Beltway Weekend Services (Audio)

Sermon from November 24, 2024

Anyone who wants to be first or the greatest must be the very last, and the servant of all (Mark 9:33-37). These words of instruction and correction come after Jesus asks His disciples: what were you arguing about on the road? Jesus is direct with His disciples, knowing that they had been arguing about who is the greatest among them as they traveled to Capernaum. His point is that true greatness in God's kingdom is not about power or position, but about humility and service. He emphasizes this by placing a child in front of His disciples, saying that whoever welcomes a child – generally considered one the lowest in social status at that time – welcomes Him, and by doing so, welcomes God the Father. Sermon from November 17, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "Beltway Park Church"

When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth (Luke 18:1-8)? The book of Hebrews makes it clear that faith is the assurance of things hoped for – the conviction of things not seen – and that faith pleases God and leads to rewards only He can give (Hebrews 11:1-6). One of the primary ways that faith is expressed is through prayer. How we pray and our persistence in prayer is evidence of faith in our lives. Trusting the goodness of God, hoping in things not seen, and continuing in prayer diligently is the essence of faith. A faith-filled life will be a prayer-filled life. Paul encouraged followers of Jesus to pray without ceasing, to become conversational with God throughout each day regardless of our circumstances or environment (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In our relationship with Him, God wants to hear from us, and He wants to speak to us. It is in this place of prayer, of ongoing conversation and communion with God, that our faith deepens and matures. Sermon from November 10, 2024

There is more to your story than your present reality and struggles (John 8:1-12). Our past, our failures, our weaknesses, our lack, our circumstances, and our pain do not have the final say in the story of our lives. Paralyzed by the fear of either being exposed or never being able to change, we can easily believe we are stuck in our misery and shame (i.e., determinism or fatalism). Thankfully, Jesus is the light of the world who makes clear the path to life (John 8:12). Like the woman caught in the act of adultery, His heart is to neither condone our sinfulness nor condemn us. His intent is to make a way out of our condemnation, to establish a new story and trajectory for our lives. He wants to cleanse us from all our sin and lead us to a place of freedom, healing, restoration, and joy. Sermon from November 4, 2024

At the end of our lives we all want to be able to say the words of Paul “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7–8). This week we get to hear from Don Finto, an elder advisor to Beltway, who has faithfully served the Lord for eighty-three years. Join as we conclude our Think Ahead series with seven decisions God has placed on Don Finto's heart that will encourage us to say: I am a finisher. Sermon from October 27, 2024

In a world often focused on immediate pleasure, the decision to embrace consistency is vital. Becoming a follower of Jesus means being born again and becoming a vessel for the Holy Spirit. As stated in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a Spirit of timidity, but a Spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” By walking in step with the Spirit, self-discipline becomes possible, allowing for the fulfillment of Paul's encouragement to “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). It is clear that godliness, which brings the greatest value, requires training; and training means priority, effort, and discipline. Join us for this message as we explore how, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can grow in godliness by pre deciding: I will be consistent.  Sermon from October 20, 2024

This week we explore the true meaning of generosity beyond just financial giving. In a world that trains us to make everything about ME, God calls us to something different. He calls us back to the design of the universe. He calls us back to be like Him. Out of all the decisions we've discussed through the Think Ahead series, this decision is the most radically opposed in our society. You will have to make a pre-decision "I'm going to be like Jesus. I'm going to be generous!!" 2 Corinthians 9 makes the point that when we sow sparingly, we reap sparingly; BUT when we sow bountifully, we reap bountifully. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God! God can change eternity through the weakness of our generosity. It's generosity that creates true riches! This message will encourage you to embrace God's generosity and apply it to every area of your life. Sermon from October 13, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "Beltway Park Church"

Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world, as seen in Matthew 5:13-16. In a world that is desperate for hope and direction, this passage reminds us of our vital role in bringing God's light into dark places. Yet, as Christians, it's all too easy to lose sight of our identity and purpose as salt and light. We may become inward-focused, retreating from the very world we are called to influence. That's why it's crucial for us to be intentional, to pre-decide that we will influence those around us for Christ and reflect His love in every opportunity. Sermon from October 6, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Faithfulness starts with a decision: I will be faithful 100%. Though it comes with difficulty and a price, faithfulness is worth it. Faithfulness means we pre-decide to trust God (and not ourselves) and aim to see every interaction as an opportunity to add value, every resource as an opportunity to multiply, and every prompting as an opportunity to obey God. Stepping out in these areas requires risk but faithfulness honors God, and God honors faithfulness. Pre-decide today to be good soil: to listen to God's Word, accept it and walk in faithful obedience. Sermon from September 29, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

If God is not first in your life, nothing else will work right. If we are not careful, we can slip into a mode of being a part-time follower of Jesus instead of faithfully and passionately pursuing Him with whole-hearted devotion. That devotion does not accidentally happen; we will never inadvertently get close to Jesus. We must choose to think ahead and pre-decide to seek Him first. When we do pursue Him, it begins to affect what we think about, how we spend our money, how we make decisions, and how we spend our time. Our hearts will begin to break for the things that break His heart. When we are devoted to Jesus with everything we have, He empowers us to minimize distractions and to live out our love and faith through our connection with Jesus. We are intentional in spending time with Jesus by establishing a clear time, place, and plan to be with Him. Sermon from September 22, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

We are more sinful than we think we are. And we are not as strong as we think we are in resisting temptation. Because our willpower against temptation will wane and wear out, we must pre-decide to move the line farther away from sin. We must magnify the cost of giving in to temptation, so that sin loses its luster. And we must map our escape, so that if we are hit with temptation, we know exactly what we will do; God always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). Why resist temptation tomorrow if you have the power to eliminate it today? No one plans to significantly damage their life through sin, but it happens all the time. The problem is that we rarely plan to not sin. Sermon from September 15, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Sermon from September 8, 2024

Teaching pastor, Geoffrey Turner, wraps up the Overcoming Discouragement series by teaching us that in the Lord, our labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58. It's easy to look upon someone else's reward and see the good without the difficulty. But the reality is, there is no reward without difficulty and sometimes discouragement. We have a Heavenly Father that wants to reward those that seek Him! Hebrews 11:6 and Galatians 6:9. Jesus tells us to be steadfast, immovable, and faithful to what God calls us to do. In due season, we will reap from what we have sown into. Jesus left the disciples by encouraging them not to give up in doing good for as believers, we have the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, helps us learn, empowers us, and gives us strength! Sermon from September 1, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Pastor David McQueen speaks to how Jesus is currently preparing a place in heaven for those that are anticipating His return, to bring us home to be with Him for all eternity, John 14:1-7. But we should not think of eternity as boring by any stretch of the imagination. Heaven is reigning with the Lord and reigning means we will reign over, we will work, and that work will be significant, that of royalty. All that is fulfilling in work will be ours, and all that is problematic will be gone because the curse is removed. Heaven is home! Heaven is release from pain, death, and sadness. Heaven is all things renewed. It is reunion! 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” How encouraging it is to know that Jesus is preparing a place for His believers and longing to come and bring us home! Sermon from August 25, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Teaching Pastor Geoffrey Turner speaks of the Hope of Heaven within our Overcoming Discouragement series. He breaks down Revelation 21:1-8 and highlights how heaven is revitalization. Revelation, written by John, speaks to a new heaven and a new earth. Currently, we're living on the old earth and those in heaven are in the old heaven. When Jesus returns, He'll usher in the new heaven and the new earth. We'll be given similar, but new bodies. We will live in true and complete healing, in all aspects. We will see our loved ones that have passed before us, that were in Christ, and it will be a glorious homecoming. Heaven will no longer be a place we see dimly, but one we'll experience face to face. Another way we overcome discouragement is by living in the hope of heaven! Sermon from August 18, 2024

The second sermon within the Overcoming Discouragement series, Pastor David McQueen shares encouragement by knowing Hell is Defeated! During Jesus' ministry, He spoke on hell at least 33 times. We know that because of sin, every human is destined for hell, a forever place of torment where people pay for their sins apart from God. But John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish (spend eternity in hell) but have eternal life. Jesus paid the price for sin; He went into the grave – the same grave that would forever separate every human from God – and He rose victorious!! And now, every human, no matter what they have done can be forgiven, restored, and freed from hell by surrendering their life to be a follower of Jesus!! Sermon from August 11, 2024

Teaching pastor Geoffrey Turner introduces a new sermon series, Overcoming Discouragement. He points out how we often have a focus problem, where we focus on the wrong thing, the “problem” or area of concern. Rather we should have an eternal focus that can transform our present reality. Paul's letter to the people of Corinth spoke of the discouragement they were in. Paul encourages them not to lose heart nor keep their focus not on the things seen, but to focus on the eternal things unseen. Discouragement will always come for us as we focus on things that will be wasted away instead of on eternity. We must set our minds on the eternal, as focusing on the eternal encourages us! Sermon from August 4, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Pastor David McQueen wraps up the sermon series over the Book of James and discusses how community is a nonnegotiable necessity for an abundant life. James, half-brother to Jesus, encourages us to persevere to the end so we may become mature and lacking nothing. At the end of his letter, James tells us one final facet for a life that lives more and more in abundance, that community is nonnegotiable. God designed us for community. We're to encourage, speak truth, and help each other take our next steps with Jesus in love. Sermon from July 28, 2024

Teaching pastor Geoffrey Turner speaks on the power of prayer and looks at what the book of James has to say about our prayer life. Prayer often plays a relatively small role in our lives and it's easy to underestimate the importance of prayer and its potential impact on our daily lives. James 5:13-18 gives us a big overview of the importance of prayer in every season. When we pray, we are to pray in faith, knowing God is able and will move! He may not answer as we expect, but He will move. Prayer is powerful and we're to make it a habit, our first go to, in every circumstance. Have faith God will move! Remember what He has done and be confident in what He will do. Sermon from July 21, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Pastor David McQueen continues through the book of James, breaking down James 5:7-11 over patience in suffering. James, brother to Jesus, tells us to wait like the farmer for the precious fruit of the earth, begin patient about it. The Father wants everyone to reap a harvest of precious fruit with our lives. God is bringing about the harvest, but facets of that harvest happen over time. It is why the apostle Paul implored us in Galatians 6:9 “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” But patience doesn't mean being passive, we are to warn, encourage, help, and serve. Biblical patience is radically loving people so they can obtain God's harvest in their lives. Biblical patience is radically pursuing God and obeying Him, trusting He will bring the harvest at the appropriate time. Sermon from July 14, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Geoffrey Turner challenges us to look carefully at how we are walking and to seize the day. When the apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesians, he told them to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-17. We don't want to look up and wonder where the time went, wondering how we spent it. James 4:13-17 navigates the truth that time is fleeting and we're to seize the day. We shouldn't get caught up in looking into the future, as tomorrow is not promised to us. James explores us to shift our perspective, asking us to think about eternity. When we do so, our past and future are just a vapor. Rather than looking at our days with responsibility, we should look at them as opportunities for Kingdom work. If we are seeking first the Kingdom, God will provide for our needs, we don't need to be anxious or worry about anything. When we keep our eyes and minds on eternity, it changes the way we live in the here and now, because everything we do matters in eternity.

Geoffrey Turner discusses healthy conflict. Conflict is inevitable. We often experience conflict in unhealthy and negative ways by withdrawing, escalating, negatively interpreting, or invalidating. Proverbs 18 speaks a lot on conflict. While conflict is inevitable, unhealthy conflict is avoidable. Paul says in Romans 12:18 “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Not only is unhealthy conflict avoidable, but healthy conflict is attainable!  In James 4:1-5, James highlights how we have conflict because we don't get what we want. Healthy conflict is largely determined by our reaction to these unmet expectations through deliberate effort and grace. Healthy conflict requires humility, a life submitted to the Lord where we draw near to Him. Sermon from June 30, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

David McQueen shares how we can be confident and secure in SAVING faith! The crux of Christianity is wrapped up in one word: Save (Luke 19:10). Different from Paul writing about faith from God's perspective, the book of James, written by the half-brother to Jesus, addresses faith from a human perspective. James 2:17-19 tells us how faith without works is dead… for even the demons believe and shudder. James and Matthew warn us that one of the ways the enemy keeps people from being saved is to convince them they have faith when they really don't. Jesus says that faith that saves doesn't just say the right words, give intellectual assent to right doctrine, but does the will of my Father in heaven. The evidence of saving faith is in the growing fruit, the surrender and obedience to the Lord! Sermon from June 23, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Geoffrey Turner explains how we consciously or unconsciously form opinions when immediately seeing someone based on surface level attributes. These formed opinions leave us showing favoritism or partiality. The book of James highlights this judgement as sin and explains how partiality opposes the gospel and blocks its spread. As believers, we have to strive to never live our lives in such a way that our actions, prejudices, partiality, or judgement pushes someone away from the most important thing they can ever know. Jesus died for them, and the gospel is for everyone! Sermon from June 16, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

David McQueen highlights how James 3:6 is a warning of how our words, the language we use, can set a fire of destruction in our lives. Words wield a power greater than we can imagine. In verse 8, James tells us that no human can tame the tongue. But in Luke 18:27, Jesus tells us what is impossible with men is possible with God! Jesus came to do for us and in us what we cannot do ourselves – including taming the untamable. By surrendering our words to Jesus, we have power to be silent or the power to speak life! Sermon from June 9, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

James 1:19 tells us to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James wants us to know to be quick to hear, not just to hear. Hearing is an active process, not a passive action. Being quick to hear changes our relationship with God and with others. We miss out on the life God has for us when we don't hear Him. We cannot truly walk in relationship with the Father without hearing His voice. Being intentional to provide space to hear from Him in prayer time, sitting still before the Lord, meditating on His Word, listening to how He speaks through others, are some ways in which we can position ourselves to hear. Learning to hear, reshapes how we live! Sermon from June 2, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Everyone is tempted by something. 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 tells us that no one is immune to temptation. But it also tells us that God is faithful, He will not let us be tempted beyond our ability and He will always provide a way of escape. James 1:14-17 also tells us that we are all tempted by our own desires. Desire however, is not the problem. How we choose to fulfill those desires can be. Satisfying our desires outside of the Lord will lead us on a path to death. James 4:7 tells us we overcome temptation by first submitting ourselves to the Father and His Lordship in our lives, then we have the power to fight back and resist the enemy. Don't wait for temptation to come knocking on the door, know what lures you in and be proactive in resisting the enemy! Sermon from May 26, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Heavenly wisdom is guaranteed if we don't doubt (James 1:5-8). Wisdom is having the faith and courage to apply the principles of God's Word to our lives. It's the ability to go beyond merely surviving each day to building a life of abundance. While earthly wisdom says an individual determines what is true for themselves, heavenly wisdom encourages us to renew our minds by seeking out God's good, pleasing, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). God longs to impart wisdom that leads us to abundant living. The cross and the resurrection show that God is radically for us. He gives wisdom generously to all without reproach. Sermon from May 19, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

God uses trials to increase faith in our lives (James 1:1-4). The book of James – written by James, the half-brother of Jesus – makes it clear that God wants us mature and complete, not lacking anything (James 1:4). That maturity produces abundance in our lives. At the beginning of the book, James establishes that part of maturity is learning to find joy when we face challenges and difficulty. Trials are an inevitable part of life, and faith in Jesus does not remove those trials. Instead, God uses our difficulties to shape our character and perspective, to develop trust and dependence on Him. He uses our trials to help us grow, and as we grow, He blesses us with inexplicable joy. Sermon from May 12, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Living God's way will come at a cost (Matthew 5:10-12). Scripture is clear that all who desire to live a Godly life in Jesus will be persecuted (2 Timothy 3:12). When we align our hearts, desires, choices, and actions to Jesus and His kingdom, we stand in direct opposition to the world and culture around us. We begin to spiritually stink (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). If we do not spiritually stink to the world around us, then we may need to examine how we are living. But when we expect and embrace life as Jesus intends – a life that inevitably leads to persecution – we are promised blessing and eternal, heavenly reward. When persecuted, we are positioned for incredible growth both individually and as a church in depth and breath. When persecuted, we purposefully respond with blessing and kindness, choosing to pray for those who are persecuting us rather than responding in harshness or hatred. Sermon from May 5, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

God goes to extraordinary lengths to bring peace to our chaos, to heal our brokenness. Part of our response to how God works and moves in us to bring peace is to testify to what He has done, to share with others how He has brought wholeness (Psalm 107:2; Mark 5:18-20). Another part of our response is carrying the peace God has given us into the chaotic, fragmented situations and environments of those around us. God loves, honors, and blesses when we intentionally do this. Though we have a real enemy who desires nothing more than our death and destruction, we can confidently face the battle knowing that we possess the shalom of God and have been given the weapons we need to effectively resist the enemy (Ephesians 6:11, 1 Peter 5:8). Sermon from April 28, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Blessed homes do not wish for peace; they make it (Matthew 5:9). Every person experiences conflict in their relationships; it is inevitable, especially in our homes with those we are closest to and spend the most time with. Even mature followers of Jesus can have disagreements and struggles (Acts 15:36-40). It is a reality that if we are pursuing Jesus diligently, peace in relationships does not just happen. We must be intentional in taking steps to create peace with others. We become peacemakers in our relationships by utilizing the acronym P.E.A.C.E. P – Prayerfully plan a meeting.E – Empathize with their opinions and feelings. A – Attack the problem, not the person.C – Cooperate as much as possible.E – Emphasize reconciliation, not resolution. Sermon from April 21, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

A pure heart is a vital ingredient to a blessed life and home (Matthew 5:8). In fact, the condition of our heart – that place of our desires, emotions, choices, and motives – is so important that we are taught to guard it above anything else (Proverbs 4:23). Jesus is clear that those with a pure heart not only receive blessing, but they will see God. The challenge, however, is that there is no such thing as partial purity; something is either pure or impure. If we are not careful, we can easily believe the lie that we are mostly pure, that if we polish up our behavior externally that we are deemed pure internally. Jesus rebuked the scribes and Pharisees for being clean on the outside but full of greed and self-indulgence on the inside (Matthew 23:25-26). Thankfully, Jesus offers us purity and cleansing through relationship with Him. When we confess our impurity and sin in repentance, it is His blood that cleanses us from all sin and unrighteousness (1 John 1:7 -10). His desire for us is that we give Him all of our heart, as well as all of our soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37). Sermon from April 14, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Christ-centered homes are blessed (Matthew 5:6). Though most people desire happiness (or blessing), it seems exceptionally elusive. Experiencing circumstances that are consistently pleasant and a life relatively free from trouble is nearly impossible. In contrast, Jesus teaches that blessing has more to do with being on the right path than good circumstances. Even if the road is challenging, Jesus makes the promise that those who hunger and thirst for righteousness will be satisfied. Unfortunately, we tend to look for satisfaction in the wrong places: in pleasure, performance, possessions, positions, and popularity. None of these are intended nor have the capacity to satisfy our deeper longings. If we want to see blessing in our homes, we must be willing to change our priorities, our use of time, and our use of money. Having a Christ-centered home that is blessed means giving each member of our family the best opportunity to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. Sermon from April 7, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Surrender to God imparts resilience (Matthew 26:36-39). We daily navigate the chaos and uncertainty of the world around us, leaving many hopeless, worried, and anxious. Jesus experienced a similar struggle, saying to some of His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane that His soul was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Despite this mental and emotional distress, Jesus still had the resilience and resolve to go to the cross. He had the hope necessary that enabled Him to face the grave. That hope and resilience came through His surrender to God. In His agony, Jesus modeled to us surrender by embracing God's will over His own. When we embrace Easter as Jesus embraced Easter – giving up control and surrendering to God fully – God imparts resilience, strength, hope, peace, and joy to us. Sermon from March 31, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Communion connects us to the resurrection power of Jesus (1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:17-30). The practice of communion is a great equalizer and unifier. It reminds us that we all need a savior, regardless of our socio-economic status, nationality, race, or history. We take communion together simply as a community of the forgiven. When we engage in it, we are experiencing the presence of Jesus in a special way (contrary to either extreme of transubstantiation or mere symbol). It positions us before our Heavenly Father to receive power to say no to sin and yes to His ways, to have courage to stay in step with where He is leading us, and to have faith to ask Him to meet every need and desire we have in our lives, even if He says no. We take communion in humility and weakness – and not casually – because we need the power of the resurrection to be and live more like Jesus. To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Jesus gives us a clear guardrail on the narrow road that leads to abundant life: beware of false teachers (Matthew 7:15-20). Jesus gives this warning because He knows how susceptible we are to the teachings and influence of false teachers. When we embrace false teachers and their ideas, we begin to make small, subtle decisions that eventually lead us significantly away from the life God has for us. The good news is that truth – namely, Jesus – silences false teachers and their philosophies (John 14:6). We recognize and illuminate what is false by knowing what is authentic and real, by knowing Him. As we seek to know Jesus, He leads us to greater understanding and acceptance of His Word and the core pillars of our Christian faith. It is Scripture and these core tenets of our faith that help us identify and resist false teachers. Sermon from March 17, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Carefully examining our lives and minimizing distractions protects us and acts as a guardrail on the narrow road that leads to abundant life (Ephesians 5:15-21). One of the primary tools the enemy uses against us is distractions, which often lead us to choosing what is good over what is best. We know with confidence that we are prioritizing what is best and eliminating distractions when we are seeking Jesus first and His kingdom. Seeking Jesus first and His kingdom means we are spending time in His presence, engaging His Word and actively praying. It means we are purposefully and regularly investing into Biblical community and participating in the services and ministries of the church. It also means we are looking for ways to serve and bless others. Sermon from March 10, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Growing in both grace and truth acts as a guardrail on the narrow road of following Jesus (Mark 8:14-21). Jesus warns His followers to watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod (Mark 8:15). Jesus is saying that there are small, subtle yet sinful ideas and beliefs that can carry significant influence in our hearts and run us off the narrow road that leads to life. The yeast of Herod represents the idea that we get to decide what is true for us. It minimizes or even rejects God's truth. It dismisses temptation and sin, and anyone who calls out sin is being judgmental. The yeast of the Pharisees emphasizes external rules and behaviors. It looks down on others in pride, which ultimately leads to hypocrisy. Walking in both grace and truth guard against either of these extremes. Those growing in grace and truth know God as holy and forgiving, hate sin immensely and love people radically, and want to be like Jesus and know it can only happen by God's power at work in them. Sermon from March 3, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

The fear of the Lord is a guardrail keeping us on the narrow road (Matthew 10:17- 30). Though we are created for relationship with God and with others, sin has drastically affected our God-given desire for acceptance. If we are not careful, we will want human praise more than praise from God. Without guardrails, we will seek the approval of others by obsessively trying to please them, by performing in such a way as to garner their attention. Having a healthy fear of God – where we are utterly in awe of who He is – keeps us from perpetual people-pleasing and positions us to receive the abundant life He has to offer us (Matthew 10:28-30; John 10:10). We grow in our fear of God by intentionally spending time getting to know Him better, by focusing on who He is and who He is revealed to be in Scripture. Sermon from February 25, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

God's abundant blessing as we live generous lives is tied to our hearts (Mark 12:41-44). Jesus makes it clear to His followers, when He highlights a poor widow who gave all she had (two copper coins) into the temple treasury, that the amount of our giving is significantly less important than the condition of our hearts when we give. In seeking to live a life of generosity, it is not just the act of giving that we need to focus on. The position of our hearts as we give matters. If we practice generosity on any level (i.e., relationally, financially, in serving, etc.), we will experience blessing. This is the law of sowing and reaping, and it is undefeated and irrefutable. But how we reap, and the totality of what we reap is intricately tied to the heart behind it. God calls us to be a cheerful giver, not a bitter or reluctant giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7). God offers more blessing, or fuller blessing, when we are generous with the right heart. Sermon from February 18, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

To be truly Christ-like is to excel in generosity (2 Corinthians 8:7). Jesus is (and has been) generous beyond what we can imagine. Out of His incredible love for us, He set aside His heavenly place to enter our sinfulness and messiness so that we could know Him and have eternal life (John 3:16; Philippians 2:5-8). Though He was rich, for our sake He became poor, so that by His sacrifice we could become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). As His followers, we desire to be like Him in heart, character, and action. This is why we are encouraged in Scripture to excel in the grace of giving, to have the same mindset as Jesus, especially in generosity. Because of the generosity of those who gave to Beltway Park in 2023, we as a church were able to serve and bless countless lives within our church family, within our local community and region, and to the ends of earth. Sermon from February 11, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

We cannot outgive God (Acts 20:32-35). Though it seems upside down from what is normal in our culture, we find provision and abundance when we embrace firstfruit generosity with our finances. From Malachi 3:10, firstfruit generosity means tithing 10% of our personal profit or income to the storehouse (e.g., your local church where you go for spiritual provision and mission). The giving of our finances and personal resources is the only place from Scripture where we can test God. His promise is that if you practice firstfruit generosity He will throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it (Malachi 3:10; Luke 6:38). We take steps of faith in this area by planning a percentage to give, making generosity a priority, and always prayerfully listening to how God may be leading you to be generous beyond tithing. Sermon from February 4, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Every follower of Jesus is a tool – used in tandem with other Jesus followers – to be the church and reach people for Jesus (1 Corinthians 12:12-14). Or as Paul wrote, we are the body of Christ, made up of many parts. Each part as God's workmanship has a significant role to play, created intentionally to accomplish good works. When any part does not function as it should, it affects and hurts the whole body. But when we discover what kind of tool God has made us to be and give of ourselves in serving as that tool, we experience fulfillment and become more blessed. Sermon from January 28, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Saved people serve people (1 Peter 4:7-11). The call for all Jesus followers, even at the end of the age, is not to simply hang on and survive. We are challenged to serve, to use a portion of our time, talents, and skills to give to others. In fact, Jesus taught His disciples that the greatest among His followers is the one who serves (Luke 22:24-26). It is what Jesus modeled, who did not come to be served but to serve and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:26 -28). When we receive salvation through Jesus by faith, we accept it by following and emulating His life and heart of serving. Sermon from January 21, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

Found people find people (Acts 1:4-8). The world is desperate for all that Jesus offers, and it is our responsibility as His followers to be a witness to the people around us. If we truly care about them, we cannot keep the good news of all that Jesus has accomplished for us to ourselves. Even if being a witness looks weird, makes us uncomfortable, or even puts a relationship at risk, it is worth the possibility that someone lost be found. Thankfully, we can be witnesses for Jesus to those around us through the power of the Holy Spirit. He gives us strength, especially when we feel inadequate, unprepared, and afraid. And a helpful tool in being a witness is the acronym BLESS (Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, Share your Story). Sermon from January 14, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

It is more blessed to give than receive, especially in friendship (Acts 20:35). The research is clear: good relationships keep us happier and healthier. It is what Paul modeled and taught the elders of the church in Ephesus. We are not just blessed but more blessed (i.e., doubly blessed, blessed squared) when we give of ourselves for the sake of others. The way up is by going down, having a heart of a servant in total dependance upon God (Philippians 2:5-7). We find ourselves when we lose ourselves (Matthew 16:25), particularly in relationships. When we make friendships about us, with the intent to control the benefits and outcomes of the relationship, we become increasingly lonely. It simply does not work. But when we give in friendship with deep love, care, and affection – when our mindset is giving rather than receiving – it produces powerful and lasting connection (Acts 20:36- 38). Sermon from January 7, 2024 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

God wants to give us a supernatural power to have joy (Luke 2:8-11). At the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to nearby shepherds and proclaimed to them good news of great joy concerning the Savior of the world. Christmas – the coming of Jesus – is meant to bring us immense joy. His birth reveals God's heart for us, that the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe, and the One who is above all rule and authority wants us and is for us. He takes great delight in His followers and rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). With the help of the Holy Spirit, that reality enables us to live with a contagious joy regardless of our circumstances. Sermon from December 17, 2023 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"

God wants to give us a supernatural power to have joy (Luke 2:8-11). At the birth of Jesus, an angel of the Lord appeared to nearby shepherds and proclaimed to them good news of great joy concerning the Savior of the world. Christmas – the coming of Jesus – is meant to bring us immense joy. His birth reveals God’s heart for us, that the King of Kings, the Creator of the universe, and the One who is above all rule and authority wants us and is for us. He takes great delight in His followers and rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). With the help of the Holy Spirit, that reality enables us to live with a contagious joy regardless of our circumstances.

Faith is believing that God is who He says He is, and that He will do what He says He will do (Hebrews 11:1-3). Like in the movie The Polar Express, the presence of doubt is real and affects everyone, especially when it comes to the birth of Jesus and who He is. We struggle to believe fully in Jesus because of skepticism, pain, and disappointment. But when we do believe, it pleases God and positions us for blessing and reward. When we embrace genuine faith in Jesus, our lives are transformed, our faith begins to produce action, and God shows up and moves in powerful ways. Sermon from December 10, 2023 To watch this sermon or other sermons, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: "⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Beltway Park Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠"