Sunshine Community Church's Podcast: Recent Episodes
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Welcome to the podcasting home of Sunshine Community Church. Christ calls Sunshine Community Church to pursue and nourish the spiritually-hungry, until every household in our sphere of influence can flourish in Christ. We hope the content of this weekly podcast will help you do just that. If you would like to learn more about Sunshine Community Church, you can visit us online at sunshine.church.
Ezekiel 2-3
This passage from Ezekiel is truly striking! It shows how he got his commission from God, and what his calling as a prophet was all about. God showed Ezekiel that he would have to be bold and unflinching as he told people bad news they wouldn't like. But he also showed him that the Word of God is sweet - even when it is hard to hear - and that he sometimes hurts us in order to heal us. He also learned he was called to warn others. God lovingly sends his Word to rebellious and hard-hearted people; a believer's calling is to warn with clarity and compassion!
Ezekiel
This message series explores the book of Ezekiel, beginning with a little bit about the ancient Assyrian-Babylonian world and their symbolism. We will learn about what the ancient Israelites were going through as captives in the nation. Ezekiel starts off by assuring the captives that the glory and reign of Yahweh aren't limited to any region, era or season on Earth; His throne is mobile and his Name is over all. We can be with him no matter where we are!
1 Timothy 5:17-25
This message discusses the importance of giving honor to those who lead and teach. Those who keep the charge of leadership carry a significant burden; they ought never do it alone or withug proper honor.
Philippians 2:12-30
The sermon highlights the book of Philippians, focusing on themes of joy and unity. It honors sacrifices made on Memorial Day and shares teachings of Jesus about love and service. Paul's imprisonment is discussed in relation to the Philippians, emphasizing joy and the importance of unity in the church. The roles of Timothy and Epaphroditus are explored, concluding with a call to engage with the community and a prayer for guidance in serving others.
Isaiah 43:1-13
We don't always think of honor as part of worldwide missions and outreach. But it is essential! First of all, we want all nations, tribes, and languages to praise and honor the Name of Jesus and know the freedom and hope that are ours in his gospel. Honor is also part of outreach in the sense that God is giving it to lost people by loving, pursuing, and cleansing them in Christ. All honor belongs to God, yet he shares it so generously with his people; we only have it when we surrender to him and his mission, sharing the good news with all people.
Matthew 15:1-28
This message celebrates Mother's Day and the many women sacrificing, giving strengths, efforts, and affections to help others flourish. Whether you have kids or not, you are a mother here when you lovingly nurture and grow others! This passage looks at the kind of honor Jesus commands and the price we pay to make it authentic.
1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Celebrating HisAbility Sunday -
Our differently-abled members and attenders help us experience God more deeply, worship him more passinoately, and learn about parts of his heart we might miss without them. Together, we learn that the Church is the unified body of Jesus Christ; when we protect one part, the whole body floursihes with it and shares in the honor!
Malachi 4
A final message in our Where's Waldo? series. As the profit Malachi finishes his book, he gets to have the last word before 400 years of waiting between the minor profits and the Gospel of Matthew. These last words of the Old Testament point to the coming of John the Baptist and the healing of the Risen Lord!
Psalm 16, Daniel 12:1-4
This message takes place on Ressurection Sunday! As we continue to look for evidence and testimony about Jesus in the Old Testament books (even on Easter), we discover that the empty tomb and victory over sin and death and hell are all there! In the Law and Prophets, we see that the Father promised to preserve the life and physical purity of Jesus, despite Death's attacks. More than that, he promises the same to all who believe in his Son!
Zechariah 9:9-13, John 12; 12-16
Even though the first Palm Sunday happened in New Testament times, it was predicted in the Old Testament and later recognized as a fulfillment of prophecy. Zechariah the prophet predicted a King humbly arriving to Jerusalem on a donkey; he also predicted that King would bring freedom and hope by a blood covenant and by rescuing prisoners back to safety.
Zechariah 3
We don't see it, but there is an invisible battle going on all around us. We are always being accused by our Enemy, the Devil. The worst part is, most of his accusations are accurate, since we are sinners who have disobeyed God and deserve punishment. However, his word isn't the last word - there is Another who gets to speaker in the courtroom. No matter what Satan says about us, God's Word supersedes it. Zechariah predicted the protective work of Jesus to rebuke our Accuser, cleanse us, and make us a priestly people serving Him!
Daniel 3
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace of Nebuchadnezzar shows us the kind of pressure and risk a believer can often face in this world where Satan seems to be temporarily in charge of things. Earthly systems can stack the deck against us and we are often threatened and told to compromise our faith. The pre-incarnate Jesus showed up for his faithful servants in Babylon and preserved them; he will show up for us, too!
Exodus 3:1-12; Deuteronomy 18:15-19
This message dives into some
moments in the life of the greatest Old Testament leader in
the nation of Israel: Moses. Moses led the Israelites out of
Egypt and to the Promised Land; he gave them the Law and
taught them about God’s standards. Jesus called and
equipped Moses to prefigure the Gospel and lay the
groundwork for salvation. But Moses was aware of a greater
prophet to come, who would take his mantle and go
further; he predicted the True Prophet to come!
Genesis 16:1-13; 18:22; 22:11-18
Many have heard stories about the patriarch, Abraham, and his wife, Sarah. As we continue our search for Jesus in the Old Testament, we discover that he pops up quite a few times in the story of Abraham; you just have to know where to look. In these passages, we see that the pre-incarnate Jesus was intimately involved with Abraham's story and the people in his family; Jesus revealed his Gospel to the Father of our faith, who believed it and was deeply touched by it. Abraham was God's friend, and God wanted him to know about his best gift: Jesus!
Genesis 1:1-5, John 1:1-5, Genesis 3:14-15, 21
The oldest references to Jesus are in the book of Genesis; here we see his divinity, mission, and victory over sin and hell foretold! We also see the first substitutionary sacrifice and the institution of shedding blood to cover over the shame and exposure that come from sin. Jesus is on the very first page of the Bible!
Ecclesiastes 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Statistics say we are living longer than ever before. Ironically, as our expectation of longevity increases, our stewardship of our lives actually seems to atrophy. Many people are living in denial of their mortality, simultaneously expecting more and risking less. It seems that somehow the longer we hope to live, the less we actually make of the days we are given. Christians are called to be so sure about the next life that we are set free to choose and live for the things which will most certainly cost us our lives!
Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
This world has become more and more virtual over the last decade or so. That isn't all bad, if it's just some new options for solving tricky work situations or connecting in adverse situations. However, learning excessively on these less-than-substantial interactions and activities is having untold effects in terms of human cognition, relationships, and health. It is also weakening the family, marriages and the very human soul. We are made for real and substantial experience and quests; the more we slip into fantasy, the more insubstantial we become!
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
We would prefer a life of limitless abilities and opportunities and, if we're honest, we really dislike having to slow down, say no, fail, or quit. We would engineer lives of strength and self-sufficiency, and fool ourselves into thinking we are doing God a favor by not needing his help. How foolish! By escaping our weakness, we would be cutting off the means by which God most reveals his power, comfort, and care to us. But God loves us enough to send us weaknesses that lead us to him - he cares enough to NOT let us be satisfied and safe without him!
1 Corinthians 6:9-20
There may be no issue in which the currents of our age are pressing so forcefully as in the area of human sexuality. Our world is all over the place on this issue. On the one hand, people idolize sex and act as if it is EVERYTHING; yet, on the other hand, they downplay its significance and insist it is a casual and ordinary part of life. If we are to keep our heads and be faithful in our witness, we must understand how God intended sex to be used and how we can best enjoy it and steward it within the boundaries and contexts he has ordained.
Acts 3:11-26; 4:5-12
As we stand firm amidst the currents and pressures of our day, we need to be particularly aware of the pressure to conform to relativism and pluralism. Our part of the world is increasingly insisting that ALL religions - including even Satanism, witchcraft, agnosticism, and atheism - constitute equally viable forms of worship and spirituality. In the midst of this smorgasbord of options, though, our faith stands out as a problem. Our belief in the exclusivity of Christ for salvation is always a sticking point; we need to be certain and stay on message, while staying full of love.
Isaiah 40
Josh Hendricks gives a message on the ultimate comfort in life and death - God our Father in Heaven.
Matthew 25:31-46
The historical Christian position on the value of life is radically clear: every human life has value and needs to be treated as holy. Humans bear God's image and are filled with his breath; what we do to protect the duration and quality of each life, we do unto Christ.
Isaiah 55
The world likes to put God on trial when things go badly. We wonder how God can be good when things go badly? How can he claim to be for me when circumstances seem to be against me? What has he done to prove that he would be a better planner for my life than I would? In the end, when we read God's Word, we see that he demands our trust and insists that his plan is better, and the only proof he offers is himself and his promise. Some feel like God is asking them to accept LESS; but he could never sin against us, and accepting his plan always yields MORE!
Philippians 2:1-11
The Christian faith is built on the altruism and self-sacrifice of its Founder, the one and only Son of God. We don't just think selflessness is good, though - we think that it is the essential remedy to its opposite: Self-interest and self-worship. Selfishness is common to man, but believers are called to self-sacrifice; we must develop our stamina for willing servanthood, if we are to follow our Lord's example and live out his command that we can serve one another sincerely in love. None of us escapes this battle, and our Enemy wants desperately to defeat us in it!
Luke 12:1-12
Sylvester was actually the first real Pope in the history of the church. In terms of Rome and its government, Sylvester's ministry went from leading a forbidden and persecuted minority to being publicly recognized and given broad cultural influence. In his story, we see that Christmas truth will change the fate of nations; we must be prepared to face danger and fearlessly preach the Word. If we don't adapt, though, we may fall prey to new temptations and traps.
Ephesians 5:1-21
The Feast of St. Lucia is connected with Christmas traditions in several cultures, especially in Sweden. The real saint, though, is no more legend or tradition - Lucy's story is gritty, painful, and also amazingly powerful. She illustrates the way that the light and truth of Christ empower us to live pure lives of self-giving and love in the brutal world. Christmas shines the light of Jesus into our lives and calls us to walk in love and purity; God protects those who live this way!
Jude 1
Ambrose is a saint known as "Doctor of the Church," which means he was one of the teachers whose intellectual contributions helped shape the Church. Ambrose helped people think more clearly about the beauty of the Gospel and its impact on philosophy, music, art, politics, and more. He also fought against false teaching - A LOT. Christmas initiates a battle for truth and requires that we contend for the faith we've been given against false doctrines and teachers.
1 John 4:7-21
You may not know much about Wenceslaus, duke of Bohemia, unless you know the classic Christmas carol about him. But the early church knew his name and knew that he was brave and principled leader who showed what can happen when a ruler converts to Christianity and governs in a way that is modeled after Jesus' love and kindness. In the story of Wenceslaus, we see that Christmas introduces us to the Savior who empties himself and serves. Once we understand this, we get to follow his example as generous peacemakers.
Luke 10:1-24
The Lord of the Harvest sends out his laborers in teams and ensures that all of their needs are met in advance and in Him!
John 4:31-38
When Jesus met with the women at the well of Samaria, he talked a lot about the harvest. What does it mean when he calls the Samaritan town a field and the people grain? Jesus was clear: there is great satisfaction and nourishment in obeying God and harvesting the fruit he and others before us have sown.
Psalm 126
This message begins by sharing and celebrating the reveal of the FORWARD campaign. As we reflect on the way God uses the gospel to spread the kingdom, we can't help but notice that he has an amazing ability to bring joyous fruit and growth at the end of very difficult seasons. Things that the world would call pointless and too costly are often the very places where God restores the fortunes of his people and turns their mourning and struggle into harvest.
Lord of the Harvest
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Fall has always been a time when people gather, count up, and store their blessings for the winter and share comfort and kindness with each other. This passage discusses God's goodness to deliver us out of slavery and into rich harvest. Offering him our first fruits creates a testimony of faith and freedom, and is cause for rejoicing!
1 Timothy 6: 2-21.
This message concludes our FORWARD series. It studies one more question of
biblical, sacrificial stewardship: WHEN? It would be easy to
think of stewardship as a future event; it is so oriented
toward long-term strategy and eternal benefits that we
could easily see it as a “tomorrow” item. Stewardship may
be about the future, but it always takes place NOW; the
sacrifices and investments of today will shape eternity! The
payoff is eternal, but the sacrifice is a daily event.
2 Corinthians 9
This message discusses the heart condition of the giver. Stewardship is first and foremost a matter of the manner in which we give - only a free heart full of joyful generosity can please God. So we must learn to cultivate and curate our heart motives if we wish to give in a life-giving way.
1 Thessalonians 2
When we think about WHAT we are stewarding as Christians, we often jump immediately to issues of finacne and tithing. Stewardship is about SO much more than money; in fact, if all we give to God is our money, we are really falling short of missing the point. True stewardship recognizes that investing tangible and temporary treasures is a great way to increase our ability to invest intangible and eternal ones. Real lgenerosity is about joyfully pouring out our whole selves and all God's treasures to reach people and grow his kingdom!
Exodus 35:4-10, 20-29; Mark 12:41-44
This message explores the WHO of generous stewardship. Many think that the gift of generosity is only given to some people, and that most likely they will be the wealthy ones who have an excess and can give more away without much discomfort. The problem is that there is always someone wealthier and always reason to feel like giving will put us at risk. The truth is that everyone is called to steward boldly; it isn’t an option, it isn’t for some elite group, and it isn’t a competition!
Philippians 3:12-21
Sunshine Community Church has a rich history, dating back to over 100 years, but God's not done with us! What's next in the life of this ministry?
2 Chronicles 20:1-30 In this passage, we see that worship isn't a passive and quiet act that takes us out of battle - rather, worship is a defiant act of insurrection against the Prince of this world! We can't be surprised that it comes under attack, requires divine power to maintain, takes great courage. Worship is war, and it isn't pie in the sky, by and by - it is the most powerful way of approaching practical problems in the material world.
John 4:1-30
What does it mean to have an identity as a worshipper of
God? How would we live differently if this vocation and
role were our main self-understanding and way of seeing
the world? Often, we think of worship as just an task to be
checked off the list or a theological concept to understand.
In truth, though, worship runs far deeper than a mere
abstraction or activity – it is an identity that ties us to God
and our eternal vocation! Believers will live forever
in heaven worshipping God, and all our other roles will
fade away - worship is our truest identity and purpose!
1 Corinthians 13 When we think about worship, we inevitably end up talking about feelings. We talk about our motivation, our interest, our preferences, our distractions, and our sensibilities. It seems right that worship should be about loved nd that faking it would be wrong. On the other hand, we are called to worship, even when we DON'T feel like it, which seems to raise the risk of phoning things in...What are we to do? This passage shows us that love is both a feeling that spurs choices, and choices that spur feelings; we must never reduce it to just one or the other.
Acts 11:1-18 Missionaries Mike & Amy Martin share about their 20 year journey translating the New Testament for the people of Papua Indonesia.
Psalm 62 God promises to be our Fortress and to love us in such a way that we will never be shaken or uprooted again.
1 Corinthians 15-50-58; 15:13-14 How often do you face fear in your life? Some may say very little, and others may be able to list many instances in which fear cripples their courage or slows their obedience to God. the Bible indicates that behind all smaller fears is the fear of death; we dread the end of our lives and the reckoning we must face for all the sins in our lives. Death is doorway into our imperishable future, but we need assurance of what that future will be! But there is GOOD NEWS! The power of Jesus makes death into victory and gives us the courage to be strong and loving in all we do.
Romans 8:26-39 Romans 8 is one of the most encouraging chapters in the entire Bible, because it is so chock-full of assurance and security. It assures us that our faith and salvation rest on God's perfection, rather than our changeability. There are so many big things out in the world, but NONE of them are bigger than God or able to separate us from him!
1 Peter 1:13-25
In this new series, Seeds of Worship, we'll combine scripture memory songs with messages on those verses. The idea is to encourage households of all ages to be creative about internalizing and keeping the Bible's teachings. This message focuses on the Apostle Peter's teaching that assures us that God and his Word never die or fade, and if we pattern our lives after what he says, we won't either! God's word is reliable, enduring, and solid - it is far more trustworthy than human beings.
Matthew 18:21-35
How many times are we to forgive someone who sins against us? Jesus give us a clear and firm answer in this chapter. May we not forget the insurmountable forgiveness he has offered each one of us.
1 Samuel 14: 1-23
**Please excuse an audio break in the middle of this session
Jason Blunt, a seminary student, preaches about Jonathan and his armor bearer. This passage shows us a lot about courage, cowardice, obedience, and pride.
Ephesians 6:10-20 We need the armor of God because prayer is a war, and we are called to fight it intentionally.
Colossians 1:3-23
Knowing Jesus means growing up and growing wise! Please help us encourage everyone as we grow up together in Christ.
1 Timothy 5 This Mother's Day message is to all the moms and mother-figures! We are so thankful for your love, leadership, and courage - you make us all better and help us to see God clearly. Honoring mothers is central to the faith of the Bible - the Christian Church has protected and honored motherhood for millennia, and we are commanded to revere and respect the women of faith who shape us. Woman's circumstance vary and change over the years and across cultures, but their unique partnership with God has brought life to every one of us and shown us his heart!
Revelation 1 This message is a celebration of the many names of God and how they hi-light His abilities, promises and ways of rescuing us! Whenever we are weak, his Names remind us that HE is able!
Jeremiah 29:1-14 This message speaks to the ways the people of God have thrived over the millennia. At times, they had their own capitol city, temple, nation, and earthly king. At other times, they were in exile and living under the power of pagan rulers who didn't share their values or forms of worship. Which was better for the spread of God's truth? You may be surprised to know that there were advantages and pitfalls to each. We need to know which one most matches our times, and how to adjust biblically!
1 Peter 2 We all know Christians aren't always all we're cracked up to be. One of the most common objections to our faith is the bad examples and hypocrisy that believers sometimes display. We need to find ways to be both authentic and commendable when others watch our lives. When others see our faith, we want them to see what Jesus can do with messed up people, not how great we pretend to be. We have been sent into exile among the nations in order to be a shining light and display of God's splendor; when this happens, he draws people to himself!
Romans 12
This message speaks about culture and who's forming who in our interactions with it? Do we make more of an impact on culture, or does it make more of an impact on us? We all like to keep up with the trends, tastes, and topics society focuses on. When it comes to culture, though, we are either acting as consumers or creators. If we use God's gifts to create new little bits of Kingdom reality on earth, we will see lots of Christ-led transformation; if we consume the delicacies of the world undiscerningly, we will slide into tragic compromise.
Psalm 2, Revelation 21:22-22:5 In this message series, we will look into the biblical view of culture. Are we supposed to blend in as believers, cry out as prophets, infiltrate and influence, or bail out and preserve ourselves for God? Or is it a little of all these things? This series will work through passages that help us live as resident aliens and ambassadors on behalf of our King. This message seeks to set a clearer idea of the difference between culture and God's Kingdom, as well as defining the relationship between the two.
Mark 15-16 Resurrection Sunday's Message The Bible shows us that Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are the miracles that unleashed the Church in mission. The transforming power of the living Christ changed the course of human history and is still changing the course of individual lives, families, and people groups. We can certainly attest to the fact that Jesus is alive and working today - he can rescue and heal you, too!
Mark 11-13 What happens when Jesus arrived in Jerusalem for the final time in his earthly ministry? He was greeted well, but it quickly became clear that he was more than just a celebrity. At the Triumphal Entry, Jesus rolled into Jerusalem as a new sheriff with higher authority than any of their existing leaders. As he taught and debated religious leaders, he laid down the Law as it was originally intended.
Mark 10:32-52 Human hearts desire greatness and self-promotion. We all want to be noteworthy, and we are all too often caught breaking rules and pushing boundaries to be the best. But Jesus definitely showed us a different way to get to the top; he pursued servanthood and commended it as a way to become great in God's Kingdom. In this passage, Jesus is trying to teach the disciples about the cross, but they are too busy quibbling about who will be the most famous and important among them. Jesus' heart was set on the cross, so he patiently explained the role of a servant.
Mark 10:1-31
Jesus continues to teach on his way toward Jerusalem. As he does, he confronts several instances of hard heartedness in peole. In each case, people have worshiped an idol, and then become more lifeless, stony-hearted, and dead inside - just like the lifeless things they have idolized! Jesus faced the stubborn hardness of our hearts throughout his ministry; he persistently chips away to restore a heart of flesh. He loves us too much to let us calcify and become dead inside, so even when it hurts, he is willing to break and remake us!
Mark 9:1-29 This chapter is full of ups and downs - Jesus takes Peter, James, and John up on the mountain to see him transfigured and revealed in his glory! He also takes them back down the hill to a messy world where people are hurting and full of doubt and fear. It is hard to imagine a clearer picture of Jesus' identity and mission, but Jesus' self-revelation is often met by his disciples' confusion and ignorance. Thankfully, he is patient with our slowness to understand and he keeps healing and teaching us until we start to understand and repent!
Mark 8 shows us examples of blindness and we also see Jesus' patience and power in healing it. Sometimes, we disciples are a little blind and a little sighted at the same time; we have a mixture of right ideas and wrong ideas all jumbled up in our heads. Jesus knows how to work on us until we see him fully - sometimes we turn things around after one lesson but, more often, we require multiple hearings before we see him clearly. What a great assurance we have in this chapter: He will stick with us until we see him properly!
Mark 7
We are very quick to profile one another based on outward appearances and first impressions. It is a skill that can certainly save us some time and some hurts if we do it right. However, it can lead us into the illusion that the material, observable parts of life and people are the most important and substantial parts. But Jesus taught and proved that outside appearances can be deceiving; he himself wasn't much to look at in terms of kings and leaders, at first! (Isaiah 53:2) He tells us that, if we want to receive his blessing, we need to "be opened."
Mark 6
As Mark continues to show us Jesus' ministry work in Galilee, we see the temperature rise markedly, both in his ministry and in the opposition against him. The battle continued to take on an epic scale and exciting space as his work unfolded. He showed in clearer and clearer ways that he has power over nature, that he cares and natures his people, and that he has authority to delegate his ministry to others with great effect. Sinful hearts and systems freaked out and pushed back the more he revealed that he is God in human form.
Mark 5 - There is a consistent theme through all the gospels of Jesus healing the sick, demonized, and broken. Sin and the harms it brings are so much a part of this world that it makes sense: The Creator shows up, and broken things get put back together, including us! We all struggle with illness, injury, brokenness, and the specter of death. In the midst of this battle, Jesus has an undeniable power and will to heal; we can't make him do it, but he delights to in his own timing. When he heals, he always does so in a way that serves his glory and spreads the gospel!
Mark 4 contains a variety of parables Jesus told to illustrate the surprising and mysterious nature of God's Kingdom and the way it grows. Jesus used these stories to catch people off guard and help them understand that his way of being the Messiah would be different than what many of them expected. He wanted to help them see that sometimes, God works in ways that seem small or invisible, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening! Jesus reveals that, in God's Kingdom, little things blessed by God can make huge differences, and size does not indicate power.
Mark 2 & 3 - In these chapters, Jesus clearly indicated his identity and exposed the sides in a battle. He made it very clear to his listeners that he was equal to God the Father and that he was ministering in full authority and agreement with him. At the time, this was extremely offensive and hard to accept. The bottom line is that, though people may not have liked it, Jesus tells us exactly who he is and demands that we come to terms with his claims, and we need to join his side in the fight.
Mark 1
This new message series will take us through Lent and Easter! We'll make our way through Mark's gospel and gain a clearer image of who Jesus is. This message looks at Jesus' self-understanding and personal mission. We want to know what drove him and motivated him in his work. Mark's Gospel portrays Jesus as a man on a very clear mission; he knows exactly who he is and what he came here to do.
Revelation 21:1-5; 22-26
While Dickens' story only explicitly encompasses Christmas past, Present, and Yet-to-Come, it also implicitly points to Christmas Forever. The story definitely points to the afterlife and the fate of our souls who die without embracing the charity, freedom, and transformation that comes from knowing and following Christ. Scrooge's transformation had consequences for him and others, but it was also proof that eternal joy was erupting in his heart. Christmas forever is where we are freed to celebrate together eternally, and where God blesses us - every one!
Matthew 3:1-12
In his peek into Christmas Future, Scrooge saw where his life and habits were going to eventually lead him. All people die, but the manner in which we die and the legacy we leave here on earth is deeply affected by how we live. As we think about our future, we are called to consider the fruit of our lives and of the way we treat our fellow travelers to the grave. Being ready for Christmas Future means we must embrace real change in the form of repentance and restitution; it's not too late to redirect our legacies - God is willing to help us truly change!
Romans 13:7-14
In our journey with Scrooge, we've talked about the past. This message turns our attention to Christmas Present. Christmas Present is a reality in which we are often busy, stressed, overcommitted, and eventually hard-hearted due to burnout and fatigue. Because of all this we are often too often absent from others' joy and suffering; we must wake up and engage tangibly and meaningfully with others this holiday season! If we don't how can we claim to truly love the as Christ does?!
2 Corinthians 7:1-12
This message begins our Advent sermon series. We are so glad to prepare our hearts and our families for Christ and his work. This message series will look at scripture and Charles Dickens' class story, A Christmas Carol. In it, Ebenezer Scrooge is taken to Christmas Past as a first stop in the examination of his life. Christmas Past is often full of regrets and hurts. Often, we don't like to go there; but we need to in our journey to repentance and peace.
Jonah 4
As we come to an end of the book of Jonah, we also come to the climax of the story - the place where God and Jonah put all their cards on the table and explain their hearts. It is an amazing and convicting picture of the human heart, and how much can go wrong there if we misunderstood the honor and responsibility of being chosen and start to think it entitles us to sit in judgement of God. To the contrary, accepting mercy means we give up all judgement to God and cherish his generosity; hypocrisy about this gift is unacceptably ugly sin for a Christian.
Jonah 3
Who is the greatest evangelist of all time? Is it Billy Graham, Ray Comfort, or D.L. Moody? The Apostle Paul, or Barnabas? There are so many people we've never heard of, but who have reached whole tribes and nations with the Gospel. History has forgotten their names, but heaven hasn't. Most of the time, we reach others in small numbers and unremarkable ways. Whether a person preaches to millions or just a few, one thing is undeniable: God is the only real Evangelist - even when he uses us, he is the preparer, the messenger, and the message itself!
Jonah 2
This message is about the first underwater poetry in human history! Composed by Jonah, under the sea in the belly of a fish and it only survived because Jonah survived. He shares it with all of us as a testimony to the sobering power of death and suffering to turn our hearts toward repentance and gratitude. Often, without this slap in the face, we are tempted to rewrite the Bible and adjust God's gospel toward comfort. But it is a miracle that God provides any way of salvation to us; "alive and uncomfortable" beats "rebellious and dead" every time!
Jonah 1
This message begins a series looking at the life of Jonah, an Old Testament prophet who ended up at odds with God's mercy. The basic concept of fighting against God is familiar for most of us. Sometimes, we just don't want to love whom he loves, go where he sends, or do what he says. Jonah's story shows us that God's call to evangelism is irrevocable, and we ought to willingly respond.
2 Timothy 2: 8-26 This message focuses on how spending intentional time with God is essential. It can redeem us, give us a newfound ability to be like and learn from him! Though we start the story as unfaithful, in Jesus we can become steady, kind, patient and reliable; through is Spirit, we can be infected with faithfulness and spread it to others!
Psalm 139
We often tell people that they are totally unique and that God knows each of us absolutely and perfectly. The thing nobody talks about is that God's deep knowledge of us can be either comforting or irritating, depending on how we feel about him! If we are trying to hide secrets or feel like we will be rejected if people really know us, the idea of a God who searches the heart can be frightening. On the other hand, God is so faithful to just be with us, but in the game of spiritual "chicken" and closeness between us and him, we are always the ones who flinch.
Ephesians 3
Throughout our stint in ministry, Sunshine has seen again and again that we can't do anything apart from God's empowering; often, he calls us to do things that make us aware of our limitations, and in those moments, his power really stands out! God never calls us to a task or challenge without also making a plan to empower and protect us in that path. We are certainly asked to act beyond our own power, but never beyond his!
Hebrews 10:19-39
God’s promises are unflinchingly generous and ironclad; he gives us strength to value them more than comfort and ease.
1 Timothy 6:11-21 Neither Sunshine Community Church, nor our families, nor our city, nor this planet could endure a single moment apart from the generous and loving provision God offers us. God has provided for his people amply; the air we breathe, the food we eat, the lives we live, and the Spirit that animates us all come from his Fatherly hand, alone. Most of all, he has provided us with Jesus! We must learn to recognize, name, and mirror his generosity.
Romans 3 Through 100 years of history at Sunshine Church, we have definitely learned that God is faithful! Many times, we learned it because he was the only One who was... God never lets us down or breaks his Word, but people certainly do. Before we can benefit from the faithfulness of God, we must admit and confess our own unfaithfulness apart from him.
Joshua 14
Our last series was about young people who were mighty and bold in their faith. This message asks "how does that work over time- how do the young and mighty age, and what does that look like?" This passage examines Caleb, an Old Testament warrior. Int his passage, we get snapshots of him and his youth AND in his old age. What does the heart look like when it wholly trusts God and his promises over decades?
2 Timothy 1:1-7; 1 Timothy 4:12 Timothy is the character in the Bible that gave us our "Young and Mighty" summer message series theme. Paul, his mentor, gave him a challenge to go further than those who came before him, fanning his gifts into a blaze through intentional work, risk taking, and a hunger for growth.
John 6:1-15
When thousands followed Jesus into the wilderness to hear him teach, the practicalities of food and planning became very important. People had to put God's kingdom first, but now they were going to be way more than "hangry" if something didn't change. One small boy shared his lunch, and Jesus used it POWERFULLY! In this passage, we see that when we give what we have to Jesus, he will still meet our needs; we'll never outlive him, and childlike generosity works miracles!
Luke 2:41-52
The story of young Jesus at the temple shows us that he knows all about growing up, listening, and submitting to the long process of maturity. In fact, he was smarter than grownups without sinning or disrespecting them! Big understanding sometimes gets delivered through small voices; Jesus can show us how to advise and inspire respectfully!
Acts 2:42-47
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at the first Pentecost unleashed the Spirit-filled church; its marks are still visible today.
Daniel 1
This message is about Daniel and the example he sets of winsomely and courageously thriving in the midst of a culture different from the one in which he was raised. This challenge is particularly poignant for today! Our kids will face cultural challenges we can't force; they will need creativity or shrewdness to engage and bless without caving in or being defiled.
2 Kings 22:1-20
Can you imagine becoming a public figure at the age of 8
- much less a king? It sounds like a recipe for pride, entitlement, and foolishness, but that's not what happened for King Josiah of Israel. For some reason, he led with a pure, obedient heart and made major reforms in Israel's worship of the Lord. His maturity and passion for obedience show that a person's sense of right and wrong isn't based on their size. Too often, we make obeying God and righting wrongs too complicated - it's really just a matter of trusting and obeying what He says!
2 Kings 5:1-14
This message's hero is a young girl whose name we don't even know. She was a prisoner of war, and she was in a land far away from her parents and home. She could have hated her captors, but instead, she chose to seek their blessing and health by pointing them to the God of Israel! Kids are often experts at giving people second changes; their willingness to forgive, risk kindness, and share is humbling. As we study together, we will see the many ways in which childlike faith can change everything, even for stubborn grownups!
1 Kings 3:3-15
Solomon, son of King David of Israel. He is renowned for being wise, even though he started his reign as a very young man. In this passage, we see where all that wisdom started, and we get a great example for all of us, in terms of humility and teachability. It turns out that admitting what you don't know takes immense courage , but it is also the only path to godly wisdom. When you finally accept that, no matter how smart you are, you don't yet even know how much you don't know, there is great hope for growth!
1 Samuel 3
This message speaks about listening to God and the way younger and older hearts help one another out in the process. Go is so faithful to speak to his people - and he means for us to listen as a team! Young and old hearts both need each other - young ears hear God in new ways, but experienced hearts must help them understand. As we attend to his Word, pray, and take risks together, he knits us together into a team of servants who humbly yield to whatever he says is best.
Exodus 2:1-10
Miriam is a big sister who is a real superhero. She show us how siblings need to watch out for each other, and how we need to be ready and creative when it is time to protect each other. We can't predict how God might step in to rescue; we CAN do our best to be present and paying attention when he does!
Ephesians 1:1-14 In Christ, we have been lovingly chosen, adopted, equipped to grow, and blessed for sharing it with others!
Philippians 4
It's easy to grow weary and lose focus, especially when things are difficult, disappointing, or just plain not going our way. Loving one another truly means we run at a sustainable pace and rely on God's strength. The faith that makes it to the finish line requires stewardship of our thoughts, words, and focus!
Looking at Philippians 3, we realize the inestimable worth of knowing Jesus and spreading his Gospel. In fact, we see that loving one another truly means we must pursue the very best things together and throw out all the lesser things that get in the way. God, himself, is the Best thing of all, so knowing him and sacrificing to tell others about him is an honor and a privilege!
Philippians 2
Those who have invested in us and set an example for us have a right to call us to better behavior and greater aspirations. In the passage we will see that loving one another truly means we won't let one another settle for lesser things, and will call each other to be examples and leaders.
Philippians
Loving one another truly means wanting the good things of God for each other. It also means being willing to sacrifice to see each other get them. We are so blessed to be a part of a church where we want good things for each other and lay down our lives to see it happen!
Colossians 3:12-17 Dr. Paul Patton speaks on letting the "word of Christ dwell in you richly" by cultivating sacred interiority that transcends the manipulation of mass media and technology.
Luke 24:13-24
Jesus’ Resurrection fulfills the Law and the Prophets; he is the Living Word of God doing the Perfect Will of God.
Luke 23:44-24:12
Happy Resurrection Sunday! We are overjoyed about Jesus' victory over death - what an amazing miracle, and what a life-altering truth! We all face the effects of sin, brokenness, and decay in this world. Knowing that we will die and face judgment can be an overwhelming weight on our hearts and minds. Losing loved ones reminds us how fragile life can be. But Jesus' Resurrection overturns the dominion of sin and reverses its inevitable consequences; his rising destroys the power of Death! Praise God - Death is defeated!
Luke 19:28-48
Palm Sunday is a great time to reenact and reflect on Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem and the amazing scriptures, themes, and conflicts that all collided on that powerful day. It is also a great time to practice welcoming him into our hearts and lives right now. We are so glad that Jesus' Resurrection inaugurated a new Kingdom, unlike any other kingdom in history; his victory makes his reign eternal and infinite!
Fasting isn't for removing areas of sin- that's what repentance is for. But what if the area in question isn't a sin YET, but seems to be heading steadily in that direction for us or someone else we love? How can fasting help us prevent or stop emerging idols in the midst of other good things God has given us? Even good things can become a snare or temptation; when we think this is about to happen, fasting can break the cycle.
Matthew 14:13-23; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5 Absence can make the heart grow fonder, stronger, and more reliable. When we run to keep up with all our relationships and the maintenance they demand of us, we can get really run down and burned out. Add "social" media pressures to this, and we end up feeling like we must perform endlessly to be secure. Fasting from this oppressive cycle can seem mean to others and ourselves; however, our attention to solitude is not only healthy and needed - it is kind and generous to those who depend on us!
1 Timothy 6:2b-10; Deuteronomy 14:22-29
Do we own our things, or do our things own us? Who's really in control? Many have found fasting to be the solution to the corrupting power of wealth and possessions. Fasting from the self-provision money and possessions provide is called tithing; we are called to do it cheerfully and proactively. When we do, we find that letting go of some possessions purifies the ones we keep and helps us properly and healthfully use money.
Isaiah 58 Some people really struggle with a good work ethic. For others, though, it is so easy to start feeling like our work makes all the difference - as if stopping our labor even for a second would make something really bad happen in the universe. This message discusses fasting called Sabbath rest. It is willingly refraining from self-provision through work and labor - we are called to do so regularly and gladly! It is far more than that, though! Just as fasting from food and drink always enables prayer, rest has a powerful flip side we need!
Matthew 4:1-11; Romans 14:17
Lent is a time to prepare ourselves to receive the good news of the Resurrection at Easter. We do this by humbling ourselves, deepening our spiritual disciplines, and honing our hungers for God. One of the ways people have done this most is through fasting - self-denial through abstaining from certain kinds of self-provision. Often, people give up foods and treats of some kind. Fasting in this way can free us from the equal errors of idolatry and legalism.
1 Timothy 1
First world believers show a remarkable loss and lack of heart; we need an infusion of divine love, motivation, and courage!
2 Timothy 4: 1-8
Our cultural moment breeds many false teachers and corrupt churches; we must strive together to keep doctrinal integrity.
Psalm 25 This message speaks about the fragmentation of our society - the way it leads people to live very duplicitous and disconnected lives. Too many people are shape shifting in the different parts of their lives, and they end up feeling like they have lots of acquaintances, but no real friendships. We call this "crowded loneliness." It is a state of being in which alienation and isolation are rapidly increasing, despite the illusion of hyper-connectedness. God's call to holistic integrity is the only solution.
Frist World Problems Series
1 Peter 4:12-19
This message is brought by our guest, Rev. Aaron Jager. Aaron is an old friend and coworker of Pastor Josh. Aaron now serves as chaplin at Broson Hospital in Kalamazoo. This experience has taught him a lot about distortions in the way we process suffering in our culture. Suffering surprises many, but Christianity and the Bible prepares and equips us to redeem it.
Jeremiah 7
We are often taught, explicitly or subtly, that people are disposable commodities. When they get in the way of our happiness, we are quick to resent, dismiss, ignore, and even harm them. In contrast, the Gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to sacrifice our idols (and ourselves) to build up people and seek their flourishing in every way we can.
1 Corinthians 6:12 & 10:23-24
This message is brought by Dr. Paul Patton. He is sharing with us some of the wisdom from a book he co-authored called, "Everyday Sabbath," in which he deals with the patterns of media and technology and how they are affecting us with some unique first-world problems. We often seek escape from life's problems through our use of media. Digital distraction and fantasy seem like the only escape to our woes, but they are actually the greatest of our woes! In excess, they can keep us from thinking and relating the way God intends!
Revelation 18
One of the biggest First World Problems modern US belivers face is blending into the culture around us. Unlike so many Christians in history and around the globe, we have been very sheltered from persecution and rejection. This has lulled us into thinking we can follow Jesus while also maintaining friendship with this world and its systems. We often slip into consuming the delicacies of the culture around us without discerning the difference between God's ways and this world's. Instead, we are called to join Him as creators of his Kingdom culture!
Mark 13
As we gear up for another year of faithfulness, service to God, prayer, and worship together, it is a good idea to ask God what kinds of things we should be prepared for. T/he truth is that Jesus gives us some pretty clear instructions for how we are to greet the uncertainty of the future, but the clarity is also wrapped up in mystery. The future is always uncertain; Jesus calls us to be prepared for bad times without losing our faith, hope, joy, or love!
Isaiah 59:14-60:6
Darkness holds sway over many hearts, but Jesus has come to bring the light of salvation and joy to us all!
Isiah 43:1-13
This is a time of year where expectations, schedules, budgets, hearts, and minds all get stretched to the breaking point. Sometimes, in the midst of this chaos, life becomes so cluttered and threatened that people feel like they are drowning. They start to feel overwhelmed. This holiday hangover isn't healthy, and it can lead to people who feel completely fried, just at the time they are supposed to be spreading cheer, buying the world a Coke, and enjoying peace and bliss on earth. God calls us to reach out and soothe such hearts with love.
Isaiah 49:8-21
Like Eleanor Rigby, we may wonder where all the lonely, forgotten people even come from - they seem to be all around us! And yet, we live our lives in such a way that they are easy to forget. Forgotten people aren’t on anyone’s list, but God remembers. In this passage, he tells us that his people are ever before him and that he cannot forget them, EVER. This assurance is essential for our hearts; more than that, we are called to join God in finding and blessing all who feel forgotten.
Matthew 5:43-48
This is a time of year when "goodwill toward all" definitely gets tested. Seeing problematic people at times of celebration and fellowship can remind us that there is no easy fix for enmity. We don't always feel very christmasy when we are around others who have mocked, hurt, mistreated, or excluded us. If we look to God's example in the first Christmas, though, we find a pretty challenging example to live up to: When we were God's enemies, he spoke peace to us and sent his Son; Christmas is a time to offer reconciliation and healing, like he does!
Matthew 25: 14-30
This Advent, we'll look at some of the people in our lives who are hard to shop for, understand, and even love - including ourselves! We need to see how God handles these tough nuts and then pattern our attitudes and responses around his. This message is about a real challenge: the person who seems to already have everything! Sometimes, having everything is actually a handicap; it can lead to a trap where things own us! God knows that open hands and hearts grasp his gifts better.
1 Peter 4:7-9
Christian community involves hospitality! That ought to be an exciting thing to hear, but it isn't always, if we're honest. Fear, selfishness, past hurts, logistics, cost, and inconvenience often stop our hospitality before it ever gets off the ground. But opening up our homes and hearts to others has an amazing and God-ordained ability to change lives- it is worth it! Love that manifests itself as hospitality and generous life-on-life interaction is world-changing; it softens hearts, opens closed doors, and heals many hurts.
1 Peter 4:4-6
Community is built on the awareness that we will give an account to the One who gave us our lives and relationships.
Message 1 in Community Builders Series
1 Peter 4:1-3
Philippians 3:12-20
When we become Christians, we say "hello" to many wonderful things. Whether we saw it coming or not, we also say "goodbye" to lots of habits, relationships, and friends who may not be compatible with our new faith and commitments. This is really hard, and God wants us to gain a new set of support structures to help us along. He provides the Church as a source of Christian community where we can process all this together. Once there, we find that part of what bonds us is what we've willingly left behind and what we have committed to pursue together.
Many people list church drama, hypocrisy, and brokenness as reasons to reject Jesus! It is certainly true that the Church's unity and harmony (or lack thereof) reflect on Jesus' reputation. When we bite and devour one another, it tends to call his power and majesty into question; on the other hand, he has chosen to build his Church out of broken people, so it isn't meant to be perfect just yet. We are called to grow together in love, and accept the mess that follows!
Acts 26:1-29
One of the hardest questions a person can ask about Christianity is, " Why should I become a Christian?" It's one thing to think that this faith can be good for others or might be useful to us someday down the road, but determining whether or not we should turn to Jesus and surrender to him today is a deeper and more difficult question to settle. The best answer is to always share a testimony about how Jesus has changed us. The Christian life is a life of meaning, freedom, joy, and purpose; we commend it as worthy, good, and noble for all people.
Psalm 104:24-35; Romans 11:33-36
We all love to learn new things, and science is such an interesting and wonderful way to wrap our heads around the world God has made.Unfortunately, over the years, religion and science have been seemingly at odds with each other. But does it have to be this way? Are Christians know-nothings opposed to reason and logic? Are scientists all atheists? Science and the Bible needn't conflict; faith should give science its meaning, and science should give God the glory!
Whether you are a Christian or not, you have probably wondered about this hard question: Why does God allow suffering? If he is powerful and good, shouldn't he clean some things up around here? The Bible tells us that suffering entered the world when humanity fell; but we alsk know that God is actively working to heal the effects of sin on his creation. Sorting out the causes and effects of suffering is dicey; however, only the Christian God enters into it, overcomes it, and redeems it into beauty!
Acts 4
The beauty, culture, and history tied up in other world religions is considerable in this life, but only one faith offers salvation in the next.
Hard Questions & Beautiful Answers
Join us for a meaningful dive into an important question and topic. Elder Chair and Bible scholar Josh Hendricks brings us message about the history and reliability of the Bible.
2 Timothy 3:1-4:5
Acts 17; Hebrews 11:6
How can you prove the reality of the invisible, eternal, and spiritual Creator described in the Bible? The bottom line is that we know God exists because he wants us to- he is still revealing his presence generously today!
Ephesians 6:10-20
We were delighted to welcome one of our missionaries, Roy Nagelkirk, to the platform!
Revelation 5
Jesus is worthy of our praise and honor because He is the lamb who was slain to take away the sins of the world.
Proverbs 26:1-12
Pity the fool that doesn't seek, submit to, and retain the wisdom God offers - such a life is full of wreckage.
Proverbs 22:22-28, 23:4-5
The Gospel calls us to reorient our financial priorities; our calling is one of self-giving not self-satisfaction.
Proverbs 10:22, 13:7-22
We need to recognize true riches when they appear in our lives, and we must commit to pursuing them according to God's ethics, commands, and promises.
Proverbs 4
Dads and father-figures are called to impart wisdom and to call the next generation of faith to greatness and zeal!
Proverbs 1:1-19
Welcome to our new series called "Wealth of Wisdom." In it, we will be looking at the book of Proverbs for nuggets of practical application and insight. Today, we will start at the beginning with the book's own self-stated thesis; If one wants to be wise, one must understand the biblical definition of fear. We often balk at this word, because we think it is unhealthy in relationships. The kind of fear being mentioned, though, is not what you might think, and it's essential to our proper understanding of God, his character, and our place in the world.
Pentecost
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Romans 8:9-30
As we think about the miracle of Pentecost - that God sends his Holy Spirit to dwell personally in the hearts of believers - we can't help but marvel at how blessed we are! We are dead, but God has brought us to life and given all we need to thrive!
Romans 12:9-16
A true Christ follower seeks to love others by honoring and respecting their spouses, neighbors, and authorities.
Colossians 3:1-17
We are called to partner together to feed one another's minds, so each one can grow in Christlikeness.
Hebrews 3:12-4:13
We must spur one another on toward repentance and obedience in declaring the gospel; the nations are longing for it!
1 Thessalonians 3:1-12
A life pleasing to God is marked by overwhelming love for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Ephesians 4:1-16
Accepting on another's differences in patience and using them for building each other up leads to amazing growth!
John 21
Jesus restores and heals criminals like us and insists that we pay his gift forward by nurturing his other sheep.
John 20 In the case of the empty tomb on Easter Sunday, we see Jesus walking away vibrantly alive and intact after plundering Hell and the grave! The process cost him greatly. In the end, Jesus' resurrection proves that the sentence we earned has been fully served and we are set free, indeed!
John 12
On Palm Sunday, as Jesus' ministry on earth approached its completion, he urged belief in himself and in his father.
Jesus is able to clean up any of the messes this world dishes out; even death, itself is no obstacle to him.
In this passage, Jesus' very clear understanding of how helpless his sheep are, how intense the danger they face, and what it will cost to save them has him gearing up for battle.
John 8
Truth, lies, and consequences are all plain to Jesus' eyes; he knows how to set us free through his own, honest words!
John 7
Jesus is not someone who can be ignored, we all must wrestle with the question of who he is.
John 6:22-71
Our hunger and thirst in the flesh are nothing compared to those in our spirits. True Bread centers on the cross; Jesus' broken Body and shed Blood are our true food and drink.
John 6:1-15
We are incapable of carrying out God's mission by ourselves; God uses us only when we admit we need his help.
John 5:18-47
When Jesus was hated for implying equality with God; he decided to fix the situation by doubling down. Rather than seeking praise from humans, Jesus pointed out his endorsements; the Father, the whole Bible, and Moses!
John 5:1-17
Jesus never calls us to holiness without first making us whole; it is then that his authority calls us to a life of obedience.
John 4
Jesus is able to inform us about our own hearts and needs; this experience prompts us to urgently inform others about him!
John 3
Jesus always has time for earnest people who are grasping in the dark and searching for the truth and light.
John 2
Jesus' way of conducting ministry demonstrates the abundant life, zeal, and confidence within him.
John 1: 35-51
As Jesus put together his group of accomplices, he chose some unusual characters and gathered them in unusual ways.
John 1:19-34
John the Baptist was the first to be interrogated regarding Christ; his testimony is clear and quite pointed!
Acts 11:19-26
Our attempts at connection often end in fragmentation; Christ's coming unleashes the power of real community and belonging!
Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 2:22-36
Chaotic circumstances can often wear our hearts out. Christ's arrival shows us that God isn't going to bail on us or forsake us; he rescues us by infusing his unlimited love and nurture into our lives.
Luke 2:15-21
This message is about Joy. This life can be hard, and many people give up at some point and just accept an existence on the outskirts of abundant life. God doesn't want us to become resigned to the "okayest life we could ask for;" Christ's coming invites us to dive into the story and join God in his joy! More than that, he compels us to do the same for others.
Luke 2:1-14
If there is an invisible war underway, most would rather not know; Christ's coming reveals an exciting endgame of peace!
Matthew 2
Life teaches us to be jaded; Christ's arrival intervenes by bringing real hope and renewed risk-taking.
Colossians 3:1-4:6
The content, intentions, and strategic wisdom behind what we say all determine how clearly and effectively we share Christ!
1 Peter 4:7-11
God calls us to go and witness to others of his love and grace; we must put ourselves in situations where our actions can speak as loud as our words.
Psalm 51, Matthew 6:14-15
Recognizing our brokenness is essential to seeking forgiveness.
Psalm 104
When we ask for daily bread, we are asking to remain dependent on him for our provision, even when we seem to have enough!
Psalm 103:15-22, Romans 12:1-2
When we pray for God's will to be done, we are really asking him to win the fight for our hearts and direct our actions, first! We are inviting him to transform us into the kind of willing servants and messengers he enjoys in his own, heavenly throne room. It's an earth-altering and powerful thing to request!
Just as a gardener prunes a tree to produce more fruit, God prunes our desires through his will. If we give half our heart to Jesus, and half our heart to the world, we will not fully attain either. Our branch cannot be half connected to the vine, or it will die.
Exodus 34: 1-10 Rev. Ben Gandy
How you act fundamentally says something about who you believe God to be. But, it also says something about who you believe you are. This message dives into what it means to pray "Hallowed be Thy name."
Matthew 6:25-34, Romans 8: 31-32
Jesus teaches us to start off prayer by locating ourselves properly in relationship to God. This is essential; we need to remember who we are, who God is, how he sees us, and what the basis is for asking him with confidence of an answer. Jesus' approach to these tasks is as powerful as it is pure: approach his Father as "our Father." Christ assures us that God is "in heaven" and yet intimately observing us, loving us, and providing for us as "our Father;" this changes everything!
HC Lord's Day 45
Psalm 116:12-19, Luke 11:9-13
This series will look at the model prayer Jesus taught his disciples in an attempt to discover how God feels about prayer. The exciting truth is that asking things of God is actually a way of worshipping and thanking him; he invites us to thank him by asking him for all things!
The youth in our church try to stump the pastors with some tough questions. The pastors use various passages from scripture to give substantial answers.
Psalms 16 & 63
In this one-off message, we look at what contentment is; how it differs from mere happiness or comfort, and how we can better encourage and nurture this state in ourselves and others around us.
Revelation 12
The Lord knows how to wreck and undo the plans of Satan to destroy and ruin his Bride, the Church!
Matthew 26:36-46
Even Jesus had his moments of running up against the will of the Father; even he had to roll with some roadblocks for our sake!
Acts 16:16-40
God knows how to derail this world's attempts to silence the gospel and discourage his messengers.
Acts 16:1-15
God frustrates good plans in exchange for great plans; we don't always know what he's up to, but he doesn't make mistakes.
Mark 9: 2-13
God stops us when we try to turn worship into a circus; our intentions might be good, but he just won't stand for it.
Jonah 4
God also loves us enough to stop us when we are hard-hearted toward others he loves; he knows how to rewarm our hearts.
Jonah 1
God loves us enough to thwart us when we are running away from him; he knows just how to stop us without crushing us.
1 Chronicles 22
Sometimes, God stops us from doing a good thing, simply because he wants someone else to do it, instead!
Psalm 2, Psalm 33
The nations of this earth have their own plans, but God is in control of history; he destroys the plans of kings to protect his people.
Genesis 27
Sometimes obedience to God is easy. Often times it is not. When God reveals his plans for our lives we need to seek to do all we can to obey and follow his guidelines. If we don't we might find ourselves up against a roadblock.
God may very well use other people and those people's deception to block our path. It may be exactly what we need when we're too stubborn to obey him.
Genesis 11:1-9
When human beings try to conspire against God and disobey him as a team, he breaks up the team and hits “reset.”
Genesis 3
When human sin entered into God’s perfect Garden, he kicked us out in order to make sure we could come back someday.
James 5.
One of our most critical tactics is endurance; doing the right thing really only helps if you keep doing it for the long haul!
James 4
This message celebrates all the growth, advancements and progress our children and young people have made in their learning about the Lord! James tells us that one of the things we need most for learning is a teachable spirit. In order to grow up, we first need to grow down; the practical skill of humility is essential to any process of growth and learning.
James 3. Speech is a powerful tool or weapon; only self-control and missional boldness will determine which it will be.
James 1:1-18
Welcome to our series Tactical Practical. This series is a study of the book of James, and it explores the very "hand-on" approach this book of the Bible takes to growing in one's faith. James understands that there are simply some things in our faith walk that have to be obeyed in order to be fully understood and appreciated. In fact, one of the best ways to depend in tactical knowledge or discipleship is to face obstacles and challenges. We hope that this series helps you put some grit and practice into your faith!
Job 19:23-29
Because our Redeemer lives, we have hope that endures beyond suffering and death.
Psalm 16; Zechariah 13:1-2; Acts 2:22-32
This message looks at an Old Testament prophecy about Jesus and his ministry. We see that the prophets foretold a day when prophecies would be replaced by healing, rejoicing, and real victory over death and corruption!
Isaiah 9
It is no secret that 2020 has been a year full of political passions, infighting, and division If you find yourself hungering for a peaceful government that creates safety, prosperity and unity, your not alone! There are many place we might fasten our hopes for such things, but most disappoint. When Jesus came to earth the first time, he came as a humble baby and served us as our sacrifice and Messiah. When Jesus comes onto the scene again, though, a new Kingdom breaks in, governments shift, and it will be anything but business as usual!
Luke 22: 14-46
As we continue to talk about the sacraments, we turn our attention to the Lord's Supper. The church has had many disagreements and also many moments of healing around the proper understanding of this sacrament. That makes sense, because it is so intimately connected to the core issues of our faith. We will talk about the truths that make this Supper so central to our progress in Christ. How amazing that Communion assures us that we are nourished and refreshed as we share in the sacrifice, death and resurrection victory of Christ!
Deuteronomy 30:6-20, Romans 10:5-17
This is the second message in our Sacraments series! We have begun to explore the two sacraments our church celebrates: Baptism and the Lord's Supper. They are known as the "dominical" sacraments, because the Lord (domini) instituted them for his disciples. As we continue in our series, we will be defining what sacraments are, what they are for, and what they can and cannot do for us. We are very excited to be bringing the message and to share with all of you what the Bible says and how the Heidelberg Catechism summarizes it!
Philippians 3:1-16
When we get our backs up against a wall, we are quick to point out all the ways that we are being taken advantage of and how we are victim un the situation. We try to prove that WE are the righteous one and what is happening isn't in the least fair. That approach, when it comes to God thought, falls flat on its face. In our sin, we NEED a righteous Savior... and it will never be ourselves.
Psalm 109
Horrible and unjust situation can cause us frustration, pain and turmoil. Calling out to God in prayer, ever if it is a real prayer of anguish is good.
Deep down there are groans in us too deep for words (Romans 8:26). But when we are ready to voice those complaints and requests to God, our words matter.
We will be looking at the King of Israel, David, and how he handles a horrible situation. What does he say? How does he respond? Let's find out!
Psalm 38
This one-word prayer is one every Christian should pray everyday! No matter how much we love God and try to be like him, on this side of heaven we end up falling short and needing to apologize to him. Sin is meant to make us grieve - a heart that can't say sorry is a heart that is dead before God. So, the ability to feel genuine grief over sin is actually an immense blessing and fit from god! It means his Spirit is at work in us, convicting us and softening our hearts. It's scary to say, "sorry," but knowing God accepts our apologies changes everything.
Psalm 30
Welcome to our Fall 2020 Kickoff series of messages "ONE-WORD PRAYERS!" In it, we will explore the kinds of prayers we pray when we are under duress, filled with strong emotion, desperate, overjoyed, and flummoxed. In other words, we will explore the time when we don't even know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. We will look at the times we cry for "Help!" In this world, Death threatens us at every turn, but God is our helper and rescuer; he changes death into freedom and life!
Genesis 1:26-2:3, Exodus 35:1-3, Hebrews 4:1-10
First in this series, we talked together about work, and Pastor Cody framed it in terms of gratitude and a "get to" opportunity to use our gifts and talents for God and others. This message, we will explore the other side of the equation: Play! We will discover that play isn't a waste of time, a diversion, or a product of immaturity. To the contrary: play is extremely important in God's design for our souls, and it's not just for children; we must work to recover our skill at recreation! I hope that, as we tease out this topic together, you will find more freedom to rest in the Lord!
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
"WORK, WORK, WORK." "WORK Hard." "You have to WORK to be the best!" "A little hard WORK never hurt anyone!"
Our culture has countless phrases to encourage good hard work but often times WORK is not thought of very positively. "I have to go to work now..." "I'm just working for the weekend..." We are going to dig into what does the Bible say about our work!
2 Kings 13: 14-21
This is the last message in our series about Elijah and Elisha. This passage talks about Elisha's last prophetic act, his death, and a miracle that happens through him after he's gone from this earth! This message will help pass the torch of Spirit-empowered ministry from the Old Testament prophets to you and me, and it will answer some big questions about what is STILL going on below the surface in our lived and in our world. The good news i s that the life of God is in us and more powerful than all the death that has ever been!
2 Kings 6:8-23
What an amazing passage we have again! Elisha is going to go head-to-head with an angry army. Best of all, there is literally going to be a revelation in the passage itself about what goes on below the surface of this miracle. This passage explores the question of spiritual warfare, material power vs. invisible power, mercy, and reconciliation with our enemies. It will encourage you and assure you of protection, power, and victory from God, and it will also show how he wants us to use these gifts to bless even those who pursue and prefecture us.
2 Kings 5:1-15
This passage tells the tale of a no-name servant girl who shared the gift of faith and healing with the enemy who imprisoned her. It also tells us the tale of that enemy's journey from pride, through submission, and into healing. It is an amazing glimpse into the potential and folly of the human heart. It shows us that God can heal us, but that his healing often comes when we are finally ready to stop taking offense and start humble asking him! Earthly healers let us be in charge as customers; God will only heal us when we come to him as helpless children.
2 Kings 4:38-44
Have you ever felt confined or restricted? Have you ever felt like you just can't catch a break? Have you ever been trying to solve a problem and every avenue you go down to find a solution is under construction or a dead end? In this passage we will encountered the miraculous gain but these are certainly different stories than what we have encountered so far in this series. We see God doing the amazing in the midst of mundane.
2 Kings 4:8-37
This story is another look-alike miracle; this is a lot like the story of Elijah raising the widow's dead son in 1 Kings 17. There are definitely hings going on below the surface, God is showing Elisha and us some additional glimpses into his character and the way he saves us from death. He is showing a little bit more about how little his prophets and leaders have to do with his miracles, and how he is the Hero of the story, every time. Most of all, he is showing his people a glimpse of the Messiah, Jesus!
2 Kings 4:1-7
One the surface, this passage seems to be about a miracle of provision for someone in an emergency. in it, we certainly see how God uses Elisha to show favor to a widow in debt. Below he surface thought, we see a deeper message about God's provision to those who depend on him and his challenge to his people to care for one another. God delights to provide wealth, resources, and abundance for hose who depend on him; he delights even more to use his chosen people in the process!
2 Kings 2:1-14
There are two stories in this passage. They are among the most misunderstood tales in the Old Testament. On the surface and without adequate study, it seems like a story about a magic bowl of salt and a cautionary tale about respecting your elders - even if they're bald. There's a LOT more going on below the surface, though! I am really excited to dig deeper together as we understand the truth of this passage and a clear message of hope in God's ability to grand second chances and a clear call to repent of idolatry before we face irrevocable judgement
2 Kings 2:1-15
Transitions in life are difficult. It is no wonder that the most stressful times in a marriage are when a move takes place, there is a job change or loss, or when a financial challenge comes along. Change and transitions are difficult and that is the same in leadership as well. At surface level we might say this story is about Elijah being take up to heaven in a whirlwind BUT below the surface a richly meaningful transition is taking place.
1 Kings 19:9-18
We are so thankful for our fathers and father figures, and for the way they have invested in us over the years. Dads have taught us lots of things and shown us the power and strength good men can have. Strength isn't always the solution, thought, and good dads are stuck. Sometimes the world thinks only strength, power, and loud shouting can change things; God often reveals his power in small, quite things. He invites s to wait on him and listen for his gentle whispers.
1 Kings 17:7-24
"The soul can do without everything except the word of God, without which non of all its wants are provided for." -Martin Luther
The word of God supplies us, sustains us, and brings us into new life. Our job is to lean wholly on Him in faith.
1 Kings 17:1-6
Welcome to our summer series, Below the Surface. In it, we will explore many stories about two great prophets from the Old Testament, Elijah and Elisha. Their experiences can seem fantastic and strange; our goal in these messages will be to understand their times the prophetic role they played, and the deep truths God was revealing about himself through the miracles he did in, through, and around them. In other words, we'll get below the surface of each story and figure out what it's really about! We start with ravens serving as waiters....
Matthew 6:19-34
This is the last message in our Pour Excuses series, and it is also Pentecost Sunday. This is a Sunday when we recall how God poured out his Holy Spirit on his people. What a great Sunday to think about the fact that God pours himself out, too! His lavish gift of the Holy Spirit frees us to serve him from the heart without worrying about ourselves, our possessions, the future, or our security!
Matthew 5:13-20
This message, we will look at some very famous words from Jesus and think about what they mean for us as his followers. We sometimes think we are supposed to hide out in this world; at other times, we try to blend in. Jesus says we are supposed to stand out and make a difference for him. We are called to set aside our comfort in order to be salt and light in the world, sharing the good news about Jesus wherever we go. We are excited to celebrate this shared mission!
Titus 3
God has wired us all a little differently to in the church but our purpose is the same: to share the good news of Jesus. Everyone is supposed to play a part, but NOT because it is the way we earn our salvation! Be productive Church in your gratitude for grace!
Titus 2
The Church is made up of people, and people have different strengths, stories, challenges, and hopes. Jesus is so smart in how he puts us together! Often, though, we can feel frustrated with our place, role, or situations at different points in our lives. One top of that, sometimes our blindness leads us to think that one person or role is more valuable than another or that we are trapped in obligation and rules. The truth is that each of us has a part to pay in the family of God as we do good deeds together, and all of the parts are set free to become interdependent!
Titus 1
Welcome to our new series, Building Blocks, in which we explore the book of Titus and its teaching about how God building up his Church. When he makes his church strong, he does it by basing everything on his promises, which all find their fulfillment and " yes" in Jesus Christ. God never lies, and all his truth and promises are solid ground for our lives. God founds and builds up his church on the foundation of sound doctrine, godly leadership, and humble obedience. We are so thankful to have the scriptures and faithful leaders who are shaped by them!
Happy Easter! He is Risen! Easter is a wonderful day of hop and celebration eve if the world around us doesn't seem to have gotten the memo. This message is the last in our Great Physician series, and it depicts Jesus' interaction with Thomas, one of his apostles who needed some convincing about the resurrection. It reveals something amazing: Jesus believes in skeptics, even before they believe in him; he loves and understands those whose faith must come by fighting!
John 18:28-19:16
As we enter Holy Week leading up to Easter, there is a question in our passage that stands out above the rest. it is a question that we all ask of life everyday. Pilate asks this question in a moment of carelessness and frustration s but it is a turning point for him that leads him to care about something beyond himself.
Luke 12:13-21
We are continuing our series on the Great Physician, Jesus. This message, we will be looking at an interaction he had with two individuals at once: a covetous man and his brother, who was also covetous. They interrupted Jesus' teaching about persecution, fear and eternal life to ask Jesus to settle a petty material dispute. His response is very loving and challenging for us all, and it tells us a lot about what he has to say to a materialist. Let's all listen with teachable hearts and seek to become rich toward God!
Mark 5:25-34
This story is actually about someone who was under quarantine and had become an outcast due to illness. In the interactions between this woman and Jesus, we see that the Lord's power and purity are contagious to any who will cling to him in faith and trust him for salvation and complete healing!
Mark 1:40-45
This interaction that occurs right after Jesus finishes preaching his Sermon on the Mount. It was the clearest message he gave about his ethics; in it he taught the high standard of purity and righteousness that God demands, and to which none of us can rise unless we are recreated in Christ. One his way down the mountain, Jesus met a leper- a person who, at the time, was thought to be the very manifestation on earth of impurity and sin. We see that Jesus , who is incarnate Purity, has the power to absolutely transform our incarnate pollution with a single word!
John 1:35-42a
Welcome to the season of Lent, and welcome to this message series, "The Great Physician." The series is based on scripture, but also on a book full of sermons by the same title, written by G. Campbell Morgan and published in 1937. The book, and this series, are a look at the way Jesus ministered to individuals during his earthly ministry. He was able to truly see, diagnose, treat, and fully heal every person who came to him in need and in faith, and he is still able to do so today! Our first look is into the life of Andrew, one of the 12 Apostles, and the brother of Peter!
Romans 8:26-39
This message wraps up our look at the Apostles' Creed. We finish by thinking of all the many gifts and benefits we have in Jesus Christ. It is really humbling and encouraging to know that, having perfectly saved his people, he also makes sure they have everything they need to grow, share their faith, make it through life, and live forever with him in heaven! It pleases God the Father to give believers all things, along with Christ Jesus - in him, we are more than conquerors and we know that God is for us, forever!
This section of the Apostle's Creed deals with Jesus' suffering, death, burial, and descent to the dead. These facts of his suffering are essential to history and even more essential to our salvation. They may seem life just sad reminders about how cruel humans can be or unfortunate parts that come before the happy ending of the story; they are way more than that! The Creed spells these details our because each on matters immensely. Jesus' death on the cross, burial, and descent to the dead all directly lead to our freedom, new life, and assurance of pardon!
Hebrews 2:1-18; Philippians 2:1-11
This sermon, we talk about the part of the Cred where it says that Jesus "was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.." It is an essential truth of our faith that Jesus was NOT fathered by Joseph or any other human man; he was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and shares full divinity with the Father in Heaven, yet full humanity with all of us. Since Jesus is fully human and fully God, he is our perfect, blameless Mediator, about to effectively play the price for our sin. He is able to fully understand, fully represent, and fully save humans because he is one of us!
Acts 17:24-31
This message is when we talk about the way in which God provides for the life he creates. It is an amazing thing to dig into science and see how miraculously he has designed ecosystems, critters, and humans to coexist and thrive on this planet. Most of all, we will celebrate the special calling he has given to people to join him in investing in life, caring for creation, and protecting the vulnerable. God wants to intimately connect with his creation, such that all creatures on this earth live, move, and have their being in him!
Romans 4
Welcome to the second installment of our recurring Heidelberg Catechism series! In this next 8-week set of messages, we will dig into the sections of the Catechism that break down the Apostle's Creed and its teaching on the Trinity and salvation. Today, we look at the issue of faith, itself. The Creed summarizes the teaching in which all Christians are called to place their faith. But what even is faith? Is it just intense believing? Is it a work? True faith is a gift from God; the articles of our faith are at the heart of the gospel, and it is essential that we know them.
Luke 2:41-52
It is an often-missed element in the Christmas story, but if you read the Bible closely, you'll see that God waits, too - it is an amazing and deep mystery, but eve Jesus, himself, grew stronger through waiting! Today's passage tells us the story of Jesus' childhood and the way he willingly chose to grow up in the normal way, even though he was God. The amazing truth is that God the Father, God the Spirit, and God the Son all participate in waiting, in the sense that they are willing to set aside their own rights and delay their deserved outcomes in order to see people saved!
Luke 2:21-40
Waiting is not just a once-in-a-while activity. Anyone who is honest about how broken the world is and how much needs healing will find him or herself waiting more and more. This story is about two people full of wisdom and year who were waiting to see something good that would help them finish their race with hope for the world and the next generation. Their joy at meeting Jesus is very compelling and inspiring! Simeon and Anna teach us that, sometimes, waiting takes a lifetime or more; but some things are just so good and worthy that it's worth it!
Luke 1:26-56
Our wait for Christmas' arrival is getting closer to its end! In this sermon, we will talk about Mary and Elizabeth, the mothers of John the Baptist and Jesus who were both pregnant with their special child and waiting for a healthy birth. As these two pregnant women waited, they learned that God never forgets to bring justice to save, even if he seems to be slow. When we wait on God and his promises, we can be sure that he wont' forget to fill us with good things and take great care of his children!
Hebrews 11:8-16; John 8:56-58
Advent is the season in which we prepare for Christmas by kindling our longing for Jesus in our lives. We celebrate his first coming to earth in the miracle of Christmas, and deepen our anticipation of his second coming to save his people and restore the while earth. This is all great stuff, but it involves a LOT of waiting. This series explores the idea that we are not the first of God's people to be frustrated, excite, challenged, and formed by season of patient waiting and hoping!
This series has been focused on dealing with the bad-news-first starting point of the gospel. It is exciting that we are now taking a turn into the Good News part! As we leave behind the Heidelberg for the rest of 2019, it is good that we focus on the news about our amazing Redeemer Jesus! One of the best miracles of Jesus is the one we celebrate at Christmas - the Incarnation. In it, we learn about the dual nature of Christ; he is fully God and fully human. This is more than a clever miracle; it is the otherwise inconceivable and only way of salvation!
Hebrews 2:14-18, Isaiah 53
After all we've seen in this series, we now know that all humans have a sin problem and are trapped in misery unless God intervenes. This is no small problem, and there is no natural way for anyone to escape the consequences of their disobedience. In fact, in all of creation and history, nobody has ever existed who could thread the needle on this conundrum. No creature or normal person could pay the price for human sin; a sinless human Savior is more than a one-in-ten-trillion shot, and the work of Jesus Christ is totally unique and miraculous.
People often talk as if God must explain himself to people before he can be trusted. They ask (understandably) how a merciful and loving God could allow anyone to make bad choices, hurt, or go to Hell. We are not entitled to demand that God justify himself to us; in fact, we are the ones who must make our case before him. Our sinful nature leads us to pride and excuses, but the fact is that we have earned death and can only plead mercy. The good news is that God has abundant mercy to give; the bad news is that it flows only when we stop making excuses and repent.
Romans 3:9-24 Q&A #5
Q: Can you live up to God's Law perfectly? A: No. I have a natural tendency to hate God and my neighbor.
1 Peter 1:17-2:3
Welcome to our new series, A Series of Unfortunate Events! This series is the first of several that will pop up here and there over the years ahead, in which all of our ministries will study the truths and scriptural background of the Heidelberg Catechism. If you don't know what that is, we'll explain it throughout these series. The main thing to know is that it is a way of summarizing and remembering the main truths of salvation taught in the Bible. This first series looks at the fact that the gospel brings us some bad news before it brings us Good News.
Psalm 86
This is the last message in our series, "Pardon Our Mess." It has been so fun to explore the way in which the book of Psalms affirms all the deepest longings, feelings, and needs that messy people like us have. He loves us too much to shut us out or push us away for our feelings. Psalms show us that we can bring them to him, but that there will be more to the story - he will ALWAYS listen and accept, but he will also ALWAYS challenge, redeem, heal, and grow us beyond those feelings and into deeper trust in him. This is the greatest comfort of all, and it is a gift!
Psalms 100 & 103
Not everyone celebrates in the same way; introverts prefer a different kind of party than extroverts and different cultures have different a treats and traditions in mind for a feast. One thing is certain, though - human beings have an innate desire and hunger for celebration and rejoicing. This is because we are designed for an eternal vocation of celebrating God and his goodness together forever. Even in this life, though, God knows we need to celebrate, so he provides wins and then calls us to rejoice over them in his presence!
This is the first message in our new message series as part of our fall kickoff. It's called "Pardon Our Mess," and it's based on Psalms that show us how God loves to meet messy people right where they are and bring something beautiful out of the mess!