Mitchell Berean Church - Podcast: Recent Episodes
Mitchell Berean Church
it's choosing to cry out to the One who hears, to keep seeking Him when the answers seem delayed, and to discover a peace that can settle the soul even before the situation changes.This Sunday, we'll walk through one of the most heartfelt sections of Psalm 119 as we explore crying out, seeking God's deliverance, and finding peace in His presence. Whether you're carrying heavy burdens, waiting on God, or simply longing to hear His voice again, this message is an invitation to come honestly, expectantly, and together. We'd love to have you with us.Join us Sunday at 8am or 11am for one of our worship services!-Pastor BenKey Verse - Psalm 119:145-146 - "I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord and I will obey your decrees. I call out to you; save me and I will keep your statutes."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49633497
The question for us is this: Has that truth taken root in our hearts? Are we seeing God and His Word with the same delight as the psalmist? Or have these truths become so familiar that we've stopped listening?Join us this weekend at 8:00 or 11:00 AM as we continue our journey through Psalm 119. Together, we'll be reminded once again of the beauty of God's Word, the righteousness of our God, and why these timeless truths are worth hearing again and again.- Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49627414
s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49627413
that if things go wrong, we can simply say, "I knew it wouldn't work." Yet this kind of divided allegiance only keeps us from experiencing the fullness of what God desires for us. Jesus calls us to wholehearted trust, and the longer we try to live in the middle ground, the more our hearts drift away from Him.As we continue our journey through Psalm 119, we will see the psalmist repeatedly place his confidence in God's Word. It is through trusting the Lord and delighting in His Word that he experiences its wisdom, joy, and life-giving power. Together, we will explore what it means to fully trust God's Word, consider the cost of wholehearted commitment, and discover the greater joy and freedom found on the other side of surrender.Join us this Sunday at 8:00 or 11:00 AM as we discover why releasing control and entrusting ourselves to the Lord is not only one of the hardest steps of faith we can take, but also one of the most rewarding. We would love to worship with you as we learn together what it means to wholeheartedly trust the God who is always faithful.- Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49627411
it is the powerful revelation of the God who spoke the universe into existence. The same Word that created all things continues to sustain, strengthen, and transform His people today. When we place our faith in God's Word and in the God who stands behind it, we experience His power at work in our lives.Join us this week as we explore the power of God's Word and discover how it is living, active, and sufficient for every battle we face. Together, we'll be reminded that our confidence is not found in our own strength, but in the God whose Word never fails.- Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49627409
uses even life's hardships for His glory and for the good of His people (Romans 8:28). The psalmist trusts that, even in the darkest moments, God is at work, using suffering to shape, restore, and draw him closer to Himself.That same hope is available to us today. When life feels uncertain and tragedy seems ever-present, we can turn to God's Word and to the God who inspired it. In Him we find lasting hope, unshakable peace, and the assurance that He is working all things according to His perfect purposes.Join us this week as we wrestle with the difficult question, "Why does God allow evil to exist?" We will approach this question not as skeptics seeking to discredit God, but as His children, longing to find comfort, wisdom, and hope in the presence of a gracious Father who delights in meeting us in the midst of our struggles.-Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49615482
is the anchor that holds us steady. He is near to the brokenhearted, faithful in every trial, and worthy of our trust.Join us as we explore Psalm 119:17-40 this Sunday at either 8 or 11AM service. - Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49615476
t have days when reading Scripture feels more like a task than a joy. It is in those moments, when we pause and ask the Holy Spirit for help, that we begin to see once again the beauty of Scripture, the wisdom it contains, and the joy it can bring.Join us this week as we begin our journey through Psalm 119. Together, we will not only discover the beauty of Scripture but also encounter the God who inspired it.- Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49615474
s forgiveness and restoration.- Brad RonneKey Verses - Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV) - Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49611597
and explore what it practically looks like to disciple those around us, including within our own families. Excited to worship with you,- Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49597918
s Word together and discover how every believer has a role in the mission of God.- Pastor BenKey Verse - Philippians 4:10 (NIV) - "I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49597917
s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49595418
and why our worldview matters. - Pastor BenKey Verse - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) - "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49591227
! - Pastor BenKey Verse - Daniel 7:13-14 (NIV) - "In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49580751
With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit."Good Friday's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49580733
Blessed is the king of Israel!"For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49567374
re excited to explore what it means to partner in the mission of the gospel at MBC as we continue to grow in Christ and move forward for His glory.Join us this Sunday at 8:00 AM or 11:00 AM as we worship together as the body of Christ at Mitchell Berean Church!- Pastor BenFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49567368
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49567367
and, if we are honest, can blind each of us as well. Yet Jesus makes it abundantly clear that we must enter the Kingdom on His terms, not our own.Would you join us this Sunday and prayerfully prepare your heart to consider this life-shaping question: How do we enter the Kingdom of God?Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49559550
s whether we do. Are there rooms in your life you keep closed to Him? Habits you manage instead of confess? Sin you explain instead of expose? You were bought at a price. And the same Jesus who once cleansed the temple still has zeal today to cleanse whatever no longer belongs in a house that carries His name.- Pastor BenKey Verse - John 2:17 (NIV) - "His disciples remembered that it is written: 'Zeal for your house will consume me.'"For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49550117
and what He may want to do in our own emptiness, mess, and disgrace.- Pastor BenKey Verse - John 2:11 (NIV) - "What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49550115
? Wherever you are, from seeker to missionary, Jesus is inviting you to follow Him.Join us this Sunday as we continue walking through the life of Jesus in our Knowing Him series!- Pastor BenKey Verse - John 1:43 (NIV) - "The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, 'Follow me.'"For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49549927
s plan in motion! For us the question becomes how can we follow the example and call of Jesus? What does it look like to find our approval in Him? Join us Sunday as we dive into His word to see what He has to say about all of this! - Pastor BenFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49543681
story continues from His birth, we see Him grow and show more of what He knows. He learns and studies. Grows and discovers. At the age of 12 He clearly is becoming aware of who He is and what the scriptures say about Him.For us we can learn in this section of scripture just how important identity is! Knowing who you are, showing who you are, and growing who you are all matter greatly as we live out our faith! Join us for the launch of our Knowing Him series this weekend! - Pastor BenFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49533722
paths that ultimately lead us away from life?Join us this Sunday at either the 8 or 11 AM service as we look at Jesus the Justifier and discover the purpose He invites each of us into.- Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49533720
God, and how He uses people like Joseph, and you, for His glory and our good!-Pastor Ben PhillipsKey Verse - Matthew 1:24 (NIV) - "When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49530259
ll discover that if He kept His promises in the past, we can confidently trust Him with our future.- Pastor Brandon MarchettiFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49517148
, looking at Immanuel! It truly is a powerfully important thing to know the One who has come, God in flesh with us, Jesus.-Pastor BenKey Verse - Luke 3:23 (NIV) - "Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli,"Key Passage - Matthew 3:23-38, Luke1:1-17For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49517146
city family before he reached adolescence, sparking his passion for evangelism. In 1991, as a young church planter, he founded Dare 2 Share to equip teens to reach their peers with the Gospel. Three decades later, millions of students have been trained and mobilized across the U.S. and around the world. Greg and his wife, Debbie, have been married for 35 years and have two adult children, Kailey and Jeremy, and Jeremy's wife, Kat.For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49496623
s radical faith powerfully held him to trust in God even in the midst of dangerous times.Join us Sunday for our worship service where we will dive in to how we can be more radical in our prayer life.- Pastor BenKey Verse: Daniel 6:10 (NIV) - "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49496620
Satan works very hard at causing Christians to forget the plot God wants us to live out. He wants us to forget who the main character is. He wants us to forget God's purposes, and why we were created.This Sunday we will be looking at the Old Testament hero Joshua. What made Joshua great was that Joshua understood that God was the hero of his story, and that his job was to follow God's leadership in his life.Don't miss this: letting God lead your life is radical.Our stories may not be written in the history books like Joshua, but in God's eyes, our lives hold just as much value and significance as Joshua. Pastor Tyce Jensen, the President of the Berean Fellowship, will be encouraging us from to be radical like Joshua, courageously following God's leadership.For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49496617
But the people said nothing."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49496616
Are there limits to your trust? Of course there are! We live with people who are not always trustworthy, and this has taught us to question and guard against trusting things outside of ourselves. This is no different when it comes to our trust of God. Though He has never been untrustworthy, He often seems to lead us into places that feel risky, difficult, and unwanted. Instead of trusting Him, we run. Instead of following Him we try to lead. Instead of submitting to His strength and will, we look at the circumstances and lean on our own understanding.Gideon was just like us. He had grown up in a time where trust with God was broken. Israel was under constant attack from the Midianites, and it seemed as though God had fully abandoned them. So when God showed up to call Gideon to follow Him into battle, it makes sense that Gideon was doubtful. I would have been too! Even in his doubt God was the Good Shepherd who lead him through, and helped him learn how trustworthy The Lord actually is.Gideons faith didn’t start radical, but God did radical things through Gideon’s willingness to trust just a little more with each step.Join us this weekend for a worship service as we dive into what it looks like to be more radical in our faith!- Pastor BenKey Verse: Judges 7:2 (NIV) - "The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’"For this week's Scripture and notes:https://bible.com/events/49496615
In the past few weeks, it has become easier to speak about our faith because of God working through the faithful life of Charlie Kirk, who was tragically murdered by someone filled with hate against him. We now have the incredible opportunity to meet people where they are with the truth of the gospel of Jesus. What an open door! Let’s walk through it confidently, led by the Holy Spirit.But I want to ask: how should we act, speak, and live when public opinion about Jesus and Christianity is unpopular? It wasn’t that long ago that people were being deplatformed, doxxed, ridiculed, and persecuted in various other ways for speaking truths that you and I know come from God’s Word. Was it easy to speak the truth when we knew something was wrong? Was it easy to openly identify as a follower of Jesus?As we continue in our Radical Like_ series, this weekend we will look at Esther. Her incredible courage to reveal the truth is evident in the way she confronted the hateful actions of an enemy of God’s people. Approaching the king without an invitation was forbidden and punishable by death, yet Esther knew she had been placed in her position as Queen of Persia “for such a time as this” to plead on behalf of God’s people. God used her faith in powerful ways to bring deliverance to the Israelites.I’m looking forward to worshiping with you, communing with Christ with you, and learning from God’s Word with you.Bring a friend! See you Sunday!- Pastor KenFor this week's Scripture and notes:https://bible.com/events/49489865Stay Connected:• https://www.mitchellberean.com/• https://www.facebook.com/MitchellBerean• https://www.instagram.com/mitchellberean• https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellBerean
Throughout the Bible we see incredible stories of radical faith. Faith that makes you wonder how you would respond in similar situations. Faith that challenges you to trust deeper, step forward confidently, stand firm, and be bold. Over the next 9 weeks we are going to be looking at these radical faith stories from throughout scripture, and seeing how we can grow as a church and individuals to walk out our faith in bold, God honoring ways. Cliff Miller, one of our local missionaries and ministry leader over the His Hill college ministry, will be bringing the message about the faith of David this Sunday.Join us this weekend for the launch of our fall campaign! We will have a ministry fair, coffee and donuts, Core Classes launching, and great times of worship as we fellowship together. Grab a friend and come!See you Sunday!-Pastor BenFor this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49489863Stay Connected:• https://www.mitchellberean.com/• https://www.facebook.com/MitchellBerean• https://www.instagram.com/mitchellberean• https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellBerean
It’s been said that if you want to make God laugh, you should simply tell Him your plans. Sometimes we have a great understanding of how we think something should go. We set things up for it, plan for it, build to it, and then wait for it. It is so rare that things actually go according to our plan!Nehemiah had finished the work he had come to do in Jerusalem. He had planned for it, set things up for it, built for it, and then gone back to serve the king believing 100% that he had done all he needed to do to make sure Jerusalem would honor God. When he came back to visit he learned that all that he had worked for have been set aside. This wasn’t easy, and Nehemiah pleaded with God to remember him for the good that he did and not the results that he got.For us, we need to think about not just our plans to do good, but also how to “keep the house clean”. Are there rooms of your life still set aside for your flesh?Join us this weekend for one of our worship services as we finish up the book of Nehemiah together!- Pastor BenKey Verse - Nehemiah 13:14 (NIV) - "Remember me for this, my God, and do not blot out what I have so faithfully done for the house of my God and its services."For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49451030Stay Connected:• https://www.mitchellberean.com/• https://www.facebook.com/MitchellBerean• https://www.instagram.com/mitchellberean• https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellBerean
I think most of us can agree that when a large list of names is in the Bible it is easy to skip by them and move on, but a question we should be asking is why did the author put those names in? It is because God cares about the details! If you have ever been in charge of planning an event, you know there is a moment where you switch from the big picture to the small details because they matter. It matters who was selected to work in the temple. It matters who was to take part in dedicating the wall. It even matters that each priest went through each step of purification before they served in the Temple. Details matter!In Nehemiah 11-12, there were questions around "Who was going to live in Jerusalem?", "Who would be responsible for the Temple?", and even "Who is going to watch over the storerooms?" The great reality is God had long ago decided and been orchestrating things to the point of being able to answer those questions. He long ago put the right people in the right spots and brought their stories to this pinnacle point where they could walk into what God has for them. I believe this is still true today! God is working the details of YOUR story so YOU can walk into what God has for you. The question for the Israelites and for us today is how are we going to respond?Join us this Sunday as we look at how God is actively shaping our lives for where He is leading us and even where He is inviting us to have a few more parties.Pastor BrandonFor this week's Scripture and notes:https://bible.com/events/49451015Stay Connected:• https://www.mitchellberean.com/• https://www.facebook.com/MitchellBerean• https://www.instagram.com/mitchellberean• https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellBerean
There’s something about growing old in the Lord and gaining wisdom. Life is best understood looking back in the rear view mirror. Psalm 37 is a Psalm that was written by David when he was an old man. He’s looking back and writing this song based on the faithfulness and mercy of God. He addresses a problem that has plagued the people of God since the dawn of time. “Why do the wicked seem to prosper while the righteous suffer?”Whether we will admit it or not, it is also a problem with which we’ve wrestled with from time to time. Sometimes, it almost seems like God favors to bless the wicked and cause suffering for the righteous.Psalm 37 helps us to process this question and to gain a proper perspective.For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49451014Stay Connected:• https://www.mitchellberean.com/• https://www.facebook.com/MitchellBerean• https://www.instagram.com/mitchellberean• https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellBerean
Join us as Jud Martin preaches through Nehemiah 10.For this week's Scripture and notes:http://bible.com/events/49451012Stay Connected:• https://www.mitchellberean.com/• https://www.facebook.com/MitchellBerean• https://www.instagram.com/mitchellberean• https://www.youtube.com/@MitchellBerean
Prayer is such a powerful thing, yet often when we pray we sound more like toddlers in the toy aisle at the store begging for whatever catches their eye. We can treat prayer as a time for us to make known what we want to God, and in turn we end up feeling that prayer isn’t as powerful as we were told. Prayer is an exercise of faith, calling us to depend on God as the source of all we need. He is the provider, but also He is the Most High God worthy of ALL Praise! Do out prayers reflect that?In Nehemiah 9 we see the people come in sackcloth and with dust on their heads, mourning over their sins and the sins of their ancestors before God. They approach Him humbly in prayer that reflects the heart of Jesus’ prayer in Matthew 6 as we see them praise God for who He is and what He has done. They make requests and admit their sins in true confession. The chapter ends with a unified moment of submission to God as they yield to His authority, protection, care, forgiveness and wisdom. It is clear these people were understanding that prayer was a relational connection with God, rather than a personal list of desires being presented to someone who can give me what I want.Join us this weekend as we dive into prayer together, looking at the powerful tool God has given us for approaching Him.-Pastor BenKey Verse: Nehemiah 9:3 - "They stood where they were and read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a quarter of the day, and spent another quarter in confession and in worshiping the Lord their God."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49451011
The word “revival” may bring to mind a late night meeting in a tent, full of loud preaching, “AMEN”’s and altar calls, but is that truly what revival is? Those meetings have a purpose, and have led to the salvation of many, but true revival is not a move or service of man. It is a work of the Holy Spirit as He moves on the hearts of people with conviction. Passion for the word of God grows, sins are confessed and removed, people are drawn to Christ for the first time. Revival is something we desperately need in our community and nation!Throughout history true revival was always sparked, sustained, and strengthened through prayer. People praying for God to move, and continuing to pray. Praying for revival in their own hearts leading to revival around them. In Nehemiah we have seen a man of prayer who desires to see revival in the people. A revival of their dedication to God, and in chapter 8 we see just that begin to happen!Ezra reads from the law, teachers explain understanding to the people, the people gathered together begin to worship God as they face the conviction of sin with the celebration of God’s provision! It is a beautiful thing to see happen, and I believe can, and must, happen again in our church and community.Join us this week as we look through the revival in Nehemiah 8, prayerfully seeking God to revive us as well!-Pastor BenKey Verse: Nehemiah 8:6 - "Ezra praised the Lord, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, “Amen! Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49451007
Exciting things happen in Nehemiah 7 with thousands of people moving back to Israel to end the captivity in Babylon as prophesied. There were some who had either not been taken into captivity or had escaped that were doing the work to keep things together until the grand reunion and restoration of Israel. This wasn’t an easy or rewarding responsibility, yet through God’s provision, these people had a God-given burden of their own to ensure the necessary work got done, even though they surely felt short-handed. What a joy they must have felt when they saw the full circle completed with the people of Israel’s return.We’ll learn this week of Hananiah, who is described as faithful and God-fearing. Really, he was faithful BECAUSE he was God-fearing. If the people around us were asked what kind of people we are, what are the characteristics that define you and me? Would it be faithful? Would it be God-fearing? These two attributes alone encompass a whole swath of implied characteristics as well, don’t they? Let’s let faithfulness and being God-fearing be how we are seen as we put into practice what we believe, even in seasons of our life that haven’t seem come full-circle yet.Key Verse: Nehemiah 7:2 - "I gave my brother Hanani and Hananiah the governor of the castle charge over Jerusalem, for he was a more faithful and God-fearing man than many."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49451002
Distractions are everywhere—phones, sports, money, entertainment. They’re not all bad, but they can pull us away from the purpose God has for us.In Nehemiah 6:3, Nehemiah says, “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.”What if we lived with that kind of focus?Join us this weekend as we dive into Nehemiah 6 and learn how to stay focused on the mission God has given us.- Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49451001
In Nehemiah 5, we see how Nehemiah cared for the flock and stood up to the mistreatment of the Jews. Nehemiah called the nobles to step back into integrity with God’s word. God calls US to know his word and to walk in obedience as well. Is God calling you to restore to him today?For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49451000
The power of opposition is intense. History has proved again and again how empires have fallen when facing internal weakness and external pressure. From the Persians seeing Alexander the Great sweep across the known world, to the Inca and Aztec’s falling to Spanish conquistadors, and the Western Roman Empire collapsing under the attacks of small Germanic tribes, it is amazing how opposition exploits weaknesses.Nehemiah and the people were making great progress on the walls, but Sanballat, Tobiah the Ammonite, the Arabs, and men of Ashdod were not ok with Jerusalem coming back to power. They began use weapons of mass disruption by taunting the workers and ridiculing their efforts. Sadly, this would likely be enough to deter many today from the Lord’s work. The people held strong through prayer, but then faced the threat of physical attack. This was no longer a group of bullies, but a real life threatening situation with enemies on all sides growing impatient, and putting their destruction. This brought on the natural discouragement of doing hard work under pressure, and the constant fear of attack and failure.For each of us today these same things plague our lives. From ridicule and threat, to discouragement and fear we all constantly see opposition from outside and within. There is a reality of an enemy who hates us. There is the sinful flesh that distracts us. Both of these desire to destroy us. How do we battle them and keep walking in obedience to God’s call? By doing what Ephesians 6 tells us, and armoring up!Join us for one of our worship services this weekend and MBC as we continue in the book of Nehemiah!- Pastor BenKey Verse - Nehemiah 4:9 - "But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49450999
It is amazing what can be accomplished through the united mission of a group of people, isn’t it? When we are united together there is strength, focus and purpose keeping the project driven until it’s finished.In Nehemiah 3 we get to see the people begin the work of repairing the walls. And let me tell you, they were UNITED! Each had a section to strive on, and their purpose was clear. Over a very short time they took the city from a disgrace to a protected and honorable condition again. They worked where they lived, worked, played, and were sent in order to make this happen.We have a mission in front of us. It’s where we live, in our homes and neighborhoods. It's where we work with clients and colleagues. It's where we go fro recreation with friends. And It's where God has sent us into our community, and around the world. We need to unite in order to accomplish it!Join us Sunday for one of our worship services to see how the work done in Nehemiah 3 gives us a good picture of how we can walk united for God’s glory and His mission!-Pastor BenKey Verse - Nehemiah 1:8 - "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, ‘If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations,'"For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49450998
Have you faced a project that seems insurmountable but you knew it needed to get done? What did you do? Avoiding it won’t get it done. Stressing out about it frustrates not only ourselves but everyone around us. Have you tried taking it to God and laying your burden before Him and letting Him open the doors then walking through as He provides? Have you asked your church family for help? That’s why we are here!God placed a burden on Nehemiah’s heart for the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. This week, we see how God opens the door for Nehemiah to talk with the king about his burden, and it is even further opened for him to have time off and to make requests for resources from the king. Nehemiah’s heart and attitude that has been practiced in private comes out clearly in public, then he boldly makes requests knowing that the hand of God is moving. This keeps him confident even in the face of opposition.Key Verse - Nehemiah 2:17 - Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49450996
The weight and pressure we feel to accomplish, provide, succeed, produce, and prove ourselves can be overwhelming. Like the constant voice of an enemy reminding us of our shortcomings, burdens can bring us to our knees in a crippling fashion. These are the every so common, and constant status of people all over the world. One of the greatest burdens we feel is the one to please God. It can feels impossible to lift, likely because on our side apart from Christ it is. This kind of burden we are called to lay down in trusting dependence on God.As we step into Nehemiah there is a burden we see not land on his shoulders as many burdens do, but this one sinks into his heart. This kind of burden is different… Instead of pressure to perform, there is an urgent need to act. An unrelenting draw and call that caused Nehemiah’s heart to ache and his spirit to feel weak. This kind of burden we are called to take up and run with endurance until it is resolved. What kind of burden do you carry today?Join us this weekend as we launch into our summer series through Nehemiah, looking through the burden and call he received from the Lord! See you Sunday!-Pastor BenKey Verse - Nehemiah 1:4 - "When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49447593
Identity and purpose are sought after by all people, yet how many find them? In Matthew 5-7 Jesus lays out the vision for the kingdom of God. As we look at His vision, we’ll zoom in on the first five verses of chapter 5 that gives us the foundation of Intimately walking with God and being used by Him.Sara and I are excited to be back and connecting with the church!- Luke WordenKey Passage - Matthew 5:1-5For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49441078
The kids are excited to help lead worship on this morning for our Family Fun Day service!After the service we will have bounce houses and a water slide. We are going to cook up hamburgers and hotdogs, we ask that you bring a side dish to share.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49441077
Have you ever been in a situation where you were trapped? When I was a child I remember crawling under a shelf in the shape of an elephant. There was a cool “cave-like” feel to the space underneath, and I had ventured there many times before, but this time was different. I had grown, and when I twisted myself into the hole, I realized I was not going to be able to turn around and crawl out… Panic set in as I felt like I may never escape this.. At that moment our family dog stuck her head in the entrance hole, and began bearing her teeth and growling at me, as she could not see who I was, but I was in her favorite place… I knew I was a goner! I was trapped, with no way out, and the one opening I could possibly make it through was blocked by an angry animal…This is what Idolatry does to us. We seek some sort of feeling or experience that promises to be fulfilling, only to find that it was a lie to trap us in a painful, dangerous, and shame filled cycle of giving into our sinful nature. Idolatry is the root sin that leads to every other. If we don’t deal with it at the root, we will find it very hard to avoid the traps.The beauty of God’s word shows us a way of escape even when there seems to be none, and reminds us that God Himself is on our side! Even if it means discipline to correct us, exposure of our sin to bring light to our eyes, or stepping in to do what we cannot and freeing us. His way’s are always for our good!Join us for a service this weekend to look at the idolatry of Israel that led them to become captives, just in the same way we fall captive to sin today. THERE IS FREEDOM FROM IT IN CHRIST!See you Sunday!-Pastor BenKey Verse: Romans 8:5 (NIV) - "Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49437895
A challenge we often face is the ability to focus on a target and hit it. We may be able to see the target, but there is a reason why competitions are held in accuracy. In the book of acts we have seen a target come into focus when it comes to Church Structure. How God planned, and designed the church to function for His glory above all else.As a church we want to walk in accordance with the word of God, that we in this local expression of the Body of Christ may bring Him glory, honor, and worship that is due His name. In Acts chapters 1-6 we see the gathering of the church in its original formation. From chapter 7-14 we see the spread of the church from the Jew to the Samaritan, to the Gentile! Just as Jesus proclaimed and called them to do in Acts 1:8. Finally we see the establishment of churches throughout the known world with structure, leadership and focus on the mission in Acts 14-28.Join us this weekend for this 10,000 foot view of the church in acts as we continue to grow as a local church!- Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49431691
Do you remember the joy of receiving a letter from a friend? There is just something about a personal letter in the mailbox to break up the constant barrage of bills and ads. It warms your heart, and connects you together in a way modern communication struggles to compete with.The Apostle Paul was used by God to write several letters to churches and individuals, and also to us! Four of those letters he wrote while under house arrest in Rome, and they give us a look at what is needed for spiritual health as believers.Theology matters. Doctrine matters. Fellowship matters. And Mission drives them all!Join us this weekend to see a picture of discipleship as we study together through the letters of Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon where the call to biblical education and Christ centered community are clear.- Pastor BenKey Verse: Colossians 2:6 - "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him,"For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49428291
I just heard a story this week from one in our congregation who had a person show up at his door looking for answers. How did he know where to go? How did he know he would care? Because of the consistency of this person’s life AND his commitment to always speak the truth in love. While we don’t have control over a person’s reception of the message of the Messiah, we can sow seeds and pray diligently for God to do His work in the person’s heart to open their eyes. Then, when the person is ready, they know who to come to, and we can play a part in the eye-opening by sharing Jesus as the Messiah.We are wrapping up the final text of Acts this weekend. Paul is under house arrest and gathers the leaders and later a larger group of influential people. He spends an entire day trying to convince them of the kingdom of God and of Jesus the Messiah. Some are convicted, but still others are blinded. Paul didn’t pick and choose with whom he shared this truth; he shared it with everyone who showed up. Who is it that you can influence? Pray for opportunities — that God would open your eyes to when and where you should be speaking truth in love. Let’s be a church in which everyone humbly prays, “God, open my eyes,” then is ready to move as God leads.Key Scripture: Acts 28:30-31 - "He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49424177
We have an enemy. One who desires our demise, hates the image we are made in, and seeks to destroy us in whatever way he can. For many believers in Jesus today there is a blindness to this reality, and it is time we opened our eyes to the schemes of the devil. When we become aware of his attacks it helps us to see the powerful authority of Jesus, and our safety within Him.The attacks against us are not often the ones we want to claim. Flat tires, burnt tongues from hot coffee, and accidental auto-corrects are tough to blame Satan for, because in scripture we see him being much more cunning. Instead of just using frustrating inconveniences, he often uses distractions, half-truths, and manipulations through shame in order to bring us down. This is where our strength and ability is often weak, but our Lord who is with us is the strength in our weakness that we can boast in!Paul, coming to the end of his journey to Rome, could have easily been distracted by what were potentially attacks to discourage him. He was shipwrecked, snake bitten, and imprisoned. These struggles would take most of us out today! He also was seen as a god by people who worshipped many false gods. He could have easily bought into the lie for his own glory, as most people would. Instead we see Paul remain focused for the Glory of God. He did this because He understood the ever present truth that God had penned through him in Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”Join us for church this weekend at Mitchell Berean as we step into the last chapter of our study though Acts.-Pastor BenKey Verse - Acts 28:15 (NIV) - "The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49424175
"When life gives you lemons…”We all know the saying. It’s supposed to end with something like “make lemonade!”, but for many of us that is not the typical. We instead dwell in the sour and bitter taste of the struggle we are in. Why do we do this? Is it because we are too pessimistic and need an optimistic reboot?Maybe…but it is far more likely that we simply had the wrong focus before we got into the struggle. When storms of life rage against us, battering us with wave after wave of painful struggle we see the masks come off, and the truth about us revealed. Storms show our real character, our faith, and our priorities.This week as we study through Acts 27 we get to see Paul and Luke go through a literal storm that gives us great insight into the the typical reactions we have to struggle. We see fear, hopelessness, panic, and pride all rise quickly to the surface. We also see leadership, integrity, faith, and heavenly focus show up! In this contrasting reaction set we can find the right way for us and believers to walk through life’s storms.Join us for service at 8AM or 11AM to dive into God’s word together as a church family!See you Sunday!- Pastor BenKey Verse - Acts 27:25 (NIV) - "So keep up your courage, men, for I have faith in God that it will happen just as he told me."For Scripture, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49414347
There have been so many views of Jesus developed throughout the year, yet most of them fall far short or are completely false. That is why it is so important for us to know the words Jesus himself spoke to describe who He is! There is no need for a guessing game, arguments, or stretches of the imagination to know Him. He has made Himself known clearly.Jesus is the visible image of the invisible God (Col. 1:15). He is God in flesh, who has dwelt among us (John 1:1-14). He is the Lamb of God who has taken away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is the One through whom all things were made (John 1:3). Each of these statements of who Jesus is could be seem as claims from others about Him… So what does He Himself claim to be?John 14:6 tells us that Jesus claims to be “The Way, The Truth, and The Life”. This is a HUGE claim from Him, and if it is correct it changes EVERYTHING. Spoiler alert… It IS correct!Come and join us for one of our Easter worship services at MBC where we will look into who Jesus himself says He is!-Pastor BenKey Verse - John 14:6 (NIV) - "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49414344
We serve a RISEN Savior! And for this reason we celebrate with gladness and joy. Yet there was a time when there was deep mourning over Jesus. His disciples, who were with Him for 3 years hid in fear. The women who followed Him stood in shock. The world itself grew dark and shook with grief as the wrath of the Almighty God was poured out on His perfect Lamb.As we come together for Good Friday, we remember the atonement for sin that Jesus made on our behalf at the cross. This image of Jesus brings to mind many differing views of Him. We have looked over the last 2 weeks at who the World says He is, and who your circle says He is. No we zoom in even more to ask the same question Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do YOU say that I am?”We all have versions of Jesus that we create in our minds, yet each of them truly falls short to the reality of Him shown in His word. That is the Jesus we need to seek. That is the Jesus we must know.Come worship with us on Friday at 6pm at the MBC Worship Center as we remember what Christ has done, and celebrate His finished work on the cross for us!- Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49414342
When we use our own unguided rationale which is influenced by our sinful, human nature, we end up with conclusions that are unholy, self-promoting and unbiblical. So when the world tries to answer questions about Jesus on their own apart from the Word of God, the conclusion they reach is misaligned with who Jesus actually is and the real reason why he came.Last week’s zoomed-out view studied 4 erroneous beliefs we see the world has concluded about Jesus. We’ll zoom in a little further on Sunday to look at what our circle, the people living around us, may think about Jesus and how we can direct their thinking toward truth. Or maybe some of us have been deceived. Pray that we can come to understand the real Jesus as He really is.This weekend, we will allow God’s word to answer questions about Jesus such as: Was Jesus fueled by selfish motives? Does Jesus really care what pathway to God we’re on? Is it Jesus’ primary concern that I receive whatever makes me happy? And what do I need to do to ensure I stay on Jesus’ good side?Let’s point well to Jesus together! The real Jesus of the Bible.Key Verse - John 5:30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49414340
"Who is this man?” The disciples of Jesus, Jewish leaders, and crowds of people all asked this question. Jesus was mysterious even to those who were with Him, and yet billions of people have followed Him for the last 2000 years. Why? Why would so many follow someone that seems so confusing, controversial, and even crazy to some?!These same questions are being asked today all over the world, and throughout the month of April we as a church will be looking at the truth behind so many of the views of Jesus. We will start with the world’s views, then zoom in to the views of your circle of influence. Coming in closer we want to ask the question of who YOU say Jesus is. Then on Easter we will see who Jesus says He is.As we look through 4 different views of Jesus from around the world this weekend, I pray that you will consider where your heart has been, or is, on these ideas. Each one tends to present a compelling case, and some are believed by billions of people. But each one also is false.I am excited to dive into God’s word together in this series, and invite you to join us this weekend as we look at Jesus the Prophet, The Moral Teacher, The Enlightened Master, or even The Non-existent.See you Sunday!-Pastor BenKey Verse - John 7:34 (NIV) - "You will look for me, but you will not find me; and where I am, you cannot come.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49408639
In life we are taught to jump at the opportunities that come. “Opportunity only knocks once.” we are told. This can be a dangerous way to live, as not eery opportunity is the best thing for us, or even more specifically, in agreement with God’s will. There are opportunities, however, that we as believers are supposed to jump at. The opportunity to share the Gospel!In this week’s section of Acts we find Paul presented with three opportunities before eh rulers of the both Jews and Gentiles to give the truth of the Gospel, and he takes them! Rejecting his own opportunities to defend and escape for himself, he instead focuses on the purpose to which he had been called by Jesus.Paul wasn’t the only one who faces opportunity.. The people who hear the Gospel from him also have an opportunity. How do they respond? Well… not great…These same responses are seen to this day when Gospel opportunity comes up, and we as believers need to be ready to walk with people through them.Join us this weekend as we finish our look at Paul’s defense in Acts 24-26, and see how important it is for us to answer when the right opportunities knock.-Pastor BenKey Verse: Acts 26:29 (NIV) - Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49387603
All of us who have placed our faith in Jesus have a story in common. It’s a story that includes our life before Jesus, then what Jesus did to bring us to Himself, then an after-Jesus ending that is still being written and will be fulfilled in eternal life in Heaven. It’s an exciting story that shouldn’t be kept to ourselves. When we bury our story, how does God get the glory for the redemption He accomplished in our life and how does the world hear the message of hope so they can enter into new life?As we look at Acts 22-23 this weekend, we see Paul not shying away from telling the shameful things he did before Jesus but rather using these things to show his need for a Savior. He gives God credit for intervening and changing the course of his life. Jesus himself then ministers to Paul after his testimony and encourages him to “[t]ake courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome” Paul is just telling his God story and testifying about God, then he is entrusting the results and his future up to God - he is commended by Jesus Himself for doing this!We are so tempted to try to orchestrate everything going on around us rather than trusting God and walking in simple obedience to what he has called all believers to do. Can we take that next step of faith together as a church family and walk into what God has for us, even if it means we don’t know what that exactly looks like? We will be faithful to God’s call and will watch for what He does. We will trust Him and His plan for us and tell of all He has done in the meantime!Key Verse: Acts 23:11 - The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49387601
This has been a heavy week. I think of my good friend Colleen Howard and her recent passing, and I cannot help but be full of joy and conviction. Joy at the fact that we have a home prepared for us in Heaven by a Savior who was willing to stay committed, whatever the cost, to the mission He was on. Joy that Colleen knew Jesus well, walked with Him in life, and now knows Him in greater ways than I can understand.Conviction because of the example set by Colleen and many others who have lived lives committed to Christ and His Cause. I think of my own walk and desire a deeper commitment, connection, and purpose to drive me. The Apostle Paul was one of these people, and as we look at Acts 21 we can see his unwavering commitment to Christ, His Cause, His Church, and His Cross.The surpassing value of knowing Christ drove Paul to be willing to lose everything and take hold of the treasure of Jesus. This weekend, my prayer is that we as a church can take steps towards this same heart. Committing ourselves more fully to the One who has given all for our sake.Praise God for Jesus! Praise Him for His forgiveness and grace! Praise Him for His promises we can stand firmly on! Praise Him for the truth of the Gospel, and the hope we have! Let that be the cry of our hearts, echoing the “great cloud of witnesses” who have led by example with lives that truly proclaim “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Join us this weekend for one of our worship services at 8am or 11am.Cannot wait to connect with you MBC Family!-Pastor BenKey Verse - Acts 21:13 - Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49387596
My family just watched the movie, “The Princess Bride,” recently. (It was the first time Christina had seen it… can you believe that?) There is a scene in which Westley and Buttercup approach the Fire Swamp. Despite rumors of no one ever surviving the forest due to random bursts of flame, hidden quicksand and R.O.U.S.’s (look it up), Westley neared it confidently. His state of mind remains unfazed as each obstacle comes, and he cares for Buttercup through every trial, talking casually while the forest throws its best challenges to ensnare them.I imagine this mentality in Paul as he receives insight from the Holy Spirit that there is trouble awaiting him ahead. Why does he keep going when this is revealed to him? Because the larger gospel mission to which he has been called bears much more importance. He even states that he doesn’t even value his own life that much, saying, “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Do you see that Paul’s perception of his value in life that propels him forward comes from the purpose God gave him?Some of us are pursuing things that we think have value but will leave us empty. Is growing your business something that you think will increase your value? It won’t. Is getting yourself navigated into the right social circles what you value? Let me tell you, it isn’t worth much. There are so many other things that we are pursuing, but the only thing of worth is this: accomplishing the purpose for which God put you on earth. When we discover that God-given purpose, then we can walk through life’s flames and hidden quicksand with a confidence that is out of this world — because it truly is from out of this world.As Paul encourages the church leaders in this passage, he confidently states that his conscience is clear because he did not withhold teaching about anything; he had taught them the whole counsel of God and has no regrets about running his race well. Let’s live with purpose and on purpose, completing the task(s) to which God has individually called us so we can state with confidence that our conscience is clear before God. That is finishing the course well.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49387571
Have you ever experienced something powerful? Like the crashing waves of the ocean, or the wind of a building thunderstorm, when we come across something powerful it can cause many different reactions. In the same way, the power of God displayed through the life and work of Jesus and His followers causes many different reactions and responses from the surrounding world.In acts 19-20 Paul is used by God in Ephesus to display His power. Power to heal, unite, save, redeem, restore, and protect. All of this display is not simply a flex, but God working to bring the truth of the gospel to unreached people all across the known world.This same power is still at work today in and through His body, the Church. We must grow in our trust, humility, reverence, and fear of God as we walk with Jesus.Join us this weekend as we grow together through the study of God’s word, and the impact of the Gospel!-Pastor BenKey Verse: Acts 19:20 (NIV) - "In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49387567
I cannot think of a day that has gone by where I myself, or someone around me has not mentioned the idea of giving up on something. Not because we’re all quitters, but because it is a constant temptation we all face as people! The easy thing would be to walk away when things get difficult or uncomfortable. On the other hand though… what do we miss out on if we give up? What else does God have planned for us if we persevere?It is time for us as a church to find out the answer to those questions! To persevere in our personal and cooperate walks with Jesus, willing to face trials, persecution, struggle, or anything else because of the great reward that we have in Him! As we study Acts 18, I pray you will see the purpose of walking in trust of God, as He often calls us into situations that are not the easiest. Situations that require us to stick with it even in the face of adversity. Galatians 6:9 is the call on us: ”Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”Join us this Sunday for a worship service, and let’s learn to persevere together!-Pastor BenKey Verse - Acts 18:10 (NIV) - "For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49381779
Reactions control us. Whether we are the one reacting, or someone else, the thought of a bad reaction will keeps us from saying, doing, or experiencing so much in life. There may be good reason for some things to not happen, but when it comes to sharing our faith we need to be able to overcome fear of reactions and take action steps for the sake of the lost.Paul in Acts 17 continues his missionary journey, boldly proclaiming the truth about Jesus even in the midst of some interesting responses from mobs, religious groups, and political establishments. As Paul focused on the mission, God brought the fruit. People from every place responded to the Gospel and joined the growing movement of Jesus followers.We as believers today have much we owe to the movement happening in this chapter of Acts, as the boldness of Paul fueled the spread of the Gospel in Europe, eventually bringing the truth to us. The work is not finished, and we have been invited in to continue the movement of Gospel expansion today. Our reaction to this invite matters.Join us this weekend for one of our worship services as we work together to grow in boldness with the Gospel!-Pastor BenKey Verse - Acts 17:22 - "Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49381777
All of us have likely experienced a locked door. It can be humorous, frustrating, comforting, and confusing depending on the circumstances. Spiritually there are times where we find what seem to be closed doors. Moments and opportunities we hoped would come, but God seems to have other plans about. When these closed door moments happen, what is your typical response? Obedience and patience? Frustration and confusion? Whatever it is, my prayer is that we as believers can learn to trust God in His good pleasing and perfect plans.Paul and his ministry team faced a solidly closed door in Acts 16, where they tried to enter Asia for ministry, but God needed them to go to Europe. I am sure there was frustration and confusion for Paul, but because of his trust of God it was made clear pretty quickly that God wanted to move in another direction. This direction was full of open doors for ministry that sparked movement and encouragement into the church even to our current time.When God says no, listen. When God says go, listen. When we listen it is AMAZING what He will do.Join us this weekend for one of our worship services as we look deeper into the journey of the Gospel through Acts, and how we continue that journey today.-Pastor BenKey Verse: Acts 16:31 (NIV) - 'They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”'For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49379530
One of the most difficult things for people to understand is when they or someone close to them receives something for free. Especially something that they clearly do not deserve. It makes us uncomfortable, confused, and even ashamed at times because of the reality we know, that we could never earn or deserve what we’ve received.In the early church there was a great struggle that arose because of this very situation. The Gentiles had received salvation, but they hadn’t gone through the same grueling process that the Jewish believers had. Some from among the Jewish believers were having a very hard time accepting that salvation could be as easy as Jesus said, and they began to teach something called legalism.Legalism is an idea that there needs to be something else I do in order to help pay for my sins. Something I need to add in order to make it real or official. Jesus did not pay only part of the bill… He paid it all, in full! And not just for your table, but for the whole restaurant! There is no need to add legalistic requirements to salvations, because every legal requirement was met in Jesus’ death. Every victory was won at His resurrection. Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life.Join us this Sunday at 8am or 11am as we dive into Acts 15 together and see how the church, and we, should respond to legalism.-Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49377353
Life can be a roller coaster. If we have no plan or objective in our life, then we have no choice but to follow our feelings and impulses to make ourselves more comfortable and surface-level happy. But when we embrace the mission that God has given to us, He supernaturally gives us a steadfastness to remain focused on the things of eternal importance.In Acts 14, the highest of highs are experienced through miracles of God while at the same time the lowest of lows are seen in undermining and even murder. Through it all, the apostles stay focused on the mission and return home from their first missionary journey with testimony of all that God had done in the region.Are we reacting inconsistently to the circumstances around us or are we focused on the mission God has for us? Let’s stay on mission individually and together and watch what God does as we point to him!For Scripture, notes, upcoming event, & more:http://bible.com/events/49369505
When you’re sent to do something you feel unqualified for it can be overwhelming, frustrating, or straight-up terrifying. No one likes to go into something sure of their inevitable failure! In the Bible we can see that Jesus has called us as followers of Him to make and multiply disciples. To go into the world as witnesses of His Gospel. To represent the values of His Kingdom as ambassadors of reconciliation. We don’t always feel qualified for this, but that is why God has gifted His Church with the tools needed to equip you for the work He calls you to!In Acts 13 we see Saul and Barnabas sent out on the mission they had been called to. It wasn’t going to be easy, but they were obedient and went, having been equipped by the church, called by God, and filled with the Holy Spirit. As a church we have the wonderful privilege of sending out into the mission field some who we have had a role in equipping this weekend. We send them out on the same mission we are on as a church, and excitedly watch to join into the celebration of fruit, and encourage them along the way.Come be a part with us this Sunday at 8am or 11am as we study the word, and commission Luke and Sara Worden as missionaries sent from MBC!- Pastor BenKey Passage - Acts 13:1-13For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49367386
The life of a disciple of Jesus is not “like” a war, it is a war. We will be tested and tried and will either end victorious or as a casualty. The stakes are high each and every day, but Satan and the flesh have a way to make our life not seem quite so urgent and not quite so important. Come join us as we look at Acts 12 and how our current war will test us with persecution, people pleasing, and attack our purpose. It is bitter sweet to be preaching my last sermon while on staff at MBC, but praise God for the great things He is accomplishing at Mitchell Berean. See you this weekend!- Pastor Luke“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49367376
In our Christmas series leading up to this week we heard about the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. This week we'll discuss the reliability of those Scriptures and the benefits of studying the Bible. We invite you to join us in 2025 to complete a reading plan that will take us through the whole Bible in one year. Key Passage: Colossians 3:16 - “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49357696
Christmas is one of our favorite times of year! We celebrate the coming Messiah, enjoy(mostly) time with our families, and give gifts to one another that represent joy and love. It truly is a wonderful time! The first Christmas, however, was not so wonderful for everyone. There were many different reactions to the birth of Jesus, and while some were positive, many were very against Him. Apathy, fear, anger, and scheming on one side met by rejoicing, praising, seeking, and sharing on the other. What has been your response to Jesus? Do you find yourself reflected in one of those responses?Jesus was not just promised to come in Bethlehem, but also promised to come again. We have time now to consider our response to who He is, what He has taught, and what He has done, but that time grows shorter every second leading to His return. The gift of life through Him is free. The choice to accept it or not is yours. What is your response?Join us at 2pm or 4pm on Christmas Eve as we celebrate Jesus’ birth, and look ahead to His return! -Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49357690
When we think about Christmas our tendency is to find glory in the story, and miss the true glory of the Savior! The prophecies spoken about Jesus’ birth in the Old Testament often come with dual meaning. Sometimes there is an imagery angle in an Old Testament character like Moses, Joshua, or David, but also point clearly to Jesus. Other times there is a prophecy that is fulfilled not just by one moment in Jesus’ life, but by several moments and characteristics seen in the Savior.This week as we look into the prophecies declared fulfilled in Matthew 2:19-23 my hope is that we as a church can direct the glory in our hearts back towards the one who truly deserves it. The despised and rejected one. The new shoot rising up from the death and decay of Jesse’s lineage. The hope for the hopeless. Jesus the Nazarene! Join us this Sunday at 8am or 11am for one of our worship services!- Pastor BenMain Passage: Matthew 2:19-23For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49357687
Elohim, El Shaddai, El Elyon, God of Isra-El became Immanu-El by coming to earth over 2000 years ago. Prophesied some 700 years earlier, God through the prophet Isaiah predicted the Messiah’s birth, that God would be with us. Matthew 1 quotes Isaiah’s foretelling in verse 23: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name ‘Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”We as God’s people realize that God’s presence is among us now because of the redemptive work Jesus accomplished on the cross. We are grateful that we do not serve a distant god, but a God who is with us and intimately acquainted with all our ways.Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49357682
As we celebrate this Christmas season, we are diving into a series called “As Promised.” Last we discussed the promise of a conquering King, but this week we will look at the Kings heart. How does God view disaster, loss, pain, and suffering? When things seem to be promising, yet take a turn for the worst, do we have a King who cares?Key Scripture - Hosea 13:14 - “I shall ransom them from the power of Sheol; I shall redeem them from Death. O Death, where are your plagues? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion is hidden from my eyes.” For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49354326
Every Christmas we get reminded about “the reason for the season.” Simply put, we celebrate Christmas because of Christ! However, the more you look at “the reason” the more miraculous it becomes. Did you know Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies? Many of these prophecies began taking place during the time of His birth. Prophecy is more than a foretold event. Rather prophecy is a revelation of God’s heart and will.Prophecy is more than simply evidence that Jesus is the Messiah, but in addition, prophecy reveals to us who the Messiah is and who we are. This is why we are so excited for our next series “As Promised.” We are going to discover more about the nature of Jesus, the nature of man, our purpose, and how we can practically live out “the reason for the season.”Come join us this week as we discover the fulfilled promise of an awaited king born in a little town called Bethlehem.Key Scripture - Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. Isaiah 9:7 ESVFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49329810
It can be difficult for us to trust God when He works in mysterious ways. The Jewish believers of the early church felt this and struggled heavily with the ways God chose to move among the Gentiles. As they worked on understanding and accepting the direction God was leading in Acts 11 He just kept moving forward! There is truth to understand that nothing will be able to hinder God’s plan from being accomplished in His timing, and for His glory! His word and character help us to trust in the midst of confusing movement, but, like the Jewish believers we see throughout the New Testament, we don’t always take the help they offer…If you’ve ever found yourself in a place where God was doing something, but you were not aware, ready, or comfortable with how He was doing it you will find good company in the beginning of Acts 11. The call to us as believers is to still find ways to trust and praise God as He moves, because when we do we witness Him going far beyond what we could ask or imagine. The book of Acts started with Jewish Followers of Jesus, but at this transition point we see the explosion of the faith in the Gentile world. It was among the Gentiles even that the term Christian was first used to describe the followers of Jesus. God truly works in mysterious ways, but we can always trust that His plan is "good, pleasing, and perfect.”(Rom 12:2)Join us this weekend for our Celebration Sunday happening at the Weborg 21 center in Gering! One service at 11am followed by our annual Chili, Soup, Cinnamon Roll, and BBQ Meat Competition! God has given us much to celebrate, so come have a great time with us praising Him! -Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49329809
Have you ever come to a moment in your life where the plans, ideas, and hopes you had moving forward all shifted into something unexpected? The early church in Acts came to many moments like this, but none ended with more impact than the salvation of the house of Cornelius. These gentiles were the opening of the tap that led to a flood still raging to this day. As a church we have to ask the question of our own community; “Who is truly unreachable with the Gospel?”. The answer is simple, but the implications change everything!Join us this weekend for a dive into the word, worship, prayer, and focus on the call we have as the Body of Christ!-Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49329808
This weekend we look at the conversion of Saul, who later calls himself the “foremost of sinners.” The last we heard of him, he had aided and agreed with Stephen’s stoning. What an enemy of the church! But not for long. God had a masterful plan for Saul’s life to bring him into the light, both literally and spiritually. Let’s celebrate the miracle together that God redeems even the worst of sinners and commit to carry that message to everyone we encounter!Key Scripture - Acts 9:22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49329807
Whose kingdom are you building? Difficult times, especially unexpected times, tend to reveal our motives and purpose. Is our life fully devoted for the purposes of Christ? Or are we set on pleasing ourselves?Sometimes this can be tricky to discern. We are good at deceiving ourselves. Thankfully, God allows challenges, the unexpected, and failures to help expose our hearts so that we are aware of whose kingdom we are really building.Come fellowship with us as we study Acts chapter 8 and how intense persecution and the unexpected revealed the mission of the church. Key verse - Acts 8:4 “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49329805
For centuries the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, walked in ways that were not with God. They had a good image going for being very spiritually rich, and full of devotion to God, but it was surface level at best and down right corrupt at its worst. This week as we look into Acts 7, Stephen gives a sermonette to the religious Jews who were accusing him falsely, about this very reality. They had lost their way. They had forgotten their founding faith, worshipped wrongfully the idols of the surrounding cultures and self, and rejected the redeemers God had sent them again and again to draw them back to Himself.We as Christians today aren’t often much better… We walk in surface level religion instead of true faith. We worship whatever promises to fulfill us, abandoning whatever may get in our way. We often live lives that believe we can take care of ourselves instead of trusting in the Redeemer. This is a culture for the glory of me rather than the glory of God! We as believers should be living lives of faith, worship, and trust that point the watching world directly to the Savior, Jesus.Join us this weekend as we continue our series in the book of Acts!-Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49323817
Have you ever been in a situation where there was a good thing you jumped at doing, only to find out later that a greater opportunity was missed? Sometimes this happens in our lives, and we have to walk with wisdom and discernment to not abandon the great for the good. It’s HARD though! We love to do what is good! It feels good, looks good, sounds good… Nobody will question us for doing good!The reality the early church faced in Acts 6 was one where doing what was good could cause them to abandon the greater calling. No one would have questioned them. Nobody would have felt anything but cared for. Wisdom comes in and we get to se an incredible moment of leadership willing to risk everything for the greater calling upon them, and us as The Church.Join us this weekend to take a deeper dive into the Word and see how sometimes the “good” thing isn’t the right thing.-Pastor BenPassage - Acts 6:1-15For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49323813
Proverbs 9:10 tells us, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.” The first thing we see in Acts 5 the result of a lack a reverent fear of the Lord, and God’s immediate judgment on this requires the life of two offenders. The result is a wide-sweeping reverential fear across the whole of God’s people. In contrast to the irreverent behavior of these two at the beginning, we see the boldness of the Apostles as they share the gospel confidently in the midst of opposition. It is here we see their fear of the Lord played out as they all say, “We must obey God rather than man.”God sees our hearts and knows if we are completely sold out to him or if we are holding back a portion for ourselves. God also calls us to fear and obey him no matter what the earthy consequence may be. This purity before God and confidence in Him led to continued growth of the early church, both numerically and spiritually.Acts 5:29 - But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49323811
Feeling exhausted? At the end of your rope? Having a hard time believing God can provide a breakthrough? These are common challenges that face every follower of Jesus. We need more than good intentions, some Bible knowledge, and a weekly gathering to live a victorious Christian life. We are in a war and we need power!The early church lived in the power of the Gospel, but how? It was not through complexity. It was not through big conferences with keynote speakers, great food, and awesome music. It was through suffering, serving on the front lines, and a deep, intimate, and life-altering encounter with a Person, Jesus Christ. How was the early church able to endure so much with such great effectiveness?Acts chapter 4 provides great encouragement on how we can find hope, boldness, and the power to have victory in the spiritual war that we face. Key Scripture - Acts 4:19-20: But Peter and John answered them, “whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49323810
Signs of the Holy Spirit’s arrival continue to be seen as we take a look into Acts 3. In this chapter, we see a man who had been lame from birth called to stand up and walk, and he does! But this isn’t the only miracle in Acts 3. Have a look at Peter’s boldness! This is the same man who denied Jesus three times on the night of His betrayal, and now he is drawing others’ attention to their denial of Jesus and need for repentance and belief in Him for eternal life!For us to be on mission as a church, we need to be looking to help with the physical needs of others and remembering their greater need of a Savior in Jesus. Let’s learn from Peter’s example of being bold in the Spirit and clearly articulating the gospel to those in spiritual need.Acts 3:6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49316665
When my wife and I got married and formed the initial framework of a new family we began to identify values that focused us. Shifting from the life of a single adult to a married couple means new values towards new purposes.Once we started having kids and the family was growing those values became all the more important for us to hold to and keep focused on! In the early church we see values come in quickly that identified them as followers of Jesus, united them as one body, and launched them forward towards the mission.The Church today is called to be driven by the same values towards the same mission, but are we? Join us this weekend to dive into the next part of our series through the book of Acts, “A New Tribe”.-Pastor BenMain passage: Acts 2:42-47For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49315845
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus promised to build His church, His "ekklesia," a term meaning a "called out group" or "movement" rather than a mere physical building or a social club. This "ekklesia" refers to a community dedicated to a divine cause. Jesus' intent was to establish a movement with a mission to glorify God by reaching every nation.This purpose is highlighted in Acts 2:1-41, where the diverse language groups gathered in Jerusalem witnesses the birth of a new community—the Church. This new movement, birthed at Pentecost, signifies a shift in God's plan for humanity. Instead of a single nation, God now seeks worshipers from every tribe and tongue, uniting them in Christ through the Holy Spirit. Rev. 5:9-10The Church, therefore, is not just a building or social organization but a global, transformative body empowered by and indwelt with the Spirit and committed to spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.This mission is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus, who promised that belief in Him leads to eternal life. The Church's role is to boldly declare this message and live out its divine mission and empowered by the Holy Spirit, to make disciples who will make disciples and change the world.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49314995
Have you ever been in a new place and felt lost? We can study maps and pictures, but the real thing is often different than what we can visualize through graphics. Or perhaps you have helped start a new group, organization, or club. Whenever a new group forms there is excitement and often times some confusion. What should we do? How should we do it?In Acts chapter 1 we see A New Tribe forming. The mission and even locations that the New Tribe is given are given are new. They have never done this before. Yet they have peace and direction because of the Word of Christ. He did not leave the New Tribe directionless to figure things out on their own. Rather He gave them the Truth needed to be established in God’s love and purpose.Come join us this Sunday as we study how the “New Tribe” navigated their new beginnings.Key Verse - Acts 1:2 "until the day when He was taken up, after He had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom He had chosen."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49299630
People are meant for relationships. We see this as people are drawn to various kinds of communities. Community can provide a sense of identity, belonging, and simply being involved with something that is bigger than yourself. This can come by way of sports teams, a job, a hobby, community support groups, home school groups, AMWAY groups, etc.Yet there is something that separates Christian community, or at least should. Christians are not connected based on ethnicity, economic status, political bend, shared interests, a set of morals, or even a common goal. Christians are connected based upon a Person, Jesus Christ. Jesus gives us His Spirit that connects us at a deeper level than anything else on this planet can.Our fall series will take us through the first 11 chapters of Acts as we look at how “A New Tribe” was birthed. How God developed a unique community by the Person of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit, and the truth of God’s Word. Come join us this Sunday at 8 am as we look at an overview of the Book Acts chapters 1-11.- Pastor Luke WordenKey Verse: Acts 9:31 "So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied." (ESV: Fall Campaign Memory Verse)For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49299629
Have you ever been on a mission? Maybe you've served in the military and have been sent on missions full of intense complexity. Maybe your mission has looked more like having to find the correct brand of almond milk from the grocery store. Either way, mission demands a certain mindset. A laser focus on what you set out to accomplish, and a passionate loyalty to see it through to the end.This attitude of mission is exactly what we as believers in Jesus are called to carry every day. The intensity is high because the stakes couldn't be higher. People every day are dying, separated from the One who can bring them hope and life. As the Church we are called to carry the powerful message of the Gospel, to make disciples, and to lovingly care for each other as we push one another on to see the mission accomplished. I will be honest with you... It's not an easy thing... But you were made for it! Join us this weekend to finish up our "Seeing Clearly" series with a deep look into the mission before us.- Pastor BenMain Passage: Matthew 28:18-20For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49299627
Have you ever heard the statement that Jesus talked about money more than any other topic in the Bible? This is commonly stated, but is not exactly true. Jesus did talk about money a lot, but He usually was not really talking about money. He was usually using money as a topic to take a look at a deeper heart issue.We all know that money can have a way of dominating our life. The stress of not being able to pay bills, buy the things we want, afford a lifestyle that is comfortable, or the constant desire to buy something new. We live in a country with a debt crisis at the national level and on the personal level. So what does God say about money?Come join us this weekend as we study how our outlook on finances can have a major impact on our relationship with Christ.Key Verse - 2 Corinthians 8:9 (ESV) - For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49299624
God is the designer of pure, intimate relationship. The character of the Triune Godhead reflects it, His closeness to Adam signifies it, the design of Eve reinforces it, and Jesus’ love for His bride, the Church, proves it. If close relationship is God’s character and design, let’s look at what He has to say about it!Key Verse - 'However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.'Ephesians 5:33 (ESV) For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49296461
"Mental health is a growing topic of discussion not only in our community and country, but around the world. Youth suicide rates are increasing, diagnoses of mental illness is increasing, and hopelessness is increasing. What is going on in our world? Is it a physical problem? Is it a spiritual problem? Is it both?This week we will be diving into a biblical view of mental health. We will briefly break down some of the physical components of mental health, and then take a dive into the spiritual foundation of having a healthy mind. I have gone down this road myself in my own battle with anxiety and depression. Through reading the book of Habakuk and great pastoral counseling I found peace in the Fear of the Lord, Faith, and Rejoicing in the trial. Come join us this week for a time of teaching, fellowship, and worship!" -Pastor LukeKey Passage - Habakuk 3:17-19: Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail, and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. (ESV)For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49290704
What is important in life is not knowing when Jesus is coming, but how you live in light of his coming!Scripture: Matthew 25:1-13For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49277039
We all know what it’s like to prepare for something. Whether that was a sporting event, a project for work, marriage, or becoming a parent. How did you know you were ready? Or were you ready? Or maybe you were ill prepared?Being “ready” is an interesting thing, because no matter how much we prepare we may still “feel” unprepared. Yet Jesus says we must “be ready” for His return. Come join us as we explore what Christ intends as He calls us to “be ready.” Key Verse - “But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”Matthew 24:43-44For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49277037
We have been graciously overpaid to enter the field and work for God! As much work as we think we have done or could do to earn what God has given to us, our labor will never measure up to what He has graciously promised to us.This changes our motivation to be about His work. We do not serve God to earn a wage, because the wage we earn for our sin is death. But we serve Him with thanksgiving for what He has already unfairly (praise God!) paid out: His shed blood and a promise of eternal life.Matthew 20:14 - Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49277036
Have you ever been in a conversation and realized the other person was hearing you but not listening? Or maybe you had been hearing someone speak and then realized you couldn’t remember anything that they said?Welcome to human nature! It is our natural instinct to be bad listeners. In fact, while finishing my Masters degree I found an incredibly interesting study that detailed how almost all pastors said they were good listeners. Yet when their congregation was interviewed most pastors were discovered to be very poor listeners. They were quick to interrupt and quick to assume they had the right answers before carefully listening. Jesus did not need a psychological study to know this about human nature. In the parable of the sower we find that our bad listening skills often translate to Gods Word. This leads to deadly spiritual behavior.Come join us as we study the famous “parable of the sower.” May God give us ears to hear!- Pastor Luke WordenKey Scripture - Matthew 13:14-16 “Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: “‘“You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.” For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49277035
It seems like every time we turn the news on, we see some sort of battle or protest in regard to Israel. What is the conflict all about and more importantly, what does Gods word say about it? This Sunday we will dive into a brief summary of the conflict and a more in-depth look at what Gods word says about the Land and the people of “The Land.”Genesis 12:3 - “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.””For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49277034
This week Jud Martin will be continuing our series on the parables of Jesus. Jesus gives us insight into your prayer life by teaching us about a persistent widow and a harsh judge.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49273823
One of the most important things to us in our culture is that people understand how much we have done to deserve where we are at. We have a consistent talk of self-promotion that declares us fully justified in our action, or lack there of. This has led us to a very similar place as the people of Jesus’ time. They believed that through the Law they were able to fully justify themselves. Jesus consistently taught that the Law itself pointed out our need for a savior, not that if we are good enough we can be our own savior.As we look through the parable of the Good Samaritan we can see how Jesus turned the dime on the self-justified culture, and called them(and us) to realize our brokenness and inability to justify ourselves. To turn to the only on why can justify us. Join us this weekend to dive into this powerful section of scripture together!Key Scripture - Luke 10:25-37For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49263502
We invite you to come to Mitchell Berean Church on June 9th for the VBS Celebration! There will be one service at 11AM!For Scripture, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49263500
Have you ever lost something valuable? What lengths did you go to find it, restore it, or even replace it? Many of us most likely have quite extensive stories involving recovering lost items.There came a time when Jesus addressed the difference between what people value and what God values. Even the spiritual people of the day were valuing the wrong things, but the tragedy was they could not see it.Come join us this Sunday as we look into what does God value most, what is He willing to do to obtain that, and do our values match up with His? Key Verse - Luke 15:4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49263497
Isaiah 53:6 says “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” The free gift he offers is eternal life through acknowledging our sin and turning in faith to Jesus. Every true believer has this story, so we can all relate to the prodigal in Jesus’ parable.Having received God’s grace, how welcoming are we to those in whom the Spirit is working to draw to Jesus? Do we frown in disgust or do we welcome the penitent sinner with open arms? We are called to have the mind and heart of Christ. Let’s learn from God’s heart and let Him live through us as a local church!Key Verse: Luke 15:32 “It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, and more:http://bible.com/events/49257443
I love watching movies and shows about looking for treasure. The “inner-pirate” in me loves the adventure, passion, and pursuit. People will give everything they have chasing after gold that may or may not exist, but I want you to image that you have found a treasure you weren’t expecting. Something far greater than gold. Something so valuable it causes everything else in life to pale in comparison.What would you give to gain that treasure? Our values can often be found in our bank statements, because we spend on what we care about. Our culture thrives on having what we want, taking what we want, or longing for what we want. This is not the way of a Christ follower! We are to live differently because we are citizens of a Kingdom that is more valuable than anything this world has to offer. Join us this weekend to dive into Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of God, and how we are to live as citizens of it in this world.Key passages: Matthew 13:44-46, 1 John 2:15-17For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49256664
Come join us this weekend as we celebrate mother day and kickoff our series in the parables of Jesus. The “kingdom of God” is one of the most used phrase by Jesus and the Apostles when referencing sharing the good news about Jesus. So what is the kingdom of God? How do we enter it? And most importantly, what kingdom are you a citizen of? Matthew 22:1-2: “And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: “The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son,”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49252791
This week we will celebrate our youth with baptisms and the graduating class! In addition to this we will look into the Scripture to find clarity on Gods design for church leadership. We will also bring clarity to the next steps for MBCs pastoral team and future hiring. Please join us for a time of celebration and direction! Key Verse: Acts 14:21-23“When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they had believed.”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210949
As we wrap up our study in 1 Peter, we learn that Satan is cunning. We as believers are not called to be fearful of Satan, though. We are called, however, to be resistant to him and aware. Aware of his strategies. Aware of his hatred for us. And all the while also aware that we are not alone in the fight. We have a community of believers around the world that we experience a closeness through our similar new-nature. So let’s fight together. Let’s encourage one another. Let’s be victors over sin and Satan by the power of the Holy Spirit!Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210947
Have you ever been around sheep? What an interesting animal for God to use as a description of us! They are not the strongest, fastest, smartest… in fact they don’t really have much to offer at all! God doesn’t use this term to be as descriptive of us as it is used to be descriptive of Him. He is the Good Shepherd. We are His flock. He cares, guides, corrects, directs, provides, and protects us.How does He do those things today? Through “under-shepherds”. God works within the local church to raise up Elders who are called to shepherd the flock for Him. Being sheep themselves, this calling is massive and heavy.Join us this weekend to see more of what God’s word calls Elders to, and also the call of those who are not Elders as we are all HIS sheep!Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:6 - ”Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.“For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210946
How was post-salvation living portrayed to you? Did you get the impression that everything was going to be comfortable and God was going to erase all your problems away once you got saved? Did you think that the ease of life would then make you happy?This self-serving view of salvation is not what Scripture speaks about. The reality is that we are actually blessed when we suffer FOR and WITH Christ. Hardships do not end when we place our faith in Jesus, but they are allowed into our lives order to refine us. Trials increase our trust in God and our hope of a perfect future in Heaven with Jesus. God’s Word tells us we can know that there is purpose and reward when we faithfully walk through the hard things of life by the power and example of Jesus.Key Verse: 1 Peter 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210943
The Christian life is a battle and we are called to arm ourselves for it. In order to serve in the army of Christ we must have new values, new behavior, and a new mission. This only comes from a new heart. And nothing exposes our heart and values like suffering. We find out who we truly serve. Many times we find out our hearts aren’t as pure as we thought. So what does God call us to? To Arm ourselves with Christ and to Repent.Come join us this weekend as we dive into how we can be empowered by Christ to new values, new behavior and a new mission! We will also be celebrating multiple baptisms this Sunday! “Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”1 Peter 4:1-2 For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210942
The prestige is the moment in a magic trick when the tension is lifted and the “magic” happens! As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday we remember the intensity of the cross, the tension of the tomb, and the excitement of the stone being rolled away. There wasn’t anything magical or sleight of hand about Jesus’ death and resurrection, but instead it was miraculous, and still is to this day.Join us to understand what happens as God uncovers the truth found in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus through His word. Invite a friend or family member who needs to hear the Gospel, and pray with us for God to draw them in by His Spirit to new life in Jesus!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210940
On the cross Jesus cried out “My God, My God, why have you forsaken you Me?” Why did Jesus say this? What was happening while He was on the cross?The answers to these questions have the power to transform us from the inside out. But first, we must come to a realization of the Dilemma we are in, the Payment that was made, and the Response that is required.Come join us for Good Friday as we search out what occurred over 2000 years ago on the cross at Calvary.Key verse - Matthew 27:46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210937
We’ll be taking a break from 1 Peter as Pastor Ken, Pastor Luke and Pastor Ben lead us through Palm Sunday, Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday services. Even Justin will jump in to teach the Sunrise Service at 6 AM on Easter.This Holy Week mini-series is titled “The Pledge, The Turn, The Prestige.” Some of you may know that these are the three parts of a magic trick. “The Pledge” is the part of a trick when an object is shown to the audience to be ordinary. The presenter then causes the object to disappear in the next part of the trick called “The Turn.” The audience is left wondering in bewilderment and confusion what has happened and where the location of the object is. During the final step, “The Prestige,” the object is then presented again through a seemingly impossible action, and sometimes the object is better than it was before.This first weekend of the series, Palm Sunday, we will be looking at the Triumphal Entry of Jesus, God’s selected Lamb for the passover sacrifice, and the peoples’ acceptance of Him as a savior from their political oppression. Had the people known God’s Word, they would have known that “The Turn,” Jesus’ death, was coming, and He would be hidden away in a tomb for a time. They also would have known that Jesus would then return in an astounding “Prestige” by raising from the dead.Our real need isn’t a situational savior who delivers us from hardships here on earth but rather a Savior who can redeem us from our sin into eternal life and restored relationship with God Himself! The Pharisees rejected God’s selection for the Sacrificial Lamb. Will we accept or reject God’s selection: Jesus?For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210936
As believers we are called to live with a “clean conscience.” Where does a clean conscience come from? Does it come from being right, smart, or confident? 1 Peter instructs us that our clean conscience comes from Christ Himself as we honor Him first in our heart.However, there are many attacks from sin, the world, people, and even our own thoughts that want to drive us to live with a guilty, angry, and clouded conscience. Without a clean conscience we warned in Scripture that we are headed for “shipwreck in the faith.” Come join us this week to find how we can honor Christ in our hearts and trust the One with all authority and power!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210935
The word “submit” tends to leave a bad taste in your mouth… but why? As we dive into this week’s passage in 1 Peter we have the opportunity to rethink the attitude of submission in 4 areas.Submission to government/authority, submission to the body of Christ, marital submission, and submission to God. Peter lovingly calls believers to submission with one major purpose in mind: their witness to the lost around them.Take some time to read through 1 Peter 2:13-3:7 and join us for a service this weekend to understand God’s word together!For Scripture, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210933Key Verse: 1 Peter 2:21
God can breathe life into anything. He breathed into dust and created humankind. He is still working today to make stones come alive to build a holy temple of believers who care for each other as they align themselves with the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Himself. And we want to see others come to life through the power of the gospel, and we strive to build them up so they can align their lives with the Savior, too.Our motivation behind all of these things is a recognition of God’s goodness to us, a love for one another and a knowledge that the day of Christ’s return is soon.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210932
Hope is an interesting thing…We use the word lightly, but in reality hope is to be one of the strongest elements of the Christian life. Scripture calls us to hope in Jesus, His promises, His sacrificial death, His return, and His kingdom. When we begin to do this we find spiritual fruit produced in us that engages us in holiness, obedience, love, and unity. This fruit is only produced in believers, and should truly set us apart from the world.The question is: Are we bearing this fruit?Key passage:1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) - Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49210931
In a world of uncertainty we have certainty in Christ. Jesus promises us a living hope that isn’t based upon our circumstances, but based on His finished work. So many of our trials and heartaches come from losing hope. Losing hope with a marriage, family, or the battle against sin. How can we live through the living hope promised in Christ? Come join us this Sunday as we explore God’s Word!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49206103
This week we will jump into a journey of 1 Peter and a church that was persecuted and scattered. Their Identity from a worldly perspective had been destroyed. Through the Holy a Spirit, Peter penned 1 Peter 1:1-2 to bring the church back to their identity in Christ.Join us the weekend to be strengthened in by the Identity found in the Gospel.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49198959
Change is one of the most difficult things we face in our lives. Especially when we don’t have a solid foundation to stand on. John chapter 1 gives us a great example of what to do when we face the unexpected, unknown, and risky elements of change, and also helps us discover an important opportunity for every believer.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49198958
Being a disciple is difficult. In fact Jesus says it requires our life. During the journey of following Jesus there are trials, sufferings, disappointments, and various hardships. In 2 Timothy 4:1-8 we find the spiritual foundation for being a life long disciple as Paul encourages his disciple Timothy with some final words before his martyrdom. Come find out how the Word of God equips us to be a disciple who endures.“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”2 Timothy 4:8 For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49186380
This weekend we continue in our series called Equipping the Church. In this series we are focused on the Biblical purposes for the church. Why did Jesus start the church and what does he want us to accomplish? When the church forms, in the book of Acts, one thing that happens quickly is a community is formed. These new believers in Jesus start to spend time together and build relationships. This is called The Gathering and there is a strategy and a purpose to it.In Acts 2:41 there are about 3000 adults who respond to Peter's message regarding Jesus. The following verse tells us what they began to do together. They devoted themselves to four things that make up Biblical Fellowship among believers. The Apostles teaching, Fellowship, Eating together, and prayer. Join us this weekend as we focus on the essential component of Fellowship to our church family.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49186378
This weekend we continue in our series called "Equipping The Church". Our focus is on the vision Jesus has for the church. What are we supposed to be doing? Our purpose is to accomplish what Jesus has called us to. We learned last week that we are called to reach the lost through sharing the gospel.This week we learn that we are to create an environment of WORSHIP. Jesus, when asked what the greatest commandment was, answered, love God and love People. The summary of the law then is our attitude toward God and People. This is the heart of worship. Worshiping God draws us into loving Him and the people he created. God calls us to a life of Love and that love results in worship.Join us this weekend as we focus on the Love that God calls us to in this life as we follow Him.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49186358
This Sunday we begin a series called Equipping the Church. We desire our church to be effective in the areas Jesus created us to produce fruit in. The key areas we should be effective in are important because they come from scripture and are what we should be focusing on as a church. Jesus is the head of the church and so we don't dictate what we should be doing but He does. What does Jesus want us to be focused on? How does He measure our effectiveness? Let's look to scripture and the teachings of Jesus to find out. Join us this weekend as we start a new series called "Equipping The Church".Let's make sure we are focused on what Jesus wants us to be doing so that when we stand before him we will hear, "Well done my good and faithful servant"!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49176671
This Sunday is Christmas Eve and the last weekend in our series called "Through Their Eyes". In this service we focus on the Christmas story through the eyes of Mary the mother of Jesus. God sent the angel Gabriel to bring a message to Mary, an invitation to become a part of God's story of redemption, forgiveness, hope and love. Mary had a choice to make, her response would determine her place in God's plan for the world. She could have had no idea all that her response would involve and how it would affect her life. But her response changed her life and altered the course of human history. Mary said Yes to God's plan for her life.Join us for a Christmas Eve service at 11am, 2pm, or 4pm this Sunday. Find your place in God's story as He invites you and I to be a part of his plan too! I pray you will say YES!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49176667
This weekend we continue in our Christmas Series called, THROUGH THEIR EYES. As we work our way to Christmas we are viewing the Christmas story through the eyes of those who lived it. This weekend we look through the eyes of the Shepherds. The shepherds were common people who were faithfully doing their job on the night Jesus was born. On guard duty, protecting their sheep, without warning an Angel appeared cutting the dark night with power and light. Soon the armies of heaven were on display as these messengers proclaimed to them the coming of the Messiah. Once the Shepherds went to see Jesus they went throughout the small town of Bethlehem telling everyone what they had seen. I wonder what it was that convinced you that Jesus is real and that what the scriptures teach was actually going to play out in your life. What was it that caused you to be so amazed that you had to tell someone what had happened to you?Join us this weekend for a sermon about what happens to us when we see the glory of God.For Scripture, notes, & upcoming events:http://bible.com/events/49176666
This weekend we continue in our Christmas series called "Through Their Eyes". In this series we are looking at the coming of Jesus through the eyes of different characters who lived the story. This week we will try to gain the perspective of the Wise Men who came from the East to see Jesus. Likely with information handed down from Daniel over 500 years before them, they were watching and waiting with anticipation for the arrival of this divine leader. Because they were watching, they saw his star in the sky and quickly set out to find him and Worship Him.This response by gentile Astrologer/Priests is profound. Though Jesus is a King to the Jews these leaders travel far to see him, and they come to Worship! This should be our response as well. Jesus came to the Jewish people but as Matthew's gospel tells us at the end, his salvation is available to all the world. Will you come and worship him with us this weekend? Will you come with anticipation and expectation looking for the Messiah longing to worship him?For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49176664
This weekend is the first weekend of the Christmas Series called, THROUGH THEIR EYES. This year we will be experiencing the Christmas story through the eyes of several different individuals who actually lived it out. This first weekend we will view the arrival of Jesus the Son of God, through the eyes of his earthly human father, Joseph. Joseph was not Jesus' biological father due to the fact that Jesus was placed in Mary's womb by the Holy Spirit. This created an awkward situation for Joseph who was engaged to Mary and planning to be married. In Jewish culture Mary's pregnancy, by someone other than Joseph, would have been so disrespectful and shameful that because of it, the marriage would not have taken place. Join us this weekend as we see the Christmas story through Joseph, a man who surrendered his plan to God's plan despite the cost.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49173180
If you were about to be executed for your faith and sharing the Gospel of Christ and you had one chance to write a letter to the person you had been discipling in the church, what would you say? Would you tell him to hide so he doesn’t suffer the same fate as you? Would you plead with him to be careful where and when he proclaimed the Gospel? Would you warn him not to tell the authorities about your friendship so as to avoid scrutiny? This was the actual situation the Apostle Paul found himself in at the end of his life. Sitting in possibly the most dreaded dungeon Rome could offer, Paul chose to write a final letter to his beloved friend and co-laborer in the faith, Timothy. We can learn so much from this beautiful letter. On Sunday we will bear down on chapter 2; specifically, we will consider the instruction Timothy received on continuing the mission and continuing to spread the Gospel of Christ. Paul gives his friend encouragement, warnings, and direction regarding the monumental task he is about to undertake. I am praying that Sunday morning we can learn more about the obstacles in the early church, God’s plan for overcoming those obstacles, and how we too can be “Timothys” in the present church; strong in the grace that is Christ Jesus.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49163645
This Sunday is the Finale for our Fall Campaign, and we call it Celebration Sunday! Our fall campaign has been called PERFECT LOVE and we have been working our way through 1 John. In this series we have been learning how to love God and love his people. The Church is Jesus' work. He started it to carry the gospel to the ends of the earth.The focus for Celebration Sunday is on LOVING THE CHURCH. We want to highlight the church that Jesus started in Mitchell that is seeing God's work get done. We all are a part of a great church community and God is doing some amazing things here!Join us for a service full of worship, celebration and baptisms, this Sunday 11am at the Weborg 21 Centre in Gering.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49141522
This weekend is the final message in our fall series called PERFECT LOVE. In this series we have been working our way through the book of 1 John. In this letter written to first century believers, we have been refocusing on our fellowship or relationship with God through Jesus. This final chapter of the book is focused on an important theme that we must live out if we are to accomplish the mission Jesus has called us to. The theme of the final chapter of 1 John is OVERCOMING.We have all faced big challenges in our lives, challenges that could stop us from becoming the people we are called by God to be. God is working to change us and we must work with him in this process. We are called in this chapter to be overcomers in this world for God. It is through faith that we become children of God. Once in His family we obey Him because we love Him. It is through obedience to God that we stay in fellowship with Him. This fellowship with God is what ensures that we will win the battle against the evil world we live in. Join us this weekend for the final message in this series called PERFECT LOVE.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events & more:http://bible.com/events/49141520
When we experience, the love of God, we experience a holistic transformation. God's love brings discernment, it brings obedience, and it brings confidence.Come find out how 1 John 4 can lead us to knowing and living out the love of Christ.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, &more:http://bible.com/events/49141519
This weekend we continue in our series called PERFECT LOVE. In this series we are praying that everyone in our church experiences the power of perfect love. In order to follow Jesus you can't just know about Him, you need to know him personally. This requires that you meet Him and respond to His love and forgiveness. In the letter of 1 John we are learning about the nature of this fellowship or relationship with God through Jesus.This week we come to the difficult topic of Love. Not love for God but love for other believers. This is hard because other believers are not perfect and act, at times, in ways that make them hard to love. John pushes us past our issues with others behavior, to act like the Disciples of Jesus that we are. This means that we will be able to love each other well even when we don't behave well. Jesus puts His life in us and that life makes us soft hearted towards other believers even when they hurt us. Join us this weekend as we continue to focus on LOVE, God's love transforming us into the children of God that we are.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49141479
This weekend we continue in our fall campaign series called PERFECT LOVE. This will be the fourth message in this series as we work our way through 1 John. In this series we want everyone in our church to experience the power of perfect love. God's love changes everything in our lives and this weekend we will learn about how it transforms us. God's love awakens us to understand who we were really created to be. God created us to reflect him and so in and through Jesus our sins can be forgiven and our spirits can be brought to life. This work of God allows us to be called children of God.1 John 3:1 tells us this fact, we can see how much the father loves us because he calls us his children. Being called children of God gives us a new identity. Your identity will determine how you live and so having this new identity calls us into a different way of life. As a child of God you have fellowship or a relationship with him. The evidence that you have a relationship with God is revealed in how you live, especially how you act towards others. A relationship with God will drastically change these things.Join us this weekend as we learn how our new identity changes us by transforming our behavior away from sin and towards obedience to Jesus.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49141477
This weekend we continue our fall campaign called PERFECT LOVE. In this series we are working our way through the letter in the Bible called 1 John. Written by the Apostle/Evangelist John this letter is a word to Disciples of Jesus in his day. The letter is full of encouragement for them to stay true to Jesus and follow him faithfully until he returns. This weekend is the third message in this series and we will focus on 1 John 2:15-27.This passage focuses on guarding your heart for God against forces that would pull you away from Fellowship with Him. We are in a spiritual battle and so we must be armored up against the forces that would pull our hearts away from God and steal our fellowship with Him. Join us as we learn how to guard ourselves against what, in this world, will leave us empty, weak and disconnected from God.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49141476
This weekend is the second week of our series called PERFECT LOVE. We will be learning from 1 John the type of connection we can have with God through Jesus. John, who was one of the twelve disciples, actually knew Jesus. He lived with him for three years and in that time his life was transformed. He continued to follow him through the Holy Spirit's presence in his life even after Jesus returned to Heaven. This personal connection we can have with God through Jesus is available but in order to experience it we must choose to be close to God. The apostle John continues the theme of the importance of fellowshipping (having a relationship) withGod. He explains that a relationship with God is active not passive. In order to experience God wemust turn from our sin, hatred, and bitterness, and must turn to love and forgiveness. This is all rootedin the fact that Jesus did the same for us. He died for us, He loved us, and He forgave us while wewere still sinners and against Him (Romans 5:1-11). Out of our love and gratitude from experiencingthe love of God we too must walk as He walked… in love!Join us this weekend as we desire to Experience the power of perfect love by choosing to be close to God.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49138668
This weekend is the first week of our series called PERFECT LOVE. We will be learning from 1 John 1 the type of connection we can have with God through Jesus. John, who was one of the twelve disciples, actually knew Jesus. He lived with him for three years and in that time his life was transformed. He continued to follow him through the Holy Spirit's presence in his life even after Jesus returned to Heaven. This personal connection we can have with God through Jesus is available but in order to experience it we must choose to be close to God. John tells us that the choice to be close to God requires that we get honest and transparent with who we are before God. We must acknowledge our sin and our need for forgiveness and spiritual cleansing. This will lead to having our spirits brought to life by Jesus. If you are to be close to God you must walk into the light and remain in the light, that is the transparent truth of God's word. Join us this weekend as we desire to Experience the power of perfect love by choosing to be close to God.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49138665
This weekend is Kick Off Weekend for the Fall Campaign 2023. The series this year is called, PERFECT LOVE. We will be studying one of the Apostle John's epistles called 1 John. Through this campaign we want you to experience the power of perfect love. God's love is perfect and because it is perfect it has the power to change and transform us. We learn in the scriptures that we will only experience this change if we experience his love. How much power does Love have? The power to change everything in your life. God's love has the power to give us new life, to make our past go away and give us a new beginning. This weekend we will see the power that God's love has through the story of Nicodemus. He came to Jesus skeptically and left, transformed by God's Love.Join us this weekend as we kick off our fall growth campaign. I'm praying that you too, will experience the power of perfect love in your life, I know you need it as badly as I do!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49135649
This weekend is the preparation week for our fall Growth Campaign that begins next weekend. Next Weekend is Kickoff Weekend where we will lay out the growth plan for this fall. We do a growth campaign every fall so we can grow in a specific area, all together as an entire church. This fall the Growth Campaign is called "PERFECT LOVE". We need to experience the power of perfect love in our lives. The Bible tells us that God is Love and so knowing Him is the only way we can experience PERFECT LOVE in our lives. Perfect Love drives out fear and transforms us into the people God created us to be.This weekend we will be examining Ephesians 2:8-10. In these verses we discover how to have a relationship with God and what that relationship is intended to do in us. Verse 10 tells us that we are God's MASTERPIECE, the greek word translated masterpiece is POIEMA which is where we get our English word Poem from. You are a work of God and from the moment you were knit together in your mothers womb, God has been shaping you. I want you to discover who you are and then begin to discover the beauty God intended for you to add to this world. You are a one of a kind POIEMA, specifically formed to add beauty and goodness to this world. You can only fully understand that beauty and goodness by experiencing the power of the perfect love of God.Join us this weekend as we get ready to grow through our Fall Growth Campaign called PERFECT LOVE.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49134383
Is it possible to find true peace? Is it possible to really be secure? Life is complex. You constantly face uncomfortable situations that rob you of peace and security: relationships that drain the life out of you, a job you find no purpose in, responsibilities you carry every day and see no hope of change. Isaiah 30:1-15 describes people who faced similar challenges. In the midst of confusion, they were reminded true peace and security can be found in returning to the relationship they were created for. For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49128582
This weekend we welcome the Horizon Music Festival to our community. This has been a labor of love for the team putting it all together. I am thrilled to have an event like this in our community. There are many believers in positions of influence in our valley and with these positions come the ability to make an impact for Jesus. This festival is a great opportunity to introduce many to "Jesus Music". Music speaks to everyone and God uses it to touch people's lives with His presence, power, and truth. We are thankful that God has raised up a movement of artists who point people to Jesus in our nation. Through the Horizon Music Festival, some of the top artists in our nation are coming to us. Let's join together at 8am at MBC for one service and then go join others in our community as we worship together. I believe that Jesus wants us to worship together and show this valley that there is one Lord and Savior over all and that is Jesus. At our 8am service we will be looking at Act chapter 1 where Jesus leaves his followers and sets them on track to continue the movement that he started. Jesus came on mission to change the world by bringing forgiveness of sins and peace with God. We must continue to spread this message by "Being the Church". There is one kingdom, one mission, and one future that matter to God. Let's join together at 8am for one service all together at Mitchell Berean with a message called, Living On Mission in our Community.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49128577
We have a choice to make when troubles come our way. We can take control and try to fix things ourselves or we can turn to Jesus. When conflict, trials, and persecution come our way we need the necessary tools to help us through these storms. Jesus is the calm in the storm, and he tells us to take heart, I have overcome the world!
In this passage, Jesus does not say "if we have trouble," He says, "when we have trouble." Join us this weekend as we take a look at some of the eight principles from the Beatitudes and some of the Christ-centered 12-steps that help equip us to be ready for the troubles we will face.
Key verse - John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49121850
This weekend we continue in our series called HEALTHY HEARTS with a sermon called, How To Win A Fight. You may be surprised to find that the Bible gives us instructions on how to fight. We wish that it never happened but because of our sin natures we do hurt each other. This hurt needs to be dealt with if we are to maintain healthy hearts. We are given instructions in Matthew 18 of how to deal with sin in our relationships. The instructions might be different than what you've been taught or figured out living in this world. Join us this weekend as we learn how to get healthy and stay healthy as followers of Jesus.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49121849
This weekend we continue in our series called HEALTHY HEARTS with a message out of Matthew 5 & 6. Jesus addressed the condition of our hearts and exposed the brokenness we walk in as humans. We need the healing power of God applied to our lives on a daily basis. If we don't admit we are broken and sick spiritually we will not go to God to get the healing we need. If we are to have healthy hearts we will need Jesus, who is The Great Physician, to bring healing into our lives.
We are constantly battling with the effects of sin on our lives. It is said the first step to getting better is to admit you have a problem. For most of us that is the hardest part. We like to pretend in our pride that we are ok and yet we know we are not. Sometimes God has to press pretty hard on us to get us to admit we need His help. Healthy Hearts admit they constantly need God's help in their lives. Join us this weekend as we continue in this series working for Health in our own lives and in our church.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49118060
This weekend we continue in our series called, HEALTHY HEARTS - Experience the God who heals us. From time to time it’s a good idea to have a heart check up. Our hearts require maintenance just like our bodies do. I’m wondering as your pastor, how is your heart? The Bible speaks a great deal about the condition of our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 says this, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Healthy hearts are able to engage the difficult but very healing, process of restoring relationships. This weekend we will engage the letter of Paul to Philemon who was a leader in the church in Colossae. Philemon had lost a slave named Onesimus, he likely ran away. He was not a good employee and had failed Philemon. Paul had ran into Onesimus likely in Rome. He had led him to Jesus and helped disciple him into a productive person. Paul writes to ask Philemon to take Onesimus back and forgive him.
Join us as we explore a story of restoration and forgiveness.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49110289
Is your heart healthy? In August we will address that question in a series call; “Healthy Hearts - Experience the God who Heals us” In this series we will open the Bible to a number of different passages that deal with issues that affect our hearts. The Bible tells us the importance of addressing the the health of our hearts because it is from the heart that all things come.
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Join us for this important series on how to get and maintain healthy hearts.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49094335
This weekend we conclude our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE with chapter 15 of 1 Corinthians. This series has been helpful in teaching us how to be influenced more by Jesus culture than the culture around us. Jesus wants us to grow and mature to look more like His children.
This final message is an encouraging look at the hope we have for eternity. Our salvation will be complete when we are glorified. When we are glorified, our bodies and spirits will be made new and we will live forever with Jesus. Death has been defeated by Jesus' death and resurrection. Jesus' resurrection is the basis for the hope we have in eternal life. Join us as we are reminded of the evidence for and the hope we have in the resurrection.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming, events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49094334
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. In this series we are studying our way through the book of 1 Corinthians. This weekend we will look at one of the more famous chapters in the Bible which is 1 Corinthians 13. It is famously called the love chapter because it presents the most excellent way to live as followers of Christ. To become a follower of Jesus is to be commissioned to participate in God's work.
As we learned last week you are gifted to participate in the work of God. The way in which you use your gifts will determine their effectiveness. Chapter 13 deals with the motivation and the spirit with which we do the work of God. Our motivation must be Love if we are to really do God's work and have it count or matter in God's eyes. Love is the key to doing God's work and so we must be seeking and growing in how we love God and others. We can be gifted and powerful as we join God in his work but what matters more is that we love others like God loves us. Living in love matters most to God. Since it is true that we can only give away what we have received, how can we ensure that we are experiencing the love of God in our own lives so that we can give that love away to others?
Join us this weekend as we learn how God loves us and how we can love others. Love allows us to accomplish the mission God has called us to so let's learn to Love others like God loves us.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49094333
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. This series is a study through the book of 1 Corinthians. The truth is that the culture in the first century city of Corinth closely mirrors our current culture today. These new believers in Corinth were struggling to grow and mature spiritually, to become a church that represented Jesus' culture and not the world around them. Every church has this struggle. It is not easy to overcome the influence of the world around us.
And so this week we see that Jesus has empowered His followers to participate in creating this culture. The truth is we find more fulfillment through engagement and participation. Jesus has created us this way, that is why the church is designed to encourage participation and involvement. When we trust in Jesus and begin following Him we are given special abilities from the Holy Spirit that are to be used to build the church. The truth is that nothing is so fulfilling and rewarding as when we are a part of building something important.
Join us this weekend for a message designed to encourage you to find that place where you belong and can contribute to the church that Jesus is building.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49094332
This weekend we continue in our series called Christianity Over Culture. The Bible is full of timeless truth. Even the most obscure texts of the Bible can bring life changing truth. That is true as we dive into 1 Corinthians chapter 11. Come learn about God’s design for marriage, sexuality, and how to accurately celebrate our salvation.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49094331
This weekend we continue in our series called Christianity Over Culture. Have you ever heard that history repeats itself? As we dive into 1 Corinthians chapter 10, we’ll find that the Bible also repeats itself. Scripture is full of examples of good and bad that have repeated through the ages. Gods character never changes and the heart of man’s biggest struggles never change. Come join us and learn how we can break the cycles of sin and spiritual apathy!
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49094328
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. We are working our way through the book of 1 Corinthians. This letter written to the church in Corinth around 55 AD is filled with practical insight for us. Our lives are not unlike those of these first century followers of Jesus. They lived with similar temptations and distractions as we do. They were struggling to be influenced more by Jesus than by their culture. This is a battle we face as well. The good news is we can win the battle and lead ourselves and our families to love Jesus and live for him. This weekend we will focus on chapter 9 in which we find the Apostle Paul motivated by a mission and a calling from God. The Corinthians live in a prosperous culture, they have a lot of stuff and yet they are not generous.
In fact they have a touchiness about finances and so Paul is encouraging them regarding his motives. He has come to them free of charge, to preach the free gospel of Jesus. He has done this to ensure they don't get hung up on any issues with money. He encourages them in this chapter that his motives are pure. The words he has for them are words from God filled with love and yet they are tough. The tone of this letter has emotion in it because the Apostle is needing to confront them on some difficult issues and they could get upset at what he is telling them. I know you and I struggle with this as well. It is important for us to know the true gospel and we must be careful not to cross up the motives behind the message that we need to hear. Join us this weekend as we are reminded of the true motivation for the message that sets us free from sin and death into life everlasting.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49084402
This weekend we take a break from our series in 1 Corinthians to celebrate our VBS kids and workers. The focus this week has been on the Armor of God from Ephesians 6. This Sunday our service will be at Trails West camp and the service will be focused on what the kids have learned this week. The sermon will be from Ephesians 6 which teaches us that as followers of Jesus we are in a spiritual battle. The battle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces. If we are to win this battle we must armor up with the armor God has given us to win. Don't miss this weekend for a reminder that our families are in a battle for the hearts, minds and souls of our kids. God has given us the weapons to win but we must use them. Come help us fight for our kids as we end the week with a big celebration.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49084399
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE, a study through the book of 1 Corinthians. In chapter 8 we will learn the supremacy of Love over Knowledge. Knowledge is valuable and matters a great deal in regards to our success as followers of Jesus. Knowledge fuels us as we desire the mind of Christ in order to live out our faith as God desires. As this epistle makes clear however, knowledge has a weakness, it can cause the person who obtains it to feel superior to others once they have acquired it. In other words, knowledge puffs us up.
In the Corinthian church some were using their knowledge, regarding their faith in relation to some cultural issues, to discourage or even destroy other believers. It appears that they had restaurants or markets in their city that served meat which had been used in Idol worship. Some Christians had figured out that these idols were not real gods and so eating at these restaurants and eating this meat was not wrong. They felt no conviction at partaking of this food. Other believers had not learned yet that these idols were not real gods that did not exist. The believers who had discovered that there was nothing wrong eating this food were hurting the faith of the believers who felt strongly that it was wrong to eat it. They did this by flaunting their freedom and knowledge even pushing it on them.
Paul reminds them in this context, that love builds up the church and this is what matters in the end. Our freedom fueled by knowledge can lead us to destroy the faith of others and this is the wrong use of knowledge. We must learn that our freedom fueled by knowledge must be governed by Love. We look to do things that build others faith no tear it down. This is of the greatest importance as we live together in the church. Join us this weekend as we gain wisdom regarding the character needed in order to use our knowledge and freedom correctly.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/49084392
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. When we place our trust in Jesus we are called into a different culture. We find that by following Jesus we are exposed to God's original design for our lives. He created this universe and so he alone knows how to live this life to the fullest. Due to our sin nature we are engaged a battle once we trust in Jesus. He calls us to leave our slavery to our sin natures and to run in freedom to do the good God designed us to do. In order to run free from sin we must first learn God's directives and wisdom. Then through the power of the Holy Spirit we put the truth of God into practice in our lives.God empowers us as we choose to honor Him in our bodies. This gives us a growing confidence and power to live for God. One area that living by God's truth and wisdom really affects us is with in marriage. Our culture has left any attachment to God's design for marriage and sexuality and so we must rediscover what God's plan is for us in this area if we are to succeed. Join us this weekend as we continue to explore 1 Corinthians by engaging chapter 7 of this key epistle. We will gain insight into the positive expression of our sexuality. You may learn some perspectives that surprise you regarding marriage. You won't want to miss this weekends message on how to succeed in marriage.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49080710
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. We are working our way through the book of 1 Corinthians.This week we will see that though God cares about our souls, our hearts, and our minds, the truth is he cares about our bodies too. What we do with our physical bodies matters to God and so this week we focus on that truth. We have physical appetites and the truth is we can sin against our own bodies by the way we feed those appetites. God calls us to a higher standard when we put our trust in him and there is a reason. The reason is that as Christians we belong to Jesus and we are a part of God's family. This means that God wants us to live life the way he intended. If we continue to follow our culture we will be encouraged to feed our sin nature. This is destructive and will lead us away from God.Truly what we do in our bodies is connected to our mind and soul and so it matters what we do in them. Life in Jesus' culture is different; it's pure and right, it's healthy and good. Join us this weekend as we learn from 1 Corinthians 6:12-20 how we can honor God with our bodies.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49077855
Mothers Day is a day we set aside to honor our Mothers. Mothers are so important and fill such a crucial role in our lives. God created mothers to nurture us and train us to follow God.This weekend join us for a special service focused on Honoring our Mothers. In the Ten Commandments God instructs us to honor our father and mother. The truth is that honoring our parents is crucial to our success in this life. It matters so much that we figure out how and why we must obey this command. Our mothers aren't perfect and some of us have hurts related to our moms. The command God gives is not dependent on our mothers being perfect but it is important because it affects our health and success. God promises that if we do honor our parents we will have a longer and healthier life. Our attitude towards our mothers comes from the God given position they hold and what that represents before God. As we obey God and show honor to our Mothers, we find health comes into our lives. Join us this weekend for a reminder on how important it is to Honor our Mothers.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49070020
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. In this series we are learning what the Bible says regarding the culture we are to be influenced by. Not the culture around us but by the culture Jesus is creating. Jesus calls us to live differently than the world around us. We are called to be different and this difference is for the better.This week we learn how we are to handle disagreements between believers. We are to handle disputes differently than the world does. We follow a different set of rules because we follow a different leader. The Bible actually tells us how we are to treat each other and this will affect our disagreements because it affects how we treat each other. God calls us to live differently than the world around us. We are honest with everyone so if we get into a dispute we are able to come to a solution quickly. We don't act out of arrogance and pride but out of humility and empathy. This make us more able to solve disputes than the world around us.Join us this weekend as we learn how to handle disputes and disagreements with other believers.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49070018
This weekend we continue in our series called CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE. As followers of Jesus we are called to live for Jesus and not the culture of the world we live in. Our culture will say things are ok that Jesus says are not. We must live up to the standard Jesus calls us to not the standard of the world we live in.In 1 Corinthians 5 we encounter an issue of sexual immorality that was being allowed in the church. The church was allowing and even proud of a man who was living in sin with his step mother. Now the issue of sexual immorality is nothing new and yet the church was proud of what was going on. Paul sends a sharp correction regarding their allowance of this behavior.In our world today sexual issues have nearly taken over our culture. From prolific porn use to same sex relationships to people choosing their identity based on their chosen gender. There is an attempt to put sexual identity and practice at the top of our value system. We must deal with this issue in the same way the early church did. Drawing lines of morality and behavior in the church based on what God's standards are, is crucial if we are to continue to help people move from death to life. Join us this weekend as we deal with this difficult and PG-13 of sexual immorality and accountability in the local church.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49058584
This weekend we continue in our series called "CHRISTIANITY OVER CULTURE". In this series we are studying the first letter to the church in Corinth. This letter addresses many of the issues we face in our US American culture. Like the Corinthians we are affluent and driven and so have some of the same struggles they had.This week we will learn about the view we should have towards spiritual leaders. God uses leaders to help us grow in Him. They are limited and the view we should have of them is presented in this week's message. We have a tendency to get attached to spiritual leaders in a way that causes divisions. Of course this error is one that we are prone to in our culture as well. When a pastor leaves a church many of the people leave after he does. When talking at Bible studies a person brings up their preference for the former pastor over the present one. We tend to build loyalties around spiritual leaders. This is a mistake due to immaturity.This week we will learn how to grow past this immature tendency to attach, in the wrong way, to our spiritual leaders. We need to allow spiritual leaders to help us attach to Jesus. He is the one we must be following. Just like when we are young we look to our parents for everything we can grow very dependent on our spiritual leaders. We must make sure we are growing in our dependence on Jesus. They will not always be there and so we can fall away if God moves them somewhere else. Leaders can sometimes encourage this out of a need to be needed. We must grow and mature remembering that we are all following Jesus. Join us this week to gain the proper perspective of the spiritual leaders that God puts in our lives.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & morehttp://bible.com/events/49058583
We are not the first generation of Christian’s that have been tempted to be overcome and influenced by culture, in fact this has been happening since Christianity started.Come join us as we study the book of 1st Corinthians and see how their culture was not much different than ours and see how we can overcome in Christ.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49058579
Our Easter Service message will be drawn from John 20 where we encounter 4 different types of responses to the Resurrection of Jesus. On Sunday morning Mary Magdalene is the first to encounter the empty tomb. Her response is anxious and worried believing Jesus' body had been stolen. She runs to tell Peter and John who race to the empty tomb and upon seeing the evidence, believe that Jesus rose, because they remember He told them he would. Sunday evening the disciples were hiding out behind locked doors, fearful of the religious leaders. They believed Jesus rose but they were afraid of the cost. Their response to the resurrection was fear of the public backlash against them. How would people treat them because they were associated with Jesus? Lastly we have Thomas who was not with the others when Jesus appeared to them in the upper room and so he doubted. Unless I see him I won't believe it, said Thomas. In this message we will see how Jesus meets the needs of all four responses. Jesus meets us where we are at and He bridges the gap to help us trust in Him. Whether you're anxious or analytical, scared to publicly associate with Jesus or skeptical, Jesus meets you where you are and helps bring you to Trust Him.Join us this Sunday to encounter Jesus right where you are. Jesus comes to us and He brings Peace and Hope into our lives. He washes away our sins and makes us clean and new in Him. Let's celebrate and experience the Power of the Resurrection this Easter at Mitchell Berean Church.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49048987
Join us this Good Friday as we remember what Jesus did on the cross.For the Scripture, notes, upcoming events, and more:http://bible.com/events/49048983
This weekend we continue in our series called UNDERSTANDING JESUS. This series is leading us up to Easter when we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus our savior. This week we examine John 17 which is a prayer Jesus prayed leading up to his crucifixion. His prayer gives us insight into His concern for us as well as His mission for us.As we continue to prepare for Easter let's focus this weekend on Jesus' heart for his disciples, for us and his concern for our witness in this world. Jesus' prayer is a powerful intercession for you and I as we live for Him in this world. Join us this Sunday as we continue our journey towards this year's Easter celebration.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, &more:http://bible.com/events/49027573
This weekend Pastor Scott Mathis will be sharing the message at Mitchell Berean. As we learned last weekend our lives are meant to be lived connected to Jesus. He is the vine and we are the branches. We must be connected to Him to produce anything good in this life. The truth is that everyone has only one life to live and how we live it in relation to God will dictate the outcome of our lives. The message this weekend will focus on how our lives are affected by our encounters with God.As we encounter Jesus each encounter demands a response. How are you responding to your encounters with Jesus? Are you stepping forward in obedience or are you choosing your own path. Do you reject the call of Jesus on your life or do you move in obedience? The one life we have is measured in how we respond to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Join us this weekend for a powerful message regarding the importance of responding correctly to Jesus.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49027571
This weekend we continue in our series called "UNDERSTANDING JESUS". This series leads us up to Easter when we will celebrate the Resurrection of our savior Jesus. In order to understand Jesus we are exploring several chapters in the Gospel of John. This weekend we will study chapter 15 of John's gospel. In this chapter John reveals Jesus teaching regarding how the life He offers is to be lived. He emphasizes the connection we must maintain with Him. In order to live the life Jesus offers we must remain connected to Him in a meaningful way. Jesus uses the illustration of a vine.In order to produce fruit in our lives for God, we must stay connected to Jesus. This illustration is simple. In order to produce any good fruit in our lives for God, we must be connected to Him. Without that connection to Him, we will not be able to produce good fruit. The fruit Jesus helps us produce are things like; children who follow God, a healthy marriage, treating others like Jesus would, not holding any grievance against others, belonging to a church and having good relationships with other believers. Many people who say they follow Jesus can't get along with other others and this shows they are not connected to the vine. When we stay connected to Jesus, our lives will produce is good fruit and that will largely show up in our ability to get along with others.Join us this weekend when we dig into John chapter 15 and learn how to live the way Jesus wants us to live, by staying connected to Him.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49027570
Up until this point in the book of John, the disciples had been learning to depend on Jesus. Jesus Himself was discipling them and walking every day with them. Wouldn’t that be amazing! But what if I told you we have the same opportunity available to us today to have God personally disciple and walk daily with us?You see, Jesus wasn’t going to stay physically with the disciples for very much longer, so he reveals in our passage this weekend how the Holy Spirit will soon arrive to help His disciples walk in faithful obedience. The Holy Spirit is not only instrumental in bringing us to saving faith in Jesus, but you and I need to continue in complete, daily dependence on Him. We need the Spirit in order to grow in our knowledge of God and of scripture and to obtain the ability to know and walk in obedience to His will. Let’s learn to live powerful, Spirit-led lives!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49027569
What does it mean that Jesus is “The Way?” His disciples were with Him for three years and still missed His identity and purpose. Come join us as we break down John 14 and evaluate the purpose and mission of Christ.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49027568
This week we conclude our series in the book of James called "FAITH THAT'S NOT DEAD". We have been focused on ensuring our faith is alive and active. James reminds us that saving faith is an active faith. The Apostle argues that if your faith is going to save you it should be alive and active. That is why we believe that saving faith is alive, not dead.This week we conclude with a focus on prayer. A living faith in a living God is actively interacting with that living God. Our prayer life is active and alive if our faith is alive. We know the power of the God we worship and so we take the issues in our life to Him to get His help. If we are struggling then we go to Him with our struggles. If we are doing well then we praise Him for our joys. We know that all things come from Him and so we are interacting with Him as we navigate our lives.Join us this weekend as we engage what it means to have an active powerful prayer life. A faith that is alive practices earnest powerful prayer!For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49027567
This weekend we continue in our series through the book of James called FAITH THAT’S NOT DEAD. As we work our way through this powerful book of the Bible we are learning how to make sure we have a living faith. Our faith must be active and alive if we are to have the power we need to navigate the world we live in. It is vital today that followers of Jesus do not fade into the background but instead step forward leading our lost world to God. Join us this weekend as we are reminded that when our faith is alive we are investing temporary earthly resources to produce eternal gains. When we choose to join Jesus in His mission, we learn how to turn physical gold into eternal treasure. James reminds us this week not to place our faith or enjoyment in the comforts of this life. We should instead preserve and even sacrifice to do the good God calls us to. We are called to a higher standard and must remember to remain focused on the eternally or we will fail to invest correctly.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49020797
This weekend we continue in our series called "FAITH THAT'S NOT DEAD". In this series we are working our way through the book of James. Jesus' half brother was a pastor of the church in Jerusalem working with the Jewish Christians in the new movement of Jesus.This week we move into chapter 4 where James addresses the hearts of the people regarding their loyalties and affections. He challenges them to resist the pull of the world to fall in love with it, follow it, and be attached to it. The truth is that we are given this life to live it to the fullest. The truth is only as we put God first, love Him and live for Him can we learn to truly live this life to the fullest. Our hearts are drawn to the world and what it has to offer. This temptation is strong and getting our heats and minds to focus on God and live for Him is always a struggle.This week we are challenged to resist the pull of the world by ensuring our Faith is Alive. With a faith that is alive we are constantly maintaining our hearts when they get drawn into a desire for the world and what it has to offer. Join us this weekend as we are reminded to resist the temptation of the Devil to live for the world instead of for God.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49020796
This weekend we continue in our series called "FAITH THAT ISN'T DEAD". This series is a study in the book of James. We have worked our way to chapter 3 of James which focuses on leadership in the church.This week the topic centers around the essential nature of wisdom over just knowledge. Knowledge gives us power and in the world, will help us advance to leadership positions. In the church leaders must have wisdom. Wisdom is the application and use of knowledge with godly character. Jesus established the church to be a place where the influence of Jesus is seen in the lives of His people. This demands the application of the truth into our lives and this is what James is pressing on us in our passage for this week.The motives that help us advance in the world must not be the motives of people in the church. Selfishness leads to wicked sinful behavior and so this week we learn to be motivated by the character traits Jesus teaches us to live by. Our churches must resist the culture of the world around us and instead implement the culture Jesus creates.Join us this week as we get our focus on true wisdom and the implementation of it into our lives and our church.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49007327
If you’re anything like me, your mouth can quickly get you into trouble! So often our struggles are the direct result of a fiery tongue that is not being tamed. We read passages like James 3:1-12 and often view it from the typical lens of “What do I need to stop doing?” While there is some need for that, the real call here is to control the tongue not bite it! Join us this weekend to dive deeper into what God is calling to use this POWERFUL tool for!- Pastor BenFor Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/49007324
This weekend we continue in our series called "JAMES - Faith That Isn't Dead". Our lesson this week teaches us that Living Faith Works. We are Saved by Grace through Faith and we are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. Are these truths from the Bible contradictory? Join us this weekend when we dig into the realities of Saving Faith. Saving Faith is alive and growing.Living Faith Works and so we want Faith that isn't Dead, we want Faith that is Alive. We are listening to God's word and putting it into action throughout this series. This will grow us and keep our Faith Alive. Is your faith alive? Is your faith working? Let's encourage each other as we stay connected to the God who brings us to life. Humbly accept God's living word that He has planted in us, it has the power to save us.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48996771
This weekend we continue our series called "FAITH THAT'S NOT DEAD". We are working our way through James' epistle. Though James was probably the top leader of the church in Jerusalem, his letter was not written to a specific church. This epistle is likely the first New Testament book written that we have in our Bible's. Written by the half brother of Jesus it has a strong tone and is filled with "mini lessons" intended to guide believers in Jesus, into lives that reflect a "living faith". The sermon this week involves having a correct view of others. The behavior that is challenged this week is the human tendency to place higher values on people based on human criteria. James, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, says that the true Jesus follower will place equal value on every person due to the fact that they are children of God. We need to check our motives by how we treat people. As people cross our paths we should see them and value them equally. This reflects the heart of God and shows that we are true followers of Jesus with Faith That's Not Dead.See you this weekend for chapter 2:1-13 of JAMES.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48996770
This weekend we continue in our series called "FAITH THAT'S NOT DEAD". This series is from the book of James written by Jesus' half brother who was an Apostle in the early church. Perhaps the oldest New Testament book we have, the focus is on how to make sure you have a living active faith. James will argue, faith that is not being put into practice is dead and useless. Written with a strong tone, James gives a treasure trove of valuable instruction on ensuring that we are living out what we claim to believe.This is perhaps one of the greatest needs in our world today, which is, Christians who are living out the faith we claim. The world is looking for something real. It is only as we put into practice what God's word says, that we have an authentic, real, transferable faith. Join us this weekend as we continue to work our way through the Book of James. This week our focus is on "Not Just Listening". The real key to the Christian life is putting what we learn into practice.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48996769
Happy New Years!Join us as we start in our series in James.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48996767
This weekend our Christmas series called THE GIFT culminates in our Christmas Eve services. Our grand finale for this series is Christmas Eve when we celebrate the coming of Jesus. He came in humility and with little recognition.The world was unaware that God himself was coming to live among us on that quiet night in Bethlehem. Born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus, the gift, came to change our world forever. This Gift would usher in a new era, a new covenant between God and man.This gift, who was God himself, would come bringing a new birth, he would come full of gracious truth, and ultimately he would come to take our sin away. And so on this Christmas Eve we learn the significance of this gift and what we must do to receive the gift. Jesus, makes the offer of a relationship, a connection with our Father in heaven. We can walk with the God who created us. We can lose that feeling of being alone or isolated, the eerie sense that there is more to this life.Something is missing but what is it? Jesus said that what was missing in our lives was the forgiveness needed to be the children of God we were created to be. We have a Father in Heaven and we were made in his image. Join us for one of our Christmas Eve services as we discover the gift that was given to the world 2000 years ago. On a quiet night so many years ago our world was changed forever when the God who made us, came to dwell among us. For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48996764
This weekend we continue our journey towards Christmas as we celebrate the greatest gift ever given to the world. Our Christmas series is called The Gift and in it we are studying the gospel of John chapter 1.We have learned that the gift given to us, is God in the flesh. That gift came to offer us new birth so that our relationship with God could be restored. The gift also came full of gracious truth. This week we continue in verses 29-34. We see in this passage that the gift who is God, came to take away our sin. The gift of forgiveness and restoration is of the greatest value because it has made it possible for us to be made right and set free from our guilt and shame.Join us this weekend as we continue in our series in John’s gospel.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48993733
This weekend we continue in our march toward Christmas. We are studying through the first chapter of John's gospel in a series called "THE GIFT". Now we all know It is better to give than receive, that is unless you are receiving a gift that God gives. John the Apostle teaches us that God loved us so much that He gave himself to us. He did this so that we could be transformed into the people God created us to be.Our journey through this powerful chapter, brings us to verses 14-18. The big idea from this passage is that God gives gracious truth. When God comes to earth in Jesus he comes in a gracious, faithful, loving, and truthful manner. His intent is to connect with us and draw us to himself and restore the relationship by bringing us into His family. This week we will discover that God in Jesus, is a relational God who offers us the greatest of all gifts, the gift of himself.Join us as we continue to focus on the greatest of all gifts ever given, the gift of Jesus, given by God to save us all.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48993732
This weekend our Christmas series continues in John's gospel, the fist chapter. The evangelist further defines and reveals the identity and ministry of Jesus. We will discover this weekend that Jesus came to offer entrance into God's family through spiritual rebirth. This offer of spiritual rebirth is profound and deep. Our need is that God would renew us and give us new life. Our identity is rooted in the God who created us but our sin has separated us from that identity. Join us as we continue our journey towards Christmas Eve and the celebration of the New Life God has brought to us in and through the person of Jesus.For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more:http://bible.com/events/48993730
This weekend we start our Christmas series called The GIFT. We will be studying the first chapter of John’s gospel. This time of year, we generally beginning thinking about gift giving and receiving. Our culture has built into Christmas the tradition of giving and receiving gifts.
What is your strongest memory of receiving a gift? What is the most important gift you’ve ever given? Perhaps to gain perspective we should revisit the most important gift ever given or received. In our study of John’s gospel, we will learn more about this gift given to the human race. It is a gift so powerful it can raise the dead, heal any sickness and forgive any sin.
Join us this weekend as we remember how very blessed we are as recipients of the greatest gift ever given.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48985972
Come join us for a study of Biblical thankfulness in 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5. We are entering a season where we tend to be reminded to be thankful, but how does Jesus actually give us the power to be thankful in the midst of a broken and chaotic world? Come find out!
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48975721
This weekend is the final message in our Fall Campaign which is called MISSION CRITICAL. We look at the third step of our new mission statement. The final part of the third step looks at our mission field. As a Church we want to send missionaries into the mission field.
In Acts we see that the mission field covers the whole world. We will examine the four arenas of the mission field as outlined in Acts 1:8. The different arenas can translate well for us as a church in USAmerica in the year 2022. Our call as a church is to reach all of these arenas and contribute to the gospel expanding, reaching people in our time. The truth is that most of us will work in our local mission field and so we want to gain the perspective that will allow us to live out that calling.
We have an opportunity to live for Jesus and represent him as we live our lives. We will not all go to the ends of the earth but we can all live on mission and work together to reach our mission field. Join us for this last message in our fall Campaign.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48954440
This weekend we continue in our fall campaign called MISSION CRITICAL. In this weekend's message we will learn about the next step in our new mission statement.
The third step in our new mission statement is sharing the gospel. As a group of Disciples who are becoming Disciplemakers we recognize that we have a message to share. We have a hope to carry on to the world around us. That hope is contained in the person of Jesus Christ. In the book of Romans in the 10th chapter, we discover the role we play as Disciplemakers in sharing the message of Jesus with the world around us.
This message is a message of forgiveness and restoration. A message of the hope of eternal life in the presence of the God who made us. You and I have the opportunity, privilege, and responsibility to carry this message to others. Join us as we are reminded of the role we play in transmitting the message of the gospel. The reason we share the gospel is this, how else will people be saved?
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48954439
This weekend we continue in our Fall Campaign called MISSION CRITICAL. We continue to work through our new mission statement which is; We are a Church on mission to raise up Disciplemakers who share the gospel where we live, work, and play.
This week we focus on the second step which involves Discipleship. The question we will answer this weekend is, what is a Disciplemaker. We recognize that Jesus was on a mission to raise up Disciples who would make more Disciples. We call these people Disciplemakers. They are Disciples who are following Jesus and are able to teach others to follow Jesus too. This should be the goal of your life as a Christian. You should be working to become a follower of Jesus who can teach someone else to follow Him as well.
If you make it your aim to reach this level of maturity then God will help you get there. You must be willing but if you are willing, God will bring people into your life that you can disciple. I hope you will join us this weekend as we dig deeper into what Jesus modeled in his time here on earth which was making Disciplemakers.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48954438
In this week's sermon we will see how Jesus defines following Him, or being His disciple, throughout the Gospels. There can be so many definitions given for discipleship, however when we look at the Word’s of Christ it becomes fairly simple. Just because it is simple does not mean that it is easy!
Are you following Christ, are you a disciple according to His definition? Jesus lays out what it will cost to be His disciple, ultimately your whole life. This is not a one time surrender, but a surrendered life to His purposes. We can not be a disciple of Christ without denying ourselves and picking up our cross. It is not easy to be a Christian, it cost Jesus His life to pay for your salvation and He is asking you to give up your life of sin and control and embrace His life of peace and righteousness.
I encourage you to identify something in your life that may or not be “sinful” but occupies much of your time. Once you have identified an activity or habit, I encourage you to give up that activity for a week and replace that activity with prayer, Bible study, or investing in your family. This is a spiritual discipline called fasting, that helps us deny ourselves and embrace the Gospel. Fasting is not only concerned with food, but anything that can be a sacrifice towards God concerning our time and effort. After a week, sit down and journal about what you learned during this time of fasting. Hope to see you this weekend!
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48954435
This weekend we continue in our series called, MISSION CRITICAL. We continue to unpack our new mission statement which is; We are a church on mission to raise up disciple-makers who share the gospel where we live, work, and play. This week we look at another passage that unpacks a little more of the mission we are on.
In 2 Corinthians 5 the apostle Paul talks about the posture he takes in engaging others with the message of the gospel. He pursues the mission with passion. His enthusiasm to reach others is felt in this passage. He goes after the people he is called to with a deep desire to reach them. He knows they have a deep spiritual need and that they were designed to know God and be reconciled to Him. He knows that the people he encounters need to experience new life in Christ. All this good news motivates him and propels him forward into the lives of the people around the world. This same motivation and passion is available to us.
When we connect to the new life Jesus calls us to, we can gain the motivation to reach others and see them experience new life in Christ. The urgency Paul had, we can have. The desire to see others saved comes as we experience new life and begin to see others the way Jesus does. Join us this weekend as we continue to unpack our new mission statement by focusing on the MISSION God has called us to.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48954433
This weekend is week two of our Fall Campaign called MISSION CRITICAL. We have unveiled our new mission statement that reflects where God is leading MBC in this season of ministry. The new statement has three steps and this week we will look at the first step which is that we are a Church on Mission. The obvious first question is, if we are on a mission, what is the mission? In order to discover the mission we look to a very famous passage of scripture found in the new testament.
Matthew chapter 28 recounts the truth that following Jesus' death and burial he did not remain dead. The power of God was revealed in Jesus in perhaps the most impactful way it could have been demonstrated. The power to overcome death is something beyond our capacity to even hope for. Each time we deal with the separation, death makes us wonder why we must go through this pain. It doesn't seem right. Of course the reason is that we were not created to go through this pain of separation. Death came through the curse of sin brought by the fall of Adam and Eve.
This weekend we focus on the power that has returned to Jesus following the completion of His mission to pay for sin. With the power comes a commissioning to a mission that involves raising the dead. Join us as we learn about the mission Jesus calls His followers to be a part of. The mission to bring dead souls back to life.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48954430
This weekend is Kickoff weekend for the Fall Campaign which is called MISSION CRITICAL. This weekend we will present our new mission statement. Mitchell Berean is a church that started on mission and has continued to partner with God to reach the world with the gospel. Our new mission statement is in line with the past and reflects what God is doing in our church in this season. This week we will see that God has a missional heart.
From the beginning, when Adam and Eve fell, God began His mission to rescue the human race. The culmination of this mission, to rescue us, was revealed in the person of Jesus. As we choose to follow Jesus and grow in Him, God's mission becomes our mission. God's desire is that you would grow to be a participant in His mission to save the world. God's will for us is that we continue to grow throughout our lives. Mission statements matter as they help us find our place in the mission of God through our local church. We are set up as a church to help you participate in God's work.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48951070
This weekend we continue to GET READY TO GROW. As a church we are getting ready for our fall growth campaign. We realized last weekend that growth is at the core of the gospel. Jesus came to save us and to grow us into disciples who are prepared for every good work. If we are to grow we need to commit. High Commitment = High Growth.
Our growth is dictated by our willingness to commit. We all have a real life we are trying to live out, the busy day to day pursuit of living. We need to carve out some time to commit to growing spiritually. This Fall campaign that will last 8 weeks is one of those opportunities. I want you to grow to know God's will and live out God's mission for your life. This fall we will be focusing on our new mission statement. It is a continuation of the mission our church has been on since it was founded. The new statement reflects the new focus our church has been led to have.
This weekend we will be reminded that God gives His people a mission so that they can work with purpose. Join us this weekend as we continue to get ready to grow.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48948354
This weekend we begin to prepare for our Fall Campaign 2022 which is called "MISSION CRITICAL". This week we will learn the reason for a growth campaign and that is; that we will grow together and move together in the same direction. In order to engage all that God wants for us through the church we should grow to understand the real purpose for what we do at church together.
You should have one primary goal as you are a part of the church. That goal should be to grow. Life change is at the core of the gospel. We see that all throughout scripture. Jesus came on a mission to rescue us and to transform our lives. This transformation has a purpose and that is so we can join God in His mission to rescue others.
Join us this weekend as we examine the purpose for what we do every fall as a church. Let's get ready to grow and move toward God together.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48948350
Every day we face challenges and obstacles that make life hard for us. They range from relationship challenges at home and work—financial struggles, health issues, jobs, parenting, and school to name just a few. With the problems of life often comes worry, anxiety, depression, and other health-related issues. To make matters even harder, we let sin take hold of our lives, creating darkness within us that only exacerbates our problems. The darkness of sin keeps us from being in fellowship with Christ; thus, we are not in the light. We will examine 1 John 1: 5-10 and learn what it is to be in the light, the consequences of not being in the light, and how to stay in the light.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48945149
Join us this weekend as we finish up our series called "HEAL". How can we trust God when we are hurt, betrayed, and experience suffering? In the final week of our heal series we will take a look at the sovereignty of God and how the security of His plan brings peace.
Romans 12:19-21 speaks to how even in the midst of pain God is still in control, and ultimately will enact the justice that we all yearn for in the midst of our pain. "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, '' says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48933765
God calls us into a relationship with Him that involves the reversal of the effects of sin in our lives. Sin does damage to us and to those around us. God is calling us to step into a path of healing and restoration.
One of the greatest areas of struggle in our lives has to do with the hurts, offense, and damage done to us by others. From the time we are young we begin to be hurt or offended by what others do and say to us. I bet if I were to ask you to recall a hurt or offense from your childhood you could. Maybe you could remember quite a few. It is hard to let those things go and yet in order to be healthy we must begin to work towards forgiveness.
Forgiveness is a gift that frees us from hurt. It allows us to heal deep in our hearts and minds. God actually requires us to forgive repeatedly. I know spiritual leaders who do not understand forgiveness. They end up being wounded healers. You and I need to avoid the trap of unforgiveness and begin to work out forgiving everyone who has done us wrong. Join us this weekend to receive the gift that forgiveness is. God wants you to receive and use it to get real healing in your life.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48933655
This weekend we continue in our series called heal. We are working through Romans chapter 12 which teaches us how to process through hurts habits and hangups. God wants to heal us from the wounds that come from sin. This week we realize that in order to heal we need to focus on the truth that is gods truth.
We will learn we need to focus on the truth about ourselves the truth about others and the truth about good and evil. The world system our enemy the devil and even our own minds will lie to us about the truth. We must stay focused on the only source of truth and that is God. Join us this weekend as we continue in a series on healing.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48933655
This weekend we begin a new series called HEAL. In this new series we will discover a Biblical foundation to overcome our hurts, habits, and hangups through a study of Romans Chapter 12. Bitterness, addictions, and trauma can become a wedge between us and God when we need Him most. However, as we embrace the Truth found in Romans Chapter 12 we will discover that these areas of hurt can actually become a catalyst to knowing God in a deeper way as well as a springboard to advance the Gospel.
Throughout this series please listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting. You may have a hurt or hangup that is negatively affecting your relationship with Jesus and with those you love. Over the last couple of years our world and lives have been shaken. This shaking, for many, has caused a breakdown in relationships. This series will help uncover the possible areas where we may need to heal. The last few years have affected us all in negative ways. Take advantage of this opportunity to lift the hood on your life and do a check up.
Throughout the series we will have information on Celebrate Recovery which is a ministry in our church that helps us overcome some of what can slow or stop our spiritual growth. Consider visiting CR on Wednesday evenings in our worship center.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48926251
This weekend is our service at the fair and at this service we will conclude our series in the book of Daniel. This is the Grand Finale for our series and it centers around what happens to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego after they refuse to bow down and worship the gold statue erected by Nebuchadnezzer on the plain of Dura. The hero's of our story face the consequences for remaining faithful to God. Due to their love for God and devotion to Him, they would not and could not bow down to the statue of gold. Because they would not bow, the King throws them in a furnace of fire. What happens next you won't want to miss.
The truth is that we are all asked to trust God with our lives, with our souls. The God of the Universe tells us that without His help we are destined to burn in judgement for all eternity. He tells us that if we will trust Him and what He has done for us that we can be saved from the fires of Hell.
Join us this weekend and bring a friend with you. We will take communion together, support one of our people as they get baptized and we will be challenged to place our faith in the only God who can save us. I hope to see you at the Scottsbluff county fair grounds on Sunday at 11am.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events,& more: http://bible.com/events/48914814
This weekend we continue our series called "IN not OF". We know as followers of Jesus we are called to live in this world but not to be of it. In John 15:19 Jesus reminds us that we are not of this world because He has called us out of it. As we follow Jesus we learn that we must live differently than everyone else because we belong to Him. This is because we are set apart for a holy purpose. Our lives need to reflect God in order for us to accomplish this holy purpose. We must become examples in the world of how God wants His people to live. This enables us to introduce people to Jesus when he opens up the opportunity.
In our current series we are studying from the book of Daniel. Daniel and three of his friends along with thousands of Jews are ripped out of their home land and taken to what is now southern Iraq. The Babylonian empire had become the dominant force on the earth. Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon conquered Judah and took Israel into exile. We have followed the story of these brave young men as they have fought to honor God with their lives. This week we see these young men get a test of their resolve. The test is a test of worship. Will they allow the king to control who or what they worship? Join us this weekend as we discover how they handle this test of worship.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48914813
This weekend we continue in our series called, IN not OF. We are working our way through the first three chapters of the book of Daniel.
The context of Daniel is Judah was defeated by the King of Babylon in 605 BC. Thousands of young men are taken captive and some are employed in Nebuchadnezzar's empire. The hero's of our text are four Jewish boys Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
So far they have determined to represent God in their own lives in a way that caused them to push back against what was asked of them by the King. They then were caught up in a life or death situation regarding a dream that the King had.
This week we continue our study with Daniel who, through the power of God, is going to tell the King what his dream was and the interpretation of it. This will save the lives of many of the wise men in the kingdom and more importantly, introduce Nebuchadnezzar to God.
Join us this weekend as we continue our series on how we are to live in this world but not of it.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48914812
This weekend we continue in our series out of the Book of Daniel called, IN NOT OF. Christians are the "called out ones" who belong to God. We are to live our lives differently than everyone else around us. When we choose to follow Jesus, we are left in the world but we are told not to love the world or the things of it. We are to make sure that our love is first and foremost for God and our allegiance is to Him alone.
Now God has given us this life to enjoy and this world is our playground. As long as we put God first and love Him alone, we can enjoy the world and everything in it. So we are in the world but not of the world.
The book of Daniel tells us of a time in the nation of Israel's history when God allowed them to live in exile. Following defeat to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 605 BC, around 10,000 young men of royal linage were take by the King to serve in his vast empire. Daniel who was called Belteshazzar along with his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were tested and then employed in the empire as leaders. They first take a stand for God setting themselves apart. Next God begins to use them to reveal Himself to this pagan King.
This week we see how God does this in miraculous fashion. Join us for week 2 in this example of how we are to be In not Of the world.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48912136
This week we will start a new series entitled "IN not OF" and we are going to look at Being Bold and Rooted in God's Promises.
Jesus told us that we would be in the world but not of it. As we take a look at Daniel chapter 1, we will find how clinging to the promises of God in the midst of corrupt culture will lead us to becoming the salt of the earth.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48912132
For the final message in the series, HABITS, we will be looking at the fourth resource that Jesus used to live the life God intended Him to live. We have been encouraged to use the resources of the Holy Spirit, God's Word and Prayer, and this weekend we will deepen our understanding of how important Relationships with God's people are for us to live the way God desires.
Being in KOINONIA, or fellowship or communion, with God's people helps us in our pursuit of holiness, encourages others in their spiritual walk and is a powerful witness and testimony to our world. Let's grow in our love for one another for the glory of God.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48895451
This weekend we celebrate our Fathers. The men who impact our lives in so many ways. The men who raise us, teach us, and provide for us. As we express our thankfulness for our fathers we also focus on our Father in heaven.
As Jesus fulfilled His mission here on earth He had access to supernatural power. The truth is we have the same resources available to us that Jesus utilized to accomplish His mission. In our current series called HABITS, we are learning the resources Jesus had available to Him and working to develop habits that help us engage these resources.
The third resource we will look at this weekend is the resource of Prayer. Jesus took time often to get away from His work and pray to His Father. He also taught His disciples how to pray. This weekend we want to reexamine prayer to our Father. We want to grow our HABIT of interacting with our heavenly father so that we can have the power we need to live our lives with the purpose God has planned for us.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48895450
This weekend we continue in our series called HABITS by focusing on the second resource Jesus used to do His ministry which was the scriptures. Jesus spent time learning and memorizing the Old Testament scriptures. He used them to interact with the religious leaders and He quoted them when being tempted by the Devil. Jesus used the scripture to teach and instruct.
If we are to become the people Jesus wants with the capacity to accomplish the mission Jesus calls us to then we need to make a habit of interacting with the scriptures. The Bible is the very word of God and contains the power of God because it contains the truth of God. We are called to love God's word, to meditate on it, to memorize it, and to understand it, using it with skill and wisdom.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48895449
This weekend we begin a new series called HABITS. In keeping with our focus this year which is, BE THE CHURCH, we will examine the habits that will give us the power to fulfill this mission. We are called to do the work of God on this earth. God expects great things of us as we live this life in Him.
Trusting in Jesus for salvation is to join His ministry team here on earth. In this series we will look at the resources Jesus had to complete His mission here on earth. Jesus said we would do the same work He did as we follow Him. We must experience a transformation of focus and life in order to live for His purposes. We will work to develop the use of the resources Jesus had and that we have as well.
This first weekend we learn that Jesus had the Holy Spirit's power to do His work. We have the Holy Spirit in our lives as well and we must develop the habit of living by His power. Without living by the power of the Spirit we will fail at being able to do God's work.
Join us this weekend as we learn how to focus on the Holy Spirit in our lives so that we can fulfill God's plans and purposes for our lives.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48895445
This weekend we conclude our series called "DIVIDED". God has a plan to bring a divided world together and that is through the person of Jesus. Jesus came to forgive and heal a broken world. When we put our faith in Jesus and His work on the cross we are placed by Jesus into His church. The church is really a movement that has been changing the world for over 2000 years. Within this movement are people who need each other and must work together to accomplish a mission. The mission is to share this good news of Jesus with others. In order to accomplish this mission we must follow the instructions given to us in the scriptures. The instructions we have been learning about come from what are called the "One Another" passages in the New Testament. Join us this weekend as we conclude this series with how we help keep each other on mission by working together.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48884245
This weekend we continue in our series called DIVIDED. We continue to look at God's plan to bring a divided world together through the person of Jesus Christ. God offers to the entire world and all peoples, salvation through faith in Jesus. The church becomes that place where unity is found through diversity. This series explores the "One Another" passages in the New Testament. This week we focus on some of the passages that speak to the fact that one of the things we give to each other in the church is support. We Support one another in some very important ways. In order to follow the commands given in scripture we must know how this is supposed to work in our church. Join us this week as we explore some more of the one another commands in scripture. We aim to be a church filled with followers of Jesus who are living out the commands God has given us. To Be The Church means to support each other as Jesus wants us to. This helps bring unity and harmony to our church.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48884244
This week we continue our series called DIVIDED with a focus on the fact that We Need Each Other To Grow - The Bible tells us that we belong to each other, we are commanded to love each other and next we need each other to grow as followers of Jesus. These commands that teach us to come together are called the "One Another" passages of scripture. The word in Greek translated into English "One Another" is Allelon. The word occurs 100 times in the NT and 59 of those are specific commands teaching us how to relate to each other. Growth is important if you are a Christian. If you have decided to follow Jesus He wants you to grow up and become what is called Spiritually mature.
Spiritual Maturity will give you: Insight and wisdom You will be able to handle the difficulties in life well You will make good decisions You will have knowledge of right and wrong God cares a lot about your spiritual maturity.
Join us this weekend as we focus on how we help each other grow up to become spiritually mature.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48884242
This weekend we celebrate mothers. We all have a mother and so we want to honor her and say thank you for all the sacrifices our mothers have made for us. God calls us to honor our mothers and so we lift them up because of the role God gave them to fill. As we continue in our series called DIVIDED we are focusing on the "One Another" passages in scripture. God calls us to come together in a divided world. We are given instructions that will help us create the community God wants us to have. In these "One Another" passages we are commanded to Love One Another. Our mothers taught us to love each other and so it is fitting that we focus on these passages in our series on this Mother's Day. Love for each other is what bonds us and keeps us bonded as followers of Jesus. Jesus loves us so that we know how to love each other. Our love for each other creates the environment in our churches that will draw others in. We need love to thrive and Jesus established the Church so that it would provide that love for all who come. Love is powerful and helps bring the healing into our lives we so desperately need. Join us this weekend as we learn how to Love One Another so we can create the church Jesus wants us to have.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48884241
This weekend we begin a new series called DIVIDED. We live in a divided world and it seems that we are being pulled further apart all the time. The good news is God has a plan to bring people together in a divided world. His plan is called the Church. Jesus started the church with a group of disciples who were not drawn to each other naturally. The early church became the most diverse group of people in the known world. The reason this could happen was the example of Jesus and the instructions found in the Bible. God's plan for harmony and peace in a divided world is real and it works. So how do we ensure that our church lives out this same dynamic? How do we ensure that we are Being The Church? We first learn and then follow the teachings in scripture on how to relate to each other. In this series we will examine the "One Another" passages in the Bible. These passages are full of instructions on the nature of our relationship to each other. They tell us how we are to support each other. We will also learn how we are to help each other grow and finally how together we can accomplish the mission Jesus gave us. This week we begin with the nature of our relationship. The Bible tells us that in the church we actually are so connected that we Belong to Each Other. Join us this weekend as we learn how to move from being Divided to being United.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48869570
This weekend we conclude our series called FORGIVENESS. We have been focusing on the very important topic that is at the core of our faith. Much of our internal struggle is due to the fact that, as time goes on, we ask God for forgiveness less and we give forgiveness to others less. God offers us free, limitless forgiveness and in return He requires that we forgive each other. As is always the case, God requires behaviors of us for our own good. Forgiveness is like medicine for our souls. When we live in unforgiveness we become sick and toxic in our hearts and minds. In our lives, we will fail to live a healthy life, if we don't master forgiveness. This week we will see from the famous story of Joseph the key to mastering the discipline of forgiveness in our lives. Join us as we conclude this important series.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48869559
We will be centered on the story Jesus told of the Prodigal Son in an attempt to explain God's heart towards us. There are two sons in the story and both struggle with the Forgiveness God offers. We will track the process we go through with God and how we access the Father's forgiveness and love. I hope you will join us this weekend as we celebrate the great FORGIVENESS that God has made possible for us to receive. A forgiveness that we desperately need and that God makes available to us all.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48869554
For our Good Friday Service we will focus on the good news that God's Forgiveness Isn't Fair. In Luke's gospel there are many characters included in the story of Jesus' crucifixion and we will try to see ourselves in the story.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48869550
When we feel offended it is often because we were unprepared to forgive in the first place. We function out of a mentality that expects everyone around us to be about MY desires and MY good! But we are living in a fallen world, full of sinful people! We are going to get hurt, attacked, offenses will be done against us! So how do we live in a world full of sin and still reflect the heart of Christ? We forgive before the offense ever comes.
This week we will see the attitude of Jesus who knew fully what was going to happen to Him, and still chose to forgive those doing it, including us! Let’s learn through God’s word how we can function in our world, free from the chains of bitter offense, and reflecting the heart of our Savior!
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48869547
This weekend we begin our Easter Series called FORGIVENESS. The role forgiveness plays in our lives is eternal. In order for a person to access God they must come to the place of admitting their need for the forgiveness of God. What follows is the requirement that we give forgiveness generously to others. This is essential for our spiritual health and as we mature we give forgiveness more quickly and more often. We will begin the series looking at the difficulty we can have at accepting forgiveness. Often this plays out in an unwillingness to forgive ourselves of our sin. We continue in pain of failure, betrayal, or denial. It all starts and ends with our connection and relationship with God. This week we will examine Peter's relationship with Jesus and his struggle to accept the forgiveness of Jesus following his failure. Join us as we begin our journey to Easter 2022 with a series called FORGIVENESS.
For Scripture, notes, events, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48869473
This weekend we conclude our series called "SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP". We have been working our way through the book of Titus discovering the instructions the Apostle Paul is giving to the young leader Titus on leadership in the church. Leadership is an important issue in churches and how it is set up matters. This week we conclude this series on leadership with how to establish and maintain a healthy culture in the church. The key factors we will learn this week involve dealing with destructive forces and constructive forces. Discouraging the destructive ones and encouraging the Constructive forces are the keys to building and maintaining a healthy church culture. Join us this week as we conclude this important series on leadership.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48857280
This weekend we continue in our series called SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. In this series we are working our way through the book of Titus. The Apostle Paul is writing Titus giving him instructions on how to set up the churches on the island of Crete. Transformational leadership is at the core of this letter. Paul is urging Titus to help the churches become transformational communities. Churches that facilitate life change among their own people and that affect change in their community as well. This weekend we look at the instructions regarding community involvement. The Apostle Paul had an interest in how these new churches would interact with their communities. He wanted their influence to be good and godly. How should they handle this? Join us this week as we look at the instructions Paul gives Titus regarding how we should influence our community toward Jesus.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48857277
This weekend we continue in our series called SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP. As we work our way through the book of Titus we are learning about how spiritual leadership works in different areas. Last week we looked at the leadership required to oversee the church. This week we will see how leadership is supposed to work among the people who make up the church. Remember that leadership is influence and spiritual leadership influences others toward godly living. The way our church will grow to be healthy, unified and firing on all cylinders is as we influence each other towards spiritual maturity. Join us this week as we continue to learn how we can influence each other towards following Jesus more closely.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48857274
This weekend we begin a new series called "SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP". We will be studying through the book of Titus in this series. The need for spiritual leadership in our churches, homes, schools, businesses, and community is absolutely essential. Jesus presented and demonstrated a different model of leadership than the world had ever seen. His model of leadership was that the leader took the posture of a servant. Jesus served us and in doing so established a new way to lead. If you are a follower of Jesus you are a leader. You are an influencer and that is what leadership is. Join us for this series as we study the book of Titus and discover the way to become effective spiritual leaders in the world we live in.
This weekend we conclude our series in the Book of Judges. We will look at a time when the nation of Israel reached her height of rebellion against God. They worshiped all of the gods of the peoples around them. Pursuing them and worshiping them. God again allows them to be persecuted by these peoples who probably disrespected them more for leaving their own God to worship theirs. God gets so fed up with their idolatry that He says He will not save them but leave them to the gods they so desperately want to follow. In the end God raises up another Judge by the name of Jephthah who becomes the one to lead the nation of Israel to victory over the Ammonites who have been oppressing them. The worship of others gods has its cost and in this case creates a lasting mark on the people of God. Join us this weekend as we are reminded that God creates restrictions only to protect us and to keep us from the destruction our enemy wants to bring into our lives. The God of the Bible loves and protects us because He created us. He wants only to give us real life that can only be found in Him.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48845796
This weekend we continue in the series called JUDGES. The next Judge will study is Gideon. Gideon was a reluctant leader. Jesus appeared to Gideon and told him that he had been chosen to deliver the people of Israel from the oppressive treatment by the Midianites. Gideon struggled to believe what God said He would do was true. After testing God several times he agreed to trust what God said He would do in delivering the Midianites into Gideon's hands. Like Gideon we can lose our faith in God to do what He says He will do. We can struggle to believe that God is in control and that He will deliver us from our oppressors. Join us this weekend as we continue to learn from the lives of the Isralites as they struggle to follow God.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48845792
This weekend we continue in our series called "Judges". In this series we are learning about four of the leaders God raised up during the time after Joshua died and before they had a King. The nation of Israel was stuck in a bad cycle due to the influence of the Canaanites who lived in the land around them. The Canaanites did not fear or worship God in fact they were wicked people who pulled the people of God away from Him. The cycle the Isralites were in was this: Rebellion - Judgement - Repentance - Salvation. This week we will look at a leader who was strong, confident and respected, her name was Deborah. One of only three women who were prophets in the Bible, Deborah was the leader of Israel during the time they were subject to a Canaanite King named Jabin. Deborah led Israel to a miraculous victory that they should never have been able to pull off. Join us this weekend to be reminded that we follow a God who can do anything even when what we are facing looks impossible to overcome.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48833596
This weekend we begin a new series called JUDGES. We will be examining four of the Judges found in the book of the Bible with the same name. Israel has entered the land of Cannan under Joshua's leadership. Joshua has now died and there is no one leader to lead Israel. Israel has not obeyed God in driving out all the inhabitants of the Land and so their Pagan influence from those people is still around them. Israel rebels against God and is drawn away from God toward the Idolatry of the pagan people who live in the land. God judges His people by allowing neighboring Kings to conquer them and oppress them. At times after they cry out for help God raises up a Judge to defeat the oppressor and lead them to follow God again. There is a cycle the nation of Israel lives in for the entire book. The cycle is this; Rebellion, Judgment, Repentance, and Salvation. We can see our own struggle to follow God in this book. In this series we will try to learn from the mistakes of the nation of Israel. Join us this weekend as we dive into The Book Of Judges.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48832500
This weekend we conclude our series called “Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire.” We are exposing the lies the Devil tells us and answering those lies with the truth of God's Word.
This weekend we look at the lie Satan tells that our identity is based on our behavior or actions. There are several lies packaged within this train of thought. First, He would like us to believe that the way others see us is who we are. He would also like us to buy into the idea that our failures define us. Lastly, he wants you and me to believe that we’ve gone too far to be loved, healed or restored.
Have you heard any one of these lies? Let’s discover the truth that dissolves these lies and can deliver us to live the life God has designed for us to live.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48821167
This weekend we continue our series called "Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire". We are exposing the lies the Devil tells us and answering those lies with the truth of God's word. This weekend we look at the lie Satan told Eve in the Garden Of Eden. The Devil took the form of a serpent, one the animals they knew, and told Eve and Adam a lie that would cause destruction to all of God's creation. The lie the Devil tells them is a powerful one. Because they believed it, damage was done to them and all people after them. This lie has been used on you and me as well. Because the lie is so effective the Devil continues to use it to get us to stop listening to and believing God. Join us as we expose this lie and empower you to avoid the damage believing it will bring into your life.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48821165
This series is about the lies the Devil tells us and the truth of God's word applied to those lies. So far in this series, we have exposed two of the lies of Satan. First, Your Physical Needs are More Important than Your Spiritual Needs. Second, If God Cared This Wouldn't Be Happening. This week we expose the lie of the Devil which is, Take The Fastest Track To Success. The Devil wants you to put your own success and ambition at the front of your priority list. He wants you to keep your ambitions and dreams at the center of your life. If you do this, you will be more open to taking the fastest track to see those dreams and desires come true. This tendency will leave you open and vulnerable to making compromises along the path to success. Jesus is going to teach us how to live in a way that will allow us to move towards the dreams God has given us, without losing who we are before God in the process. Don't miss this week as we continue exposing the lies the Devil tells us.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48821160
This weekend we continue our in series "LIAR, LIAR, PANTS ON FIRE." This series is about the big lies the father of lies tries to whisper in our ears. The series tackles the lies the Devil tells us and applies the truth of God's word to correct the lie. We must be on our guard as we go through this life. The Devil has been working to trick the human race from the beginning and he has been successful. If we are not on our guard we will believe his lies and be led away from God's plan for our lives. At the worst the Devil's lies deceive people away from the salvation God offers but for those who have already trusted in Jesus he cannot get their souls. He can however work to render those who are saved ineffective and impotent at accomplishing the mission God has for their lives.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48821155
This weekend we begin a new series called "Liar, Liar, Pants On Fire - The Lies the Devil Tells Us". We will be looking at the key lies the Devil has been telling over the Millennia of human existence. He lied to Adam and Eve, He even tried to trick Jesus with some powerful lies. We may say we don't believe his lies but often we live like we do. In this series we will be confronting these lies and exposing them to the truth of what God says. God's word is truth and it is in the truth that we find life. Join us as we look at the first lie Satan tried to trick Jesus with, the lie was that your physical life is more important than your spiritual life. Jesus' response to the lie of Satan tells us the truth about what matters most and where our priority should be. If we get this right our lives will become spiritually powerful and we will begin to see the world around us change.
Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48821152
Today we will conclude our series called "Fear Not" through a study in Matthew chapter 2. God's plan was under attack and the powers that are at work in our world sought to bring it to an end before it had a chance to begin. Kings from the East, following a star put in the heavens by God, came to worship the King of the Jews. King Herod, having heard this messiah had been born, sought to destroy him. We are tempted to fear earthly powers in our time as well. We need to be reminded that God will win and no earthy power can stop His plan from working to completion. We must not fear the powers on this earth even when they come against the work of God. God protected His plan by protecting his people. God will protect his people today as well. Let's be encouraged to continue to trust God as we end 2021 and prepare to begin a new year.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48817990
Merry Christmas! As we continue in our series called "Fear Not" which has been our Christmas series. Our focus has been on how God revealed His plan to individuals in the Christmas story through messengers called Angels. The Angels always brought fear into the hearts of those they appeared to. Yet God's plan was not a fearful one but a plan to bring peace between God and man. The way in which God brought peace was to come to earth and take on a human body. God would humble Himself to become one of us. Jesus born to a virgin, humble and gentle. Born to a common family with no announcement to earthy powers. Jesus came in humility and God's example should encourage us to overcome our fear of being humble. Our Christmas Eve service will focus on the humility of God himself and our need as people to demonstrate this same virtue.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48802764
This weekend we continue in our series "Fear Not." This week we will follow the Shepherds who were the first to learn of the birth of Jesus the Messiah.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48802761
This weekend we continue in our Christmas series called "Fear Not." As God prepared to send His Son to earth He prepared some key individuals by sending a messenger to visit them. These messengers are called Angels and in this week the Angel in our story is named Gabriel. The way in which God's Son would come to earth is that He would be born of a woman. That woman was a young Jewish girl named Mary who would become pregnant by the Holy Spirit and give birth to the Son of God.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48802757
This weekend Dr. Jud Martin is preaching the second part in our series of "Fear Not."
For Scripture, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48802752
Trusting God can be a difficult thing for many of us, but why? Has He earned it? Is He trustworthy?
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48802739
This week is the weekend before Thanksgiving. As we prepare to spend time with family eating way too much, we need to first set our hearts and minds on all that God has done for us. We need to live with an Attitude of Gratitude. The Bible teaches us that it is through this attitude that we experience the Joy and Peace that God wants to give us. We could all use some Joy and Peace at this time of year. Let's gather this weekend and focus on the goodness of God and make sure we are entering this holiday season with the right Attitude!
Click for Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48780331
This week of our fall campaign called "Be The Church" we focus on Cylinder 6 of the engine that powers the church. The cylinder is called Mission/Impact. We know that the church of Jesus is a church on mission. We are co-missioned by Jesus to go and make disciples. This mission has the capacity to change our community. We will take responsibility for our region to see an impact made for the Kingdom of God. We are a mission organization in our region and so we will follow what missionaries do as they live and work in a community. They find ways to connect with the needs of the people around them. We live in chaotic times. These times are also times of great opportunity. We want to be positioned as a church to step into opportunities that God provides to make a difference in our community for the Kingdom of God. Don't miss this weekend as we take ownership for our region as missionaries of Jesus Christ.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48780326
This week in our Fall Campaign called "Be The Church" we focus on Cylinder 5 which is Service/Sacrifice. Our statement of purpose for this Cylinder is: With the Servant/Savior as our example, we will race each other to see who can sacrificially care for others the most. Pastor Scott Mathis will teach us how to make sure this cylinder is firing correctly. When we are growing as followers of Jesus He will lead us to become servants of each other and of the world around us.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48780321
The fourth cylinder is called Fellowship or could be understood by using the word "Together". Christian fellowship is a very important aspect of what the church is and does. The church is a community of diverse people brought together around the person and work of Jesus. Join us this weekend as we examine this important aspect of what makes the church the Church.
Click the link for Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48780319
This weekend we are looking at The Cause. Join us as Pastor Ben preaches on Evangelism.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48780164
This weekend we continue in our Fall Growth Campaign called BE THE CHURCH. We are looking at the cylinders of the engine that powers the church. This week we look at the second cylinder called DISCIPLESHIP/FOLLOWER. Jesus calls us to leave everything and follow Him. In order to follow Him we are required to do three things. Deny, Pick up, and Follow. Join us this weekend as we learn the power of a life given over to following Jesus. What is on the line is either living as we were intended or losing everything. God wants you to have life in the fullest sense and that requires that you learn to follow Him.
For Scripture, notes, events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48778068
This weekend of our fall campaign we focus on the first Cylinder in the engine that powers the church. Cylinder 1 is Worship/Affection. Jesus' response when asked, what is the greatest commandment, tells us all we need to know about what matters in our relation to God. Jesus says the greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. This is to direct all of our affection towards God. In order for our church to be healthy, unified, and firing on all cylinders we must have this purpose figured out. We must be a church who worships God with all that we are. This weekend we will focus on how to ensure that our affection is directed at God and at Him alone.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48774321
This week is Kick Off Sunday for our fall campaign called BE THE CHURCH. We will be focusing on the fact that the Church was created on purpose for a purpose and that purpose is to accomplish the Mission of God. The Church is God's vehicle to reach the world. Don't miss this campaign as we grow as a church together. We want to be a church that is Healthy, Unified, and firing on all cylinders. This weekend we will learn what the 6 cylinders are of the churches engine. Join us as we Kickoff our fall campaign.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48768143
This weekend we answer the question, how do we stay focused on the mission God has given us? The way we stay focused is to fight the distractions that will cause us to lose our way. The Devil just needs to keep you distracted in order to keep you off mission. Let's regain our focus this weekend as we seek to prepare ourselves for the growth God wants to bring to our lives.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48764311
Church is not something we simply attend on the weekend. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you ARE the Church. As the Church, how are we to live our lives in the places where we live, work and play?
Throughout Fall Campaign, this series will explore the elements that make a healthy, unified church that is firing on all cylinders.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48760272
This weekend Scott Langemeier is sharing about the great things God is doing through Movida.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events & more: http://bible.com/events/48757207
Some of us have hurts from dreams that have fallen through or haven't come to fruition. This weekend, join us as we look at the story of Joseph and how God accompanied him throughout his journey.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48754230
This weekend as we continue in our series "HURT - Escaping a Victim Mentality" we will look at the hurt that comes from loss. We experience loss in many ways but all loss produces pain.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48745602
This weekend Brady Cone with Calibrate Ministries as we continue in our series HURT - Escaping a Victim Mentality. Brady will share about hurts that led him into a homosexual lifestyle.
Please know that Berean Kidz is available for children ages 4 through 1st grade.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48745597
This weekend as we continue in our series "HURT - Escaping A Victim Mentality" we are looking at hurts from authority figures in our lives.
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48741962
Join us this weekend as we continue in Ephesians 4:25-32
For Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48734787
Join us this weekend as we continue in Ephesians 4:17-24.
Big Idea: Put off the old, put on the new
For Scripture, notes, events coming up, and more: http://bible.com/events/48730725
Join us this weekend as we continue in Ephesians 4:7-16
For Scripture, notes, events coming up, and more: http://bible.com/events/48727395
This weekend we begin a series called Ephesians 4.
For Scripture, notes, events coming up, and more: http://bible.com/events/48725224
This weekend as Pastor Ben continues in our series "Culture Shock" we will look at what is true social justice, and where does God call us to fit into it?
For Scripture, events coming up, and more: http://bible.com/events/48720346
This weekend as we continue in our series "Culture Shock" we want to examine the claims being made in our culture regarding sexual practice and gender identity.
Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48716596
Note: This Sermon will discuss Adult issues of Sexual Practice and Gender Identity. It will not be graphic but parents should take note of the subject matter and, according to their discretion, take advantage of our Berean Kidz Children's Church during each of our services.
This weekend we are starting in our series "Culture Shock." We are looking at what the Bible teaches about politics.
Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48705932
This weekend we conclude our series "The Missional Church." We will focus on the difference we can make together. As a church on mission we want to leave a legacy in this community that will continue from generation to generation. Our goal is to make disciple-makers who will continue the mission of Jesus through this church.
Scripture, notes, upcoming events, & more: http://bible.com/events/48705682
Luke Worden is continues in our series "The Missional Church" with a message titled "Your Heart Fuels Your Lifestyle." We take a look at 1 Corinthians 9:16 where Paul demonstrates a heart on fire for Christ's mission.
This weekend Pastor Ben is continuing in our series "The Missional Church" with a message titled Gospel Boldness. We are looking at the how, why, and what of sharing the Gospel.
Click for Scripture, notes, events, and more: http://bible.com/events/48697514
Click the link for Scripture, notes, songs for the weekend, and events: http://bible.com/events/46521502
Pastor Jon dives into the first chair of Four Chair Discipleship this weekend. For notes, scripture and announcements, go to the YouVersion Bible App Event: http://bible.com/events/45937402
Sermon notes, scripture and songs can be accessed through the Bible app http://bible.com/events/7170910
In this series, we are looking at the 5 primary purposes or functions of the local church. This weekend we look at the aspect of Service in the local body.
In this series, we are looking at the 5 primary purposes or functions of the local church. This weekend we look at the aspect of Evangelism in the local body.
In this series, we are looking at the 5 primary purposes or functions of the local church. This weekend we look at the aspect of Fellowship in the local body.
http://bible.com/events/7041605
In this series, we are looking at the 5 primary purposes or functions of the local church. This weekend we look at the aspect of Discipleship in the local body.
http://bible.com/events/7037259
In this series, we are looking at the 5 primary purposes or functions of the local church. This weekend we look at the aspect of worship in the local body.
http://bible.com/events/7017492
Pastor Ben preaches the fourth message of our Christmas series, "Light of the World."
http://bible.com/events/6725601
Pastor Jon preaches the third message of our Christmas series, "Light of the World."
http://bible.com/events/6702277
Pastor Jon preaches the second message of our Christmas series, "Light of the World."
http://bible.com/events/6597755
Pastor Jon preaches the first message of our Christmas series, "Light of the World."
http://bible.com/events/6213895
Pastor Ben preaches the first sermon in a 2-part series called, "Thankful."
http://bible.com/events/5795976
With testimonies from Joe & Teresa Bracken and Cliff & Sherrie Miller, Pastor Jon encourages encourages us to take up our cross and live out the gospel of Jesus in our lives.
http://bible.com/events/5053394
Pastor Jon Simpson preaches the sixth message in the seven-part series called "Be the Message."
http://bible.com/events/4048987
Elder James Buck will be preaching the fifth message in the seven-part series called "Be the Message."
http://bible.com/events/4598519
Dr Jud Martin will be preaching the fourth message in the seven-part series called "Be the Message."
Pastor Jon will be preaching the third message in the seven-part series called "Be the Message."
Pastor Jon will be preaching the second message in the seven-part series called "Be the Message."
http://bible.com/events/697079
Pastor Jon will be preaching the first message in a seven-part series called "Be the Message."
http://bible.com/events/696837
Pastor Giles Armstrong will preach the eleventh and final sermon in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/674681
Pastor Giles Armstrong will preach the tenth sermon in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/670237
Pastor Scott Mathis, president of the Berean Fellowship of Churches, will be sharing this weekend.
http://bible.com/events/666462
Pastor Giles continues with the ninth message in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/654876
Pastor Giles continues with the eighth message in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/651642
Pastor Giles will continue with the seventh message in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/649121
2019 Gering graduate Johnny Castrejon shares for Youth Weekend.
http://bible.com/events/644213
Pastor Giles will continue with the sixth message in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/627293
Pastor Giles will continue with the fifth message in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/627293
Pastor Giles will continue with the fourth message in the series ::Love Lessons::
http://bible.com/events/623102
Giles Armstrong teaches the third message in the series :: Love Lessons ::
http://bible.com/events/617723
Giles Armstrong teaches the second message in the series :: Love Lessons ::
http://bible.com/events/615041
Giles Armstrong teaches the first message of the series :: Love Lessons ::
http://bible.com/events/610888
Dean Keener & John Trimble give updates on the Men's and Youth Ministries at Mitchell Berean Church
The Lord is my Shepherd... that's all you need to know. https://bible.com/events/497661
Baptisms at the end: 11:00 AM first, then Saturday night's
This weekend as we continue in our series "Joy in the Journey" we come to Paul's description for a productive life.
http://bible.com/events/493992
Pastor Ben preaches about the dangers of complacent Christianity.
http://bible.com/events/485628
This weekend we will begin our new series “Joy in the Journey” in the book of Philippians. Its here that we will see Paul’s love and passion for the Philippian church.
See the Bible Event for notes, scriptures, upcoming events and more: http://bible.com/events/454361