Our work has a significant place in our lives, whether it is in our home, in our community, or in a profession. So much so, that "what we do" is often a first topic when we meet someone new. However, have you ever thought that your work is a frontline for discipling others? Our effort, our attitude, our interactions and more speak volumes to the world of what it looks like to follow Jesus. How can we change our perspective from simply doing a "job," to having a daily opportunity to disciple othe...
Oct 17, 2021•39 min
The word discipleship has been deeply explored over the past 20 years. Is it going to church on Sunday? Is it Bible studies, coffee dates, or being a good neighbor? Is it being part of a small group, volunteer coaching for your son's soccer team...or are we missing it all together? This series opener will take us back to when Jesus called his disciples, and what He asked them to be and do. Perhaps our best definition will require us to return to the roots that Jesus established over 2000 years a...
Oct 08, 2021•43 min
In the book of Matthew we see Jesus approaching John the Baptist to be baptized. John's response...NO WAY! You need to baptize me! But Jesus insists, as it must be done. But why did Jesus get baptized, and how does that influence us today? How does baptism impact our spiritual lives and our hope in the gospel?
Oct 03, 2021•16 min
Can you really trust God is in control when life seems to be spinning out of control? The ancient Israelites faced a similar question as they stood in the ruin and rumble of their destroyed capital city. And yet through it all, they were able to boldly proclaim the sovereignty of God through the words of Psalm 99. What gave them assurance of God’s absolute supremacy when their lives were literally crumbling around them? As Psalm 99 makes clear, it’s the very same thing that gives us hope when we...
Sep 25, 2021•31 min
At times, it feels like evil is always winning. We are surrounded by wars, calamity, pain and death. This was true for the Psalmist as well. Psalm 94 reminds us that the very things which look to destroy our faith and produce despair can be turned into an opportunity for worship and praise. Even thought the days seem dark, do we trust that God has got this?
Sep 19, 2021•46 min
The 91st Psalm brings great relief to the reader- God is our refuge. He protects us and cares for us, however we are not shielded from pain and suffering. This passage actually promises that God will be with us through all things, and in His care is better than being away from Him. Are you so close to God that you are in His care, or are you far away blaming Him for not protecting you?
Sep 12, 2021•41 min
In today’s digital age, it can be difficult at times to discern what is real and what is fake news. This is especially the case when it comes to spiritual truth. With so many different podcasts and sermons available to us with the click of a button, how do actually we know who is speaking gospel truth? Thankfully the book of 1 John gives us clear instructions on how to properly discern and over come false spiritual teaching.
Sep 08, 2021•40 min
We use the word love to describe so many thoughts and emotions. We say we love certain foods, love the home team, love our friends, and love our pets. Then, there are times love results in pain. Someone said they loved us, but turned around and scarred us. With all of these expressions and experiences, the concept of love can be very confusing. What then can we say is love? In 1 John 3:11-16, John takes the teachings and actions of Jesus and makes it abundantly clear to us...and love is not what...
Aug 29, 2021•33 min
Have you ever wondered, "How do I know that I'm saved?" There are some things in life that you want to be really certain about, because so much rides on the outcome. Your salvation is one such issue. So it's natural at times to question the authenticity of your salvation. You don't want to take risk about your eternal destiny. So what evidence, or proof, do we have of our eternal security?
Aug 22, 2021•38 min
Absolute darkness can be a terrifying thing. We lose our sense of direction, our sense of what is around us, and our sense of safety. We learn in 1 John 1:5-10 that darkness is also a place where we want to hide all of our junk from others and God. For some reason, we believe if we tuck everything away, no one will know about our deep dark sins and secrets. But, that sin eats away at us and destroys us and our relationship with God. To have true fellowship with God, John shares something He lear...
Aug 08, 2021•37 min
In our day and age, it is so hard to know what is real. Photoshop changes pictures, news and internet can say anything it wants, and counterfeit looks like the real thing. Even artificial intelligence is beginning to resemble humanity. So how can we know what is real? John addresses this issue 2000 years ago as false teaching about Jesus was running rampant. He can attest to what is real because he has heard, seen, and touched the Lord. He has been taught and transformed by Jesus. He can prove J...
Aug 01, 2021•30 min
Timothy may have been tempted to grow weary in his vigorous pursuit of righteousness and godly living in the face of opposition from false teachers and worldly desires. Paul’s words were meant to serve as a reminder to Timothy that though the battle is fierce, it is still a “good fight” none-the-less. In doing so he petitions Timothy, and us, to keep our perspective focused on Jesus.
Jul 18, 2021•37 min
When an athletes are training, they must go through a rigorous routine that prepares the mind and body for what lays ahead. Paul uses this thinking to challenge his readers in Philippians 3: press on with the goal in mind. For Paul, it wasn't about an olympic medal. It was about the prize that waited for him when he was with His Lord Jesus. How can we gain this same perspective, endure the ups and downs of life, and keep focused on what waits for us?
Jul 11, 2021•38 min
The Apostle Paul’s sports metaphor of a runner competing to win a race serves to highlight the eternal stakes that surround the daily life of every believer. As Christ followers we are not called to live a self-focused life, wander aimlessly, or pursue prizes that are temporary in nature. Instead the Gospel invites us to live each day with a laser like focus on the goal of living a spirit led life that is dedicated to loving others and winning them to faith in Christ.
Jul 04, 2021•40 min
When Jesus came, he broke down many traditions and ways of thinking that the Jewish people had. The biggest one, was that Gentiles are now family through Him, not through Jewish rituals. This would have been a staggering thought during that time, but when we look at the gospel there could be no other way. Jesus did more than his disciples could ever have imagined. He brought freedom to all people if we are willing to accept His free gift of salvation.
Jun 27, 2021•38 min
Being in debt is a terrible feeling, especially when we cannot pay someone back. It brings about a sense of fear, frustration, and can lower our self worth. In Ephesians 2:1-10 we learn that we have an outstanding debt that we brought on ourselves because of sin. We also learn that God paid it and there is no way to earn our freedom. On top of that, we become heirs with Jesus and are offered a new identity. How does this new reality alter our lives today?
Jun 20, 2021•32 min
When we meet people, the inevitable question always comes up: "so what do you do?" That question helps us to learn about that person because we spend so much time working. But does what we do really identify us? If not our jobs, then what does? Scripture shows us that God offers us a new, clear identity for us that shapes our lives and our future.
Jun 13, 2021•42 min
Over the course of our lives, each person’s identity is formed and shaped through individual experiences, relationships, culture, media and the world around us. But what would it look like to find a stable sense of self apart from our relationships, our successes, and our failures? What would look like to see ourselves the way God sees us? Ephesians 1 offers the key to finding our identity in a source that will never fail us or let us down.
Jun 05, 2021•31 min
When asked about who our neighbors are and how to love them, Jesus tells a parable that breaks cultural, racial, and economic paradigms. With one story, He commands His followers to love everyone and to go above and beyond for even those deemed "unloveable". His command is clear to His listeners and to us today...GO and DO likewise.
May 30, 2021•24 min
In Luke 14 Jesus had a large crowd following Him. He was popular, and people were following Him for many reasons. To be healed, to hear him teach, to be part of this new movement. However, He turned to them and challenged them to consider what it will cost to be one of His disciples. Have you truly given all you have to be one of His disciples, or simply one following the crowd?
May 23, 2021•28 min
Jesus concludes His sermon on the mountainside by saying if we build our lives on anything but the Kingdom, our foundations will be easily eroded and be washed away when the pain of life comes. But it isn't just learning about it, we actually have to do what He taught. His challenging conclusion brings a truth to light...what we build our life on matters.
May 16, 2021•36 min
(WARNING: POOR AUDIO DUE TO OUTDOOR SERVICE) One of the most misused verses by people both inside and outside the church: "Judge not least ye be judged." In Matthew 7:1-5 Jesus warns us about judging others, but does that mean we shouldn't call out sin? This passage actually offers us a view of the Kingdom and exposes our intentions when we point out other's faults.
May 09, 2021•26 min
Jesus begins to summarize his teaching on the mountainside with a shocking statement...narrow is the road that leads to heaven. This proclamation, along with the idea that many would say they did things for Him but He never knew them would have shaken the crowd. How do we know where we stand with God and we truly know if we enter eternity with Him?
May 09, 2021•31 min
Worry and anxiety have been a growing trend over the past decade. Add the pandemic, and it has now skyrocketed out of control. But at the root of worry is something we find hard to admit--our worry really means we don't believe God will provide. In Matthew 6:35-34 Jesus reminds us that God provides for all of his creation, so why do we question if he will provide for us?
Apr 24, 2021•38 min
The discussion of possessions and money often makes us tense up. Perhaps a poor upbringing, a need for control, or even the desire for power and acceptance drives our viewpoint. There seems to be something deeply connected to our fixation with money, and Jesus knew it. In this powerful passage in Matthew 6:19-24, we learn that the Kingdom way of seeing our resources is not to hoard, but instead be open handed with everything we have to impact others and eternity.
Apr 18, 2021•41 min
If we are honest, prayer can be down right confusing at times. Do I have to say certain things? Is there a right way and a wrong way? What if I don't have the right words? Jesus addresses how prayer was happening the wrong way during His time, and offers a simple, new way...prayer is a time to connect with your Daddy.
Apr 09, 2021•33 min
The disciples and followers of Jesus were crushed...their Lord had been killed. They must have surely thought it was over, and that God lost. As the women reached the tomb and found it empty, they were reminded that Jesus told them he would be killed and rise again. As they ran back to tell the others, a new story was developing...God wins.
Apr 04, 2021•22 min
The power of the gospel has the ability to transform us and give us a new life and direction. However, so many Christians skip that part and live a life that looks like rest of the world. Paul writes an urgent letter to the church in Ephesus who were struggling with the same thing. We must engage the power of gospel and be transformed if we are to live a life worthy of being identified with Jesus Christ.
Mar 21, 2021•36 min
Broken, bleeding, weak, and dying. These words bring a picture of pure desperation. In Mark 5 Jesus engaged two women who were suffering and dying and did something amazing...He displayed His power over illness and death. His miracles prove that even death obeys Jesus and gives us all hope for both now and eternity.
Mar 13, 2021•38 min
How often we forget what God has done to save us from our sin. Then we add more confusion to the mix by trying to earn God's approval, favor, and acceptance. However, that is not the true gospel The beauty the gospel is that we will never be able to measure up, but Jesus has done all the work for us. How does our faith change when we accept God's forgiveness is a free gift based on our need, not our doing.
Mar 07, 2021•19 min
