Morgan Hill Bible Church: Recent Episodes
Morgan Hill Bible Church
Morgan Hill Bible Church exists to connect people into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ. We hope that by providing these sermons via podcast, you'll be able to dive deeper into His Word and further your study. Hope to see you this Sunday!
Pastor MichaelMatthew 7:1-6Got a plank in your eye? It can be second-nature to cast judgement or make assumptions of others character, but Jesus calls us to a different way. Rather than be the first to throw a stone, He challenges us to take a look at ourselves first.
Watch, listen to or download Judgement and the Jesus Way to hear more!
Pastor Michaelmatthew 16:19-24Where is your treasure? It is easy to say our heart is in the right place, but what we value most might not look like Jesus. Is our focus the next Instagram viral moment, how much is in our savings, how successful we can look for those who doubted us, or another family vacation to post online? Our treasure is more obvious than we think.
Watch, listen to or download The Treasure Chest to hear more!
Pastor Michaelmatthew 6:1-8It’s no secret. We live in a melting pot of opportunity, yet a dismal percentage of the Bay Area would call themselves Christians or attend church. We can’t practice our faith in secret; being transformed by Christ means living out loud.
Watch, listen to or download Secret Spirituality to hear more!
Pastor Michaelmatthew 5:38-48 Got haters? When we live our life out for Christ, we will have some haters. If we have so many to count, it may be time to evaluate our life and actions; are we truly living for Jesus?
Watch, listen to or download When Your Haters Hate to hear more!
Pastor Michael Matthew 5:27-37Dig deeper. On the surface, what the world offers seems quite satisfying. Promises of happiness, health, wealth, and fulfillment all seem to fall short at the end. The truth is, we were meant for something much deeper.
Watch, listen to or download The Deeper Life to hear more!
Pastor Michael matthew 5:17-26Angry much? We all experience anger, and some of it is even what the Bible would call righteous anger. Mostly, our anger should be controlled and not controlling us.
Watch, listen to or download Raising the Bar to hear more!
Pastor Anthonymatthew 5:13-16Watch, listen to or download Stay Salty, Be Lit to hear more!
Pastor Rickymatthew 5:1-12Congratulations, hurrah! You are exactly where you should be. When Jesus gave his famous sermon on the mount, the beatitudes he gave shocked many. As we discover the hope woven in the statements, we learn what it means to be in the kingdom of God.
Watch, listen to or download The Kingdom of God to hear more!
Pastor MichaelActs 2:22-29We have a beautiful promise, a promise that will be kept. In Jesus resurrection, fulfilling countless prophecies, we have the solidified hope in eternity with Him and the ultimate defeat of death and darkness.
Watch, listen to or download The Promise of Easter to hear more!
Pastor MichaelLuke 22:7-27Celebrate God’s grace. We are all deserving to experience the consequences of sin. The Israelites experienced Gods grace in Passover, and hundreds of years later, Jesus’ sacrifice caused the ultimate punishment to pass over us and be cast on to Him.
Pastor Michaelmatthew 25:14-30What have you learned? One of the important lessons Jesus taught was using what is entrusted to us. Regardless of what we are given, using our talents for Gods glory is valuable.
Watch, listen to or download Teaching the People to hear more!
Pastor Michaelmark 11:12-14A new way. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection paved new way to have relationship with God. We don’t have to stay stuck in the same patterns, we are offered freedom and eternal life.
Watch, listen to or download The Fig Tree to hear more!
Pastor Michaelmark 11:15-19 What do you worship? When Jesus visited a temple, he was heartbroken and angry at what he saw. People were using the temple for selfish profit and monetary gain, something Jesus didn’t stand for. It can be easy to pass judgement on those we read about in the temple, but where does our heart lie?
Watch, listen to or download Cleanse the Temple to hear more!
Pastor BenLuke 19:28-44Explore the final week of Jesus before the cross. Join us in this new series as we walk through the final week of Christ together!
Watch, listen to or download Sunday, Triumphal Entry to hear more!
Pastor Rickyhabakkuk 3Wrestle with God. We can bring Him our hard questions, our outrange, our doubt, and wrestle safely. We will be surprised how our muscles grow, and a new song of praise comes through the new strength.
Watch, listen to or download Wrestling to Praise to hear more!
Pastor Michaelhabakkuk 2:6-20 Hanging by a thread. That may be how you are found today, barely holding onto hope. We have a permanent hope in Jesus, no matter what this life brings.
Watch, listen to or download Holding Onto Hope to hear more!
pastor benHabakkuk 1:12-2:5 Walk not by sight. Much easier said then done, as we wrestle with God. We can pepper Him with questions of why, but His goal is a deeper relationship with us.
Watch, listen to or download Live by Faith to hear more!
Pastor Michaelhabakkuk 1:1-11Have expectations let you down? We all have an expectation of God, and it usually aligns with our logic of how life should play out. So, how do you cope with the opposite result?
Watch, listen to or download When Life’s Not Fair to hear more!
Pastor MichaelMatthew 5:27-30Where do you go from here? We have a perfect guide in Jesus. While navigating an ever-changing world, we have someone who will never leave or forsake us in the process.
Watch, listen to or download The Path Forward to hear more!
Steve Dang 2 Peter 2:9-10 The Gospel is for everyone, everywhere. We have the treat of listening to special guest Steve Dang as he shares the beauty of the good news with us.
Watch, listen to or download Everyone, Everywhere to hear more!
MHBC PastorsSpeaker panelWe have the joy of hearing from some of our pastors on staff as they answer some burning questions. If you have been itching for some answers that don’t normally come up in church, this is for you.
Watch, listen to or download Speaker Panel to hear more!
Pastor MichaelGalatians 5:13 We aren’t talking about global warming. It can be extremely difficult to keep a pure heart and mind before the Lord as we are constantly bombarded by images, media, cultural messages and other temptations from a world that does not think Biblically. So, how do we stop pollution?
Watch, listen to or download Living Pure In a Polluted World to hear more!
Pastor MichaelGenesis 2:18-24 Everyone is worthy of love. Marriage is one way that we reflect the love of Christ to each other. The world has many definitions and ideas on how marriage should look, but we want to know God’s heart behind this beautiful union.
Watch, listen to or download God’s Heart for Marriage to hear more!
Pastor MichaelGenesis 1:26-28Sexuality is not scary. In fact, the Bible is open about laying a beautiful foundation of what healthy Christian sexuality looks like. We are given a generous framework in an intimate area of our life that can be honoring to God, not scary or tainted as the world paints it to be.
Pastor AnthonyGenesis 28Forgetting is easy. Choosing to remember, however, can be a challenge. Do we want to hold on to the promises God has, and the goodness of His character, or are we drifting into forgetfulness? Let choose remembering the truth.
Watch, listen to or download Remember What God Has Done to hear more!
Pastor MichaelLuke 2:15-20A night to remember. In the most humble entry, the most memorable night in history occurred when Jesus was born. We get to celebrate this every Christmas!
Watch, listen to or download A Night to Remember to hear more!
Pastor benActs 10Waiting for an open door? If you only wait for certain ones, you may miss the one that God has for you, it usually is quite surprising!
Watch, listen to or download When Surprising Doors Open to hear more!
Pastor MichaelJohn 21:1-22Spectacular failure. We have most likely felt this way quite a few times in our life. Yet, do our failures define us? Hear how Jesus responds to failures in our life.
Watch, listen to or download When You Have Fallen to hear more!
Pastor MichaelMark 14:26-72Do you crack under pressure? We all feel the weight of the world one way or another. In times where the heaviness feels suffocating, where do you run?
Watch, listen to or download When The Pressure Gets to You to hear more!
Pastor Michaelmatthew 16:13-23Got a big question? Many of us approach Jesus with these heavy questions, but have we considered that HE also has some for us?
Watch, listen to or download When Jesus Asks The Big Question to hear more!
Laurie KriegEphesians 5:31-32We get to hear from an incredible special guest and MHBC missionary, Laurie Krieg, as she shares her powerful story as a flawed follower through the lens of her marriage; and how Jesus grace was sufficient.
Watch, listen to or download How The Theology of Marriage Saved My Marriage to hear more!
Pastor BenJohn 6:25-69Do you wish you understood more? We are given many different messages as to who Jesus was, yet who is he really? Your Savior? Or just a mixture of others opinions?
Watch, listen to or download When Jesus Gets Confusing to hear more!
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Pastor MichaelMatthew 14:22-23 Storms will come. It is not a matter of “if” but “when.” Most of us fight against them or pray for the storms to go away. We may end up questioning why Jesus does not storm the storms in our life. If we turned to look, we would see that He was right there with us.
Watch, listen to or download When Storms Strike to hear more!
Pastor MichaelLuke 5:1-11When Jesus calls, do you answer? Many of us feel as thought we have to “get ourselves together” in order to truly follow Jesus. Yet, perfection is not required of us. We can answer Jesus’ call no matter where or who we are.
Watch, listen to or download When Jesus Calls to hear more!
Pastor MichaelMatthew 7:7-8When do you give up? We may pray for years for a specific request, and it feels as though the answer will never come through. So, when do you throw up your hands and stop? God has a lot in store for us when we persist in prayer, and we have to keep praying to find out.
Watch, listen to or download Persevering in Prayer to hear more!
Pastor anthonyJonah 1Don’t become the villain in your own story. Jonah was called to minister and pray for people that he did not relate to and did not like. Yet, God’s heart is the same for everyone. We are called to minister and pray for those that we despise, letting our hearts be transformed to resemble God’s heart in the process.
Watch, listen to or download Evangelistic Prayer to hear more!
Pastor MichaelPrayer serviceToday is different. Join in as we walk through a guided prayer service and spend time with God!
Pastor MichaelPsalm 42:1-2Are you crying out to God? He is not indifferent to our prayers. In fact, regardless of what we may feel, He treasures every word and holds us in our desperation, grief, and outrage. You are safe to approach Him in honesty and boldly ask for what only God can do.
Watch, listen to or download Desperate Prayer to hear more!
Pastor ricky 2 Cronicles 7:13-14When God’s people intercede, God intervenes. There is much depth and beauty in prayer, and so much of that comes from praying on behalf of others. As the body of Christ, we can step in for each other in lift up one another and watch the miracles happen.
Watch, listen to or download Intercessory Prayer to hear more!
Pastor Michael Luke 11:5-13 Are you bold in prayer? We may struggle approaching God with our requests, whether they are big or small, but the God we serve wants to hear them all. As we grow in prayer, we can also grow in boldness.
Watch, listen to or download Daring to Ask to hear more!
Pastor Michael Matthew 6:9-13 We have a prayer blueprint. One of the most significant things the disciples asked Jesus was how to pray. They watched his prayer life and wanted the same. Jesus showed them the way to pray, and we have the blessing of being able to use it today!
Watch, listen to or download Our Model In Prayer to hear more!
Pastor Michael 2 Corinthians 9:6A generous life is radical. In a society that says “more for me”, being a person marked by generosity can be a beautiful representation of Jesus. s Christians, we can represent Jesus love in a radical way and touch the lives of others.
Watch, listen to or download The Generous Life to hear more!
Pastor MichaelMatthew 6:25-34 Money can be very stressful. With so much of our world and daily life revolving around money, it can be hard not to fall victim of being consumed by worry around money. Will it ever be enough?
Watch, listen to or download Money, Stress and Worry to hear more!
Pastor CalebMatthew 6:19-24What has your heart? We live in a very affluent area, and it can be temping to keep up with those next door. No matter how many stocks we trade, new cars we buy or loans we take, our treasures on earth are temporary and undependable. There is freedom in life when money no longer owns us.
Watch, listen to or download What You Think You Own Is Really On Loan to hear more!
Pastor Michael 2 Corinthians 9:7 A generous heart is a good thing. We don’t just give because we HAVE to, but out of a cheerful heart dedicated to becoming more like Christ.
Pastor MichaelLuke 12:13-21 It’s time to change it up. Money can be a sensitive topic, especially today with a swinging economy, high unemployment, and unpredictable circumstances. So, how to we truly make change in our finances and approach money in a Christ-centered way? Join us in this series to find out!
Watch, listen to or download The Rich Fool to hear more!
Pastor Michael 1 John 5:13-21 As we wrap up this series, there’s some things you should know! As we walk with Jesus, our life will be marked by His love and presence. Whatever you face, know that He is with you as His child.
Watch, listen to or download P.S. Know This! to hear more!
Pastor Ben 1 John 5:1-2Jesus name is pretty popular. He is in memes, television shows, a significant part of various religions, and believed by many. But who is Jesus to YOU? Is He a growing and deepening relationship, or just a person you read about and forget what He says?
Watch, listen to or download Who Is Jesus To You to hear more!
Pastor Michael 1 John 4:7-21We love because He first loved us. One of the most significant characteristics of God is his love. As we become more like Jesus, our love to others and the world begins to mirror Jesus too.
Watch, listen to or download The Perfection of Love to hear more!
Pastor Ricky1 John 4:1-6Testing, testing, one, two, three. We are overloaded with a lot of information in the age of the internet, but not all of it is true or useful. As believers, we are required to test what is being told to us according to scripture. Sound too good to be true or is something smelling fishy? Test it!
Watch, listen to or download Quality Control Specialist to hear more!
Pastor Michael 1 John 3:11-24Baby don’t hurt me, no more. Whether its a catchy song or a real heartbreak, all of us have experienced the highs and lows of love. True authentic love, that comes from Jesus, is the only love that is pure and will help us love others the right way.
Watch, listen to or download What Is Love to hear more!
Pastor Michael, Brynn, Seth, katie Mae1 John 2:28-3:10This is no identity theft. We have the assurance that once we confess Jesus as Christ and shift our hearts to Him, we are a part of the family. Our identity is now as His children; marked completely new. We have confidence in His return and His promises.
Watch, listen to or download Living As Children of God to hear more!
Pastor Michael1 John 2:18-27 There is no denying it. Jesus is the Christ! We must hold onto the truth of Jesus and the truth of his Word. There are many forces or individuals in life who will try to work against this truth, but it stands the test of time.
Watch, listen to or download The Test of Truth to hear more!
Pastor Ben1 JOhn 2:7-17Life feel like an earthquake zone? No matter how secure we may feel in a day, all that can change overnight. No matter what life throws at us (no matter how unfair), we can stand on the firm foundation of truth; Christ.
Watch, listen to or download Firm Foundations to hear more!
Pastor Ricky 1 John 2:3-6 What is the evidence of faith? Jesus said if you love him, you will keep his commands. Easier said than done, but as our hearts truly grow to love him, we grow in obedience and evidence of our faith.
Watch, listen to or download Evidence of Faith to hear more!
Pastor Michael1 John 1:5-2:2Walk in the light. As believes, we have a clear difference in how we can and should walk through life. However, many of us choose to walk in darkness when the path of light is available to us. Jesus way is always better, so let us walk in the light.
Watch, listen to or download In The Light to hear more!
Pastor Michael 1 John 1:1-4 If there is one thing to know, it is that we are God’s beloved children. Our past, our hurts, our relationships do not define the love that Christ has for us. His unwavering character calls us His own.
Watch, listen to or download The Main Thing to hear more!
Pastor Michael Revelation 21:3-4, Ephesians 5:29-33 Heaven is awesome. We might be trying to make out own heaven here on earth by updating our home, buying a new car, and dreaming of retirement, but nothing will compare too what we have waiting for us in eternity with Jesus.
Watch, listen to or download How Is Heaven Greater Than Earth? to hear more!
pastor Michael 1 Corinthians 15:20 We all want to be in our prime! As we ponder what eternity might look like for us, we wonder how we will be “stuck” forever. It’s much more than simply a body.
Watch, listen to or download What Will Our Resurrection Body Be Like? to hear more!
Pastor RickyMatthew 15:44What will we even do in heaven? The image that quickly comes to our minds is sitting on clouds and playing harps. Thankfully, heaven has much more to offer than a white and gold color scheme.
Watch, listen to or download What Will We Experience or Do to hear more!
Pastor Michael2 Corinthians 5:6-8, Philippians 1:20-23 We are guaranteed to meet God one day. At the end of our life, we will be faced with the other side of eternity. What we do on this side of eternity will determine how the remainder will be spent.
Watch, listen to or download What Happens After You Die? to hear more!
Pastor Michael Luke 16:19-21 So, what exactly is hell? This question lingers on even the “best” of folks minds, is joked about or perhaps people feel they are walking in it every day of their life. Whatever the theories, the Bible points towards what hell actually is.
Watch, listen to or download What Is Hell to hear more!
Pastor Michael Psalm 33:13-14, Revelation 21:1-4, Matthew 4:17Have you ever wondered about heaven? Questions about the afterlife are some of the most pondered and debated amongst everyone through the corse of time. However, not all conclusions and assumptions are correct. What does the Bible reveal to us about heaven?
Watch, listen to or download What is Heaven to hear more!
Pastor MIchaelRomans 6 Why is Easter so important? It’s a common question. Believe it or not, the true purpose of Easter is not showing up to church, then enjoying egg hunts, extra chocolate and family lunches. There is much deeper and significant meaning than that!
Watch, listen to or download The Purpose of Easter to hear more!
Pastor RickyGenesis 35 It’s not how you start, its how you finish. Finishing well means living in repentance, and taking on God’s identity for you.
Watch, listen to or download Finishing Well to hear more!
pastor Michael genesis 34We are all fragile. No matter the tough exterior we may put on, we all have weakness and can suffer at the hands of others. When it all comes crashing down, what hope do we lean on?
Watch, listen to or download When Life Shatters to hear more!
pastor Ben Genesis 33Who do you need reconciliation with? Forgiveness can be challenging, especially when you have been wounded, slandered or heartbroken by another. However, our calling is to walk in forgiveness and reconciliation; for the God we worship is a God of redemption.
Watch, listen to or download Reconciliation to hear more!
Pastor Michael Genesis 32:1-32The road is winding, but we always have a way home. In a tale as old as time, we often find ourselves following the footsteps of Biblical characters before us; and not always in the right direction. However, there is always a road open for us back to God.
Watch, listen to or download The Road Back to God to hear more!
Pastor Michael Genesis 30:25-31:55God is faithful. We may struggle to understand God’s faithfulness when circumstances don’t change on our timeline. Regardless of our impatience or anything we could do to “mess it up,” God is faithful to His promises.
Watch, listen to or download Running Away To Home to hear more!
Pastor Michael Genesis 29:31-30:24Is your family ideal? No one has the perfect family, including Jesus. Over the course of history, God honored his promises even through Jesus’ messy family lineage.
Pastor Steve CliffordMatthew 7:24-27 We need a strong foundation. We can build our life on many things; careers, finances, relationships, but there is only one true strong foundation that will stand the test of time.
Watch, listen to or download Foundations We Build On to hear more!
pastor Ben Genesis 29:1-30He is always with us. Shame can keep us from wanting to approach God, or feeling worthy of his love. However, Jesus was the atonement for our sin, so that not only could we be forgiven, but so we could have a relationship with him. He wants to be with us, and always is!
Watch, listen to or download I Am With You to hear more!
Pastor Michael Genesis 28:10-22Watch, listen to or download Journey: Stairway to Heaven to hear more!
Pastor Michael Genesis 26:34-28:9Watch, listen to or download Journey: The Blessing Thief to hear more!
Pastor Ricky Genesis 26:1-33Watch, listen to or download Journey: Covenant or Curse to hear more!
Pastor Michael Genesis 25:19-34Watch, listen to or download Journey: Sibling Rivalry to hear more!
Pastor Ben Psalm 103:1-12Watch, listen to or download Beautiful Forgiveness to hear more!
Pastor Michael Matthew 2:1-12Watch, listen to or download The Greatest Gift to hear more!
Pastor Michael Romans 8:30, Colossians 1:27, 2 Corinthians 3:18Watch, listen to or download More Than A Label: Glorification, The Best Is Yet To Come to hear more!
Pastor Michael 1 Thessalonians 4:3, Philippians 2:12-13, John 17:17Watch, listen to or download More Than A Label: Sanctification, the Journey of Holiness to hear more!
Pastor Michael ROMANS 3:21-26Watch, listen to or download More Than A Label: Justification, from Guilt to Grace to hear more!
Pastor Michael Ephesians 1:4-6Watch, listen to or download More Than A Label: Adopted by God to hear more!
Pastor Michael COLOSSIANS 2:13-15Watch, listen to or download More Than A Label: The Glory of the Cross to hear more!
Pastor Anthony EPHESIANS 2:8-9Watch, listen to or download More Than A Label: Grace? to hear more!
Pastor Michael John 3:1-17Watch, listen to or download How Can I Know God Personally? to hear more!
Pastor Michael 2 Timothy 3:16-17All scripture is inspired. Many may ask if the Bible is reliable, and feel as though there are too many contradictions or its an outdated text in todays modern world. However, as one digs deeper, they find not only the timeless reliability of the Bible, but its inspiration by God himself.
Watch, listen to or download Is the Bible Reliable? to hear more!
Pastor DaveJohn 1:1-14He is the ultimate. When someone asks the question “why Jesus?” we can answer that God chose to reveal Himself ultimately and finally through him. It is through Jesus that we receive not only salvation but opportunity for a relationship.
Watch, listen to or download Why Believe Jesus is God to hear more!
Pastor Michael Acts 17The eye of a needle. Many may have asked why Christianity seems so exclusive and “narrow.” However, it is the opposite. God desires everyone to be saved and have a personal relationship with Him. So how do we explain that to others?
Watch, listen to or download Why Does Christianity Seem So Narrow to hear more!
Pastor RICKY John 9:1-38What is the skeleton in God’s closet? Many of us would say it is the pain and suffering we believe He allows. However, God does not have any skeletons in His closet. So what is the real reason for so much injustice and pain in the world?
Watch, listen to or download Why Does God Allow Injustice and Suffering? to hear more!
Pastor Michael Why bother? Some of us may like the idea of God, others believe He is not real. Wherever you stand, all believes require faith. So why believe? Check out this message to hear why!
Watch, listen to or download Why Believe There is a God to hear more!
Pastor Michael Ecclesiastes 1 Is it all meaningless? We try through many different avenues to find purpose and meaning in life. But if we were to truly pause and look at what we have filled our life with, are we satisfied? Some things many temporarily bring happiness, but true fulfillment and purpose in life comes from God.
Watch, listen to or download What Is The Purpose of Life to hear more!
Pastor Michael Matthew 3:35-38 Help wanted! Jesus is shouting that for any believers that are willing to hear. He doesn’t need our help, rather he desires our help. How can you participate in spreading the Good News?
Watch, listen to or download Help Wanted to hear more!
Unsalted crackers don’t taste the same. Jesus tells Christians to be the salt of the earth, but we can loose our saltiness. By pursuing our own comforts and methods of the world, the “flavor” we could have with Christ fades. Stay salty.
Pastor Michael Matthew 28:16-20 Go into all the world. When Jesus gave his great commission, many of us may mis-interpret that we need to pack up and leave to a foreign country in order to live this out. That is a great thing to do, but we often forget that there is a mission field in our own front yard. Many of the Bay Area is unreached, how will you tip that statistic?
Watch, listen to or download The Great Commission to hear more!
There is a battle for your soul. You can’t see it, but there is warfare over your heart and life. You are priceless in the eyes of God, but there is something else out there that is after your valuable soul. Fight like your life depends on it!
Got to love those handy cell phones. Some of us probably love them too much! There is something, rather Someone, much better than a cell phone that is always with us too. That is the Holy Spirit. He is ever active and present in our lives.
We have a special message for this Sunday service! Hear from some of our MHBC pastors as they discuss some common questions about the Holy Spirit. If you have had some lingering questions or are curious to know more, this is for you!
Everyone holds value. Sometimes it can be tempting to fall into comparison with other’s spiritual gifts, but every single person holds intrinsic value with their unique gifts in the body of Christ.
What does the Holy Spirit feel like? Its not a warm fuzzy feeling that just goes away. In fact, the Holy Spirit is much deeper and significant that just fleeting feelings.
Want to live an empowered life? Every believer has the ability to do so through the Holy Spirit. But what does that actually look like, and how can it be lived out?
Don’t play the blame game. It can be tempting to blame others or our trauma for our sin and shortcomings now, but we are all guilty and fall short. So how does Jesus save guilty people?
Life isn’t easy. It may seem as though the troubles are never-ending; in some ways, they are. In the Psalms, David knew many troubles. He went as far as the ask God why he was forsaken. Yet, what got him through troubling times and will do so for us as well is focusing on what God has already done.
The shoe doesn’t fit you. Jesus isn’t our savior simply because He wants to be. He is the only one who is qualified to truly save. His righteousness is given to you when you have faith in Him.
Jesus leads completely in holiness and kingship. As was prophesied in the Old Testament, Jesus was both the ruling king and perfect priest that man alone could not fulfill. Jesus can complete the roles that man alone could not do.
Pastor Michael Genesis 3:15 The Old Testament is a treasure trove about Jesus. No, really! There are many prophecies that not only predict the life of Jesus, it also foretells our ultimate salvation and hope that we have.
Abide in Jesus. It sounds easier said, or read, than done. Yet when we abide in Him, not only do we receive His life in abundance, we also bear fruit.
Pastor Ricky John 14:1-14 It would easy to have a direct path in life. However, life is full of twist and turns and potholes as well. When we follow Jesus, we know our destination. We have been given a map to stay the course, but we must choose to use it.
Watch, listen to or download Directions: The Way, Truth and Life to hear more!
pastor Michael John 10:11-18 Do you want a safe guide? Jesus not only guides us through life, but he protects us as well. He will fiercely fight for us and sacrifice for us so that we can remain with Him.
Watch, listen to or download The Good Shepherd to hear more!
Pastor Michael John 6:25-58Do you have to watch what you eat? As kids we maybe didn’t care what was full of sugar or too much carbs. We may have transitioned into a place in our life where we need to be intentional with what we put into our bodies. The same is with what we invest in spiritually. What we take in will be what we produce. What are you taking in; the ways of the world, or the life of Jesus?
Watch, listen to or download Bread of Life to hear more!
Pastor BenJohn 11Jesus is the Messiah that we are invited to believe in. We may have resurrection and life through him. But what does this mean, and what does that look like in our daily life?
Watch, listen to or download The Resurrection and the Life to hear more!
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Pastor Michael John 10:1-10True believers hear and follow Jesus voice. There are many voices we can choose to listen to, even our own. However, as believers we can choose the voice of Jesus calling us above the noise, all we have to do is listen and follow.
Watch, listen to or The Door to hear more!
Pastor Michael John 8:12Jesus changes everything. Once we follow Him and give our hearts to Him, slowly we begin to transform from the inside out. This transformation is not always pretty, and that’s okay. We are promised the good work in us will be carried on to completion.
Watch, listen to or download Jesus Changes Everything to hear more!
Pastor MichaelRomans 5:6-11True life is here! We are given the beautiful gift of eternal life and life to the fullest through Jesus. We have complete communion with God, and the ability to walk with Him on this side of life; which is life to the fullest. Hear more about the beautiful gift of Jesus!
Watch, listen to or download From Death to Life to hear more!
Pastor Michael Philippians 4:10-23Yay, money! That’s what a lot of us have to say when some extra cash hits our pockets. Our spending usually points directly to what we worship; whether it’s our image, our house, our cars, even our relationships. When we are brave enough to surrender our trust to God, that includes our finances. The more we trust the Lord and worship Him, the more we can give joyfully and not be tied to the worship of money.
Watch, listen to or download Joyful Generosity to hear more!
Pastor RickyPhilippians 4:2-9Look through the eyes of Jesus. We have a tendency to see the world, others and circumstances through our own eyes and bias. However, the way the Jesus sees things is quite different. We have a choice to see things from his perspective, or continue with blurred vision.
Watch, listen to or download Christ Covered Glasses to hear more!
pastor michael Philippians 3:12-4:1 We press on towards the goal. As we continue in our faith, there is markers for spiritual maturity. The goal isn’t to stay the same. No one drifts towards holiness. We must make an active effort to grow.
Watch, listen to or download Spiritual Maturity to hear more!
pastor Michael Philippians 3:1-11 Feeling confident? We can feel great about ourselves when the workout begins to hit, the job interview goes well, or the career takes off. The Bible is clear that our human efforts are ultimately empty, and only in Jesus can we find full completeness.
Watch, listen to or download Gospel Basics to hear more!
Pastor Michael Philipians 2:19-30Who do you look up to? We may look up to a parental figure, and close friend, or maybe a celebrity. As Christians, we are meant to set an example of Jesus for the world around us in every aspect of our lives. How are you showing Jesus to the world?
Watch, listen to or download Exemplary Living to hear more!
Pastor BenPhilippians 2:12-15All of the lights blinding? In a dark world, we are meant to shine bright to others with the hope and love that Jesus has to offer. We aren’t called to conceal or hide the light, but to bring others to it.
Watch, listen to or download Shine As Lights to hear more!
Michael BestPhilippians 2:1-11Isn’t humble pie yummy? Most of us would disagree! However, as much as we don’t want to taste this cake, as Christians we are all called to walk humbly in every way. As hard as it may sound, we are equipped through Jesus to do exactly that.
Watch, listen to or download Unity to hear more!
Pastor Michael Philippians 1:12-30What’s your story? We all have faced things in life, and regardless of what we have walked through, we can see God’s fingerprints in it all.
Watch, listen to or download Philippians 1:12-30 to hear more!
Pastor Michael Philipians 1:1-11Choosing joy is not an uphill battle. In a world filled with demand on our attention and strain on our outlook of life, sometimes choosing joy in the midst of what life throws at us can seem impossible. But with God, all things are possible.
Watch, listen to or download Choosing Joy to hear more!
Pastor Michael matthew 11:28-30Four reasons to bring our tired selves to Jesus.
Watch, listen to or download Come To Jesus to hear more!
Pastor Michael matthew 6:25-34What did the daily life of Jesus look like? He is all-powerful, yet as a man he experienced many of the same worries that we do today. However, Jesus emphasized for us not to worry; so how to we do that?
Watch, listen to or download Worry to hear more!
pastor calebPsalm 139:17-34Good news: overcoming anxiety is NOT impossible. Once we begin to see anxiety as a symptom of a deeper issue, we can take the steps the Bible reveals to us to dealing with it properly and getting to the root of the issue.
Watch, listen to or download Anxiety to hear more!
Pastor AnthonyPsalm 3Stressed out? You’re not alone. One of the most common struggles in today’s modern world is stress and anxiety. Most people would answer that they experience a form of stress consistently in their life. How do we cope with it? There are deep and meaningful answers in the Bible, that give us insight to tackling stress in a healthy way.
Watch, listen to or download Stress to hear more!
Pastor Shani, Pastor Ricky, Pastor Michaelonline only serviceJoin us for an online only service as we hear from a few of our MHBC pastors and worship together into this new year!
Watch, listen to or download Note To Self to hear more!
Pastor Michael Christmas EveJoin us as we celebrate the reason for the season together and hear the story of Christmas and the amazing goodness of the Gospel; Jesus!
Watch, listen to or download Christmas Eve Service to hear more!
Pastor Michael Luke 2:22-38God hears your prayers. We have the honor and encouragement that regardless of passed time, God has not forgotten us and our prayers do not fall on deaf ears. God is true to His promises.
Watch, listen to or download Simeon to hear more!
Pastor RickyLuke 1:67-80Give praise, for God has heard your prayers. Many of us may feel that we have been stuck in the waiting season for so long, our prayers have withered and maybe they have stopped altogether. For Zechariah, He did not stop praying for God to honor His promise. We must also learn to abide.
Watch, listen to or download Zechariah to hear more!
Pastor Michael Luke 1:39-56Mary, do you know? Mary was an ordinary woman used to bring something extraordinary into the world. She knew that Jesus was the Son of God, and the incredible gift He would be to the world. Her story is magnificent!
Watch, listen to or download Mary to hear more!
Is it hot in here? In the final letter to the churches, Jesus addresses the church of Laodicea. This warning should ring true in our hearts too, as we may find it easy to drift in life and go through the motions, even in our own faith and relationship with Jesus. May our hearts burn for him.
What would you do in spite of the odds? Under persecution, would you still stand for your faith and for Jesus? This world can be full of darkness and hardship, yet it is not permanent. Regardless of what we face, we are promised an open door.
Are you paying attention? As we become more like Jesus through a relationship with him, we want to keep a teachable and repentant heart. Jesus gives a warning to those who are not “awake,” only giving the appearance of being holy. The most important thing is out heart!
As we continue in this series, we take time out of service to honor Randy Singley, a long time member of this church and active chairman elder. We hope in the promises that Jesus gave, and look to be the church that he says “well done.”
We don’t want our darkest secrets revealed. It can be easy to say the right things, look the part and even uphold righteous acts, but it is still an act. Who we are in the dark, when no one else is around, is the true character of our hearts. Who would Jesus say you are?
None of us want to suffer, but in life it's inevitable. How do we suffer well with God's kingdom in mind? It can change our whole outlook on life and the bad things that happen!
Jesus has a lot to say to modern-day churches. One of the beautiful things about the Bible is that it is always relevant, and Jesus’ words to the seven churches in the book of Revelations is no exception. Join us in this new series as we peek into what Jesus has to say to the Church!
Money is a big part of our lives whether we want it to be or not. We go to work, pay rent or a mortgage, buy groceries, donate to charities; the list goes on. It is involved in most of the things we do from hobbies to paying the internet bill. It easily can become an idol in our life if we are not intentional and careful. Do you let money rule you, or is it a tool at the alter of Jesus?
True friends are hard to come by. We can’t look at our social media follows and gauge our true friendships on there. Proverbs says that a true friend sticks close than a brother, and will tell you the truth in love even if it is hard to hear.
Speaking true wisdom requires silence. Proverbs is clear that is it better to hold your tongue in many scenarios, since it can be the root cause of so many troubles. It is better to speak wisely how Jesus would, either speaking the truth in love or regaining from a rash remark altogether.
There’s more to inheritance than meets the eye. We are inclined to believe that leaving an inheritance refers to monetary and physical possessions for another. However, when the Kingdom of God is involved, inheritance takes on a new and deeper meaning.
Pride comes before the fall. We easily can begin to see ourselves above others if our politics are different, job positions or financial gain, yet that will only lead to hard lessons in humility. We are called to live with the heart of Christ, including how we see ourselves and other people.
Do you want to be wise? Of course most would answer yes! We are given a treasure trove of wisdom in the Bible, yet at times the wisdom we read is in contrary to the “wisdom” of the world around us. As we walk through the book of Proverbs, we get to receive true wisdom that withstands the test of time.
Sit up straight, don’t slouch! It can be easy to fall into default patterns and habits and think of ourselves above others. We may not even realize we do it, but we can easily make everything all about us. A new posture is thinking of others above ourselves.
Leaders can be hard to trust. If we have been around long enough, we will notice that good trustworthy leaders are hard to come by. The church is no exception. Fortunately, we are given a blueprint in the Bible as to how church leaders should act and live. Relying on this blueprint helps lead to healthy leadership in church.
Do you have a good attitude about suffering? No one wants to endure suffering of any kind, yet Jesus is quite clear that when we truly live for Him, there will be suffering. How we see it and endure it will make all the difference.
Have you checked your attitude lately? Suffering is a part of life, yet many may find themselves ill prepared to endure the inevitable. As we walk through dark seasons, we will be best equipped when we choose to think like Christ.
We must align ourselves with Christ. It can be very easy to get caught up in the politics of the world we live in, but it is clear that we are only meant to be on Jesus side as Christians. We are called to submit to authority, and honor Christ above all.
The way we treat others should clearly mark how we love Jesus. If we treat people poorly yet proclaim a transformed heart from Jesus, the world will struggle to believe us. Represent Jesus love well!
Generosity should be a lifestyle of every Christian. Its easy to tense up when money becomes a conversation, but its a significant part of revealing what is in our heart. What motivates you, money or selflessness?
Actions can clearly reveal what is in our heart. We can say we love Jesus, but our actions will convey if we truly do. As we strive to be “little Christ’s” and imitate Jesus, a significant way that is shown is in serving others! How can you step into showing God’s love?
Fasting is not a way to bend God’s will to yours. Rather, fasting is a continuous conversation focused in on God and bending our hearts to His. It’s not about what we can get from God, but about what we can give Him. How do we fast the right way?
The word “rest” may not seem like a bad word, but we treat it like one. Many, if not most of us, struggle to truly rest. We may say that we are taking a break, but we often turn to something else that won’t truly give us rest or satisfaction. We are promised an abundant life in Jesus, but we must truly find our rest in Him.
What is the truth that we stand on and live by? That would be scripture, Gods inspired and timeless word to humanity. Regardless of what life throws at us, we have a solid foundation that lasts the test of all time.
Prayer is consistent communication with a loving God. It is fascinating that the only time the disciples asked Jesus to teach them something was how to pray. Jesus life was so marked by intentional prayer, and we have the incredible gift to now communicate with a God who loves us and wants to hear from us. Dive deeper into this message to learn about the essential of life: prayer!
Relationships are vital to our health. If you're a self-confessed introvert, hermit. or the most extroverted extrovert; community is vital to our life. As we experienced in the height of the pandemic, being in community is important and necessary! How do we maintain and grow in healthy and Godly relationships? Check out this weeks sermon!
We are all lost, but how we are found determines the rest of our lives. If we find ourselves in the world, that is the means we will be left to. If we find ourselves in Jesus, we have full security and identity in him.
God will provide. Situations can seem impossible and it may seem like nothing will come through or there is no way out. God has alreadyrpovided Jesus, the atonement for our sins. We are covered, and he will always come through for his children in surprising ways.
“He will make a way, when there is no way.” We may sing those lyrics on Sunday morning, but many of us struggle to understand the depth of these words. Abraham too; struggled to trust that God would make a way when things seemed impossible for Him, but the impossible is exactly what God specializes in.
There is always a consequence. We may think we can “get away” with some things, or that even a private sin won’t hurt someone else. The reality is, sin causes pain to us and to others as well. If we do not soften our hearts before the Lord and learn from our sin, we are bound to repeat the same mistakes over and over again.
God has not forgotten you. As we wait on the Lord, sometimes it feels as though the world has moved on without us. Yet, God does His best work once things seem impossible.
Patience does not begin until what we hoped for has already passed. When we feel stuck while waiting on Gods promises, sometimes we loose patience and take matters into our own hands. This results in suffering; for ourselves and others around us.
Gods promises are always true. God is always the same and His character never changes. If God promises something, it will happen.
Don’t waste your season of waiting. Many of us may find ourselves waiting on God; whether it is a career change, health issue, or future calling, we want to walk in obedience to what God wants. Yet, as you find yourself waiting, don’t waste what God is trying to teach you.
Sometimes, sin looks like a blessing. When can make a “good” decision and not a God decision and reap the benefits even though it was not of God. How do you know if you have sinned or walked in the right way God has required?
Walking by faith is no funny business. When living in full obedience to God, we often can’t see the big picture of what He’s doing in the moment. It can be hard to blindly follow Him without knowing the outcome. Regardless of how we feel, in the deep times we can return to the promises God has made.
Does your boss clean your toilet? Jesus washing his disciples feet the night of the last supper was the equivalent of your boss cleaning your toilet for you. As we follow the example of Jesus and living as He did, we are called to live in sacrificial love, setting us apart from the world in radical ways.
We have a new covenant, what does this mean? Listen to this message to hear more of how radically different life is under the covenant with Jesus.
We are ambassadors of Christ. As representations of Jesus himself, we are called to walk according to His standards, including how we treat others. We are asked to be reconcilers with each other, walking in truth and grace.
As we reflect on the true reason of the season, we can be so grateful for the good news of Jesus! We have freely received the best gift; the walk in the grace and love of the Lord completely in relationship with Him.
Good news: delivered. God is in the business of taking what seems lowly, insignificant and unexpected and turning it into something powerful and good for His glory. This is how Jesus came to us: humble and lowly, to redeem the world for eternity.
We do not wrestle against just the forces we can see. Paul makes it clear that our biggest battles are against spiritual forces. We have to rely on God’s power to make it through the battles we face.
90,000 hours of the average person’s life is spent working. That is a lot of hours spent! Regardless if we are entry level or a seasoned employee or CEO, we all are called to do all things for the glory of God; including or jobs.
“Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth.” The famous words of Mike Tyson may be referring to boxing, but it often summarizes how one can feel about parenting too. We may go in with a plan and a vision with how we want things to go, but often it doesn’t turn out that way. As we get to the basics of what it means to have a Godly home, we start to worry less about insignificant things and more about raising Jesus-loving kids.
Marriage is meant to mirror the Gospel. No, its not what you think it is; its a story of grace, deep love, and respect. We are not robots and have the ability to choose to love each other and live in humility towards each other, just as we have the choice to submit to Jesus.
Monkey see, monkey do. As we are called “little Christs”, as God’s children we should imitate our heavy father. The goal as Christians is to have our life look so much like Jesus, that people confuse us with Him.
Jesus didn't come to make us better. He came to give us life and life to the fullest. When we say that Jesus radically transforms our life, we mean it looks radically different than the world around us. Would our neighbors, store clerks, co-workers and friends see Jesus in your life?
Its about unity, not uniformity. We often think everyone needs to look exactly like another within the Christian walk, but that is not the case. You can have a different denomination or religious background and its not going to change the need and calling to treat all with value and equality.
What is the mystery that Jesus has done for us? As Paul writes in Ephesians, we are meant to be stewards of Gods grace in our lives. It is not earned. Grace makes significant claims over our lives. Grace that is given to us is only a stewardship, is does not belong to us. We all have the gift of the grace of Jesus, it is up to us how we use it.
We live in a time of great division. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, yet how do we walk that out? As we read through what it means to live in peace with others, we realize it requires us to act more like Jesus and less like the world.
Grace isn't cheap. If we take the time to look back on who we used to be, we realize the true depth of all that Jesus has saved us from and how he changed our lives. No one is “better off” than another; all fall short. May we never view grace from a cheap lens, but honor What Jesus did for us and live in that daily.
No one drifts into holiness. Growth is not that easy. As we press into growth and open our hearts to the worth that God wants to do in and through us, we realize it is not really about us but about what God wants to accomplish for His kingdom through us.
You have an inheritance waiting. God is sovereign, which means that His promises to us never change. We are promised full relationship with Jesus unencumbered by sin. We can anticipate these promises from God eagerly: He is faithful to His word!
How will you be remembered? Many famous one-liners instantly make you think of a certain individual, like: “I’ll be back.” Although we aren’t staring in our own movie, maybe there is something that comes to many peoples mind when they think of you. Hard working, humorous, kind, self-centered, impatient. We all have our lines, but our goal should be “like Jesus.'“
How long have you been praying in faith? Maybe you have been pleading with God for a few weeks for a change in your situation, or maybe its been years that you have been praying the same prayer. As it may be tempting for our souls to grow weary, we can’t let our faith subside that God can and will act, even if its not how we would do it ourselves. Don’t hesitate to pray detailed and bold prayers - God just might blow your mind.
What is God's grace to you? In our most desperate moments, maybe we expect God to act in a certain way to extend His grace to us. As we are in a season of desperation, it can be hard not to compare to others answered prayers around us. In difficult seasons, sometimes God's grace is simply His presence with us as we walk through the desert.
We have hope in the face of death. Maybe you are walking through grief, or you know someone who is. It can feel impossible to have hope when we see the terrible reality of death. All creation is for the glory of God, and even in death, His name can be glorified.
Is Jesus just a means to the end of your suffering? When we only want Jesus out of fascination, we will eventually move on to something else that catches our gaze. Its not about the miracle, but about what God is doing through us and His glory.
Are you in a storm right now? Maybe the waves feel too big. You might find yourself feeling like God is quiet, maybe even left you to weather the wind by yourself. Yet, God does not lead to to a storm then abandon us. He is right there with us, and will use it to prepare us for the next season.
Are you here for the show? Sometimes our prayers are weighed down with our wants instead of our needs. In these times, we can easily mistake God’s provision for his silence when we are focused on our selfish wants going unanswered. It is important to remember God’s sovereign provision in our past, present and future by fully trusting Him that He knows best and will meet every need we have.
Are there roadblocks on the way to Jesus? Sometimes we may feel too helpless, caught up in the rules, or burdened by suffering. These roadblocks can either block our way to Jesus and cause us to distance ourselves from Him, or it makes us pursue Him all the more intensely. What roadblocks do you need to move out of the way to get to Jesus?
What are the marks of true faith? Jesus performed a lot of miracles and wonders, and it certainly gathered a crowd. Whever He went, people followed, hoping to catch glimpse and even experience a miracle for themselves. Are you following Jesus for what He can do for you? Are you seeking His signs and wonders, or are you simply seeking Him for a relationship?
Who are you? When we are asked this question, we typically don’t shoot out our date of birth, weight and height. We share a little about our careers or our hobbies, a small portion of our identities. Is this how we respond to who Jesus is? We may know a lot of information about Him, but do we know his heart?
What does God expect from us? If we only lived up from the expectations people have from us, we still would fall short of being pure and blameless before God. What God desires more than perfection is a selfless heart that is fully His. As we continue to lay down our life and our selfish desires, it won’t be easy as it clashes with what the world tells us to do. Yet the most gain we could achieve in the world does not matter in light of eternity. As we lay our expectations for this life at the feet of Jesus, we gain more than we could ever imagine.
Have you been a backseat driver? We often want to take the wheel or have full control when it comes to running our life. We can get attached to our past or how we think the future should look. Yet when we are living in our past or ignoring the future, we are not letting God drive our life. It’s a Patrice of taking the backseat and letting the One who has full control take the wheel.
How do we continue the story? Luke left the book of Acts very open-ended. It feels as if the story isn't done, like there is more to it. What could possibly carry on this story? The answer is us. Acts does not end on the paper, it is carried on with how we live to bring glory to God and grow His kingdom.
Have you lost sight of God’s promises in the midst of a storm? Maybe this past year hit you hard; maybe you’re struggling with grief, financial stress or walking through a divorce. Whatever the circumstances that you face, God knows them deeply. Have you held onto His promises in His Word? Or have they slipped your mind while you focus on the waves?
Do you want to be wise? We all probably want to feel smart and capable in our unique roles. As we seek to have a happy and profitable life, we might miss the mark with what God truly says matters. Our security, wisdom and joy come from Him alone. As we seek God in all that we do, we are filled with wisdom and His love.
We are given a blueprint how to live. Have you ever wondered what the basic requirements are for Christians? Paul walks us through the layout of how we are called to live and serve in Acts. Follow along with Pastor Ricky as we dive deeper into what that means for us!
What is standing in the way of you and God? We all have things that we turn to, sometimes again and again, to serve as a stress-relief, comfort, venting means, passion, or inspiration. The problem takes root then these things are not honoring to God or take His place in our life. Is there something that you need to do a full turn from?
We spend a lot of time trying to figure out the future. Some of us may have our next ten years of life laid out, others struggle to answer the question of what God’s will for their life may be. Whatever the case, we are laid out the groundwork for knowing God’s will for our life, and its much easier to figure out than we think! Check out what Pastor Ricky has to say in this message to hear more!
What do you expect from a new pastor? Pastor Mike Romberger guest speaks and walks us through some helpful points as we await our new lead pastor! Check out what he has to say as well and continued teaching in our Acts series!
Goes God surprise you with how He works? Just when we think we have Him figured out, we might just be hit with a curveball. As we walk in partnership with Jesus and continue to pursue His will fo our life, we will continuously be pleasantly surprised with how He moves! Don't put God in a box, he can't be there.
Have you been in a mess lately? We aren't walking about mom's spaghetti. Maybe we have found ourselves in the midst of a tense relationship, an argument with a family member, or a tough work situation. Relationships can be tricky, and sometimes things can escalate quickly. As the foal is mature, Biblical handling of conflict, we walk through a passage where we can learn what we should and should not do in the face of conflict.
Do you know God's will? We may wonder how in the world someone can be fully certain what God's will truly is. We have been given a massive help that aids us in our discerning His will, and that is scripture. As we pray and walk in faith for the will of God, the Bible serves as a crucial tool for understanding His heart and desires for us in our life: a holy and united community for Christ.
Do you know all the stats on Jesus? We often pride ourselves that we know so much about Jesus, but maybe we don't truly know him at all. We can gather all the information we want, but what matters is the depth of relationship. That's where true transformation and fully knowing Jesus takes place.
Did you miss it? It’s easy to miss something big when our expectations are different from reality. Many missed Jesus and the significance of who he was because they were caught up in what they thought the Messiah should be. Jesus came to earth humbly and gave his life; but it radically changed the world and eternity as a result. As God moves in our lives, let’s not miss Him!
What does an impactful life look like? We see so many examples through history of people who have impacted the world. Yet, should it be different for Christians? Hear what Pastor Mike has to say about true impact!
Do you live the label? Its easy to see a TV and call it a TV, or a car; but what sets you apart as a Christian? As we go about our lives, in the big and small, do we fully live the label of Christians? We are given a blueprint to how we should treat the world, with grace, kindness, and a passion to share and live the word of Christ. How we live should look very different than normal.
What’s the big picture? God wants to dwell with ALL people. Up to a certain point in scripture, that has only happened with The Jews, but that is all about to change. When God makes a significant move, how will you respond? Will you stand in the way and complain, or will you move out of the way and partner with Him?
Do you want barriers broken? Through history, people have experienced great division. In Acts 10, we witness a significant barrier that Jesus breaks. It's very possible there are still great barriers or dividers in our lives today. What walls do you need broken in your life?
Are you just as busy as before? In a year of lockdowns, you might find yourself still struggling to keep up. In the time we thought we would have, there seems to be more filling our attention. Ever asked why? We are exploring the three key characters that are trying to grab our attention; and only one of them has our best interests in mind.
What is the world we live in? On this side of the resurrection, we have great hope but still live in a world of trouble and suffering. Some prayers for healing don’t transform how we wanted them to, others experience miraculous healings. However we land on the manifestation of prayer for healing, Jesus expected us to continue His story. How will you carry on?
The truth of transformation comes from actions that follow. Is it enough for you to say you are transformed by Jesus, or would it prove your point if your actions followed? As Paul encountered Jesus, he was eager to jump into preaching and live his life for Jesus. As our hearts are changed to follow the Lord, may our actions speak of what is inside us.
Suddenly, everything begins to change. As we lay our lives at the feet of Jesus, we begin to be transformed from the inside out. That change and growth is often uncomfortable; but we can be rest assured that He will complete the good work He is doing in us. Are you ready?
Do you long to draw near to God? As we draw near to Him, He draws near to us. There may be many things that cause us to feel distant; but as we press into something more, we are guaranteed that He reaches out to us in deeper relationship.
What are you working so hard for? Ambition is an “earnest desire for some type of achievement, distinction, power or fame; and a willingness to strive to obtain it.” Are we willing to make Jesus name famous, or are we in pursuit of our own ambitions first? As we pursue our individual callings in life, may we be passionate for the name of Jesus above our own.
It’s getting hot in here. Jesus was clear that if we loved Him, we would endure persecution from the world. We must count the cost of what it means to follow Him. We are commanded to go out into the world and not to fear, because He is with us and knows our every need.
Do unto others. The popular “Golden Rule” has been quoted for hundreds of years, yet truly living by it is a whole other story. Has there ever been a moment where you were falsely accused of something you didn’t do? Or when you accused someone of something without proof? We walk through the severity of false accusations and what they can lead to in this message.
Where are you placing your hope? A new job, a new car, a new house, a new state? All of those things only temporarily satisfy, but they leave you empty. Regardless of what you are walking through right now, it won’t last. We need REAL hope, the hope of Jesus that endures all odds. We don’t know what this next year will look like, but we have faith that God is there.
Did you have it all figured out? Maybe you walked into 2020 with a “word for the year,” and soon it all came crashing down. We never know what’s around the corner. There is a lot of lessons that we can walk away with from this year. What will yours be?
There is a great deal of work that goes into something “new.” Whether its purchasing a new car or moving somewhere new, there is not a simple snap of your fingers to make it happen. Throughout the Bible, when God brought someone into something new, it came with a lot of work and was not always the easy choice. As we desire to follow God’s call on our life, it might not always be easy.
Be careful what you wish for. If one desires growth, they must be willing to endure the growing pains! With growth comes challenges. Roles need to be changed and some needs fall through the cracks. As we walk through growing pains, we must remember what is most important; the message of the Gospel.
Are you burning up? The status quo is being shaken. Are we clinging to a sense of normal, or are we willing to be shaken and lit anew? As the world grapples with the consistent changes and uncertainty of the future, it is in dire need of Christians that are inflamed with passion for the name of Jesus.
Are your true colors showing? Deception is a painful tool the devil uses to impact the church. If unchecked, our egos will become our demise. God desires true unity in the church, not surface-level interactions. As we open our heart to the Holy Spirit’s work, we can give authentically.
We are the wealthy of this world. Yes, maybe not the wealthiest in the United States, but in the context of the world. very much so. We live with options, from picking paint colors for a room, which house to rent or whether you pick brie or mozzarella cheese at the grocery store. In the early church, we are given a beautiful example of living in generosity. How can we walk with intention and surrender when it comes to handling our finances in a Christ-honoring way?
“Preach the Gospel, and when necessary, use words.” Our actions speak volumes of our heart. What we have inside, will overflow into how we navigate daily life and react to situations that are out of our control. Yet, although actions are important, words are too. May our actions clearly back up what our mouths so willingly speak; the beautiful news of Jesus.
It all points to Jesus. From the beginning of time, the Bible has laid a foundational narrative for Jesus. Although sin is a problem highlighted in the Bible, it is not the point. We are given a job within our salvation, a job of bringing glory to the One that it is all about.
A critical heart is not a heart after Jesus. As Christians, we are called to look at the pieces of our heart that are not right or honoring before God, not speculate on the hearts and minds of others. This can be hard to do, especially if we desire justice, yet God calls us to keep our eyes fixed on Him. The best way to live in harmony with one another, is to keep our hearts humble before the Lord.
Where am I disabled? Maybe it is physical, but maybe it is spiritual. We all have sins that cripple us when it comes to a relationship with God. It might not be visible to others, but it is visible to God. God can be glorified in your weakness, will you let Him?
What does it mean to be fully alive? Most of our lives are sub-human at best. With all of the chaos that we encounter, from greed to corruption, we don’t get to experience humanity in its full glory in this world. We long to experience life in its fullness. God sets the ideal; if you obey Him, every need will be met. God cares deeply about communities taking care of each other. This blueprint lives on in the church. How do we emulate the care God asks us to give in the church?
In the waiting, what shall we do? Fifty days. That is how long the disciples waited for the gift of God; the Holy Spirit. The disciples were given two key actions to do. Repent and turn from your sins to God, and be baptized and renewed. Wr have the chance to step into a beautiful newness with God, will we take that opportunity?
A promise of hope. God’s spirit is a promise that was prophesied hundreds of years before it came to pass. This good gift that brings so much hope was given freely to God’s children; for all people. We have this hope to cling to; that God has poured His spirit on us and holds fast to His word.
“But wait, there’s more!” This year has brought many unexpected twists and turns that we could not possibly see coming. We feel as though the future may seem much more uncertain and intimidating. The disciples waited, and there was truly something more; something great. We are given a great gift, the Holy Spirit, to empower us and be with us as we walk into the unknown and obey God’s call. We are given a great gift, let’s no neglect it!
What is God’s process for choosing a leader? Just because you are not chosen for a particular calling or task, does not mean anything is wrong with you or God doesn’t have a plan for you. God is in every detail, including our future. God knows us inside and out; Godly leadership is all about having a Godly heart. Guard your heart and seek the Lord first, and watch what God can do with a surrendered life.
Have you been waiting well? in the midst of the trial you may be in, have you allowed God to transform you, or rushed the process? Through scripture, God is not known for rushing a process. When the disciples were told to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit, they had to wait for 40 days. As you walk through this season, don’t rush the promise of God and forego what he wants to do in you.
Do things seem shaky? As we walk through significant transition, the church may seem shakable in all the changes. Regardless of what things may look like, God has declared that “the gates of hell will not prevail against” the church. We have an immaculate hope in the Gospel!
True relationships change you. One can attend church, read the Bible, lead a “good” lifestyle and still not have a true relationship with Jesus. An intimate relationship with God begins from the inside out and completely changes your life. Judas spent years with Jesus, and still betrayed Him in the end. Do you have a true intimate relationship with Jesus, or are you going through the motions?
Church isn’t normal right now. Many churches have allowed programs and structures in the drivers seat and the vision and mission in the backseat. It’s rocked the Church as a whole. Yet looking into scripture, the thing that drove the church was the mission of making disciples; connecting people into a vital relationship with Jesus.
Is there a twist you didn’t expect? Maybe there are circumstances in our life that didn’t go as planned, or a loss that rocked your world. Life is full of unexpected twists and turns, yet we have a Senior through the midst of it. John asked Jesus some pretty deep questions, are you asking the same?
If we truly believe in the gospel, then living life routinely does not make sense. When we live with the new vision Jesus gives us, we can’t possibly view the world the same. From living life differently to seeing people differently; we don’t walk with Jesus and mediocrity.
Do you feel like you’re in a waiting room? This extended shelter in place has caused us to feel like our entire life is on pause. Our perspective may dwell on the current situation, but “the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” As we pray for a fresh perspective, we can see that God is living and active in our life. We can step out of the waiting room and participate in what God is doing around us.
Compassion. This is something that we don’t naturally have. When you look at crowds, what do you see? Does your heart throb with compassion for those that you view? We see an expanse of city, people in a hurry, fancy purses or beat up cars. We typically don’t look beyond that with the eyes of Jesus. A vital relationship with Jesus gives us the compassion towards others that we do not naturally have.
Let’s be civil. Communities and civilizations were built on the matter of being civil with one another. As we devote ourselves to spending time in scripture, it molds how we treat and speak to others. Words can be incredibly damaging. Putting the character of God on display is being slow to speak.
Every single one of us has incalculable value. Justice is a beautiful symptom of a relationship with Jesus. As followers of Jesus, we are encouraged to seek justice. “If you don’t have justice, you don’t have me.”
We were wonderfully and carefully designed by God. God breathed into humanity at the beginning and created them in His image; with a spark of the eternal. Being made in the image of God means that we have a soul. No one lacks this. We were all created equal with relationship and community in mind. How do we live this out?
Who is this Jesus? There are many speculations in culture about who Jesus is. What does scripture say about Him? As we dive into the book of Matthew, we see deeper aspects of Jesus revealed.
Dr. Jeff Holmes Matthew 9:1-13 We’ve been praying for a cure. The world and those around us are collectively suffering with illness, corruption, and violence. As the symptoms rear in dark ways; we hit our knees. Jesus and his presence is The Cure. Is the presence of Jesus enough for you in your pain?
Reflection Questions:
Is there a minor ache or pain you can use as a trigger to talk to Jesus?
How do you see the presence of Jesus as a cure for what you have seen on the news lately?
Where has God’s presence been a cure for you?
Watch, listen or download The Cure to hear more!
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Dr. David Whitaker Matthew 8:18-27There is a price to pay. We are given an incredible gift of Grace through Jesus, yet this comes with a call to follow Him. Truly following Jesus goes way beyond showing up to church; it’s sacrificing our worldly desires in order to share the gospel. Being a disciple of Jesus is not about gathering in a building. To be a disciple; we lay down our lives and follow Jesus wholeheartedly.
Watch, listen or download Cost and Power of Following Jesus to hear more!
Reflection Questions:
What does it look like to “build my life upon your love?”
How has following Christ been hard or uncomfortable?
What are you drawn to that delays or keeps you from following Jesus?
What trouble are you going through where it feels like God doesn’t care?
What is the storm you are facing where you have discounted God’s power?
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Dr. David Whitaker Matthew 8:1-17 Miracles are not just ancient myths. The miracles that Jesus did are much different than your typical Superman actions. Jesus reached out and engaged with people who were struggling, even those who had the most dangerous diseases. He did not discriminate against those who were sick or those who were poor, He simply loved them and healed them. In this season more than ever, let us remember and have faith in the healing power of Jesus.
What is a way God has been faithful to you this past week?
How can you bring a ‘touch’ to someone in a Covid-19 world?
What barriers do you put up that may keep people from connecting?
Who are you hesitant to reach out to bring healing and the gospel?
Watch, listen or download The Kings Power to hear more!
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Dr. Dave Whitaker Matthew 7:24-29Did you hear that right? As we have walked through Jesus’ sermon on the mount in the book of Matthew, there has been heavy and healing truth to intake. We have a choice how to deal with the information we have been given. Listening to what Jesus has to say and following His words is likened to building our house on a firm foundation, stable and unwavering. As we are under construction, may our foundations be strong!
Watch, listen or download Two Ways to hear more!
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Jeff Holmes Matthew 7:13-23 Something smells sweet! It can be pretty tough to “bear fruit” as Jesus says, but our life is a consistent battle to surrender to God and do it our way. As we hand over the reigns to Jesus and put in the hard work, the fruits of our life and love blossom with the sweetness only Jesus can offer.
Watch, listen or download Tree’s Fruit to hear more!
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Dr. Jeff Holmes Matthew 7:1-12We’ve got some work to do. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” is difficult to live out. We are called not to judge, but to treat others fairly and kindly. We aren’t asked to respect those who are “worthy” of such, but also those who are the least of these. We have to deconstruct the default we are prone to; judgement.
Watch, listen or download Deconstructing Defaults to hear more!
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Dr. David Whitaker 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Are you enjoying your time at home? Maybe this shelter in place order has been a blessing in disguise. Or perhaps this season has brought suffering into your life. How do we see God in the painful times? Often when we are going through difficult circumstances we focus on the problem and allow it to overwhelm us. It can be hard to see God when our perspective is clouded with the trial. Yet our struggles do not define us. We are given such grace from God; when we focus on Him, our perspective rises above the circumstance.
Watch, listen or download Seeing God In Suffering to hear more!
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Dr. David Whitaker James 1:1-12How positive are you right now? This is a time where we are battling new feelings of depression and despair, or maybe these times have only intensified the mental battle we face. Our outlook of the current circumstances we find ourselves in shapes how we walk though it and endure. “Our outlook will eventually determine outcome, and attitude determines action.” Is our attitude centered in Christ? Or is is focused on the negatives that are out of our control?
Watch, listen or download What Is God Up To for more!
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