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Pastor Dale BensonMatthew 5:5-6 (NLT)This is a message for everyone... Anyone wanting to understand what God seems to say we are to be like if we are going to be a part of His Kingdom.Matthew 5:5 (NLT)Humble = Meek = praus = The “Golden Mean"Far Left - The Golden Mean - Far RightCowardice - Courage - RashnessStinginess - Generosity - Extravagance Sloth - Ambition - GreedSecrecy - Honesty - Talking Too MuchDepression - Good Humor - Buffoonery We live in a day and age where people have run to extremes, and we are beginning to gather around those extremes. We blame all the world's problems on our enemies while rarely looking to see if we have ventured too far the other way.We twist words to win. We contort to make our way of life seem normal. The way of the kingdom of God seems so contrary to us because we have contorted ourselves to the way of the world.Matthew 5:6 (NLT)In his book "Reflecting the Divine Image," H. Ray Dunning directs us toward a very relational understanding of Creation, The Fall, and its effects on how we view the world relationally. And as a result, how we should live ethical lives considering a relational understanding.Dikaosune - Justice/Righteousness = Right Related:- To God - To Others- To The World- To SelfThis is a message that is not just meant for fathers. It is meant for all of us who are a part of raising our children, which is all of us.When we dedicate our children, we all agree to pray for these families. We agree to be a community of right-relatedness. We vow to be a place where children are led to Christ; A place where Christ is reflected in our lives.I am going to demonstrate this through an illustration that may be new to some of you but is at the heart of how we see the lives of our families around here.The Jars of Marbles:This particular jar was used when my daughter was in 7" grade. I am now down to the last two marbles for my youngest son, and I have joked that I am losing my marbles, but that isn't true. You see the intentional discipleship of my children was not a job I did all by myself.- Teachers at The Childcare and Grove City Christian School- Small group leaders and volunteers in every area of NextGen- Upward coaches and coaches at Grove City Christian School- Family friends, pastors' staff, faculty, prayer ministry volunteersBeing able to live in the right relatedness is a blessing. As I put this together, I could almost visualize the faces of people in the congregation and online beginning to have a slight epiphany or maybe even be inspired to attempt to do better to work on their relationships. But that is not what the passage is saying.It says, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after these rightly ordered relationships, for they will be filled." It is not enough to have a nice nostalgic feeling about working for these relationships. It takes a deep hunger. It takes work.Finding the Golden Mean is a difficult task. To find that middle way, what the early Anglican Church used to call "The Via Media" is no simple task.- We are told in scripture to STRIVE to maintain the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.- We are told to FLEE temptation.- We are told to THROW off the sin that so easily entangles us.- We are told to submit our bodies as living sacrifices.- We are told that we will be blessed if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.We will be filled.Matthew 5:5-6 (NLT)
Pastor David MorrisonMatthew 5:1-4 (NLT)If you study the life of Jesus, you will find that Jesus was counter-cultural, and was viewed as a revolutionary. The common thoughts of the day were often rejected by Jesus and replaced by something that may seem counterintuitive. It’s these ideas that we will spend the better part of our summer exploring. His words are valid now more than ever.Two things He addresses are wealth and happiness. Wealth and happiness seem connected in our culture. Two questions that I here asked often: Does God want me to be happy? Does God want me to be wealthy?There is a division on these answers.What was Jesus trying to say to us when He said, "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, they will be comforted."Let’s look at the money question first.Matthew 19:16-30 (NLT)- I heard people try to water down what Jesus was saying. Using the example of the small gate in Jerusalem, and research that this tradition began in 1200 AD.- The reason this isn’t accurate is because after this, the Bible says, "The disciples were astonished, ‘then who in the world can be saved?’"Matthew 19:26 (NLT)- Jesus is pointing to a fix for an eternal problem.- Remember earlier, He said, "God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs."- It’s the harsh realization that you can keep all the rules and make the best financial decisions and that still won’t get you to heaven.As it relates to how much money and possessions, to be rich is "subjective." Even in a homeless camp there are those who are "rich" compared to others. In the wealthy communities, some are "rich" compared to others.Rich is a mindset that I can provide for myself; I am my source. Jesus is attacking a mindset, one that says I will make a way.The mindset of this world: If I make enough money, then I will be happy.The mindset of Jesus: / would rather you have nothing, and realize your need for me, than for you to have everything and lose your soul.Matthew 5:4 (NLT)- Happy are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God does want you to be Happy, but He realizes that true joy isn't found in temporary or fleeting things.Psalms 1:1-4 (NLT)- Happiness is found in the company that we keep and when we desire to know God all the time, not just when is convenient or when we need Him.John 16:33 (NLT)- In this world, you will face times of mourning, just as Jesus did, but you won't be alone, because I am always with you...for you to realize your need for Me.- I am your source. I am the one who alone can bring you happiness. So don't concern yourself with all the worries of this world, you will face troubles...but I will be there with you.Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT)- This Sermon on the Mount is Jesus stepping in and proclaiming himself as the promised Messiah, sent to those who have been searching for Happiness in all the wrong places, sent to those who have placed their trust in money and the acquisition of stuff...and is saying leave that stuff behind and follow Me.Jesus isn't saying I want you poor and unhappy, He is saying I want you whole and new and comforted.I want to be your source; would you pursue Me? I want you to live for Me. I am all in on you.
Pastor Bailey Medley Today our message is called "Most Likely To" and we're going to be looking at an individual in scripture that arguably was least likely to succeed, but God ended up using him to reshape perspectives on potential.1 Samuel 16:6-13 (NLT)- Potential is not determined by our current position, but rather based on His promise.- Because we have the benefit of knowing the full story today - we know what is coming, but I imagine David very much was feeling about his life, the way we do ours - like reading a book for the first time. Taking it page by page.- Here we aren't surprised by the fact that David is anointed. But I imagine he very much was.Samuel 16:7 (NLT)- God sees David, even when he isn't in the room - and invites him in. God sees David and sees potential, but also invites him into His purpose.- We treat potential like it's a limited resource. Like it's a competition for a senior superlative - we want to be the one to win it. To be seen as being ahead and heaven forbid behind.POSITIONS MAY BE LIMITED, POTENTIAL IS NOT A RESOURCE THAT NEEDS TO BE RATIONED OR RESERVEDYour worthiness and capacity to be used in the Kingdom of God at work here and now has nothing to do with your capabilities or being ahead-but rather has everything to do with the God in whose image you were created.POTENTIAL ISN'T THE DESTINATION - IT'S JUST A PART OF THE PROCESSSo often we think of this being a big part of his story - when we think of David - this is the one in our back pocket. I was even talking to one of my brothers about today and he asked what we would be talking about. I said David and his response was "Like David and Goliath?”1 Samuel 17:34–40 (NLT)- I think a lot of us would understand him taking the “this is not the job description” approach. But he leaned into the potential, not because he thought “I got this,“ but because of God‘s faithfulness in his life. He walked out to cross that valley, knowing that the people didn’t believe he could do it – because they said so to his face!"It's easier to listen to what other people say than what God has already spoken over us."1 Samuel 17:12-15 (NLT)- We read of Goliath tormenting an army of men, including the siblings of strength and stature. And yet David arrives humbly without any fanfare. He is again described simply, as the youngest son of Jesse and as a shepherd of his father's flocks. David shuttled back and forth between Jesse's flocks and the battlefront to carry supplies and messages.- He is meant to be king - ruling over God's people, and yet we find him watching over sheep. He is meant to command a kingdom and yet we find him as a messenger and a biblical door dasher to his brothers. He is meant to be anointed to have potential, and yet he seems to have taken a step backward and it seems wasted.OUR CURRENT POSITION DOESN'T DISQUALIFY US FROM HIS PROMISE/POTENTIAL - IT MIGHT JUST BE IN INVITATION TO PREPARATION.And I like to think that David - being the beginning of "the man after God's own heart" - knew this because he didn't discount the field. He is intentional with the things that don't seem "royal", and God uses the experience to be a part of leading him toward his potential.But we must remember there is no- Experiencing solace from beautiful music without intentional practice.- There is no leading a nation without first understanding how to guide a flock.- There is no defeating Goliath for the Living God without first taking on a bear for the sake of a lamb.- There is no stepping into what God has for the throne without being faithful in the field. We remember David not because of his early potential but because of his faithfulness in the process.We are called to embody the same thing.YOUR POTENTIAL IS NOT LIMITED TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW or even where you can picture yourself being, BUT RATHER BASED ON HIS PROMISE and WHERE He is calling you to be.
Pastor John KeatingProverbs 18:10 (NLT)- “The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.”Judges 9:46 (NLT)- On hearing this, the citizens in the tower of Shechem went into the stronghold of the temple of El-Berith.Judges 9:50-54 (NLT)- Next Abimelek went to Thebez and besieged it and captured it. Inside the city, however, was a strong tower, to which all the men and women— all the people of the city — had fled. They had locked themselves in and climbed up on the tower roof. Abimelek went to the tower and attacked it. But as he approached the entrance to the tower to set it on fire, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head and cracked his skull. Hurriedly he called to his armor-bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that they can't say, 'A woman killed him.'" So his servant ran him through, and he died.
Pastor Dale Benson Acts 2: 1-21 (NLT)50 days following the Passover (around the time of the crucifixion of Jesus), something miraculous happened again that forever changed the face of the earth. The Holy Spirit filled the followers of Jesus who believed in Him, and as a result, the world has never been the same.They were all gathered together. They were waiting. There are assumptions they were praying.The Holy Spirit is always present, but the Holy Spirit makes His presence visible where the commands of God are met with the obedience of His people.- Am I living expecting the Holy Spirit to move in my life? - Am I living in obedience to what God has told me to do? It doesn’t matter:- Your age.- Your socioeconomic status.- Your race.- Your gender.What happened on the day of Pentecost was a fulfillment of the Prophet Joel that God's Spirit would be poured on all flesh. Repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.If you want to have the power to enter into the kingdom of God that is breaking into this world because Christ has made it possible through His death, resurrection, and sending of the Holy Spirit to fill the lives of those who repent and follow, and obey Him? Are you ready to enter into this power? If so, I am going to ask you to stand today and pray a simple prayer.There was a prayer in the early church that simply went like this: Holy Spirit, Come.Why does the Holy Spirit come? Why does the Holy Spirit fill us? Why did the Holy Spirit fill those who were in the upper room gathered together?The languages give us a hint. Each person was hearing in their language.This was not meant to be a religion that stayed confined to a temple, or a house made with hands. This was an encounter with the living God who wanted to fill our hearts, or minds, and our very lives so that we could encounter God wherever we go.It was a recognition that the Spirit of God wanted to be with us at home. The Holy Spirit wanted to be with us at work. The Holy Spirit would be with us wherever we went. We only need to be aware and walk in the Spirit.We have been singing a song lately that says, “Oh... He's in the Room!”Quite often when we sing this song, whoever is leading will acknowledge that God is here with us, in this very room, meeting with us. We will recognize His presence among us. Ironically, I woke up this past week in the middle of the night with this song in my heart and in my head. As I was singing it in bed, and in my head, the Lord began to point out some things with the lyrics.The Holy Spirit came to live inside each of you to ensure Christ's presence will go with you to work. To ensure that Christ's presence will go with you to school. To ensure that the very presence of God will live and breathe in you so that wherever you go, you can acknowledge that He is in the room! He is there. He is with you.He is in you. He is simply waiting for you to acknowledge it.- You need the Fruit of the Spirit...they are yours.- You need the gifts of the Spirit...they are already ours.- You need the power to stand strong in your faith...it is already yours.- You need the peace that passes all understanding…it is yours!We pray for the Holy Spirit to come so that the Holy Spirit will go with us wherever we go.The purpose of this series has not been to teach us more about the Holy Spirit. The purpose of this series has been to help us desire to live in the Spirit. To let the Holy Spirit fill our hearts and lives.So that when you leave this place you will still be singing all week long: “Oh... He's in the room!”
Pastor Dale BensonS- SPIRITUAL GIFTS- Are spiritual gifts still active in the church today? - Cessationists vs Continuationists - We would land heavily on the continuationists' side that Charismata and Pneumatikon are still present through the Holy Spirit within the church.Ephesians 4:11-13 (NLT)Romans 12:6-8 (NLT)1 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)Gifts Listed in Scriptures Above:- Apostle- Prophet- Evangelist- Pastor- Teacher- Word of Wisdom- Word of Knowledge- Along with Faith- Healing- Miracles - Prophecy- Discerning between Spirits- Speaking in Tongues- Interpretation of Tongues- Serving - Encouragement - Generosity - Showing Kindness- Leadership- Hope- Love 1 Corinthians 12:31 (NLT)The next three have to do with how you are shaped in the image of God. While each of us is different, we are all meant to reflect God and allow His grace to flow through us. Our heart, abilities, and personality may all shape how the gifts are exhibited through us.H - HEART- What are you passion about? - Alcohol and Drug addictions? - Victims of the sex trafficking trade? - Divorced families? - Blended families? - Anxiety & depression? - Immigrants in our country? - The language barrier? - The Homeless situation? - Orphans? Widows? - Those in Prison? - Developing Leaders? - For seeing children educated?A - ABILITIES- Musical, Crafty, Athletics, AcademicP - PERSONALITY- DISC Assessment, Myers-BriggsTHIS FINAL ASPECT IS OFTEN THE KEY that I find could unlock the doorway to great ministry through which the Holy Spirit can work, but many of us hold the key but never open the door.E - EXPERIENCES- This is probably the one that can be the easiest or the touchiest to work through. There are many experiences in life that God can use, but I have found that what the apostle Paul says is true; God's power is made perfect in our weakness. It is often the most painful of life's circumstances that God can use because that is when we let God do the work.All these things are for building up the body, and for demonstrating love. When they are working correctly, the body becomes a mighty force for transformation, not only in the lives of the body of Christ but in the communities where that body is thriving.
Dr. Filimao ChamboLuke 4:18-20 (NRSV)Acts 1:1-2, 5 (NRSV)1. The Role of the Holy Spirit in empowering/anointing Jesus to inaugurate His ministry: The Holy Spirit empowered the radical work of Jesus. (Luke 4:18): "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me..." - Jesus, empowered by the Spirit, inaugurated a missional work of "release" and "liberation." - He proclaimed freedom from the bondage of sin and restoration, fulfilling the expectations of Israel's end-time restoration.2. Three Dimensions of Liberation (release/freedom) According to Luke (Joel Green). (Luke 4:18-19) "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."3. Release from Sins: Jesus grants forgiveness of sins, which is synonymous with God's salvation. For example, Israel's idolatry led to its exile, and its restoration would be contingent on God extending forgiveness to God's people. - For Luke, release from sins includes Countering Diabolic Oppression: Scenes of exorcism demonstrate Jesus countering demonic oppression and bondage. "This emphasis comes to the fore most obviously in scenes of exorcism, as Jesus expels demons from the demonized, but it is often present, too, in episodes of healing." - For Luke, release extends into the realm of economics. Economic Liberation goes beyond issues related to wealth and poverty; Jesus' mission obliterates economic enslavement, embracing those on the fringes and inviting them to experience the transformative power of God.We are invited to participate in God's work/mission, but we cannot accomplish this without God's help. Hence, Jesus said, "…..you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit..." Acts 1:5 and 1:8, He said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you."The role of the Holy Spirit is to empower/anoint the Church to continue the transformative work initiated by Jesus.- As followers of Christ today, we are called to embody the same anointing, offering healing in a broken world, and extending the invitation of the Kingdom - empowered by the Holy Spirit.- What does our ministry/mission empowered by the Holy Spirit look like? - Release from Sins: to lead people to faith in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit awakens, illuminates, and convicts the world about sin. Still, our witness in words and praxis, enabled by the Holy Spirit, is a living witness of the power of saving and sanctifying truth found in Jesus Christ alone. Hence, we remain open to the work of the Spirit in our lives to teach and remind us of what Jesus taught and provide continuing guidance as we seek to faithfully interpret the Word of God for our daily walk with Him. - Countering Diabolic Oppression: Healing. - Economic Liberation: those on the fringes in need of a Savior.In Jesus' ministry, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we witness a radical commitment to human transformation.The Holy Spirit helps us (bestows upon us) the fortitude to shatter the shackles of sin, enabling us to emerge as conduits of healing amidst the multifaceted brokenness that plagues our physical, emotional, and spiritual landscapes. Moreover, the Holy Spirit empowers us to foster reconciliation in our relationships and communities.We are invited to partner with the Holy Spirit to usher in the Kingdom of God, bringing true freedom in every area of life.Are you willing to let the Holy Spirit dwell within you to help you carry out God's mission in the world?
Pastor Dale Benson Last week Pastor David spoke powerfully on how we need to nail the Acts of the Flesh to the Cross if we want a chance at living a life filled with the Fruit of the Spirit. The Acts of the Flesh need to be crucified, but that is only part of the solution.Growing up, I heard plenty about what | was NOT supposed to do as a Christian and not enough about what my life should look like. Even the things I was supposed to do seemed like work... Or a task list of to-dos or Christian chores.The Fruit of the Spirit:- Love - Joy- Peace- Patience - Kindness - Goodness - Faithfulness - Gentleness - Self-Control These are not multiple choice... But they also are not necessarily grown overnight, or in an instant.- What do I do to live in the Fruit of the Spirit? - Invite the Holy Spirit to lead. - Investigate my relationships.- Initiate proper boundaries.The way we abide in Christ is by spending time with the Holy Spirit.- Spending Time Reading the Bible - Listening to the Holy Spirit or giving the Holy Spirit content to bring back to your memory later.- Spending Time in Prayer - Speaking to a friend who understands your language, but you can't always necessarily understand theirs.- Serving Others - Whenever you have done it for the least of these, you have done it for Me.- Practicing Generosity - When we are generous, we are living the heart of God.- Building Relationships with Others Who Reflect the Fruit of the Spirit - You become like your 5 closest friends.Does the Holy Spirit make your Top 5?- The Fruit of the Spirit needs to be cultivated.
Today's topic is one that I am growing in: the Fruit of the Spirit. Paul provides a different perspective on how God guides people and shapes their actions/lives.Galatians 5:16-25 (NLT)Fruit is a metaphor for my actions, intentions, and identity. - We all the time say things like, judge a person by their fruits. - Matthew 7:20 (NLT) - John 13:35 (NLT)We have a sin nature and a spirit nature. - Galatians 5:17 (NLT)This has been going on since the beginning. These two forces are constantly fighting each other. We go back and forth between two desires. It's only natural that we are better at the tree of death, it is the Norm. The things on this tree aren't good, but man are they addictive and don't they taste good in the moment?Fruits vs. Gifts:I’ve heard it said, "A Fruit is Grown, but a Gift is Given." They are both the result of the Holy Spirit, but fruits are for everyone, and gifts are selective. If you are in Christ, we can all live a life of peace, joy, love, and self-control. This is the expectation.This is something that people spend a lot of time and money trying to find. I think it is safe to say that we all want the Fruit of the Spirit, even people who don't want to follow Jesus. Everyone wants to feel peace. We want to be patient. We want to be kind. The problem is how we go about it. We pursue temporary fixes, and we go back to the tree of death!What do I do to live in the Fruit of the Spirit? - Invite the Holy Spirit to lead. - Investigate my relationships. When you decide to follow Jesus, you have already said that you are a new creation. I am no longer defined by my old fruit. Though there is a struggle, the battle has already been won on the cross. My old passions stand defeated on the cross! So, we cast off the things that hinder, we surrender to the Holy Spirit, and ask God to lead every part of our lives!What does the Holy Spirit do to help me live in His fruit? - The Holy Spirit is a guide. - The Holy Spirit instills the right desires. - The Holy Spirit is our source of strength and growth. Jesus wants all of you! And what He has for you is real love, real joy, real peace, real patience, real kindness, real goodness, real faithfulness, real gentleness, and real self-control! No longer trading our lives for cheap substitutes.
Pastor John KeatingGenesis 1:1-2 (NLT)- In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.Psalm 33:6 (NLT)- By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath [Spirit] of His mouth."Israelites freed from slavery:Exodus 14:21 (NLT)- God Blew over the waters of the Red Sea, leading Israel out of the old world of bondage and into their new blessed life.Mary with child:Luke 1:35 (NLT)- The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.Jesus' Baptism:John 1:32 (NLT)- Then John testified, "I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him."Pentecost:Acts 2:1-4 (NLT)- When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. The Holy Spirit is God's agent of creation and new creation.Romans 8:9 (NLT)- You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ.Romans 8:14 (NLT)- For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.2 Corinthians 5:16-17 (NLT)- So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know Him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Pastor Dale BensonLast week we celebrated the resurrection of Christ, and we celebrated those who have taken the step to publicly testify to that faith through the sacrament of baptism. So, what's the next step?John 3:5-8 (NLT)- Nicodemus seems confused when Jesus says he must be born again...- So in some regard we can understand being born of "water." Like when a mother's water breaks. There is also indication that when someone outside the Hebrew faith entered the covenant community, they were said to be "born again." This would also involve a water baptism. It was not a baptism of repentance, but rather a ritualistic, covenant ritual also signifying new birth. So you can understand Nicodemus' confusion when Jesus says you must be born again.- But Jesus adds the part of being born of the Spirit…Who Is The Holy Spirit?- God - The Father (very "human" term)- Jesus - The Son (very "human" term)- Came to die for me- The Other Guy - Spirit - Not human term - Spiritual term, mystical term“If I were Satan and my ultimate goal was to thwart God's kingdom and purposes, one of my main strategies would be to get churchgoers to ignore the Holy Spirit.” -Francis Chan, Forgotten GodDifferent Names of The Holy Spirit- The Holy Ghost- The Comforter- The Paraclete- Breath of God- Wind of God- Spirit of GodThe Person - He will guide you into all truth.- I feel like God is speaking to me.- I feel like God is leading me.- The scriptures seem to be saying.Romans 8:9-11 (NLT)- We seek life... We need to seek the Spirit of God- We seek wisdom… We need to seek the Spirit of God- We seek power... We need to seek the Spirit of God.- Very often we are seeking the attributes and gifts of God rather than God himself.“The Holy Spirit did not come to take the place of Christ's absence. He came to ensure Christ's presence.” -H. Ray DunningDon't seek God for what He will give you... Seek God and then He'll give you what you need.
Pastor Dale Benson"We loved more when we knew less."Think about that for a second. I think that quote plays itself out within a lot of our lives. Let's think about how much that statement is true about most of our relationships. It is a lot easier to love before we know everything about a person, even if that person is us. Or especially when that person is us.In fact, many of us are afraid to let people know who we are. Not only because we are afraid they won't like us, but because deep down, we know we don't like those things about ourselves either. Part of our problem is that we project how we feel and act. We expect others to act like we think and feel about others... or about us.Sometimes we project our feelings on God as well. Many of us have a view of God and His love for us as though His love is conditional. I am afraid that we view God a bit like the American colonies viewed King George, or at least how Lin Manuel viewed King George in "Hamilton."But, you see, God is not at all like King George. He is not waiting to send an armed battalion of His angels to remind us of His love. This is what is so amazing about the Easter Story. God loved us so much that He left heaven to come and live among us. He walked the path of redemption for us because we could not do it ourselves.Revelation 1:18 (NLT)- He did this with full knowledge of who we were, who we are, and who we are going to be. He knows our weaknesses. He knows our failures. He knows our shortcomings. Yet His love for us remains steadfast and secure and strong.While I do believe we need to enter following Him with sincerity, I also know that we cannot know what our entire life is going to look like...But God does. He knows your weaknesses. He knows your shortcomings. He knows the sins you have committed, the sins you are committing, and the sins you will be committing, but He loves you anyway. He knew all those things when He died for you on the cross.Romans 5:8 (NLT)- He knew all those things and He died for you anyway. God's love for us does not change, despite what He knows about us.Why? He created you for so much more than you are living right now. He came and lived among us to let you know that He created you for so much more. He died and came back with the keys to death and hell because you could not - you cannot. But He did because He has made you for so much more. He loves you! He has the keys... The gates have been opened for you. You are not a prisoner anymore. The question that remains is "are you willing to walk out of the cell He has already opened for you?” Are you willing to walk in the peace and love that comes with freedom from your sins, and freedom to live fully in the love He has for you?You and I were made for more.
Pastor Dale BensonMark 8:27-29 (NLT)Who do people say Jesus is? Who do you say Jesus is? Your answer determines a lot of things in your life.This is a question that cannot be avoided.- He may care what your friends think... But that is a question for them.- He may care what your parents think... But again, that is a question He will ask them.He is headed on a journey. He would like to have you with him. He wants to know what you think of Him.The truth is, He already knows your answer.- He knows your strengths.- He knows your weaknesses.He knows you will have great moments of belief followed by horrible moments where you fall short. He knows all about this, and yet, because of who Ge is, He will make the journey to the cross anyway.- He didn't need a path to redemption.- He didn't need to be saved.- He didn't need to have His sins forgiven.This road that He will be traveling, He is traveling for us.So, who do you think He is? Are you willing to trust Him?When what I say about Jesus, and the life I live align with who He says He is, and the life He wants to live through me, I find life. Peter said the right things. He just didn't fully understand what he was saying. Until he began to understand and allow his life to align with Christ, there would be dissonance. Life would not be lived to the fullest.Jesus tells them what He will undergo: pain, suffering, death, and resurrection.- If all I hear is the pain, and suffering, and death, I will live a painful, wretched life devoid of hope.- If all I hear is the resurrection, either I will be severely disappointed when the pain, and suffering, and death hits, or I will avoid the uncomfortable and miss the point that resurrection only happens to those who have died.Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)- We fix our eyes on Jesus.- What were His eyes were fixed on?Psalm 23:4 (KJV)- "When I walk through the dark valley of death.""Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is difficult-once we truly understand and accept it-then life is no longer difficult. Because once it is accepted, the fact that life is difficult no longer matters." - M. Scott Peck, The Road Less Traveled
Pastor Dale BensonJames 2: 14-17 (NLT)- Dale's Upward Illustration: - I can say I believe in Upward. How am I demonstrating that I believe in Upward?- Faith, without works, is dead. - Faith, when combined with works, brings life. - (Not just to the person the work is performed through).James 2: 18-20 (NLT)- Faith, without deeds, is useless.- Faith, with deeds, is useful.James 2:21-26 (NLT)- Our actions can be the breath of life to faith. - This passage has always lit me up (in a good way), and that was when I viewed it in the negative. I would always think that if I was not living out my faith with good works, I was a dead Christian. But a simple change of perspective has caused me to realize that when I live out my faith through my actions…- I am moving toward life. Toward fulfillment. Toward purpose. - When we volunteer for Upward, our faith breathes life into us and into others. - When we volunteer at Jordan’s Crossing, The Refuge, Covering, Lower Lights or at our church’s school, our faith can breathe life into others. - When we serve through NextGen or marriage mentoring or Care and Compassion. - When we walk across the street to take a meal or help a single parent with the chores around their house, we breathe life into them and into our faith.
Pastor John Keating Acts 13:1-5 (NLT)"Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called "the black man"), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul. One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them." So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So, Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant."
Pastor Dale BensonAs I began to prepare this message to discuss what it means to be a neighbor, I began to run through story after story of people who have come to church lately because of someone they worked with, or someone they lived near, or someone who took time to sit down with them and teach them about Christ.If you are new here, I would love to invite you to be a part of that DNA. To learn what is means to be a neighbor by following the example of others who are already a part of our church family.There is a story that is found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke from various viewpoints. In Matthew, the religious leaders ask Jesus the question as a trap. In Mark, Jesus is asked the question, answers, and the Jewish ruler expounds, and Jesus commends him. In Luke, the question seems to be a sincere inquiry.Luke 10:25-29 (NLT)- This is how I know Jesus was from Southern Judah or Israel. He doesn't answer the question. He doesn't give another question right away. Jesus goes on to tell a story. I am not going to assume everyone knows the story. I am not even sure the phrase carries the same meaning it used to. Do you know what a "Good Samaritan" is? - You know, someone who pays the few dollars you are short when you are in line at the grocery store? - You know, someone who stops when your car is broken down and you need gas or a jump for your battery?- We call those people "good Samaritans."The Story of The Good Samaritan- This was a novel idea for Jewish people of Jesus' day. But He gives them this story to demonstrate something. The Jews thought they were morally superior to the Samaritans. They were also looking for the parameters by which they could fulfill the law and its commands. How far does my neighborliness need to extend?I looked to find definitions of neighbors and was not shocked to find the definitions I found, except for the supposed biblical definition.Neigh-bor / näbar/- Noun - a person living near or next door to the speaker or person referred to: "Our garden was the envy of the neighbors." - a person or place in relation to others near or next to it: "I chatted with my neighbor on the flight to New York" - any person in need of one's help or kindness (after biblical use): "Love thy neighbor as thyself."In the story of the Good Samaritan, the point was not who was being helped. The neighbor was the person who was helping.Luke 10:36-37 (NLT)- Let me give you an example from where you live. If someone is not very helpful. They don't say hi to you. They don't seem to want to come chat with other neighbors. They don't help with neighborhood cleanup days, you say, "They aren't a very good 'neighbor'" or, "They aren't very neighborly."- Are you neighborly? I learned a new word last week. I am sure I will use it more often in the future when the book finally comes out... "Are you hostable?"Jesus didn't just cross the street to help you. Jesus crossed heaven to earth and picked up His cross for you.Whether you are a Jewish Ruler of the Law, a Samaritan, or the person who is lying broken and wounded on the side of the road, this story is for you.I am sure this building and the online audience is filled with plenty of people in each of these categories.Each of us may approach this story with a different question:- Why does Jesus want to care for me?- What is my place in this neighborhood?
Pastor John KeatingNew Year, New View...we live in a society that values education, it's how we learn new things. We study, we experiment, we gain knowledge in our attempt to bring greater understanding and better ourselves.Today I want to look at the idea that Christ followers are "Educated beyond our Obedience." I want to show how this is something not just present today but an idea Christ himself confronted in a few scenarios.Mark 10:17-24 (NLT)- I appreciate how Mark shares this story because as Jesus is sharing all the steps to reach Heaven, Jesus leads off his check list with the commandments. As a child, this young man would have memorized these commandments and undoubtedly, he knew them all. And for his Obedience of those things Mark shares that Jesus felt genuine love for him!- Jesus says there is just one more... and to that the man couldn't be obedient. He knew what he needed to do; he was educated on it, but he wasn't obedient. This isn't just a giving issue, Jesus had similar challenges with the most educated men in their society, their most influential voices on faith gave 10%.Matthew 23:23 (NLT)- They weren't obedient to show justice, mercy, and faith & Jesus scolds them!Matthew 23:15 (NLT)- Jesus calls out the teachers of the Law and Pharisees by saying their education hasn't changed their eternal status that they are children of hell!I get it; it's a cultural thing. I am absolutely a fan of our education system, but many degrees are designed primarily to learn information "about" something. Though this is a good thing, you don't have to be able to do any of the stuff you learn. You memorize information about it and then you're the "expert".The church can be the same. We are creating a culture of armchair quarterback Christians who are loud, opinionated "experts" shouting from the living room at their TV. They don't participate in giving to the poor, social justice, or evangelism, but they are quick to tell everyone how it should be done.Just because someone knows the right information about a topic doesn't mean they are living it out.Are you educated way beyond your level of obedience?What bothers me even more are the (you pick the metaphor) Christians who rip apart those who are trying to make a difference. Don't get me wrong, we need accurate, well-studied people, but what we need more are well read, theologically sound Christians who are living like Christ.Honestly, I think I am guilty too. I don't want to just talk about Jesus, I also want to mirror His ways in my family, church, and community.We must learn to not to just consume knowledge, but make Jesus known through our lives.
Pastor Dale Benson Last week Pastor David spoke to us about "imposter Syndrome" and learning to find our identity at the feet of Jesus…Maybe some of us are just worse at this following Christ thing than others. Maybe this is just the state we human beings live in, where we naturally look at what we don’t have rather than what we do have. It started in the beginning with Eve wanting to eat from the only tree God told her and Adam they could not eat from. In the longest recorded sermon we have of Jesus, He tells us not to worry about what we will eat or drink, or what we will wear. Our Father takes care of the lilies and the sparrows. He will take care of us. I would love to talk with us a little about that today. We are going to talk about the perspective of a scarcity mindset. A Scarcity Mindset can affect us - Financially, Physically, Mentally.A scarcity mindset can be found among the rich as well as the poor. Those who attend church and those who don't. Those who claim to be followers of Jesus, and those who don't.1 Kings 17:8-16 (NLT)- Make some for me first… - What do you do when God asks something of you, but you don't have enough?- What do we do when we come to the end of our resources? Sometimes God gives us enough for that day. 2 Kings 4:1-7 (NLT)1 Kings 17:17-24 (NLT)- I am WHO I am because of WHOSE I am. Because I am God's child... I can live out of that mindset knowing that I have all I need. Because He is all I need, and He has everything I need.- Oil: - It is a symbol of the anointing and/or presence of the Holy Spirit. - It is a symbol of the healing power of God.For the Holy Spirit to fill your life...you must be empty.This week I want to perhaps remind us, or maybe even help us understand for the first time WHOSE we are. You see, we are the children of the God who does not run out of resources. While that may include money and time and things like that, I am talking about something different. We are children of the God who has enough grace and power and mercy and strength and self-control and patience and peace for all of us. But we must take our eyes off what we do not have and put them back on the One who has all we need.Some of us are here because we have reached the end of our rope...and the end of our resources, and you feel as though you have no resources. A scarcity mindset overshadows you, and you feel.His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. Some of us are at the end of our resources. Some of us have been living beyond our resources and are in a deficit.
Pastor David MorrisonJohn 8:1-11 NLT- This story takes place when another impostor is teaching in the temple. Jesus in John 7 declares that He is the living water, He was declaring Himself the Messiah, and they wanted to arrest Him, but the guards wouldn't do it, saying "we've never heard anyone talk the way that He does.”- Jesus was the definition of an impostor to the religious leaders.Exodus 31:18 (NLT)- Was Jesus declaring His Divinity, reminding the religious leaders that just as the law was written by the finger of God, He now writes the law and supersedes their understanding of the law?Genesis 2:7 (NLT)- Was Jesus saying that He was the one who creates and gives life, and He will be the one who decides, and will not be allowed to be forced into a decision?Jeremiah 17:13 (NLT)- Was Jesus drawing on this prophecy in Jeremiah - that just as the religious pharisees had rejected Him as the living water, He was writing their names in dust to be forgotten?John 8:9-11 (NLT)- The accusers, caught in their own trap, walk away and it’s only her and Jesus. "Where are your accusers? Go and sin no more."- Besides being an incredible act of grace, paramount to the message of the good news of Jesus... what does this have to do with us?You need to know something today.You are not an impostor if you are living a called life.God has a calling for your life! He calls you into places of impact. He is calling you into relationships with other. He will lead you to places that you will never imagine!I belong where God is calling me to, and this calling is at the feet of Jesus.Its here at His feet that Jesus wants to deal with your accusers. You are no imposter. You are chosen, you are called, you have a purpose, you are loved, you are forgiven, you can experience grace. What keeps us from the wonder of a child in realizing that we don't have to have every step figured out, we just need to go - especially if that is where God is leading.Today you may be hearing the voices of your accusers, saying that you don't belong in church - l've done too many things wrong, l'm too far gone. Jesus wants to conform those today and invite you to Him.Today He is inviting you to His feet. He is calling you to shift your perspective....to a new view.
Pastor Dale Benson- 2 Kings 6:17 (NLT) - John 2:9 (NLT)- John 4:11-12 (NLT)- John 4:27 (NLT)- Luke 7:47 (NLT) - John 8:10 (NLT)In each of the stories above, God has to give the people in the story a new perspective.I spent the last week looking at my own past to begin looking in the future:- 55 years ago today, my eyes saw the first light of day.- 40 years ago today, I received my learner's permit for driving.- 39 years ago today, I received my driver's license.- 37 years ago today, I registered to vote and registered with the selective service.- 6 years ago today, I was installed as lead pastor of The Naz and 5 months later the church was hit by a tornado. Roughly 2 years ago, at the behest of the city we began working on a new master plan for the campus which would be a huge undertaking. To be honest, I was ready for someone else to take on that plan a few years down the road, but God had a different perspective on the situation.And that's what I would like to talk to you about today: Our perspective vs. God's perspective.I would like to take a moment and put a little shift in our perspective. As it pertains to the church:Rise Up:- Goal - $3.8 million - Raised 2.5 million, and other monies that have come in that have not been pledged. - Collected $800,000- You have risen up in Prayer.- You have risen up in Generosity.- Now is the time to rise up in Action.Nate Bargatze on Marriage- Marriage Mentors- Marriage Course begins this Wednesday.Drug Problem - I was drug to church Sunday morning, Sunday night, and Wednesday night.- For those struggling with addiction they need someone to come to them. - The Prodigal Father waited on the porch. - The Son of God was sent to seek and to save the lost. For something to grow…something else must die. - “Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.” -Lucius Annaeus SenecaWorry and anxiety happen when we move our perspective from the present to the future or the past. - 1-800-662-HELP- 1-800-273-TALKThere are always people behind the stories of Why. Don’t wait for the people to show up at the new facilities at The Naz.
Pastor John KeatingChapter 1: Jonah Rebelling & Running From God- Jonah 1:2-3 (NLT)Chapter 2: Jonah Repenting & Running Back to God- Jonah 2:1-2 (NLT)Chapter 3: Jonah Restarting & Running with God- Jonah 3:1-3 (NLT)Chapter 4: Jonah Regretting & Resenting God- Jonah 3:10-4:3 (NLT)Matthew 6:31-33 (NLT)
Pastor Dale BensonGenesis 1:1-4; John 1:4-5In Genesis 1 we read that at the very beginning of creation, the very first things that God speaks into existence is light.Genesis 1:1-4 (NLT)In Isaiah 60, Revelation 21 & 22 we are told that there will be no day and no night in heaven because the glory of God will light everything.John 1:4-5 (NLT)In a recent study the Northwestern University Feinberg school of Medicine, while experimenting with different modes of in vitro fertilization, researchers discovered that at the inception of life, there is flash of light that could be seen through the electron microscopes.Every day we are discovering how light can be used for communication, powering computers, and now other devices.The Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi,Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope, Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy.O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seekTo be consoled as to console,To be understood as to understand,To be loved as to love;For it is in giving that we receive;It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Pastor David Morrison Isaiah 9:1-3, 6Matthew 2: 9-11John 15:11-13Matthew 28:2-8Psalm 51:12
District Superintendent Sam Barber 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 Let God play the lead; you are a supporting actor. Remember that God is with you, even when it seems He isn’t. * Remember that God is working in His own time and in unexpected ways. The very story of Christmas illustrates this reality. * God in His own time, came to be with us, in a surprising way…the baby of Bethlehem. Jesus is Emmanuel. Jesus is The Light of Peace.
Pastor Dale BensonRomans 5:1-5 We throw the word “hope” around a lot. Most often in scripture we find hope accompanied by other virtues or circumstances that shape it or give definition to it. * “Where then is my hope – who can see any hope for me?” – Job “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord. Plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans for a future and a hope.” – The Prophet JeremiahVery often, hope gets overshadowed by the other virtues it gets grouped with. Take for example, Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth: “And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.” – The Apostle PaulHope is rarely revealed in isolation. Often, hope brings along companions like faith, love, joy, patience, long suffering. For the Christian, hope should be compared more too a huge, solid, safe rock, rather than a vapor. Biblical Hope vs Western Hope (The Rock/Anchor vs Vapor) In Greek Mythology: * Pandora brings with her a jar containing "burdensome toil and sickness that brings death to men,” diseases, and "a myriad other pain.” * Prometheus had – fearing further reprisals – warned his brother Epimetheus not to accept any gifts from Zeus. But Epimetheus did not listen; he accepted Pandora, who promptly scattered the contents of her jar. As a result, Hesiod tells us, “The earth and sea are full of evils.” One item, however, did not escape the jar: hope. * Only hope was left within her unbreakable house, she remained under the lip of the jar, and did not fly away. Before [she could], Pandora replaced the lid of the jar. This was the will of aegis-bearing Zeus the Cloud gatherer. We are not told why hope remained in the jar. Was one of the other demons or spirits to be released on humanity? Was hope different than the others? Elipis does not maintain a very important role in Greek mythology and some even hold a negative view of her as Elpis is often simply translated “anticipation.” * We must remember, however that the Hebrew people from whom the Jews were descendants, did not view hope from the same perspective. * The Hebrew word Tikvah has the meaning of something strong and sure. Like we read earlier in Jeremiah: I know the plans I have for you. . . Not for evil, but for a future and a hope! Romans 5:1-5 (NLT)Hope that is seen is not hope. . . What Paul is basically saying here is you don’t have to hope for something when it is already in your hand. Colossians 1:25-29 (NLT) Hope lights the path to the manger that reminds us of God’s faithfulness in the past. Hope lights the path toward the return of Christ and our faithfulness in the future. “Christ in you” assures the reflection of that same hope through you to others in the present!
Pastor Carlos Huertas Ephesians 1:3-7 (NIV)When a man or woman believes/trusts in Him, they are complete. Scripture tells us that we have everything, all His blessings. We are not missing or need anything, we have it all. Being guided by the Lord is a life with purpose, a life with gratitude. When we understand that we have been chosen for something, a plan that is way bigger than us, this is something that many people can’t understand because there are many people trying to work and develop their own plans. There are many people trying to have a better marriage, trying to be a better person, to have the dream job. And there’s nothing wrong with that. God placed on us dreams to conquer and desire for better, but He has provided everything that we need, whether in our marriages or our personal dreams, we invite God. In the scripture today the Apostol invites us to believe in His plans. He chooses us to be holy and, when I meditated on that word, I found out that it means perfection; no religion. That’s our purpose. How many headaches would be avoided if we understood God’s plans for our lives and families. Because when we don’t understand God’s plans, not only does it affect us, but it also affects others, especially the ones that we love the most. - Blessed us (preparation, provision) - For He chose us (election, predestined)- To be Holy (plan and purpose) Maybe you are here and today you are still wondering, what is God’s plan in my life or maybe you don’t have yet a relationship with Jesus. He has given everything for us. His sacrifice on the cross, His blood shed in Love for you and me, was to give us purpose. Jesus did not die on the Cross for us to feel comfortable. He died on the cross to give us purpose and give us a calling. The Apostol Paul mentioned this way to be Holy (that means set apart) even when we don’t deserve it. Something that we have been learning is to be grateful to God for what He has done. When we are that kind of people, it opens the doors to obedience like Pastor John mentioned the other day. But also, being a grateful person makes us a person who will love more, give more, and serve more.Colossians 3:17 (NIV)We live in a community that is broken. We hear people struggling with addictions, families getting divorce, and we need people that understand that we have been chosen. That God has blessed us and we have been set apart to help our community. God is bringing those people into our country, our community. We can be mad with God and ask why He is doing that, or we can just say, “Lord I’m available. Use me.”Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
Pastor David Morrison John 6:3-13, Matthew 26:26-29John 6:3-13 (NLT) Can you imagine what this scene must have looked like? 5,000 people! The disciples didn’t even have food. But a little boy offers his 5 small rolls and 2 fish.John 6:11 (NLT) Jesus gave thanks or said grace. This prayer was powerful. It took a boy’s lunch and fed thousands with it!Why is it important to give thanks before we eat? When I do this, I am reordering my priorities. I am realizing that: * I am not the source of my sustenance. * I am not alone. * I am blessed. * I belong at this table.John 6:12-13 (NLT) When Jesus gave thanks, He was saying “God use me.” The value in that moment was in the vessel. You see, a vessel is most beautiful and valuable when it is used!When there is a vessel willing to be used, God can take the not-enough and turn them into more than enough. Jesus was a vessel of the grace of God, so when we receive God’s grace, we also become ones that share it.It begins with a prayer of gratitude: a prayer of thanks. Gratitude is an act of faith. Gratitude recognizes that I am not the source, I am simply the vessel and however God sees fit to use my life, I can know that nothing is going to be wasted.Matthew 26:26-29 (NIV) This Thanksgiving Week, we felt it important to share in a sacrament together. * In fact, the word for this sacrament is Eucharist or Communion. * Jesus, the night He was betrayed, gave thanks! Communion means Thanksgiving. When we celebrate, we are sitting around the table of the Lord, that all are welcome at, giving thanks by this act of worship. Just as Jesus fed people’s stomachs to teach them a spiritual truth, we have a physical element of Christ body and blood...that when we receive, we receive His love and grace!I wonder when Jesus gave thanks what He was thankful for? For providing the way for grace. For people to pass it to. For people to share this time with. For God’s answered promises. For God’s provision. For God’s faithfulness. You are the vessel. Vessels all come in different sizes, colors, and shapes, each with their own stories; but it is through Christ that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit and show others the life God calls them to.
Pastor Dale BensonPhilippians 1:3-11 We have decided that for the month of November, we would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to you, and that as a church we would turn our hearts and minds toward thanking the wonderful community in which we live. The passage that we will be starting with during this month is found at the beginning of Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi. Philippians 1:3-11 (NLT)- Paul writes these words to a church in Philippi while he is in a prison. Does that change your perspective on when thanks can be given?- “When I think of you, I give thanks to my God.”- Have you ever considered that your life could be the cause of someone thanking God?- Your life can be lived in such gratitude that your life becomes the cause of gratitude in the lives of others. Have you ever realized that there are health benefits that gratitude can have on your own life. When you are thankful, it can be beneficial to your health.Health Benefits of Being Thankful:- Reduce depression- Lessen anxiety- Support heart health- Relieve stress- Improve sleep- And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.Many people think of gratitude as a trait. But if you practice it, focusing on the positive things in life can become a habit and eventually come naturally to you.Tips for Practicing Gratitude:- Writing it down: Take time either at night or in the morning to write down something that went well. Dedicate a notebook or journal to gratitude so you can reflect and remind yourself of those moments.- Hitting pause: Many of us reflexively say “thanks” often. Next time you hear yourself say it, stop and pinpoint precisely what you are thankful for. - Redirecting your thoughts: You may feel negative or frustrated during the day. When that happens, step back and shift your focus to a positive aspect of the situation.- Sharing your gratitude: Send a quick note telling someone why you are thankful for them or encourage your family to share something they’re grateful for each night at dinner.Philippians 1:9-11 (NLT)
Pastor Dale Benson 1 Samuel 17:1-11 (NLT)Saul and his army felt trapped. They were being challenged to fight a battle they didn’t think they could win. They were being called out as individuals. Every man in Saul’s army had to admit that they were not able to fight the giant. They were being tormented, bullied, belittled, and made to feel worthless. There is a story written in 1 Kings 6 that long precedes the story we are looking at today. It a story of a king sending an army to attack and kill Elisha. The servant of Elisha goes outside in the morning to prepare food and sees their city besieged and surrounded by the forces of the Arameans. He goes to Elisha to warn him, but Elisha seems unfazed by the hypersensitivity of the servant. Elisha simply asks God to open the eyes of the servant, to reveal to him that “those who are with us are greater than those who are against us.” When the servant’s eyes are opened, he sees that surrounding the entire hillside was a larger army with chariots of fire. You see. . . They were surrounded by more than just the enemy! They were surrounded by God’s provision.WHO IS GOING TO FIGHT OUR BATTLE?What happens in the valley of Elah is that Saul forgets the story of Elisha and the Arameans. Saul has his eyes too fixed on the enemy he is facing, rather than the God for whom he is fighting. The obvious warrior to battle Goliath was Saul. Saul’s army knew, we may be up against a Giant, but we know that we have a King and leader who was chosen to lead us. According to Samuel’s account, Saul was the most handsome man in all of Israel, and he stood head and shoulders above anyone else.Saul’s eyes are on the size of the enemy. The size of the giant. The size of the possible failure. It’s good to be king. It’s good to be in charge. It’s good to be adored. Who would want to lose that power and position? Not Saul. So, he lays down his weapons and armor and asks for another volunteer to face Goliath. When you believe everything depends on you, it is so much easier to pass the buck than to face defeat yourself. So, Saul calls on his fighting men, yet no one answers the call.Until a small ruddy faced shepherd boy named David shows up on the scene. Saul gives him his armor. His sword, shield, and helmet. It is much too large for this small shepherd boy to wear, because this was not supposed to be his battle. The person picked for this battle was Saul, but Saul could only see a giant, and defeat and shame.THE BATTLE IS THE LORD’SA teenage Shepherd boy named David has no armor, sword, or shield, just a sling and 5 smooth stones. But that is not his real weapon. His real weapon is the God he serves, and the faith he has in that God. 1 Samuel 17:45-47 (NLT) The battle is the Lord’s. But is it still our watch. Are you ready to RISE UP? We have a goal to complete the preparation for the new field house. It will create the infrastructure for the Fieldhouse along with water retention to get us up to code, a beautiful pond, a new baseball diamond, playground, and shelter house. Places for our community to continue to gather and play and hear of the faithfulness of God.To our online congregation, take a moment and write your commitment on a piece of paper and lay it down in front of you. Go to https://thenaz.church/riseup and click the pledge button to make your pledge, or the give button to give a gift. We want you to join in with us as well. There will be directions on there for you to receive your reminder of this moment. . . Of the armor God has given you for the giants we will face.But more than a reminder of the commitment, let it be a reminder of the battles that God has prepared you for. The armor he has given you. We do not fight with sword and spear, but with salvation, and faith, and prayer, righteousness, and the Word of God. We enter the battles knowing that He has already won!
Pastor David Morrison As I think about Rise Up, I keep thinking it’s now our turn to carry the torch for the unknown and the next generation. It’s Time. Joshua 1:6-9 (NLT) Background: - The people of Israel are at a crossroads, after 40 years in the desert. - God says, “you wicked people, do not attack, for I am not with you.” - They did anyways and were defeated and went into the dessert.- Two guys remained faithful, and now a new generation of warriors have emerged. It’s time. We find in this passage three instructions and promises to those about to enter the Land….- Obey all the instructions, and you will be successful in everything you do.- Study this book and you will prosper and succeed in all you do.- Be strong and courageous your God is with you wherever you go. On the banks of the Jordan river…. looking at the promised land…. a place promised…but a place full of battles ahead…. GOD IS LOOKING FOR THE WILLING- Part of being strong and courageous, is saying okay God, I trust You. I’m not sure how everything will work out, but I trust You.- Being strong and courageous doesn’t mean you never have fears or doubts. Even the strongest believers have fears and doubts.- But it is a reminder that when you start to doubt, remember who is next to you. This call to Rise Up as a people is one that is so great, that it can only be accomplished with God leading the way. When God calls his people… GOD WILL MAKE A WAY- Can you imagine walking across a previously raging river?- God says, remember when I said I would be with you, I meant it!- If God calls you somewhere, He will make a way. Obstacles may arise, but He will remind those obstacles who your God is, and show that those obstacles serve as an opportunity for God to show His faithfulness! Now I must tell you that when the Lord leads, sometimes things may seem a bit out of order, but there may be things that God needs to do in your life as you go. GOD WILL PREPARE YOU AS YOU GO- How many know that God’s ways and timing is not our own?- As I have walked this Rise Up journey…the Lord has revealed broken pieces in my life that he wants to deal with…. because remember that those who God calls aren’t perfect and whole, they are willing. To Rise Up in courage is to know that… GOD SHOWS THE RIGHT BATTLES TO FIGHT- There are lots of places that we can focus our energy and efforts…. but let me show you the battles we are going to fight!o Crumbling Marriageso Addictiono Anxiety and Depressiono Kids and Students Finding Jesus These are the battles…and it will cost us everything. There will be scars and bumps along the way…. but we know the promises of God. But remember our battles aren’t against flesh and blood, but against the darkness of this world! We fight by bringing hope and light into dark places. We fight not with weapons of this world, but on our knees in prayer and through a listening ear and a kind shared word. God has called us to Rise Up in courage in this time…. for this purpose! Who will we be? Will we be a generation that never moves from the river…. or will the next generation say that they did whatever it took to reach the lost…. they weren’t perfect, but they lived dangerously.
Pastor Dale BensonPsalm 102 The “What If” questions of today will have repercussion for the realities of tomorrow. Throughout scripture we have times and places where the people of God are called to do something big. Then they are called to commemorate these things and remember them. Psalm 102:18 (NLT)- Let this be recorded for future generations. The nation of Israel had ways of passing down information to their children and their children’s children. Even before they began writing on paper, they would leave tributes or monoliths, or stacks of stones to remind them of stories.- We do the same things here. Over the last 15 years I know that we have talked about Ebeneezer and setting up stones that serve as reminders to our children so that as they grow, they can remember the lessons they learned. We do this so that when people walk by and ask, “why is this here” we can tell them a story about what God did. For many of us, these stories have meaning in our lives because we are remembering stories we taught our kids. We remember the sacrifices that were made, and the miracles God did. We tell our children. As we think about our families and children, and the world they will be living in, there are some things I think I need to address as the pastor of this people:- I do not believe that I have ever urged people to vote for or against anything. As a church, we very strongly believe in sanctity of human life. While we do describe situations and circumstances where exceptions may be necessary, the amendment that is before our state is, so I am urging and pleading with you to vote no on issue 1. This is not a political issue. This is a moral and spiritual issue. - I could not, in good conscience, speak to you today about “recording something for future generations… for a people not yet born,” and not address this issue and again ask you to “Vote No on Issue 1.”- These are tough decisions for so many people. Part of our job as the church is to educate our families, our children, our students on a Christian view of healthy sexuality and how to raise our children. Our NextGen ministries, Grove City Christian School, and Grove City Christian Childcare are all pieces of the puzzle that help families begin to have a biblical worldview and an understanding of the fullness of God and His love for us. The changes come at a cost. There will be other stories on this property where others will hear about the goodness of God. Things will be recorded there for future generations to tell of the good works of God!We are building a testimony to the goodness of God. When people ask, “Why would a church build all this stuff and have disc golf and gymnasiums and football fields and on and on,” the answer is going to be way different than what they think. You see these things are being built so that others can learn about the goodness of God. They can declare His works for generations to come.
Pastor John KeatingActs 3:1-10 Today I want to challenge a mindset: to start noticing the needs that need addressed around us and maybe quit accepting it and walking on by.Acts 3:1-10 (NLT)- He was lame from birth (read ahead in chapter 4 he was 40 years old)- He had to be carried, he couldn’t stand/move about without the help of others- Each Day he was taken to the front entrance of the Temple (Their Church)- So, he could beg for moneyActs 3:3 (NLT)- When he saw Peter and John, it shows he knows him…- Probably had given him money before…there was a previous experience of you can help me in this way…Acts 3:4-6 (NLT)- Look at US, he’s going to throw me some coin!- “I don’t have what you want” then quit asking for my attention, wasting my time.- Peter says I see you in need, but YOU NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU’RE asking for!Acts 3:7-8 (NLT)- Who do we reach our hand out to? Who do we offer a helping hand? Peter & John did not just speak up about Jesus, but literally extended their hand… Acts 3:9-10 (NLT)- Out of the hardest times, come God’s greatest blessings! I wondered what this Acts 3 story would look like today…- People ask for a place for their kids to play indoors but they need a place to invest in their kids.- People need a place to educate their kids in math, science, but need BIBLICAL KNOWLEDGE- Need a sports league, a time to pray.- Need marriage mentoring, need Christ in the center.This Rise Up is to meet the needs that go beyond our earthly condition, when things happen, we aren’t prepared for like my friend Jimmy, our needs can change beyond our control.We want to do our part and have 100% participation. Will you Rise Up?
Pastor Dale BensonMark 2:1-5 Mark 2:1-5 (NLT)- Most of the healings we read about in scripture take place when someone comes to Jesus, or later the disciples and seeks healing. But there are numbers of times in scripture when Jesus heals someone based on the faith of someone else.- There is a story of a centurion’s servant who needed healing. The centurion tells Jesus to simply speak the words and he knows his servant would be healed. Jairus’ comes to Jesus on behalf of his daughter who is deathly ill. The little girl cannot even respond, but Jesus heals her.- There is another story of a Samaritan woman who begs Jesus to heal her son. And Jesus does it. . . Apparently based on her faith. During this next month, we are asking you to Rise Up in faith and turn your eyes toward our community. Over the past year we have begun to talk about the vision of reaching the lost who don’t know Christ, marriages and homes in our community who are looking for restoration. We have turned our eyes toward those who are struggling with anxiety and depression, we have begun to work on developing a focus in all our ministries that is based on relationships rather than programs. We have begun focus on how all the ministries of the church, including Grove City Christian School, and Grove City Christian Childcare can work together to bring health and healing to our entire community. Our goal is to see the rates of depression, anxiety, divorce, and addiction reverse and begin to decline in our community because we have begun to hear the call of God to Rise Up. . . In prayer. . . And in action. During Rise Up, we will not be digging through a roof. But there are things that God has begun to call us to do. Many of them we are already doing, but God is blessing, and those ministries are running out of space. You may not be physically carrying your friends here on a pallet, but we are preparing to make more room for others to make their way to feet of Jesus. . .More opportunities for you to invite them. More opportunities for people to know that Jesus is here, and that they can come and: - Find Healing.- Find Hope.- Find Freedom.- Find Forgiveness. For over a year now, these plans have been prayed over and submitted to all the proper governmental organizations, and during the summer, the master plan was unanimously approved by the Grove City Council. We are not going to ask you to do anything with these this morning except for look at them and begin praying about what God might have you do, in faith, for this initiative to reach our community and help others take their next steps toward Jesus Christ. . . Together. - Rise Up in Prayer.- Rise Up in Action.- Rise Up in Generosity. What if people from all over Grove City and the surrounding areas could raise their families around people that pray like the people of The Naz? People that care like the people of The Naz, and people who are willing to do whatever it takes so that more people can be brought to the feet of Jesus.
Pastor John Keating Today we will delve into: What drove Jesus to live as He did? What was His purpose? How would we view His legacy? Does that have to do with our legacy?Luke 4:16-21 (NLT) This is the Legacy of Jesus: He was obedient to what God’s will for Him! Have you ever noticed the difference in how people are described? When you want to know about someone who is alive you often ask: what do they do? But when they have passed away, we ask: what did they do? This answer often is more personal and direct. What is your legacy? What did you do with the time you were given? Psalm 71:17-18 (NLT) Legacy requires action…No one is remembered for being passive or lazy. Legends in history books were people of action, whether good or bad. Legacies that are righteous require surrender. God’s request of Jesus was a call to sacrifice Himself, and if God is willing to ask His only Son Jesus to sacrifice Himself for others, God is not hesitant to ask you to sacrifice. Mark 8:34 (NLT) Being concerned for others makes you feel good while you’re seated… * James 1:23 (NLT) * When it comes to doing it, we come up with all kinds of reasons! * What are we really spending our time doing? Are we fulfilling God’s call, or will we someday have to explain to God why our earthly legacy was laziness? I want to encourage you today to leave a legacy of God’s calling! Philippians 4:7 (NLT) When you serve the Lord, He brings an inner peace and sense of worth you can’t find anywhere else. Puerto Rico * https://thenaz.church/missions 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NLT)* If your legacy is centered around Jesus, your impact can be eternal! Enter the legacy of Christ’s family.
Pastor Dale Benson 1 Corinthians 12 In 1963, a group of between 25-30 people gathered at Kingston School in Grove City, Ohio, and God brought to fulfillment a dream and vision for a church that would share the message of the full gospel with Grove City, Ohio. They were a part of a holiness movement that believed a few things: * God created a beautiful, good world and created man in His image. * Through the disobedience of humankind, sin entered the world. * Through the death, burial, and resurrection of his son, Jesus, God demonstrated His love for the world and His ultimate power of sin, death, and the grave. * Through belief in His Son, our sins are forgiven. * Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live the life God created for us. Our response to that story is to allow God to live in and through us so that we reflect Him to the world. That they too can know God fully and become a part of this story. This is a story for all of us to enter. The is a story in which all of us can play a part. Our story has included:- Pastors- Buildings- Community- Parades- Home Visits - Backpacks for KidsThe common denominator in all these stories is people. It is many stories that form into one giant story. It is a story of the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NLT)- There have been many building projects over the years. But the body is not the buildings. The body is the people, working together. 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (NLT)- We all share the same Spirit, and that Spirit is moved when the body is together. That Spirit moves among us when two or three of us are gathered. That Spirit moves among us when we take the time to pray together and acknowledge His presence. The church has been built on prayer sharing the story of Christ with others. That is when God moves. 1 Corinthians 12:14-17 (NLT)- Often, the church has divided the body via ages. The Naz has excelled over the years in ensuring that children and families are a vital part of the mission. Those little kids grow into preschoolers, elementary kids, and teenagers. And they need help and guidance more than ever. We have known this, and that is why in 1989 we started Grove City Christian Childcare Center, to reach families in Grove City through their kids. As the kids began to graduate preschool in 1991, we had our very first class at Grove City Christian school. In 2003, we graduated our first class from the high school. - Sports programs have grown to the point that we now have from GCCS headed on scholarships in NAIA and NCAA. If you go down the main entrance of the school you will see a wall of World Changers: Students who have moved on into the world of music, missions, or service as pastors or businesspeople as God has called them. 1 Corinthians 12:18-21 (NLT)- Work and Witness- Parachurch- Refuge- Jordan Rieser Foundation- Lower Lights Ministries- The Refuge for Women/Covering 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 (NLT)- Sports Ministries 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 (NLT)
Pastor David Morrison Luke 2:46-49 (NLT); Matthew 19:13-15 (NLT)Have you ever had a crisis of faith? A moment where you doubted God’s existence? “You cannot have faith without doubt. The very fact that you have doubts means that it is faith.” - Nicky Gumbel The answer is found in learning what it means to become like a child. To become like a child is to grow again. To become as a child is to realize who you really are! You are called by God, for His purpose….and for some you may discover this better through wonder and faith, and for others you may discover it quicker through reason and intellect.
Join us for this week’s message as Pastor Dale continues our sermon series “Like Jesus”.
Pastor John Keating Matthew 3:13-17 (NLT) 1. Heaven was Opened 2. Spirit Descending 3. Father Expressing His Love Discussion Questions: * Why was Jesus baptized, and what does it tell us about Him that He would submit to baptism? * What does it mean for us to be baptized? * What can it look like to live a life dependent upon God?
Pastor David Morrison Matthew 4:1-11 (NLT) Since Jesus is fully God and fully Man, it matters that He faced temptation.
Jesus is your strength – He prays for you. When you fall, God isn’t done with you. When you fall, He calls you to repent. And as you walk through your temptation… He will use your life, your failures, your story to strengthen the people around you!
Pastor Dale Benson Matthew 6:33 (NLT) How did Christ allow God to have first place in His life? - He emptied himself. - He relied on the Father. - In everything, The Father had preeminence. Colossians 1:15-20 (NLT) - In everything He must have first place. Or in everything, He must be the center. - Most often in life, we seek our Kingdom, and our righteousness above all else. In what aspect of your life is Christ NOT the center? Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. He will supply everything you need.
Pastor Dale Benson The one who has ears to hear, let them listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. -Jesus Ephesus > Boundary Keeping > Mercy - Revelation 2:7 Smyrna > Consumerism > Simplicity & Generosity - Revelation 2:11 Pergamum > Accommodation > The Sacraments - Revelation 2:17 Thyatira > Privatized Faith > Confession within Community - Revelation 2:26-29 Sardis > Apathy > Sacrifice - Revelation 3:5-6 Philadelphia > Fear > Communal Prayer - Revelation 3:10-13 Laodicea > Self-Sufficiency > Disciplines of Dependency - Revelation 3:21-22 Listen. . . Hear. . . Holy Spirit. . . Come.
Pastor Mark Fuller Philadelphia: The Spirit of Fear Revelation 3:7-13 This is the only letter of the seven that Jesus offers no criticism of the church. He only has encouragement and commendation for the church in Philadelphia. They have learned to face the spirit of fear and overcome. Challenges the church in Philadelphia faced: - Destruction from earthquakes - Rejection from Jewish believers - Persecution from Rome Every day you make choices that set the course of your life. You can either be paralyzed by fear (see it as an obstacle) or allow that fear to propel you forward through God’s open door (see it as an opportunity).
Pastor John Keating Laodicea: The Spirit of Self-Sufficiency
Revelation 3:14-22 Laodicea was a lucrative, comfortable city.
This letter contains all critique!
Jesus describes them as wretched, miserable, poor, blind, naked.
Jesus is knocking...wanting to come in and have a relationship.
Pastor Dale Benson Sardis
All in all, Sardis was a very comfortable, but unexciting place to live. They were a fortified city. Difficult to attack. Nearly impenetrable. Or so they thought...
The city was conquered, and we learn it is more important to BE something rather than to SEEM like something. Watch becoming overconfident, proud, arrogant, or apathetic. They seemed like a church that was alive. But God doesn’t call us to “seem.” He calls us to be. . . And to be prepared for His return. Revelation 3:1-6 (NLT)
Pastor Dale Benson Thyatira
What dose it mean to have a private, compartmentalized faith? What does it mean to live a consistent Christian life at home, at work, at church? Thyatira had the spirit of privatized faith. In your life, where may you begin to privatize your faith? (ie: work, marriage, friendships, family)
Revelation 2:18-29 (NLT)
Pastor John Keating God knows of the suffering of his faithful people. He values faithfulness. He will reward your steadfastness. Those unmoved by evil around you will be rewarded! Don’t give in, don’t give up. God’s aware. God watches over us, even when we aren’t aware of it.
Revelation 2:14-16 (NIV)
Pastor Dale Benson Jesus writes a letter to one of seven different churches from chapters 2 & 3 of the book of Revelation. When Jesus writes these letters, He writes about the overall spirit of the church in that city, and both the good and the bad that accompany the church found in that city. All seven of these letters should be read with the understanding that Christ has already won. The battle is already over, so our lives now need to be lived in that understanding. In Smyrna, Gentile Christians, and eventually, all Christians, were forced to either worship Caesar or face death.
John tells the Church of Smyrna that he sees the need to survive in our culture but calls to us to stay close to Christ.
Amid all the things in the world, Jesus tells us the spirit of consumerism is not a part of the kingdom. This life is not what matters, it is the next one.
Pastor David Morrison Let's look at this scripture through the lens of a relationship cycle.
Relationships fade over time, but it takes a choice to return, repent and overcome. This balance between Growth and Maintenance is hard for a church, but it ultimately returns to what our purpose is. Your love for God and others is the light.
John 13:35 (NLT) Return to your first love, repent, and trust that God will transform your heart, your relationships, and your life.
Pastor John Keating
Revelation 1:1-3 (NLT)
Three 3 items to know from the start: 1. Revelation not Revelations, no “S” 2. God gave us this book to fight fear 3. Blessed are those read aloud
The challenge in reading the book of Revelation is to not superimpose an opinion or theory on the truth that is presented. Revelation does have specific truths revealed. Revealing this is the purpose of prophecy.
Maybe that’s the hope you need today. The reminder that in the situations of your past and the future difficulties coming, GOD IS IN CONTROL and wins in the end!
Hold on to JESUS!
Pastor Dale Benson
Revelation 4:1-11 (NLT)
This is crazier than any sci-fi thriller you have seen: ~ 6 winged creatures with eyes on the outside and inside of their wings. ~ Eyes all around them. Ox, Lion, Man, Eagle.
The vision John sees is very similar to Ezekiel’s vision: ~ Is this the same vision, but they can’t put into words the glory of heaven? ~ Instead of being afraid, John is excited for what is to come! God has given us visions of how God’s kingdom can continue to grow in Grove City. The best pictures we can receive are of a crucified Christ, a conquering slain lamb, and a table where we are called to come and remember/participate in the work of this new Kingdom while we anticipate its final, eschatological fulfillment.
Pastor Bailey Medley
We have a responsibility & opportunity to be a part of building God’s Kingdom.
1 Corinthians 3:10-15
- Don’t deviate from the foundation
- Materials matter
- Focus on framework, not features
Pastor David Morrison Today, we'll look at the ways moms tend to be like Jesus….and how their love often looks like His love. Mary treasured beautiful moments, just as Jesus treasures beautiful moments with us. Jesus isn’t just sitting there in judgement. I think it is possible that as we learn and grow, Jesus treasures these moments, because a life with Jesus is a real relationship. Jesus listened to his mom, just as Jesus listens to us.
Pastor Dale Benson It is God’s desire for all of us to be called to be a part of His Kingdom.Matthew 16:13-19 (NLT) The Vision of The Naz is to begin to make an impact in our community for the Kingdom of God.Where those who are not yet a part of this kingdom can know that they have been called to the feet of Jesus. Today we are going to participate like the ecclesia. We are going to vote on some things as the called out ones of this kingdom.
Pastor Gustavo Crocker The order of the “B’s” since the 1st Century:Believe Behave Become Belong “The narrative of the Gospel does allow a generous space to those who first need to BELONG, before they are ready to fully BELIEVE.” Belonging before Believing: One “B” at a time.
Pastor John Keating A Spiritual Continuum Emerged from the Research: Exploring Christianity, Growing in Christ, Close to Christ, Christ-Centered How do we make a place for everyone at the table and continue to help them take their next steps toward Jesus Christ? We need to start creating environments for all people on all spectrums of the belief system to have a place at the table.
Pastor Dale Benson - Have - Behave- Long - Belong- Lieve - Believe- Come - BecomeBecome. Believe. Belong. Behave. When a child is born, which do you expect to happen first?When a person wants to get to know God or come to church, which do we expect to happen first?Today I want to talk to you about barriers. Barriers and ways in which we keep people out.Matthew 10:2-4 (NLT)Matthew 13: 24-30 (NLT)Many people feel they need to behave a certain way or become a certain thing, in order to come to church or to belong.
Pastor Dale Benson God is good on His promise. He is still writing HIS STORY, and YOU are a part of it. Mary Magdalene – The unworthy – He ensures she is valued.Thomas – The doubter – He provides proof.Joanna – The vilified – He gives acceptance.Peter – The denier – He provides restoration.Saul – The enemy – He brings love.What is your name? What role have you been playing in the story? Because of His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection, Jesus wants you to know that the power of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy are available to you. Are you ready to join HIS STORY?
Pastor David Morrison Part of the story comes to life in scripture, today as we look at the path from the triumphal entry to Jesus crucifixion on the cross. We will focus on two powerful symbols today…the cross and the palm branch. These things may be more similar than you realize but also unique in their role in our faith. The palm branch is a symbol for worship. The cross a symbol of death. THE PALM BRANCH SYMBOLIZES VICTORY. THE PALM BRANCH SYMBOLIZES WORSHIP. The weight of the cross wasn't just about the physical burden & it is not something that any normal person can carry.
Pastor Dale BensonIn Lewis Carroll’s epic, “Alice in Wonderland,” there is a scene where, lost and alone, Alice runs across the Cheshire Cat. She is disoriented, afraid, and looking for hope. . . Looking for direction. Like many of us, she asks the person (or cat in this case) that is standing closest to her for directions.“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?” “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.” “I don’t much care where –” “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.” - Lewis Carroll, Alice in The Looking GlassVery often our problems are that, like Alice, we are asking the wrong questions. We don’t know what we want because we are not even sure where we are going. . . If you could sum up your past in just a couple of sentences. . . What would they be?
Pastor David MorrisonHow many know that God works in His timing, and we cannot control God? God does some of His best work in moments of interruption. What does it mean to be unclean? If Jesus is in the house, desperate people will be there and they will run into you…to get to Jesus!May this church be a place where all sorts of sinners and broken people, when they run into someone that was healed by Jesus, find someone who leads them to Jesus!
Pastor Dale Benson“Would you like to get well?”- Are you willing to submit to the potter’s hand.- The healing may come quickly like it did for the man at the pool.- The molding and shaping and sculpting may take some time. You may want to come for emotional healing. You may need to come for freedom from addiction.You may simply need to come as a sign of submitting to God and allowing Him to be the ruler of your heart.You may want to pray as seek God for physical healing for yourself or on behalf of someone else.
Pastor John KeatingYou know you can get away from who you are, you can step away from the right place God has placed you. You can even reject the truth of your upbringing, but it doesn’t mean what you’ve found is worth it… What gets in the way of us seeing Jesus? We are to be in the world but not OF the world. We must have first allegiance to the Kingdom of Heaven before allegiance or identity to anything else.
Pastor Dale Benson How do we discern when God is speaking to us?- How can we place ourselves in a space where we can hear what God is saying to us?- Acknowledge of hearing and listening- Hearing vs Listening- Listening evokes action (connection/emotion)- Internal vs external noisesAre there things we can learn from how God has worked in the past? Spend moments every day seeking God’s voice, so that we know what God’s voice sounds like when the big moments come - - we don’t have to wade through all the noise.
Pastor David MorrisonMark 4:21-25 (NLT) Normally when we hear this passage, we think about hidden sin, your sins hidden in darkness will be brought to light – and I believe they will be one way or another. But what if this passage was talking about the light being the good news – that it should be shining in dark places? Interestingly enough, it says: The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given. Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable.-David Augsburger Shine your light in dark places.
Pastor Dale Benson, Pastor Caleb Aleshire & Shauna Suman We must make space + time when listening to our families. Our kids go to teachers and pastors to talk to them about things they are uncomfortable talking to their parents about. When we remove distractions and make space for honesty, our children know they are being listened to. By removing distractions, eliminating confusion, and dropping assumptions we make space for our listening to reflect the love of Christ.LISTENING AT HOME Getting rid of distractions – The ruthless elimination of distractions What role am I playing? Teacher/Mentor/Friend What is the other person needing? Vent/Conversation/Advice Listening to understand rather than listening to respond. Mark 5:21-34 (NLT) Listen to reflect the love of Christ.
Pastor John KeatingPastor Brittany Pickering In our new series, we’ll have an opportunity to listen & learn from people in our congregation and in our community. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NLT) One expression of love is how we use the spiritual gifts that God has given us. God’s plan for love was to be shown in the world through your prayers, actions, and words – not through pictures or symbols. The ultimate way He showed us, love, was by sending His son. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
Pastor Dale Benson Jesus told us we were to look different. Jesus’ followers told us that we were to look different than the world when it came to authority and leadership and structures.Ephesians 5:21-6:9 (NLT)Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Husbands/Wives - Slaves/Masters - Parents/Children We are family…Galatians 3:26-29 (NLT) If you are attempting to lord something over someone, anyone, you have missed the point of who we were created to be, who Christ showed us to be, and who Christ died for us to be.
Pastor David MorrisonWhen Scripture references harvest, it normally is speaking to two things: Salvation & JudgementWe find in Revelation 14 where the wheat is separated from the chaff and the chaff is burned in a great fire and the wheat is gathered and used for its purpose. Traditionally, the harvest of wheat can be understood as God judging the earth; who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. The wheat represents someone's life & soul.Matthew 9:35-38 We are called into the harvest fields to pick up the pieces. What if we started with one?
Pastor Dale Benson
How do we allow God to restore our lives? How can we allow God to create his vision for our life to become a reality?
Colossians 2:6-7 (NLT)
· How many of you would rather your life like this?
· Paul says that we need to be rooted in Christ for this to happen
Ephesians 3:14-21 (NLT)
Roots: Trees don’t exist for roots, but trees need healthy roots to exist. Roots provide foundation, nutrition, connection.
Leaves: Produce nutrients and absorb carbon dioxide for the tree. Leaves provide nutrition, protection, photosynthesis.
Fruit: For our purposes. . .the reason the tree exists. Fruit provides purpose, reproduction, blessings for others.
We have forgotten the reason we are to exist is to produce fruit: purpose, what is fruitful of God should be fruitful of us IF we are abiding in Christ.
Pastor John Keating
John 4:6-12
The story of the woman at the well is a story of progress from skepticism to salvation.
- She calls Jesus a Jew, which is to say you are my enemy
- She’s sarcastic in response to his requests because she doubts his intentions
An acceptance of Jesus will call you to share Him with others the rest of your life.
- Some of you need to accept this decision
- Some of you need to be reminded of this decision
John 4:16-19
A relationship with Jesus is intended to be incredibly personal.
Pastor Dale Benson
Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
- Where there is no vision, the people perish (KJV)
Proverbs 11:14 (NLT)
- Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.
1. Don’t Do It Yourself
2. Don’t Let Others Do It Themselves
A Vision Of Restoration
Wheat: Restoring the Lost through Relationship & Prayer
The Pit with Shepherd’s Staff: Restoring freedom from Addiction & Brokenness
Tree of Life: Restoring Life in Christ and Fruit of the Spirit
Home: Restoring Broken Homes
Pastor Dale Benson
What I would like to tell you this morning is that we often miss the answers God gives to our prayers because we have put God into a box.
At times God humors us. At other times, He does things that seem foolish to our thinking but serve a greater purpose.
It is amazing that God shows up in the most unexpected of places, at the most unexpected of times. Share good news to the most unexpecting people from the person they least expected to hear it from.
Pastor David Morrison
Luke 1
Wilderness, wil·der·ness (noun): a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings; an empty or pathless area or region; wild or uncultivated state.
What is your wilderness?
The promises of God have already been fulfilled to find your way through it.
"…Don’t be afraid, Zechariah! God has heard your prayer..." - Luke 1:13
Finding your Way In Your Wilderness:
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FIND YOUR BEARING
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LOOK FOR GUIDES
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BECOME A GUIDE
Jesus is the way through your wilderness - "I am the way, the truth, and the life." - John 14:6
Pastor Dale Benson
Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)
The issue at hand is belief in the God who makes promises.
It is faith in the face of impatience.
It is hope that extends beyond what I can control.
I am not sure what you are waiting on. I am not sure what you have been praying for. I am not sure if you have been able to see little answers to prayer along the way.
God is not slow in keeping His promises. We gather today, three weeks from Christmas to remember that part of our walk with God.
Pastor Dale Benson
Genesis 50:24-26 (NLT)
The end of the book of Genesis is a horrible ending, but a hopeful ending.
Joseph is dead & is buried in Egypt.
Through all these stories, there is one constant factor. There is a God that cares enough about us to enter our time and space to guide us. God is the one working in us to bring about glory in our lives.
We believe you can’t do life alone.
Pastor Dale Benson
Some of us spend our entire lives without discovering how powerless we are without God and how powerful he can be, even in and through us.
Joseph learns humility.
Genesis 45:3-8 (NLT)
- Joseph has the opportunity to get vengeance, but instead he prepares a feast for his family!
- What his brothers meant for evil, God has used for good.
Perspective #1 – The person who needs forgiveness.
Perspective #2 – The person who you need to forgive.
Pastor David Morrison
Question: Is your glass half full, half empty or you don’t care because I have it and you don’t?
- The Optimist
- The Pessimist
- The Narcissist
Let’s talk about perspective. One definition of perspective that I like is, “a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.”
What if we flipped our perspective?
What is we said, God if I need to walk through the valley to get to the other side…I will do it, because I will learn how to trust You!
God’s presence, promises, and dreams don’t change for my life whether I’m in the valley or on the mountain.
Pastor Dale Benson
Genesis 28:16 (NLT)
Have you ever been in a situation where you “woke up,” either literally or figuratively, to discover that God had been with you all along?
Some of you have been wrestling with God (or perhaps you have been wrestling in wondering where God is in the midst of your struggles).
Bethel
In this part of the story, Jacob is wrestling with himself. He is alone. He has been sent from his family. He is going to a new place to begin his family. . . Without mom. Without dad.
But in this wrestling, in this fighting, God is doing something new. And He wants to do way more than simply give you some new definitions for words. He stands ready to fight with you. To wrestle with you. To kick up the dust. But He also stands ready to fight for you. To give you a new name.
Pastor Dale Benson
“You have not withheld from me your son, your one and only son.” Genesis 22:12 NLT
This is an interesting thing for God to say to Abraham. Because Abraham did have another son. He had Ishmael (except that he had sent him away).
We often receive the blessings from our parents. We also receive the curses of our parents.
Isaac was no different. He had to live with both the good and the bad from his parents.
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son. The story isn’t about us, it’s about God and His love for us and what He’s done for us through Jesus.
If God desires that everyone would come to know Him, what does it mean to be a part of that promise?
Pastor Mark Fuller
Today, we'll look at the ultimate faith test.
We all know the story of Abraham and sacrificing his own son. There are four key points that enabled him to pass the faith test.
-His faith was Immediate
-His faith was Confident
-His faith was authentic
-His faith was strong
Our faith is always challenged. Your ultimate faith test isn’t the same as Abraham’s. But it is no less difficult because it is the next faith step for you.
What is your“Isaac?"
Pastor David Morrison
The two most important days in your life are the day that you are born and the day that you find out why.
-Mark Twain
What exactly is the call of God? What is God’s purpose for my life?
General Call vs Specific Call:
-A general call is one that is for all people, regardless of their situation and circumstances.
-A specific call is one for you from God that uses your pain, passions, and experiences to accomplish your purpose and therefore walk in his promises.
God's call for all people:
-God calls all people to know and follow Jesus
-God calls His followers to lead others to Him
Pastor Dale Benson
Remember Genesis 1-3 - Mankind was made in the image and likeness of God. But that wasn’t enough. We wanted to be our own God. So Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit- which brings us to Babel.
Genesis 11:2 (NLT)
This is all about us. They have forgotten that God built it, not themselves.
We want to build a name for ourselves. We want to build things for our name.
Those that are elevated in Scripture are the ones who take the lowest seat.
Time and time again, we get in trouble when we take control.
How do we as God’s people work together?
Pastor John Keating
Following God is not how you find favor in the world.
Faith in Jesus is the only thing that can save your life.
Noah was in communion with God, on the same page as God.
Nothing pleases God more than someone walking by faith.
Genesis 6:1-3, 5-6
Keep building, keep walking with God. On the first day to the final day, because He is faithful.
If the Lord has call you to it, He will protect you.
Pastor Dale Benson
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
God continues to enter the midst of our chaos and bring order and beauty.
God has created us in his likeness and image, and calls us to enter the chaos in order to continue to reveal his order and beauty.
And into this world, God is still creating. He is still calling. For many of us, this would mean a new beginning. But it really isn’t a new beginning. It is simply entering into the work that God has been doing since the beginning of creation.
Pastor Mark Fuller
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” -John 15:5 (NIV)Your life is sweet, nourishing and peaceful, as a natural result of a life that is led by the Holy Spirit.
Practical ways we can remain & stay connected to The Vine:
-daily quiet time with God
-reading His Word
-stay connected with His people - “together we are the temple”
-praise and worship
-humble obedience
John 15:1-2 (NLT)
Pastor Dale Benson
Imagine walking in the wilderness and relying on a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of cloud by night. Preparing to go into the promised land but facing giants. Then wandering around the wilderness for another 40 years waiting on God to speak and move.
And then God gives directions on building a tabernacle and declaring that he might “dwell” among his people.
The temple is not a place to go where people can meet God.
The temple is a place to go where people can meet God.
Temples are people who go to the places where people are to reveal God’s presence among us.
Pastor David Morrison
I think some of our giants could also be experiences from your past, people that have hurt you, sin – my guess is you know what it is…
I want to ask a real and simple question: what is your giant right now?
Numbers 13:27-33 (NLT)
Excuses To Let Our Giants Live:
1. It’s Just The Way I Am, “I’m Not Perfect”
2. It Used To Be Worse
3. I’m Not As Bad Off As Other People
4. I Can’t Handle Failure Anymore
JESUS SLAYS MY GIANTS!
THE NEXT GENERATION WILL LEARN FROM THIS GENERATION HOW TO DEFEAT THE GIANTS THAT THEY FACE.
Simple steps to allow Jesus to fight for you today:
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Surrender it to Jesus
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Tell Someone Who Can Support You
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Don’t Give Up
Pastor Dale Benson
At times life can be a little funny when things are taken out of context, but the level of humor or discomfort may stem from your perspective to the event(s) taking place.
Exodus 20:1-18 (NLT)
Simply reading these words today brings with them a multitude of reactions. As a pastor I know that my preaching from this passage has meant that I have divided people into various groups.
Are the laws a means to salvation, or a structure for those who are saved to follow?
God does not want His name used for our purposes. He doesn’t want us to make images of Him, because we are the images of Him He wants the world to see.
The one who rested after everything He made, gives us a day of rest.
A day to spend with Him.
Pastor John Keating
Exodus 13
The Israelites left Succoth and camped at Etham on the edge of the wilderness. The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night. And the Lord did not remove the pillar of cloud or pillar of fire from its place in front of the people.
Exodus 13:20-22 NIV
Pastor Mark Fuller
Exodus 17
Every physical (earthly) challenge & contest has a spiritual dimension to it.
Prayer must always be our first priority.
Intercessory prayer is providing the support for someone to lean on.
Praying for others is more important than praying for myself.
When we pray, we are taking back lost territory to Satan.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT)
“We believe you can’t do life alone.”
There is power when we pray together and do life together.
Pastor Dale Benson
Exodus 17
Have you ever walked into a class only to find out that there was a pop quiz that day, or better yet, a test you had forgotten to study for?
If you have never had that feeling. . . Today is your day. . .
Testing reveals where you have grown, and where you need to continue to grow. Tests are not meant to bring failure. Temptations are meant to create failure.
Exodus 17:7
Join Zak O'Day and David Morrison as they discuss post christian culture and the deconstruction movement.
As Michael and Shelby prepare for their upcoming nuptials, they discuss surrender and submission, and how we must be willing and vulnerable to submit to one another in marriage, but most importantly, in our relationship with God.
Pastor David Morrison
Exodus 14
The Israelites were at the Red Sea - stuck. But God said don't be afraid...get moving!
When God makes a way, you have to take a step. Trust Him to do a new thing in your life. He is a God of miracles!
Pastor John Keating
God’s desire is for you to be free in relationship with Him but he doesn’t desire to change your earthly well-being.
He was not just setting his people free from the bondage of slavery, he was setting them free from their spiritual bondage.
The purpose of Jesus coming and dying on the cross was for the forgiveness of our sins.
The purpose of the Lamb being crucified was so its blood would bring protection.
The stories correlate and are essentially the same story with different versions – but the same point and significance.
Pastor Dale Benson
Our stories matter.
Listen to what God says to Moses. . .
Exodus 4:11-12 (NLT)
Who made you? Who created your hands? Who created what is in your hand? Who can shape and re-shape what is in your hand? Moses was in a desert land, exiled from his previous family, herding sheep with a nomadic Bedouin family of whom he was now a part. Parts of his story were thrust upon him. Parts of the story he had created for himself. Regardless, God was going to use him. Maybe. . .
Exodus 4:13-17 (NLT)
Pastor John Keating
Moses finds himself amongst a people group that are enslaved. Slaves to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. Moses is born here. As a young child, his life is spared and he’s taken into Pharaoh’s house.
Moses is at a point in his life where he begins asking questions: Who am I? Where do I belong? What am I supposed to do? Where do I fit in? Questions we all might ask ourselves from time to time.
Exodus 3:1-7
Superintendent Pastor Andres Hernandez
Join us this week as we hear a message from Superintendent Pastor Andres Hernandez from Puerto Rico.
Pastor Bailey Medley
Today we’ll be looking at a dream that we see in the Bible and all the little moments that build up to them through the life of Joseph in Genesis. His life is found in
Genesis 37-50.
Joseph starts with a dream but goes through a series of ups and more downs for decades before he sees it happen.
Because dreams are powerful, but they aren’t the sole purpose.
Life provides turning points of many kinds, but the most powerful of all may be character-revealing moments.
The turning points that go right to the core of what voices we are allowing to speak into our lives. These are the moments that make us.
It’s not the dream that makes us, but rather the small moments of allowing God to lead. Those moments make us, and the right dream follows.
Pastor Dale Benson
Think outside yourself.
This is not a sermon about the power of positive thinking. This is about gaining God’s perspective.
Abraham
Genesis 11-25
Don’t believe the lies that you tell yourself: I’m not good enough, etc.
Don’t believe the lies that others tell you.
Seek what God has for you.
Here are three steps to help you:
1 – Pray
2 – Practice
3 – Preach
Facing and fighting spiritual battles that we’ll face on Earth
Ephesians 5
Practice what you’ve prayed for and then tell others (preach).
Abraham didn’t just believe what God said, he began to walk in what God told him to do. He proclaimed that truth to others. Pray, practice, preach.
Isaiah 55:8-9
Get outside your own head/mind and get into God’s mindset.
Pastor David Morrison
I think God has a message for some of you today who are tired, thirsty, hungry – because you have fought so hard within the systems of this earth and placed your hope on things that always shift.
You’ve placed your hope in that relationship, in your finances, in your plans. And they just aren’t working out.
Jesus is offering you hope today.
In scripture we find a very clear difference between the Kingdom and systems of this earth and the Kingdom of God.
Scripture says “there is a way that seems right to man, but its end is death.”
-Proverbs 14:12
But ultimately how we live our life comes down to how we answer one basic question, where do I place my trust?
Pastor Dale Benson
Think outside the limits of your bank account, and outside the limits of your calendar. You see, I am convinced:
Christians do not have a resource problem.
Christians have a reliance problem.
We rely on everything but the one who has the resources.
Think outside your calendar/clock.
Joshua 10:1-15 (NLT)
“I have so much to do that I spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it.”
-John Wesley
Take time now to pray for: protection, direction, revelation. While we need: time, talents, resources. Our time, talents and resources are gifts from God.
Pastor Dale Benson
Where do dreams go to die, and be resurrected?
The question is not what we intend ourselves to be, but what He intended us to be when He created us. – C.S. Lewis
Matthew 16:24-28 (NLT)
In this passage, the disciples could not believe what he was saying because it did not match up with their dreams.
Think about this tomb where Christ was laid. On the cross he took your sins & selfish dreams…to the grave.
But when he rose…HE was all that came out of that grave.
Matthew 28:1-7 (NLT)
Resurrection is God’s way of restoring. He restores what He wants, and what we need – with HIS dreams for our lives.
Listen with us as we receive a special message from General Superintendent Dr. David Busic.
Pastor David Morrison
John 17
Jesus concludes these topics (betrayal, eternity, God as our source and how to have true joy) with a powerful prayer, one that has implications for our faith and also models how to pray.
These are red letter words:
John 17:11-26
There are five things I noticed that Jesus prays for his followers:
(1) Protection (17:11,15)
(2) Joy (17:13)
(3) Holiness (17: 17-19)
(4) Future Generations (17:20)
(5) Oneness With Him and each other (17:23,26)
Our Prayer of Protection: Father, give us strong faith to stand against the attacks of the evil one.
Our Prayer for Joy: Father, fill us with your joy and help us live in such a way that others experience your joy.
Our Prayer for Holiness: Father, set us apart by your truth and transform us according to your purpose.
Our Prayer for the Future: Father, may my future family believe in you.
Our Prayer for Oneness: Father, as You are in Jesus, and Jesus as You are in the Father, may we abide in You, completely one.
Pastor Dale Benson
John 16
Sadness to joy, or exposed - in a good way!
convict = elegxai =expose
Quite often when we hear this word “conviction,” we hear condemnation.
That is not at all what the word means.
The Holy Spirit will shine light on Righteousness (Justice)
Righteousness
Judgement
To be in Christ is to be found in his love and light. . . abiding in him.
Pastor John Keating
John 15
Everything in life has an option for an even greater opportunity. Even more of what he offers.
John 15:1-2 (NLT)
Church plant: Jesus compares our life with him and relationship to God, to that of a plant.
Leaves at the end of every branch – Jesus is the vine. Every branch then produces fruit (or leaves).
If you start trimming back leaves, you’ll notice the branch gets thin and turns into a tiny stem. It’s not very strong.
Don’t hog the fruit you produce. Share it with others so God can be glorified.
When God is glorified, the devil will be horrified.
Pastor Dale Benson
John 14
“There have been men before who got so interested in proving the existence of God that they came to care nothing for God himself… as if the good Lord had nothing to do but to exist.” -C.S. Lewis – The Great Divorce
When we ponder heaven as an extra-terrestrial adult Disney World where all of our dreams can come true, to this extent, we have missed the very point of heaven, which is the place where our hearts can return their true home in God. Imagine the moments in life where you experienced the deepest joy, and the deepest peace. To know and be fully known. Imagine living in that place for eternity. . . that place is in the very heart of God. The word Jesus uses is monai = abode or dwelling place.
It means, abode, or dwelling place. In verb from it means to live somewhere- to make your home there.
How do we get there? Jesus said, “and you know the way to where I am going.”
Monai = Abode or dwelling place à The Holy Spirit abides with you.
Menei = Lives, abides, dwells à He is with you where you are.
Monen = The place where someone lives, abides, dwells à Home.
All who love me, my Father will love them too, and we will make our home with each of them.
You can live in eternity and eternity can touch your life right now, right where you are. God wants us to live in His peace right now.
Pastor David Morrison
John 13
The Word has power to transform your life.
We are going to be speaking about some very special words in Scripture, words straight from Jesus.
We call them red letter words – moments in the bible where Jesus is quoted in many translations are written red.
A few key principles that are central to being a follower of Jesus:
(1) MY LIFE IS A MESS, JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN CLEAN IT UP.
(2) AS JESUS HAS SERVED, SO I THEN MUST SERVE OTHERS.
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YOU AND I WILL ALL BETRAY JESUS. HE FORGIVES YOU ANYWAYS.
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YOU AND I WILL BE HURT BY PEOPLE WHO CLAIM TO FOLLOW JESUS. FORGIVE THEM ANYWAYS.
How will you respond to them? That’s it…True love receives and requires forgiveness.
Our ability to Love (as shown through our ability to ask for, accept, or give forgiveness) is what shows the world who we follow.
So what makes a Christian different – it’s our ability to love and to forgive.
Pastor Dale Benson
Ezra 3/Nehemiah 8
Restoration is a process that contains both mourning and celebration – often at the same time. Things that can cause CELEBRATION and MOURNING at the same time: our Past, our Present, our Future.
OUR PAST
Ezra 3:10-13 (NLT)
OUR PRESENT
Nehemiah 7:73-8:10 (NLT) (Edited)
OUR FUTURE
Restoration always has the future in mind.
What defines your future?
Our lives are defined by God and the plan He has for our lives.
Pastor John Keating
Nehemiah 6:1-16
We face obstacles throughout our entire life.
In those times, we must be reminded of our purpose.
Nehemiah 6:8-9 (NLT)
No matter what you’re facing, be reminded that you can’t do it alone.
You are not called to do life alone.
Opposition we face is an opportunity for you to grow your faith.
When you face opposition, it’s an opportunity to praise.
Pastor Dale Benson
“To be grateful is to recognize the love of God in everything he has given us – and he has given us everything.” -Thomas Merton
God can move on our behalf.
Through the books of Ezra and Nehemiah, we find three leaders with very specific needs for very specific tasks God has for them.
Zerubbabel– Rebuilding the Temple
Ezra– Rebuilding the Community
Nehemiah– Rebuilding the Well
God can provide the resources you need.
Is there a resource God needs, wants or desires?
God doesn’t need or want your wallet or your talents.
God doesn’t need or want your Sundays plus additional time during the week.
God desires the obedience of our hearts.
Pastor David Morrison
Nehemiah 4:9 (NLT)
How many of us know that when you are trying to build something, you can expect to face opposition? Expect it - it’s pretty much guaranteed! What you see isn’t always the only thing happening.
I’m talking about the collision of the physical and spiritual world.
The Bible says that “…we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 6:12 NLT
The mission of God always prevails, but it doesn’t happen without major prayer support. There is a spiritual battle happening that we have to open our eyes to see – or at very least not hide from its existence.
We must Pray and Watch
Pastor John Keating
Nehemiah 4:1-15 (NLT)
Nehemiah prayed and had a plan and prepared – which helped others feel their purpose.
Pray. Plan. Prepare > for your Purpose
Nehemiah needed to remind the people of their calling and purpose. He needed to remind them of their why.
What is placed before you, can be an avenue of God’s glory to shine and be put on display for others to witness. Maybe your time is today, to stand, to fight and to pray.
Pastor Dale Benson
Nehemiah 1:1-11 (NLT)
Read Nehemiah 3 (NLT)
From beginning to end, it took 20 years to build the temple.
From beginning to end it took 52 days to build the wall.
Possible reasons it took less time to build the wall:
- The wall was less intricate than the temple
- The building of the wall began with a foundation of PRAYER
- The building of the wall utilized EVERYONE
Last week we talked about being a “Holy People” that reflect God.
HOLY PEOPLE
- In PURITY
- In PURPOSE
- In POWER
What if we discover that our purpose was not to remain pure for purity’s sake?
What if we discovered that our purpose did not really have to do with building walls?
Pastor Dale Benson
Ezra 7-10
Sometimes the road to restoration is long and messy.
Restoration is hard work and can take time: Time + Surrender + Effort = Results
Holiness is PURITY, PURPOSE, POWER
Pastor David Morrison
Ezra 1-6, Haggai 1 (NLT)
Have you ever started a home project, and then not completed it? When my wife asks me about progress, I’ll say something like, “It takes time.”
Last week Pastor Dale talked about Tools, Meals, and Air. This week, we’ll look at a few tools concerning how we can finish what we start.
It’s not just “it takes time”
It’s TIME + SURRENDER + EFFORT= RESULTS
We have to move from an it takes time mindset, to an it’s time mindset.
Stand and declare it’s time. God is doing a work to restore you now and He is calling you right now! It’s Time.
Pastor Dale Benson
Ezra 1:1-4 (NLT)
When we restore and rebuild, here's what we need:
1. TOOLS – FOR SKILLS
- When you restore buildings, you look for literal tools.
- When you restore your life you need spiritual, emotional, and physical tools.
~Tools are used as needed
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FOOD – FOR FUEL
-
When you restore buildings or walls, you need to keep yourself healthy, and food is
the fuel to keep you going. * When you look to restore your life what you put in your body matters.
~Food is needed daily
3. AIR – FOR LIFE
- When you do physical work, you need air.
- What is spiritual air?
~Air is needed constantly
Pastor Bailey Medley
Luke 2 (NLT)
‘Twas the day after Christmas and all through our home…
Don’t you feel peaceful and rested after your Christmas fun? For a lot of us, the holiday season is…over. We likely don’t think of peace and rest after being in the middle of this time. It often feels more like a roller coaster.
You know how we take so many photos and record videos of each Christmas? Photos of our kids and the reaction on their face when they are so surprised!? We want to remember and preserve that moment!
Stop. Rest.
“People who keep the Sabbath live all seven days differently.” -Walter Bruggeman
Do you take a sabbath? How are you sustained?
Pastor Dale Benson
John 1:1-18 (NLT)
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God,and the Word was God.
God doesn’t have to explain the season you’re in or why He’s allowed it to happen.
Jesus has already explained God (John 1:18) so even when you don’t know everything, remember what you know about Him.
He became flesh and made his home among us. He revealed God to us. . . and still many of us don’t believe.
Do you say: “But I need him to. . . “
If God would do. . . then I would believe.
The parable of Lazarus or Caiphas
What if God did not just become flesh in Jesus, but in us/you too?
Don’t just believe in Jesus – be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Belief in Him is walking into light, freedom and new life.
Pastor Dale Benson
John 1:1-13
Today I would like to talk to you about a different kind of wave. . . it is a wave of grace. . . In his book, The Road Less Travelled, M. Scott Peck describes a natural force in our world we call entropy. . . it most known by its implications in the second law of thermodynamics.
A movement of order, out of chaos.
Thermodynamics: a thermodynamic quantity representing the unavailability of a system's thermal energy for conversion into mechanical work, often interpreted as the degree of disorder or randomness in the system. The second law of thermodynamics says that entropy always increases with time. We tend to move away from order, into chaos.
In creation, things seem to move from a creative order toward disorder. . . unless Grace enters the picture.
EMANANCE – Grace emanates down from an eternal God to men
IMMANENCE – Grace immanates out from God within the center of man’s being
Pastor John Keating
John 1:6-9
The wholeness of scripture needs to be appreciated.
“There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” John 1:6 (NIV)
We are preparing for Jesus’ coming and so we need to prepare and be ready. How do we prepare? We need to repent and clear our hearts.
Pastor David Morrison
John 1:1-5
The entry of God into the world, is the beginning of a re-created order!
Before the beginning was the Word, and nothing was created without it, and this word brought life to all, and the darkness could not overcome it!
- Jesus entry into the world, signifies a new era in human history, in fact we find a quote from C.S. Lewis that’s says, “The birth of Christ is the central event in the history of the earth – the very thing the whole story has been about.” – C.S. Lewis
I also stumbled upon this poem by C.S. Lewis called Turn The Tides.
(1)Receive The Power of The Spoken Word
(2)Embrace The Struggle of BeingRe-Created
(3)Trust and Join the Process of Re-Creation
Pastor Dale Benson
Romans 15-16
What can I eat? What can I drink? What kind of car can I drive? How big of a house can I live in? How much time should I spend in prayer?
Does anything matter as long as I have said the right prayer to accept Christ and believe the right things? Many of the issues listed above are cultural issues.
Remember, the law could not save. A new set of laws will not save either. What is to rule over us is the law of love.
- Be considerate of those who are sensitive to such things
- Don’t just please yourself (or those who already believe like you do)
- Help others do what is right
- Build them up in the Lord
- Accept each other
Pastor Dale Benson
Romans 13-14
- I don’t necessarily respect the people that hold the positions of power.
- I do need to respect that whether I like it or not, their power comes from God.
The issue is not Unity . . . the issue is Harmony.
In Essentials UNITY
In Non-Essentials HARMONY
In All Things Charity (Love)
Pastor John Keating
Romans 12
Outward display of the gifting of the spirit – but when God starts getting into your
life, your thoughts, your mindset, your lifestyle – he changes your core behavior.
-Every relationship has responsibility
-Relationships (can) change who you are
-The Bible says we are children of God – we’re the Bride of Christ
You can’t outgive God.
God gave us gifts and we are meant to use those. We are also meant to share
these gifts with others. Don’t withhold the gifts of God from his people.
Pastor Dale Benson
Romans 11
Have you ever wondered if God is up in heaven just messing with us? Or maybe you’ve wondered if God is in heaven looking down at us and asking why we are messing with him and the beautiful world he created?
Of family trees & olive trees
The olive tree - Natural
Branches - Israel
Wild Branches - Gentiles
The vine/tree/roots = Jesus
Pastor David Morrison
Romans 9 & 10
· Types of Drift
1. When we get sleepy, tired, unaware, or lethargic and end up somewhere we had no intent to be.
2. Fighting over how to carry out the mission – imagine a captain at the wheel who leaves the wheel to go argue about the best way to start the mission and while they are fighting, the ship drifts off course and is heading towards a collision.
Romans 10:9-13
Romans 10:14-15
Every time I decide to focus on a small distinctive over the movement of the gospel, I am missing out on the mission!
Internal division, will always lead to external destruction….it will distract from mission!
Pastor Dale Benson
Romans 8
· I am not condemnedIf you have not received the pronouncement of your freedom, you cannot live in it.
· I am not a slave to sinWe have the ability to live free from sin.
· I am a child of God
Being a part of a family. . . at church, too.
· God can work anything for my good
God can surprise you.
· Nothing can separate me from God’s love
Pastor John Keating
Romans 6-7
Do you struggle? Can you pinpoint what the biggest struggle in your life is? I can answer it for you…it’s you. Yourself.
We all have a sinful nature. How do we TURN from it?
Sin is the opposite of LOVE (God) - (John 3:16)
Sin is SELFISH (Selfishness) - (James 3:16)
SIN is Unbelief - (John 16:9)
Every time we sin – something within us dies. -Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death”
Turn from your sin and accept the Savior.
Pastor Dale Benson
Romans 4
We all used to be part of a group of people (Adam’s people).
God made a guy named Abraham a promise (Abraham became the father of Faith).
Jesus is the answer to Abraham’s faith and God’s promise.
We now pass from death to life, not because we are Abraham’s bloodline, but because we are Abraham’s faith line.
What makes us family now is not that the same blood flows through my veins. What makes us family now is that the same Holy Spirit dwells in us, and that enables the same faith that Abraham had. We are now friends of God and children of God. . . not by blood, but by faith.
Pastor David Morrison
Romans 3
“You have been weighed, you have been measured, and you have been found wanting.” Have you heard this phrase before?
For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. This principle is a foundational principle to the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ…in order to realize we need Jesus, we need to know where we stand.
SO WHY DID JESUS NEED TO DIE FOR ME?
Because of our conditions, we know that we fall short of being able to be right with God!
Jesus died to defeat the grips of sin and death that the power of this world had over us!
Romans 3:10-26
Pastor Dale Benson
Romans 1:18-32
Paul makes the case in his letter that all people have the opportunity to know God.
Watch this video from Tim Mackie (from 0:33-2:45): https://youtu.be/GQI72THyO5I
- God does not abandon us - He lets us choose.
- God tells us there will be earthly consequences if we choose to believe the lie.
“There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to who God says, ‘All right, then, have it your way.’ -C.S. Lewis
Read Romans 1:18-32
Pastor Mark Fuller
Romans 1:1-6, 14-17
The Good News - Jesus is the Greatest of All Time, hands down.
The Good News:
-Originates from God
-Is an invitation to know the G.O.A.T.
-It's free to all
-It offers the greatest cause to remember
-It connects us with the most powerful source in the universe
Read Romans 1:1-6, 14-17
Pastor Dale Benson
Acts 28:21-31
"Don't call anything that I have made clean, unclean." -Acts 10:15
The Gospel of Luke >> The Acts of the Apostles >> The Acts of The Naz Church
Carl F.H. Henry - "look at what has come into the world"
There must be a shift in our lives to see anything actually change in the world today. What will you do?
Read Acts 28:21-31
Pastor Carlos Huertas, Iglesia del Nazareno de Grove City
(11am service)
Acts 27:18-26
- Your storm is perfecting your faith.
- Your storm is revealing who you belong to and who you serve.
- Your storm is for others.
- Share Hope in difficult times.
- Listen to God in the storm.
Read Acts 27:18-26
Pastor Jacob Barker, Hope Central Church
(9am service)
Acts 27:18-26
- Your storm is perfecting your faith.
- Your storm is revealing who you belong to and who you serve.
- Your storm is for others.
- Share Hope in difficult times.
- Listen to God in the storm.
Read Acts 27:18-26
Pastor Dale Benson
Acts 21:1-12
Today I'll compare a journey of mine, to that of Paul's journey.
We will focus on Acts 21:1-12
No matter what is going on in Paul's life, during his journey, he continues to preach and share the love of Christ - even to his death.
On this journey of the Christian life, we will all face obstacles.
The world will tell us that the obstacles are not worth the fight. The world will tell us to fix our eyes on our limitations. Friends will tell us to relax and enjoy the life we have – even though we crave more. We will be fed lies upon lies regarding the path to happiness, the road to success, or that we can save ourselves.
Do you relate to Paul's story? Will you live for Christ, no matter the cost?
Pastor David Morrison
Acts 17:16-34
Are you eager for what God has for you today?
GOD WANTS TO REALLY KNOW ME, AND FOR ME TO REALLY KNOW HIM
There's a single word to focus on…it’s the word “Know”
• The Hebrew word for Know is Yada
• The Greek word that is similar is Ginosko
“To know God is to know Him through personal experience and relationship.”
As God is the creator – it is natural for humanity to try to know God/ to know their creator – but it requires revelation.
Two forms of revelation:
(1) Natural Revelation
(2) Special Revelation
Natural revelation is the most common form of revelation: this is that the fingerprints of God on his creation reveal a little bit about the creator!
The Unknown God
The difference is, I know who this represents. It represents a creator who loves me and wants to know me and through my life, I say I only want to know you a little bit!
The power of revelation through the resurrection of Jesus – once you know that, His resurrection speaks for itself. It stands strong. He will bring new life to you.
Pastor John Keating
Acts 16:13-14, 18-20
Acts 16:13-15
Lydia & the purple sheet.
Acts 16:18
A person who is “making noise.”
Acts 16:27-34
Paul and Silas are put in an inner cell.
Acts 16:34
The jailer received God’s grace.
Much like this young man, we spiritually dose off…we let our spirits just fall out the window, to die. It’s more than sitting and listening to preachers. It’s because of individual lives that are changed. It’s because of those who are willing to speak up.
Pastor Dale Benson
Acts 15
Today we will try to answer these two questions:
Who gets in?
How do they get in?
Is it a matter of the law? Is it a matter of grace?
Read this letter (Book of Galatians) written by Paul, as if you are receiving it today.
Old Covenant = sacrificial system
New Covenant = one sacrifice with a reminder
Pastor Dale
Acts 11:19-20
Acts 9:19-31
The life of Saul/Paul shines a little light on how a fellow Christian was treated by early believers. Some of it was good. Some of it was not so good. By the time we get to chapter 11, things are looking a little rosier for Saul/Paul, and for those of you who aren’t aware, Paul wrote between 25-30% of the New Testament. But things weren’t always that rosy for Saul/Paul.
Saul’s Early Days with the Church
• He faced scrutiny (by the church)
• He faced rejection (by the church)
• He faced abuse (by the church)
Much of the Church rejected him, but there was one man who helped Saul/Paul navigate the complex landscape of the early church and helped lead Saul/Paul into a position of honor. This man’s name was Barnabas.
Acts 11:19-30
Barnabas (the example in the church):
• Barnabas took the step to take Saul to safety
• Barnabas took the step to bring Paul with him to disciple others
• Barnabas took the step of accompanying Saul back into harm’s way
All three of these steps begin with Barnabas extending grace to a former murderer of Christians.
• God wants to forgive your past.
• If God doesn’t hold someone’s sins against them anymore, why do we?
• Reconciliation and relationship begin with me. (Matthew 5:23-24)
What steps do you need to take this week to become more like Barnabas?
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How are you being a “safe place” for someone in their walk with God?
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How are you helping that person take their next steps toward reconciliation?
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How are you willing to stand with that person as their protector?
Pastor Carlos
Acts 12: 1-16
Read Acts 12:1-16
Injustice: Because they were preaching the gospel of Christ, the disciples were persecuted, punished, and some were killed.
Purpose: It can be a bit difficult trying to find God's purpose during difficult situations. In Acts 12, the church was going through a very difficult situation. They realize that Peter is in prison, probably he can be dead soon. The church responds in prayer.
Principles about prayer
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Pray together (Acts 1:14)
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Pray intensely (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
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Pray for others (John 17:21)
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Pray to God (Isaiah 56:7)
God's answer to the needs of the world's difficulties was his church, with a specific purpose to be a house of prayer.
2 Chronicles 7:14
"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Pastor Mark Fuller
Acts 8-10
Hinderances are the same today as they were in the early church.
Let's identify them & ask the Holy Spirit to remove them so a new generation of outsiders will feel welcome among us, today & always.
Philip - Prioritize my preferences (Acts 8:26-40)
Saul - Religious blind spots (Acts 9:3-9)
Peter - Deep seated prejudices (Acts 10:9-11)
The common denominator: It has to be the work of the Holy Spirit, dying to self, submitting & cooperating with Him.
Two action steps:
1 - Give up personal preference this week to serve an outsider.
2 - Initiate a relationship with someone who has a different worldview than you.
Read Acts 8-10 (NLT)
Pastor David Morrison
Acts 6:1-7
*“So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to
the faith.”*
Because this is what we pursue in our lives – we want to thrive and see growth – we want to see things that we put our hands on to grow.
I started to reflect on certain blind spots and temptations I have that leads to the death of things that I love…things that matter. This is why I
am calling our talk today….“Five Ways That Kill A ____________” (You Fill-In-The-Blank, Marriage, Family, Friendship, Church).
Here are the five ways, I think, you can kill what you love/what's important:
1 - Allow distraction to neglect your why
2 - Lead in ways that make sense to you
3 - Never talk about your problems
4 - Only manage what you can control - don't share
5 - Focus on self-preservation, at all costs
*Selfishness is the enemy of our vision, our values, our mission. Are you dying to self, so that God's purpose for your life, your marriage, your
family, your church- can thrive? It's our desire to see you be a part of things that are thriving!*
Read Acts 6:1-7 (NIV)
Pastor Dale Benson
Acts 5:12-42
Happy Father’s Day!
Last week Pastor John kicked off our summer series Rivers and Roads in the city of Jerusalem. We saw Peter and John healing the lame man at the entrance to the temple. They end up before the Sanhedrin. There is such an uproar or praise to God that the Sanhedrin can’t do anything to Peter and John, so when they get back and tell the church, everyone begins praising again and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, and they all go out and begin sharing the good news. That is some awesome stuff right there. And for a minute it gets even better.
Acts 4:31-37 (NLT) - Let’s stop here for a second. This sounds like Utopia doesn’t it? Everyone just shared what they had.
Acts 5:1-11 (NLT)
11 Great fear gripped the entire church and everyone else who heard what had happened.
I know that at times people read this passage, and we can make it about money. The reality is, this passage is about lying and posturing, and attempting to impress people and fool God. This is not day one of the church, but it is pretty early, and we already find hypocrites at church. Don’t stop going to church because there are hypocrites there.
God’s apparent lack of response to sin in your life is not evidence that God doesn’t know or care what is going on in your life.
Acts 5:40-42 (NLT)
Pastor John Keating
Acts 3:1-10
Are you headed to a body of water, lake, river, ocean…this summer? Wherever you’re headed, you’ll find a connection to the Book of Acts – as we go through this journey together, of Rivers & Roads.
How many times do we find ourselves on a road or in a river, not where/how we want to be? Looking for help, and/or needing saved.
Acts 3:4 – Jesus talking to men on a road to Emmaus, Zacharias in a tree… He always shows up, even on the rivers, on the roads.
Acts 3:6 – Peter understands what it means to share Christ. He knows that he can help this man because of the rivers and roads he’s been through/on.
He traveled that road so that we can have hope, so that we could be saved.
Redirect your path to bring the healing that you’ve so desperately been in need of.
Pastor Dale Benson
1 Colossians 4:2-6
Let your conversations be always...
Full of Grace
Seasoned with Salt
Salt preserves, heals...
Paul's letter: Salt "refrigerated," "seasoned,"..."Neosporin" - of its time
Does it need to be said? Does it need to be said right now? Is now the time?
Does it need to be said by me?
"Taste & see that the Lord is good!" -Psalm 34:8
Pastor Dale Benson
Acts 2:37-41
Read Acts 2:37-41
- Repent
- Be baptized
- You will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
What the Holy Spirit is not:
A spiritual replacement
A physical discipline replacement
A way to gain "super powers"
When we're filled with the Holy Spirit, there's opportunity where we have the power to witness for Christ.
Live boldly.
Pastor David Morrison
Acts 1:15-26
Read Acts 1:15-26
A Christian call is our belief that God has a purpose for us, that He will reveal as we follow Him.
God has a purpose for your life.
"If God calls you to be a minister, don't stoop to becoming a king."
-Spurgeon
We find the call to follow Jesus develops not just from following Jesus but to teach others to follow him, too.
A few insights about the early church that this passage reveals:
1- Peter Assumes Position Of Authority In Early Church (v.15)
2- Men And Woman Hold Positions Of Authority In The Early Church (v.14)
3- Jesus Had Them Wait In A Dangerous Place (v.4)
4- Scripture Guided Their Decisions (v.20)
5- They Called A New Apostle Out Of The Group (v.23)
6- Prior To The Holy Spirit They Prayed And Cast Lots (v. 24-26)
God often chooses people who don't feel like they are up to the task. He calls you out of your comfort zone.
Pastor Dale Benson
Acts 1:1-14
He gives us instructions through this story:
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Do not leave
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You will be baptized by the Holy Spirit
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What about restoring Israel? Is it time?
-What about healing America, is it time?
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You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you
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You will be my witness
Μαρτερέο
Martureo - Martyr
We also look at Acts 22:19-20
- They prayed constantly and in unity
Are you in prayer, united with others? Constantly talking to Jesus?
Pastor John Keating
John 21:24-25
“This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down.”
“We know that his testimony is true.”
John 14:26
CLEMENT of ALEXANDRIA, “John ‘Conscious that the outward facts had been set forth in the Gospels, was urged on by his disciples, and divinely moved by the spirit, to compose a spiritual gospel.’”
John 14:12
Hebrews 13:8
Pastor David Morrison
John 21:18-22
Life happens in seasons – what do we do when we enter a season of waiting, a season where we don’t know totally where we are headed?
“The main temptation during seasons of waiting (when I don’t know where I am headed) is to fall into the trap of comparison.” This trap of comparison and competition gets us in trouble all the time!
Comparison does only one thing, it takes our focus off of what matters the most - what is most important.
Read John 21:18-22
Pastor Dale Benson
John 21:1-19
- The issue of love (agape vs philo)
-Jesus fully loves us
-He love us unconditionally
-He sacrificially loves us
- The issue of reconciliation
-In Peter's case, he was asked the same question 3x
-It doesn't compare to denying Jesus 3x
-Jesus does not ask us to forgive others more than he's willing to forgive us
- The issue of your calling
-The first call & last call to Peter is to follow Jesus
-The call to everyone is to follow Him
Pastor John Keating
John 20:24-31
Do you believe?
Do you have to see it with your own eyes, like Thomas?
Read John 20:24-31
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 28:16-20
But your doubts don't change what God has done.
- Have you doubted God this year?
We all share the same mother and father who doubted God’s good will for their life and wanted to trust themselves rather than Him!
Scripture is too clear to doubt.
Your chains are gone! You’ve been set free!
Read Matthew 28:16-20
Part 3 of 3: This is a continuation of Pastor Dale and James Gaiters discussion on racial reconciliation.
Part 2 of 3: This is a continuation of Pastor Dale and James Gaiters discussion on racial reconciliation.
Part 1 of 3: Pastor Dale Benson sits down with James Gaiters to discuss racial reconciliation.
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 21:1-11
We need to be people who are humble enough to say, “I am a sinner, and I need a savior.”
Praise is spontaneous.
Praise is contagious.
Praise is taught & learned.
He gives eternal life to those who humble themselves and are willing to work the fields.
Read Matthew 21:1-11
Pastor David Morrison
Matthew 17:1-9
Tell them I want to spend time with them.
- This is all God wants.
- Figure out ways to spend more time with your Father.
When we spend time with him, it changes who we are on the inside. As you spend more and more time with him, it changes "what we look like" and how people see us on the outside. Because they can see us inside - our hearts.
Read Matthew 17:1-9
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 19:13-22
Why are adults always worried about time?
- Maybe we need to care less about time, so we can take more time to care.
- Figure out ways to spend more time with your Father.
Why do adults care so much about money?
- We must seek power & greatness in His Kingdom.
Why do adults always seem to be in a hurry?
- "Time is an important thing, I know it because I made it..." -God
Age doesn't matter. No matter how old you are, you can always run to the Father.
Read Matthew 19:13-22
This is a continuation of Pastor David and Zak O’Day discussing practical steps to evangelism.
Pastor David Morrison is joined by Zak O’Day to discuss some practical steps to evangelism.
This is a continuation of Pastor Dale and John Ransom from Search National discussing some practical steps to evangelism. You can find out more about John and Search Nation at searchnational.org.
Pastor Dale Benson is joined by John Ransom from Search National to discuss some practical steps to evangelism. You can find out more about John and Search Nation at searchnational.org.
Pastor John Keating
Matthew 20:17-28
Have you heard of Salome? The mother of James & John - thought to be Jesus' relative.
- Salome is important - she has strong faith. She is courageous to make a request of God.
Salome was a great biblical example of a mother’s heart.
- She wants what is best for her children.
Examine how your life can be more like Salome…the impact & the teachings/pursuit of Christ you’re going for. Ask God for boldness.
Two of the most dangerous characteristics for Christians is a mindset of entitlement and a lifestyle of retirement!
Read Matthew 20:17-38
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 16:13-28
The question we are really trying to answer is "Who do you think Jesus is?"
- Peter had a great response - but think about who Jesus is to you
One of Satan’s playgrounds exists in the space between my idea of who God is and the reality of who God is.
- Do you think you're not good enough? Not worthy?
WHO IS HE? IF HE IS GOD. . . LISTEN TO WHO HE SAYS YOU ARE!
Read Matthew 16:13-28
Pastor David Morrison
Matthew 13:1-43
Why do stories of zombies & aliens seem to resonate with us?
- I'm intrigued how culture & its expressions of art, reflect the questions & insecurities that people have in their souls.
We might be asking ourselves, is there more?
- Jesus shares secrets & revelations to those who SEE & HEAR Him
Jesus shares a snapshot of the Kingdom with the parable of the sower.
Sower: Jesus
Seed: The message of God's Kingdom
Soil: The hearts of people
Where are you rooted?
Four types of soil: the hard path, the shallow rocky soil, the soil with thorns, the good soil
Jesus is clear on these points:
- He is the one who decides who is good, and who is evil
- Heaven and Hell are real
- Those who follow Jesus will be saved
- You can trust in Jesus to stand up for you
Read Matthew 13:37-42
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 12:46-50
What is Sabbath & what does it mean?
- It all points to a relationship with the Father
What methods do you use or what signs do you look for?
Is the church your family? Who is your family?
GRACE from our Father, POWER through the Holy Spirit, EXAMPLE of the son - NEW FAMILY for support & direction.
Read Matthew 12:46-50
Pastor John Keating
Matthew 11:1-30
God can handle your questions.
When we have doubt, God can handle it.
Jesus is the master who will carry us through.
What is your condition?
Don't stay in your state of unbelief.
Read Matthew 11:1-30
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 9:35-10:42
Who are the people right around you, that need to know Jesus? Sometimes we miss things.
How can we bring new wine to God?
People and methods - what does scripture tell us:
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Lack of sight/understanding
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Grounded in prayer
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The ones praying are the first ones sent
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We are not being sent to places of power or far off lands
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We are being sent to the broken & hurting in our neighborhood
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We are not going to need a lot of money for this to part of our mission
-
YOU are the equipment that is needed
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Weekday relationships & weekday salvations
Read Matthew 9:35-10:42
Pastor David Morrison
Matthew 9:9-17
Jesus comes for those who are hurting...and ready to be restored and transformed!
Church is a hospital for the broken, not a country club for those who think they have it all figured out.
The wine: the fresh move of God
The wineskin: the people/church - which he uses to pour out his spirit
"No, they pour new (brand new) wine into new (refurbished) wineskins, and both are preserved."
The process of repurposing my life is painful.
God will often demand purity and repentance as preparation for his purpose.
Read Matthew 9:9-171
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 8:18-9:7
"I have decided to stick to love...Hate is too great a burden to bear." -Martin Luther King Jr.
Today we will explore topics of power, authority and fear through the lens of Matthew 8:18-9:7.
Our lives, nature, demons, sickness, disease, sin... he has power over them all.
Read Matthew 8:18-9:7.
If everything he does for us, is out of love for us...
Will you obey?
Pastor John Keating
Matthew 8:2-17
Jesus is not limited by time, space or distance.
Jesus has ways to heal, even if it's not how you scripted it or how you imagined it to be.
Jesus is close, he's able and HE is willing...
Read Matthew 8:5-17
Do you seek healing?
Are you willing?
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus' 40 day preparation
Principle #1 - You aren't ready for a restart, until you have done the work of the reset.
Principle #2 - Restarts don't change things unless the reset has changed things.
Read Matthew 4:1-11
Read Psalm 40
The author of Hebrews points to Jesus' purposeful obedience to the will of God.
Are you prepared?
Pastor David Morrison
Matthew 2:1-23
As Jesus' story continues - what is the significance of the star & the Magi?
-The Star identifies the Messiah
-God reveals himself in unexpected places & to unexpected people
-He goes to people who are willing & humble
-Unexpected Revelation should lead to generous worship
-Jesus joins me in Egypt
-Jesus leads me to freedom, in spite of myself
-Jesus is leading you out of Egypt, because he went there first & won the battles...
Read Luke 4:18-19
Pastor Dale Benson
Luke 2:1-20
In a world filled with rejection. . . Jesus wants to bring acceptance
Rejection to Acceptance
In a world filled with scorn. . . Jesus wants to bring love
Scorn to Love
In a world filled with darkness. . . Jesus wants to bring hope
Darkness to Hope
The hope for the world is found in the Christ who came 2000 years ago to a young girl and her betrothed.
Pastor Dale Benson
Luke 1:39-45
Mary & Joseph's story continues...
Read Luke 1:39-45
-God is behind you, goes ahead of you, and is with you.
-God never calls you to somewhere.
(Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)
Read James 1:2
Sometimes God prepares the way for us.
Sometimes God prepares us for the way.
Pastor Dale Benson
Matthew 1:1-25
In Joseph's story, he feels betrayed. But he is righteous.
Read Matthew 1:18-19
A.
-Joseph’s genealogy was full of great people of faith to give him great pride.
-Joseph’s genealogy was full of enough terrible sinners to give him great humility.
B.
-Joseph knew the law enough to know how to keep the law.
-Joseph knew the heart of God enough to know how to keep the spirit of the law.
C.
-Joseph listened to God.
-Joseph submitted to the will of God.
God wants to save you...
-from your past
-from your present
-from yourself
Pastor John Keating
Luke 1:26-38
"Vision 2020" - Hindsight is 2020...this year has certainly been Unexpected.
- The Christmas Story - the story of Mary (Matthew 1:18)
Mary is confused & has many questions - but she is favored by God. * Favor is not for status, it's for service.
Our calling from the Lord should make us uncomfortable - we are called to bring Christ into our world.
How can God use you to bring hope to our community today?
Matthew 6:25-34
Today, we learn some truth from God’s Word and weapons to help you battle worry and anxiety.
- We are most often torn between reality and some anxiety about the future.
- Or are we torn between reality and some anxiety from our past?
Implementation:
- Seek First The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness
(Philippians 4:4-8)
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REJOICE - Praise
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PRAY - Petition
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THANKS - Thanksgiving
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FIX YOUR MIND on Philippians 4:8
Read the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and read the Book of Acts.
Begin a "Worry Journal"
Matthew 6:24
"Some men's lives are a long experiment of how far they can serve the two." -Charles Spurgeon
Jesus wants your whole heart
We give out of obedience to God - knowing that when we give, our heart follows.
Entre Leadership (Dave Ramsey)
How to be a success: 1) Be generous in every area of your life, 2) Read the story: The Tortoise and The Hare
Biblical principles about money:
- (Your) Money is a Tool (a tool to use, not an idol to worship)
- How you handle your money has eternal consequences
Matthew 6: 22-23
You can tell a lot about a person, by simply looking in their eyes.
Healthy vs Unhealthy (NIV, NET, NRSV)
Clear vs Bad (NASB)
Good vs Bad (NKJV)
Single vs Evil (KJV)
Sound vs Not Sound (RSV)
Stingy: "Evil of Eye" - Proverbs 23:6 - Don't eat with people who are stingy; don't desire their delicacies.
Greedy: "Evil of Eye" - Proverbs 28:22 - Greedy people try to get rich quick but don't realize they're headed for poverty.
Evidently the eyes are the windows to the body...and the soul
Is your eye sound? Do you have a “good eye?” Does your eye see what God’s eye sees? Does it give light to your body, or is the light extinguished?
What does it mean for God to be our vision? It means that when we give, we not only give out of the prosperity he has shared with us. . . but when we give, we realize that we are actually giving back to him. . . Whenever you have done it to one of the least of these my brethren. . . you’ve done it unto me.
Matthew 6: 19-21
Jesus isn’t saying to despise your treasures, but to be a wise investor with the heavenly portfolio in mind.
We need to recognize our time on Earth is minimal. God never meant for material things to be your source of joy, meaning, or identity.
Jesus is aware of the status of your heavenly account. It’s important to keep an eternal perspective. What’s done for the Kingdom of God is what truly lasts.
Matthew 6
When you give, when you pray, when you fast.
Not IF…
The BODY is to do things publicly.
The INDIVIDUAL is to do things in private.
Give, pray, fast - together as a community.
Our Father will see…and reward.
Deuteronomy 15:11
Matthew 26:11
Jesus cares about our methods and motivation.
Why do we give? Why do we pray? Why do we fast?
To reap God’s grace, His heart, His likeness, His attributes.
Matthew 5:48
“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Telos
Teleios
What is a hammer created to be? What is a screwdriver created to be? What is a human being created to be?
We are created in the image of God. We are created to be like him.
-Teaching about revenge
-Teaching about love for our enemies
Jesus is attempting to teach us about the heart of God.
God loves all of His creation…You are created in the image of God.
Join us as Pastor David brings the word!
Matthew 5:17-32
Jesus provides us some Upside Down attitudes for life.
Murder - Matthew 5:21-26
"Emotions are a gauge, not a guide."
Emotions lead to attitudes, attitudes lead to actions.
How do I control my emotions before they become my actions?
· Pray
· Shut it out
Adultery & Divorce - Matthew 5:27-30
Jesus is concerned about the heart of the relationship & seeing people how He sees them.
Jesus wants us to focus on living with love.
He desires to know the heart behind our attitudes/motives (the heart of the matter).
Join us as we listen to Pastor Dale speak on The Beatitudes, pushing us to flip what we know "upside down" to experience the life that God has given us.
Matthew 5:7-12 || Matthew 7:28-29
Pastor John brings the word this week as he looks at Matthew 5:1-6 and asks, "Does your attitude bless others?"
Pastor Fuller asks the question "Are you ready?" as we explore the book of Daniel to see how Daniel stayed the course and was continually faithful to God.
Only a faith that sustains you is a faith that can save you.
This week, Pastor Dale teaches us the importance of humbling ourselves before God, praying, seeking God's face, and turning from our wicked ways.
This week, Pastor Dale continues the conversation about the End of the World, and teaches how we are to live daily in the knowledge that God reigns!