Church 212°

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16)

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.... Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:2 -4, 12)

“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). 

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?” (James 4:1a).

Is a person “justified by faith apart from works of the Law?” (Romans 3:28) or isa person “justified by works, and not by faith alone?” (2:24). Today, we pull together two important traits of the gospel into wonderful balance.

Today we continue our series in the Book of James. “Do not merely listen to the word, and sodeceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what itsays is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes awayand immediately forgets what he looks like” (vv. 22-24).

Although desires are part of our human makeup, they can lead to disorder if we aren't careful. Today we learn four truths about temptation and how to respond to its powerful lure. Stay tuned to the end as we invite you into a 5-day abstinence and engagement challenge for our church congregation.

Did you know that your hardships are actually tests? Not only are trials inevitable, but they also serve a purpose in your life. In our opening sermon on The Book of James, we talk about how trials serve a greater purpose in our lives if we respond the right way.

Throughout all of human history, people believed in the immaterial world. This began to change only a few hundred years ago with the modernity movement, which emphasized that the material world is more real than the immaterial. Today I want to invite you out of the narrow- mindedness of modernity and into the unseen divine reality of God's Kingdom, which invites us into another kind of life—a life lovingly joined with the Holy Trinity.

What is the relationship between the Kingdom of God and the church? The religious leaders of Jesus day could not accept Jesus' offer of the Kingdom. So he said to them, “Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation producing the fruits of it” (Matthew 21:43). That “nation” (or people) is you and me together as a fellowship—the church. Will you accept the responsibility alongside your brothers and sisters of producing the fruit of the Kingdom?

What is “Eternal Life?” Although “we groan inwardly as we wait for the adoption as God's children...” We also have “the first fruits” of eternal life (Romans 8:22-23). Eternal life isn't just a future promise but a present possession. It is an experience. Today, we learn about the “first fruits” of eternal life.

A large portion of the Old Testament is a narrative of great disappointment, where after centuries of sin, judgment and exile, they thought the King was finally coming to bring salvation and restoration. However, not only did he not come, but they landed in the 430 year inter-testamental period of gloom and despair.

What is the Kingdom of God? When and where is the Kingdom of God? In order to "Seek first the Kingdom of God," we must first understand it (Matthew 6:33). Today commences a new sermon series surveying the Bible to gain a biblical understanding of this theme for our lives now and in eternity.

The physical expression of church is here to stay, and assimilating people into face-to-face fellowship is central to relationship building, corporate worship, spiritual growth, and evangelism. But in understanding the times, we do need a technology-based solution to supplement effective ministry in "Digital Babylon," the name of this era in Christian history (credit to David Kinnaman for the term). Listen in as we discuss the final signpost of our vision with the 5 D's of Digital Engagement. Our text for today is Romans 10:14-16.

Today we pull together the tension of two weeks. Last week we talked about how Christ alone is the power to change lives. But in this message we unpack our role and posture in participating with his power. We have one point today: healthy spirituality requires healthy habits.

It's not about religion! It's about resting in a relationship with the One who helps us reign in life. Today we talk about how “Christ alone is the power to change lives,” which flows together with the following week on how “healthy spirituality requires healthy habits.” These two weeks pull together the tension people often struggle with as they ponder how the gospel of grace and its application flow together in our lives.

This Sunday we begin our annual theme and first sermons series, A Vision to Thrive! Over the next couple of months, Pastor Daniel will unpack his vision for this next season of our spiritual journey together. If you'd like the vision in full, you can re-watch the video of Vision Night which is a summation of this series! You can find that in the sermons section.

This vision presentation is a summary of our upcoming series, "A Vision to Thrive," so that our church family can know the vision in its fullness. Starting Sunday, January 9th, we will unpack this vision slowly over this series. Follow along below with the vision booklet.

The term father evokes different emotions in different people. Today we unpack one of Jesus' names, “Everlasting Father,” according to Isaiah 9:6. Although he is not “the Father” of the Trinity, Isaiah gives him the name “Everlasting Father.” We will see today what this means and how it comes to bear on our lives.

Following last week's study on Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, today we will look into Jesus is Mighty God and all that it entails. Our prayer is that this message would stir the hearts of those spiritually seeking to step out of the enemy's deception and into Christ's redemption and that our sleeping brothers and sisters would wake up to the war that has been won and the battles that still need to be fought in Jesus' name.

Today we learn three keys of knowing Jesus as our Wonderful Counselor from our Christmas series in Isaiah 9:6-7

Today we end our year-long journey through the book of Matthew. Our passage is known as The Great Commission where Jesus sends his disciples to participate in his mission of mercy. Today we have one point--Christ is the power to change; discipleship is the path to freedom.

Today's passage exposes the false religion of the first century Jews, yet calls followers of Jesus to a new vision of salvation life. Jesus teaches the result of true salvation is a commitment to compassion and justice for the world.

Ever feel like you've wondered so far from God you're unable to return? Well, this is very characteristic of sheep. When they wander off, they cannot find their way back. Like sheep, we are unable to return to God. But what we can do is respond, when Jesus reaches out his hand. There he brings us back home to green meadows and still waters.

Following Pastor Daniel's encouraging message found in Matt 14, “Don't Lose Hope in the Struggle,” Church 212 discovers practical steps on how to get help for our struggles found in the text Matt 15:21-28.

Ever feel trapped in a situation that offers no real way out? In today's message we learn from Jesus how to respond.