Destiny Church of Jacksonville, FL

The power of God's Word can do more than any of us could ever imagine: It's a pretty bold statement and for many, it's a daily testimony and the key to a victorious life. In this week's installment of our series "This Is That", Pastor Chris lays out just a few of the myriad benefits of knowing and relying on God's Word to effectively live the life and calling that we were uniquely created for. What are you relying on God for today?

Our children so often are experientially rich and relationally poor. As parents, we our job is to help make them more like Jesus, always having the end game in mind.

A life of generosity comes from gratitude. If we desire a life of greatness, it’s found not in what we have, but in what we give. As long as we’re looking at others, it deflects from us looking at ourselves.

You can’t have the presence of God without being present with God. The person who doesn’t pray can only experience the best that they can do; but the person who prays, that person can experience the best that God can do. Don’t give up!

Do you think you know what the word praise means? Most of us have a pretty firm grasp of the English definition, but the authors of the book of Psalms had a much broader view of what praise is and how it can be defined. Join us in today's installment of "This Is That" as Pastor Chris takes us to school for a little lesson in Hebrew.

The New Testament compares the Christian life to running a race to the finish line and as a runner, you have to remove as many obstacles and hindrances as possible to help ensure that you can make it to the end. Christian Brown, our guest teacher, shows us what it takes to be successfully run the race. Are you ready to drop the burdens and run faster than you ever have before?

There has been much controversy, arguing, and outright division in the Church when it comes to matters of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of your background or denominational experience, Pastor Chris has dedicated this latest series, "This Is That" to teaching the Scriptural truth of the Holy Spirit's influence and work in our lives and in the world around us. We are so excited that you have chosen to join us online today. Want more of Destiny? Follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel and Podcast for the latest updates and happenings. Thank you for worshipping with us today!

There has been much controversy, arguing, and outright division in the Church when it comes to matters of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of your background or denominational experience, Pastor Chris has dedicated this latest series, "This Is That" to teaching the Scriptural truth of the Holy Spirit's influence and work in our lives and in the world around us. We are so excited that you have chosen to join us online today. Please follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel and Podcast. Thank you for worshipping with us today!

There has been much controversy, arguing, and outright division in the Church when it comes to matters of the Holy Spirit. Regardless of your background or denominational experience, Pastor Chris has dedicated this latest series, "This Is That" to teaching the Scriptural truth of the Holy Spirit's influence and work in our lives and in the world around us. We are so excited that you have chosen to join us online today. Please follow us on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel and Podcast. Thank you for worshipping with us today!

In the Kingdom, there is no such thing as coincidence, so it's definitely no coincidence that 3 of the last four messages delivered at Destiny Church of Jacksonville have to do with service. Think about that for a minute. 3 pastors from across the country bringing a similar challenge not only to the members of Destiny, but to everyone who subscribes to or frequents this podcast or YouTube channel. Can you even imagine what breakthrough or life-changing event is on the other side of your humble service to those around you? Do you feel God calling you up and out into service to your community? If so, we'd love to hear from you. On our website, go to the testimonies link and let us know what God is up to in your life!

So many concepts of The Kingdom seem antithetical to our busy, modern culture. Humility is valued over ambition. Logic and reason fall far short of the currency of childlike wonder. And as Pastor Chris shows us today, living the life of a servant is the gateway to greatness. What are some ways you can humble yourself and serve others this week?

Have you given much thought as to what you might consider your default operating system? For some, sarcasm and negativity are the native language. For others, service is the dominant force that drives them. Is your life in a place that is beneficial to the Kingdom, or like we see in today's text, lukewarm and ineffective. In our last installment of the series "Seven", Pastor Chris dives deep into Jesus' visit to the churches of Philadelphia and Laodicea and gives us a glimpse of what the all-in, servanthood life looks like to both God and man.

Do you find yourself being stuck in a never ending loop of trying to figure out just what it is you are here for? Are you envious of those who seem to have it all; passion for their purpose in life and seemingly not worried about how the bills are going to get paid? Our guest teacher today, J.D. Small, addresses these timely questions with solid biblical counsel. Are you ready to experience all that God has for you?

In His image, in His image, in His image. You were made in His image and on purpose, as were the men and women around you. What will you do with that knowledge this week?

The church is God’s instrument to expand the Kingdom of God and though big ministries within our own body are great, the Kingdom of God is not about building ministries. The Kingdom of God is about the reign of the King and the greatest threat to that is Christians who have lost sight of the mission.

Let us not change the Word of God, but let the Word of God change us! Fruit is a byproduct of a healthy root. Is the fruit in your life a reflection of that?

Throughout His life here on earth, Jesus made many statements that qualify Him as liar, lunatic, or Lord. Because He did in fact rise from the dead, we can believe that the things He claimed to be true, were so. It is up to us to decide if we’re going to live like we believe it! What will you decide to do about it this week?

The sufferings of this life are not without purpose, and through Jesus we are called to love through it. Our God has always completed all that He’s started and His nature hasn’t changed. How can you fix your eyes on the love of Christ this week?

We sing together and read the scriptures on Sunday mornings, but that doesn’t need to be the only time we do those things. John started worshipping before Jesus showed up, which helped to bolster his faith to keep pursuing God. Worship is an act of faith. Will you choose worship through the difficulties of life this week?

God can and will meet you right where you are. If you’re waiting for someone perfect to come along and speak into your life, you’re going to be waiting forever. Naaman almost missed the move of God because God moved in a way that was different than what he expected. Don’t miss Him because your focus is off.

Don’t assume that you can spend a few minutes with people you barely know one time and see the power of Pentecost. Start doing life together! How will you live in the fullness of the power of God this week?

As we make our way toward completion of the callings of God on our lives, we have to consider that we’re probably farther along than we think we are. Take heart! The Lord is clear in His calling to face our Jerichos, and He won’t call us to something He doesn’t intend on leading us all the way through.

When we harbor unforgiveness, we build a dam that suppresses God’s blessings in our lives. God is so wise in that He acknowledges the past, but also calls us to move forward. What good did remembering those hurtful actions and words ever do for you?

If we find ourselves in the midst of bad habits, we have the responsibility to make that habit hard to do. Recognize the triggers and step far away from the situations that cause them. Based on who you want to become, what one habit do you need to break?

The miracle happens when you give it away. God wants to bless your brokenness and multiply you. What will you decide to be this week; a consumer or a disciple?

Over time, repeating these small things over and over will cause you to stand out amongst your peers, much like Daniel. What habit do you need to start doing this week?

We can’t expect change to happen overnight. We must choose day in and day out to follow after God, even if we aren’t seeing progress as fast as we would like to see it. If we believe that small, good decisions don’t make a difference, then we also won’t believe that small, bad decisions will make a difference.

Thank you for joining us for the Vision series. We sincerely hope that your faith has been stirred and that you are growing in a body of believers who are passionately pursing the causes of Christ. If you live the Jacksonville, FL area, we would love for you to join us for a Sunday morning service!

1 Corinthians 12 compares us to a body - dysfunctional when a part is missing. Community is an integral part of that body! Will you choose growth through community this week?

We have been given the greatest gift through Christ on the cross and it is up to us to accept it. The only true way forward is through Him. Will you choose Him?

We should never question in the valley what God has spoken on the mountain. It’s direction, not intention that determines destination! We have a responsibility to remember the vision God has given us every day! What will you choose this brand new year?

Hezekiah responded to his difficult situation by seeking the Lord’s will, but what will our approach be? Will we give in to the devil’s lies or will we trust that God is who He says He is?

Jesus was born to reconcile us with God when sin stood in the way. Will you choose that true gift this Christmas season? Will you choose righteousness, peace, and joy? He’s waiting for you!

We have endless decisions to make, whether big or small, and endless opportunities to honor God in those choices. How will you shift your focus on your decision-making this week? If you live in or around the Jacksonville area, or are just visiting our great city, we would love to meet you! Make plans to attend a Sunday morning service. We look forward to seeing you!

This holiday season, we have so many opportunities to step out in faith. Will you practice that faith this week, even though we may not see the full picture? God is not looking for outward qualifiers, He’s looking at the heart! He’s not interested in the obvious choice, He’s interested in YOU!

When you know where you’re going, it changes your perspective on where you are! If your desire is to grow in any area of your life, it is vitally important to closely listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit so that complaining is avoided, conflict is resolved, and freedom in change is embraced.

Our problems are not circumstantial, our problems are perceptual. We are called to look beyond what our physical eyes can see to how the Lord is moving in our lives. How will you choose to see beyond your circumstances this week?

Pastor J.D. Small, our guest teacher this week, challenged us to live as members of God’s family, rather than those on the outside. He has incredible promises for us, but will only bring them to life in the way that He has planned. Will you hold tight to the faith to believe that He is good and that He has good things for you?

Disobedience comes with a stiff price, are you willing to pay it? You will never discover the will of God for your life without being diligent in your time in His Word. If you want to know His plans, read what He has to say!

Hello and welcome to the Podcast of Destiny Church of Jacksonville. If you've been following us for a while, you know that Pastor Chris can get fired-up from time to time. Today, with much enthusiasm, he kicks off a new mini-series called "Kings and Kingdoms" and as you might have guessed, we will be referencing scripture from 1 Kings in the Old Testament. Even though the stories of King Rehoboam and King Jeroboam happened thousands of years ago, there are still timely lessons to be gleaned on how we deal with issues of sin and obedience, and ultimately the consequences of our experiences with both. There's a lot in here, so make sure you have a journal and your Bible handy and follow along as we dive into "Kings and Kingdoms".

We don’t believe what God says because we understand, we understand because we believe. There are some things that can only be obtained by faith and if you shoot for nothing, you’re going to hit it every time. Let’s grow our hunger for the Word by consuming His presence and His Word. Eat, and you’ll be hungry!

Grace is the voice that calls us to change and the power we need to pull it off. There is nothing that you will ever need that grace does not provide and the grace that saved you is the grace that will keep you. It is up to us to see grace for what it truly is, power, not just pardon. Will you choose to walk in the grace that God has given us freely today?

Do you ever feel like you have a big target painted on your back and no matter where you go, you just feel attacked by everyone and every random circumstance? You can be confident in this: we are in the midst of spiritual war and if you are feeling the attacks from the enemy, it means that you are carrying something of great value that the enemy doesn't want others to get a hold of. It's easy and popular right now to identify as a victim, but Jesus has given us the victory and The Holy Spirit to not only defend ourselves from the attacks, but to also keep on carrying the good news of the Gospel of Christ to a world that is blind and deaf to the battle that's raging around them. Stay strong and confident! Make your stand!

God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him, but that glory does not come easily because we live in an imperfect world. We must make the choice to seek Jesus in every move we make because His example is what we live for.

You may have settled for mediocrity, but that is not what God's plan is for you. Choosing to live like Christ is the only way to gain the glory that comes after the sufferings of this world. What will you choose this week?

If you haven't already figured it out, this world needs peacemakers! There's anger and hostility coming from just about every side of the multiple arguments happening on a daily basis. Do the right thing, make the first step toward those you don't agree with you or have hurt you. There has never been a more appropriate time to humble yourself and share the love of Christ! Do you want to be right or in relationship this week? You are never persuasive when you are abrasive and it is always more satisfying to resolve conflict than dissolve a relationship.

As humans, we will face pressures every single day in this sinful world. It is up to us to decided how to handle it. Will we give in to the chaos and be taken by the world? Or will we recall, redirect, and reinforce the faithfulness of God in our lives?

God has given dominion, power, and authority to the church to be true agents of change here on the earth. Pastor Chris said that, “We settle for anything when God wants to give us everything.” So what will you choose this week? To walk in the true and real power of Christ or stay comfortable, settling for “anything”?

So often, we confuse judgment and conviction. God calls us to Himself as we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way! If we want to continually grow in Christ, we have to be willing to stop making room for sin.

Distraction takes it's toll on us. Whether it's tense international situations, 24-hour political and entertainment news cycles, or just the busyness of the 21st Century life, we are hard-pressed to not be distracted. Today, Pastor Chris will help us to fix our attention on the truly important things; the eternal things. God is sending out a call to be all in - to be fully invested. It's in that place where we can truly be focused as Jesus was focused.