First Church of Christ-Owosso, MI: Recent Episodes
First Church of Christ
In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus modeled to us how we should pray. The prayer Jesus offered is a simple and clear guide. May we as God's people commit ourselves to prayer, and may we pray that the Lord’s Prayer be fulfilled in our lives, in our community, and in our church!
God’s love for us is unconditional, and He calls us to be rooted and established in His love. When we allow the Holy Spirit of God to take control of our lives, He will draw us together in love. May we as a church be filled with the Holy Spirit and united in God’s love, and may God’s love flow freely out of every one of us to other people.
In our prayers, we may stumble in our words or approach, but what truly matters is our devotion and intention. God sees beyond the surface, straight into our hearts, understanding our deepest needs even when we struggle to articulate them perfectly. Through Solomon's example, we learn that there's nothing more precious than cultivating a genuine relationship with our Heavenly Father.
As the people of God, we need boldness! We need to always be willing and searching for opportunities to share the Gospel boldly and confidently with the lost.
We all make many mistakes in life and in our growing walk with God. When we realize that we have sinned, we must hate the sin and sorrowfully repent of it. Every single one of us are in need of forgiveness and the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. There is joy in forgiveness and salvation! Ask God for forgiveness, and let Him restore you to joy! Let Him give you something worth living for... eternity with Him!!
Think of the pressure we take upon ourselves when we try to be the general in battle that is God's. We get discouraged. We give up. We fold our tents and go home. We can't handle it. But when we actually believe that the battle is the Lord's to fight, then we let him be the general and just follow His orders. Yes, we're under the stress of battle, but not the stress of trying to play God.
When we pray, we should not hold back in expressing our deep longing and pleading for God’s intervention in our lives. We can learn valuable lessons about the power of faith, the importance of surrendering our desires to God, and the incredible results that can be obtained when we approach Him with sincerity and trust. Our sorrow can be turned to Joy when we choose to serve God with our lives, regardless of our current circumstances.
Prayer is the most powerful weapon for God’s people. Prayer is a time when we open our hearts to tell God all that is on our hearts. We go to God in our time of need and we ask him what we think we need. - But we must remember that God ultimately knows best. Jesus was willing to submit to God's will - even unto death. We must accept the will of God, submit to Him, and serve his purpose even when we don't understand or when we don't agree. Are you submitted to God, and willing to trust Him?
Are you facing a problem that seems impossible? Through whatever we are going through, God is steadily there to help us. We must put our trust in Him. When we are weak, He is strong and He has the power to help us through. We must remember that nothing is too difficult for God.
Being a Mother or Father is an extremely important job. We must prepare our children to face the world with hearts and minds fully submitted to Jesus. Teaching our children to put their faith in Jesus is the single most important thing we can do while raising them. Be faithful, and show your family what it means to be faithful.
Marriage can be hard at times. We all mess up... every single one of us. Jesus has shown us grace and love, even though we don't deserve it. Are you willing to love your spouse sacrificially and unconditionally as Jesus loves you? Your marriage is worth the work. Trust God, build trust with one another, and let your marriage be the blessing that it was meant to be.
We are called to a selfless love for one another. - A love that is patient and kind, that perseveres, that trusts, and rejoices in the truth of God's will and His word. When a church has a love like that, other people will want to know the God that teaches us to love like that. Will you resolve to show that kind of love?
As we mature in Christ, we will develop God's kingdom values, and necessarily become more like little children.
When we are focused on ourselves or the things of the world, then we have taken our eyes off of the One who can give us the strength to endure. When we focus on Christ, We can endure anything because Christ will strengthen us. God uses His church to spread the message of the Gospel. When we are obedient to God and His mission, God is honored, and the church is transformed.
It can be easy to dwell on the negative when life is hard, disappointing, or painful. That’s why it’s so important to follow the instruction that Paul writes about in Philippians 4. We are to think about what is true rather than the lies Satan would have us believe. We are to dwell on what is noble and right so our actions will follow our thoughts. We are to feed our minds with whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy—all the things that help us stay focused on God’s love for us and Christ’s sacrifice for us. - This is Praiseworthy!
God wants us to give all as we strive toward the goal. The goal is to finish the race well by pressing on no matter what has happened in the past, and no matter what life throws at us. Heaven awaits us. We must strive toward the victory of Heaven by living out our faith every single day.
What does Paul mean when he tells the Philippians to "work out your salvation"? Salvation is extended by a free act of God's grace. We did not and cannot do anything to earn it. But . . . once we accept Jesus and we are saved, the new life that Christ plants in us should result in a new way of living. Our faith in Christ is not something we can separate from our daily living. It is to be our life's pursuit to grow in the Lord. We "work out our salvation" by living in a way that obeys Jesus.
Jesus, who was in the very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Instead, He made Himself nothing, taking on the very nature of a servant. He put our salvation before His comfort. Let's strive to be more like Jesus by putting others first. Let's strive to serve rather than be served. Let's remind one another of the humble, servant-hearted example of Jesus.
As we begin to look forward to another year that the Lord has given us, we sometimes tend to look back in regret or remorse at the things we did not get accomplished for the Lord in the past year. We must not allow the failures of the past to cloud our vision of the future. We can never change the past. But by the grace of God, we can make the most of the future. The apostle Paul wrote to believers in Philippi to remember that our citizenship is in heaven. We are called to be faithful to our work for the Kingdom and God's calling on our lives. Our perspective and keeping an eternal mindset can make all the difference.
Where does your peace come from? To have peace in your life is to understand God and to submit to Him even when the world around you is in complete chaos. This type of peace is only attainable in the hope we have in the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Christ is the everlasting father whom God gave to the world to bring salvation and redemption to mankind. He is a perfect Father who loves us deeply.
What is your source of strength? Who or what are you looking for to heal you, restore you, and provide you with hope? What darkness do you need strength to battle? Our understanding of darkness determines the source of light that we need. Jesus is our light and might. But He is a different kind of unexpected might. He is our Mighty God, a perfect gift that provides us with hope.
Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor! The word wonderful as used in the book of Isaiah literally means “incomprehensible.” His love is so wonderful that we cannot fully understand it. Christ’s position as our Wonderful Counselor means we can trust Him to listen to our problems and guide us in the right direction.
Though we least deserve it, it is Christ's mission to present us to God blameless, clothed in Christ's righteousness. Hallelujah! - As believers, we have a responsibility to rescue the perishing, and lead others to Christ. Jude calls us to have mercy on those who waver, who doubt, and who don't have stability in their Christian walk. God will forgive, guard, and delight in all who repent and draw close to Him through Jesus our Savior.
In the book of Jude, we find a powerful call to fortify our faith, and to strengthen our spiritual foundations. This sermon encourages Christians to actively build their faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and remain in God's love while awaiting Christ's mercy and eternal life.
Are we as believers living faithfully in a world that is trying to compromise scripture? The fight can be a hard one at times, but we must not ever have a "give-up" attitude. The church must stand firm and remain faithful. Let's be men and women of God who contend for the faith together.
Do we love people enough to help them? - Not just in this life, but for all eternity? Are we passionate about sharing the Good News with the lost? What bridges can we build to show love to our community?
As believers, we have the Good News - The BEST news! So let’s build bridges into our community and share that news with everyone we can.
Is your family building their foundation on Jesus? Are you leaving a Godly legacy for the next generation? Building a faithful family will glorify God's plan for your life. It will create a strong faith background that will last from generation to generation. It's a legacy that you can start by being faithful to God and His word.
Nothing happens in a church until someone dreams, believes, and takes action. God has called His church to be a light in the darkness. He has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things for the benefit of the church. As His church, we must not be afraid to show that we believe God, walk in faith, dream, and take action in what God calls us to do.
We can have confidence in Christ. The more we read the Word, share our faith, and walk with Jesus the more confidence we build. - And our confidence doesn’t rest in doing it perfectly; it rests in God’s promise of shaping us and molding us into the image of Jesus. We can be confident in who we are in Christ, what we have in Christ, and what we can do in Christ. This life is short, but we have the hope of eternity with Him. Our confidence in Christ will be richly rewarded.
To run the race of faith we need to fix our eyes on Jesus and remember that He is our AUTHOR, our PERFECTOR, and our ENCOURAGER.
Our “race" is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are called to stay the course and remain faithful to the end. No matter how hard or how long the race may be, we must always keep our eyes on Jesus.
There is a cloud of witnesses that surround us and a history that carries us. Their stories of faith and their prayers encourage us to move forward, “throwing off” the stumbling blocks of fear and of shrinking back from the challenges of life. If they did it and so can we! We can overcome the entanglement of Sin in our lives, just as they did, by God’s grace. The lives of those represented in the cloud of witnesses need to serve as encouragement for us today.
in 1 Corinthians, Paul compares the Church to a body. A body is composed of many parts, each with an important role. Each one of us has an important role in Christ's Body.
God gives an invitation to all of us to come and experience His love. God also reminds us of all the things that are going to take place in the final days of Judgement on earth then throughout eternity. Heaven or Hell is the final place we will be. What you do with your opportunity to ask Jesus Christ to forgive you of your sins determines your final place in eternity.
The days of Paul were filled with a passion to share the love of Jesus with all. He has been God's instrument of establishing Churches and leading people to live for Christ. Now this wonderful faithful servant of God is ready to go to his Heavenly home forever.
By God’s grace and the strength of the Holy Spirit, Paul planted churches in gentile-populated cities. He wrote many letters to help strengthen the churches throughout the world. And he provided us with an example of how to share the good news with people who were difficult to reach.
This Paul, previously Saul, a zealous Jew determined to destroy the followers of Jesus, became Jesus’ greatest advocate of the time to the Gentile world. If not for Paul, where might we be this morning? In church?
Jesus doesn’t leave us to carry out his mission alone. He gave us the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us to be witnesses of Jesus’ transforming power in our lives. He also gave us the promise that he will return again someday.
We don’t know the exact date, and that’s ok because it doesn’t really matter. Our mission isn’t to know when Jesus will return. Instead, we are to live as if it will happen tomorrow.
His enemies thought they had finished Jesus off. But despite their great pains to discredit him and keep him in the tomb, he returned, just as he said he would – just as the prophets said he would. His own victory over death gives everyone the same opportunity to live forever with God, which has been the plan from the beginning. Jesus’ mission on earth has been completed. Now it was up to a small group of men and women who believed.
Virtually since the very beginning of time, human's sin has infected the whole world. Sin separates us from God and one another, sin turns us inward, sin brings upon us the penalty of death. We remember the cure for sin, the self-giving sacrifice of Jesus in our place. His death is the cure for our sin, the payment of our debt.
It is one of life’s most important questions. Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”
He asks each of us as well. Who do you say Jesus is? Are you prepared to acknowledge, as Peter did, that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God?
If there was one thing that became clear about Jesus after he began his public ministry, it is that he was no ordinary man. His message was not ordinary, and his miracles were not ordinary. Most significantly, his identity is not ordinary – he is the son of God.
Jesus doesn’t launch into his ministry the way we might expect, with loud fanfare or mass media attention. He was announced by a unique prophet, John the Baptist, and went about his plan in just the right way.
The last person to speak before the Old Testament comes to a close is Malachi. He tells us that the next prophet who is going to speak for God is going going to introduce us to the One we have been waiting for, the One who will provide the once-and-for-all solution for getting us back to God – the Messiah. Malachi foretells that the next time God speaks – which will be 400 years later – it will be through John the Baptist, the one who would prepare the way for Christ to come.
God still speaks to us, offering us the blessed privilege of “saving His people” through wild and crazy acts of loving obedience. Imagine what we could do to reflect God’s love for His children. Imagine what could happen in our families, communities, nation and world if we would adopt Esther’s commitment as our own: “I will go to the king… and if I perish, I perish.” Esther was willing to take her chances because she knew who was in control.
“Are you ready to go home?” Great words to hear! Although the Hebrew children went back to their beloved homeland they lost focus and passion in rebuilding the temple. We learn this week in The Story how important it is to make God’s big thing our big thing! Our number one priority should always be His presence in everything we do.
Chapter 18 of the Story teaches us how to be “in the world but not of it”! Always remember 2 lessons from Daniel: 1) Be careful not to get sucked into the lifestyle of the world and 2) live a life that points others to God.
The people of Israel continued to wander farther and farther from God, and this sin finally resulted in the fall of the kingdom. Even as the kingdom crumbled under attack from conquering enemies, God promised of a day when he would rebuild it – not because of anything the people deserved, but just because He is God and wants to show his powerful love for his people.
Throughout the history of the kingdom of Israel, the people regularly failed to follow God, and many of the kings turned away from the Lord. The prophet Isaiah warned the people what would happen – that the kingdom would fall. What can we learn from the Israelites’ example, to remind us to continue honoring and following God as our king?
In our Lower Story lives, we are vulnerable to the same sin that plagued the northern kingdom of Israel: we want to worship gods of our own choosing. None of us would ever admit to idol worship, but consider how much time, energy, and money we spend on things that have no eternal value. Then compare that to the time, energy, and money we devote to God.
Sometimes conflict arises within the Church. Nothing harms the Church more than when its people reflect the wrong image of who God is. We do this whenever we show unkindness to others. We do this whenever we conduct our business dishonestly or let our anger get the best of us. These actions harm the Church, but they can't stop it. God will always continue to build His Church and His Kingdom. Wouldn’t you prefer he did it with you?
Anxiety pulls us down and keeps us down. That is, until we give our worries over to God. Then the burden is lifted so we can be lifted up. Without the weight of an anxious heart we can live in the joy of having a cheerful heart.
Are you living with Guilt? Any guilt that we feel should move us to confess our sins and seek God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness brings freedom. It is only by admitting our guilt, confessing our sins, and receiving God’s forgiveness that we can move on to overcome it in our lives.
Jesus despised the Pharisees. But why? These guys were simply trying to please God by honoring His rules. What was it about them that angered God so much and how do we avoid becoming like them?
Recorded on May 15th, 2022
Sermon by Steve Lockwood
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
A Faithful Mother - Mother's Day Sermon
Recorded on May 8, 2022
Sermon by Steve Lockwood
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Have you ever watched a relay race? As the lead sprinter on each team runs the first leg of the race, the next runner gets set. He anxiously times his teammate’s arrival, and begins running before the lead man overtakes him. Then, the crucial moment arrives, and the lead man passes the baton. A relay race is won or lost in the transfer of the baton. A miscalculation or hesitation at that point can cost the race. May we rely on God’s grace and wisdom to pass on the baton well. As we do, may we never forget the promise of God’s unfailing presence and love. He is with us always. And He will never, ever leave us or forsake us.
The message of the resurrection gives us hope that whether we live or die, the best is yet to come. A day is coming when all of humanity will experience some sort of resurrection. Anyone who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, repents of sin, and commits their life and future to loving and obeying Him will be joined with Christ when He returns. There is hope! – whatever your situation. – There is hope!
This powerful presentation, shared by Greg Williams from Jews for Jesus, demonstrates the link between the Jewish feast of Passover and the last supper Jesus shared with His disciples. An explanation of the beautiful symbolism of the Jewish ceremony called a seder. In this presentation, Greg weaves the story of the exodus and freedom from slavery together with the messianic hope realized in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. The words “do this in remembrance of me” take on an even deeper meaning to Christians as we learn the significance of the tradition Jesus observed the night before He died and give us a closer look at the very Jewish life He led. Jewish or not, religious or not — this is an unforgettable, thought-provoking experience.
In this life, it is easy to give up. It is human nature for us to become discouraged and want to throw in the towel. Be strong! Fix your eyes on Jesus. Look through your suffering and see the eternal reward.
We live in an age of choices, and the most critical choice we can ever possibly make is about Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God. There is only one path to eternal life with God... That path is Jesus Christ. This choice will determine your eternal destiny. Which road in life will you take?
The world can be a harsh place. And mistakes are not always easily forgiven. But, thankfully, we are not citizens of this harsh place. We are citizens of a very forgiving place, a loving place, a place of amazing grace and eternal forgiveness. That is our true home, our forever home. This place where we are now? This is just where we currently happen to live. We are just passing through. Heaven awaits us. And how blessed will it be when our Savior returns to bring us to our heavenly home to dwell in His presence forever!
How do we keep going in faith and service to one another, remembering our access to God and our certainty of hope? The writer of Hebrews wrote to encourage fellow believers to hold fast to the gospel and to continue living by faith in Jesus Christ.
Would you describe your life as one lived in the fear of God? Does respect for Him and for His will propel you toward obedience and godliness? The Lord will help us to walk in reverential awe of Him, His greatness, and His glory. May His people always be a people who fear the Lord and prove it by living by His Word!
God pursues our lives with “goodness and mercy” that follow us. God is also intent on delivering and leading us into the “house of the Lord forever.” The goodness and mercy we receive today are foretastes of the kingdom of God to come.
The words “my cup overflows” reveal a God who cares for his people, thus providing an abundance of the heart because we receive the contentment of his Spirit. God’s provision is where all of the good of our lives comes from.
God prepares a table before us and invites each of us to join Him in a relationship. How would our lives and relationships be altered if we truly believed in the power of God’s table, a place that was powerful enough to reconcile our brokenness to our holy God? Would we respond in love by even inviting our “enemies” to share this table?
The world is a scary place, but we don't have to be afraid. Your life might seem like a scary place, your current circumstances might seem like a scary place, your future might seem like a scary place, but you do not need to be afraid!! God's power to protect us, God's power to correct us, and God's power to direct us should bring us comfort in those scary places. God is with us, and He will protect us. Nothing anyone or anything can do to us will ever jeopardize our eternal safety in the Good Shepherd's care.
The hope we have in Jesus Christ enables us to live as people of faith through life's great challenges. One of the most incredible dimensions of Christianity is that our low valleys are never wasted because God orchestrates every event of our lives—good and bad—for our very best and to redeem, reconcile and restore the world.
The paths the shepherds chose were purposeful. God, our Shepherd, cares for us in such a way. He invites us to live on an intentional path by following His instructions and commandments provided to us throughout Scripture. He fulfills His promises so that His character is glorified and His name holds recognition as one who is good, gracious, mighty, and merciful!!
Have you ever felt like you just can't find rest? Maybe it's because of fear, conflict, irritation, possibly hunger.. Whatever it is that is causing you to lose sleep, or be exhausted... Knowing The Good Shepherd will give you rest!! He cares for you, and if we walk closely by His side, He will give us the rest we need!
In the 23rd Psalm we read of the relationship of the Shepherd and His sheep from the perspective of David who was the shepherd of his father's sheep. In the Bible the LORD is given so many titles pertaining to His relationship with us and here we see Him identified as our Shepherd. As His sheep we must come to know His distinctive voice and recognize Him as our Lord.
God seems to prefer to choose the little, the insignificant, the unimportant to bring about His purpose. Not only is God able to use the small and insignificant, it seems that He prefers to do so in order that the glory remains where it belongs, with Him!
There is true Joy when Christ is Received; When the Savior Reigns; When the Sinner Repents; When Truth rules with Grace!
Angels are most often sent as God’s Messengers, and the News they give is usually Good. In this case it was better than good. It was the best news that has ever been proclaimed. Today, will you Hearken to His words and Hail him as YOUR King and Savior? Hark, the herald angels sing, glory to the new-born king!
God is with us – in answered promises, realized dreams, and refreshed hope. How could we help but sing? Let’s explore the songs born from our joy that Christ has entered the world.
The Bible says that God will judge our hearts and the genuineness of our faith. The reality of our faith is demonstrated by our love and compassion to others. One day we will be held accountable for the things that we have done and the things that we have not done. If we are sincere, if we trust in Jesus, and if we remain faithful, we have an eternal life to anticipate!
Everything God gives you has been entrusted to you for a purpose. What opportunities do you have today to leave an eternal impact for Christ?
There’s a reason behind every decision you make with your time, your money, and your gifts. When what matters to God is what matters to you, every resource you've received can point others to Him.
When everything is going wrong, and it seems like we are losing everything, there is really only one place to go, and that is to God. If we receive of the Lord's sacrifice for us, individually, with true repentance, when we allow God to renovate our heart and when we surrender to Him, we will receive the abundance of God's grace. God's grace will always sustain us!
Forgiveness is an act of grace. Being forgiven allows us to experience the grace of God and empowered by grace. The power of grace moves us to extend forgiveness to others. Becoming more like Jesus and growing in grace means that we must be willing to forgive. The unwillingness to forgive robs people of the grace they so desperately need. What does the forgiveness of Jesus mean in your life? How has the forgiveness of Jesus changed your life?
Have you received the grace of God that brings salvation? God’s grace is active. He does not sit idly by and leave you without guidance or conviction. The grace of God that results in salvation should be continuing to have a profound effect upon our hearts. Take account in your life, in your mind, in your heart, and see if you find the results of saving grace. Examine yourself to see if you are eager to do good, if you look forward to the return of Christ, and if you avoid the sin of this present evil age. Live God’s love by honoring Him!
Ever felt overwhelmed by an impossibly huge task? You’re in good company. Charged with leading God’s people into Canaan, Joshua was familiar with the fear that accompanies enormous responsibility. God fought this battle on behalf of the Israelites. God never abandoned them, and He will likewise, never abandon us! We would be foolish to think that we can succeed without God, yet we find ourselves defaulting to our own methods, strength and wisdom to fight our battles. Let's keep trusting Him and obeying His instructions—no matter how unusual—and see every one of His promises fulfilled in our lives today!
Life can be a little overwhelming at times. While there are many moments to celebrate breakthroughs and success, there are other times where you feel like nothing is going your way. In these times it can be easy to get discouraged. After crossing the Jordan river, God told Joshua to select 12 men, one from each tribe, who would grab 12 stones from the middle of the Jordan River. The purpose of the 12 stones served to remind Israelites for generations to come what good and powerful things God had done for them. When things get tough and everything seems to be going against us, let’s reach back to our memorial of the many times God came through for us in small and big things.
When we face big problems in life, We need strength and courage to do what God wants us to do. We need to remember that God has been with us, and He will stay with us through everything we face.
God calls us to be strong, bold and courageous. We can trust Him in all things, even in the most seemingly impossible times of our lives. God can do the impossible if we put our faith in Him.
A good friendship is one where we can trust one another. John trusted Jesus enough to forsake prosperity, and risk his life for Him. Jesus trusted John with His love. It’s a most extraordinary thing to be described as, “the one whom Jesus loved.” To be considered Jesus’ best friend. Do you trust Jesus? Can He trust you to do His will? To fulfill His mission? To be faithful in small matters? To be trustworthy in great matters? Can Jesus trust you?
How does your loyalty rate as a friend? As we see by the example David and Jonathan have set for us, being loyal means being supportive, being ready to assist, and to encourage - even when things are complicated and sticky. That’s why commitment, loyalty, and selflessness are so essential in any friendship. David and Jonathan’s friendship was characterized by these qualities even in the midst of adversity. Jesus is the ultimate friend you are looking for. He teaches you how to be that friend, to be willing to be transparent, to be loyal, to serve, and to be committed through thick and thin.
What can we do to help ourselves or help our friends when we are dealing with tough times, sadness, or depression? The story of Elijah and Elisha illustrates the way in which holy friendship addresses the basic human need to draw close to God.
Ruth and Naomi set a wonderful example to all by having a shared love of God at the heart of their friendship. Ruth’s capacity to love, which is a God-given ability, triumphs over Naomi’s inconsolable pain and grief and brings her joy once again! Even in the midst of the greatest suffering and adversity; God is good, and kind, and full of mercy. God can bring good out of suffering, grief, disappointment, and loss. If you don’t believe that, just look at the cross!
What makes a good friend? What kind of impact can friends have on each other? In the book of Acts, we find a man who has wonderful qualities of a friend. His name is Barnabas. As a result of the friendship of Barnabas, Mark was greatly used of God. And as a result of the friendship of Barnabas and Paul, God used Paul to write 14 books of the New Testament. Never think that the friendships you establish have an insignificant impact. They have eternal rewards.
First Church of Christ celebrates together as we sent off Richard and Nina DeVreese to be missionaries to Guatemala with Paradise Bound Ministries. In this sermon, Jay Wagar speaks about how a couple can maximize their usefulness for God's kingdom TOGETHER, and how we should all give our all to do what we are called to do for the glory of God!
As Christians, we have a powerful message of hope. We are called to be obedient to God in all circumstances and share the Gospel to all, even to the people who may not accept it and in the places where it is hard to go. As a church we need to pull together and encourage each other to grow in our faith and to go out into the world and tell others about Jesus Christ and the reason we believe. Who will be willing to be sent?
What does your prayer life look like? Sometimes prayer may become an afterthought for many. We need to make prayer a priority! We need to be praying people, a praying church dedicated to seeking God and asking Him to lead us.
Sometimes we may feel insignificant or overlooked. With everything going on in the world today it's easy for us to start thinking "What difference does my effort make?" God sees you. God knows everything about you. God knows everything that you have done whether good or bad, in public or in secret. In the end when you meet God, He will know... and that is what will matter most.
Recorded on July 19th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Every person’s primary need is to meet Jesus Christ personally. Each person must see that he is a sinner under God’s righteous judgment. God wants us to be wise witnesses who live godly lives and who take advantage of every opportunity to talk graciously to lost people about the Savior.
If we are to bear the name of Jesus Christ, we should do it well. The Christian life ought to be a continual growth and transformation. We should strive to deepen our walk with God, and grow in our knowledge, love, and our relationship with Jesus Christ. When we do this we will better reflect Christ, His love, and what it means to be an authentic follower of Him.
God is Holy in His very essence. There is no darkness in Him. If we are going to be called children of God, we need to live holy and distinctive lives. We are called to be separate from the world, a holy and righteous people. Thankfully, Jesus took our sin upon himself when He died on the cross so our guilt can be taken away, and our sin is atoned for if we turn to Him. We are able to be accepted by God and transformed because of what Jesus did for us.
We are free to serve Jesus. Don’t worry about what others insist upon. Don’t complicate your faith by creating checklists. Follow Jesus, fall more in love with Him. Take time to worship, take time to pray, take time to spend silent time with Him. But don’t allow guilt and regret cloud your walk. Listen to Him as He leads, obey Him as He gives direction. Seek after Him, and make that your first priority.
It is so important to keep the momentum going in the right direction once we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. How do we keep moving forward in maturity in Christ? This requires a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to dictate our ways, and for us to be willing to follow Him where He leads us. God's plan for us is greater than we could possibly know!
Our mission as a church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We each have our role to play in the body of believers, even when it is hard or unnoticed work. Jesus is the hope of glory, and the truth that we proclaim!
Paul’s description of Jesus Christ in Colossians 1:15-20 gives us a stunning portrait of the sufficiency and grandeur of the Savior. In this short passage, Paul makes a vital statement to the understanding of the Christian faith and the removal of any confusion over who our Lord Jesus Christ really is. This makes it very clear that Jesus is supreme in all power and wisdom.
Recorded on May 30th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Colossians is one of Paul’s shortest letters but also one of the most exciting. We can see that wrong thinking and wrong doctrine always leads to wrong living. We’re encouraged to explore the treasures of the true gospel and to order our lives accordingly under the lordship of Christ.
Recorded on May 24th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI. www.firstchurchofchrist.org
The church that began in Jerusalem on that Pentecost day was a dynamic witness to the power of God in the lives of men. Why did the church grow so rapidly in those first exciting years? ALL the people were devoted to the worship of God, to the fellowship of one another and to the spreading of the gospel of Christ. We need to be completely committed to the worship of the Lord. When at all possible we all need to attend and be involved in every opportunity to worship together and every opportunity to study God’s word.
Recorded on May 16th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
There is no greater duty in being a parent than to show our children the love of Jesus. We can clearly see the lasting effects of faithfulness when looking back at those who have gone before us. We must teach our children, and leave behind a legacy of faith.
Recorded on Mother's Day, May 9th, 2021
Sermon by Mark Walter
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Are we living in the truth of Jesus Christ? Truth is not relative... Truth is Jesus Christ. We must share this truth with the world. We must act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.
Recorded on May 2nd, 2021
Sermon by Mark Walter
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
What kind of church is First Church of Christ?
What does this church believe?
Recorded on April 25th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
We all need hope. Without faith in God, we lack hope. Without hope, we cannot persevere. There is hope!! A hope that is lasting, and that is not based on feelings in a moment that can disappear as quickly as they come. This hope is the hope based on the reality of Christ, Christ in you, and the hope of glory. This is the hope that does not disappoint.
Recorded on April 18th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
The answer to “who we are” must ultimately be rooted in something that is durable something that doesn’t change. Who you are is not defined by age, appearance, or stage in life… it is about your source. Always remember that you are a beautiful, unique creation. You are a Child of God.
After Jesus was resurrected from the dead, He displayed his grace and love toward his followers even after they faltered in the last hours leading up to the crucifixion. Jesus was not angry at them... but instead called them brothers, and talked with them in love. In the same way, when Jesus sees us He is not angry with us. Instead, He sees us with eyes of love. Everything that He went through, He did it all for us in love.
Recorded on Resurrection Sunday - April 4th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
The love of God is a proven love. It was proved by the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. We can be certain that God loves us when we see how He sent His only Son to die for us, and how much Jesus suffered in our place, in order to redeem us. Was there ever a better or more sacrificial gift than that?
Recorded on March 28th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. Crowds of people spread their coats on the ground in front of Him. Some waved branches of palm trees, a sign of victory. Only a king would be greeted this way, and the people wanted Jesus to be their king. Most of the people did not understand what kind of king Jesus would be. They expected their Messiah to be a great political and military leader who would free them from the tyranny of the Roman Empire. But the kingdom of God is not of this world... Jesus may have entered Jerusalem to a chorus of palms and praise, but He is most concerned that we bear good fruit in our lives.
Recorded on March 21st, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Every person who follows Jesus does so because they want to. When we choose to follow Him, our Savior is asking us to follow His example of sacrifice in our own Christian lives. Jesus bids us to take up our cross daily and follow him as He heads toward His cross.
Jesus saw first hand how the rules of religion were being used to hurt people. In Matthew 12, Jesus reveals Himself to be the giver of true rest to those who follow Him. Jesus wants a real relationship with us over any kind of religious tradition or rule keeping.
Recorded on March 7th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
We've all been there... we've messed up, and we feel like we have disappointed God. We feel like we have gone too far and that we are outside of God's care for us. A great foundational thing about God is that God is for Broken People. He loves us and wants us to come to Him no matter what we have done. God loved us so much that He sent His one and only son into the world - not to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
Recorded on February 28th, 2021
Sermon by Chris Higgins
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org
Lent is a preparation for the celebration of Easter. During Lent, many observe a period of fasting, moderation, and spiritual discipline. But where and how did this tradition start? Is this a biblical tradition? Jesus intends for us to seek after God with great prayer and fasting. We know that believing in Him means coming to him to satisfy our soul’s hunger and quench our soul’s thirst — and one of the best regular reminders of it can be abstaining temporarily from food and drink. Fasting is not mainly about what we go without, but who we want more of.
Hebrews 12 gives one of the most glorious looks at Jesus Christ in all of Scripture. As we run the race of our lives, we must run with our heads up and our eyes focused on Christ. If we are to run the life of faith, we resist the distractions and keep our eyes on Jesus. Jesus made Himself nothing and became a servant. He became human. Then He experienced death - not any death but death on a cross. Jesus shows us the course, He demonstrates the proper attitude, He sets the pace, He leads us to victory!
Recorded on February 14th, 2021
Sermon by Mark Walter
First Church of Christ - Owosso, MI.
www.firstchurchofchrist.org