a society that has made constant busyness a virtue. But we cannot go, go, go forever. Either we take a break or our bodies make us take a break. Rest is so essential to our physical wellbeing, but did you know it's also an essential habit for our spiritual wellbeing? Rest is so important that God built it into the fabric of the universe. Listen this week as Pastor Ivey shows us how God allows... no, commands us to rest! And that is an awesome command.
[2:28 PM] Ivey Rhodes
Youtube Title: What if I CANNOT hear God speak? (1 Kings 17:1-19:15)
Sermon Title: "Hearing From God in the Quiet"
Summary: We live in a really loud world. Of course, it's physically loud, but it's also metaphorically loud. Everything wants our attention! Yet, we were designed for rhythms of quiet. God created rest into the fabric of the universe and when we look at the habits of Jesus, we notice he often retreated to be alone with his Father. This week Pastor Ivey is going to help us hear from God, not over the noise, but in the quiet.
[2:28 PM] Ivey Rhodes
Thumbnail is also in the folder.
Did you make a resolution this year? At some point most of us probably have. Resolutions are ok, but studies show that most people quit them after 40 days. There has to be a better way! This week, pastor Ivey proposes that habits are the better way. Good habits can change the trajectory of your life. As Christians, we have one goal in life: to know and follow Christ. If that's our goal, it makes sense to design our habits around it. Listen this week as Pastor Ivey talks about the importance of spiritual habits in the Christian's life.
We use the word love in a lot of different ways. We love our family but we also love tacos? And we do love them, but we mean it in very different ways. Greek, on the other hand, has four different words for love. This week we look at one of the four words for love used in the Bible. We focus on the word most often used by Jesus when he described his salvation mission. On this fourth week of Advent, pastor Ivey shows us that love was born.
What is the most joy you have ever experienced on Christmas? Maybe it was a gift you received or the company of a loved one you haven't seen in a while. Christmas can be full of joy, but not everyone sees it that way. Some just don't care about the holiday. It's December for them. Others deeply miss those they've lost this time of year. Let's admit it, Christmas can be complicated. Yet, in the midst of all the complications, we can have joy. This week pastor Ivey turns to the Christmas story to show us where to find joy when we don't feel it.
Christmas is supposed to be about Jesus, peace in flesh, arriving on earth. But if you look around, things are not so peaceful. We have wars, rumors of wars, political fights, culture wars, and then all the chaos that comes with the season: Concerts, parties, presents, debt, trees, decorations... How can we have peace this season!? If you need peace this Christmas, pastor Ivey gives us two important ways the Prince of Peace brought peace to earth on that holy night.
Christmas is a wonderful time of year... for some. Others are facing a really difficult time. But regardless of our current circumstances, we all need hope. This Christmas find hope not in the things of the world but in Christ. This week pastor Ivey brings us to a powerful passage in Isaiah about hope in a really dark time.
Does God hear you when we pray? Or do you feel like your prayers are just bouncing off the ceiling? This week Pastor Ivey finishes the main portion of the Sermon on the Mount by looking at how God answers our prayers.
Most of us have a lot of stuff, and much of it is just junk that piles up. If you don't think you have any junk, just move and you'll realize how much extra stuff you really have! It may surprise you to find out, Jesus has a lot to say about all our extra stuff. How we should use it, collect it, and even where we should store it. Plus he helps us understand how our misplaced desire for more stuff is actually causing us anxiety. This week listen as we learn how much we need, how God will provide, and how to overcome the regular anxieties of life.
This week Pastor Ivey covers one of the most famous verses in the Bible. Even people that don't really know the Bible quote Jesus, when they say, "Do not judge." But what did Jesus mean by this teaching? Is that even his whole statement? Are we not to judge anything or anyone? If that is true, how would we ever discern who to hire, marry, or even have deep friendships with? All these questions and more are answered in this week's message.
We were created to worship. The problem is we don't always worship the right way. Humans have worshiped false gods, other times we worship ourselves. And even if we worship Jesus, we can get that wrong too! If we're going to worship the God of the universe, we should want to know how to do it the right way. How should we worship? Listen this week as we learn Jesus' four secrets to worshiping God properly.
This week Jesus gives us all a test, and it's a tough one. To pass this test we can't be pretty good. Getting a C or a B will not cut it. Jesus takes the bar we've set for ourselves and raises it higher than a reasonable person would. The only grade that allow us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is perfection. If we're honest with ourselves, we know that we haven't been and can't be perfect. So what hope do we have? We need a savior. Listen this week as Pastor Ivey explains how Jesus helps us achieve perfection.
Very early in Jesus' most famous teaching, he says that people in his kingdom are salt and light. While this is an interesting analogy, what does it mean? Both salt and light are important for modern life, but they were even more essential for the ancient world. This week Pastor Ivey talks about the essence of being salt and light in society while also being a part of God's kingdom.
If you've ever wondered what type of person Jesus says is blessed, you don't have to look further than the opening section of the Sermon on the Mount. In this section, Jesus talks about the kinds of people that will be in his kingdom. If you're launching a new kingdom and looking for influence, might, and power, this is not going to be the group to gather. But Jesus was doing something completely different. He was launching a kingdom that looked upside-down to most but was really the paradigm for who humans were always meant to be. Watch this week as we take a second look at the blessings of Jesus.
This may be strange to think about, but have you ever wondered why God doesn't just take us to Heaven after we trust in him? It's because he has given us a mission and purpose for staying, at least for a time. This week Pastor Ivey talks to us about our mission as Christians, both to those we know and to those around the world. If you're a Christian today, Jesus has saved you and given you hope. How could we not want to tell others about the hope we have?
Last week Pastor Ivey spoke on togetherness, and this week we continue to define Arborway by looking at what our mission is together. Anyone can bring a group together, but what's most important is the mission of that group. Why do they exist? We're not just together, but we're together with one another. We're on Jesus' mission as defined in the gospels and the goal is his kingdom and glory. This week Pastor Ivey talks about how each of our individual smaller parts add up to something really special.
Every year we remind ourselves about who we are as a church. With a new name, vision, and mission, this year there is even more to talk about! Join pastor Ivey as he talks to us about what it means to be "Together" with Jesus. This week we explore godly togetherness. The early church had something special, and it's something that Arborway strives to live out.
Whether we admit it or not, all of us struggle with insecurities. There is a broad range of things we can be insecure about, but much of it comes down to the feeling like we’re not enough. This week we take a look at Moses, one of the most important people in the Bible. Though he would do incredible things through God, he didn’t begin his story as a hero. When God chose him to lead the people out of Egypt, Moses came up with excuses about how he wasn’t enough. What was God’s response? To paraphrase: You’re right. But I AM enough.
What do people mean when they say things like, “I prefer to think of God like…“? If God is real, it doesn’t matter how we prefer to think of him. He is who he is. This week we turn to the making of the golden calf to explore the question, what does it mean to make an idol? For many of us, we’re not tempted to worship a golden cow, but we do create other types of gods. Pastor Ivey helps us see where we’ve tried to customize our own god, and in the process, missed the true God. A sin that can lead to great despair and doubt.
All of us are going to go through painful times in our lives. And it's not like being Christian changes that. The question we may have is, "Why would a good God allow us to suffer? It's a legitimate question, but what if it's the wrong question? This Sunday pastor Ivey brings us through Job and gives us two helpful questions we should ask about our pain... and "Why?" is not one of them.
We can look at the stars and measure God's infinite creative power, but how do we measure his glory? This week pastor Ivey helps us understand the infinite goodness and holiness of God by taking us to two passages where God's glory is on display. For those in the room, it was a really bad thing. Not only were they scared, but their lives were at risk.
Do you struggle with doubt about God? Much of our doubt happens because we shrink God. Many people want a God that is powerful, but not too powerful. Great, but not too great. We would like him to be like us, just a little smarter and stronger. Why? Because that’s a God that we can control. But that’s not the God we encounter in the Scriptures. The God of the Scriptures is incomprehensibly strong, big, and great. This week Pastor Ivey helps us wrap our minds around an infinite God… at least as much as a finite mind can.
The Apostle Paul uses an analogy about Jesus’ church. He calls it the body of Christ. In it, each person has a different purpose and gift. Though we are different we are made to work together in unity. Listen this week as special guest and Arborway member, Peter Namukowa, challenges us to live as a unified church in Christ.
We’ve all eaten something that was so disgusting that we couldn’t keep it in our mouths. This week Jesus writes a letter to a church that makes him vomit. What’s their big sin? They are lukewarm. Jesus examines Laodicea, a wealthy church that stopped being the church as Christ designed it to be. It may seem all is lost for this terrible church, but in the end, we’ll see that if they repent, Jesus is eager to give them grace.
This Sunday Pastor Ivey looks at Jesus’ letter to the church in Philadelphia. This is one of the few churches where he doesn’t call for them to repent. This is one of the good ones! Philadelphia was a church we can emulate. What was so special about this little church? They were faithful to walk through the doors Jesus opened for them. This week, learn how Jesus opens doors that are impossible for us to open, then learn what it takes to walk through them.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus presents a terrifying idea: Churches, people, and things that look spiritually alive can actually be dead. History is full of dead churches that looked alive. We know people who called themselves Christian, to only leave the faith or do something counter to the way of Christ. Sometimes we can even fool ourselves! So how can we know if we're spiritually alive in Christ? This week Pastor Ivey helps us understand the words of Jesus in Revelation chapter 3.
Join us today in Ephesians 4:17-24 as we explore how the Gospel transforms our minds from ignorance to Christlikeness. As unbelievers, none of us knew Christ and our minds were dark without Him. When the Holy Spirit opens our minds to the Gospel, our thoughts, desires, and emotions become more like Jesus.
This week we look at Jesus’ letter to the church in Thyatira. While they were doing a lot of good things, they were tolerating a false teacher. Jesus calls this teacher Jezebel. Somehow, many in this church have been tricked by her. This week Pastor Ivey shows us four ways we get tricked by false teachers and helps us avoid them.
What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord? This week we jump to the letter from Jesus to the church in Pergamum. In it, Jesus challenges the church because they were compromising in all the wrong ways. The outcome was that Jesus was no longer Lord. Pastor Ivey helps us see the ways in which we compromise our faith, then we learn how to hold tight to Jesus in the middle of a culture that wants to pull us away from him.
This week we start a new series in the book of Revelation. We often think of Revelation as a really strange book full of weird images and prophecy, and it is. Yet, at the start of the book, we get seven letters from Jesus to seven churches in Asia Minor. In week one we look at the church in Ephesus. A church that knew all the right things, but did have the love Jesus wanted them to have.
Starting is easy, finishing is the hard part. Many of us have started something, ran into a snag, and dropped out. But if God has called us to start it, how can we not finish? In our final message of Pre-Decide Pastor Ivey helps us learn how to be finishers.
We will all be remembered for something after our lives are over. What do you want to be remembered for? Some want to be successful, others happy, or and some of us moral. The question all of us should ask is, “Who does God want me to be?” This week Pastor Ivey helps us discover the foundational aspect God is looking for.
We all want to be happy, but did you know the more advertisements you see the less happy you are? Ads show us all the things we’re missing and they promise us happiness if we get the thing. The problem is, they can’t deliver on the happiness promised. If acquiring more stuff won’t make us happy, what will? Jesus gives us an unintuitive truth: “It’s more blessed to give that receive.” This week pastor Ivey shows us why we’ll find happiness in giving rather than getting.
We dedicate our time to the things we care about most. It makes sense for Christians to dedicate our time to God. How many hours do you dedicate to your relationship with God? Many Christians dedicate an hour a week on Sundays. Which is a good start, but a relationship needs more than that. Life is busy already! How can we give more time? If you need help in your relationship with God, watch this week’s message.
This week we look at a spiritual discipline that can turn your life around. Those that have a thriving life live out this discipline on a daily basis. What is it? Consistency. This week Pastor Ivey takes to Daniel, one of the most faithful and consistent people in the Scriptures. We’ll learn how being a consistent person can change our lives. Then we’ll get three ideas to help us be consistent God honoring people.
In week two of Pre-Decide we turn to temptation. All of us are tempted daily, and some days we’re more successful at fighting it than others. Succumbing to our worst temptations not only hurts us, but can hurt the people we love the most, and ultimately hurt the heart of God. How can we be better equipped and stronger against our struggles? This week, Pastor Ivey looks into the Scriptures to teach us three helpful methods to resist our most difficult temptations.
This week we begin a new series on making better decisions. Pastor Ivey talks about the idea of pre-deciding some of life’s biggest choices before they every happen. We’ll examine how this technique can help save us from making some really destructive decisions. This may not be an idea you’ve heard before, but it’s one found all over the the ancient wisdom of the Bible. Listen in this week for part one of our six part series Pre-Decide, “Take Back Your Life.”
This week we look at one of the most significant stories in all of Scripture: The Triumphal Entry. Pastor Ivey takes us through Matthew’s account of Palm Sunday where Jesus rides into Jerusalem with crowds shouting “Hosanna!” This is the moment where he declares to the whole world that he is not just a prophet or good teacher, but he is king. This story illustrates that Jesus is king over everything. Not one thing that happens in this moment that was on accident.