Doxa Bible Church : Messages: Recent Episodes
Doxa Bible Church
Doxa Bible Church: Messages is an archive of each Sunday's sermon made available for listeners on the go from our Lead Pastor, Joe Cotroneo, and guests.
Doxa is located on the south side of Indianapolis, IN. Our mission is to glorify God by making disciples.
Thanks for joining us today! Visit our website at www.doxabible.org.
For many of us, prayer is like the emergency button behind the glass.
We ignore it when life is going well. But when the diagnosis comes, the relationship breaks, the money runs out, or the future becomes uncertain—That’s when we break the glass. Prayer becomes our last resort instead of our first response.
But Paul’s prayer in Philemon is not driven by panic. It is driven by a deep and burning desire to see the gospel have a powerful effect in the life of his friend.
You see, Paul understood that God is his Father and delights in the opportunity to help him. But I wonder, do you believe the same thing about God? And do you pray like that?
Is there someone in your life you hope you never see again? Maybe they betrayed you, lied to you, or took advantage of you.
What if, instead of feeling angry or anxious when you think about them, you could experience deep and reassuring peace?
This Sunday, we are beginning a new series through the letter to Philemon called "The Gospel Changes Everything". Together, we will discover that the gospel doesn’t just change where we spend eternity—it has the power to change how we see the people who have hurt us most.
During busy days does it ever seem that some things can go by almost without notice: background sounds, daily routines, places that we pass every day on the drive home? Your car has tools such as cameras, warning lights and alarms, and mirrors to make sure that other cars don’t “disappear” in our blind spots, but in our daily lives, people can sometimes come and go without notice.
This Sunday we will revisit the parable of the unmerciful servant and explore some reminders of our own blind spots.
We have all experienced the panic of losing something important. Our keys, our wallet, or our phone. Suddenly, nothing else matters until we find it. But what does God do when one of His people wanders? In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus reveals the relentless heart of God toward His people and challenges us to reflect that same care toward one another. Join us this Sunday as we unpack “God’s Relentless Pursuit” from Matthew 18:10–14.
"Build your life on Jesus." Where does that phrase come from? In the closing words of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells a parable about two builders and reveals that the wise builder is the one who hears His words and obeys them. Though storms come and the final judgment awaits, the life built on Christ will stand because its foundation is the Lord Himself. Join us as we discover what it means to build our lives on Jesus—the only foundation that secures our future for eternity.
Have you ever considered what the most valuable thing you possess is? You may think of your wedding ring or the love of your family and friends. This week we are going to discuss the Kingdom of Heaven, what it means to us, and how it affects our lives.
Our culture tells us the path to happiness is simple: be true to yourself, follow your heart, and chase your dreams. But despite all our freedom and opportunity, anxiety is rising, relationships are struggling, and many people still feel empty.
What if we've been insidiously seduced to believe another gospel without even noticing?
This Sunday, we'll conclude our series The 7 Deadly Sins of Suburbia by exposing the root beneath them all: Selfism. In Luke 9, Jesus offers a radically different way to live—one that requires surrender but leads to the life we were created to enjoy.
If you've ever wondered why success, comfort, or even accomplishment never seem to satisfy, this message is for you.
The hardest prison to escape is the one built by unforgiveness.
When someone hurts you deeply, revenge feels justified and forgiveness feels impossible. But Jesus teaches that the way we extend mercy reveals whether we’ve truly grasped the mercy we’ve received.
This Sunday, we’ll open Matthew 18:21–35 and discover why forgiven people become forgiving people—and why the price of holding onto a grudge is always higher than we imagine.
What if the greatest threat to your faith isn’t persecution or doubt—but manipulated desires?
In 1 John 2:15–17, John pulls back the curtain on the world system that quietly competes for our love. Not just obvious evil, but the subtle pull of desire: what we crave, what we consume, and what we take pride in. He calls it “the world,” and warns us not to love it. John exposes the trap of indulgence, the illusion of lasting satisfaction, and the hard truth that everything the world offers is fading. But in its place, he points us toward something stronger, deeper, and eternal.
Before you give your heart away, you need to know what’s really trying to take it.
Comfort promises ease, but often steals obedience. It whispers “later” when Jesus says “follow Me.” In Luke 9:57–62, we’ll see how the pursuit of comfort can keep us from experiencing the life Christ calls us to live. Discover why following Jesus is worth more than anything comfort can offer.
In Matthew 20, Jesus confronts one of the most dangerous attitudes in the human heart: entitlement. When grace becomes expected rather than appreciated, gratitude is choked out and comparison takes over. This Sunday, we will discover how the gospel frees us from the exhausting mindset of “I deserve more” and invites us to experience the joy of remembering the goodness and generosity of God.
We can’t wait to watch our new TV shows when they come out, or dive into that new bestselling fiction book. And when our favorite sports team goes to the Super Bowl? We can’t contain our excitement. What we are passionate about reveals what we love. So how is it that we are tempted to lose that same passion and love for the One who saved our souls, the One who rescued us from the grip of sin that would have separated us from our Creator for eternity? This week, we are going to talk about the sin of apathy. We'll uncover how its main mission is to squash our relationship with Jesus and stop us from living for His Kingdom. Don't let your passion fade. Join us this Sunday as we confront apathy and refocus on what matters most.
Do you ever feel like your life is too busy? Like you're on a never-ending "hamster wheel". Have you ever wondered what causes us to stay so busy? As we start a new series, The Seven Deadly Sins of Suburbia, we are going to examine the danger of busyness through the lens of Mary and Martha in Luke 10.
Most of us carry some form of ID everywhere we go. The reason is because we never know when we might need it. As we turn to the final section of the book of Hebrews, we will learn how important it is that we never forget our identity as kingdom citizens.
As we continue to wrap up our Hebrews series, the author explains some very important ways in which you and I can help bring God's kingdom to our broken world. Join us as we continue to step more into living as Kingdom Citizens in our city.
Well, we have finally made it to the last chapter of Hebrews. Up to this point, the author has been walking us through some beautiful and rich teaching on who Jesus actually is and what he has accomplished for us. He has made it possible for us to draw near to God as our Father. Now, the author wants us to understand how this alters our manner of living. He moves us from vertical thinking, to horizontal living. This week we are going to be challenged to take specific action on living the kingdom life now.
Do you ever feel like trying to "follow Christ" is similar to swimming upstream against the current of culture? I know I do. If I'm honest, I often focus more on navigating my kid's sports schedules, paying bills, and finishing work projects than on trying to "live on mission" within my daily rhythms. (And I'm in vocational ministry.) Well, the passage we are going to walk through this week has the power to "recalibrate" our perspectives and "rekindle" our affections for the life Jesus has invited us into.
Have you ever watched someone do something before and thought, “I wonder what that is really like?” This week as we jump back into our series in Hebrews, God is going to clearly invite us into the race of faith, not as spectators but as participants. Join us this week as we learn how to live this life of faith together.
I couldn't be more excited to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with you all this Sunday. As we continue our series through Hebrews, we will discover how Jesus's resurrection actually impacts our everyday lives. I am praying that the Lord continues to use us to invite others to come and see for themselves who Jesus is and what He accomplished for them through His death, burial and resurrection. See you soon!
Have you ever wanted to be a more consistent Christian? A more obedient Christian? A more persevering Christian? A more courageous Christian? A more outspoken Christian? Then prepare to listen to the author of Hebrews point us to the only means God has appointed throughout all history: Faith.
This week as we continue in Hebrews, we’re going to be encouraged not to turn our backs on Jesus, no matter how hard or difficult things get. We need to continue to trust and obey because there is no other way to grow closer to God.
After taking time last week to slow down and behold the greatness of Jesus, it's now time for us to hear God's call to collectively live for Jesus as a church family. In short, because Jesus died for all of us, all of us should live for Jesus. But how is God specifically calling us to live as a church family? Let's discover this together on Sunday. See you there.
Do you remember this phrase, "All for one and one for ____" Can you finish it? - "All". This phrase was made popular by "The Three Musketeers". Well, in a similar way, this week as we begin chapter 10 of Hebrews, we will discover that because One died for all of us, we should all live for one.
"There is power, power, wonder working power in the blood of the lamb."
Perhaps you're familiar with this famous hymn. This Sunday we get the opportunity to grow in our understanding of this truth and worship more passionately as a result.
For weeks we’ve been seeing that everything under the old covenant was a shadow, real but pointing forward to something greater. In Hebrews 8, we discover that Jesus does not just improve the shadow system, He fulfills it and brings something better. He mediates a covenant that does not rest on our performance but on His finished work. So the question for us is simple and practical: are we still living in the shadows, or are we walking in the freedom of the better covenant?
Have you ever been afraid of shadows? Isn’t it true that when we are afraid of a shadow often the shadow is all we can think about? This week as we continue in our study through Hebrews, this is exactly what the author is going to be addressing. Much of the Old Testament is filled with shadows of the real High Priest, Jesus.
So, let’s find out together what is so awesome about Jesus being our Great High Priest.
As we begin the second half of Hebrews, the author wants us to know that Jesus is better than everything and everyone in every way. This week, he wants us to specifically see how Jesus is better and greater than whatever our "old religion" was before we met Christ. Have you ever thought about what your "old religion" was before Christ? We all had them. Our "old religion" could have been "people", or "places", or even "things" that we believed would bring us fulfillment, meaning, identity and satisfaction. This week the author is going to help us see how Jesus is far greater than all of those things. May we not run back to them BUT rather run closer to Jesus and rest more in Him as a result.
This Sunday at Doxa we turn our attention to a simple but powerful truth: God has spoken. After a month of praying first and lifting up prayers, we will open Hebrews 1:1–2 and consider how God has made Himself known, not finally through prophets or shadows, but through His Son. Together we will look at four ways God redeems us through Jesus—His perfect life, His atoning death, His triumphant resurrection, and His promised return—and be reminded that the God who hears our prayers has spoken clearly, decisively, and savingly in Christ.
We tend to invest a lot of money and time into maintaining our physical, even emotional health, which is important. But often we tend to invest little when it comes to our spiritual health. I'm convinced that there are several reasons why this is the case, but perhaps the greatest reason is because we misunderstand how we become spiritually healthy.
Many historians believe that the year of 1908 was one of the most significant years that altered the course of US history. Do you know what happened in 1908? --- Henry Ford's creation of The Ford Model T automobile. Henry Ford dreamed of everyone having the ability to travel faster and travel further than they had ever gone before. So he and his team of engineers perfected the Industrial Assembly Line and successfully created the first affordable vehicle for the average American. Remarkably, this new affordable mobility didnt just move people, it reorganized a nation and started a revolution. After learning this, it got me thinking, "What if our church was as passionate to see a spiritual revolution as the Ford Motor Company was about the spreading of the Model T? What kind of revolution might we see?" Well, we don't have to guess, Luke tells us. Join us this week as we learn how prayer mobilizes us for mission.
Happy New Year DOXA Family! As we look back on all that God accomplished this past year in and through our church family, I hope your hearts are encouraged by God's faithfulness to us. And now as we turn our attention to the horizon of 2026, it is essential that we embark on the year with prayer. Over the next four weeks, we are going to press more into the power of collectively praying as a church family. If we are ever going to truly see the hand of God move in a way that impacts our lives, our neighbors, and the world around us, then we must intentionally pray together. Join us this week as we, PRAY FIRST.
In our Wrapped series, we’ve been seeing what God has graciously wrapped us in through the birth of Jesus. Maybe you’ve experienced a life filled with love—or maybe you’ve felt the absence of it. This Sunday, in Wrapped in love from Romans 8:31–39, we’ll see that God has wrapped us in a love that is unshakable and proven through His Son. A love that does not spare what is most costly, and a love that nothing in all creation can separate us from.
This Sunday we are going to take a look at the famous scene of the angel announcing good news of great joy to shepherds watching their sheep in the night. But the question I want to raise is, "Can this good news really bring great joy in every season of life?" What about the painful seasons of sorrow, loss, or even rejection?
This week we are starting our Christmas series at DOXA called, "Wrapped". As we begin our series we are going to discuss how the Christmas story encourages us to embrace and experience God's perfect peace as we navigate life's disappointments and uncertainties.
As we come out of Thanksgiving and head into the Christmas season, it is easy for our hearts to get crowded with so many other things: busyness, expectations, and distractions. But this season is not just a time for food and family. It is a time for our hearts to be reminded again of who God is, what He has done, and who we are because of Him. Psalm 100 calls us to remember the Lord and to respond with a life of worship.
Coming out of last week's passage in our study through Hebrews, if you are concerned about the security of your salvation, let me encourage you - this week's passage will provide an anchor for your soul. Join us as our hearts grow ever warmer as we revel in the gospel that secures our eternal destiny.
"Are you sure you know what you are doing?" I feel like I get asked this question a lot when I'm trying to do some sort of project around the house. To be fair, I've given my family plenty of reasons to cast doubt on my abilities to fix things. But what about you? I'm not talking about your ability to fix things, but rather your confidence in whether or not you are sure of your salvation. The good news is that you can most definitely have an eternal assurance of your salvation and this week's passage is going to help us discover how.
"Grow up!" I hear my kids tell each other that often. Usually when one of them is irritating the other. This week, as we jump back into Hebrews together, this is essentially what God is going to challenge us with. He is going to help us see if we are actually maturing in our spiritual lives or if we have stopped but haven't yet realized it.
When we have to make difficult decisions we are often encouraged to jot down a list of "Pro's and Con's". This helps us compare the options side by side so we can make the best decision possible. This week, God provides us with a list of His own list where He reveals why Jesus is the better, greater, and perfect High Priest that we all desperately need.
Do you know that feeling you get when you've been planning a great vacation and there are only a few more days before you go? Your heart begins to fill with excitement at the thought of what it will be like. The rest, the comfort, the joy, the peace. In much the same way, the author of Hebrews wants us to anticipate and experience three incredible benefits Jesus makes possible for us because he is our "Great High Priest".
Sacred Rest (Part 2) - Join us this week as we discover how to actually live in and with the Sacred Rest God has promised for His beloved.
What is your top vacation destination? Some might say the beaches of Florida. Others might say the mountains of Tennessee or Colorado. Regardless, we all desire vacations simply because of the rest and relaxation they offer us. It's interesting to note that inside of every human heart there is a deep seated longing for rest. This Sunday the author is going to show us that the rest we long to enjoy in our vacations is actually pointing us toward a much more "sacred rest", a Divinely designed rest. But perhaps the most surprising thing about this "sacred rest" is that it's not just something we will enjoy in eternity, but rather it is something every Christ follower can begin to enjoy "today".
"Can you hear me now?" - In the mid 2000, Verizon Wireless built an entire advertisement campaign around this simple question. The implication was that Verizon ensures that your phone calls would not be dropped on their service unlike their competitors. As we continue in our series, God is essentially asking us this same simple question, "Can you hear me now?" - However, the implications are far more serious than just a dropped phone call. Join me in prayer this week as we ask the Lord to prepare our hearts to hear His voice this Sunday.
This week we are going to look at the last two pictures of Jesus in chapter two that reveal why His incarnation is so significant. Get ready!
A few weeks ago, my wife's parents came to Indy for a quick visit. To my surprise they brought with them a photo album of Bekah when she was a little girl, beginning on the day she was born. As I flipped through the pages, my father-in-law was very careful to not leave out any of the details around each of the events that were pictured. In much the same way, as the author of Hebrews continues to flip through Jesus' photo album, he is going to carefully point out what makes Jesus' incarnation so incredible.
BETTER: A Study in the Book of Hebrews
Hebrews 2:1-4
Big Idea: We either pay closer attention to Jesus or we drift away from Him.
Growing up my parents would tell me that I was far too easily impressed as a kid. I would be mesmerized by skate tricks, sports cards, and the TGIF lineup on ABC. The truth is I still find myself far too easily distracted by lesser things today. As we continue on in our study through Hebrews, the author is going to help us recognize how far superior and impressive Jesus is to everything and everyone in every way. Yes, even including angels.
Do you recognize this phrase, "Anything you can do, I can do better."? It's the famous song from the Broadway musical, Annie Get Your Gun. (Some of you will have the tune in your head now for the rest of the day - sorry about that.) As we begin this week in Hebrews, we are going to worshipfully reflect on the reality that Jesus truly is and will always be "Better". Join us as we embark on this adventure of discovering how Jesus actually is better in every way to everyone and everything.
This week we are embarking on a new series through the book of Hebrews. Although Hebrews is a book in our Bibles, many bible scholars believe this was actually a sermon that was preached to the church gathered in Rome during the first century. The author of this sermon is unknown, however his message is most certainly made clear - namely, Jesus is Better.
Birthmarks - some people have them some people don’t. But every single Christ follower bears five “spiritual birthmarks”. This Sunday as we wrap up our summer series through 1 John we are going to learn more about the beauty and power of our family resemblance.
What does your “to do” list look like? How many times do we need to be reminded to do something? With all of the everyday distractions that come our way, we can sometimes lose sight of what is really important. As we look at the 4th chapter of 1 John this Sunday, we will see some practical reminders as we seek to stay focused in our Christian walk.
This Sunday we’ll walk through 1 John 2:18–3:10 and consider how the truth of Jesus shapes real life. John reminds us that we’re living in the last hour and calls us to stay rooted in what is true. In a world filled with lies and spiritual confusion, do you still hunger for the truth? Do you long to abide in Christ and live with clarity and conviction? Join us as we ask God to renew our hunger for His Word and His ways.
This Sunday, we’re exposing the enemy’s playbook.
Jesus said in John 10:10 that the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy — and Satan has been running the same 3 plays since the Garden of Eden. They worked on Adam and Eve, they were thrown at Jesus in the wilderness, and they’re aimed at you and me every single day.
Join us as we unpack how the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are Satan’s go-to strategies to wreck your walk with God — and how you can stand firm, fight back, and live free in Christ.
Don’t miss it. Your spiritual life depends on recognizing the enemy’s game plan.
Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night to get something to drink and stub your toe? That's a terrible feeling isn't it? The room is so dark that you can't see clearly. Well, this week, John is going to encourage us as Christ followers to continue to "walk in the light". But let's be honest, this phrase can be so ambiguous. What does it even mean to "walk in the light"? Join us this week as we clarify this truth and experience the life we are destined to delight in.
There are a lot of areas in life where it is ok to lack certainty. However, when it comes to our relationship with God, we should want to know for certain Who He is and what He is really like. Thankfully God wants His people to know the true nature of His character and love. Join us this week as we begin our summer series through 1 John - "Love Made Known".
Have you been struggling to find peace, purpose, or lasting joy? Jesus invites us to abide in Him—the true vine—where our lives are shaped by His Spirit, aligned with His will, and anchored in His love. When we remain in Him, we don’t just survive—we bear fruit and flourish. Join us as we discover the one path to true eternal joy.
Join us this Sunday as we unpack our final installment of "Back To Eden". We will be answering the question, How to live in the tension of "already, but not yet" that the gospel declares about us. For example, perhaps you've wondered how we can already be free from sin, but yet we still struggle and fall into the same sin. - Let's discover the answer to this gospel tension together this weekend.
A perfect God made a perfect garden. In that perfect garden He set people made perfectly in His image. All was well, until it wasn't. With a bite of fruit sin entered the world. It explains all the brokenness, pain, hardship, and heartache we have experienced since. To understand the brokenness of the world in which we live we have to understand that moment sin entered the world, but we also need to see the extravagant grace of God that meets broken people in their sin. Jump into Genesis 3 with us to see how gruesome sin really is, and how gracious God is to sinners.
Perhaps you've heard the phrase, "You can't really know where you are going until you know where you've been." This week, as Pastor Joe begins a new series called Back To Eden, we are going to look back at how life was lived in the Garden with God so we can better understand the life Jesus has called us into, today.
"It Is Finished" - These were the last words spoken by our Lord before he gave up his life as a ransom for many. But there were several critical moments that lead up to this very scene. Moments filled with confusion, anxiousness, worship, and wonder. In this short mini-series leading up to resurrection morning, we will walk with Jesus "Before It Is Finished" watching his boldness, loyalty and resoluteness to accomplish what no one else could. --- Our salvation.
As we come to our final message in our Pray First series, it is important that we know where our confidence comes from. What is it that actually builds our confidence in prayer? Join us this week as we listen in on Paul's counsel about becoming "Confident Pray-ers".
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:16
Prayer… Don’t complicate it.
This week we will talk about how to run to the Father in times of need.
John 15:5 - "Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Jesus makes it clear that in order for us to live and experience the life He has called us to, we must continue to depend on Him. Learning to "Pray First" will undeniably help us increase our dependence on Jesus. As we gather together this Sunday we will unpack what it looks like to pray prayers of faith.
I'm excited to begin our Pray First series this Sunday. Over the next 21 days, we are going to strengthen our prayer lives together and begin asking our Father to do the impossible, move the immovable, and break the unbreakable in our lives. Church, Let's Pray!
Death is a thief. Many of us have experienced the heart-aching sorrow and grief that comes from the passing of a loved one in our lives. This week Paul explains the great hope we have as Christ followers when we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death.
What does it mean to be truly resilient in your faith? As we continue in Part 2 of “What’s God’s Will For My Life” of our Resilient series, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12 shows us that God's will is not just about what we believe but how we live. He calls His people to love one another and be a compelling witness to the world. A resilient life isn't loud or flashy—it’s faithful, steady, and dependent on the Lord. Join us this Sunday as we discover how resilience shapes our daily walk with Christ!
According to The National Library of Medicine, "Sitting is now the new smoking." Research is continuing to validate the health benefits of standing desks and treadmill desks in office spaces. Apparently walking while at work is said to provide uncommon clarity and better overall job performance for employees. Interestingly enough, walking just so happens to be one of the apostle Paul's favorite metaphors for the Christian life for similar reasons. In fact, in this week's passage, Paul tells us that we will never understand God's will for our lives unless we walk further with Christ. Have you ever wondered what God's will is for your life? Join us this Sunday as we find out together.
God's Word is "more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10) King David wrote this in order to remind God's people about the beauty and resourcefulness found in Scripture. This week, Paul is going to unpack for us why this is. Why is God's Word such a beautiful and good gift from God to us? And how will it actually impact our church family?
This week we continue our Resilient series by exploring what it means to live a gospel-shaped life. Through Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, we discover how the gospel frees us from constantly seeking approval and unleashes us to love others without reservation. The passage challenges us to live God’s greater purpose for us and step into his bigger story for our lives.
Have you ever belonged to something that made you feel like you’re "special". Maybe a sports team that won the National Championship, Go Buckeyes! (Sorry, too soon) Well, this week, as we jump into Paul's letter to the church in Thessalonica, we are going to learn about some incredible perks and privileges we receive because we belong to God's family.
"Resilient" -- When you hear that word, what comes to your mind? According to Google, the most often portrayed images of resilience are the famous Redwood Trees in the Santa Cruz mountain range. These trees are claimed to be the tallest and strongest trees on the planet. The secret to their resilience is found in their surprisingly unique eco-system. This week as we jump into a brand new series through the book of 1 Thessalonians, we will discover God's uniquely designed eco-system that produces resilient faith.
As we embark on this new year together, we want to begin by re-establishing Jesus' proper place in our lives and in our church. Jesus is King. However, in order for this to truly be the case, we must learn how to conquer compromise when it creeps into our lives. This week we are going to watch how one of Judah's kings responded to compromise in his own life in such a way that brought about remarkable healing and human flourishing.
When you hear the word "mighty" what comes to mind? This week as we continue our search for Christmas from Isaiah 9:6, we are going to discover what is meant by Jesus being The Mighty God.
When we think of the first Christmas, we rightly tend to think about a manger, shepherds, wise men and angels celebrating the birth of a promised savior. But what if there is more to the story than we realize?
Over the next four weeks we are going to take a closer look into the birth of the baby born in the manger in order to discover some often overlooked truths of the Christmas story. Truths that offer the very things that our hearts have been searching for all along.
As we draw to the end of Peter's letter, he reminds the church of how important it is to support each other as we endeavor to live the kingdom life, especially when we are spiritually and emotionally exhausted. This Sunday Peter gives two critical challenges. He offers one final challenge to the church about enduring hard things as we live for Christ and he offers a critical challenge to the pastors/elders of our church about godly leadership.
The end of the world is coming—how will you live? In 1 Peter 4:7-11, the Apostle Peter encourages us to live with urgency, knowing that "the end of all things is near." With time running out, he calls us to remain vigilant, to pray, love deeply, and serve each other. Our actions today matter for eternity. As the world draws closer to its end, let our hearts be ready to glorify Christ with all of our lives as we wait with purpose. Jesus is coming back Christian!
When was the last time you slept through your alarm clock in the morning? I don’t know about you, but that can be a frustrating way to start your day. I asked this question because as we continue in our study through first Peter, the apostle essentially offers us three heavenly wake-up calls to keep us alert and awake in our calling to follow King Jesus. What are they? Let’s find out together on Sunday.
"Bring it on!" - These were the words my 5 foot tall girlfriend (soon to be wife) told me during an intense intramural volleyball game at our college. The fire in Bekah's eyes in that moment has forever burned a lasting memory in my mind. She had a compelling resolve to win that game. This week, Peter wants to remind every Christ-follower that we too must have a compelling resolve to live for Christ especially when we feel like we are losing. If you find it difficult to follow Christ at work, or school, or even around your family, Peter has some very encouraging words for you this Sunday. Hope to see you there.
What does marriage look like in this day and age? How are we as Christians supposed to think about the roles of husband and wife? In 1 Peter 3:1-7 Peter gives us clear expectations for how Christians are to live for his Kingdom in marriage. Join us this Sunday as we unpack the truths of God’s Word for all of our lives.
The moment we've been waiting for... what does the bible say about governmental authorities? The apostle Peter helps Jesus followers explore their calling to engage politics in a way that unifies the church and attracts the unbeliever. With the presidential election just one month away, the timing of this teaching could not be any better.
Much like a coach at halftime, attempting to motivate his players to unite together and win the game, Peter has been reminding us of who we are because of Christ and all that he has accomplished for us. Now, he urges us to impact and influence our community by living the kingdom way of life wherever we find ourselves. So, at this week's Sunday gathering, we are going to listen to Peter's advice as he carefully helps us live the kingdom life amidst distractions, frustrations, and disappointments.
"Be holy for I am holy." (1 Peter 1:16)
I don't know about you, but when I consider what the Lord is calling me to in this verse I frequently feel like a failure. Instead of "stepping into my calling to be holy" I often feel like I'm floundering in my calling? This week the apostle Peter is going to offer us some wonderful help and instruction on how we can truly live as holy human beings.
I imagine if you were to ask people, "What does it mean to have a flourishing life?", you would hear a variety of answers. Some might suggest a loving family, a successful career, or financial affluence. But the answer we find in God's Word is quite different. This week we are going to walk through 1 Peter 1:13-21 and discover for ourselves not just what a flourishing life is but how we can live it.
"Time under tension" - I'm not sure if this phrase means anything to you, but when I recently asked someone at the gym how they were able to get in such good shape, their reply was "time under tension." The longer they were able to remain under the weight, the stronger they were able to become. Honestly, when this person explained this to me I felt discouraged because I'm not one that enjoys being under pressure or tension for that matter. This week as we continue in our study of 1 Peter, we are going to see that this principle of "time under tension" is true spiritually as well. Peter has some very encouraging words as he helps us learn how to hold onto faith amidst the trials of this life that make us want to give up.
As we move into the fall season, I couldn’t be more excited to begin a brand new series with you all. Starting this Sunday, we’re going to work our way through the book of 1 Peter. Peter wrote this letter to a group of believers scattered across Roman provinces as they each faced pressure to conform to the cultural norms around them. He wrote this letter to encourage them and to remind them that they are first and foremost followers of Christ. They are citizens of a better kingdom. That is the central truth that I believe will bring out the best in us as we journey the months ahead.
It is truly exciting to consider all that the LORD may have in store for our church family as we continue to give ourselves to lifting high the person and work of Christ. However, much like a car can not function properly without the presence of gasoline, nor can the church function properly without the presence of Christ-Exalting Generosity. As we gather this coming Sunday, we are going to be studying Paul's instruction to Timothy as he set out to pastor the first church in Ephesus. It's there that Paul reveals what will happen when the church participates in "Christ-Exalting Generosity."
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” John 12:32
Although Jesus was referring to His death on the cross, this truth is still a very real experience today. As we continue to grow together and lift Christ higher together, people in our community will be drawn to Jesus. This Sunday, we are going to learn how to be a church that attracts others to Christ and the gospel. DOXA Family, as you go throughout the rest of this week remember that You Are Loved!
As summer comes to an end and life begins to settle back into rhythm, we want to take time to "reset" our hearts and lives on Christ and His desires for our church family. Over the next four weeks we are excited to lead everyone to a clearer, more passionate pursuit of Jesus as we prepare to follow Him throughout the rest of this year. We hope you will join us as we "reset" our heart on Jesus together!
A few weeks ago we celebrated our country's national independence. Our family typically commemorates this day with fireworks in the night sky, food on the grill, and friends around the house. Physically speaking, we have the opportunity to achieve our dreams, earn an education, and become financially independent all because we live in a free country. So it is fitting that we make a big deal about living in an independent nation.
But spiritually speaking, when we celebrate and/or desire our independence, it raises significant concerns. In fact, this Sunday, as we open up God's Word we are going to learn that living the kingdom life requires the exact opposite. In John 15, Jesus is going to tell us why dependence is "far better" than independence.
"Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
Habits shape our lives. Each one of us have our own habits that we do everyday. We drink our coffee, we watch certain T.V. shows, we have our favorite local coffee shops, stores, etc. But there are some habits that we can develop that are unhealthy for our walks with Christ. One of those is being in isolation. This week our kingdom paradox will show us how Christian Community is far better than isolation.
Wow, what a verse. How is this even possible? This Sunday, we had the opportunity to discover how God helped Paul navigate through painful seasons in his life with supernatural strength. As you and I continue to follow Jesus in this broken world, we need to learn this all important kingdom paradox: "God's strength is found in my weakness."
As we start a new series, we'll begin by studying how dying to self leads to life in Christ.
This week is the final sermon of our "Altered" series. As we finish reading Acts 4, we will learn more about how we should be confident as ambassadors for Jesus.
What is "being bold" for Christ?
This week we'll look into Acts 4, and how we should be confident as ambassadors for Jesus.
This week we continue in Part 2 of studying Acts 3. Listen as we look into what the Holy Spirit does to our hearts and how we interact with other people.
This week we continue in Acts to look into what the Holy Spirit does to our hearts and how we interact with other people.
What happens when the Church is filled with God's Spirit? What will be of the cities & people surrounding that church? This Sunday we discuss that very topic & what happens when the Lord meets us in our Sunday gatherings and beyond.
This week, Pastor & Elder Jim Burkett preaches more through the book of Acts, discussing topics surrounding what prophecy means in scripture as recorded in Acts.
As we continue studying the book of Acts, we see that the Lord is calling us to spread the good news, but with what power?
Listen to this week's message to learn how to share God's Word with others through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Can you remember the last time someone told you to, "Wait for it..."?
Recently a friend of mine invited me to ride along with him in a Tesla that he rented. He asked if I had ever experienced going from 0 to 60 MPH in 3.1 seconds. To which I told him "No". He then told me to sit back and "wait for it."
The next thing I knew I was seeing spots. When he finally took his foot off the gas and my blood pressure stabilized, I realized what he meant by “wait for it."
This week we are going to notice something very similar happening as it relates to advancing God's kingdom. When we learn how to correctly "wait for it," we too will experience missional acceleration. To put it bluntly, there is nothing like it!
Last past week on Resurrection Sunday we discovered from the testimony of Mary what happens when we encounter the risen Christ - Jesus changes us.
Our lives are not the same. In this message, we are beginning a new series through the book of Acts so we can learn together what life with Jesus is really all about.
Tune into our Easter 2024 message as we take a refreshing glimpse at what happens when we encounter the risen Christ.
Great moments typically require great preparation. The same is true for our spiritual lives. Join us this week as we take a look at the last minor prophet in our bibles, John the Baptist.
For thousands of years, his message has undoubtedly helped people from all over the world experience more of God‘s transcendence in their individual lives.
"God, do you really love me? Because it sure doesn't feel like it right now!"
Have you ever been there? Are you in that place spiritually right now? If so, God has a very clear message He wants all of us to hear from the last book of the Old Testament, the book of Malachi.
Whether you have survived heartache in the past but have never really had a framework to help you process all of your pain and disappointment, or perhaps you are experiencing heartache right now (you’re desperate, grieving, and sorrowing now). Or maybe you simply want to equip yourself for when heartache comes into your life. Regardless of where you are on the spectrum of heartache, Habakkuk is a beacon of light to show us how to find hope in the midst of heartache.
As we venture through the minor prophets, we stumble upon Amos.
Amos was a prophet that earned the harsh nickname, "the prophet of wrath". This was given to him for the incredible hard truth that the Lord sent Amos to preach to the people of Israel.
Listen in as we dive into Amos chapter 7 this week, and see how we as Christ followers today are to speak the truth of God's word unashamed!
Have ever wondered if it's too late for you? Like too much time has past for you to really make significant spiritual strides in your relationship with God?
Perhaps you think that your "Spiritual Watershed Moments" with the Lord are all in the rearview mirror.
Maybe for you it was your student ministry days or your college years, or before you had kids that seem to always need your full attention.
If so, listen in as we continue in our series through The Minor Prophets, unpacking the book of Joel where The Lord clearly tells us, "It's Never Too Late..."
I am Christian, what comes next? Paul begins his letter to the church in Corinth by describing how Christ can be magnified through our suffering. This week at Doxa, we will explore this powerful section of Scripture with the hope that we will turn our hearts towards God and rely on Him, no matter what life brings our way.
How much does God "really" love me? How does God "really" see me? Does He love me even though I tend to wander from Him? Pastor Joe unpacks the book of Hosea and helps us discover the answer to these questions.
The Gospel truly is the greatest message ever told...
You can have your sins washed away and forgiven by a holy God by placing your faith in Jesus Christ, who took the punishment for your sins upon himself. - That's awesome, isn't it?
Then, why are we so afraid to share this to others? Where is that fear coming from?
Listen as we finish up our Home at DOXA series as we are going to unpack our 5th cultural value - Unafraid Witness.
We're going to listen to the apostle Paul's encouraging words, as he shares with us how he was able to be so unafraid in his witness for Christ, wherever he went.
This week we are unpacking our fourth Cultural value as a church family, Unconditional Service. Listen in as we discover what happens when God's people discover God's gifting in partnership with God's Spirit.
Prayer is like a fire in the furnace of a factory. If the church stops praying, the Work God stops happening.
Listen as we learn together just how powerful our collective prayer truly is.
(This message was influenced by Mark Batterson; The Power of A Single Prayer. and James MacDonald; Biblical Prayer Builds Confidence.)
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
Is that not the most incredible definition of the Bible? For crying out loud... The God of all creation wrote a book!
Think about the power that's infused in all of its pages; the power to heal what is broken, restore what has been destroyed, renew what has been tarnished. The power to comfort the discouraged. The power to make the simple minded ineffably wise. In the truest since... the power to save lives. Such is the Word of God.
But, what happens when the authority of God's Word is proclaimed within a church family, ready to submit to the LORD?
Listen as we unpack our second Cultural Value - Unapologetic Preaching.
This week, we start a new series we are calling HOME. We will be taking a look at our church's 5 Culture Codes that we call our "Pillars". Each one of them gives shape and substance to everything we do as a church family.
This Sunday, we are exploring what it means to be "Unashamed" in our Worship of Christ. We will learn how clear, biblical theology is the fuel that ignites passionate doxology. This message will stir your affections to unite with the body of Christ and lift high the name of Jesus through your worship.
Throughout Christmas At Doxa, we've been learning about Jesus coming to us to save us, but now that he has come, what do we do?
During the last sermon of our Christmas At Doxa series, we learn how to immerse ourselves in the presence in the LORD in the new year.
(This service was influence by The Chosen and JD Greear - When Jesus Found What He Was Looking For)
To listen to the referenced clip of the woman at the well from "The Chosen," watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ordhsDeAt60&ab_channel=TheChosen
Last week we dove into Isaiah chapter 9, and the incredible promise that the Lord gave to mankind. That He would send a savior that would bring light into darkness and joy in heaviness. That this savior would completely destroy all the sin and death in our lives.
This week, we will finish our time in Isaiah seeing not only how this savior will bring light to our lives, but also that he is a Perfect King ushering in a new perfect Kingdom. And in all of this we will see why we truly celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ!
As familiar as the Christmas story is, there are still some surprises hidden behind the backdrop of the birth of Christ. In particular, there are some surprising promises that when examined are sure to help us experience God‘s redeeming power in more meaningful ways. Listen as we take a deeper look into this all too familiar nativity story and discover just how surprising Christmas still is.
Supernatural joy is always just out of reach for those who have never learned to content. God doesn’t want you to live that way. If joy seems just out of reach to you, there is a secret God wants to teach you. When we learn the secret to contentment we are set free to joyfully give while resting in the promise of God to supply every need.
As we turn the final corner of Paul's letter to the Philippians, he gives us a portrait of a healthy and thriving church family. In fact, he points out 5 distinct "birthmarks" that every gospel centered church will inevitably have. May our Great God make these 5 marks apparent among us.
Have you ever noticed that the human heart is hardwired to expect progress?
Farmers plant seed with the expectation that if given enough water and sunlight there will be a crop. Students study and review their lecture notes with the expectation of at least receiving a passing grade on their final exam.
If for some reason we do not experience the progress we were expecting, we immediately assume something is wrong. The same is true for our spiritual lives.
In this week's passage, Paul is going to explain that unlike other areas of life, there is only one reason for the lack of spiritual progress.
As the weather begins to change and the temperature continues to drop, one of my favorite things to do is to light up a fire in our fireplace. Let's be honest, there is something about the smell of cherry wood burning in the fireplace and the sound of crackling wood as you wrap a soft blanket around yourself.
As we all know, if you do not add more wood to the fire the warmth you enjoy will eventually dwindle down. The same is true about our joy in the LORD.
Many of us are familiar with the biblical command to "Rejoice in the LORD", but if we are honest, we, at times, struggle to know how. This week Paul is going to point us to 4 Joy Accelerants to help fuel our joy in Jesus.
Is my life about me, or is it about something bigger than me?
This week, we meet two ordinary men who realized that if they wanted to impact their world for the Kingdom of God, it means less of me and more of Jesus.
Have you ever taken a long distance road trip and wondered if you were ever going to arrive at your destination? Perhaps you underestimated the time it would take for you to get there.
In this week's passage, Paul is going to explain to us a marvelous pathway that undeniably leads to the surpassing joy available to all of Jesus' followers.
But the path he reveals is inundated with landmines and detours, strategically placed in front of us by the enemy of our souls in order to divert us. Paul is going to show us how to rightly navigate this pathway so that we can enjoy a life that's filled with supernatural delight.
How do humility & joy connect? This week, Pastor Jim Burkett reads through Philippians 2, and how joy will flow from your heart if you walk in the humility of Jesus.
This week, we wrap up Paul’s teaching on how to not overlook the surpassing joy in every season of life.
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." There are few words as great as these in all of the writings of the Apostle Paul. Dr. Martin Loyd Jones said it this way, "Here we stand face to face with one of the sublimest and greatest statements ever made by Paul, himself." Paul writes this statement as he continues to offer us help so that we do not overlook the joy we have in Christ no matter our circumstances.
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to overlook the obvious?
My wife, Bekah and I will often laugh about how long it will take me to notice the seasonal decor she decorates our home with throughout the year. It's not uncommon for me to compliment her on how nice the decorations are after they have been out for 2 weeks.
Well, this week, Paul is going to show us how NOT to overlook the joy that is available to us in Christ.
As we continue on our study through Philippians in search of the surpassing joy in Jesus Christ, it is vitally important we proceed with honesty.
There are some days when it is difficult to experience joy in Christ. Why is that? Well, Paul provides this explanation for us in 2 Cor. 4:4, "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
The reality is, we have a real enemy who is working aggressively to keep all people from seeing the glory in the gospel. If he can distract our minds from seeing the glory of Jesus, then it is easy for him to numb our hearts as well. In this message, we are going to learn how to fight for our joy... together.
There are a lot of ways for us to experience joy in this life. From spending quality time with the people we love, or giving to someone that is in need of additional support, or even taking a walk on a brisk fall morning as you bask in the beauty of God’s creativity.
Yes, all of these can cultivate joy in our hearts. But there is only one way for us to experience consistent, surpassing joy that transcends all. That one way is in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
This Sunday we begin a new fall series called “Surpassing Joy” through the book of Philippians as we talk about three joyful realities for every Christ follower.
This week on our 3 year anniversary, we're discussing how God's love compels God's church to join God's movement.
The last moments of something are often the most memorable. Whether it's the "Grand Finale" of the 4th of July fireworks display, or the throwing of the caps at a graduation ceremony. These last moments usually leave a lasting impact on our memories.
We find this same thing happening as we approach the final section of Jesus' message this Sunday. In fact the words that Jesus is about to say have left an enduring mark in every generation since.
There is an enormous difference between ownership and availability. Have you ever tried to purchase something only to have your debit card denied? AAHHH. You have the money in your account to cover the expense but the bank has placed a temporary hold on your account because of suspected fraudulent activity. The money is there but it's unavailable to you.
As we approach the end of Jesus' sermon, He wants to ensure all of His followers that everything you need for kingdom living in this world is made completely available to you. However, you need to know how to access it.
"Just not, lest ye be judged" is in the Bible, and Jesus said it, so is it applicable when someone says something offensive to us? Even if they're right?
What about when you feel you need call someone out in a toxic behavior, or sin habit as a brother or sister in Christ?
This week, Elder Todd Thompson reads Matthew 7:1-6, and reveals the truth behind judging, and how we should judge as Christ followers.
Jesus followers increasingly treasure God's Kingdom more than anything and everything else in this world...
...but sometimes it's hard to know if we're doing this, right? This week, we're discussing how to know if we're stewarding our money correctly, and how to rely on God in every circumstance, in thought and in practice.
We crave as the creatures we are. In craving, this can involve food, entertainment, and so much more.
But what if we channeled those cravings toward the One who gave them to us?
In this next section of the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus discusses how we should fast as Christ followers.
As Jesus continues to teach us how to live the Kingdom Life on earth, he unpacks one of the most mysterious aspects of kingdom living. "Prayer". And it's here, that Jesus not only explains to us how to pray, but he reveals the fundamental reason why we should.
This Sunday we are jumping back into Jesus‘ most famous sermon, The Sermon on the Mount. And as we do, Jesus warns us about the immediate dangers of hypocrisy as we follow Him. The first vice of hypocrisy Jesus compiles us to watch out for is “hypocritical generosity.” What is it? And how do we avoid it?
In the Psalms, there are so many songs, and in modern American churches, worship is a predominate part of a Sunday morning service. But why do we do it?
This week, Pastor Joe Cotroneo teaches us the heart posture we should hold behind the singing we do every Sunday, and throughout the week.
"The law of the Lord is perfect" is what Psalm 19 claims, but is this accurate?
This week, Pastor Terry Thompson from Rock Point Church shares some archeological debate about the validity of Jericho, and how this can showcase the reliability of the Bible.
(Due to this week's discussion of visuals, we've attached the slideshow used for this sermon on our website version of this sermon. Get it at doxabible.org)
Life has uncertainty, and at times we feel fear because of it.
But is this a good thing or bad thing?
This week, Elder Todd Thompson reads through Psalm 46, and helps us understand how to cling to Jesus in our times of need, and not give into unhealthy fear.
In the world there is one constant: life is uncertain.
So how do we navigate this with the hope of Jesus? This week, Pastor Jim Burkett breaks down Psalm 16, and how we can rely on Christ as the firm foundation He is.
This week as we continue in our Summer In The Psalms series, we are going to be looking at Psalm 96 and answering the question "why?"
Why is it important for us as a church family to flourish in our praise for the LORD?
The book of Psalms, (in Hebrew "mizmor") is actually a collection of songs that the ancient people of God have memorized and sung together throughout millenia. They have supplied believers with some of their best loved Bible passages evoking deep affections for God and trust in His character. In starting this series, we are going to be looking at 8 Psalms (songs) designed to elicit our passion for the Lord in different seasons of our lives.
This week we are coming to the end of Part 2 on Jesus' sermon on the mount. As we do, He shares with us two incredible family features that develop within our lives as we continue to follow Him.
I can remember the first time Bek and I purchased a house. We were both so excited for this big moment in our lives.
I'll never forget when the Loan Officer laid a mountain of paperwork on the table and said, "Get comfortable, we are going to be here a while." followed by my nervous laughter. Why in the world was there so much paperwork to sign? It's because of a "Credibility Gap". People simply can not be trusted at their word. However, Jesus says that His kingdom citizens can be and will be. This week Jesus is going to show us how to cultivate our credibility through the way we speak.
What comes to mind when you think about marriage?
What about divorce?
As Jesus continues to explain to us how to live the kingdom life in this world, he brings up the delicate issue of marriage and divorce. The beautiful thing is, as he explains his perspective on marriage, we discover what a flourishing marriage actually looks like. So whether you are single, married, or divorced, listen to this week's message as we learn how to treasure marriage as kingdom citizens.
All of us, at one point or another, have struggled with lust--whether for money, power, or one another, we have all lusted after something that was not ours. In this portion of the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus shockingly broadens the definition of adultery, revealing to humanity the root of unfaithfulness rises from something much deeper than the level of our action.
This week, Pastor Tony Carter of the Rock Bible Church takes us through this part of Matthew 5.
NOTE: If you need help/support as mentioned in this sermon, the email is care@doxabible.org
All of us, at one point or another, have been angry at someone. In this portion of the Sermon On The Mount, Jesus brings up how serious our anger is, and that it equates to murder in God's eyes. So what do we do about it?
This week, Pastor Mitch Green of Ascend Bible Church takes us through this part of Matthew 5.
NOTE: if you need help/support as mentioned in this sermon, the email is care@doxabible.org
"How does Jesus change our relationship to the Old Testament?"
This is a question every kingdom citizen eventually comes to as they begin walking with God. In this week's passage, Jesus offers three clarifying truths that provide a beautiful answer to this question that will stir up your affections for Him.
We are continuing into the next section of Jesus' most famous sermon. We left off with Jesus finishing His description of a true kingdom citizen. He now builds off of this momentum and turns his attention to what kingdom citizens must aim to accomplish. Namely, to influence their communities with the gospel.
Resurrection Sunday, a holiday of celebration. It's the time of the year that people gather together in order to commemorate and celebrate the historical reality that Jesus came back to life. But this day isn't meant to be celebrated just like any ordinary annual holiday with little to no affect on our lives. Rather, the events that occurred on this day have eternal relevance for every one of us.
This Sunday Jesus bookends the introduction of his sermon with this final Beatitude.
"Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."
According to Jesus, kingdom citizens are characterized as being a persecuted people. A people that are taken back when their character collides with culture. This also raises a very penetrating question for every Jesus follower, namely, "How have I suffered for righteousness' sake?" And if not, why not?
Here in Jesus' final Beatitude, he reveals a wonderful promise that empowers us to endure hard things for right living.
As believers, we should be embracing the lost and share the peace with God we have received in Jesus.
This week, Tony Carter from The Rock Bible Church preaches on the beatitude about peacemakers.
This week we are going to learn that Jesus makes His kingdom citizens pure by giving them pure hearts, but what for?
We are a people marked by God's righteousness as His Spirit transforms our hearts and our lives. Having now officially passed the half-way mark of the "Beatitudes", Jesus begins to reveal what God's righteousness will look like as we follow Him as our King.
Have you noticed how accessible junk food is in our culture while healthy nutritious food is more difficult to come by? For instance, in full disclosure, I would rather have an oreo cookie instead of an apple. Why? Why do I long for Oreo cookies when I know they are nothing more than a substitute cookie with artificial flavoring that will never be able to satisfy? Jesus brings up a similar point regarding the appetites of our hearts in His sermon on the mount. He is going to point out what it is that makes God's kingdom citizens satisfied in an unsatisfying world.
This week, Pastor Trent Griffith from Gospel City Church joins us to break down verse 5 of Matthew 5. This scripture, covering the blessing given to those who are meek, help us understand that the landscape of God's blessing is accessed by those who fiercely pursue meekness.
It is a common human reaction to avoid pain, sorrow, and heartache. We fill up our schedules with events to preoccupy us from having to face painful conversations and/or situations. Often, even during the "down times" of our lives we tend to scroll through Netflix hoping to find some show that can numb us from our feelings. But as we continue to walk through Jesus' sermon, He is going to tell us what happens when we are willing to face our pain, our sorrow, and our heartache instead of avoiding it.
"May I have your blessing?" I can remember asking my wife's father this question when I was first interested in dating his daughter. Bekah and I took a trip to spend time with her family where I had the opportunity to meet her dad for the first time. We were not even at her parents house for 15 minutes when her dad took me to his basement to show me his gun collection. Talk about intimidating. But as the week went on I mustered up the courage to ask him for his blessing to date his daughter to which he graciously said "yes". I had his blessing.
We begin our new series on the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus explains what it's like to receive "The Blessing" from God. But His blessing is reserved for a certain kind of person. Join us as we discover who these people are.
As we end our series in Galatians, Pastor Mitch Green reads through the rest of chapter 6 in studying how apart from God, we can't do anything. Instead of bending to our own will and glory, let's break down how a faith filled family gives God the glory.
When we are walking in the Spirit, we will be led to serve lovingly and sacrificially. This week, Pastor Tony Carter will break down what exactly we are called to be.
Over the past few weeks we have been learning about Spiritual Freedom. What is it? And where does it come from? Now this week Paul is going to show us once and for all how you and I can live every single day of our lives in true spiritual freedom.
A few years ago I had the opportunity to visit a car museum with a friend of mine. I was particularly impressed by a Lamborghini that was on display. I leaned over to my friend and said, "I bet this is the fastest car in here." To which he quickly replied, "NOPE, it doesn't have an engine in it." This honestly reminds me of what Paul has been talking about in Galatians. Relying on spiritual formulas and systems give the appearance of godliness but actually deny the power of the gospel. If we truly want to grow in godliness what we actually need is to better understand the freedom we have received in Christ.
As we jump back in to the Galatians series, we read about a comparison of our spiritual lives to the story of Hagar and Sarah, and the difference between attempting merit with God by the flesh vs relying on the Lord and His promises.
As the new year starts, we wonder to ourselves, what's next?
Either way, we need to focus on the truth that God’s glory leads God’s people to God’s Mission. To grow that mindset, and kick off the new year, we study through a bit of Isaiah to understand this deeper.
As Christmas Eve is here, we study and finish our series "Behold The Son" by recognizing that Jesus is truly the Savior of the World.
As we behold the Son this Christmas season, we discover that He is a lot like a diamond that sparkles under the light, refracting different aspects of His glory and beauty. As we continue to Behold the Son this week we will discover that He is also the promised Son of David - The Eternal King.
We show up every day at work with the promise that every two weeks, we will get a direct deposit for the agreed-upon amount. Have you ever missed a paycheck? Or have you had one shorted? What a sinking feeling. Am I going to get that money? Was it a mistake? Was I deceived? Should I start looking for a new job? Do I bring it up? What should I do? Each day we live in the tension of promises made and promises kept.
This week we look at a few promises made to Abraham and how crazy and outlandish they seem. There’s no way that could ever actually happen. But God, in His covenantal love with Abraham, makes sure they do happen.
It's that time of the year where we pull out our Christmas decorations and string the lights. Of course, no Christmas decor is complete without a porcelain nativity scene, right? The wisemen need to be glued back together again for the third year in a row. We carefully set in place baby Jesus, while the stable animals and shepherds are huddled around Mary and Joseph as they all behold the new born child. Usually, this is as far as we allow our minds and imaginations to go in regards to the manger scene.
This Christmas season, however, we are going to step into this scene and together discover more about what made this moment so spectacular. Let's join the manger huddle this Sunday as we Behold The Son..... The Son of Eve.
When Peter asked Jesus to have him come out of the boat and onto the water, he walked until he lost sight of Jesus. Similarly as believers, we need to continually focus on Christ instead of ourselves.
If you look for them, you can find gaps in just about every area of life. We find gaps in our finances. "Where did the money go?" Gaps in science. "What causes the Morning Glory Clouds in Australia?" We have gap insurance, Gap stores, Gap theories.
But did you realize that the largest gap for many people is actually only 18 inches? 18 inches is the distance between your head and your heart. And for many Christians, there is a big gap in their lives when it comes to the gospel. They may know the gospel but they struggle to actually experience the power of the gospel in their everyday lives and relationships. This week Paul explains how to move from knowing the gospel "intellectually" to experiencing the gospel "transformationally".
Inside of every human heart is an innate desire for belonging. We "long to belong" to something bigger than ourselves. We even identify ourselves by what we belong to. We belong to sports teams, political parties, fitness centers, grocery stores (Costco, anyone?) But the Bible explains that because of our faith in Christ, we belong to the family of God. God's family is a bigger family. It's a stronger family. It's an enduring family. Yes, it’s a messy family but it’s also more beautiful than any other family you could possibly belong to.
Have you ever wrestled with knowing for sure if you are truly saved? Is there a way to have complete assurance to know that I am really right with God? The answer is YES! And it's all based on the reality that God is a promise keeping God. Paul is going to show us that our assurance can rest entirely upon a promise that God made to broken humanity.
The leaves are changing. The wind is blowing. The temperature is beginning to drop. When this happens you instinctively know that _____________ is coming. What would you put in the blank? "Winter", "Snow", "Time Change". What if when we began to notice these changes the first thing we thought of was THANKSGIVING. And what if we didn't just do this with a holiday but we also did this in life.
This week we will learn what happens if we instinctively knew to pray with thanksgiving when circumstances begin to change... when things were starting to get out of control and a cold bitterness began to sweep in.
This week we had Trent Griffith come to bring out wisdom from the life of a Eunuch, and his interactions with Philip in the book of Acts. What's brought out is that personal evangelism produces personal conversion through personal conversations.
We, as Christ followers, are called to pray sincerely and authentically. This week, Pastor Tony Carter breaks down Matthew 6:5-8 on Jesus' points of hypocritical prayer, and how to avoid it.
Counterfeits are everywhere. Unfortunately, if you are making any sort of significant purchase, you have to be on guard against deception. Depending on the purchase, if the deal is too good to be true, well... it often is. But when it comes to spiritual matters, is this same principle true? Is this righteousness by faith too good to be true? How do we know if we really are made right with God?
Last week, as we dove into God's Word, we began to see that living with faith in the Son of God helps us overcome spiritual disappointment. This week as we finish part two of this message, we will discover what these spiritually disappointing moments actually become when we choose to live with faith in Jesus.
Have you ever felt spiritually disappointed before? Maybe you imagined or expected God to do something specific in your life, but what actually happened was quite different. It is normal for us to struggle with feelings of disappointment when this sort of thing happens. However, as we continue in our study through Galatians, Paul first of all reminds us that God is NOT the God of disappointment and then he offers a way out of this pit of despair.
In this week's passage, we learn why some people seem to flourish and accelerate in their Christian life more than others. In writing to the Galatians, Paul shared that the difference maker is rooted in a worshipful reflection of two powerful gospel promises.
This week, on Doxa's 2 year anniversary, we take a break from our Galatians series. Pastor Brock Graham from Redeemer Bible Church brings out the characteristics Jesus commends at the church of Pergamum, and how we should practice those same qualities.
Who doesn't want unity in their family, right? We all know that where there is unity there is usually flourishment and a sense of fulfilment. Galatians chapter 2 shows us how to experience unity as a church in such a way that changes our families, our neighborhoods, and our city. This week we tackle part two of the sermon "Threats To Gospel Unity". I pray the LORD graciously continues to blossom us into this kind of church for the glory of Christ.
"Where were you when...?" There are certain events that occur in our lives that make such an impression on us that we can remember exactly where we were when they happened. For instance, Where were you when you first heard about 9/11? Or where were you during the infamous OJ Simpson chase? Better yet, do you remember where you were when Florida State University won their last National Championship football game? - Get ready, because it's about to happen again this year. (Just kidding) On a much more serious note, this week the Apostle Paul is going to unpack one of the most unforgettable moments in Church History. As he does, he warns of some very dangerous threats that can very well suffocate our church's unity.
One mark of a true Christ follower consists of a rescue story. This week, Tony Carter, our resident pastor, breaks down Paul's Damascus road experience, and how that signifies his ability to preach the Word.
Last week, as we began our series, I made reference to a statement that has been captivating my attention all week. "The world has yet to see what God can do with a church fully consecrated to the gospel. By God's help, let us aim to be that church."
Can you even imagine what this might look like for us individually and collectively to be fully consecrated to the gospel? This week Paul is going to address three gospel centered choices that we all must make in order for this dream to actually become our reality.
D.L. Moody wrote, “The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man.” Every time I hear this quote my soul kicks inside of me. But recently, I began to alter Moody's quote just a little to read, "The world has yet to see what God can do with a church fully consecrated to the gospel. By God's grace let us aim to be that church." --COME ON! Well, I'm excited to begin our study through the letter to the Galatians. As we walk through this letter we are going to learn together how to become a church, (body of believers) that's fully consecrated and committed to the gospel. Let the movement begin!
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Throughout the journey of being a Christian, we can often feel deserted, or confused at the state of the world, and being in the midst of it. We as believers, however, should rely on the hope of Creation being made whole one day. Despite suffering, we can endure in confident hope whenever we remember the beautification in God's redemptive plan.
"Help Wanted" - We find these signs in just about every major intersection, don't we? But have you ever personally struggled to allow other people to help you? Let's face it, it can be somewhat uncomfortable to let other people support you when you're not able to do something yourself. Have you ever considered that we may sometimes do this very thing with the Holy Spirit? Perhaps we are too often resisting the help the Holy Spirit wants to provide us without even realizing it. This week as we continue to unpack Romans 8, we are going to see how specifically the Holy Spirit desires to help us live our new life in Christ and what to do if we find ourselves resisting Him.
You know that feeling when you know you are about to watch your favorite football team lose the game with only 10 seconds left of the clock. The final play is called and the ball is snapped and the Quarterback throws the ball down field. And to your surprise, the receiver catches the ball and runs in to score a touchdown for your team. This is what you call a Game Changer. Well, this Sunday we come to what many people call the greatest chapter in the Bible, Romans chapter 8. And it's in this chapter that Paul introduces us to the greatest "Game Changer" in our lives that we could ever hope for.
The journey of following Jesus is a journey of humility, especially according to Paul. Continuing through Romans 7, Paul writes about his struggle of knowing the Law, but not being able to follow it. This tension, which we all wrestle with, is why we need Christ. Listen as Pastor Jim Burkett elaborates on this tremendously honest scripture.
This sermon did not start being recorded until 5 minutes in, so there's a bit of the introduction missing from this audio
As we continue learning growing in Christ, Tony Carter takes us to Romans 7, and Paul's emphasis on the Spirit. Writing to the Romans, Paul knows they've been trying to achieve salvation through following the law, failing to realize the law only convicts us, and doesn't free us. But by God's grace through Christ, we are set free by the Spirit, in dependence on Him.
To continue the Grow in Christ Series, Joe brings us through more on Romans 6 and how the Gospel transforms our lives. The significance is that God is committed to helping you grow in Christ, and this second part of the "What Really Changed" questioned sermons will elaborate on how.
As we pause in our "Growing in Christ" series, Todd Thompson preaches on the popular passage of Psalm 23, closely focusing on the 5 word phrase "the Lord is my Shepard."
This Psalm, written by David, King of Israel, is telling how even with all the power, pleasure, fame, and glory David has, he's a lost sheep in need of a Shepard. Relying on the Lord as a sheep is a humbling thing to do, but Pastor Todd breaks down why it's healthiest in our walk with Christ.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)
Our desire is that we would all experience more of what the apostle Paul describes in the verse above, "the power of the gospel," but what in our lives really changed because of the gospel?
This week we discuss the parable of the lost coin in Luke 15, digging into the truth that Jesus never gives up on seeking the lost. This is due to their value to Him, and the joy he receives in finding them.
Discovering together the residual effects of Jesus being the LORD of our marriages. We begin this weeks message with the topic of sex and we will end with the glory of God.
"Five, four, three, two, one, zero. Houston, We Have Lift Off." I can remember growing up in Orlando, Florida, just 35 minutes away from the Kennedy Space Station and watching the NASA Space Shuttle blast off into outer space. It's truly a remarkable experience. When you are in close proximity to the shuttle during lift off, you feel the heavy vibrations from the rocket boosters as they burn off 11,000 lbs of fuel per second. You hear the roar from the flames and watch as waves of billowing smoke appear. In short, you encounter the sheer force of "lift off". In a strikingly similar way, when our marriage goes vertical other people will encounter the powerful effects of our "Lift Off."
As stunning as a school of fish are synched together in water; as majestic as starling birds fly synched together in the sky, and as breathtaking as wildebeest traveling across the Serengeti, all synched together; so is a vertical marriage. This week as we continue in our series, we will learn how Jesus can help us sync our marriages to His Divine "Rhythms of Grace".
When you said "I do" perhaps you had dreams of lifelong romantic bliss but as time has passed you've experienced disappointment, frustration, and exhaustion.
Jesus cried, made a truth claim, and offered an invitation. As we answer the call to following Him, we are entering into a realization that He is with us, for us, and loves us. With the heaviness of death, however, it can seem like God is too far from us to even care. But with Jesus, death is just the beginning.
Kids love marking their progress, month by month and year by year, as they grow from toddlers to big kids. There are even companies that specialize in developing products like "growth tracker charts" so that children and parents can see their development. In a similar way, I too long to see my continued growth and progress as a follower of Christ. As we mature in our faith and walk longer with the Lord, we ought to see a noticeable growth trajectory. Paul, in this week's passage, shares with us not only how to track our growth as a Christ follower, but also how to stimulate even greater growth.
This is a journey into the parable of Jesus, the Parable of the Dishonest Manager, found in Luke 16:1-13. This parable may be one that you have read several times and yet still don’t fully grasp. But when we are finished, it is our prayer that the way we view the money and possessions that God has entrusted to us will be forever and eternally changed.
It's hard to believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner. I'm not sure if you are someone that enjoys the "smell of the holidays" but I sure am. There is nothing like lighting a Christmas Tree candle from Bath and Body Works and letting the smell of Christmas sweep through the living room. However, everyone knows that you should never buy a candle unless you take the lid off and smell it first. Right? It's what's on the inside that counts. In this week's passage Paul is going to show us the same thing. And in doing so he teaches us how to pray audacious prayers that fill up our lives with the aroma of God's love.
This is true when it comes to learning new hobbies, new interests, and visiting new places. Even more so when it comes to trying new recipes. But, have you ever tried a new recipe only to realize after your first bite that you forgot to add that one ingredient? In a similar way, this is what the Apostle Paul does in this week's passage. After unpacking the rich doctrine and theology about what Jesus has done in starting the church, he pauses and circles back on two compelling truths that every Christ follower needs to understand. Join us this Sunday as we learn what these truths are and how they apply to our lives today.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America...One Nation, Under God, Indivisible..." This has been a big deal around our home this week as my daughter has had the privilege of leading her school through the pledge of allegiance at the start of every day this week. And boy, if there was ever a time our country needed to stand united, under God, and indivisible, it is right now. Well, I invite you to join us this week as we study how Paul says the gospel will radically alter our true allegiance as people of God's kingdom.
You might be familiar with the phrase "God helps those who help themselves." Although this phase is clever and catchy, it is nowhere found in the Bible. In fact, it completely contradicts the nature of God Himself. In this week's passage we are going to see how God does the exact opposite; "He helps those who can’t help themselves." And in that, we will discover the miracle of our salvation. Join us this week as we walk through, hands down, the best story ever told.
Do you feel like your faith in God is flourishing or wavering? Have you ever wondered what to do when your faith seems stuck? This Sunday we will be jumping into a passage where the Apostle Paul teaches his new church plant how to see their faith flourish and grow. Interestingly, he doesn't tell them to do more or try harder, rather he simply prays for them. And what Paul prays sheds light into how we too can see our faith blossom and bear abounding fruit. So, join us this Sunday as we discover what to do when we feel like our faith is stuck or just simply plateaued.
Last week we looked at 4 spectacular aspects of God's Goodness toward us. When we slow down to reflect on them, lead us to a place of joy and awe. Well, let me just say that Paul isn't done yet. In fact, this week he shows us two more grandiose aspects of God's Goodness that are even better than what he has already unpacked. I sure hope you are able to join us for this week's worship service as the Apostle Paul leads us into even greater worship of our great God.
I can remember being a kid and taking a trip to Disney World. The excitement that built up in me the closer we got to the park was like a volcano. I could hardly contain myself. Then the moment we walked through the gates and experienced the "happiest place on earth" became real to my little heart. I remember going up to the castle in Magic Kingdom and then realizing for the first time that it wasn't "really a castle" where princes and princess, kings and queens lived. I felt betrayed, hoodwinked, lied to. But, Disney World was on to something. Our hearts were created to experience a real and lasting kingdom. A kingdom where we are free to explore and experience true wonder. That Kingdom is exclusively found IN CHRIST! And salvation is the doorway to a life where this experience of wonder is realized. Sadly, for many people once they entire the doorway of salvation In Christ they don't press into the vastness of what it means to be IN CHRIST. This is why I'd love to encourage you to join us as we begin to walk through the book of Ephesians as a Church. My hope and prayer through this series is that all of us will lean more, press more into Jesus and all that is made available to us in the person and work of Christ!