Listen, joy isn't about being in a happy circumstance, joy is about finding contentment in the work of God; in your life and in the life of others. Paul was able to do ministry with joy, no matter his circumstances, and you can to. Put your focus on serving others with the Gospel and you will find long lasting joy. When You Engage In Ministry You Will Inevitably Be Ministered To More Than Those You Seek To Serve
- Jul 19, 2020Philippians Part 1: The Joy of Ministry
Philippians Part 1: The Joy of Ministry
Listen, joy isn't about being in a happy circumstance, joy is about finding contentment in the work of God; in your life and in the life of others. Paul was able to do ministry with joy, no matter his circumstances, and you can to. Put your focus on serving others with the Gospel and you will find long lasting joy. When You Engage In Ministry You Will Inevitably Be Ministered To More Than Those You Seek To Serve
- Jul 12, 2020Living Out Our Faith
Living Out Our FaithOur faith should be evident in the way we live our lives.
- Jul 5, 2020One Small Step Part 6: In His Steps
One Small Step Part 6: In His Steps
Do you want to take one small step towards Christ today? Then pick up the pace. Make sure you stay in step with Christ through the word and prayer. Make sure you don't let you past stop you from following Jesus. Make sure you don't try to get to the road in one sprint, but just make it to the bush a few feet in front of you. Pace yourself and keep Jesus in your sights.
Do you want to make one small step towards Christ today? Then simply see what Jesus did, determine what he would do, and then do that! He loved, cared for, befriended, and ministered with outcasts. He forgave, served, gave, and prayed. He preached repentance, obeyed God's commands, and eventually humbled himself to suffer for us by dying on the cross. So... do that! It won't be easy... but it will change the world. Following In Christ's Steps Often Means Leaving The Easy Path.
- Jun 28, 2020One Small Step Part 5: Drop Those Bags
One Small Step Part 5: Drop Those Bags
So we continue to walk after Christ. We take step after step after step following our Lord wherever he goes. But as we follow in his steps... as we try to follow his lead, Satan isn't going to make it easy. He's going to do whatever he can do to get us off track. Satan is working overtime to derail us, isn't he? Look with me at Hebrews 12:1. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” We run after Christ, while all of Heaven cheers us on. But sometimes as we run, one small step after one small step, we pick up all kinds of baggage along the way, and it begins weighing us down. If we have too much baggage we will fall behind and fall out of step with Christ. And who's handing us the bags... Satan. Jesus says, leave all that behind... Satan says... hey, you need to hold onto this. Listen, you need to drop the baggage that Satan is trying to get you to keep to keep you from following Christ. When you take the first step in following Christ, which as we saw last week was trusting in Christ through faith and repentance, Satan will do everything he can to wreck you. He knows he can't take away your salvation so he tries to wreck your sanctification by weighing you down with all kinds of baggage. Today, we need to drop those bags. Or, as I was going to name this sermon “drop it like it's hot,” but 1996 wanted their phrase back so. Listen, it's imperative that we understand this today... If We Want To Run After Christ We Need To Leave Satan's Baggage In The Dust. Today I want us to see 4 types of baggage that Satan wants us to hold onto and Jesus want's us to leave in the dust.
- Jun 21, 2020One Small Step Part 4: Established By The Lord
One Small Step Part 4: Established By The Lord
So what does it mean that God establishes our steps? I think we struggle with verses like this because they seem to weigh against our autonomy, our free will. Do verses like this mean that we really don't have a choice in the matter? Do they mean that when I make a step it wasn't really my decision to make that step, but instead God was making me make that step? And if that is the case, do I have any freedom to make my own decisions and take my own steps? Who's actually taking my steps? Me or God? And, does it really matter? Well the short answer is yes, yes, and yes. But the answer is more complicated and at the same time more simple than that. Today I want us to recognize something so fundamental to our faith that it determines how we take our steps. As believers who everyday struggle to take small steps in God's way we need to get this... My Steps May Be My Own, But I Can Never Walk Outside God's Sovereign Path.
- Jun 14, 2020One Small Step Part 3: Are We There Yet
One Small Step Part 3: Are We There YetDon't we all get frustrated and impatient at times? Aren't we all, at times, just like kids in the car on the trip to the beach who keep saying, “are we there yet.” But there is joy in the journey isn't there? There's something worth celebrating about each step of the journey. I think it's important this morning that we “Don't Miss The Journey For The Destination. So, we know the destination... we know that we are called to perfection... and even though we can't achieve it in this lifetime, we keep pressing on as though we must We press on towards perfection because Christ has saved us and loved us and now we want to love him through the way we live this life. We repent of our sin and turn to walk after him. And everyday we walk, step by step, closer to Him and what he wants for us. Everyday we strive after a greater spiritual maturity. And it's hard, and sometimes we mess up, and sometimes we move slower than others. But we know that there is grace and mercy with our God who is patient with us. And if he is patient with us, we can also be patient. Rather than throw our arms up and give up, rather than think that we are failures at this whole Christian thing, we recognize that we have made it to the bush. We aren't there yet.. but we aren't where we were either. And so we proclaim... We have made some movement and that is worth celebrating. Every single step forward is a step worth celebrating... the journey may be hard, and long, but it's all a part of God's plan to get you to glory... so Don't Miss the Journey For the Destination.
- Jun 7, 2020One Small Step Part 2: Get Past The Past
One Small Step Part 2: Get Past The Past
Our struggle isn't simply that we get bored or frustrated with small steps. Yes, we don't like small steps. We like to dream big dreams but we don't like to take small steps. But, it's not just because we are overwhelmed by the journey. There's something else that is keeping us from taking those steps. There's something holding us back isn't there? And you know what it is right? Say it with me, “My... Past.”
It's our past. It's the reason why we don't like to make resolutions, it's the reason we struggle with commitments, it's the reason why we often stay in places that God has not called us to stay. We don't progress because, “I've tried it before and I got hurt, or I failed, or it didn't work.” God, I can't take that next step, because last time I took that step I fell and it hurt and I'm not sure I can get past it now. And here's something you need to understand. God gets it. God knows that our pasts are huge obstacles to moving forward. Look with me if you would at a passage I came across in the book of Lamentations. If you are looking for encouragement... I would encourage you not to read the book of lamentations. But there is one passage that is really good... the whole point of the book hinges on this passage right here. It says in Lamentations 3:19-23 that we will struggle with our past but the love of God and his mercies are new every morning. How do we move past our past? How do we take the small step past our past everyday? By recognizing that God is good and his mercy is new every morning.
Today I want us to see that we can leave our past in the past. We can get past our past and start moving forward. Today I want you to know that... Your Past Can Only Hold You Back As Long As You Choose To Trust In It More Than The Mercy And Love Of Christ .
- May 31, 2020One Small Step Part 1: Day To Day
One Small Step Part 1: Day To Day
Many people consider the height of human achievement to be the moment Neil Armstrong stepped out of the LEM, walked down the ladder, bounced onto the surface of the moon, and said these famous words... “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Now we all know these famous words... but do we truly understand the gravitas of what they mean. Do we understand what a giant leap it was in the history of the world and in the advancement of innovation and technology? Exactly how many small human steps did it take to get to this small step on the moon?Are you aware that your lives are a series of small steps, one building on another. Small choices from birth that have formed who you really are. The distance from your beginning to now is a million miles long... but that distance still consists of small steps. Small steps that we rarely ever think of. Right? We don't like to think about small steps really. Why? Because we don't like small steps. What we like is big dreams. We love to dream big dreams but we don't like to take small steps.This morning we begin a journey of small steps that lead to big change. Here's your first small step! Depend on Jesus Christ! Daily depend on Jesus Christ. You don't need to take another step until you can take this step. Everyday determine to begin your day by hearing his voice and meditating on his word and depending on him to establish your steps. Your Destiny Is Determined By Day To Day Decisions. Your destiny is determined by day to day dependency on Jesus.
- May 24, 2020Through The Storm Part 4: A Sign Of Hope
Through The Storm Part 4: A Sign Of Hope
Instead of dreading the storms of life... the Bible, time after time, encourages us to rejoice in our sufferings. Romans 5:3-4 tells us to rejoice in our sufferings because eventually our suffering will produce perseverance, character... and lastly hope.
And here is our final struggle with the storm... here is our final question; “how in the world can the tragedies of my life eventually produce hope?” How do I walk out of the storm, not simply alive, but filled with hope? Seems like a contradiction doesn't it? Storms, tragedies, trials, all should produce sorrow... and they do... but not hope and joy, right?
This world will have storms and tragedies... we can't avoid them. But for every storm there will be a sign of hope... you just have to look and see them. Through the storm of cancer you can see the sign of a greater dedication to living a life of meaning. Through the storm of being fired you can see the sign of a new opportunity. Through the storm of divorce you can see the sign of a loving small group. Through the loss of a loved one you can see the sign of heaven and eternity with them. There are signs of hope all around us. Through every storm, God is supplying hope to those who know him. For every storm there is a sign of hope. Look at what the Bible says in Psalm 42:11 . When we are downcast, when our souls are hurting and there is turmoil within us... Hope in God... look to his signs of hope and praise him. God Has Never Allowed A Storm Without A Sign Of Hope
- May 17, 2020Through The Storm Part 3: Quarantine Blessings
Through The Storm Part 3: Quarantine BlessingsCould it be that every storm is a blessing in disguise? God doesn't waste storms and neither should you.
- May 10, 2020Through The Storm Part 2: Soul Shelter
Through The Storm Part 2: Soul ShelterIn This Life Christ is the Only Sure Shelter For Your Soul
- May 3, 2020Through The Storm Part 1: You’re Gonna Do What?
Through The Storm Part 1: You’re Gonna Do What?
We are a month and a half into the world-wide Covid-19 pandemic and there is as of now, no light at the end of the tunnel. We live in a time of dark uncertainty no doubt. Schools, stores, and churches are closed, pro sports seasons have been canceled, the stock market has plummeted into recession, retirement accounts are all but gone, countless jobs have been lost, over 2 million people have been infected, over 100,000 people have died, and as of now there is no cure. And even after its all over with... what will be left when we sift through the rubble? Will our economy ever be able to recover? Will you be able to find a job again? Will your 401k rebound?
I'm not trying to paint too bleak of a picture here... I'm just voicing some of the questions that I think many of us are secretly asking. But the biggest question that many of us are asking is... why?Why God, why? It's a fair question. But it's not the most important question in these times. You see one of the most fundamental teachings of the Christian faith is this idea that God is so much bigger than us that we cannot know all his ways... we can't always know the why. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” And I know what you are thinking. So. So what? How does that help me right here, right now! It can seem like an empty cliché... but I assure it's not. You see the most important question isn't why? The most important question is... “can you still trust God when you can't understand the why?” When you can't figure out what God is doing, or why he's doing it, when you can't see him working through the darkness... when you can't see how this can amount to any good at all... can you still trust him? - Apr 26, 2020Scandalous Part 4: Murderer To Missionary
Scandalous Part 4: Murderer To MissionaryThe death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ all leads to one end... transformation. To be more specific... your transformation for the glory of God. Your Transformation Story Completes The Easter Story. Have you been transformed by Jesus? If so, share your story. Are you in desperate need for transformation? It's time for a Damascus road experience.
- Apr 19, 2020Scandalous Part 3: Unexplained Phenomena
Scandalous Part 3: Unexplained PhenomenaSome of the greatest scandals in this world are unexplained phenomena. What's up with spontaneous combustion? Regardless, the Easter story is jam packed with scandalous and unexplainable events, including the ascension and the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And through these events we are given such awesome power.
- Apr 12, 2020Scandalous Part 2: The Missing Body
Scandalous Part 2: The Missing BodyIsn't it convenient then, that our current scandal is during this time, during Easter? Why you say? Because Easter is scandalous. Last week we begun by looking at the situation from the trial of Christ to his murder on the cross. He was plotted against, conspired against, falsely accused, beaten and abused mercilessly, declared innocent multiple times, and killed on a cross. Why was his trial in the middle of the night. Why was he taken to four different judges and convicted without one credible witness. Why was he beaten with no proof of guilt? Why was he held captive while Barabbas the murderer was set free? Why was Jesus, a man free of sin, crime, or malice... a man who healed people, forgave people's sins, who only helped people everyday... why was he sentenced do death? Now thats a scandal.
The Body is missing... and it is a scandal no doubt... but the real scandal is that Jesus would die and raise again for us. The real scandal is that we were the ones who sinned against him. The real scandal is that we turned our backs on him. The real scandal is that even while we were sinners... still the love of Christ kept loving us... all the way to the cross... all the way to the grave... and all the way to a rolled away stone. Now you know what's really missing? Meaninglessness... Purposelessness, uncertainty, the fear of sin, the fear of death, the fear of hell, the sting of our iniquity, the devastation of our selfishness. Do you know what's really missing in the empty tomb now? Emptiness! You don't have to be empty any more! Surrender to the risen Christ and be filled with life, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, long-suffering, goodness, mercy, and grace... for all of eternity. The Tomb Is Empty So You Don't Have To Be
