Freedom Fellowship Church: Recent Episodes
Freedom Fellowship Church
Each week on the Freedom Fellowship Church podcast, you'll hear teaching from senior pastor James Gallaher or one of Freedom Fellowship Church's pastors. Get practical, relevant, biblical perspectives on topics that matter to you. Visit us at freedomnb.org to learn more about our church family!
What do you do when your faith feels weak and life seems beyond your control?
In Matthew 8:5–13, a Roman centurion approaches Jesus with a desperate need and a remarkable confession: “Just say the word.” He understands that Jesus doesn’t need greater effort, perfect circumstances, or even physical proximity to act—His word carries complete authority.
In this message, Pastor Charlie Kim explores why genuine faith cannot be manufactured through religious effort, biblical knowledge, or willpower. Faith grows as we turn from self-reliance, come honestly to Jesus, and learn to trust the power of His word.
Discover how trusting God’s promises can bring true rest in the middle of anxiety, uncertainty, struggling relationships, and circumstances you cannot fix on your own.
Scripture: Matthew 8:5–13; Matthew 16:15–17; Isaiah 55
We've looked at Sabbath as a gift of time (Genesis 2) and a claim on our talent (Mark 2) — but there's a third movement Scripture won't let us skip: Sabbath as a claim on our treasure. In Exodus 16, Israel is free from slavery but still grumbling, convinced God won't provide. God's answer isn't a lecture — it's manna. Daily bread, no stockpiling, and a double portion on the sixth day so rest costs nothing.
In this message, we ask the question at the center of Sabbath: do we trust God for our provision, or are we quietly relying on our own self-sufficiency? This is part 4 of our Everyday Sabbath series, tracing time, talent, and treasure as the three biblical movements of true rest.
We all know Psalm 23 by heart — so why don't we feel it? In this conversation, we go deeper into Part 3 of Everyday Sabbath, unpacking why rest is something God defines and gives, not something we can strive our way into. We talk honestly about the moving target of "if I can just get there" — the next job, the next milestone, the next season — and what it actually costs to keep chasing it instead of surrendering. If you've ever felt like rest is always one step further away, this one's for you.
What made the early church in Acts 2:42 so different from the same group of believers just one chapter earlier in Acts 1? Same people, same devotion, same activities — but something was missing.
In this message, Pastor Charlie Kim walks through the early church's rhythm of devotion — to God's Word, to true fellowship (koinonia), to communion, and to prayer — and asks a hard question: are we trying to produce what only the Holy Spirit can produce, through our own effort?
Using the contrast between Acts 1 and Acts 2, Pastor Charlie unpacks why spiritual disciplines like Sabbath were never meant to be the end goal — they're meant to open our lives to the Holy Spirit's work. Real transformation doesn't come from doing more; it comes from returning to the source.
Session one of our 40-day Everyday Sabbath series.
We've traded real community for something thinner — shared interests, social connection, a sense of belonging — and called it good enough. But Scripture points to something deeper: koinonia.
Starting in Acts 2, we unpack what biblical community actually requires: sacrificial love, accountability, bearing one another's burdens, and a relationship with Jesus that spills over into how we treat each other.
In a season marked by a loneliness epidemic, this message names what's missing and points the way back.
Why did Jesus expect His followers to fast—and what if we've misunderstood it all along?
For many Christians, fasting feels intimidating, outdated, or simply unnecessary. But throughout Scripture, fasting was never about earning God's favor or proving your spirituality. It was about creating space to seek God with greater dependence, humility, and intentionality.
In this conversation, Pastor James explores why Jesus said "when you fast," what fasting actually changes, how spiritual disciplines can quietly become empty routines, and why practices like fasting still matter in a culture built around comfort and instant gratification.
Whether you've fasted for years or have never considered it before, this episode will challenge you to think less about giving something up—and more about what God may want to do within you.
Sabbath isn't a rule to keep — it's a person to know. In this message, we dig into Matthew 11:25–12:14, the passage that reveals what Jesus really meant when he said, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We'll look at why the Pharisees turned Sabbath into a list of do's and don'ts, why Jesus blew the doors off that system, and what it means for him to be Lord of the Sabbath today.
Abide. Rest. Repeat. That is what we mean when we say "Life At God's Pace."
Key Scripture: Matthew 11:25–12:14
Are you running on empty, always just one more thing away from finally being able to rest? In Part 22 of the Everyday Disciple series, we take a closer look at one of the most misunderstood commandments in Scripture — Sabbath. This isn't just a rule to follow; it's a gift God designed for your soul. We'll explore what Sabbath actually means (hint: it's so much more than a day off), why so many of us make excuses to avoid it, and what happens when we keep chasing rest in all the wrong places. Drawing from Genesis, Exodus, Deuteronomy, Mark, and Philippians, this message will challenge you to stop redefining God's gifts on your own terms — and start receiving the peace, provision, and presence He's been offering all along.
📖 Scriptures Referenced: Genesis 2:2–3 | Exodus 20:8–11 | Deuteronomy 5:12–15 | Isaiah 56:2 | Mark 2:27–28 | Philippians 4:4–8
🔔 Subscribe for weekly messages and follow along with the Everyday Disciple series.
What if the problem isn't that you need more faith?
In this message from our Everyday Disciple series, we explore one of the most foundational characteristics of a follower of Jesus: faith toward God. When the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith, His answer wasn't about having bigger faith—it was about learning to trust the right Person.
Through Luke 17, Hebrews 11, and Hebrews 12, we discover that faith is not simply believing God for blessings. Real faith is developed through dependence, perseverance, discipline, and trust when circumstances don't go as planned. The greatest examples of faith in Scripture weren't people who avoided hardship—they were people who trusted God through it.
If you've ever wondered why prayers seem unanswered, why your vision feels delayed, or why God allows difficult seasons, this message offers a powerful perspective on how God uses trials to build a faith that endures.
Scriptures:
- Luke 17:1-6
- Hebrews 6:1
- Hebrews 11
- Hebrews 12:5-11
- 1 Peter 4:12-14
- Romans 8:28
In Part 20 of the Everyday Disciple series, we continue through Jesus' Sermon on the Mount by examining Matthew 5:13-16. Following the Beatitudes, Jesus describes His followers as the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill.
Salt preserves, heals, and adds value. In the same way, believers are called to stand against spiritual decay and bring God's healing presence into a broken world. Light illuminates the path for others, not by drawing attention to itself, but by reflecting Christ. Jesus reminds us that every disciple has been given this light and is called to shine it openly. Like a city on a hill, our lives should provide hope, direction, and a visible testimony of God's work.
This message emphasizes that discipleship is not about trying harder but about allowing Christ's life to be lived through us. True influence begins with a surrendered heart, is demonstrated first in our private lives, and extends outward through acts of compassion, service, and faithful witness. As followers of Jesus, we are called to help others find hope by pointing them to Him.
What does a true follower of Jesus actually look like? In this message from Matthew 5, we continue through the Beatitudes as Jesus paints a picture of Kingdom people—merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and willing to endure persecution for righteousness.
This teaching explores forgiveness, mercy, repentance, purity of heart, reconciliation, and what it means to choose Jesus over the comforts and approval of the world. The Beatitudes are more than inspiring sayings—they are the marks of a life being transformed by Christ.
Scripture: Matthew 5:1–12
What does it actually look like to live as a citizen of God’s Kingdom?
In this message from Matthew 5, Pastor Charlie walks through the opening words of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and unpacks the first four Beatitudes. Together, we explore what it means to be poor in spirit, to mourn over sin, to walk in meekness, and to hunger and thirst for righteousness.
This message challenges the self-sufficient mindset our culture celebrates and calls us back to a life of humility, repentance, dependence on God, and transformation through the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom of God is not built on pride, performance, or self-promotion—it’s built on surrender.
If you’ve ever wondered what genuine discipleship actually looks like, this message is a powerful invitation to rethink the kind of life Jesus calls blessed.
Why would Jesus intentionally travel through Samaria—a place most Jews avoided—to meet one woman at a well? In this message from John 4, we see Jesus pursue someone society rejected, shame isolated, and religion overlooked.
The Samaritan woman thought she was hiding her pain, her past, and her brokenness—but Jesus met her there with truth, grace, and living water. This message is a reminder that no matter where you fall on the spectrum—like Nicodemus, who seemed to have it all together, or the woman at the well, who felt disqualified—Jesus still comes for you.
If shame, secret sin, regret, or spiritual exhaustion have kept you hiding, this message will remind you that Jesus knows exactly where you are—and He still offers healing, purpose, and freedom.
Most people know The Gospel of John 3:16—but far fewer understand the conversation that came before it.
In this message, we unpack Jesus’ late-night encounter with Nicodemus, a respected religious leader filled with questions, skepticism, and spiritual curiosity. Jesus reveals that salvation cannot be earned through knowledge, morality, or personal effort—it requires complete surrender and spiritual rebirth.
This message challenges cultural versions of faith that redefine God’s love while avoiding repentance, and reminds us why the cross was necessary in the first place. If you’ve ever wrestled with doubt, struggled to surrender control, or wondered what it truly means to be “born again,” this message is for you.
Why did Jesus flip tables in the temple—and what was He actually confronting?
In this message from our Everyday Disciple series, we explore one of the most misunderstood moments in Jesus’ ministry. His anger wasn’t random, reckless, or unhinged. He was removing the things that were preventing people from encountering God.
The same question confronts us today: what have we allowed to become normal in our lives that’s quietly pushing out prayer, worship, intimacy with God, and even our ability to help others encounter Him?
Jesus doesn’t just convert what was dead and make it new—He also lovingly cleanses what doesn’t belong. If you’ve felt spiritually stagnant, comfortable with compromise, or stuck in religious routine, this message is an invitation to let Jesus search your heart and make room for more of His presence.
What does it actually mean to be holy?
In this message from 1 Peter 1:13–21, we discover that holiness isn’t just about being a better person—it’s about belonging to God. Through Jesus, we’ve been redeemed and set apart for a completely different way of living.
If you’ve ever felt like faith is just about trying harder or fixing your behavior, this message will reset your understanding. True transformation doesn’t start with performance—it starts with identity.
Because when you know who you belong to, it changes everything about how you live.
What if the biggest barrier between you and breakthrough isn’t God’s ability—but your willingness to ask?
In this message from John 2, we explore Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana and uncover a powerful truth: before Jesus moves, He often asks a question—“What are you seeking?” Through Mary’s faith, the servants’ obedience, and Jesus’ invitation, we see that God uses ordinary people, honest requests, and bold faith to do extraordinary things.
If you’ve been holding back, playing it safe, or only bringing God your smallest needs, this message will challenge you to step forward with confidence, surrender fully, and trust Him with what matters most.
Everything about Christianity rises or falls on one moment in history.
In this Easter message from Matthew 28, we explore the reality of the resurrection and why it’s not just a tradition—it’s the foundation of our faith. If Jesus didn’t rise, nothing matters. But if He did, it changes everything about your past, your present, and your future.
This message walks through the invitation given at the empty tomb: come and see for yourself—and once you do, you can’t help but go and tell. Whether you’re skeptical, searching, or ready to follow Jesus, this is an invitation to respond to what the resurrection really means for you.
On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus wasn’t just heading toward the cross—He was pursuing people. In this powerful Palm Sunday message from Luke 19, we see how Jesus stops for a man everyone else overlooked. Zacchaeus had wealth, status, and success, yet something was still missing.
This message reveals a truth we all wrestle with: nothing in this world can satisfy the deep longing in our souls—only a relationship with Jesus can. And when Jesus calls, the response is simple but costly: humility, surrender, and stepping out of hiding.
If you’ve ever wondered if Jesus sees you, knows you, or could love someone like you… this message is for you.
What does it actually look like to be an everyday disciple of Jesus? In this message, we explore a practical, relational vision for sharing the gospel—not as salespeople trying to close a deal, but as witnesses of what Jesus has done in our lives. From meals and conversations to prayer and presence, this teaching calls believers to live the gospel in a lonely world and join God in what He is already doing around them.
For many, Christianity stops at forgiveness—but that was never the full story. Jesus didn’t just save us from something… He saved us into a new life with Him.
In this message from our Everyday Disciple series, we explore what true spiritual growth looks like and how it actually happens.
You’ll discover:
- Why discipleship is more than just belief
- What it meant to follow a rabbi in Jesus’ time
- Why “being with Jesus” comes before doing anything for Him
- The danger of reducing the gospel to forgiveness alone
- How to arrange your daily life to grow in Christ
- A simple framework: Read, Reflect, Respond, Rest
Spiritual transformation isn’t about trying harder or doing nothing—it’s about intentionally placing yourself in proximity to Jesus and letting Him change you.
What are you really seeking in life?
In this message from the Everyday Disciples series, we look at Jesus’ first recorded interaction with His disciples in John 1 and the powerful question He asks: “What are you seeking?” This question goes beyond curiosity. It exposes the deepest desires of the human heart.
Through the calling of Andrew, Peter, and the first disciples, we discover three key realities of discipleship:
- Jesus examines what our hearts truly seek
- Jesus gives us a new identity beyond our past
- Jesus calls us to follow Him and invite others to “come and see.”
Whether you’re new to faith, wrestling with your past, or learning how to share the gospel with others, this message will challenge and encourage you to take the next step in following Jesus.
Why does the enemy attack our identity first?
In Matthew 4, Jesus is led into the wilderness immediately after the Father declares, “This is My beloved Son.” And the first words Satan speaks are, “If you are the Son of God…” The battle wasn’t about power—it was about identity.
In this message from the Everyday Disciples series, we explore how the enemy still uses the same tactic today: placing question marks where God has already spoken clearly. When we compare, doubt, or demand proof of God’s love, we step into the same wilderness battle. But like Jesus, we overcome by standing on the truth of God’s Word—not our feelings, failures, or fears.
If you’ve been questioning your calling, your worth, or God’s goodness in your life, this message is for you.
What does it truly mean to follow Jesus—not just in belief, but in surrender?
In this message from the Everyday Disciple series, we look at Jesus’ baptism in Matthew 3 and discover that repentance isn’t just a one-time event—it’s the ongoing posture of every disciple. Repentance is more than feeling sorry. It’s a complete turning of the heart, a surrender of our way of life in exchange for His.
Jesus didn’t need to repent, yet He was baptized to identify with us and model the posture of surrender. Through His example, we see that repentance opens the door to intimacy with the Father, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the assurance of our identity as beloved sons and daughters.
If you’ve ever struggled with letting go, wondered why change feels so hard, or questioned how to walk fully with God, this message will challenge and encourage you.
In this message, you’ll discover:
Why repentance is the first word of the gospel
How surrender unlocks freedom and transformation
What Jesus’ baptism reveals about your identity and relationship with God
How to move from regret to real spiritual change
Many Christians feel unqualified to share their faith, believing they need more knowledge, better answers, or stronger arguments. But throughout Scripture, the people who made the greatest impact weren’t experts. They were ordinary disciples who simply invited others to meet Jesus.
In this message, we explore the difference between a rational gospel built on argument and a relational gospel built on invitation, and why relationships remain the most powerful way people encounter Christ today. Through biblical examples and personal stories, you’ll discover that you don’t need to be a theologian to fulfill the Great Commission. You simply need to be willing.
This message will help you:
• Overcome the fear of feeling unqualified
• Understand your personal role in making disciples
• See how simple invitations can change lives forever
• Embrace your calling as an everyday disciple
Jesus’ commission wasn’t just for pastors or experts. It was for you.
In a culture that celebrates big moments and loud faith, it’s easy to overlook the power of everyday obedience. This message explores how Jesus modeled a life of steady growth, quiet faithfulness, and surrendered trust—long before His public ministry ever began.
If you’ve ever felt discouraged by slow spiritual growth or pressured to prove your faith, this teaching invites you to rediscover how God forms deep, lasting discipleship through ordinary obedience in everyday life.
What if worship isn’t about emotion — but about choice?
In this powerful message on discipleship, we explore why worship is the very reason we were created, why it began before humanity existed, and why it remains the common language of God’s people today.
Using Jesus’ healing of the blind man as a starting point, this teaching reminds us that seeing God clearly changes how we love, live, and worship. Discipleship doesn’t start with activity — it starts with vision. When we understand who God truly is, worship becomes a natural response, not a religious routine.
You’ll discover:
• Why worship is a decision, not a feeling
• How seeing God rightly leads to freedom and bold faith
• Why humanity alone was created with the ability to worship
• How worship prepares our hearts to receive God’s Word
• Why worship is the first lesson every disciple must learn
Whether you’re new to faith or have followed Jesus for years, this message invites you to move from passive observation to active worship — and to step fully into your calling as a disciple.
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What does it really mean to be a disciple of Jesus?
In this message, we explore the heart of biblical discipleship through John 3:16 and Ephesians 2, discovering that following Jesus doesn’t begin with what we do—it begins with what God has already done. This teaching unpacks God’s rich mercy, His great love, and how true discipleship flows from receiving new life in Christ rather than striving in our own strength.
You’ll also hear how two subtle lies—self-sufficiency and self-condemnation—keep us from fully embracing Jesus’ invitation to learn from Him, and how God meets us with grace, compassion, and power right where we are. Whether you feel disqualified, worn down, or unsure of your next step, this episode points you back to the truth: God has made the first move, and He lovingly invites you into a life of discipleship rooted in mercy, not performance.
Everyday Disciple – Part 03: What Does the Gospel Require?
In Part 3 of the Everyday Disciple series, this message confronts a common misconception about Christianity — that following Jesus is simply an addition to our life rather than a surrender of our life.
Drawing from the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul and John, this episode explores what the gospel truly requires: repentance and faith — and what the gospel produces: obedience and spiritual fruit.
This message also establishes the importance of Scripture, the truth of the resurrection, and why the four Gospels are essential to understanding who Jesus really is. Discipleship is not about convenience or comfort — it is about transformation, surrender, and following Christ fully.
This is a call to real faith, real repentance, and real discipleship.
Key Themes:
- The cost of following Jesus
- Repentance and faith
- Obedience as the fruit of the gospel
- The truth of Scripture
- The resurrection as the foundation of our faith
- Understanding the four Gospels
Primary Scriptures: Matthew 4:17, Matthew 16:24, Romans 10:9, John 15, 1 Corinthians 15
What is a disciple — really?
In Part 2 of the Everyday Disciple series, this message establishes a clear and biblical foundation for discipleship. Drawing from Jesus’ final command in Matthew 28 and His teachings in the Gospel of John, we explore what it truly means to follow Christ.
This episode dismantles common misconceptions about discipleship being based on spiritual performance, religious activity, or personal achievement. Instead, it reveals discipleship as a relational journey of abiding in Jesus, receiving His love, walking in freedom, and bearing fruit through the power of the Holy Spirit.
This is a call for every believer — not to strive harder — but to stay closer.
Key Themes:
- Discipleship as relationship, not performance
- Abiding in Christ
- Living in His love
- Spiritual freedom
- Bearing lasting fruit
Primary Scriptures: Matthew 28:19–20, John 8:31–32, John 13:34–35, John 15:7–8
This episode launches our Everyday Disciple series with a foundational question: What was Jesus’ true mission? Drawing from Luke 19 and the story of Zacchaeus, this message centers on Jesus’ declaration that He came to seek and save the lost—and what that means for us as His disciples today.
Through biblical teaching and personal testimony, this episode calls believers to move beyond passive faith and into intentional pursuit. It challenges us to examine our priorities, our willingness to engage people with compassion, and our obedience to the Great Commission.
This is a call to reorient our lives around the heart of Jesus and to live as disciples who actively reflect His mission in everyday life.
Key Themes:
- The mission of Jesus
- God’s heart for the lost
- Intentional discipleship
- Compassion over convenience
- Living out the Gospel daily
Primary Scripture: Luke 19:1–10
As we stand in the space between one year and the next, this message invites us to rethink what success truly means in God’s Kingdom. Drawing from Jesus’ call to Peter in Luke 5, we’re reminded that success is not measured by results, productivity, or effort—but by radical obedience to Jesus.
Whether in our families, our work, or our faith, this message calls us to surrender control, trust Christ’s voice, and follow Him wholeheartedly. When we obey Jesus, we discover that He is the one who brings fruit, transformation, and purpose beyond anything we could produce on our own.
In the busyness of the Christmas season, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Advent calls us to slow down, remember, and center our hearts on Jesus—the Light who came into the world.
In this short Advent message, we explore the meaning of the Christ candle and why intentional family rhythms of remembrance matter. Whether you’re celebrating Advent for the first time or looking for a simple way to refocus your Christmas, this message points us back to the hope, light, and salvation found in Christ alone.
On a Sunday filled with families and children, we pause to reflect on God’s heart for the next generation. Drawing from the story of Mary, the words of Scripture, and the realities parents face today, this message reminds us that children are not a burden to manage—but a gift entrusted to us by a faithful God.
As parents, grandparents, and people of influence, we are invited to lay down our anxieties, release our ambitions, and trust God’s counsel over our own plans. In a world that feels increasingly uncertain, this message calls us back to confidence rooted in God’s promises, the power of community, and the peace that only Jesus can give.
Our culture is overwhelmed with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty—but Scripture offers more than temporary relief. It offers hope, direction, and purpose.
In this message, Dr. Valson Abraham unpacks God’s promise from Deuteronomy 31:8: “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.” This promise is not only an antidote to fear—it is an invitation into a fuller, bolder life with God.
Through the final words of Moses to Joshua, we see that God’s faithfulness does not remove challenges, but it redefines what is possible. When we truly believe that God goes before us and walks with us, fear begins to lose its grip, confidence is renewed, and our vision for the future expands.
Dr. Abraham poses a challenging and hope-filled question: What would you attempt if you knew God would always be with you—and that He would bring success? This question moves us beyond survival and into the abundant life Jesus offers—a life marked by trust, obedience, and courageous faith.
Whether you’re feeling stuck by fear, standing at a crossroads, or longing to live with deeper purpose, this message invites you to remember God’s past faithfulness, trust His present presence, and step boldly into what He is calling you to next.
Join Pastor Charlie as he explores one of the most overlooked yet profound passages in Scripture: the genealogy of Jesus in Luke 3. From Adam to the promised Messiah, this message reveals how God’s faithfulness and redemption unfold across history, even through 400 years of silence.
In this Advent message, you’ll discover:
- The significance of Jesus’ genealogy and what it teaches us about God’s plan
- How hope, redemption, and restoration have been woven through history
- Why Jesus is both the Son of God and the Son of Man, identifying with our struggles
If you’re longing for hope this Christmas season, this message will remind you that God has been at work all along—and that His ultimate gift, Jesus, brings redemption and life.
Scripture references: Luke 3, Genesis, Exodus, Hebrews 4:15
When shame takes over, most of us do the same thing Adam and Eve did—we hide. But in Galatians 6, Paul gives us a radically different vision for the people of God: a community where the fallen are restored, burdens are carried together, and gentleness—not judgment—marks every step.
In this message, Pastor James unpacks what it really means to restore someone who’s been overtaken by sin, why so many believers struggle alone, and how the cross of Jesus shapes the way we treat those who are hurting. If you’ve ever felt isolated, overwhelmed, or unsure how to help someone who’s struggling, this teaching will speak directly to your heart.
What you’ll learn:
• Why shame drives us into hiding—and why the gospel calls us out
• What “gentle restoration” looks like in real life
• How Jesus restores us and empowers us to restore others
• Why community is essential for healing and spiritual growth
• How to carry each other’s burdens without becoming prideful or harsh
Whether you’re fighting a private battle or walking with someone who is, this message will remind you of the hope, freedom, and restoration Jesus offers.
This message from Galatians 5 confronts one of the biggest misunderstandings in the Christian life—what freedom in Christ is really for. While the flesh wants to use freedom as permission to serve ourselves, Scripture insists that true freedom leads us into love, service, unity, and Spirit-led living. Pastor James unpacks Paul’s warning against biting and devouring one another, the ongoing battle between flesh and Spirit, and the transforming call to crucify the old self daily. This sermon paints a compelling picture of what happens when believers plant their lives in the soil of grace and bear fruit that blesses the world around them. Ultimately, freedom in Christ is not the right to do as we want—it’s the power to become who Jesus saved us to be.
This message from Galatians 5 exposes the subtle lie of transactional religion—the belief that God’s love can be earned through performance, behavior, or good works. Pastor Dennis confronts this modern form of legalism with the timeless truth of grace—God’s unearned, undeserved favor that transforms hearts and sets us free. Through Scripture, reflection, and vivid storytelling, we’re reminded that grace isn’t a reward for effort but a gift that overcomes shame, self-sufficiency, and striving. This message invites believers to move from trying to earn God’s approval to resting in His abundant, tailor-made grace that produces true freedom, humility, and love.
In “Who Called You?” Pastor James challenges believers to examine whether their faith is still rooted in the grace of Christ—or if it’s drifted toward self-effort, distraction, or deception. Drawing from Galatians 5:1–10, he paints the Christian life as a race that must be run with purpose, truth, and endurance, not passivity or performance. This message urges listeners to return to the pure gospel of Jesus, to discern the voices that shape their walk, and to live a faith that is visibly alive—evident in love, perseverance, and obedience. Ultimately, it’s a call to remember that the One who began the work is the One who calls, equips, and sustains us to the finish line.
In this message from Galatians 5, Pastor James reminds us that Christ didn’t set us free so we could try harder—He set us free so we could live in grace. Legalism always looks like love lost. When our faith becomes about earning instead of receiving, we fall from grace, even if our lives look “good” on the outside. True faith, Paul says, works through love.
In this message, we’re challenged to examine whether our faith is producing love, humility, and unity—or rules, pride, and division. Because only when our faith is rooted in grace will our lives overflow with love that draws others to Christ.
Key Scriptures:
Galatians 5:1–12, 1 Corinthians 13, James 5:16
Core Quote:
“If your faith isn’t evident through love, you don’t have real faith.”
Are you fighting for the wrong kind of freedom?
In Galatians 5:1-6, Paul reminds us that Jesus didn’t set us free so we could do whatever we want. He set us free from the endless striving to earn God’s love.
In this message, Pastor James exposes how easily we trade the grace of Christ for the chains of self-effort. We talk about:
- The difference between liberty and loyalty
- Why even “good things” can become spiritual idols
- How to stand firm in grace when life gets hard
- What true freedom looks like in a world obsessed with control
If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough for God, this message is for you.
Millions turn to self-help for answers—yet still feel empty, stuck, and striving. In this week’s conversation, we look at Galatians 4–5 and uncover why self-effort can never earn God’s love or bring lasting change.
True freedom isn’t about working harder, fixing yourself, or keeping up appearances—it’s about trusting the One who already did the work for you.
If you’ve ever wondered:
- Why do I still feel restless no matter what I try?
- Why isn’t self-help enough to change me?
- How do I find freedom that lasts?
This message will meet you right there. Discover the life-giving freedom Jesus offers—a freedom to rest, to trust, and to love beyond what you could ever manufacture on your own.
Looking in the mirror shows you what’s wrong—but it can’t make you clean. Paul says the law works the same way: it exposes our sin but can’t remove it. In Galatians 3–4, we discover the life-changing truth that only Jesus has the power to redeem us, break the chains of shame, and make us new.
In this message, you’ll learn:
- Why the law reveals guilt but can’t bring freedom
- How Jesus cleanses what rules never could
- What it means to be adopted as God’s child
- The path from striving to true grace
If you’ve ever felt trapped by guilt, shame, or the weight of trying harder, this message shows how to finally live free in Christ.
We all know the feeling of never measuring up—of trying harder, doing more, and still carrying the weight of failure and shame. In Galatians 3, Paul confronts the lie that God’s love is earned by following rules or living perfectly. Pastor Dennis Gallaher shares how Jesus breaks the chains of condemnation and offers us freedom—not through religion, but through His grace. This message will challenge you to stop striving and start receiving, to exchange judgment for love, and to live in the transformation only the Spirit can bring.
Are you worn out from trying to measure up? Do you feel like no matter how hard you try, you’re never good enough for God?
In this message from Galatians 2, we uncover the greatest tool the enemy has used against believers—legalism—and the life-changing truth that Paul declares: “It is all grace.”
You’ll discover:
- Why legalism is spiritual bondage that leaves you exhausted and ashamed.
- The difference between transactional religion and a relational walk with Jesus.
- How to live out Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
- What it means to stop “posing” and experience true transformation through the Holy Spirit.
Key Scripture: Galatians 2:11–21, Galatians 4:6, Romans 7–8
Big Idea: You don’t have to try harder. You don’t have to be good enough. Jesus has already done it all. Grace is costly, but it’s free to you.
If you’re weary of religion and longing for freedom, this message will give you hope, direction, and the invitation to rest in Christ.
What happens when we add anything to the gospel?
In this message from Galatians 2, we explore Paul’s confrontation with the Judaizers—those who taught that Jesus wasn’t enough unless believers also kept the law. Pastor unpacks Paul’s story, his miraculous conversion, his years of preparation, and his defense of the true gospel: salvation through Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone.
This sermon is more than a history lesson—it’s a call to unity in the church today. Paul’s example challenges us to resist division, hold fast to the truth, and remember that what God desires most is our hearts, not our customs.
Key Points
- Paul’s dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9)
- The role of Barnabas (“son of encouragement”) in Paul’s ministry beginnings
- The Jerusalem Council: why the gospel is Jesus + nothing (Acts 15; Galatians 2)
- God looks at the heart, not outward customs or traditions
- The danger of division in the church and the call to unity
- The truth: salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone
Scriptures Referenced
- Galatians 1–2
- Acts 6–9; Acts 15
- Psalm 139:23–24 (“Search me, O God, and know my heart…”)
- John 14:6 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life…”)
Paul doesn’t waste time with pleasantries—he jumps straight into one of the most urgent warnings in Scripture: there is no other gospel. The churches in Galatia had started strong, but soon fell prey to voices that distorted the truth of Christ’s finished work.
In this message from Galatians 1, we explore:
Why even the smallest additions or subtractions turn the gospel into “no gospel at all.”
How Paul’s own story proves the gospel comes from God, not man.
Why truth must matter to the Church today in a culture of “your truth” and shifting values.
How the good news can be summed up: by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.
If you’ve ever felt trapped by performance, guilt, or the pressure to “do more” to earn God’s love, this message will set you free with the unshakable truth of the gospel.
Scripture: Galatians 1:6–10, Ephesians 2:8–9, John 14:6, Romans 6:23
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The churches in Galatia had received the gospel from Paul himself—yet they quickly turned to a distorted message that said Jesus wasn’t enough. In this message from our series in Galatians, we uncover why Paul was so shocked and why this warning still matters today.
Discover:
Why grace alone is the foundation of our faith.
The danger of adding “Jesus + something” to the gospel.
How to stand firm against cultural and religious pressure to earn God’s favor.
If you’ve ever struggled with feeling like you’re “not enough” or wondered if God’s grace really covers you, this message will point you back to the sufficiency of Christ and the freedom only He brings.
Scripture: Galatians 1:1–14
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This sermon begins a series on the Book of Galatians, stressing that the type of gospel one believes determines the kind of disciple one becomes. The preacher encourages the audience to reflect on whether they are living by the true gospel of grace or turning to a different, works-based gospel. Two main realities are presented: the world’s need for rescue and the church’s need to remain in the true gospel.
Key Points
- The World Needs Rescue
- The human condition is one of bondage to sin and death, illustrated through Exodus 3:7–10, where God expresses concern and intent to rescue Israel from Egypt.
- This points to the larger biblical narrative of God rescuing all humanity through Jesus Christ, fulfilling His compassionate promise.
- The Gospel in Galatians 1
- Galatians 1:1–5 summarizes the gospel: Jesus gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to God’s will.
- Sin is not merely bad actions but rejecting God; the result is separation and the just judgment of God (Romans 6:23).
- Jesus, as the perfect sacrifice, bore our punishment, satisfied God’s justice (Romans 3:25), and made forgiveness possible by His atoning death and resurrection.
- Jesus’ Rescue: More than Forgiveness
- The rescue Jesus offers is freedom from sin’s dominion and new life in God’s kingdom (Colossians 1:13–14).
- This new life is available now, not only in the future, and involves living as free people under Christ’s kingship.
- God’s Motivation: Grace and Love
- God’s actions are not out of need or self-interest, but pure love and grace—He desires relationship, not obligation (Ephesians 2:8–9 is alluded to).
- The impression of God as distant or self-seeking is a distortion; He is fundamentally self-giving and loving.
- Warning Against a Different Gospel
- Paul warns the Galatians about turning to a “different gospel,” which promotes reliance on law-keeping and self-effort alongside or instead of Christ’s grace (Galatians 1:6–9).
- Legalism is described as an attitude and lifestyle of earning God’s favor, leading to self-righteousness, striving, and spiritual bondage.
- The opposite of grace is “earning”—trusting in personal effort rather than Jesus’ completed work.
- Call to Live by Faith, Not Self-Effort
- True Christian living is by faith, not works—“The life I now live… I live by faith in the Son of God” (Galatians 2:20, key verse).
- Faith means trusting God’s word regardless of feelings or circumstances and daily choosing to depend on Christ.
- By grace through faith, believers gain a new identity as children of God, experience true freedom, and are empowered by the Spirit for godly living.
Key Scriptures Mentioned
- Galatians 1:1–9 | Gospel of grace, warning against another gospel
- Exodus 3:7–10 | God hears, cares, and acts to rescue
- Romans 6:23 | The wages of sin is death
- Romans 3:25 | Jesus as sacrifice of atonement
- Colossians 1:13–14 | Rescue from darkness, redemption in Christ
- Galatians 2:20 | Living by faith in the Son of God
Application and Reflection
- The sermon points to the necessity of self-examination: Are believers living by the true gospel or by self-effort?
- Faith is practical daily trust in Jesus, resulting in a secure, free, and transformed life.
- The speaker ends with an invitation to respond in faith and surrender, opening the way to ongoing transformation by the Holy Spirit.
In Luke 10, Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan—a story most of us think is about doing good works. But what if the deeper truth is that Jesus Himself is the Good Samaritan? He is the One who crossed the road when we were left for dead in sin, lifted us out of the ditch, and carried us to safety. He entrusted us to His Church—the inn—with the promise: “Take care of him, and when I return, I will repay you” (Luke 10:35).
This message calls us to live faithfully in that in-between space: between Christ’s rescue at the cross and His return in glory.
Key Points
- Jesus is the True Samaritan
- Compassion is the heartbeat of His ministry (Mark 6:34).
- He crossed the road for us when religion and good works could not save (Luke 10:33–34).
- The Church is the Inn
- We are entrusted to care for the wounded and broken until His return (Luke 10:35).
- This is not optional—it’s our mission and calling (Acts 2:42–47).
- The Call to Compassion
- Compassion moves us beyond agreement, convenience, or theology into action (Colossians 3:12).
- Every believer can “cross the road” for someone else.
- Generosity as Eternal Investment
- Earthly wealth will fail, but generosity “sends it ahead” into eternity (Luke 16:9).
- Our giving fuels the mission of the Gospel, planting churches and reaching the lost (Matthew 6:19–21).
- The Promise of His Return
- Scripture mentions the Second Coming over 1,500 times; Jesus tells us to be ready (Matthew 24:42; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).
- He comes both to judge (2 Thessalonians 1:7–10) and to reward (2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10).
- Living in Readiness
- We are called to store up treasures in heaven through lives changed by the Gospel (Matthew 6:20).
- Our mission is to live missional, relational, and compassionate lives until He comes (Luke 21:27–28).
Summary
Living between the rescue and the return means carrying out the mission Jesus has given us with urgency, generosity, and compassion. We are to be the inn that cares for the broken, the neighbor who crosses the road, and the Church that keeps watch, knowing that one day He will come again—bringing both judgment and reward.
In this message, Dr. Clem Ferris reveals the often-overlooked “invisible character” in Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan—the Holy Spirit. Using the imagery of oil and wine, Dr. Clem shows how Jesus equips His followers with supernatural and practical resources so we can “go and do likewise” without relying on our own strength. Learn how rest is not inactivity, but Spirit-empowered readiness to meet the needs around you.
Key Scriptures:
- Luke 10:25–37 – The Good Samaritan
- Matthew 28:18–20 – Jesus’ commission and presence
- Acts 1:8 – The Holy Spirit’s empowering
- John 14:16–17 – The promised Helper
Speaking Points:
- The Holy Spirit as the “invisible character” in the Good Samaritan story
- Oil and wine as symbols of healing, restoration, and Spirit empowerment
- Jesus equips us with both spiritual and practical resources
- “Go and do likewise” is an invitation to Spirit-led action, not self-reliance
- Rest positions us to serve from God’s strength, not burnout
We often think of rest as stopping—but Jesus shows us that rest is also how we respond when someone is hurting.
In this message from the Reframing Rest series, Pastor James unpacks the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10 and reveals what it looks like to live with enough margin to extend mercy. Real rest isn’t selfish—it’s full of compassion, provision, and presence.
Discover how the Samaritan’s generous care models the heart of God—and how we’re called to do the same.
💡 What You’ll Learn:
- Why margin and mercy go hand-in-hand
- How generosity can create rest for others
- The connection between spiritual rest and relational compassion
- What it means to “see” others like Jesus does
📖 Key Scriptures:
- Luke 10:25–37 (The Good Samaritan)
- Isaiah 58:6–12 (True rest through justice and compassion)
- Proverbs 19:17 (Generosity to the poor as lending to the Lord)
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What if rest wasn’t just about recharging... but about becoming ready to heal others?
In this week’s episode, Pastor James dives deep into the story of the Good Samaritan to explore how rest and compassion are intimately connected. You’ll learn why biblical rest creates margin for ministry—and how Jesus uses oil, wine, and bandages to show us what healing love looks like.
Whether you’re a lifelong believer or just exploring faith, this episode invites you to slow down, see people differently, and join Jesus in the sacred work of restoration.
Key Topics:
- Sabbath as preparation for compassion
- Understanding the symbolism of oil and wine
- The cost—and calling—of loving your neighbor
- Healing as a lifestyle of rest and obedience
Tune in now and rediscover what it means to rest with purpose.
Episode Title: The Test Of RestSeries: Reframing RestSpeaker: Pastor Dennis Gallaher
Main Idea:
True rest begins with trust.
We struggle to embrace rest because we don’t fully trust that God will provide, protect, or come through. Sabbath isn’t just about stopping—it’s about surrendering. It’s a test of trust that reminds us: God is enough, and we don’t have to hold everything together.
In This Message:
What if your restlessness isn’t just about your schedule… but your trust?
In this episode of Monday Moments, we look at the story of manna in the wilderness and how Sabbath rest was never just about sleep or recovery—it was about trust. Trusting that God will provide. Trusting that we don’t have to hustle to hold everything together. Trusting that when we stop, He doesn’t.
If you’ve ever struggled to rest without guilt, feared falling behind, or felt like stopping meant losing control—this episode is for you.
Key Points:
- Why rest is more about trust than time
- How the Sabbath exposes our fears and self-reliance
- What it means to live in the “daily bread” mindset
- How Sabbath is a countercultural resistance to burnout
Key Scriptures:
- Exodus 16:1–35
- Hebrews 3:7–4:11
- Psalm 127:1–2
Episode Title: When Rest Becomes ResistanceSeries: Reframing RestSpeaker: Pastor James Gallaher
In This Episode:
What if rest isn’t just for recovery—but for remembering?
In Part 2 of Reframing Rest, Pastor Dennis takes us deeper into the biblical concept of Sabbath—not as a break from life, but as a bold resistance to the world’s lies. In a culture obsessed with hustle, status, and distraction, Sabbath realigns our hearts with God’s truth.
Through Scripture and soul-searching questions, this episode explores how Sabbath reveals what we’ve forgotten: that our identity, value, and peace come not from what we do, but from who God is.
📌 Key Points:
- Sabbath is spiritual resistance against hustle, consumerism, and self-reliance.
- Rest is remembrance. God calls us to stop so we can remember what’s true.
- Our desires are shaped by what we continually consume—rest re-centers them on God.
- Sabbath is a weekly invitation to live as people set apart, not driven by culture’s demands.
- It’s not about doing nothing. It’s about doing what restores your soul in God’s presence.
📖 Key Scriptures:
- Exodus 20:8–11 – “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy…”
- Deuteronomy 5:15 – “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt…”
- Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world…”
- Matthew 11:28–30 – “Come to Me… and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 23:1–3 – “He makes me lie down… He restores my soul.”
Why do we resist rest?
In this episode, Pastor Charlie unpacks the biblical rhythm of Sabbath—and why we so often fight the very thing our souls are starving for. Rest isn’t laziness. It’s worship. And it’s not a reward for being productive—it’s a rhythm that reclaims our peace, trust, and identity.
📖 In This Episode:
- Why God rested even though He wasn’t tired
- How Sabbath reorients our identity in Christ
- The dangers of hustle culture and performative faith
- What it means to trust God enough to stop
This message may be the reset your soul has been waiting for.
Main Idea:
Sabbath isn’t just about stopping. It’s about trusting. God’s invitation to rest is a call to reframe how we view our identity, our pace, and our relationship with Him.
Key Scriptures:
- Hebrews 6:1–2
- Matthew 25:31–46
- Revelation 20:11–15
- 2 Peter 3:8–10
Key Points:
- God rested not because He was tired, but because He was finished.
- Sabbath is rooted in identity, not productivity.
- Rest is a declaration of trust: “God, I believe You can handle this without me.”
- The world says, “Hustle to prove yourself.” God says, “Rest to remember who you are.”
- Jesus reframes rest—not as a restriction, but as a rhythm for restoration.
Is God’s judgment something to fear… or something to trust?
In this week’s message, Pastor James challenges common assumptions about final judgment—and invites us to see it not as a threat, but as a promise. When we understand judgment through the lens of God's justice, we realize: He’s not just cleaning house—He’s setting things right.
Main Idea:
God’s final judgment isn’t just about wrath—it’s about restoring what’s right. Justice reveals His goodness, and trusting Him means living in light of eternity now.
📖 Key Scriptures:
Hebrews 6:1–2
Matthew 25:31–46
Revelation 20:11–15
2 Peter 3:8–10
🔑 Key Points:
Eternal judgment is a foundational truth of the Christian faith.
God’s justice and love are not opposites—they are perfectly unified.
Final judgment brings hope: God will restore all things and make wrongs right.
This isn’t just about eternity—it’s about how we live now.
Episode Title: The Eyes Of FaithSeries: Core ChristianitySpeaker: Pastor Bobby Hill
In This Episode:
What if the greatest battle in your life isn’t what you see—but what you can’t see? In this powerful message from 2 Kings 6, discover five key lessons from the story of Elisha and the Syrian army that will radically reshape how you face fear, make decisions, and trust God. This sermon challenges us to live with eyes of faith—trusting that God's presence and power are greater than what surrounds us.
This message, based on 2 Kings 6, unpacks the story of Elisha and the Syrian army to encourage believers to see life “through the eyes of faith.” Using the powerful moment when Elisha's servant sees the angelic army surrounding them, the speaker challenges listeners to look beyond the natural and into the spiritual. He unpacks five core lessons: God's omniscience, the power of hearing God's voice, how to handle fear, the reality of the spiritual realm, and the truth that God plus one is always a majority.
Main Idea:
We are called to live by faith, not by what we see—because God is working in the unseen.
Key Themes:
- Nothing is hidden from God – God sees and knows everything, even when we don’t.
- Hearing God's voice is powerful – Prophetic insight and spiritual sensitivity change outcomes.
- Don’t panic in the face of fear – Faith brings peace even in overwhelming situations.
- Spiritual realities are invisible to the natural eye – There are two realms, and we must learn to live in both.
- God + one is a majority – When you align with God, you're never outnumbered.
Scripture References:
- 2 Kings 6:8–23 (Primary passage)
Elisha and his servant are surrounded by the Syrian army. Elisha prays for the servant’s eyes to be opened to the spiritual reality: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.”
Foundational verse for the call to live beyond the visible. - Psalm 34:7
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and delivers them.”
Reinforces the truth of God’s unseen protection. - Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Defines faith as the ability to trust what we cannot yet see. - Romans 8:31
“If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Undergirds the idea that God + one is a majority.
Episode Title: The Antidote To AnxietySeries: Core ChristianitySpeaker: Pastor Dennis Gallaher
In This Episode:
Anxiety is one of the most normalized struggles in our culture—even inside the Church. But Scripture gives us a better way. In this message, Pastor Dennis walks through Philippians 4 to show how a lifestyle of gratitude doesn’t just lift our mood—it disarms worry and unlocks peace. If anxiety has become a familiar companion in your life, this episode offers biblical insight and a practical path toward lasting peace.
Main Idea:
Anxiety is real—but God gives us the antidote: prayer, thanksgiving, and trust. Peace isn’t just possible. It’s promised.
Key Themes:
- God’s prescription for anxiety: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving
- Why gratitude is a spiritual strategy, not just a feeling
- The difference between worldly peace and God’s peace
- How fear, control, and grief fuel anxiety
- What it means to guard your heart with God’s peace
Scripture References:
- Philippians 4:6–7
- Matthew 6:25–34
- John 14:27
- Psalm 55:22
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
- Isaiah 26:3
Episode Title: Extending Hands
Series: Core Christianity – Part 5
Speaker: Pastor James Gallaher
In This Episode:
The laying on of hands isn’t just for pastors. It’s a core part of how the Church functions—with healing, blessing, affirmation, and commissioning. But somewhere along the way, we outsourced it to the “professionals.” This message reclaims the simplicity, humility, and spiritual power of this biblical act—calling every believer to be the hands of Jesus in a world desperate for a touch from the Father.
Main Idea:The laying on of hands isn’t mystical—it’s foundational. It’s how we bless, heal, restore, and affirm one another in the name of Jesus.
Key Themes:
- The biblical pattern of laying on hands
- Blessing, healing, commissioning, and affirmation
- Why Jesus made this part of His ministry
- Barriers that keep us from engaging (pride, pain, fear, busyness)
- How to begin walking in this call as a follower of Christ
Scripture References:
- Hebrews 6:1–2
- Luke 4:40
- Matthew 19:13–15
- Acts 6:6; 13:2–3
- Mark 10:16
- 1 Timothy 4:14
- Numbers 27:18–23
Title: The Gravity Of The Soul
Series: Core Christianity – Part 4Speaker: Pastor Daniel
In This Episode:
It’s possible to believe the right things and still not follow Jesus. Why? Because we don’t follow what we know—we follow what we love. In this message, Pastor Daniel challenges us to examine our deepest affections. From Peter’s reinstatement to the story of the prodigal son, we see that love determines direction. If we don’t love Jesus most, we’ll always struggle to follow Him fully.
Key Themes:
- Loving Jesus as the foundation of discipleship
- How misplaced love leads to compromise or drift
- Repentance as a redirection of love
- Belief vs. affection: why knowledge isn't enough
Reflection Questions:
- What competes for your love more than Jesus?
- Are you a believer or a follower—and how can you tell?
- How can you return to your first love this week?
Scripture References:
- John 21:15–19
- Matthew 10:37–39
- Luke 15 (Prodigal Son)
- Mark 10 (Rich Young Ruler)
- 1 Corinthians 13:2
- Romans 1:25
Episode Title: Redigging the Wells of WorshipSeries: Core Christianity – Part 3Speaker: Pastor Dennis Gallaher
In This Episode:
Worship isn’t a genre. It’s a calling. In Part 3 of Core Christianity, we revisit one of the most essential—but misunderstood—foundations of our faith: worship. Through the story of Isaac in Genesis 26 and the Old Testament tabernacle model, we discover that worship is what we were made for. Learn how to restore what’s been buried, realign your heart, and reconnect with God through authentic, Spirit-filled worship.
Key Themes:
- Worship as a foundational calling, not a preference
- The danger of “barnyard worship” (outer court) and the invitation into the Holy of Holies
- Why the Old Testament tabernacle still matters today
- The personal and collective need to redig the wells of worship
Reflection Questions:
- Where in my life has worship become casual or compromised?
- What “rubble” do I need to clear out to make room for deeper worship?
- Do I see myself as the temple of God, and live like it?
Scriptures Referenced:
- Hebrews 6:1
- Genesis 26:1–25
- Exodus 25
- Psalm 95, 102, 150
- Isaiah 43:21
- 1 Corinthians 6:19
- John 4:24
Why do we keep confessing the same sin over and over — but never seem to change?
In this powerful episode from our Core Christianity series, we unpack Hebrews 6 and examine what true repentance really means. Most of us know how to apologize to God. But confession without repentance just leads to more of the same.
Real change comes not from trying harder, but from turning to God with a broken and contrite heart.
Whether you're stuck in a cycle of sin, discouraged by your lack of growth, or just hungry for more, this message will challenge and equip you to build your life on a solid foundation of repentance.
In the first message of the Core Christianity series, Pastor James addresses a growing issue in the church — believers remaining spiritually immature and not moving beyond the elementary teachings of the faith. Drawing from Hebrews 5 and 6, he explains that many Christians haven't fully grasped even the foundational principles, which hinders both personal growth and effective discipleship. The sermon zeroes in on one foundational principle: forgiveness. Just as Christ forgave us, we are called to forgive others — not as an option, but as a mandate. Forgiveness is positioned as the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Without embracing it, believers risk building a distorted, culturally compromised version of Christianity rather than growing into Christlikeness.
Main Idea:
Forgiveness is not optional for followers of Jesus — it is the foundational principle upon which a growing, maturing, and Christlike faith is built.
Have you ever felt like God was absent when hope was slipping away? Today, we’re talking about how Jesus restores our hope — even when we don't see Him right beside us.
What if the thing you've been chasing your whole life—success, approval, control—isn’t what your heart actually needs?
What if the key to your spiritual growth isn’t addition—but subtraction? In this message, we explore John 15:2, where Jesus teaches that God prunes every branch that bears fruit so it can bear even more. That pruning process is painful—it costs more than we expect. But what we let go of in obedience makes room for a legacy that outlives us.
We all want to make a difference, but what if our striving is getting in the way? The key to a lasting impact isn’t working harder—it’s becoming more humble. In this episode, we explore how true humility, rooted in experiencing God’s love, naturally leads to a life of sacrifice, service, and discipleship. When we empty ourselves of pride, striving, and insecurity—just as Jesus modeled in Philippians 2 and John 13—we step into the kind of leadership that truly changes lives.
Nobody likes to fail — it’s one of our greatest fears. Yet, in our broken world, failure is also one of our most common experiences. At some point, we all stumble — whether it’s in a new job, a moral struggle, a friendship, marriage, or raising our kids. And when we fail, it can feel heavy, even final. We start to wear it as a label: bad parent, bad spouse, bad employee, bad Christian. But what if failure isn’t the end of your story? What if it’s the very step leading to your next breakthrough?
Hopelessness is a burden. There’s nothing like feeling the wind completely taken out of your sails. We all go through times when it feels like there’s no movement, but to feel that you will never again feel joy about life or look forward to tomorrow is a bleak and overwhelming heaviness. When these times come, what is your response? Do you remain stuck? Do you look to someone else to get you through it? Do you look to politics or material things to ease the burden? Or do you look to the only true source of hope, even though it doesn’t always make sense? The truth is that real, biblical hope that offers a relief from the heaviness of despair is found in Jesus alone.
Have you ever taken a look at your life and wondered how in the world God can transform you? We all experience that at some point or another in our lives. What can be particularly discouraging is not understanding how God changes us and how to recognize when He’s actually at work. We feel stuck and helpless. The good news is that God has made it very clear how He makes all things new. The question is whether or not we’re going to trust His process and His tools.
Have you ever heard the phrase, “the devil is in the details?” You might think that the small details of our life are unimportant and at worst, something to not get lost in. After all, shouldn’t we not miss the forest for the trees? The truth is that small details matter greatly to God. Two degrees is enough to send someone way off course given enough time and distance. It’s the same with our lives. What may seem inconsequential can have a generational impact. The good news is that God not only gave us simple yet specific instructions, He also greatly cares about every detail of our circumstances.
Are you struggling to make sense of what seems like the random circumstances of your life?
Have you ever experienced something difficult and wondered why it was happening? Perhaps you thought you had done something to deserve it or worried that God had somehow forgotten or abandoned you. Don't worry, you're not alone. It's hard to see the bigger picture when we're in the thick of it, and it's easier to assume the worst. Yet our God has promised to not only be with us wherever we go and whatever we face, He promised to use it for His glory and for our good. The best part is that His promises don't just end with us. They live on to the generations who will come behind us.
The word covenant may not mean much to most people these days. It can sound like an antiquated church word that lost its meaning over the years. The truth is that covenants play a pivotal role in Scripture and in our relationship with God. Simply put, when we do life God’s ways, we receive His blessings. The reason is because God chose covenants to be the way He shows His love, His plans, and His commitment to us, even if we fail. That’s what makes it so important. Without God’s commitment and God’s ways, we are left insecure in our relationship and our path through life.
The illustration of sowing and reaping is one of almost infinite parallels with life in Christ. Discipleship begins with God’s Word being the seed that is planted in our souls and bearing the fruit of salvation. The great news is that it doesn’t stop there. Being a disciple means that we are becoming more like the one we’re following. The problem is that we are incapable of doing that on our own. Our hearts are often hard and inhospitable to the upside down Kingdom of Jesus. How then can we be “successful” as disciples, becoming more like Jesus and doing the work He’s giving us to do? It may not be as complicated as we often think.
Have you ever wrestled with God, or have you simply resolved to figure it out on your own? Life isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always clear. There are a lot of “good” things we can do in this life. But is it what God has asked you to do?
If we say we are surrendered to Jesus, we should do what He is asking us to do, not what we think is best, and not what someone else thinks. The answer to leading a directed, intentional, and power-filled life is to remain connected to Him always. Jesus doesn’t tell us to remain connected to Him only on Sundays. The call is to remain connected to Him always. When we are disconnected, we can do nothing. The good news is that when we remain connected, our definition of success shifts to God’s Presence rather than what we can produce.
Many of us have an understanding, however deep or shallow, of priests. It’s a term that paints a specific picture in our modern understanding, but one that has a very deep and important meaning that goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden, Melchizedek, Aaron, and eventually Jesus. But what value does “priesthood” have on the other side of Jesus’ death and resurrection?
In the book of 1 Peter, we are called “a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9),” which suggests that the idea of priests, who have access to God and represent Him to the people, was God’s idea from the beginning and is still important today. The truth is that access to God is no longer reserved for a specific group of people, socio-economic demographic, age, or gender. Access to God is now open to all people, and we can now go out into all the world and be salt and light. And today, church isn’t just something we attend, it’s part of who we are. We all now have a calling whether it’s in your job, your family, your marriage, your church, or wherever the Lord tells you to go, and that calling determines how we live.
If you’ve ever wondered what we’re here for, you’re not alone. Discovering your purpose in life is a universal experience. We all go through it at one time or another. The world is going to try and define it in a number of ways. It might sound like career success, financial abundance, material possessions, popularity, or any other number of circumstances that, on the surface, look good. Certainly those might be blessings from the Lord, but it’s not the ultimate goal. If that’s what our eyes are set on, we will go through life sorely unfulfilled.
Jesus made it very clear that we are to go into all the world and make disciples and to baptize. No matter who you are, what your life experiences are, or what your level of education is, God has a purpose for your life that has eternal significance. Are you willing to pursue it and say “no” to the empty promises of the world?
What’s love got to do with it? Quite a bit. The truth is that love has everything to do with it. It’s the central theme of some of our favorite fairy tales and cultural bedrock. Throw a stone at any rom-com, and you’ll see that it’s all about finding true love. As young adults, we’re obsessed to the point of anxiety about finding “the one.” Love is a big deal for us.
Our world is more confused than ever about what true love really is, whether we want to admit it or not. Sadly, we are more morally bankrupt than we realize. Proverbs 27:7 says, “to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.” When we live in a continuously love-starved state, we’ll accept anything that even remotely resembles true love. Yet the very reason Jesus came was to show us what true love really is. He did it in the most unexpected way possible.
He came as a vulnerable baby, not as a conqueror. He served instead of subdued. In fact, He served the Father by dying as a criminal instead of reigning like a king. It was all because of a Father’s love. Jesus did conquer our most deadly of enemies. He turned slaves into children. He gave life instead of death and mercy instead of judgment all because of love, not because we deserved it. That’s the power of true love, and it’s found in a humble manger, a criminal’s cross, and an empty grave.
What, exactly, is “joy?” How is it different from happiness, and why is it such a big deal at Christmas?
God wanted to make it very clear that the freedom and future Jesus promised is for everyone. It’s not just for the elite, the religious, or the kings of the world. That’s why the news came first to lowly shepherds. God gives His grace to the humble and opposes the proud. That’s why they were filled with joy. God’s champion had finally come, and He came for them. We have joy at Christmas because Jesus came for you and for me to set us free and be with Him forever.
The promise of Peace suggests that within every person, there is something that carries the burden of anxiety, fear, discontentment, ambition, and other feelings that leave us joyless and exhausted. The beautiful gift of the Peace God promised us is a two-fold gift. Firstly, because of Jesus, there is peace between us and God the Father. No longer do we have to sacrifice animals, go through rituals, or work our way into God’s forgiveness. It was all fulfilled in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and it will ultimately be complete when He returns again.
The second part is the gift of peace amid an ever-changing life. Change is, ironically, a constant in our lives. What do you do when life takes a turn? How do you respond? May we respond with the heart of Mary who said, “May it be done unto me according to Your Word (Luke 1:38).” When we are “prepared to move” wherever and whenever the Lord leads us, we find the peace we need whenever we’re faced with the curveballs.
Hope is a universal experience. But have you ever stopped to wonder why? Whether it be something innocent like presents at Christmas or something weighty like the guilt of sin or the grief of loss, hope is the anticipation of something better. Deep down, we all feel that something is amiss. Everything is not as it should be, and the reason is that we live in a world marred by sin and brokenness. Sadly, we fall into the temptation to resolve the brokenness, longings, fears, and desires in our hearts with things that don’t truly satisfy us. It may be money, politics, success, or other people. It can also be sin that feels satisfying in the moment but ultimately leaves us empty and worse than before. This is the very reason Jesus came as a child and promised to one day return. Because of this, we have a hope that is not built on circumstances or even this mortal life. This “living hope (1 Peter 1:3)” endures for this life and the next. It does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). Because of this, we can have joy and peace no matter what we face
The Bible teaches us that it is possible to be grateful and rejoice in the midst of suffering in life. In fact, the Bible not only suggests that it is possible but urges us to live in such a way. But how do we do this? How can we remain thankful and joyful when life becomes overwhelmingly hard?
Such a life of gratitude is an overflow of an intimate relationship with God. This is only possible when we focus on God instead of our circumstances. The Apostle Paul urges us to bring our anxieties to Jesus to receive his “mind-transcending” peace (Phil. 4:6-7). When we bring our anxieties to Jesus, we encounter a God who lovingly enters our anxious world. As we are assured of his presence in the midst of our hard circumstances, we will experience peace that transcends our understanding and our hearts will overflow with gratitude.
God’s Word is full of promises that are faithful and true. In fact, very little can be counted on in this life, but God’s promises are a solid foundation because they’re backed by the honor of His Name (Psalm 138:2). While God’s promises are true, so many times we don’t get to experience them.
God promised a son to Abraham. In fact, God promised that Abraham would be the father of an entire nation. But there was no proof for Abraham to go on. It was only his faith that led him to leave his family and follow the God Who orders our steps.
We all pray for provision at one time or another. Many of you may be praying for that right now in some way. It may be finances. It may be in relationships. It may be for something intangible like faith or wisdom. The challenge is taking that first step of faith to see God do what He promised He would do.
If this world is not our home, why do our actions matter so much? After all, we’re saved by grace through faith, right? The reality is that we are saved by grace through faith in the complete and total work of Jesus’ death and resurrection. At the same time, God cares about our choices and actions. There will come a day when all will stand before Him, including the Christian. The question will be, “What do you have to show for the time, talents, and resources God gave you?”
To be fair, this truth can be wielded against well-meaning people. God desires that we have a truly transformed heart that is full of compassion for others. After all, that is God’s heart toward us.
As we discussed last week, “Maranatha” continues to serve as both a wake-up call and an encouraging reminder that one day, we will be with the Lord face to face. That truth should determine how we live out the rest of our lives.
It doesn’t take any amount of convincing that we’re living in a crazy world right now. It doesn’t matter your background, your beliefs, political viewpoints, or cultural upbringing, our world is the most advanced it’s ever been yet the most troubled. Wars are breaking out, famine and disease are rampant, natural disasters seem like a weekly occurrence, and let’s not even get into politics. So how do we live like Jesus in times like these?
The answer comes through an unlikely and ancient term, “Maranatha.” It’s an Aramaic term that served as a reminder, a prayer, and an admonition. It reminds us that the Lord is returning and that this world is not our home. It serves as an antidote to both apathy and anxiety. When the world is on fire, “Maranatha” is our peace in the storm.
Self-help is a massive industry, especially in our culture today. It seems that self-help books, motivational speakers, and life hacks are a dime a dozen, but the quest for a better life seems never-ending. In this information age, we still have not found the answer to a truly fulfilling life. Perhaps it’s because we are looking for the right answer in the wrong place.
So often, we default to a “think” and “do” way of life and Christianity. However, throughout Scripture, God emphasizes the heart as the most essential component of our relationship with Him and others. From the heart come the springs of life (Proverbs 4:23). Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Love the Lord your God with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5). It’s clear that the heart is the foundation of our lives, and yet the lie we believe is that we have the power to change it. So, what hope do we have? As with most of God’s upside-down ways, the path to victory is by surrender.
Jesus came not only to be our Savior but also our King. Knowing Jesus as Savior saves us, but knowing Jesus as King transforms us. Oftentimes, salvation is viewed as the only aspect of Christian life, when it is really the beginning of a dynamic relationship with God. In 1 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says that anyone who is in Christ is made a new creation. In order to be new, we must fully step away from the life we were saved from into a transformed life.
The purpose of Scripture is to help us know God and be more like Him (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Transformation is often easier said than done, however. When we come to challenging passages as we read in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35, we often want to fill the understanding gap with our ideas or the interpretations of our culture rather than sit with the text and allow it to transform us. Upon further digging, we see that Paul wasn’t just speaking about gender roles to subjugate women. He reinforced the truth of God’s design for unity, interdependence, order, and value for everyone in His Kingdom. Unfortunately, this verse has been extracted from the other verses that provide the context for God's beautiful blessing for us.
Communion may seem like another religious ritual that means little. Some churches observe it every week, while others observe it only occasionally. However, the Bible clearly states that regardless of how and whenever we observe communion, we should do so with the honor, faith, and power it actually holds. “Do this in remembrance of me,” Jesus said (Luke 22:19).
What does this have to do with condemnation? When you observe communion thoughtfully and rightfully, you realize that for those who are in Christ, who have received that free gift of salvation, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). Sin brings death (Romans 6:23), and as humans, we are prone to suffer under the burden of that sentence for our sins because satan loves to remind us of our failures and take advantage of our current failures. When we come to the Lord’s table, we can stand on the power of the new covenant (Luke 22:20), which has secured our adoption as sons and daughters once and for all. Communion not only reminds us of what Jesus has accomplished for us, but it also reminds us that He intercedes on our behalf for the Father (Hebrews 7:25). Suffice it to say communion holds more importance for us than we often realize.
Scan the tabloids at your local grocery store check-out line, and you’ll see a litany of “prophecies” about future events. Biblical prophecy, however, is much different. Sure, there were times when there was a foretelling of future events, but practical prophecy is simply telling the truth of God for the benefit of others. Biblical prophecy is aligned with Scripture, founded on love, and yielded to the Holy Spirit. It is not something that we can produce on our own. It inspires the Spirit of God within us, and brings encouragement, correction, or comfort to someone else. It’s an incredible opportunity to be part of the Lord speaking through us, and fear of getting it wrong shouldn’t hold us back from pursuing prophecy.
If you were asked what the foundation of Christian living is, what would be your answer? Some might say, “faith.” Some might say, “charity and good works.” Some might say other good things that are certainly in the Bible. But what if someone told you the foundation ought to be love? It seems counterintuitive. It seems too simple, too easy. Yet love is often the thing we lack the most. Jesus said in John 13:35 that the world will know we are truly His disciples by our love for one another. He didn’t say the world would know us by our charity, although that’s good. He didn’t say it would be our faith, knowledge, “spirituality,” the quality of our worship, or any other important aspect of our life in Christ. We are to be known by our love. It motivates everything else we do, and it ought to look so radically different compared to how the rest of the world “loves” each other. Does your love for others look radically different, or does it seem more like the world’s love?
The tongue, while essentially for sharing the gospel, has the power to cause destruction. In Chapter 3 of James's letter, he sheds some light on the necessary truths regarding our speech. If we don’t yield this small but powerful part of the body to God, we will use our words to tear others down. However, when yielded to God, the tongue is just as powerful to build up others and the Kingdom of God. So, how can we tame our tongue?
Many would say that Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection was the greatest gift to humanity. After all, it resulted in the eternal redemption available to everyone throughout history. And yet Jesus told the disciples before He went back to Heaven that there was more. He told them to wait for the promised Gift of the Holy Spirit. He had alluded to this Gift during His earthly ministry, and it was the kind of gift that He said was “good” and better than His physical presence.
The sad reality is that the topic of the Holy Spirit and His gifts has been one of the most highly misunderstood and maligned topics ever since. If Jesus said the Holy Spirit is a good gift and better than His physical presence, why do we often stay at arms length from this topic?
As critical as The Holy Spirit is to our relationship with God, the apostle Paul saw the need to emphasize the importance of unity. While it may seem odd at first, experience tells us that humans can tend towards pride, independence, and a myopic view of the world. Paul expertly uses the analogy of our physical bodies to explain how God intended us to use these special gifts He gives us.
This illustration fits perfectly across many levels and situations. For those struggling with pride and independence, it humbles us. For those struggling with insignificance, it empowers and encourages us. The truth is that God does have unique gifts for each of us, but we are not independent of each other and certainly not independent from Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is one of the more contentious topics in Christianity today. There is much misunderstanding about Who He is and what He does. What if we began by knowing Him instead of focusing on what He does? The “doing” is important, and we certainly don’t want to minimize it. Often, the “knowing” takes care of the “doing.”
If God described Himself as compassionate in Exodus 34, and Jesus is described as having compassion for the people He fed, healed, and taught, wouldn’t it be the same for the Spirit of God? The truth is that the Holy Spirit loves us and wants what is best for us. It’s the same invitation to a relationship that God established in the Garden in the very beginning.
Every gift from God is given with a specific purpose. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul describes various spiritual gifts as being distributed by the Holy Spirit for the common good. These gifts are not random or trivial; they are divinely orchestrated to help us grow spiritually and to support our community. Each gift is thoughtfully designed to help us fulfill our unique role in God’s plan.
In this episode, we talk about how God gives his gifts, how He uses them in His church, and ways we can answer God’s call on our lives.
As humans, we try to be better at things. We try to be better friends. We try to be better parents. We try to be better at budgeting. We try to be healthy. With God, however, He simply is. In Exodus, God showed His glory to Moses and declared that He is compassionate and full of loving-kindness. In other words, God showed Moses His very nature is one of generosity. When God created the world, He gave it to Adam and Eve. The famous verse, John 3:16, states, “For God so loved the world that he gave…” For God, giving and being generous isn’t a matter of trying harder. It’s just Who He Is. The invitation of Sabbath is to come to Him and learn from Him. What do we learn? We learn to be like Him. How do we learn to be generous like He is? We practice gratitude. To do that, though, we must slow down long enough to look and see all the blessings God has given us. Then, it’s up to us to choose whether to be grateful. The more we do this, the more we will be transformed into a generous person because we become aware of God’s generosity.
It seems obvious that being in God’s Presence is paramount to our faith and life as followers of Jesus. When we dig deeper, however, we find that we substitute or settle for a way of life that is less than God’s best. We crave a formulaic approach to our relationship with God, whether intentionally or unintentionally. It was the same with the Israelites coming out of Egypt. They missed God’s heart and intention, craved their desires, and settled for a formula rather than a relationship. They failed to see that despite God’s intense holiness, He made a way for them to be with Him. In much the same way, we fail to realize the incomparable gift of Jesus, the perfect sacrifice and our great High Priest, who has given us unrestricted access to God the Father.
Do you crave God’s Presence? Are you cultivating a rhythm of being with Him throughout your day? We can only fulfill God’s will and desire to be together through this relationship. In this relationship, we also discover who we truly are in Him.
The invitation to God’s rest is simple. Jesus said, “Come to me.” A relationship with our God and Savior is the priority above all else. Despite that simple invitation, we fail to experience a lifestyle of rest because we run into roadblocks. This is nothing new. The Israelites experienced the same thing after they left Egypt. They were promised a homeland, yet they could not enter because they complained, looked backward toward Egypt, the land of their enslavement, and did not have the faith to believe in God’s promises despite the challenges they saw in the promised land.
What roadblock are you experiencing today? Perhaps the more important question to answer is, “Why.” Why do we fail to come to Jesus with our questions, doubts, struggles, insecurities, and more? Perhaps it’s because, in some way, we feel Jesus can’t relate to the circumstances we’re going through. That’s the encouragement that comes immediately after the warnings in Hebrews 4. Jesus is a “Great High Priest” Who can sympathize with our weaknesses. He’s the most relatable human being, which should encourage us to run to Him in every situation.
More and more studies show that detaching from work completely leads to increased performance and quality of work and life. It’s almost as if the world is catching on to the notion that rest is important. We all know this is true. However, how and where do we find the most rewarding and satisfying rest?
The answer is very simple. Jesus invites us to simply come to Him. There isn’t a lot of detail other than that. While that might seem too good to be true, too easy, or not specific enough, the beauty is in the simplicity. Regardless of your season of life, you can come to Jesus and find rest.
Doing something without knowing why you’re doing it can easily lead to burnout and giving up. Even good things can become burdensome if we don’t have the “why” settled in our hearts. In looking to Jesus as our model for a Sabbath lifestyle, we see that His “why” was deeply rooted in compassion. It began even before Jesus was born. The famous verse, John 3:16, says, “For God so loved…that He gave.”
Empathy without action is pity. Yet many of us feel inadequate or fail to see people with compassion, to begin with. What if compassion began by simply asking the Father what He is doing in this situation? Imagine what God can do with our little if we offer it to Him. That’s how compassion leads to the unhurried lifestyle of Sabbath.
Think about someone in your life who meant a great deal to you. What do you remember about them? Are they good and bad things, or a little both? Remembrance was critically important to Jesus. It wasn’t for His ego, though. He knew that the world and life experiences would try to convince us that the opposite of Jesus’ character is true. He also knew that remembering Him correctly would lead us to a lifestyle of peace and Sabbath, even during life’s most troubling times.
That’s the beauty of communion that we easily miss. We often see it as a rote religious tradition rather than a moment to pause and reflect. Yet in the bread and wine elements are the mystery and joy of the Gospel and Sabbath. Jesus’ invitation to draw near to Him made in Matthew 11 is echoed in the humble nature of the Lord’s supper. It’s in the simplicity and intimacy of a meal that Jesus invites us to become friends, not slaves. The question is whether or not we will choose to accept His invitation.
Confusion about the roles and identities of men and women has existed for a long time. It existed in Paul’s day, and we now grapple with it in our culture today. Unfortunately, a beautiful truth and biblical model gets lost in the weeds, and it is the most life-giving model for living this life. The reason is that, like so many other aspects of worship, we allow our culture to shape the Kingdom instead of vice versa.
The Bible makes it clear on multiple occasions that we should “flee” idols (1 Corinthians 10:14). We see Joseph run from the compromising situation he was in with Potiphar’s wife. But “running away” is probably counterintuitive to our thinking or our flesh. We may want to “stand and resist” that temptation or idol in our life. We may want to try to reason with it. We may want to tame it. But to run away? That sounds cowardly. The secret to tapping into God’s strength and finding true freedom, however, lies in what we deem “weak.” When we run from idols and run to God, we find refuge, strength, and peace, but we also find much more.
The obvious things are just that. It’s apparent to all of us. What’s underneath our idols is harder to discern and can be harder to part with. The reason is because it’s attached to our heart. There is a need in our hearts that has been elevated above the place that belongs only to God. We may not realize it. Often, when we go through something difficult, we become painfully aware of that idol that may have been lurking in our hearts. Yet those are the very areas of our hearts with which God is most lovingly concerned. It’s those areas He wants for Himself to heal and to hold. It’s in those areas we find true peace, security, comfort, and all the things this world and every idol couldn’t possibly deliver.
It’s easy to think idolatry doesn’t exist when we live in a (mostly) monotheistic society. Idols are very much a real thing in every culture, however. They just look different. Some we might deem more obvious, and others more subtle. The caution is that no matter the time or place, we are all prone to idolatry, and we must keep ourselves from them.
St. Thomas Acquinas eloquently stated that, “the essence of sin is disordered love.” That’s exactly what idolatry is. When we place something other than God as first in our hearts, it’s an idol. It can happen with the obvious, but it can also happen with good things too. The lesson is that we must always be humble and willing to ask the Holy Spirit to examine our hearts and see if there is anything that might be in the place where only God should live. When we elevate our preferences, time, or resources above our love for God and/or others, it’s probably an idol. The good news is that the cure is not as costly as you might think.
Motivation is a funny word. We often use it when we talk about something that compels us to action. It's usually in reference to a very inconsistent, circumstantial emotion, however. It's rarely a constant, predictable force in our lives. Yet love for others is what ought to be at the heart of our lifestyle as Christians. Brotherly love should dictate everything we say and do, or that we don't say or do.
In the eighth chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses some specific behaviors regarding food and idols. It's easy for our modern sensibilities to disassociate ourselves from this story, yet what was happening under the surface is just as relevant for us now as it was in Paul's time. Believers back then wanted to "know" just how close they could come to the line before crossing over into sin. Paul addresses the specifics, but he does so in a way that shows the bigger issue at play. What we should be asking is how the exercise of our freedoms affect others.
As humans, we can be pretty simple creatures. If we see something that makes sense to our brains, or someone at least sounds like they know what they're talking about, we follow it and call it wisdom. God, however, does things differently. He chooses the foolish things of the world to show how wise He really is.
Unfortunately, our "wisdom" often leads to elevating our preferences. "I like this person/worship/style, etc." What results is a fractured Church when the call of Christ is to be One as God is One.
This is the essence of what Paul the Apostle was writing to the church in Corinthians. They were gifted, influential, and yet they were divided. Paul urges them to seek unity above all else because it is the great blessing of the cross. We are all on the same playing field, and that's good news.
How exactly am I supposed to live this Christian life? What if there are people I disagree with? How do I know what rules to follow?
Life can be full of questions like these, and thankfully, the apostle Paul addresses some of these specific questions. He does so, however, in a principled way that keeps us from getting buried in the weeds of minute "dos" and "don'ts." That's just part of what the incredible book of 1 Corinthians offers for us today.
Welcome to Freedom Fellowship Church!
Baptism stands as a line of demarcation stating that our old life is dead and buried, and we are now living a new kind of life with and in Christ. It's a wonderful moment of celebration for anyone who has made the decision to follow Jesus, and we are thrilled that you're celebrating with us today!
Welcome to Easter!
Today we celebrate the day when Jesus, our Savior, rose from the dead. This miraculous event was the moment victory over the curse of sin and death was won for us. Jesus, our Champion King, not only died for the payment of our sins, but He also ensured that we would one day live with Him forever, and that eternal, victorious life can begin today.
Welcome to Friendship Sunday 2024!
Every year we make a big deal celebrating the kind of community that can only be had in the family of God. Jesus said that the world will know we are His disciples by the way we love one another. There is no better way to show the power of God is real, alive, and active today than by our fellowship with each other. It is one of the best gifts that we have because of Jesus' death on the cross and victory over the grave. That's why we kick off Easter each year with Friendship Sunday. Welcome to the party!
The Good Samaritan. Many are familiar with this story, or at least its essence. Kind stranger helps needy stranger. Roll credits. But not so fast!
Maybe that's what's happening on the surface, but if all you take from this story is that we should be kind to others, you're missing out on a trove of implications and revelations that can only be uncovered when you commit to the text. So let's try this again, shall we?
In the story of the Good Samaritan, we are presented with a host of characters that expose our humanity in a myriad of ways. Sometimes we are the man beaten and left half dead because of our foolish decisions. Other times we are the holier-than-thou priest. And at times we are the Levite passing by because it's the "wise" or convenient thing to do. Couldn't we be The Good Samaritan in this story? That's where this gets interesting.
We were never meant to be the main hero of the story. That role belongs to Jesus. It was a wild story to tell in His day. It enraged the pharisees because it was a critique on their lack of honorable leadership. So if our failures are examined in those who pass by without helping, and we're not supposed to be the Good Samaritan, who are we, and why in the world does it matter today?
Priests represent God to the people and the people unto God. There was both a privilege the priests enjoyed as well as a responsibility. It's the same for us today. While we have the amazing treasure of God's Presence in this fragile, earthly body, we also have a responsibility to maintain our "temple" and to bring others to God. It's an amazing dynamic that can only be experienced when we willfully submit every part of our daily lives to Jesus, allowing Him to transform us into the priest He wants us to be. Only then will we realize that potential value God saw in us long ago.
Making disciples was the last charge Jesus gave us before He went back to Heaven, and it should be the primary concern of all Christians. Every person on Earth deserves to know and experience the love of Jesus. Over the years, disciple making for many churches has morphed into programs, books, and a set of "dos and don'ts." Those aren't necessarily bad. They were just never meant to be the starting point.
Jesus offered us a different way, and it seems simultaneously simple yet counterintuitive. Love others. Easy, right? This simple command has the power to transform someone's eternity. So often we get distracted by what we can see, such as someone's behaviors, that we fail to see what Jesus sees - their aloneness. Maybe if we took a step out of our world and entered into someone else's we would see God do something that only He can do.
When you stop and think about it, contentment can be hard to define and even harder to identify. After all, the wise among us would tell you that contentment can be a moving target as we grow older and the seasons of our life change. Life is a journey of ups and downs and everywhere in between. Being content no matter our circumstances can feel much easier said than done at times.
The apostle, Paul, says he learned "the secret" to being content whether he had much or little (Philippians 4:11). The good news is that this secret is for everyone. It's not found in a full bank account, pantry, diversified portfolio, thriving business, mass amounts of friends, or anything else that doesn't last. Those things aren't bad in and of themselves, but they don't provide contentment.
Trust in God is where we find that often elusive "secret" Paul refers to. When we give God the opportunity to prove Himself to be the loving Father He promised He would be, we learn to trust Him in all things. That is the secret to contentment.
Money can be massively divisive topic. It is one of the top contributors to divorce, as a matter of fact. It's no less potent when discussed within the church. The Bible has a tremendous amount to say about the topic of money, however. While it may not be the most important aspect of our faith, it does certainly hold a significant amount of weight to our lives and our relationship with God.
Few topics in the church today come with as much baggage and disagreement as worship.
Man, that church had great worship! I didn't care for that song. Their singer can't carry a tune in a bucket. Churches should only sing hymns. Everything is worship! The list of comments goes on.
Worship, like prayer and knowing God, is a core component of our relationship with Christ. It's what we were created to do. Over our history, it has evolved into what we most commonly see which is praise and singing. To be clear, that's absolutely part of worship. But what if the topic of worship were a bit more broad? What if the "sacrifice" of worship for each us is our very lives?
Prayer can mean many different things to many people. Sure there are some common similarities, but the purpose, form, and object of prayer can vary significantly. Prayer to the Christian, however, is one of the most essential building blocks of our faith and relationship with Jesus Christ. Without it, we have lost sight of everything.
Prayer is a multi-layer aspect of our faith. It connects us to God, it's a way to care for others, and it has the power to change the world around us. Yet so many are neglecting prayer for reasons such as fear, intimidation, insecurity, religious backgrounds, or lack of knowledge. Today we dive into prayer and hope to empower you to begin a lifestyle of prayer.
Why is Christianity different from all the religions in the world? On its surface, there are a remarkable number of similarities, but there is one key difference. We serve and worship a God who can be known. The God of the Bible is One who created us to not be merely His subjects but also His friends. This fact has tremendous impact throughout our entire lives.
When life gets chaotic, we have to have that consistent anchor, that true north to guide us. Otherwise we'll be tossed around by every gust of wind and swell of the sea of culture and trends. In a world of information, God invites us to know truth, and to know truth is to know Him. He is the one who created all things and for whom all things were created. If we are going to put the first things first, then knowing God has to be square one.
Have you ever said something and wished you could take it back? It's as impossible as putting toothpaste back into the tube from which it came. Unfortunately, an uncontrolled tongue is a great deal messier. It usually causes much more damage too.
That's one of the many reasons the apostle, James, writes about controlling the tongue immediately after commanding and encouraging us to be "doers of the Word and not just hearers only (James 1:22)." Because it's such a small thing, our words often get overlooked in terms of its impact to our Christian life, but the book of James tells a much different story.
"I didn't see that coming," is a common expression after something unexpected happens. From accidents to surprises, we can easily be caught unaware, fixated in our own little worlds, tasks, and day to day lives.
It was the same in Jesus' day. Well, it was the same before His day, to be more specific. The Lord was silent for 400 years leading up to the birth of Christ. It was then that the Lord broke the silence to an unsuspecting priest named Zecharias and his wife, Elizabeth. Though Elizabeth was barren, they were chosen to be the parents of the one who would herald the arrival of our savior. God broke the silence, leaving Zecharias speechless, by sending a mouthpiece for the coming King of kings.
The question for us today is: If the Lord did something in your world right now, would you catch it or miss it?
Have you ever tried to push a big car? Depending on your strength, it may seem doable at first, but after a short while, even the stoutest among us would get tired. What if you knew that car was in perfect working order, it only needed a full tank of gas? Would you still continue to push it, insisting that your strength was enough, or would you fill it up as quickly as possible so you can really make progress on your journey?
Being filled with the Spirit is a common phrase heard in churches. It's the catalyst to living this Christian life. Without Him, it's impossible, much like pushing a car for more than a few miles. Jesus promised the gift of the Holy Spirit, and He intended for us to lean into this gift the way He did during His earthly ministry. So often we choose to try and do it on our own, unfortunately.
Fear is a primal instinct. It's rooted deep within us, and it can be misunderstood or a wise counselor. Fear, you see, can be a good teacher if we let it.
The fear of God is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. For the most part, it means to revere with utmost respect. It is the beginning of wisdom, as Proverbs says, and it leads to life. Without it leads to, well, not life. What does it look like to live with this holy awe and reverence that leads to life?
Approval is a great feeling. Knowing you've done what has been asked of you is a good feeling. Hearing about it from the one who gave you the task makes it all the more rewarding.
Jesus told a story of two faithful servants, and one not so faithful servant. The first two received their rewards and commendations from the master, and the third received a rebuke. How do we live a life of faithfulness to the Master in such a way that we will hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant?"
Fires are amazing. They bring life and warmth to an otherwise cold and dark world around us. A fire can also mean the difference between life and death in some situations. Fires need to be cared for, however. Without proper attention, they can smolder and die out.
The apostle, Paul, told his protege, Timothy, to fan the flames of the gift of God within him. It was a charge to be attentive to the gift of the Spirit that would empower and sustain him throughout the rest of his life as a pastor of the early church. Paul was insistent that Timothy take special care of this, and it is every bit as urgent and essential for us today.
When you're on a trip or adventure, it's important to have a guide. Maybe that guide is an actual person who has traveled that way before or maybe it's a map. Whatever the case, following the guide will get you to your destination. Not following your guide will get you lost or worse. Going your own way sounds nice initially, and it can certainly seem like the easier way. After all, you get to call the shots. Ultimately it has the more costly destination.
In Matthew 7, the Lord Jesus describes two pathways as He closes His famous Sermon on the Mount. One pathway is wide and easy, and the other is narrow and difficult, and He describes some of the results with a certain degree of shocking description. Why is this the case though? Why wouldn't the path to eternal life be the easier one to find and follow? Why should we be so on guard against deception and false prophets?
That's what we're talking about in this week's episode of Monday Moments!
Trends are nothing new. While our culture may be obsessing about trends currently, the fact is that trends have been rising and falling like waves in the ocean since the dawn of time.
What is particularly valuable, though, is to observe trends over long periods of time and what they tell us about people's behavior. To be more specific, observing church trends reveals something that is, frankly, alarming in our time. With a steady decline, we have to decide what exactly is going on and what to do about it.
Finding out why church attendance is in decline is the first step because without that answer, we are at best guessing at the appropriate response. The second answer is what we ought to do about it, and the truth is that we need to do something about it. This is, in fact, the great commission that Jesus gave the disciples and all who would believe. The third and more hard hitting question is whether or not we're being obedient to that commission.
Every moment in life is full of decisions. Some are big, but most are little. These moments are often so little, in fact, that we would argue they are irrelevant or inconsequential in the grand scheme of life. The Bible gives precedence that just the opposite is true, however.
Jesus lived every moment of His life surrendered to the Father's will. He even stated that He only did what He saw the Father do. It didn't matter if life was happy, sad, easy, or difficult. Jesus committed His life and every moment to doing what the Father led Him to do, and it serves as our example.
Throughout life, we often want to be the decision maker until something goes horribly awry or we're in a moment of chaos. Then we want the Lord to take over and, if we're honest, take away the trial. Yet Jesus prayed in His most desperate moments that it would be the Father's will that would prevail instead of His own. Even though Jesus was God, He submitted to the Father's plan. How much more ought we to do the same?
Forgiveness is often easier said than done, and yet it's a critical component of Christianity. Christ forgave us while we were still sinners and enemies, so we ought to forgive others. Depending on the situation, it can be easy to want to keep lists, however. Holding a record of wrongs done against you is a very human thing to do, and yet we are compelled to do the opposite.
Joseph had a life full of trouble, none of which was his fault. He was sold into slavery, falsely accused, and forgotten in a dungeon. Even after all of that, however, he found a way to forgive the ones who caused all the problems in his life. They were his brothers, by the way, which added all the more pain to the situation, to be sure.
What about you? Are you able to face the pain, bring it into the light, and make the choice to forgive a wrong and destroy that list you've been holding onto today?
Life would probably be a lot easier if we ignored Jesus' words. He did a lot of nice things and loved a lot of people. It's safe to say we can all agree that very few people had issues with what Jesus did. It's what He said that causes problems.
Whenever God's Word, aka Jesus, says something that goes against our paradigms, we stand at a crossroads. Are we going to continue to trust what the Bible says to be true, or are we going to deviate from that path and follow our own ideas? That's the point of conflict that everyone has at some point in their life.
Jesus' followers were faced with this very dilemma. They had all kinds of expectations of what Jesus would do, and up to that point, they were loving every minute of it. He fed them. He healed them. He blessed them. He delivered them. The only thing left to do was to overthrow the current political power. So when Jesus says some difficult things in John 6, it's no surprise that His following dwindled significantly.
The same dilemma is presented to us today. When following Jesus becomes difficult, will you choose to follow Him or will you walk away?
Success is a word that can mean many things to many people. As such, there are a number of good things we as Christians do in this life. Whether it's prayer, worship, Bible reading, church attendance, outreach, missions, or any other number of activities, success can often get lost in the shuffle. How do we know if we are doing the right things and not just lots of good things?
For the apostle Paul, success became exceedingly clear. He had obeyed God by preaching in some of the most intensely opposed Greek cities of his time. By a lot of standards, it would appear as though he failed. There was minimal fruit even though he preached one of the best sermons ever given in history. At his next destination, he stated that he decided to proclaim nothing except Christ and Him crucified.
That was it for Paul. Nothing else compared to the power and simplicity of that statement. It was the grace of the cross that had the power to transform lives. It wasn't rhetoric or eloquence of speech. Despite everything Paul knew, which was a great deal, he counted it as rubbish compared to knowing Jesus.
When we are faced with challenges, our prayers often become more about God removing the fire from us rather than getting us through the fire. It might sound like semantics, but there is a very real difference.
In the book of Daniel, we are presented with three very young men who refused to bow down to the ungodly laws and customs of the culture around them. Instead they entrusted themselves to God knowing full well it could mean death, and death by a fiery furnace. When that threat of death became a reality, they didn't try to negotiate or barter for their lives. They doubled down on their faith and declared that they would still serve God. They believed that He would deliver them, but it was what they said to the king that sets their faith apart. They told the king that even if God didn't save them from death, they would still continue to serve the one true God.
As it turns out, God did not save them from the flames, at least, not right away. Instead, God saved them through the flames, and the three young men walked out unharmed and with a remarkable, powerful, culture-changing testimony of the power of God in the face of an ungodly kingdom.
God promised He would always provide for us. The struggle comes when He provides in ways we don't expect. Sometimes it's in ways we REALLY don't expect. It's in those moments we have to look at our situation and like Mordecai, say, "Perhaps..."
Mordecai's faith never wavered. He didn't know how the situation was going to play out, but he knew that God would provide deliverance for the Jews. He was convinced the provision would come through his niece, Esther, who had been put in a remarkable position having come from extremely unremarkable circumstances.
How have you discounted the ordinary circumstances in your life? Perhaps they're the very ways God wants to provide for you.
There will always be opposition of some kind in life. It's an unfortunate reality of the fallen world in which we live. The degree of trials may vary, but the one constant is that in this life we will have trouble. We know that Jesus has defeated the world (John 16:33), but that doesn't always make it easy to know how to navigate the current situations we're facing.
King David faced a troubling situation of his own. He was being overthrown by his own son, Absalom, and to add insult injury, a man came hurling lies, criticisms, and curses at David as the king was fleeing Jerusalem. Yet David kept his cool, even though he had friends willing to...take care of the situation. It was David's trust in the Lord that gave him the strength to endure everything he was going through. So, how then can you build the same kind of trust and faith in God's greater plan?
Heaven is a real place. Despite what others might think or try to convince the world of, Heaven is more than a biblical concept. It may not be exactly what you imagine, though.
There is one school from which you never graduate. That's the school of humility.
If only it were easy, it would probably be called something other than humility. Because of our nature, there is no other way. The Bible describes the ideal state of our spirit being like that of a weaned child. The child is not crying out afraid that its mother is not going to take care of it. The child is not fighting to meet its own needs in its own strength or efforts. Instead, the child quietly and patiently waits for its mother to give it whatever it needs. The child completely trusts its mother, even though it is totally dependent upon her.
Pride produces an arrogance within us that drives us further from the arms of God and into the realm of self-sufficiency which, ironically, always fails. When we are humble and remain humble, however, the Father graciously and lovingly provides for our every need.
How would others describe your life? How would they describe the atmosphere of your home or the room when you enter into it?
David declares that goodness and mercy would follow him all the days of his life. He was content with those two things. He knew that God is good, and He is merciful. Regardless of whatever else David encountered in life, he knew that God would surround him with those two things. That knowledge produced the kind of trust within David that proved to be unshakeable.
Do you have that same kind of trust in you?
There is a theme throughout Scripture of the table of the Lord. At best, we have a fuzzy, intrinsic understanding of that concept. But when you think about it, the concept is a bit abstract.
When King David wrote, "He prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies," in Psalms 23:5, he communicates deeply profound truths about God's provision in our lives. What does that actually mean in our day to day lives, though?
We are exactly like sheep, whether we want to admit it or not. The fact of the matter is that we need a shepherd. The problem is that we either don't want one, or we don't trust them.
In this message, we look at what happens when we don't submit to a shepherd, and how Jesus is not just A shepherd, but He is THE shepherd, and a good one at that.
Last week we discussed sheep and shepherds. More specifically, Pastor Dennis led us to ask ourselves who our shepherd is. The truth is that we all follow a shepherd, but is it Jesus?
Today we're talking about how our Good Shepherd makes, leads, restores, and guides us into a quiet, Sabbath trust in Him. Will you allow Him to be the shepherd of your soul?
It seems like the words "joy" and "happiness" ought to be interchangeable. After all, they're both positive, uplifting feelings, right? So why is there a distinction, and why are we talking about it on a Sunday morning?
The Bible, in fact, does distinguish between the two, and for good reason. Tune in as we dive into a greater understanding of what God says about these two principles!
When have you misunderstood what someone said? Enjoy the many examples that Pastor James highlighted in his sermon. Many translations don't always work well. So often we can lose the intent of something even in scriptures. Charles Surgeon said, "Discernment is not the ability to tell the difference between right and wrong, rather it is telling the difference between right and almost right." Deception is said to be the truth mixed with just a little bit of lie. So often we aren't even aware that we are being deceived until it is too late.
What hinders our worship? It may take different forms, but essentially it all boils down to idolatry in our lives. We may not like to hear that, but it's true. If we dig even further, it becomes clear that we're worshiping ourselves. It may not look like the idols of the Old Testament, but it's idolatry nonetheless. It shouldn't surprise us. After all, that's what our ancestors, Adam and Eve, did way back in the Garden.
Our God is a jealous God because He passionately loves us, wants what is best for us, and wants us to know Him. He is the only source of true life and fulfillment. If we would cast down our idols and worship Him alone, we could experience the fullness of intimacy with our creator.
It is important to understand that worship is not a singalong and something to endure. Worship is not a voice or song list. Worship is giving our deepest affection and our highest praise to God. When we understand this then our prayer, singing, obedience to His Word, standing firm against the devil's way, living under the authority and the plan of God, our whole life becomes a worship lifestyle.
One key aspect of worship is worship as warfare. We are called to ask the Lord to give us what we need but also we are enlisted into an army of worshippers standing against the devil's work. A great victory in the Bible is fought with worship. Joshua 5 Joshua and Caleb crossed the Jordan River. The first city then to conquer in the Promised Land was Jericho. As Joshua was looking at mighty walls of Jericho, he sees a man with drawn sword standing opposite him and says, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” Joshua 5:13-15 He said, “No; rather I have come now as captain of the army of the Lord.” And Joshua fell on his face to the ground, and bowed down, and said to him, “What has my lord to say to his servant?” And the captain of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Remove your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. Joshua's response was to worship the Lord. Worship was the beginning of this battle and also the end of the battle. Joshua 6 tells of the battle of trumpets and shouts and the walls came tumbling down.
Worship is warfare; worship is a full body experience; worship defeats the enemy.
The temple and priests are central elements of the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. These elements didn't just vanish when the new covenant in Jesus came about, however. They are both still very real and important elements of our identity in Christ.
Instead of a physical building, the Bible says that our bodies are "living temples," or dwelling places, for God. He lives within us because we have been purified by the blood of Jesus. Because of His sacrifice, we can now enjoy unfettered access to God's Presence, and we can take that with us wherever we go.
We also have been given all the responsibilities and privileges of priests. We can represent God to the people, and intercede for people to God. It's an amazing gift in which we come to know God more, find fulfillment, and discover real and lasting community.
Almost every church you visit has some form of singing or music as part of its service. The music may look, sound, or even feel different, but it's almost always there. Where did that idea come from? Is that something new, or has it always been part of man's relationship towards God?
We see worship throughout Scripture from different people in different circumstances. What may surprise or challenge you is that it always predicates God's Presence. We see that our relationship with God isn't just an intellectual one.
Trained in the Struggle by Sanctifying Grace. by Dr. Clem Ferris
We all have struggles and every struggle is an opportunity for God to train, teach, disciple us and to reveal something by His grace.
Our Father's hand is firmly on the wheel of our lives, and He won't let go. Just as when a child sits on a dad's lap in a car and thinks he is driving as dad unknowingly guides and will not let go. The Father's hand upon on our lives is His grace. Verse 11 The grace of God has appeared... Titus personifies grace in the person of Jesus Christ bringing salvation and then meets us the next morning in the struggle as the battle begins. Paul in his writings uses all kinds of metaphors of struggle. The grace that appears is the grace that remains. It won't leave.
How is prayer the vehicle for God's provision in our lives?
Jesus talked a lot about bread during His ministry on Earth. Here's the secret: it's not about the bread. Jesus used this to illustrate that God would provide for our spiritual nourishment as well as our physical nourishment.
To some, baptism is part of the faith that has never been up for debate. For some, it's a completely new concept. For others, it's been brought to the table as to whether or not it's relevant or even essential.
Throughout the Bible we see baptism being used as a way to illustrate God's great rescue plan - bringing order out of chaos, raising what once was dead back to life. It's more than just a beautiful part of our liturgy. It's obedience to Christ and an appeal to God for a clean conscience. It's both practical and mystical at the same time. The depth of its symbolism can occupy scholars and theologians for millenia, yet it's simple enough for a child to partake in.
Who do you say Jesus is? On the most popularly attended day of the year for churches, the question Jesus asked His disciples is no less imperative. It's easy to become comfortable or mislead as to what it means to be a "Christian." The truth is that it's not enough to just come and sit in a seat or drop some money in the plate every once in a while. What matters is that you submit to Jesus as Lord.
Salvation would have been sufficient, but Jesus took it a step further. By offering salvation and Lordship, He is extending all the benefits and promises of being part of His Kingdom here and now. So who do you say Jesus is?
Everyone yearns for a sense of belonging, whether you call it community or family or church. That's one of the reasons the message of Easter is so amazing. Beyond salvation, which would have been enough, Jesus made a way for us to become the family of God. This family goes beyond borders, languages, and cultures. When we become a Christian, we become part of that global, eternal family.
The good news is that there is room for you at the table.
Dreams are given by God. What is unclear is how those dreams will be fulfilled. We often have an idea of how that could work out, but as many of us know, God's plans are different than ours.
What becomes critical is how we handle the time between the giving of the dream and the fulfillment. Often, that time is filled with trouble as we see in the life of Joseph and so many others. The lesson to us today is to entrust ourselves to God regardless of the circumstances we go through.
As we continue our discovery of the process of becoming fruitful for God's Kingdom, we looked at the central role suffering plays. We looked at the life of Job, and this time we are talking about Joseph. Like so many others in the Bible, Joseph's life was riddled with trouble and suffering, but God caused all that happened to Joseph to work for his good.
That's the way it is with our lives. We aren't promised a life free of trouble or suffering just because we are Christians. It's quite the opposite, in fact. What we are promised, however, is that God will cause all that suffering to work for our good if we will submit to the process and trust God throughout it all.
We know that in this life, we will have trouble. The Bible is clear about that. What's not always clear is why we have trouble or what God is doing or where God even is in the middle of our trouble. We have lots of knowledge or Bible verses to recite to others who are going through trouble, but when we are in the throws of a struggle ourselves, the rubber really meets the road and it's easier said than done.
So what does the Bible REALLY say about the trouble we experience? Why do we go through trouble? How do we handle trouble in a biblical way without downplaying it or hyper-spiritualizing it?
The truth is there is so much more to the trials we face than we realize. God's design for trouble in our lives is beyond anything we can comprehend in the moment, and God's sovereignty means that everything, including trouble, is going to work to our good.
One of the most rampant afflictions in our culture today is anxiety. The statistics are overwhelming. If you have ever dealt with this or if you currently deal with this, you understand how paralyzing anxiety can be.
How do we deal with this? What does the Bible have to say about it? That's what we are talking about today. Our prayer is that this message brings hope and light into a dark place.
If you are currently struggling with fear or anxiety, don't battle it alone! Please reach out to us at info@freedomnb.org and let us walk with you. We would love to pray with you and offer a helping hand however we can.
Defining the Gospel sounds like it would be a no-brainer. It's often trickier than we expect it to be, though.
We tend to equate "The Gospel" with "Salvation." While salvation is certainly part of the Gospel, it's not the sole aspect. Christ's coming, death, and resurrection brought so much more to the story, that is yet to be finished by the way, than we realize. All it takes is a read through the Old Testament to begin to understand why "the good news" is the really really good news.
The key difference is whether or not we view Jesus as merely our Savior or as our Lord. Even though we use these terms to refer to Him, the position of our hearts makes all the difference in our lives as to whether or not we can experience all the aspects of the Gospel that Jesus intended us to.
You may have heard "church" terms like "reconciliation" and "atonement," but what do they actually mean? Why are they important? They're actually essential to our faith and for a very good and very exciting reason.
When we talk about "being invited to God's table," it's important to understand not only what that means, but what it cost for that invitation and that seat. It cost God everything, His very life, in fact. What it means for us is that should we choose to follow God and submit our life to Christ, we all have a place at His table. We can enjoy friendship and peace with Him. He did the work we could not do so that we could live the life we don't deserve. It's amazing and humbling at the same time.
When something is built to a basic level of function, you might be tempted to think it's good enough. After all, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Unfortunately that mindset can carry over into our spiritual lives as well which, in turn, affects our day-to-day living.
It's true that when furniture is built well and functioning as it should, it has a certain amount of value. The difference in value between furniture that is functioning at a basic level and furniture that is not only functioning but also finished is staggering. They may perform similarly, but the finished product is far more valuable and desirable.
So what is the finishing touch in God's Kingdom? It's not a secret. In fact it's the very reason God sent Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul wrote explicitly about it in 1 Corinthians 13. It's what Jesus said upholds the entire law of Moses and the prophets. It's love. Love is the finishing touch that without it, makes all we do a cacophony of noise and discord.
It's no coincidence that Jesus spent time with people around a table. He also used the table as imagery in His parables. In addition to all that, the people with whom Jesus ate was a constant source of contention amongst the religious community. Needless to say, sharing a table is something of significant importance to God.
It also becomes a point of concern amongst ourselves as well. It sounds nice to say all are welcome, but it can be more challenging than we realize. It confronts our prejudices and preferences and bids us die to our flesh for the sake of the Gospel. After all, Jesus ate with sinners, like us who were His enemies, and so we should also.
The Bible is very clear. God gave us gifts, and He gave them to us to be used. It all starts by finding out what your gifts are. After that, it's important to talk about the intended context in which your gifts were designed to be used. Outside of that context, our gifts are weak, at best, or useless at worst.
Why is our purpose a topic we talk about? Why is it even in the Bible?
Perhaps it's because we all wrestle with the question, "Why on Earth am I here," or because God wants to bring us back to His original design, or it's some combination of everything. Whatever the reason, the Bible has a lot to say about our divine purpose.
That's all well and good, but the process of discovering our purpose can be a different discussion altogether. The end of that process is glorious, but the pathway to get there is incredibly challenging.
Regardless of our feelings towards the process, the fact of the matter is that God is inviting us to take part in an incredible journey of discovering who were made to be and how we can be part of something greater than ourselves. First, we have to be willing to surrender to His process. Daily. When we do that, however, buckle up, because it's an incredible ride.
Everyone has something to give. It doesn't matter if you think you've been given a lot or a little. The question is: what are you doing with it?
The story Jesus told of three servants should echo loudly in our hearts. Each servant was given an amount of money. Two of the servants did something with that money and earned a return. The third buried it, and the master was NOT happy about it. The point of the story has nothing to do with the amounts given. It has everything to do with the servants.
Back to the question. What are you doing with what God has given you? Do you know that you have something from God to give? Maybe that's where it starts for you. God wants you to discover the divine purpose He set for you before the world was even created.
As we talk more about God's purpose for our lives, we can't ignore His divine process. It typically involves two things: molding and anointing. We usually love the anointing part. That part is exciting. The molding, however, is the less fun part.
Like a piece of wood that needs to bend, it needs to be heated up in a dark, cramped space before it can be shaped into its intended design. Otherwise that piece of wood is going to break. It's in the dark confinement that God prepares us for our ultimate purpose. The problem is that it's easy to skip out on that process or avoid it altogether.
When you hear the term "the glory of God," it's easy to default to the big, showy types of displays. You might think of miracles and healings, or you might think about the times that God's presence manifested itself in the Old Testament, such as pillars of fire, whirlwinds, earthquakes, floods, etc.
Moses was someone who had seen all of those things. Despite that, he still asked God to see His glory, which ought to tell us that God's glory is more than just a display of His power. We find that God's glory is God's very nature and personality revealed without anything between us.
It might seem like an odd choice for a Christmas-time discussion. Still, the apostle, John, chose to accurately and poetically describe Jesus' birth this way, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14)." God poured all of Himself into human form as Jesus, the Son. His character reveals the glory of God, and it's not powerful, showy, or flashy. He chose to come as a lowly, humble baby to a pair of no-name people full of grace and truth.
That is the paradoxical glory of Christmas. The fullness of God's glory in a vulnerable child Who came to save the world. The King of kings arrived for you and me without earthly pomp or grandeur because He loved the world so very much.
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Hope is universal to human existence. We all hope for things, whether it be a positive outcome to a situation or business deal, a shift in our finances, a promotion in a career, a spouse, a family member, or any other number of things.
What sets biblical hope apart from optimism, however, is that biblical hope is based on a person, not circumstances. When we base our hope on a situation, it's easy to be disappointed, discouraged, and despairing. When our hope is in Jesus, we can remain hopeful for the future, facing it without fear, because whether good or bad, Jesus is always good, always faithful, and will always fulfill His promises.
Where is your hope this Christmas?
The best stories contain conflict and resolution. Without conflict, the resolution doesn't hold any emotional weight. When we identify with the characters and their struggles throughout their journey, however, the resolution is richly celebrated.
It's the same with the Bible. What may seem like a collection of separate stories is, actually, one continuous story with a thread running through it all. It's God's great rescue plan through which He would redeem all of mankind, saving us from eternal separation from Him. This plan culminated in the birth of Christ, which we celebrate every year at Christmas.
Why do we celebrate, though? What's the reason for all our singing and praising and rejoicing? Why all the festivities and "hoopla," as we sometimes say?
Jesus came to save us. That's first and foremost. He came to set us free and restore our broken relationship with God the Father. In this way, Jesus was reestablishing God's Kingdom on Earth. That was just the beginning, though. Before He ascended, He told the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit to empower them to be His witnesses. What we read about in the following pages are all the ways the apostles lived and gave testimony to God's Kingdom.
We are invited to do the same. To do that, however, requires a purity that challenges us. To live a lifestyle of purity is to be the kind of different that causes the world to wonder what we have that they do not. But how do we do that? How do we live a lifestyle of holiness?
Jesus did and said many things that went right over people's heads. Despite their best efforts, they just didn't get it. They completely missed the bigger picture Jesus was trying to get them to see. Hindsight may be 20/20 as they say, but the truth is that we often miss the same things. We try to solve problems with human solutions. We are averse to our need for a savior. We try to force Jesus to be king of our agenda. We only see our lack instead of God's ability to provide.
Where do you see yourself in this message? In what ways are you missing it?
Jesus was with the disciples for three years. He died and rose again. He breathed on them the breath of life, which was the Holy Spirit. Even after that, Jesus told them to wait for something more, a gift from the Father. It would be so good that it was better for them that Jesus left. Otherwise, the Holy Spirit would not come. There has been perhaps little else in all church history, however, that has been the center of more confusion and division than the Holy Spirit.
It should be the opposite, though. Instead of fearing or worrying about, or trying to control this gift, we should embrace it because God is good, and He gives good gifts. He doesn't trick us. In this sermon, Pastor Dennis explores what the Bible says about the Holy Spirit going back to creation and into the present day.
Jonah is most well known for being swallowed by a fish and, well, "deposited" back onto dry land. His story is much more than that, however. It's a picture of God's consistent character throughout history despite man's brokenness and flaws. It's a story of God's mercy coming to a people who did not deserve it. These people were enemies of God, much like the Bible describes you and me. Yet God offered them a chance to repent and be spared. What's most shocking in this story of fantastic circumstances is Jonah's response. He is indignant that God was consistent with His character and spared Ninevah.
So often, we can be the same way. We feel that God owes us more than others because of how we live our lives. Yet throughout the Bible, God extends grace and mercy on the undeserving freely to whosoever will come. He shows no partiality or favoritism, which ought to be cause for celebration and wild, unhindered generosity from us in sharing the good news of Christ. Sadly, we get caught up in the behavior and beliefs, or lack thereof, that we withhold that grace people so desperately need. We forget that at one time, we, too, needed God's grace and mercy.
It's easy to think that if we do enough "good deeds," go to church, say the right things, or just in general "be a good person," we'll get into heaven. We find in Scripture, however, that's just not the case.
Jesus had a conversation with one of the leading religious leaders of his day. This teacher knew all the right information and had done all the right things. Deep down, the rabbi knew there was still something missing. Jesus' response was, in essence, "It's not enough." In one of the most beautiful and logically confusing descriptions, Jesus informs the rabbi, Nicodemus, that to enter the Kingdom of Heaven, one must be "born again."
But what does that mean? How does that happen? How do we know if we've been born again or not? The answer is profound and simple. Do you know Jesus, or just know about Him? Is He the Lord of your life, or just a respectable guy?
Today, you can be truly born again, freed from the bondage of sin and death into a new life with Christ. It's a free gift offered to everyone. All you need to do is to receive it.
It seems so fundamental. It's the cornerstone of the Christian faith. Dig a little deeper, though, and you will find a spectrum of conscious or subconscious beliefs about what it means to be saved.
Is salvation transactional? In other words, do I do enough good deeds to be saved? Is it intellectual? Do I know the right things to be saved? Or is it, perhaps, something else entirely?
What if the answer could be found in a story that Jesus told about the relationship between a father and his son? It is simultaneously simple and profound. The answer is nothing short of beautiful and miraculous, only something God Himself could do. The result is something that completely changes us into different people and ought to beckon others to know the Father.
The first church in the book of Acts was something spectacular to read about. The people of that day felt the same. The Bible describes everyone as being "in awe" of the church. We feel this way so much so today that we want to "go back" to that model if it were possible. So what is it that is so attractive about that first-century church?
It wasn't just the product that came out of it but the foundation upon which it was built. Sure, the products of charity and generosity were great, but it wasn't the awe-inspiring focal point. It was the disciples' love for each other that drew people to them en masse. Certainly, preaching and teaching had a profound impact and shouldn't be overlooked or disregarded. But it was the Holy Spirit community that was the bedrock of their gatherings and outpourings.
If we are to look anything like that first-century church, we, too, must become a community of genuine, organic compassion. It begins with a relationship with Jesus, then love and relationship with God's Holy Spirit, followed by a love for people. The challenge is that we often crave a formula that will fast-track us to the end result. That is what devoids the church of the power with which God desires to imbue us.
Helping people in need can be easier said than done. Whether we're engrossed in our own little world with its to-do lists, or we don't want to be inconvenienced, or if we get overwhelmed by our lack of plausible solutions, it's easy to become anxious about reaching out to help the needy.
Peter and John certainly weren't well-to-do enough to solve the world's problems. They knew they didn't have much to offer regarding finances or physical goods. They knew, however, that what they did have to offer was of far greater value than anyone around them realized.
We have the very same thing to offer the world, God's Holy Spirit, and God made it quite simple. If we will just listen and obey rather than worry or ignore, we will discover that we have much more to offer the world than we realize.
Loving everyone sounds nice. It makes great bumper stickers and t-shirt slogans, but it isn't always that easy. The challenge of loving people doesn't make it any less true or necessary, but it's often easier said than done. If we're honest, loving people is hard. It costs us something. We may have to give up our comforts, our time, our energy, or our resources. It's what Jesus did, and it's what He commissioned us to do. So why is it so hard to love people?
Jesus saw people differently. He didn't just see them with His physical eyes. He saw them with spiritual eyes. He saw the hunger, the brokenness, and the desperation within every person, which moved Him with compassion. That compassion compelled Him to heal them, share a meal with them, teach them, and ultimately die for them. We, however, fail to look with spiritual eyes and therefore have the same compassion for people who, frankly, challenge us in our flesh.
It's time to look beyond the physical. It's time to see the spiritual condition of the people around us, and to remember that we, ourselves, are in just as much need of a savior as they are.
It's one thing to feel sorry for the circumstances of others. It's another thing to be so moved by love that you'll do something about it. That's what it means to have compassion for someone or a group. It's the characteristic of God that compelled Him to have mercy on His people.
We often find it difficult to have compassion for others, however. Perhaps we just don't care enough, or perhaps we find ourselves passing judgment, relegating them to the bed of their own making.
In the story of The Prodigal Son, we have three characters by which to view ourselves. Unfortunately, we may not like which character we most resemble. It's in this story, though, that we see the compassionate love of the Father and the value He places on all of us. From there, we are commissioned to have the same compassion towards the world around us.
Why? It's a question that we all ask at some point in our lives, especially during our early childhood years. It's this desire to understand the world around us or to understand ourselves.
As Christians, we struggle and wrestle with the part of us that is new in Christ and the part of us that is still "fleshly," that is desiring sin and rebellion towards the things of God. Paul describes it eloquently in Romans 7, "I do the very things I do not wish to do." It's this same war within us that begs the question, "Why do I keep doing these things?".
As we hear from guest speaker, Dr. David Ferguson and his wife, Theresa, we can begin to see that there are often unseen bruises from our past that play a big role in our reactions to life events.
The good news is that there is hope for healing and freedom. The secret to finding freedom from these unseen bruises lies in a "who" and not a "what."
Peter became known as one of the most significant of Jesus' disciples. The start of his journey, however, was a little, pun intended, rocky.
He was called by Jesus but returned to fishing. He respected Jesus. He obeyed Jesus. But he had not yet submitted himself wholly to Jesus. Jesus was not yet Lord to him. It wasn't until the miraculous haul of fish that Peter recognized Who exactly Jesus was. It was then that Peter confessed he was a sinful man in the presence of the One Holy God.
So many times we find ourselves in a similar situation, especially in our culture. We might do good things, try to obey Jesus, go to church, be an overall "good" person, send positive vibes, and all that. But many have not yet invited Jesus into their life to be "captain," Lord, of their world. Until that happens, we are just as lost as anyone who's never set foot in a church.
When we do see Who Jesus really is, He is so quick to embrace, forgive, restore, and renew, it's almost unfathomable. Jesus picks us up and shows us how He will establish us in our true purpose. For Peter the fisherman, Jesus made him a fisher of men. Similarly, there is a divine purpose for which you have been preparing all of your life. All it takes is a willingness to surrender to the great Captain of our souls.
Today, it can be discomforting to be a foreigner in another country as we can easily be sidetracked by the discomforts, withdraw and become ineffective in those foreign places. How we approach our time in those kinds of places matter. We are living in a difficult time and place and in a divided country. Our challenges today are growing. How we approach them and respond is important and challenging. It is uncomfortable but at the same time, there should be brokenness in us as we seek to understand what hurt is underneath and what healing could and needs to take place. As Christians, we tend to focus more and more on eternity. But are we called to be focused on eternal life so much that we distance ourselves from this world and its problems? Are we as believers insulating ourselves from the problems and people around us?
Too often we treat prayer as a means to maintain our Christian life without fully grasping what it is meant to be. We can miss the significance of prayer. Only when we give prayer its rightful place of the highest part of the work that has been entrusted to us that we will see that there is nothing so needed and so important as prayer.
What do you see if you look around the world? How do you see what you are experiencing in your life? Are you concerned about what you see? There are challenges as we hear what people are concerned about.
There is nothing hidden from our God. God knows even the plots of the enemy and even when we are unaware.
For everyone that is called, there is a gift that resides inside. When that gift is used to glorify God, it will disrupt the plans of the enemy. The enemy will try to distract us from what God has called us to.
There is a desire to be generous within us especially when we understand that we have been given something that does not belong to us. Then we are free to give. When we become Christian, we become conformed to His image - God is a giver.
What hinders generosity? It is not a lack of desire but a lack of stewardship. We need to understand what we hold in our hands and our lives. Stewardship is the management of the property of someone else. When we are a steward of something there is a responsibility. Understanding our position in this world is significant.
We tend to hang on to possessions because of fear and forget that God is faithful, good, loving, and trustworthy. God told Abraham that he would be blessed and that he would bless others. Blessings are the experience of God's faithfulness and favor toward us. If you want blessings, then choose to give up ownership of your life to Jesus. If you want peace, give God your burden. God wants us to pass on that favor and be a blessing to others.
The final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples was the Passover Meal. It was familiar for the Jews. The Passover was to celebrate what God had done in releasing the Israelites from bondage in Egypt. God used Moses to pronounce 10 judgments on the Egyptians so that they would release the Jews but Pharaoh kept hardening his heart and would not release them. The final and 10th punishment was the death of each firstborn. The Jews were not exempt and so God provided a passing over. The night before the angel of the Lord came to take each firstborn, the Israelites were to mark their doorposts with the blood of a lamb and then have a meal together. That blood protected them from the death of each firstborn. Anyone without blood was not protected and Pharaoh finds his firstborn dead and so released the Jews.
Jesus on His final night was breaking bread and offering a blessing. Jesus changed focus from looking back at what God had done and was now pointing forward to what will come. Matthew 22:19 "This is My body, which is being given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Jesus added the remembrance of His work to this breaking of bread. After Jesus' resurrection, they continued breaking bread but with a new significance.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. The "ask" has a meaning in Greek that is continuing to ask for what is required and to keep on asking. Ask refers to the gift that needs to be given and to keep on asking. "Seek" is a word that is to seek after God and keep on seeking. We are to seek to know the Father. "Knock" speaks of entrance into God's dwelling place - an opening the door of fellowship to the Father.
This is the process of prayer:
- Asking - To ask but not only ask but to keep doing so. "Ask whatever you will and it will be done."
- Seeking - To seek the Giver, not just the gift.
- Knocking - To fellowship, communion, hang out, enjoy conversation, and sit in His presence. It's a great delight not just for us but for God as well.
Does God care when challenging things happen to us? What do we do when God doesn't answer our prayer? What hinders our prayer? Do we think we are the only ones that God doesn't hear or that we are suffering something others haven't? Sometimes, it seems that we are in a unique time of suffering and tend to think we are the only ones. But our problems are not new. James 4:1-2 says, "What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is the source not your pleasures that wage war in your body’s parts? You lust and do not have, so you commit murder. And you are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask."
To be prophetic means to communicate with Heaven. The prophetic dimension is where we communicate with Heaven and Heaven communicates with us. We hear from God; God hears from us. If we have a prayer life, it is prophetic, two-way communication and relationship with Jesus. Being prophetic is connecting with Heaven. Be willing to change so you can hear from Heaven.
While baptism does not save us, it does illustrate a personal willingness to obey Christ.
Baptism is a sign for those who have chosen to follow Jesus Christ. What is the Biblical doctrine of baptism? Why are we baptized? What is baptism as supported by God's Word? Baptism is when a person gets submerged in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Greek word, Baptisma, is used 77 times in the New Testament, and every time it refers to complete submersion in water. (Pastor James in this sermon covers some beliefs on baptism that are not supported by God's Word.) It is so important to build doctrine on God's Word and look to His Word for clarity.
The gospels give an account of John baptizing people. What was John's baptism for? It was for repentance, a sign of the old covenant for confession of sins. It was different than Jesus' baptism which represents salvation for us that was paid for on the cross. God's Word tells us that Jesus came to his cousin, John, to be baptized.
Jesus connects baptism to the righteousness that He gave on the cross. Righteousness came through Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Luke 12:50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Jesus is alluding to His death on the cross - the death, burial, and resurrection that He was to undergo. Jesus' view of death and resurrection was best described in baptism. Baptism accurately portrays what Christ has done for each of us. Baptism answers the question of "what happened" in our life - a response to a changed life that others can see.
Baptism is not tied to our salvation but gives testimony to what Christ has done. Baptism is not a part of salvation but in response to salvation. In that day, circumcision was much more than a procedure - it was a mark on a child's life.
We are saved by grace through faith only and baptism shows the world around us what happened. We are baptized into Christ and are not baptized into a church or into a denomination. Baptism is for the believer. Baptism is a physical picture of a spiritual reality by which we reveal to the world what Christ has done for us.
Why be baptized?Because Christ commanded it. We are to bring others to salvation, and then it is demonstrated with a willingness to be baptized. That's the great commission. It is what Jesus wants us to do... preach the gospel, make disciples, and baptize. If we are not being baptized then we are disobeying Jesus on a basic element. Luke 6:46 Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? Baptism is not about a personal experience as much as it is about your personal obedience. Baptism was always about obedience to Jesus Christ. John 14:15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
Good boundary markers are important and provide security and protection. They are the first step toward identity in a people and when deeply set and rooted will last a long time. In Nehemiah's day and in our day, living inside the boundaries of the Kingdom of God are essential. In our series "Out of Exile," Ezra and Nehemiah were called out by God to reestablish Jerusalem after 70 years of exile in Babylon.
Two different men, motivated by the same God, were called to rebuild the city of Jerusalem. Ezra rebuilt the temple and worship. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls and the gates of the city. All of the people agreed on worship, agreed where the boundaries would be, but they had not yet agreed on how to live. Agreeing on how to live was and is a key to success in a community.
The people had rebuilt the walls, rehung the gates, and conquered enemies, but yet still needed to agree on how to live. The people all got together and took an oath and a curse to obey an agreement. The oath is the promise. The curse is the discipline applied when the promise is broken. Our Father will discipline us in order to love us well.
These six covenants to live by were agreed upon by all of the people - a community commitment. This week we'll cover 3 of those. Freedom Fellowship is based on these same covenants as God led Pastor Dennis to restore this church.
1. They agreed to obey God. Nehemiah 10:29 to walk in God's law, to keep and observe all the commandments. Notice the words of three different actions... walk (the normal activities of life), keep (to protect and love), and observe (spend time to gain a deeper understanding of God's Word). The object was all of the laws (10 commandments and other 613) spoken through Moses. These were a big deal to the Jews. Jesus boiled it down to one law... John 13:34-35 I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another. Jesus is adding to God's laws which were not acceptable to the Jews. This was a new commandment of love. People today want to see that Christians are different. Walking in unity and love is noticeable. Love makes us different. This alone defines the fulfillment of the law. Jesus loves us and we need to love one another.
2. Protect our children. Nehemiah 10:30 and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. We are to protect our children. It weakened the covenant of God when they intermarried and then worshipped other gods.
3. Observe the law of the Sabbath. Nehemiah 10:31 As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the Sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the Sabbath or on any holy day. Most think of Sabbath as doing nothing or as a time to do as we want. The Sabbath goes back to creation - God created rest. Sabbath is a long-term goal, subtle yet powerful beyond imagination. Yet, it is the most disobeyed of all.
July begins our Sabbath celebration at Freedom. It is not a time to do nothing but a time to emphasize doing things together and doing what God says, resting with God. The Sabbath was powerful because it was the time to supply needs. These people committed to being where God was. We need to get our families to church and serve together. Expect to be offended by people in the church. This is not about agreeing with others or being obligated. It is about coming together to see the blessings of God, to love the way Jesus loves so that real community takes place. It's our boundary marker.
Whether times are good or bad, God wants us to be a people who pray.
Prayer is not a last resort or wishful thinking. It is an ongoing line of communication between us and our Father, God, with Whom all things are possible. It is a beautiful gift that we have through Jesus. Because of Christ's death and resurrection, we have access to the throne room of God. We can come to God, calling Him "Father," and tell Him our requests.
Israel recognized what was needed to rebuild Jerusalem, the temple, and worship. Nehemiah 10:29-39 Nehemiah is a pattern book and we can see ourselves in this. Nehemiah was a type of the Holy Spirit and encouraged the people to rebuild. The church today needs this same empowering of the Holy Spirit to rebuild and retool. Last week we covered 3 of the 6 commitments of the people. These covered the personal sins of the people that affected the corporate church:
- Have a lifestyle after God. Verse 29
- To protect their children and their heritage. Verse 30
- To keep and observe the Sabbath. Verse 31
Today, we can personally begin by confessing our sins, confess our not living for God, receive God's forgiveness, and commit to living according to God's Word and His ways. Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he grows older he will not abandon it. The Sabbath is our declaration that God is our provision. When we give Him our time, energy, and finances, then He will do great things beyond what we can do. The church can thrive in persecution. The light will shine brightest in the darkness outside.
The key scripture of all six covenants is Nehemiah 10:39 ... So we will not neglect the house of our God. Nehemiah is a builder's manual for restoration. As a community is restored, then it becomes a haven for the lost. Jerusalem was marked as a haven for anyone to find refuge. The church today is to be the same.
The next 3 commitments are corporate sins that affect individuals.
4. Corporate Responsibility. Nehemiah 10:32 We also imposed on ourselves the obligation to contribute yearly a third of a shekel for the service of the house of our God. These people poured part of what they had into and were responsible for the mission of keeping the worship going.
5. Practical Service in the House of God. Nehemiah 10:34 Likewise we cast lots for the supply of wood among the priests, the Levites, and the people so that they could bring it to the house of our God, according to our fathers’ households, at set times annually, to burn on the altar of the Lord our God, as it is written in the Law. The work of the Kingdom is simple... we take care of the lost, the stranger, the sick, the weak, the vulnerable, and when those are healed, they will do the same for others. We all have a part - every person stokes the flames of worship.
6. Commit to the tithe. Jesus was not sent to change the heart of God towards rebellious man but Jesus was sent to change the heart of rebellious man toward the heart of a loving God. When we give to God and honor His Word, then it brings the blessings of God to the individual and the church. See ourselves committing to the principles of God and it will change us.
In Nehemiah's day, the people gathered to hear, commit, and obey the plan that God had orchestrated. God has a plan today. Earthquakes, persecution, wars... lift up your head. It's getting close. Ask God to revive us again to lift up His name.
True revival is not some distant dream. We can experience it today, but there is often one thing hindering it: sin.
The Israelites were exiled because of their sin. As they began to return and rebuild, they came together to confront and confess their sin and commit to God's laws. While we may not be adhering to a long list of laws and traditions like they did, we can learn from their example. The old covenant is, after all, a shadow of what we have today through Jesus.
So what is standing in the way of you experiencing a revival in your life today? Don't be afraid of conviction or confession! It is one of the greatest gifts God has given us because restoration and revival are just on the other side!
What does it look like to come out of exile?
Nehemiah 9:1-3 Now on the twenty-fourth day of this month the sons of Israel assembled with fasting, in sackcloth, and with dirt upon them. The descendants of Israel separated themselves from all foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the wrongdoings of their fathers. While they stood in their place, they read from the Book of the Law of the Lord their God for a fourth of the day; and for another fourth, they confessed and worshiped the Lord their God.
The bigger purpose of studying Ezra and Nehemiah is for us to come out of an exile of the past few years, apart from fellowship and relationships. At the end of the 70 years of exile, some were released to go back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple. Others were born in exile and that is all that they knew. That applies to us today, either having a time of separation or withdrawal from a church community or those that have never been a part of a church community. What does it look like to come out of exile? The Israelites, re-established the place of worship - rebuilding the temple. Today as we see Jesus taking the sacrifice, we became the temple with the Holy Spirit dwelling in each of us. Revival.
We must place unity above our preferences to see revival.
Revival begins with unity and a coming together. And all the people gathered as one person... They wanted to see a move of God.
Five steps to revival:
1. Restore Unity
2. Revere God's Word
3. Apply Scripture
4. Confess and Repent
5. Live Obediently
The enemy's weapons are sneaky.
The Israelites had been released from exile in Babylon as God impressed upon His people to reestablish a place to worship Him in Jerusalem. Ezra led the rebuilding of the temple and then Nehemiah led the rebuilding of the walls. Today we are in Nehemiah 6 with the rehanging of the gates.
Here are 3 ways that the enemy attacks.
1. Compromise
2. Slander
3. ThreatsWhere have you experienced compromise that got you off track from God's will?
How have you faced or dealt with slander or threats?
What do you want to change in behavior after applying one of Nehemiah's responses?
The Old Testament of what God did is also a foreshadowing of what He wants to do in our lives.
The Old Testament of what God did is also a foreshadowing of what He wants to do in our lives. Seeing what God does allows us to apply it to our lives today.
Nehemiah established 3 areas of protection for Jerusalem
1. Gate guards
2. Singers (offered praises to the Lord)
3. The Levites (priests responsible for the Word).
Psalm 137 describes the Israelites while in exile and their desire to sing the songs of Zion without a place. The singers were often appointed as gate guards. The praises offered protection, too. Our lives need the same protection, or they will become a place of destruction.
Allow the truth of God's Word to change our lives.
Kingdom success means unity - a unity that is rooted in the simplicity of the gospel and empowered by Spirit-filled living. The church is not about building buildings, better programs, or better entertainment. The church of Jesus Christ is about changing lives, restoring souls, healing minds, and redeeming sinners. From that model of ministry comes abundant living, free-flowing grace, and the fruit of the Spirit that this world needs. So, we need the church. Our children need the church. As we stand "next to" others in unity, abundant living is released.
Boundaries are important in our lives.
This series, Out of Exile from Ezra and Nehemiah, continues as we see Israel freed from captivity in Babylon. Jeshua and Zerubbabel led the first and partial group back to Jerusalem to restore the Temple. The Temple for the Jews was very important to worship God. After the Temple was rebuilt, Ezra came to restore the worship in the Temple. He prayed and sought God's direction. Then Nehemiah had a burden and was sent to rebuild the walls of his hometown, Jerusalem. Nehemiah 1:3 And they said to me, “The remnant there in the province who survived the captivity are in great distress and disgrace, and the wall of Jerusalem is broken down and its gates have been burned with fire.” These people had been living in this destruction for a long time, without a wall and boundaries.
Boundaries are important in our lives as they create security, give structure and identity. Boundaries help to keep us safe and are important to help us occupy all that is given to us. In rebuilding the walls, Nehemiah was helping to rebuild Israel's identity.
5 Keys to rebuilding community:
1. Acknowledge the problem
2. Be a part of the solution
3. Work together
4. Don't confuse gifting with calling
5. Finish what you start
Ezra's prayer has significance for his people and for us today.
Coming out of Babylonian captivity, the Israelites start rebuilding of God's temple as it was a very significant part of their lives. It was the place they offered worship, sacrificed, and encountered God. Ezra 9 finds a significant prayer of confession.
Ezra 9:1-2 When these things had been done, the Jewish leaders came to me and said, “Many of the people of Israel, and even some of the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the other peoples living in the land. They have taken up the detestable practices of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians, and Amorites. For the men of Israel have married women from these people and have taken them as wives for their sons. So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages. Worse yet, the leaders and officials have led the way in this outrage.”
Israel was living under a different covenant than we have today. Israel was bound to the law that gave direction for the covering of their sin and how to engage their God. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice and established a new covenant for us today. This grace of Jesus made salvation available to anyone who calls on the name of the Lord.
Desire Restoration.
Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake.
The five stages of persecution. Each one happening in progression.
Stage 1: Stereotyping
Stereotyping is to oversimplify a group of people with ridicule, deriding language, and hatred.
Stage 2 is accusations of crime and misconduct.
Stage 3 is minimizing the role and effect of a group in society.
Stage 4 is the criminalization of Christianity, when activists set out to ruin those with whom they disagree then it's persecution.
Stage 5 is the active persecution of a targeted group.
These stages are happening in our society now. Now, there is a landslide of cultural animosity toward the church that cannot be abated by voting in the right politician. We need an awakened church that is willing to stand firm against the demonic wokeness of our day. In 2015, we seemed to be in stage 3. Today we are seeing the beginning of stage 5.
This is a call to the church to be biblical and mature in the days ahead.
Ezra takes to heart God's Word and steps out in faith.
Israel went through 70 years of captivity and exile in Babylon and the Book of Ezra begins with their release to go back to Israel - out of exile. Leader Zerubbabel and Priest Jeshua returned with a small remnant of people to Jerusalem and began to rebuild the temple of the Lord. They finished it and then temple sacrifices were restored. Between Ezra 6 and 7 are 58 years. The Book of Esther fits in this time. Ezra 7:1 Now after these things... The lineage of Ezra needed to be traced and was significant because it determined Israel's possessions and their birthright. It shows continuity in God's Word; it is one story; God has not stopped the work in His people. There is continuity for us too - our lives are in this place that God might speak to us today.
As Israel starts to rebuild their temple, adversity comes! Their adversaries came from the inside, from logistical frustration, and from outsiders. Three words to remember when it comes to adversity: position, condition, and completion.
Don't step away from the place that God has called us. When the Israelites were faced with adversity, they stayed in place and held their ground. They knew what God had told them and stood firm.
If God put you in a place then adversity will come. Sometimes we take adversity as a sign to leave or retreat. One way to fight the temptation to leave is to decide ahead of time that you are not going to walk away. Simply commit to not walking away from what God has called you to. We do this in marriage. We decide and commit ahead of time that we will stay together and face adversity together.
How can we make a difference with problems around us?
God's people have returned to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple after exile in Babylon. The temple is rebuilt; worship is rebuilt, and now Nehemiah gets a burden from the Lord to rebuild the community in Israel and rebuild the wall.
It has been 160 years since Babylon destroyed Jerusalem; 92 years since the end of the exile; 72 years since the completion of the temple; 14 years since Ezra arrived in Jerusalem; 13 years between the end of Ezra and Nehemiah Chapter 1.
In Nehemiah 1, we learn six keys to rebuilding the walls of community for us today.
Out of exile is about a new beginning.
Nothing happens by coincidence. Whatever situation you find yourself in is no coincidence. God has a place for us and a path to follow. There is a desire in the hearts of people today to begin again after this time of the pandemic. We feel stuck yet have a desire to move forward. We, too, can be a people of God to hear and bring about God's will to the world around us.
The Bible may not seem like the collection of 66 books has any connection, but in fact, there is a single scarlet thread connecting everything into one cohesive story of redemption.
As we study Ezra, it’s important to recognize which part of the thread we’re looking at. It is here that God designates a temporary means of redemption through the temple sacrifices. We know now that these were only a shadow of what, or rather Who, was to come. It all pointed to the great redemption that would come through Jesus, which is still offered to all who will come to His open arms. It’s in His arms that we find forgiveness for sin, love, and a new identity as a child of God.
When coming out of these seasons of what feels like exile, how we go forward matters. Daniel goes back to God's Word. It is what we must do - read God's Word and repent.
Israel was granted permission to leave captivity in Babylon and return to Jerusalem; a very small group left captivity. Their purpose was to establish the temple, a place to worship God. Without the temple, God's presence wouldn't come. They had been in a place of desolation. Jeremiah prophesied that the desolation would not remain.
Jeremiah 33:10-11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘You say about this place, “It is a desolate waste, without people or animals.” Yet in the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem that are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals, there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, saying, “Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever.” For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,’ says the Lord.
God does not want any of us to remain in desolation. Israel was as low as you could go spiritually in captivity in Babylon and yet this was the new beginning the Lord had promised to Israel. God is a God of new beginnings, both corporately as with Israel and individually to those in need. Are you hoping for a new beginning? He is a God who gives not a God who withholds. God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Begin today to prepare a place for God to come and dwell.
It matters how we approach God's bride!
Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless.
Paul was tearing down cultural norms at the time by laying down this principle - love your wives as Christ loved the church. How did Jesus love the church? By leaving His world and entering into ours, sanctifying her, cleansing her - to set apart as a holy thing. Why? so that He might present to Himself the church - without spot or wrinkle but that the church would be holy and blameless. What began as instruction to men becomes a revelation of Jesus' relationship with His church. It is the practical, everyday instruction on how to live out intimacy with God and intimacy with others.
Spots refer to sin. Sin is the refusal to allow Jesus to serve and to satisfy us as members of His body. Jesus left everything because He loved the church and gave all up for her. He is there to minister and care for us by taking away our spots.
Pause... and ask yourself... What is your true relationship with Jesus and His church right now? Is intimacy with God and the community of the saints valuable above all else?
God's ultimate goal is to present to Himself the church and all her glory.
Revelation 19:6-9 Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters, and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let’s rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, because the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has prepared herself.” It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.’” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.
What we do here matters there! It matters how we approach God's bride! The goal of God is glory; the reality for many is spots.
1) Get your eyes on the proper goal. 2) Start investing in your retirement home of eternity by putting your energy into heavenly rewards. 3) We cannot experience the abundant life that Jesus is calling without investing in relationships.
There is a difference between knowing the Lord and being a friend of God. Friends spend time together. Friends are not a bother to each other. We tend to build walls that protect us from real relationships that can hurt and that can bless. We then create a shallow life around us and therefore a distant relationship with God. We cannot be close to God and not love the things that God loves. When we love God, we will be attracted to the things that God loves and He loves His church! Don't criticize the bride of Christ.
Are we praying that the Lord will shake the church, us, out of our sleep and despondency? It is necessary to be with the church because when we break fellowship with the church, we break fellowship with God. God's call is to enjoy freedom from sin and wrinkles and it begins by being a friend of God and loving what God loves, His church, His community, spots and wrinkles included.
There are two groups of people from Matthew 22 - Parable of the Wedding Garment. 1) The people proud of their individuality, despising the church, and unwilling to enter. 2) The people looking a mess, with spots and wrinkles, and not worthy of entering. Jesus gives His coat and blood to cleanse us so that we can enter in.
Take Jesus' hand and accept what Jesus did for you! Let Jesus deal with the spots and wrinkles. The church is open to all.
Many believe that "community" is a time to get together as a congregation. But is it?
Community is universal as we all have a desire to be connected to others. We cluster in what we overlap in as in doing the same things or thinking the same way. What does a community in the Kingdom of God look like? Many believe that "community" is a time to get together as a congregation. But is it?
The triune God is one. Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make mankind in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the livestock and over all the earth, and over every crawling thing that crawls on the earth.” Mankind began from a community - God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit; three in one. So we gravitate to community as we were created. John 17:21 that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
Adam realized his aloneness as he names the animals. When he sees Eve, he has an immediate connection with someone like him.
Then sin... Adam and Eve's first response was to cover themselves. They also hid from each other and from God. How many believers continue to hide what is really inside from those around them? We cover the sin in our lives because our community might not accept us. Then we have a disconnect, an awareness of differences, and are ashamed of what is exposed. It's then a fractured form of relationship. We tend to build connections but not unity. Connections are easier and based on external things we can control.
Community tends to develop around things that are common - a group of people that have a particular interest and/or proximity. But what happens when it changes? Did God intend for something more for community? Should it satisfy something bigger than proximity? How do we attain it? The answer is Jesus! We complicate it by trying to pay for our sins.
Understanding that our primary identity is in Christ sets the foundation for us to discover true community. True community transcends proximity, interests, and even our differences. Community cannot be based solely on everything that is the same with others, otherwise, it will stifle growth and true understanding. When real community is built on things that are internal then my identity in Christ creates for us a community that transcends worldly differences.
We are reconciled to God because of Jesus Christ. We are a new creation with no need to hide from each other. Community built on anything other than the cross will lead to failure.
Acts 4:32-36 And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power, the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all. For there was not a needy person among them, for all who were owners of land or houses would sell them and bring the proceeds of the sales and lay them at the apostles’ feet, and they would be distributed to each to the extent that any had need.
Scripture doesn't say that they were required to do this. There were so many differences in this community, yet this group grew. Belief was the foundation for this community and any real community. They shared a common understanding of the cross - one heart and one soul. Their heart was their love for one another; it was their motivation. Thousands were coming together because of this oneness. One soul was their common bond of Jesus Christ. We all have a need for community and all have a need for a Savior. You can have a worldly community but it will change. If we start with Jesus, then we have a community that will not change. Should we not offer a community that changes lives?