Not everything in life can be solved with brute force and strength. Many people prefer to use a shotgun approach to life (aiming everywhere hoping something will stick). Scripture tells us that success is better approached like an archer who uses precision focus and finesse. In this message, we see Paul's aim in life was to know Christ, to be more like Jesus and to allow Christ to use Him in the way He intended.
Everyone gets tired. Everyone has a bad day. Everyone gets down. But, what do you do when you feel so down, you aren't sure you can't come back? That's a little more serious. In this message, Pastor Derek Holmes looks at Elijah's struggle with depression and burnout and how God brought him back from the brink.
We are all in a battle against time. No matter how much we try to save it, slow it down, speed it up, or turn it back, time marches on. How do we develop a healthy relationship with time to maximize it for God's glory and our good? Psalm 90:12 gives us a few lessons.
Student Pastor, Ryan Blackburn discusses the habit we have to make New Years Resolutions, and the habit we have of breaking those resolutions. He discusses the importance of keeping our commitments with the strength an willpower that comes from God.
Christmas may have passed, but Matthew's account of the Magi teach us far more than their ability to follow a star. It teaches us the core of what it means to faithfully follow Christ.
As we close out our Christmas Series, Pastor Derek looks at the Wise Men and how this story addresses some of our deeper questions about faith and the Gospel
If you have ever thought, "Man, following Jesus is difficult," have you ever stopped to consider how hard it had to be for Mary and Joseph? Try following Jesus AND parenting Him at the same time. This message, we look at the difficulty of following Jesus from the example set by Mary and Joseph.
In the first message of the Christmas series, Pastor Derek looks at the genealogy of Jesus from Matthew 1. This bloodline is messy, chaotic, dysfunctional and scandalous. It includes patriarchs and prostitutes, Kings and widowed peasants, Jews and Gentiles. Yet, from this broken bloodline, God still brings Jesus to save the world.
Student Pastor, Ryan Blackburn takes us through the book of James to see what it looks like when we live with a faith that is genuine and provokes us to loving works and obedient action.
Any football fan knows that a good game plan is vital to victory. As he closes out the letter to the Colossians, Paul gives a game plan to the church for how to keep Christ first.
How does this Christian thing play out in "real life?" This is often a question we struggle with. As Colossians leads us to understand Christ is first, we understand that Christ deserves to be first in everything. And, every relationship of our life should be viewed first and foremost through the lens of our relationship with Christ. In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul looks at three "real life" relationships we must give to Jesus -- Husbands and Wives, Kids and Parents and Bosses and Employees.
Life is full of questions and mysteries, and answers seem to be almost impossible to find. In this message, Pastor Derek looks at the words of Isaiah and the words of Christ Himself, declaring that Jesus is the answer to the greatest questions of life.
In Colossians 3, the Apostle Paul uses the metaphor of clothing to describe the difference in secular and Christian character. In this message, we take a look at the "clothes" we are to put on, seated in the character and likeness of Jesus Christ. The big idea of this message is, "If Christ is preeminent, His nature should be prominent in our lives."
Are you "brand loyal"? Are you into fashion? What is your fashion style? Our fashion is an avenue of self-expression, and the brands we choose send a message about our lifestyle. Scripture uses the metaphor of fashion and what we wear to communicate spiritual truth. In this sermon, we look at the sins we are to "cast off" like old clothes in exchange for the new garments of righteousness.
Do you ever find it difficult to stay focused? Doctors say that many cases of ADD or ADHD go undiagnosed. In our series through the book of Colossians, Paul gives the church a giant "finger snap" calling our attention back to focus on Christ alone. It is easy to get distracted from Him. In this message, we look at three belief systems that often creep into the church distracting us from Jesus.
In part 4 of our series through the book of Colossians, we look at what it means to be rooted in Christ. If we say we are His, we must be undeniably His.
In the third message from Colossians, we look at how putting Christ first is a call to suffer, sacrifice and serve.
Everyone who likes sports knows how great it is when their team is #1. In Colossians 1:15-23, the Apostle Paul reminds us of why Jesus should be first place in the church and in all things. THE BIG IDEA: No one and nothing can come before or beside Jesus.
In our consumer-driven culture, we are surrounded by options and choices. When it comes to faith, there is really only one true option. When it comes to the church, we can only have one message. In the opening sermon of a series through the book of Colossians, we look at how the Preeminence of Jesus Christ must not be understated.
Crisis has a way of calling us to assess what is truly important. Steve Bender, former missionary to South Korea and current Associate Missions Director at Bible Baptist Fellowship International, relates the tragedy of September 11, 2001 to the need for the church today to assess the importance of gospel missions.
History has proven the timeless impact of the Bible. As the all-time bestseller, no other book has been more mass produced or widely translated. No other book has caused more debate or controversy. In this message, Pastor Derek Holmes looks at 3 important reasons the Bible is like no other book.
How do you react when you see someone famous? Isaiah was a scribe who worked in the palace of King Uzziah. He was no stranger to being around famous & powerful people. But, in our text, he gets a view of a throne and power like nothing else he’s ever seen. In this vision, God calls Isaiah to be a prophet — God’s mouthpiece to His people. If Isaiah was to finish well, he would need to keep a proper perspective of God — His power and holiness. As followers of Christ, we need that same perspect...
History has given us pivotal figures. Most of the time, those figures are polarizing. Jesus is probably the most polarizing and pivotal figure in History. Our understanding of time is measured by His birth. No matter who you are, no one can come face to face with the Biblical view of Jesus and turn away unaffected. Jesus' person, work and words demand a response. In the final installment of the Series, Pastor Derek Holmes asks the question, "What is Your Response to the Jesus of the Bible?"...
In the third installment of our series on the Jesus of the Bible, we take a look at John the Baptist's words, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."
In this installment of the My Name is Jesus Series, Pastor Derek looks at why it is important that Jesus is the Son of God.
Each culture has its idea of what Jesus looks like. Many artists have recorded their idea of Jesus. But what picture does the Bible actually paint of Christ? In part 1 of this series, Pastor Derek Holmes begins to look at the Biblical frame of Jesus from John chapter 1
