Beltway Weekend Services (Audio): Recent Episodes
Beltway Weekend Services (Audio)
Weekly messages from Beltway Park Church in Abilene, Texas. Hear the good news of Jesus from Pastor David McQueen and featured guest speakers. 895040.
Freedom is a promise that must be possessed (Galatians 5:1).While many people have embraced the lie that real change is impossible and carry an overwhelming sense of hopelessness, Jesus came to set us free. The freedom He offers us is the ever-increasing ability to become more and more like Him, to live as God designed us to live. That promise of freedom, however, is not automatic. We can be alive in Jesus and still not be free. Just as He commanded Lazarus to come out of the tomb and be unbound, He calls us to be both made alive and loosed in Him (John 11:38-39). Possessing our promise of freedom is an ongoing journey of yieldingto the leading of the Holy Spirit in what we think and what we do.
Sermon from September 10, 2023
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Geoffrey Turner closes out the Coffee Cup Christianity series in week five by providing context around Joshua 1:9. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Often, we make decisions based on a risk-reward analysis, from financial decisions to career choices, etc. Rewards outlined in scripture for believers, including God’s promises to be our strength, provide for our needs, and give us purpose and peace. While God’s promises are awe-inspiring, they also come with risks.
Leading to the book of Joshua, the Israelites’ journey from slavery in Egypt to their current point, setting the stage for Joshua 1. God instructs Joshua to lead the Israelites into the promised land after the death of Moses. God promises Joshua that he will be with him and emphasizes the need to be strong and courageous, as there are challenges ahead. Despite being so close to the reward, God repeatedly tells Joshua to be strong and courageous because the promises of God do not automatically happen. There is a common misconception that God's promises will materialize without any effort or risk on the believer's part. Faith requires action and often involves taking risks. The Lord often calls us to obey before we truly understand. It is obedience that unlocks understanding. Joshua, as a new leader, had to confront the risk of not being trusted by the people, the fear of failure, and the challenges of crossing the Jordan River. However, the rewards of God's promises are always worth the risks!
Sermon from September 4, 2023
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Week four of the Coffee Cup Christianity series, David McQueen provides context around Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
This common verse is often quoted for its promise of prosperity and hope, which many equate to monetary prosperity. However, when you understand the full context in Jeremiah and about the original audience – the Jewish exiles in Babylon, you will gain a deeper perspective on prosperity. True prosperity comes from seeking and knowing God, rather than merely seeking material wealth or comfort. Genuine prosperity involves an ongoing pursuit of knowing God deeply. Be encouraged to seek God with your whole heart, where you’ll find joy and fulfillment that comes from knowing Him intimately. He is worth pursuing!
Sermon from August 27, 2023
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David McQueen focuses on Lamentations 3:22–23: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” for week three of the Coffee Cup Christianity series.
This common verse will find most followers of Christ acknowledging God's faithfulness during favorable times but struggling to do so during times of sorrow and hardship. To best understand this verse, we must understand the context in which the Book of Lamentations was written – a period of immense suffering, destruction, and darkness following the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. The author, Jeremiah the prophet, has seen affliction and felt abandoned by God. The verses of Lamentations express his anguish, but they also serve as a reminder of God's patience, steadfast love, and promises throughout Israel's history. Pastor McQueen encourages honesty in facing difficult emotions and wrestling with God, using Jeremiah's example. Faith begins with acknowledging feelings but doesn't end there. Faith calls one to remember God's goodness and promises, as exemplified by Jeremiah.
In looking in the New Testament and the significance of Jesus' sacrifice, Jesus experienced darkness to bring light and hope. How you speak to yourself is important, we must recall God's goodness, and choose to focus on the cross, as it is a reminder of God's ultimate act of love and hope. Be encouraged to declare God's goodness, especially in difficult circumstances!
Sermon from August 20, 2023
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In the second series of "Coffee Cup Christianity" David McQueen explores the misunderstood concept of God's love using John 3:16 as a central theme “For God so loved the world…” In looking at this scripture outside of context, one can interpret God's love in ways that align with personal desires, rather than its true meaning. Pastor David emphasizes the need to surrender to Jesus' leadership to receive God's love. He draws parallels between natural birth and spiritual rebirth, highlighting the importance of a fresh start and being forgiven. God's love is received through embracing the reality of being condemned and perishing due to sin. The cross's significance is explained as a symbol of God's love, paying the price for humanity's sins. Listen to understand more about God's love and its transformative power for your life!
Sermon from August 13, 2023
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Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." is a widely known and quoted verse, one that you light find printed on a coffee cup. But not understanding this verse in the full context of how it was written can lead to unrealistic expectations and potential crises of faith. David McQueen shares a personal experience, where he believed this verse would lead his team to victory but ended up facing failure, causing doubts about God's trustworthiness.
David emphasizes the importance of understanding the immediate context of the verse and using the entirety of Scripture for accurate interpretation. He highlights the Apostle Paul's situation when writing this verse from prison, indicating that it's not a promise of guaranteed success or comfort, but rather a call to find contentment and strength in Christ regardless of circumstances. Be encouraged to find peace and strength in Christ, trusting that His grace is sufficient for whatever challenges lie ahead.
Sermon from August 6, 2023
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Leif Hetland discussed the emotional burdens of guilt from the past, shame in the present, and fear of the future. He emphasized that fatigue is a significant weapon used by the enemy, often attacking when we are worn out. Leif encouraged self-love as God loves us and advised against dwelling in the past but embracing the transformation process. Belief in Jesus leads to salvation, and believing that Jesus believes in us leads to transformation. He highlighted that free individuals can help free others. In the book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as a lamb 24 times, but only as a lion once. He encourages us to love like Jesus, depending on the Holy Spirit to show us when to approach and love as a lamb.
Sermon from July 30, 2023
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Faith is more about staying the course than starting the race. The culture of quick results causes us to emphasize the beginning. Yet the Word of God seems to reveal the opposite. The Bible seems to hammer this idea of staying, persevering, and finishing. In Haggai chapter 2, God calls the people to rebuild the temple. As they begin to build, they fall into comparison, becoming discouraged and eventually giving up. The quickest way to destroy something is to compare it to something else. Yet, another discouragement the people of God face is despising small beginnings. So again, they were discouraged. Hear how God responds and encourages them to be strong and do the work! When facing discouragement, we must remember that we are never alone in our journey because Jesus changed everything. Through Jesus and His resurrection power, we can accomplish everything He calls us to do and stay the course! By relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, we can be strong and do the work, step by step, brick by brick.
Sermon from July 23, 2023
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John 2:1-11 takes us to a wedding in Cana, where Jesus performs His first recorded miracle, turning water into wine. This miracle reveals not only the miraculous power of Jesus but also speaks to deeper spiritual truths like the goodness of God, the sufficiency of Jesus, and abundant joy. As children of God, our joy is not dependent on our circumstances; rather, it flows from the heart of God. It is a gift that springs forth from knowing and experiencing the goodness and love of our Heavenly Father. God's goodness is unwavering, and His desire is for us to experience abundant joy in all aspects of life. Jesus, in His miraculous act, showcases His sufficiency. He takes the ordinary, represented by water, and transforms it into something extraordinary. This serves as a powerful reminder that Jesus is more than enough to meet our needs, desires, and longings. He has the power to transform our lives, bringing fulfillment and abundant blessings. Moreover, the passage teaches us that God's best follows obedience. Jesus instructs the servants to fill the jars with water, and they obeyed. As a result, they witnessed the miracle of transformation. Obedience paves the way for God's best in our lives. It aligns us with His perfect plan and opens the door for blessings and breakthroughs. Lastly, we learn that joy needs to be refreshed. In the story, the wine provided at the wedding ran out. But Jesus, in His abundance, provided the finest wine, refreshing the celebration. Similarly, in our lives, our joy may wane or deplete at times. However, when we turn to Jesus, He refreshes and replenishes our joy, bringing newness and fullness to our hearts.
Sermon from July 16, 2023
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Have you ever worked hard for a long time at something that was good and right, but it just didn’t pan out like you thought it would? You thought things would be better by now, but they’re not. We have this tendency to expect big and fast results, especially when we’re doing the good thing, the God thing. And when we don’t see the expected results, it can cause disappointment and make us question if it was God’s will to begin with.
Often we think if God is calling me to do something, He’ll make it easy. But what we need to understand is that the closer we get to doing something that matters to the heart of God, the more likely we are to face opposition. When we’re trying to follow God’s will, difficulty isn't a sign that God's against us. Often, it's a sign that we’re on the right track. When opposition comes, ask God to enable you, empower you, and lead you to choose the difficult right over the comfortable wrong.
But what if it doesn’t work? Results are God's responsibility, but obedience is ours. We’re not responsible for the results, but we are responsible for the obedience.
This is what’s happening in the Book of Haggai, a story of re-building the temple of God. Listen as Jake Mills discusses the hardships that unfold in this book, where the Jews are trying to do what God has called them to do, but they face many challenges and even give up for 14 years. The prophet Haggai is going to help empower the people to do the difficult right over the comfortable wrong and move back into obedience, living in God’s will.
Sermon from July 9, 2023
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There are many times our lives can feel like a sandcastle. We spend time worrying about the wrong wave coming at the wrong time and potentially wiping out our sandcastle. But Jesus tells us if we build our foundation on the Rock, we can wave-proof our life! Jesus further tells us how to build our foundation on the Rock – by hearing the words of Jesus and doing them. A byproduct of truly hearing the words of Jesus is action. The wise man is a doer, and the foolish man is only a hearer. Jesus warns us to not be like the foolish man, building his house on the sand. If our foundation is anything other than in Jesus, it is sand, and we are susceptible to every storm of life. The storms of life cause us to lean into Jesus even more. Every testimony we share is a testimony of a weathered storm. Jesus offers us a house built so securely on the Rock that no matter what waves, winds, or storms come our way, we’re secure.
Sermon from July 2, 2023
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It is impossible for us to have the life God has for us if we don’t learn to hear Him. Learning to hear the voice of the Lord in the middle of the storm changes everything. The invitation to hear the Lord is for you. Scripture is one of the primary ways that the Lord is speaking to us. However, we don’t read scripture so we can check off a box. We read scripture so we can hear the still small voice of the Lord. The Holy Spirit in the life of the believer is one of the main ways we hear His voice.
Sermon from June 25, 2023
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God calls us to radical faith. Hebrews 11:1 says "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Faith is taking the step God is calling us to even if it doesn't make logical sense. When we step out in faith, we experience God's power and provision. In Matthew 14:22-33, the disciples are on a boat in the middle of the night on the Sea of Galilee and they see Jesus walking on top of the water coming toward them. They were terrified and cried out in fear. Jesus says (v. 27) "Take heart, it is I. Do not be afraid." Then Peter answered Him saying (v. 28-29) "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." Jesus said to come and Peter got out of the boat and came to Jesus walking on top of the water. But, Peter took his eyes off of Jesus because he was distracted by the wind and waves. He began to sink and called to Jesus to save him. So Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. The wind ceased and the disciples worshipped Jesus, the true Son of God. The enemy would love for us to not take steps of faith out of fear of failure, difficulty or distraction. But whenever we take our eyes off Jesus, we miss our walk on water moments of faith. Faith requires us to step out of the boat and when we do, we experience God's power and provision. Then, whenever we fail, reach out to Jesus who is reaching out to us (2 Cor. 12:9-10).
Sermon from June 18, 2023
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We all experience storms. A situation or circumstance that just feels like it is overwhelming or all consuming. In Mark 4:35-41 Jesus was with his disciples on a boat in the Sea of Galilee, when a great windstorm arose. The waves were breaking into the boat, the disciples were scared and overwhelmed but Jesus was asleep on a cushion. So they woke Him up asking "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” We can relate to “do you not care,” because many of us have said those exact same words whenever the storm in our own life have felt too great. Colossians 1:16-17 "For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." Everything is subject to the “Peace, be still” of the Lord. We can never allow the presence of a storm to cause us to doubt the presence of God. Just because Jesus isn’t physically here, like He was in the boat with the disciples, doesn’t mean the presence of God and His power are outside of our grasp. John 16:7 "I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you." We have the opportunity for our hearts and our minds to be guarded in the very blood of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. Incredible things happen in us when we choose to focus on Him in worship and submit our storms to Him in prayer.
Sermon from June 11, 2023
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Sermon from June 4, 2023
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More courage is required. If we truly desire to live in the abundant life of Jesus – if we hunger for that not only for ourselves but our kids, our grandkids, our friends and co-workers – there is a foundational facet of our faith we must actively put-on. The journey of following Jesus is us actively becoming who we already are. In Jesus we’ve been made a new person – born again. But we must mature – grow – into everything we already are. God so longs for us to have everything He designed us to have that His heart aches when we say no to what is needed for abundant life. And the reason we typically say no to the Spirit, the reason we grieve the Holy Spirit, is…fear. Courage is foundational to productive faith. Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” It takes courage to live a life of obedience, a life seeking to not grieve the Spirit. Life as a follower of Jesus isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes courage to stand on biblical truth when it is not only no longer accepted in our culture but attacked. Courage is foundational to productive faith. It takes courage to persevere when wickedness is on the rise.
Sermon from May 28, 2023
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Kindness is compassion in action (Ephesians 4:32). A key part of putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness, is extending kindness to one another. Unfortunately, many wrongly associate being kind with weakness. God demonstrates both kindness and righteousness, both kindness and power (Psalm 23:6; Jeremiah 9:24). He shows that it is possible to have boundaries and be kind, to disagree with someone and be kind, to take decisive action and be kind, to be angry at injustice and still be kind. In fact, when were powerless against sin, God in His kindness sent Jesus. And because we are recipients of God’s kindness, we are called to be instruments of kindness to others.
Sermon from May 21, 2023
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Jesus came to give us abundant life (John 10:10). In fact, Jesus boldly proclaims that He is the bread of life (John 6:35), which was a hard teaching for many of His disciples at the time. Jesus makes the promise that those who come to Him hungry and thirsty will be blessed and filled (Matthew 5:6). Jesus even taught His followers to ask their Heavenly Father for their daily bread (Mathew 6:11). This echoes Proverbs 30:8-9, where Agur son of Jakeh declared to the LORD: give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.
Sermon from May 14, 2023
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Followers of Jesus are called to no longer steal but to work hard for God’s glory (Ephesians 4:28). If we have given our lives to Jesus, we are engaged in a spiritual battle to put off the old self and to put on the new self, to think and act differently from the world around us. Part of putting off the old self means we should no longer steal. We should no longer take things that do not belong to us, falsify expense reports, not pay our bills, cut financial corners, oppress our employees financially, live in idleness or laziness, etc. Instead, we should put on the new self that works hard to build, create, and cultivate for the glory of God, seeking to steward all that God has given us so that we can be a blessing to others.
Sermon from May 07, 2023
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God-like purity is seen through the way we use words (Ephesians 4:29). The Bible is clear: God is holy and is like no other. In particular, God is like no other inpurity. Putting off the old self and putting on the new self (Ephesians 4:22-24) means becoming like God in purity. Such purity is intimately connected with ourwords because what we speak reveals what is truly in our hearts (Matthew 12:33-34). Words are undeniably powerful, not just in what we say but in how we say it. When it comes to our words and becoming like God, we must ask ourselves some critical questions: am I being truthful, am I being helpful, am I angry, and am I building others up?
Sermon from April 30, 2023
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We cannot be like God and not be angry (Ephesians 4:26-27). In fact, we are commanded in Ephesians 4:26 to be angry and to not sin. Anger is either a destructive or protective energy released in defense of something we love. Jesus – who was without sin – became angry at religious leaders for keeping people away from God (Mark 3:5). Loving, righteous anger is redemptive and zealously seeks to act on behalf of the orphan, the unborn, the exploited, and the lost. However, losing control in our anger is far from being like God. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can absolutely control what we say and do when we become angry. God calls us to aggressively repent of the sins we do when we are angry, to repent of the things we say and of the destructive chaos that erupts. He longs to fill us with His Spirit that produces the fruit of peace and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Sermon from April 23, 2023
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Speaking truth is foundational to being like God (Ephesians 4:21-25). While we instinctively long for honesty and integrity within ourselves, our children, and our leaders, we each have a propensity to lie. As we embrace Jesus and say yes to Him, we begin a lifelong journey of becoming like Him. When we grow in our likeness to God, that propensity to lie, as part of the old self, is put off like a garment as we put on the new self. Of first importance in putting on the new self and becoming like God is speaking the truth. In fact, our relationship with God is based on speaking truth, on confession that leads to freedom. Not only this, but our healthy relationships with one another also involve speaking truth and building trust. As we become more like God – as we embrace honesty – we will experience a greater measure of the abundant life God has in store for us.
Sermon from April 16, 2023
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Jesus defeated death that we might live in increasing peace now (John 20:19-21). But often our idea of peace is wrong. In an anxious, uncertain, chaotic, depressed, and angry world, we tend to think that peace is that rare moment when things are circumstantially perfect without any conflict (which means we never have peace). But what if peace is not the absence of something but the presence of someone? Real peace comes when we radically focus on Jesus (Isaiah 26:3). Our lives are full of constant stimuli - social media, TV, videos, texting, emails, calendars - that are vying for our attention and focus. We need habits of faith that turn our mind's eye towards Jesus and heaven. Those habits include worshipping together, engaging in God's Word together, praying and listening for His voice, and participating in true Biblical community and fellowship.
Sermon from April 9, 2023
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We cannot truly live until we are ready to die (Matthew 27:52-53). This certainty is highlighted by one of the Easter eggs – a small detail – in the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. As Jesus yielded up His spirit on Good Friday, an earthquake takes place that opens the tombs of many dead. And after the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, the bodies of many saints who had died were raised. They come out of their tombs that the earthquake opened, go into the holy city, and appear to many. They come out after Jesus was resurrected because He was the first fruits of those who have died (1 Corinthians 15:20). Like Jesus, we will all be resurrected when He returns. At that time, we will be judged first with how we responded to Jesus (to life or to death) and then those in Jesus will be judged secondly and rewarded for how they lived this life. It is the promise of our resurrection and the rewards of heaven that give us courage to walk in faith now and to sacrifice in this world. It is our future thinking of heaven and our readiness to die that empowers us to live in faith on earth (Philippians 1:21-24).
Sermon from April 2, 2023
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Jesus died that we might live in joy (Hebrews 12:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:16). This truth shouts to us in some of the unusual, lesser-known details – the Easter eggs – of Jesus’ crucifixion. One such Easter egg is that God chose to make the world completely dark the last three hours that Jesus was on the cross (Matthew 27:45). In His last moments, Jesus identifies with the darkness we all feel. As He cries out and yields up His spirit, the earth shakes, saints come out of their graves, the curtain in the temple is torn, and instantly light returns. That light was the eradication of the effects of sin and darkness. And that last shout or cry of Jesus may have been not a cry of despair or anguish but a shout of joy (Hebrews 12:2). Another Easter egg is the tearing of the veil in the temple (Matthew 27:51). God tore the veil, which separated humans from the presence of God in the most holy place in the temple, so that we could come freely and boldly into His presence (Hebrews 10:19-22). All these things that took place so that we could find the fullness of joy in the presence of God. Jesus did not die that we would have moments of joy but live daily in joy (1 Thessalonians 5:16). We experience that joy and keep it active in our lives as we pray continually and give thanks in His presence (1 Thessalonians 5:16-24).
Sermon from March 26, 2023
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We are better when we grow together (Ephesians 4:13-16). We miss out on true growth – on the abundant life God has for us – when we attempt to navigate our faith journey alone. Maturing as a follower of Jesus is intricately tied to unity in our relationships with other followers of Jesus, to walking in healthy partnership with other believers. Just as Adam needed a helper in the garden of Eden, Jesus as the perfect son of God chose to surround Himself with twelve imperfect men in day-to- day community and fellowship. As Christians, we are each part of a body and are designed to live in collective healthiness as each part fulfills their intended roles and responsibilities. Unhealthiness arises when believers either walk in disunity or do not know their specific part or role. When we function as a healthy body, with each part fulfilling their distinct calling and destiny, the gospel of Jesus and His kingdom advances and lives are transformed.
Sermon from March 19, 2023
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Living for Jesus means living in unity (Ephesians 4:1-6).Unity is not based on who we are or what we do, nor is it based on a code, cause, political platform, or preference. Unity is based on the salvation we have received through Jesus, that we bear His name and are a part of His family. And because of this reality, unity is not something we create. It is something we maintain and guard so that we do not lose it. And unity is not uniformity, nor is it an enemy of diversity. Rather, unity in Christ celebrates our differences, and it welcomes all regardless of their background, abilities, giftings, or history. He is the unity in our diversity. Unity fights against selfishness and is protected by humility, gentleness, patience, and loving endurance. The world will know that we are Jesus followers by our love for one another and our unity.
Sermon from March 12, 2023
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We are called to practice gratitude in every situation (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude has a distinct, positive impact on our relationships, as well as our physical and mental health. It enhances empathy, reduces aggression, improves self-esteem, and leads to better sleep. But gratitude does not happen naturally. It must be purposed and practiced. That is why Psalm 107:2 tells us to let the redeemed of the LORD say so. There is power in verbalizing our gratitude to our Heavenly Father, friends, family, and co-workers.
Sermon from March 5, 2023
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While politics are important, they are not of first importance (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:20). When we become followers of Jesus, we give our primary allegiance to the kingdom of God and become ambassadors of that kingdom. Our first concern must be people meeting Jesus and experiencing a transformation of heart through Him. Unfortunately, politics and laws cannot resolve the issue of sin and our need for a savior. This does not mean that politics are unimportant. We should continually vote for righteousness with grace, kindness, and respect. We should contend for righteous laws that bless as many people as possible – believers and non-believers in Jesus – without trying to make people Christians through legal means. In this pursuit, Christians will not always agree on political matters. We can be unified on the centrality of Jesus and His kingdom and disagree over political philosophies and strategies. When there is disagreement, we must model the heart of God’s kingdom by loving those with whom we disagree, by avoiding anger and extremism, and by outdoing one another in showing honor and respect.
Sermon from February 26, 2023
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Flee sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:9-20). God created sex to bond the body, soul, and spirit of a man and woman together within a marriage relationship. Sex is a tool designed to help two become one (Ephesians 5:31). Anything outside of this design and purpose is sexual immorality and causes tremendous harm and damage on countless levels. Though not an exhaustive list, throupling, homosexuality, swinging, open marriages, pornography, lust, and adultery are all forms of sexual immorality that will never satisfy the longings of our heart and soul. Only Jesus, and drawing near to Him, will bring the satisfaction we desire deep within. Thankfully, Jesus forgives and redeems us from all forms of sexual sin if we give our lives to Him. What He accomplished on the cross is greater than any of our sins, and in Him we can experience freedom and healing.
Sermon from February 19, 2023
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God created sex within marriage to be amazing and enjoyable (Genesis 2:20-25).He is pro-sex, having established that a man and woman, in marriage, are to leave their parents and become one flesh with each other. Beyond just procreation, God desires that sex be life-giving and fully satisfying (Song of Solomon 4:12-16, 7:7-8), that we should be intoxicated with love for one another (Proverbs 5:16-19). The key to this kind of sexual relationship – that is physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual – is submitting ourselves to our spouse (Ephesians 5:22-29). When it comes to sex, the primary focus of a married couple should be on their spouse and what they need or desire. They should aim to outdo one another in showing love and honor in the ways their spouse best receives it (Romans 12:10).
Sermon from February 12, 2023
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Jesus accepted people without affirming the sins in their lives (Luke 19:5-8). He led with grace without compromising truth (John 1:14), especially when approaching difficult topics like gender identity. Engaging this issue requires us to understand that every individual is born with a sinful nature which manifests itself differently in every person. And it is important to note that an inclination or tendency towards a particular behavior does not necessarily make it morally right or wrong. We must go to the Bible to see if it addresses the matter, to see if it defines what is God’s intended design versus what is sinful. On the issue of gender identity, the Bible establishes two genders: male and female (Genesis 1:27). It does not consider sex and gender to be two separate aspects of a person, and it consistently prohibits crossing gender boundaries. The Bible also makes it clear that Jesus came to free everyone from deception, confusion, and sin no matter how it affects our lives.
Sermon from February 5, 2023
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We contend for all life. When it comes to difficult and weighty issues of our day, like abortion, we must look to Jesus as our example. He was full of grace and truth, accepting people without affirming the sins in their lives (John 1:14; 8:5-11). He showed people their worth and value while also offering them opportunity to change. This is a model for how the church should respond to those who have chosen or experienced abortion. When it comes to the unborn, scripture sees those in utero as no different from babies who have already been born. The being in the womb, according to the Bible, is a defenseless human person of great value and potential. And because the enemy is out to destroy every life, abortion not only robs life from the unborn but also robs life from the parents as well. Thank God that He offers forgiveness, healing, and freedom. There is no condemnation in Jesus (Romans 8:1). Instead, He graciously heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalm 147:3).
Sermon from January 29, 2023
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Do you want a refill of God’s Spirit (Ephesians 5:15-18). Every person, regardless of their ethnicity or background, desires hope, joy, and satisfaction. Unfortunately, many seek to find that satisfaction – and to escape the pain and challenges of reality – in excessive alcohol, mind-altering drugs, unbridled materialism, and/or sexuality without boundaries. God is gently yet clearly telling us that there is a better way to deal with the difficulties of living in our fallen, evil world: being continually filled with His Spirit. When we are continually filled with the Spirit, we are empowered to become like Jesus, to embrace His truth, and live out His purposes for our lives. We position ourselves to be continually filled by the Holy Spirit when we step into encouraging community, engage in worship, practice exaggerated thanksgiving, and audaciously serve others.
We can – and should – understand what the will of God is for our lives (Ephesians 5:15-17). His will always leads to what is best. The providential will of God refers to the things that He has determined to do no matter what. The moral will of God refers to the commands in His Word that we can freely choose to obey or disobey. And the personal will of God are the unique things the Father wants to do in our individual lives. The more we surrender to the providential will of God, and the more obedient we are to His moral will, the easier it is to hear the personal will of God for our lives. Our understanding and alignment with His will is directly proportional to how much we reject the patterns of this world, are transformed by the renewing of our minds (which comes through His Word) and foster a deeper relationship with Him
Sermon from January 15, 2023
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Fuel the fire of your faith (Ephesians 5:15-16). With so many things and people vying for our time and attention, it is incredibly easy to become distracted and unfocused. If we are not careful in how we live – being sober-minded and wise in our choices – we give opportunity to the enemy to keep us from God’s best. Our Heavenly Father longs for us to have the best He designed for us, but we must choose to embrace Him and His ways. One of the wisest choices we can make to step into God’s best for us is to fan into flame a passion for Him and His presence. God is passionate, and He calls us to never be lacking in our own zeal (Isaiah 9:6-7; Romans 12:11). Passion is not optional for the Christian journey but instead empowers us to choose God’s best for our lives.
Worship is when we treasure Jesus above all (Luke 2:19, 51). Mary, the mother of Jesus, was as ordinary as any of us. She was mostly likely an inexperienced teenager from a family of little means or wealth. She was not from an important city nor was she exceptional in school or in a particular craft or trade. Most likely she could not read or write. Yet, when she is visited by the angel Gabriel and told that she would be the mother of Jesus (the Messiah), her response is extraordinary, “…I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” Her response has to do with one word: treasure. Mary had allowed the greatness of God and His heart for humanity to so capture her heart that she treasured Jesus above all. Like Mary, we are called to treasure Jesus in word and deed above all, to orient our lives around Him. This is what it means to extravagantly worship Him.
Sermon from December 18, 2022
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Extravagant obedience leads to abundant life (Luke 2:41-52). When Jesus is twelve years old, His parents (Joseph and Mary) accidentally leave Him in Jerusalem as they head back to their hometown of Nazareth. Once they realize that Jesus is not with them, they return to Jerusalem and eventually find Him in the temple sitting and talking with the teachers. Though fully God and fully man with exceptional insight beyond his age, Jesus chooses to model obedience to His parents and returns with them to Nazareth. And because of His obedience, He increases in wisdom and favor with God and man. The same principle applies to us: our obedience to God leads us to the life we truly desire. Our obedience to Him shows that we love Him and trust the grandeur of His heart.
Sermon from December 11, 2022
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Nothing is more extravagant than God’s heart for us (John 1:1-3). In the beginning, God created the heavens and earth because He wanted to love us. In His all-sufficiency, glory, and goodness, He had no need to create. But He desired for us to experience His love, and to freely choose to love Him in return. The critical question is this: why did God, in all His perfection and holiness, enter our messy, sinful, chaotic world? The motive of His extravagant heart and love defies all logic and beckons us to place of deep reflection, meditation, and prayer. God wants us to know profoundly the height, width, breadth, and depth of His immeasurable love.
Sermon from December 4, 2022
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Jesus will always show up just in time (Genesis 22:1-18). The difficulties we face are tests and opportunities for us to fully trust the goodness and provision of God. Our trust and obedience to God amid our struggles produces steadfastness and maturity in us. Just as Jesus – the angel of the LORD – appears to Abraham right as Abraham is about to sacrifice his son Isaac, Jesus will always appear and come through for us in His perfect timing. Though it seemed like a complete contradiction that God was asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac after God promised Abraham to make him the father of many, Abraham trusted and obeyed. He had seen the faithfulness of God before, knew that God was trustworthy, and understood that delayed obedience leads to delayed provision. God was already working and providing for Abraham, and He is still working and providing for us, even when we do not see it.
Sermon from November 27, 2022
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Jesus longs for us to mature so He can bless us (Genesis 32:22-32). Though God blesses humanity in countless ways just because of who He is, the blessings that satisfy the deeper longings of our hearts (e.g. for peace, joy, confidence, etc.) must be wrestled for. Just as Jacob wrestled Jesus – in what Biblical scholars call an Old Testament Christophany – and received His blessing, the way we wrestle for blessing is by living in obedience, by knowing and living out the ways of God. The greatest blessings from God do not always lead to immediate ease, comfort, or convenience. Instead, the greatest blessings come when we can experience the presence of God, see His face, and know Him profoundly within our hearts.
Sermon from November 20, 2022
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Jesus never quits on anyone (Exodus 3:1-14). Our failures, mistakes, and weaknesses are not greater than He is. He is the LORD – Yahweh or Yehovah – and His name is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, and the fulfillment of every longing or desire deep within us. He is our strength when we are weak, and He calms every fear. He seals every prayer and wins every battle. At His name, angels bow, demons quake, our sin is vindicated, and our authority is validated. Jesus never quits on anyone because He knows He can overcome anything we may be facing. That is why He is the God of second chances.
Sermon from November 13, 2022
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Seasons are inevitable and are for our benefit (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). According to King Solomon, there is a time for everything under the heavens. And each season, regardless of how amazing or how difficult it may be, has meaning and purpose in God’s eyes. He desires that we see Him moving and working in this season, and that we receive all that He has for us in preparation for the next season we are stepping into.
Sermon from November 6, 2022
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As those who have found hope in Jesus, we can influence the culture around us plagued with hopelessness (Daniel 3:8-30). Rather than withdrawing from or warring against the world around us, we are called to be salt and light to it (Matthew 5:13-14). The world or culture around us is fertile ground desperately looking for what we have: the Spirit of God in us. And because we carry the Holy Spirit, we can go to and engage the people around us with immeasurable love and grace, pointing them to our Heavenly Father. The world is drawn to God through our good works, which the Spirit empowers us to do.
Sermon from October 30, 2022
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I can do anything that the Father says to do (Ephesians 3:14-21). Because God has put eternity into our hearts, something within us longs to make a difference in the lives of others. When we walk closely with the Father and are yoked with Him, His power in us enables us to do those things that truly matter and have eternal impact. When we live in step with the Spirit, we can accomplish impossible things for the Kingdom of God.
Sermon from October 23, 2022
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Every child of God has authority for the impossible (Matthew 16:13-19). When we are like Peter, confessing Jesus to be the Christ and the Son of the living God, we are given keys of the kingdom of heaven. Those keys – which represent the Holy Spirit – give us the power and ability to become what we think is impossible to become, and to do what we know is impossible for us to do. When we live by and keep in step with the Spirit, we can become more like Jesus, who lived a life of rest, security, and hope with complete confidence that His Heavenly Father was working all things for His good.
Sermon from October 19th, 2022
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Our Heavenly Father longs to provide for us (Matthew 6:25-34). His heart is for us to know and experience the rest, peace, and abundant life He has to offer. It is the way of His kingdom. But worry and anxiety are stealing these things from us, especially as we strive to live in our own strength and power. God invites us to fully believe and embrace the truth that we are immensely valuable in His eyes and that He longs to care and provide for us beyond what we could think or imagine. When we seek first His Kingdom – His reign and authority in our lives – we position ourselves to receive all that He longs to give us.
Sermon from October 9, 2022
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We need God’s presence more than His power (Exodus 33:1-16). We are made for presence, with one another and with God. Moses was keenly aware of this truth as he was about to lead Israel into the Promised Land. He tells God, “If your presence will not go with me, do not bring us up from here.” Moses understood that a life of rest, which our hearts long for, is found ultimately in God’s presence. Experiencing His presence is having an inner awareness of His nearness, confidently knowing that He is close. We encounter God’s presence when we make it a priority to pursue Him and that which pleases Him, which often begins with praise and adoration. Join us this fall as we step into The Restful Life and discover what God has designed for us all along.
Sermon from October 2, 2022
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Sabbath is the Father’s gift to His children (Exodus 20:8-11). God made the Sabbath for man (not man for the Sabbath) and designed humanity to function best when we honor the idea of keeping a Sabbath. We were designed for renewal, to take a breath. The inability to rest, to sabbath, is actually an indication of slavery and bondage. True children of God can rest and are able to have their physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual tanks filled by Him. Sabbath is a day of rest from work, a day that we do things that renew us inwardly and connect us with our Heavenly Father. It is a day to come close to Him and be in His presence. By keeping the Sabbath and connecting with the Father, we actually position ourselves to be more productive and effective the other days of the week. Join us this fall as we step into The Restful Life and discover what God has designed for us all along.
Sermon from September 25, 2022
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When you look in the mirror, deep within you, who do you believe you are? The way we answer that question is one of the most important things about us. The problem is that we attempt to find our identity in so many places other the only place it can be found. Restlessness results from refusing to see myself first as a child of God. But we struggle to believe it. This is why the Spirit must continually bear witness - must remind us - that we are God's child. Join us this fall as we step into The Restful Lifeand discover what God has designed for us all along.
Sermon from September 18, 2022
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Do you find yourself in a place of constant busyness? Are you striving to obtain something different? Are you working and running hard to become somebody? STOP! Jesus desires you to experience everything He has secured for you. The Lord is calling YOU to the restful life, a place of resting in Him, and it is in this place...everything changes! Join us this fall for an eight week series as we step into The Restful Lifeand discover what God has designed for us all along.
Sermon from September 11, 2022
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Prayer is the right tool to put on the armor of God. We are to pray at all times. Paul isn't telling us to quit our jobs, to abandon our marriages, to exit school and do nothing else in our lives but pray, but he is using hyperbole to implore us to make prayer a regular and often part of our daily existence. We are to be a people who see and say "Thanks" for what God has done, is doing, and will do.
Sermon from September 4, 2022
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The heart of the Gospel is bringing peace. "We were God's enemies but he made us his friends through the death of his son." (Romans 5:10) That which characterizes the sons and daughters of God is that we seek to make peace. The way we disagree matters as much as what we disagree on.
Sermon from August 28, 2022
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Every-day carry is a collection of useful items that are consistently carried on person every day. Make sure you get in God's word, and God's word gets in you. To take up the sword of the spirit takes time. It takes energy. It takes prioritization.
Faith is one of the most important tools for us to utilize in the midst of the battles raging around us. Every one of us who is a follower of Jesus, can resist any fiery dart, any attack the enemy might want to toss our way, by utilizing the shield of faith. We have to intentionally grab hold of the shield of faith. We can collectively use the shield of faith to build up and guard the people around us.
Sermon from August 14, 2022
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Most of our battle against the enemy is not in the circumstances we face. The battle is in the mind. So, in all circumstances it is vital to protect our mind through the intentional practice of God focus which empowers victory.
Sermon from August 7, 2022
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Obedience to God's truth best protects all that is vital.
Sermon from July 31, 2022
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Putting on "truth" daily is central for victory in our lives.
Sermon from July 24, 2022
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In life we are not powerless by the reality of our enemy in the spiritual battles we face. This week we are reminded that we cannot be passive, we must be equipped.
Sermon from July 17, 2022
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We have a role to play. Receive the light of life by loving God with all that we are, and illuminate the world around us by loving our neighbor as ourselves.
Sermon from July 10, 2022
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Making time for the Great Commandment to love God and my neighbor is about choosing the GOD thing over the GOOD thing.
Sermon from July 3, 2022
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Jesus instructs us to love our neighbor - no ifs, no excepts, no excuses - simply love your neighbor.
Sermon from June 26th, 2022
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God designed us to be part of what He's doing in the world. We pursue His love and love for others by desiring spiritual gifts.
Sermon from June 19th, 2022
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The struggle that all believers have had is that we tend to interpret the Bible through the lens of our culture instead of interpreting our culture through the lens of the Bible. Spiritual gifts can seem weird, different, or even confusing, but spiritual gifts being used in love by every believer is the way Jesus shows Himself to the world.
Sermon from June 12th, 2022
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The type of love that we can walk in through the power of the Holy Spirit shapes us, influences us, and directs all aspects of our lives, including our spiritual gifts. Love has to be the lens that spiritual gifts are seen through.
Sermon from June 5th, 2022
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