Hesperia Community Church

The believers in the Corinthian church clearly had an “I” problem. Desiring to be seen as important, many saw having one of the miraculous spiritual gifts as the way to attain significance. There were a number of believers who claimed their spiritual gift was being able to speak the language (or tongue) of angels, a language no human was able to understand. Paul’s question to them: How does that benefit others? It’s no mistake that this passage comes right after the famous “love” chapter in the Bible, where Paul reminded the Corinthians that love “does not insist on its own way,” it is focused on others. Jesus told His disciples in Mark 9:35, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” God’s plan for His redeemed saints is the solution to the “I” problem: Pursue love by putting others first. This week, as we watch Paul skillfully expose the flaw in the Corinthians’ self-centered logic, may we examine our own thoughts and actions. How can we as individuals and as a church family pursue love by using our spiritual gifts to benefit others instead of draw attention to ourselves?

“Church is just a bunch of hypocritical, mean people.” You would not believe how many times I have heard this type of a statement. It is the number one reason people have given me for why they do not or will not go to church. There are other reasons, and this has its own baggage attached; however, how sad if even a small grain of truth is present in the sentiment. And you know it to be truer than we would like to admit. Perhaps you have been hurt by someone in the church, maybe you have hurt someone… This week, we continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, by examining 1 Corinthians 13. In this familiar passage by Paul, we are going to receive a powerful lesson in the indispensable presence of love. I have titled this message “Love’s Essential Quality”. Paul’s description of love is so counter-cultural it is almost unrecognizable. However, this type of love is non-negotiable, an absolute necessity in the Christian life. DC Talk begins one of their songs with this quote, “The single greatest cause of atheism is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.” But the “deny Him by their lifestyle” is not usually those obvious, dramatic “sins”, it is the subtle / snarky / rude / assuming type lifestyle choices that simply derail many. Join us as God, through Paul, challenges our understanding and commitment to a lifestyle of life-changing love.

When you receive a gift, what do you think of first? Maybe you start with gratitude for the giver. Maybe you wonder about the cost of the gift. Maybe you begin to imagine how to put the gift to use. I'm guessing, however, that your first thought isn't, "I wonder who I can give this to..." Gifts are meant for the people they are given to. When you unwrap something from the shiny paper and pretty bow, the adventure begins for the person who gave you the gift. They watch your face when you become aware of what you have received and wonder what your response will be. Will you treasure it? Will you be disappointed? What will your body language say? This week, as we continue our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, you will have the chance to begin the process of discovering the gifts that God has given you. The Apostle Paul ends chapter 12 by describing some of the spiritual gifts that God has given to His people. God is vitally interested in our response to the gifts we are given by the Holy Spirit. What we choose to do with our gifts is a life-altering decision, both for ourselves and others. As we read through 1 Corinthians 12:27-13:3, we'll be reminded that every spiritual gift from God is not just for us: all of them are meant to be for the benefit of others.

Human anatomy was not my best subject in college. It was all I could do to pass the class. In hindsight, there are many reasons why this was true: the 7:00am class start time, the monotone lecturer, and the fact that I get squeamish at the first sight of blood. So, I'm not an expert on what I'm about to say by any means. Despite all my struggles, that class made one idea abundantly clear: the body is miraculous. As science has progressed over the years, many aspects of our physical existence have become far more clearly seen and understood. So many parts and processes of our bodies are absolutely breathtaking in their functionality and simplicity. By looking at our bodies carefully, we can get a small glimpse into the mind and the heart of our Creator. Even though he knew a tiny fraction of what we know now, the Apostle Paul knew enough to use the miraculous nature of our bodies as a way of describing the makeup of God's Church. As we'll see this Sunday in our continuing study of 1 Corinthians, the human body and the Church have much in common. In the same way that every part of our body plays a role in our health and wellbeing, so does every part of the body of Christ play a role in the health and wellbeing of the Church. Our series on 1 Corinthians, A Better Way, reaches the middle of chapter 12 this week. I hope you can join us and consider again what it means to be the body of Christ on earth. We won't be graded on this information, but we will be tested to see how well we are applying the concepts that Paul describes here at HCC.

Anyone who observes any political advertisement, speech, or rally can clearly see the division, or rather disunity within our nation. Sadly, the political realm is not the only thing that experiences disunity. Even within the church, the Body of Christ, we see divisions strike up. Even while writing this, it is hard to get a handle on how many Christian denominations there are, not only in America, but also in the world. Apparently the 33,000 number that has been circulating over the past 12 years is not even close. While we may not know how many splits the Church has undergone, we do know that we have been splitting over rather trivial things, like style of worship, preferred translation of the Bible and some more crucial matters like definitions of Elder and Deacons, and the gifts of the Spirit to name a few. This week we will start the first fo several messages on spiritual gifts and the purpose of them. Please join us as we seek to clear a few things up, and hopefully bring clarity on how we can view such things in a Biblically responsible manner.

Ahhh... the church potluck. There's nothing quite like walking into a room full of friends with a table full of food just waiting to be devoured. While the contents of the table have changed dramatically over the years, the tradition of sharing a meal with believers dates back to the earliest moments of the church. In fact, sharing food was a major part of life for Jews and a variety of other idol worshippers throughout the Old Testament as well. Food was not just for sustenance; food could also be a powerfully symbol. Additionally, gathering for a meal represented an act of worship. Jesus created the clearest example of this as He gathered with His disciples on the night He was arrested. He took two basic elements of a meal and used them to describe a life-changing spiritual truth. The bread and the wine helped the disciples (and us!) understand Jesus' death on the cross. In the years that followed, celebration of the Lord's Supper would be combined with what we know as the "love feast" (Jude 1:12). Supper took on a whole new meaning. This Sunday, as we continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, we arrive at the second half of chapter 11. Paul provides passionate correction and specific instruction to a church that had lost sight of the meaning of eating together. By mistreating each other during these gatherings, the Corinthians were failing to live out the Gospel. This passage contains important reminders about caring for others, as well as a pattern for remembering Jesus' sacrifice for us. Let's figure out how to make progress in both of these vital areas. See you Sunday! Pastor Tom Beasley

Do you remember Mission Impossible? Beginning in 1966, this popular TV series told the story of a small group of undercover government agents. Each week, the group is given an "impossible" mission by an unseen government official. The jobs usually involve incredibly dangerous covert operations against crime lords or dictators. The tension was palpable, and there was always a little bit of doubt that the team would succeed right up to the end. The series spawned several modern movies which contain lots of superhuman special effects and stunt work. In the end, the Impossible Mission Force got the job done, no matter the cost. Take away the stuntmen and special effects, and there are times when studying the Bible can feel like an impossible mission. Some passages of Scripture contain ideas which seem far beyond our ability to comprehend; so much so, in fact, that we often don't even try. However, one of the advantages of preaching through entire books of the Bible is the inability to skip difficult or controversial passages. All Scripture is God-breathed, even the passages that cause us significant difficulty. Accomplishing "impossible" missions through the power of the Holy Spirit is vital for our growth as believers. We are called to do the hard work of understanding that which is tough to understand. We get to do that hard work this week. Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to join us as we continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way. We'll read the first half of chapter 11, where the Apostle Paul addresses a problem that the Corinthian church was facing: the role of women in church life and culture. Corinth was the home of a wide-ranging set of sexual beliefs. When the Gospel took root in the city, those who were transformed by Jesus struggled with how to live holy lives, especially in the area of sexuality and gender. It appears that some women in the church were using their new-found freedom in Christ to begin to blur the lines between genders. Paul's response is to clarify appropriate and holy behavior for both men and women. By presenting both theological and practical arguments, he encourages the church to accept gender distinctions and pursue Godly relationships. In our modern context, this conversation provokes some emotional responses. There is real tension between this Biblical teaching and our society's post-Christian philosophy of life. Our goal this week will be to face these tensions head-on, seeking to place ourselves under God's authority in these areas. We'll do our best to unpack the historical context, and Lord willing, we'll arrive at some principles that we can put into practice today.

Incredibly, we're a full month into 2020. Of course, we know rationally that time doesn't pass "slowly" or "quickly". Each minute has 60 seconds, each hour has 60 minutes, and each day has 24 hours. Those numbers never change. At the same time, however, emotionally or spiritually, the passage of time can surprise us. We are all either wishing time would speed up so we can arrive at a long-awaited goal (Graduation? Vacation?), or wanting time to slow down so we can catch up with parts of our lives that we feel we're missing out on (Sleep? Relationships?). One month ago, we were studying chapter 9 of First Corinthians in our series called A Better Way. That morning, I spoke about choices. The Apostle Paul placed an incredibly high value on followers of Jesus making choices that would benefit the faith of others. Paul knew that our decision-making can result in life or death for those around us, and so he encouraged the Corinthians to decide to place others first for the sake of the Gospel. This meant that the Corinthians should lay down their rights and freedoms if doing so would help someone place faith in Jesus and receive eternal life. Our takeaway that morning was to decide not to hinder Gospel ministry by pursuing our freedoms. This week we will finish our study of 1 Corinthians 10, where Paul provides us with another opportunity to consider how our choices are impacting our world. How many choices did you make in January? How do you feel about those choices? Is change necessary to help your own personal discipleship? Is change necessary to help others in your life find Jesus? Let's take some time to tackle these questions together.

Do you remember the game show Let's Make a Deal? Contestants solved puzzles to win the chance to select a prize from behind door number 1, door number 2, or door number 3. Behind each of the doors was a different prize. Some of the prizes were awesome, others... not so much. It was a stressful experience for the person choosing. The studio audience would start yelling numbers and the contestant would start sweating until a choice was made. No matter which door was chosen, someone's life was changed. Take away the yelling and the stress (and the bad prizes!), and that's essentially what we want to offer you this week during our first Community Sunday service of 2020. Each of us has a choice to make to engage in the work of the body of Christ at Hesperia Community Church. We want everyone to see all of the doors that are available to every person who wants to be a part of our HCC family. To that end, you'll hear from our ministry leaders about what God has done through the ministries of HCC since our fiscal year started in July 2019. We'll hear how we can participate in what God will do next in our midst, and we'll pray together that we would continue to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Come ready to choose a door and see what God has in store for you!

Week 3 - Who is God? Christ is God

In English, to worship is to feel an adoring reverence or regard for something or someone. In Hebrew and Greek, the words we see in Scripture indicate a physical response to something, to fall down or prostrate oneself before something. By these definitions, worship is identifiable in practically every society. It takes many different forms, but regardless of religious persuasion or social class or political position, people worship. If you grant the premise, several questions follow: who (or what) do we worship? Why do we worship what we do? How do we worship? Is worship helpful? Because worship is part of every life, everyone must wrestle with each of these questions. This week, as we continue our series on First Corinthians entitled A Better Way, we will have the opportunity to come face to face with the substance of our worship. In the middle of chapter 10 of his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul gives an impassioned plea to the believers in Corinth to ensure that the only one they worship is the triune God. To worship anything or anyone else is what Scripture calls idolatry, which Paul desperately wants the Church to avoid. Our text for this weekend contains Paul's three-part argument against idolatry that is just as relevant for us today as it was for his audience 2000 years ago.

Week 2 - Who is God? God in the Old Testament

One of the most difficult consequences of our sin nature is the presence of conflict in our lives. Many of us avoid conflict like it's a disease, shoving down our dissatisfaction deep into our souls where it festers, sometimes for years. Others seek out conflict so they can flail away wildly at their intended victim, gaining hollow satisfaction in temporary "victories." We each make reflexive decisions in the face of unavoidable conflict. Generally, the Bible teaches believers to pursue peace instead of conflict. Jesus brought believers His peace (John 14:27), and the Holy Spirit enables peaceful living (Galatians 5:22). The Apostle Paul told the church in Rome, "If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with everyone." (Romans 12:18). Peace ought to generally be the goal for believers. There is one aspect of the Christian life, however, where peace is completely rejected: followers of Jesus fight against sin. Our battle against sin is real, and we must be prepared to fight as hard as we can so that sin does not gain a foothold in our lives. As we'll find in the next installment of our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, Paul knew this battle personally. At the end of chapter 9 and the beginning of chapter 10, Paul describes some practical tools which believers can use to have increasing victory against sin.

Week 1 - Who is God? Passing on the Faith

Now that we've officially arrived in 2020, I wonder if you're still thinking about the year to come. You're probably not making resolutions, but maybe you're considering new priorities or guidelines to govern your decision making over the next 12 months. Chances are that you would like some aspects of your life to change along with your calendar. If that's you, I hope you'll join us Sunday as we restart our journey through the book of First Corinthians. Our preaching series for the year is entitled A Better Way for good reason. The Apostle Paul writes this letter to encourage the church that he launched in the city of Corinth to rediscover what it means to live as followers of Jesus. By answering specific issues and concerns that the church struggled with, Paul paints a vivid picture of a Christlike life. I encourage you to visit our Livestream archive to refresh your memory about the many issues we have discussed so far. You may remember that our last installment was eight weeks ago in chapter 8, where Paul shows the Corinthians that it's better to choose love over personal freedom. He implored the church to live for the benefit of others more than their own desires, even if their desires weren't sinful. This week we'll turn to chapter 9, where Paul continues to explore the same ideas with a personal example. Paul knew that to assert his rights could hinder Gospel ministry, so he laid down his rights in order to succeed in his goal of sharing the Gospel to as many people as possible. He chose love over freedom to great effect. As you and I think about the upcoming year, Paul's discussion of priorities can have a major impact on our choices and our impact on the world.

“So this is Christmas. And what have you done? Another year over, and a new one just begun.” With the excitement of Christmas fading, these lyrics from John Lennon’s song, So This is Christmas, come to mind. They describe the reflective attitude many people have this time of year as we say goodbye to 2019 and look forward to 2020. It is a time to celebrate what was accomplished, as well as make plans to address things we feel need to change. These changes usually take the form of New Year’s resolutions. Most New Year’s resolutions tend to focus on personal health. Eating healthy and exercising rank high on the list for many people. Purchases of exercise equipment and gym memberships are highest this time of year. Enrollment in diet plans and downloading health & fitness apps is up there too. While physical health is no doubt important, how’s your spiritual health? Would you describe your relationship with God this past year as vibrant and growing, or was He more of an acquaintance you chatted and visited with only when it was convenient? Wherever you fall on that spectrum, we all can agree there is always room for improvement. This week, we will take a short detour into the book of 2 Peter, written by the Apostle Peter just before he was executed, to remind the Church of the most important things we should be focusing on as children of God. I encourage you to read this short, three chapter book before our time together this week. What changes can we make as a church family that can improve both our individual and collective walks with our Lord? God certainly has higher goals for the new year than it just being “a good one without any fear.”

Who does the Christmas present wrapping in your family? I can assure you that in my house, it's not me. The invention of the gift bag is one of the most encouraging developments of my adulthood, because it meant that I could stop trying to figure out how to wrap presents neatly. Doesn't matter if it's a normal cube shaped box or some strangely shaped toy: my wrapping skills have never measured up to my wife's or my parent's. It's because of my messy gift-wrapping skills that I can tell you with confidence that the power of a gift has nothing to do with how it's wrapped. Christmas is our opportunity to celebrate the most life-altering, powerful gift in history, and this gift was wrapped in what Scripture calls "swaddling cloths." God with Us, Immanuel, makes his first appearance wrapped not only in these cloths, but also in flesh. The gifts He came to bring us are far more valuable and important than anything you or I have ever wrapped. Our Advent series, A Messy Christmas, continues this week with a careful examination of the gifts that Jesus brings to our mess. John 1:1-18 contains some powerful images of the impact that Jesus has on our mess. Join us for this encouraging discussion.

Every year at this time, I'm repeatedly amazed at the degree to which Christmas has become an unstoppable cultural phenomenon, particularly in the United States. Think about all the forms of Christmas within our culture today: St. Nicholas from history became the Santa Claus in malls, greeting children and delivering presents. Hollywood has given us ideas with incredibly diverse perspectives on Christmas: Home Alone, The Christmas Story, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf, Christmas Vacation, Polar Express, It's a Wonderful Life, A Charlie Brown Christmas... not to mention the never-ending Hallmark Channel movie collection. Christmas decorations and sales arrive earlier and earlier each year, along with Christmas music from every conceivable genre. Christmas is everywhere, but it's so diluted that we are in real danger of letting its true importance pass us by. Despite all the noise surrounding Christmas in America, there is still nothing quite like soaking in the authentic, historic account of the reason Christmas is celebrated at all: the birth of Jesus Christ. For believers and non-believers alike, there is a gentle, consistent pull back to the familiar accounts from Matthew and Luke, the familiar carols of old, and the familiar walk through the Advent season to prepare for Jesus' arrival. Culture changes, but God's word never does. This week, we will continue in our Advent series of messages entitled A Messy Christmas with one simple goal: to be reminded of the actual events of the first Christmas. The events of Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2 are often presented as peaceful and idyllic; they were anything but. Join us as we see just how messy Jesus' arrival was, and be encouraged to see past our cultural clutter to the original culture that Jesus came into. Let's find the true meaning of Christmas in our Bibles rather than our T.V's this year.

Last week, as we launched our Advent series entitled A Messy Christmas, we discovered from Genesis 3 how one decision caused messy, life-altering, relationship-shattering consequences for the human race. The decision to take a bite of a piece of fruit turned that which was good into evil, and the ripple effects of that decision are still being felt today. Thank God, however, that the One who can control the ripple effects decided to do something about it. This is what we celebrate at Christmas: "Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:18-19) Join us this week as we examine how the mess which began in the Garden spread to the whole world. The Old Testament traces the ripple effects of sin while giving us clear evidence that the Creator of the Universe put a plan in motion to undo the destruction that our sin caused. We'll see God's unmistakable love in the midst of the ripple effects of sin, and we'll see how God's plan to send one Man to the world began to unfold hundreds of years before it would happen.

Incredibly, Thanksgiving Day is almost upon us. Over the next several days, we will be confronted with some very serious questions, like... How many pounds of turkey do I need? How many pies should I make/order? How many trips to the grocery store will I make? Will I need a new refrigerator to hold all the leftovers? And, most importantly, what will I say when people ask me what I'm thankful for? You may have already begun to rehearse your answer for when this question is asked around the dinner table. It's easy for the default answers come out: family, health, etc. Maybe it’s a struggle to figure out what your answer really is. Not only is gratitude a choice, but it is a Biblical command, and it takes intention to make your answer mean more than just a cliché. Each year at HCC, we set aside the Sunday before Thanksgiving to answer that last question together as the gathered church. We call it Celebration Sunday. This service includes a close look at Scripture to understand gratitude Biblically, testimonies of God's faithfulness, and songs of praise and thanksgiving to the Lord. But wait... there's more! You have an important role to play in Celebration Sunday. During the service, you will receive a Thankful Card, and you'll be given a chance to briefly write down the reasons why you're grateful this year. Then, our staff and elders will read out many of the cards so that we can celebrate what God has done in our midst. The cards will then be put on display in the lobby during the following weeks, and as an added bonus, you'll be fully prepared for Thanksgiving Day :). I hope you will join us this week as we intentionally express our gratitude to our Creator and our Savior together! Pastor Tom Beasley

Week three of our MidWeek series on Biblical Counseling. This series will help give you a basic understanding of what Biblical Counseling is, and why we should all be equipped in this area. If you or someone you know has ever needed help with their Christian walk, come and learn how to use the best tool we have to work with the people around us: the Bible.

“Than to be the king of a vast domain Or be held in sin’s dread sway; I’d rather have Jesus than anything This world affords today.” I can still hear George Beaverly Shea singing this at a Billy Grahm Crusade as it aired on our television in the 1980’s. The Hymn mentions; I’d rather have Jesus than … silver or gold, riches untold, houses or lands, men’s applause, world-wide fame – verse 3 reads He’s fairer than lilies, sweeter than honey, all that my hungering spirit needs. I remember struggling in my own mind, wondering if I actually believe that myself. I wanted to and sort of thought I did, but it is an extreme declaration. As God continued to work in my life, I became convinced that He was calling me to make my living through vocational ministry. I answered His call and headed to Bible College to learn about Christianity and all that goes with it in order to get close to God and serve Him. One day in chapel Professor Richard Collier brought the message out of Philippians 3; his title was “intimacy with God” and it forced me to consider if I was flying right-side-up or up-side-down (as Dallas Willard begins chapter 1 of his book “The Divine Conspiracy). In fact Paul’s message in Philippians 3 still haunts / challenges / inspires me in this way; and the stakes are high if you think about it. The flow of Paul’s thought is actually quite simple, but the implication of the message is something that is quite overwhelming and honestly more demanding than most of us are willing to undertake. Our theme for the year is “A Better Way” and God through Paul’s letter to the Corinthians is instructing us in His plan on differing issues. This week, I want to take us back and make sure we are flying right-side-up.

There are very few concepts in our culture more revered than freedom. Our nation was built with freedom in mind: freedom to worship, freedom from tyranny, freedom of expression. Our military has fought for freedom, and many have given their lives in defense of freedom. Our freedoms often extend past what is comfortable, and so it is that discussions of various freedoms are at the root of many political debates. Because of the prevailing value of freedom, it can be easy to forget that while freedom is important, it isn't always helpful. In fact, in certain circumstances, taking advantage of certain freedoms can be detrimental to our lives and the lives of those around us. God's word has much to say about the concept of freedom in the context of faith in Christ. This week, as we continue our series on First Corinthians entitled A Better Way, we'll see how the Apostle Paul describes the benefits and the potential damage of exercising our freedom in Christ. 1 Corinthians 8 contains a case study on how to understand freedom within a Christian worldview. I hope you'll spend some time reading this important chapter, and then join us as we wrestle with it together. We are one church in two locations this week. This recording is from Pastor Tom Shilling's message on the HCC campus.

This series will help give you a basic understanding of what Biblical Counseling is, and why we should all be equipped in this area. If you or someone you know has ever needed help with their Christian walk, join us for part 1 of this 6-week series! (2nd half of discussion was lost due to technical difficulties)

How much time do you have left here on earth? A Google search suggests that in the United States, men live for an average of 76 years, while women live for an average of 81 years. The problem with the previous sentence is the word "average." We don't know how much time we actually have. We tend to live as if we have all the time in the world, but we really don't. For followers of Jesus, this is an important discussion which has significant ramifications for our decision making. We have been given a purpose from God, redemption through Jesus Christ, and power by the Holy Spirit to live a life of what the apostle Paul calls "undivided devotion to the Lord." We've also been given an undefined amount of years to pursue these goals. So it is that disciples are called to think differently about how to spend our time. This week we will see how these ideas affect our understanding of relationships. During the last few weeks in our series on First Corinthians entitled A Better Way, we have addressed the emotionally charged concepts of sex and marriage. Chapters 6 and 7 contain Paul's pleas to the Corinthians to avoid sexual immorality by understanding marriage as the proper context for sex. He has also addressed people who are not married or are in difficult marriages. In every circumstance, Paul's concern is that followers of Jesus don't let sex and marriage (or lack thereof) derail their faith or their ongoing pursuit of holiness. In 1 Corinthians 7:25-40, Paul reminds both the married and unmarried that time is short, and he gives the Corinthians another reminder of how important it is to pursue Jesus above all else. Join us for this challenging discussion.

Contentment can be acheived for all believers regardless of outside circumstances. How can you glorify God in every area of your life?

Our identity is not found in our sexuality. Our identity is found in Christ alone. The implications of these two sentences are vast: We can be married and find our identity in Christ. We can be single and find our identity in Christ. We can choose to value relationship with Jesus more than the pursuit of sex. We can see sex and marriage as a picture of our relationship with God rather than a means by which we satisfy our needs. We can view our sexual choices as a primary means of honoring God rather than a worldly rite of passage or confirmation of our maturity. We can develop a holy view of sex and marriage for the glory of God This week, we will continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, by beginning to work through chapter 7. This chapter contains some difficult ideas which challenged the sexual culture of Corinth, as well as the misplaced "wisdom" of the Corinthian church. There was a great deal of confusion about sex and marriage in Corinth, and the church was struggling to reconcile drastically different viewpoints. Kind of like we are today. Paul becomes aware of their confusion and gives clear answers to specific situations that they were facing, and his answers are vital for us to wrestle with today. Whether you are married, single, or widowed, I hope you'll join us for this important discussion.

Let's just get this out of the way right now: this week we'll be talking about sex. You're saying, "Oh boy. My pastor is going to talk about sex. Turn the awkward meter up to 10. Do we have to do this? What does the Bible have to say about sex anyway?" Well, we know what the world says about sex. Those messages are present in almost every moment of our daily lives. We are told that we have complete freedom to make whatever sexual choices we want. We are told that sexual fulfillment is a fundamental part of being happy, and that we can use whatever legal means are necessary to accomplish that goal. People make tragic, sickening choices in the name of sexual fulfillment, and their victims live with the pain and shame of those choices. Sexuality has become the key to our identity has humans. The reality is this: sex is not only clearly addressed and described in the Bible, but the Bible teaches that disciples of Jesus make different choices about sex than the world does. This week, as we continue our series of First Corinthians, A Better Way, we'll learn how the apostle Paul reminds the Corinthian church of God's view of the body, which is fundamental to our sexual decision-making. His goal in 1 Corinthians 6:9-20 is to help believers see themselves as God sees them, because when we do, we are empowered to make holy choices about sex in the midst of this sinful world. I hope you'll join us for this important discussion.

Depending on how you look at current society, you may be surprised to learn that there are somewhere over 40 TV shows dedicated to courtroom proceedings spread across multiple languages and cultures. Most of them focus on people suing each other for various reasons. We watch as the judges interrogate each party, attempting to determine who should pay who. The most popular of these shows average 3 million viewers per episode. Taking people to court has been normalized and even incentivized to the point that you can become famous by filing a lawsuit. As with most behaviors, this is nothing new. Our legal system dates back centuries, and people were just as greedy and prideful then as they are now. In fact, litigation was even a problem within the church, so much so that the apostle Paul felt it necessary to address this issue directly to the church in Corinth. This week, we will continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way. Beginning in chapter 5, Paul called the church to stop acting like the world in the area of tolerating sin. In 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, we will find Paul's rebuke of people in the church who were solving their conflict in the same way as the world: in court. Paul is convinced that the church should decide to act differently than the world does, and he calls the Corinthians to change their ways through the power of the Holy Spirit and the presence of Jesus in their lives. Join us as we consider how to solve conflict in the church.

I have yet to meet anyone who enjoys being corrected. While it's true that there are many reasons that we need correction in our lives, it takes certain character qualities to embrace correction and see it as beneficial. Humility, patience, honesty, vulnerability, courage... in order for correction to be effective, these traits must rise to the forefront of our being. That's much easier said than done. The Apostle Paul wrote to his young protege Timothy, "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We like teaching and training, but we don't like reproof and correction quite as much. This week, as we continue in our study of First Corinthians, A Better Way, we'll see Paul take on the task of bringing reproof and correction to the people of the church at Corinth. 1 Corinthians 4:1-21 gives us a picture of loving correction that comes from the heart of a pastor who grieves for the congregation he poured so much into. He can't sit by and watch the church wander so far from the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ which they were given. We can learn much from the correction that Paul gives the Corinthians. I hope you'll join us for this important discussion.

Have you ever settled for less in your life? There are few experiences more frustrating than realizing that something you chose was not as good as it could have been. Whether it's a car, a home, or a job, we sometimes make what seems to be the easiest or most convenient choice, rather than the best choice. Often, we end up wishing we had chosen differently. This same concept also applies to our spiritual lives. We lose sight of the amazing reality of life that God offers us through Jesus, and we settle for a variety of replacements that leave us wanting. While we may intellectually believe that Jesus is all we need, we are regularly tempted to settle for less, and end up wishing we had chosen differently. This week, we will continue in our series on First Corinthians, A Better Way, by learning how the Apostle Paul addressed a church who had settled for less. Paul grieved for the choices that the Corinthian church were making. In 1 Corinthians 3:16-23, he pleads with them to realize what they are missing out on. He's pleading with us too. I hope you can join us and think about whether you have settled for less in your relationship with Jesus. As a church family, let's take an honest look at ourselves and pursue everything that Jesus has for us. Don't settle for less.

Remember the game Jenga? It comes in this long, rectangular box, and it’s really just a pile of wooden pieces which fit together to form a tower. The object of the game is to take turns pulling out a piece at a time without knocking the tower over, then balancing that piece on top of the tower. The last person to successfully move a piece without the tower falling wins. It’s a tricky game. The tower can withstand the loss of certain pieces, but moving others virtually guarantees a mess. The Jenga tower is a helpful symbol for our faith. It gets built up with a strong foundation, and then pieces start to move. Over time, some vital pieces can be removed, ignored, misunderstood, or overshadowed by circumstances. It seems like everything is stable... until it isn't. Faith can fall apart. The Corinthian church had been given a strong foundation of faith, but for many, the pieces were starting to fall apart. Paul's letter to the church is intended to help them make progress in keeping their faith strong. This week, as we continue our preaching series on First Corinthians called A Better Way, we'll discover how Paul encourages the church to examine their foundation of their faith in order to make progress in living like Jesus. He wants to help them put the pieces of their faith back together again. Maybe you need to put some pieces back together, or maybe you simply need to ensure that your foundation of faith is secure. Either way, I hope you can join us for this important discussion.

Recent studies have shown that there is a growing number of people who would call themselves "spiritual but not religious" or "spiritual but not affiliated." These categories describe people who have a willingness to entertain generic spiritual concepts without aligning themselves with any particular religious institution. Many who fall into these categories are not openly hostile to any one faith system, but enjoy the freedom to take pieces from each one and create their own unique spirituality. If you guessed that the preceding paragraph was describing 21st century society, you'd be right. But the same paragraph could have been written about 1st century Corinth. Our study through Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, A Better Way, continues with another discussion of wisdom. in chapter 1, we discovered that the Corinthian church had several varieties of wisdom to choose between. Choosing worldly wisdom was leading to division and quarreling in the church. In response, the Apostle Paul makes a distinction between Godly wisdom and worldly wisdom. The distinction is clear: Godly wisdom comes through the Holy Spirit, while worldly wisdom comes through the world. Many in Corinth who claimed to be "spiritual" didn't really know or listen to the Holy Spirit, and their actions demonstrated their "spirituality." In chapter 2, Paul describes the ramifications of the fact that God sent the Holy Spirit to help his people understand His wisdom. As we examine his argument, I pray that we will be led to consider whether we are "spiritual" people or Holy Spirit people.

Remember Where's Waldo? It began as Where's Wally? in 1987, a book of crowd scenes created by a British illustrator named Martin Handford. He started hiding Wally in the middle of these complex backdrops as a way of helping readers focus more closely on his artwork. Children of all ages quickly began spending hours staring at pages trying to find the weird looking guy with the striped shirt, glasses, and the pom-pom hat. There was such a sense of triumph when he was finally found after a diligent search... until the page was turned and a new search began. You might be surprised to know that there is a version of Where's Waldo? happening in our lives right now. We are looking for answers that seem to be harder to find than Waldo ever was. The backdrop of our society is as complex and confusing as it has ever been. How do we make choices day to day? How should we live as the church in our fractured times? Our Waldo is wisdom, and we need it more than we realize. This week, we will continue our study on First Corinthians, A Better Way. We'll discover how the Apostle Paul addresses the divisions in the Corinthian church with a discussion of wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Paul tells the church that the solution to their problems cannot be seen in the wisdom of the world, but only in the wisdom of God. Paul makes it clear that our "Waldo" can be found. I hope you'll join us this week as we learn what wisdom is and where to find it.

One of the first purchases I made after moving to Hesperia was a new toolbox. In the process of moving, I had somehow misplaced several of my poorly organized tools, and I couldn't find anything that I needed to use to put everything in place in our new home. So I went to Orchard Supply (R.I.P..) and stocked up on the basics: screwdrivers, wrenches, a small power drill, Allan wrenches, and the like. Repairing stuff is not my strong suit, but one thing I've learned: for every task, there is a proper tool, and I needed to make sure my toolbox was full. Not only is there a proper tool for every household task, but there is a proper tool for every spiritual task. The Apostle Paul had a monumental spiritual repair job to do: help the church in Corinth become who God meant them to be. It was an incredibly difficult task, full of complexities that come from dealing with sinful humanity. In his toolbox, however, Paul had the one tool which works for every spiritual need: the Gospel. This week, we formally start our journey through Paul's first letter to the Corinthian church. Our series is called A Better Way, and from his first words, Paul wants to point the Corinthians towards Jesus, the better way to repair all of their dysfunction as a church. I hope you will join us as we study 1 Corinthians 1:1-17.

We may be able to get away with ignoring the directions when assembling a desk or a toy, but there are other things to assemble which absolutely require directions in order to be function properly. The most important assembly project we will ever have in this life is the Church. God uses people to accomplish His purposes, and His people are called the Church. The Church does not come fully formed, however. There is much assembly required. The good news is that the Bible contains God's instructions for the assembly and function of the Church, and we must not ignore them. God is calling us to fully turn our attention to one part of those instructions. This Sunday, we will begin our next preaching series on the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church at Corinth. We’re calling our series through First Corinthians A Better Way. Paul is writing to a particular church in a specific context, but the principles behind his instructions are crucial for us today. Paul invested a year and a half into assembling the Corinthian church, and his desire was that they be holy and united in the midst of a sinful culture. God called Paul to show the church how to be better, and I believe He wants our church to learn how to be better as well. Scripture teaches that everyone has a role to play in assembling the Church as God means it to be, and so I invite you to be challenged to pursue a better way for yourself and our church.

Dr. J. Vernon McGee tells about a U.S. Senator who wrote about the stages of a nation. The senator wrote that these stages of a nation are… From bondage to spiritual faith from spiritual faith to courage from courage to liberty from liberty to abundance from abundance to selfishness from selfishness to complacency from complacency to apathy from apathy back to bondage How might a nation even move from bondage to spiritual faith? If their faith is in the God of the Bible, then it comes from the revealed truth – written or proclaimed word of God. This senator then connects the dots by sharing the results of spiritual faith – courage, liberty, and abundance. Likewise, there is a connection that explains the results when the foundation of spiritual faith is replaced by the foundation of selfishness. That result is bondage. Could it get any worse? Oh, yes! When a nation has been given the light of revealed truth which leads to the fear of the Lord, and then casts off that protection, there is only one more stage – the indignation of God. If your mind has connected the possibility of this result with any modern-day nation, that is a brilliant way to see how the book of Nahum is for us, even though it was not written to us. It was written to the nation of Assyria, whose capital is Nineveh. Nations rise and fall. On what ever news channel we listen to or watch, we are only told the facts as we can see them “under the sun.” There is more behind the scenes. God is at work. He causes nations to rise and fall. We will see the fall of Nineveh in the book of Nahum, and we will see how it happens from God’s view. This Sunday, we will close our series on the Minor Prophets – Come Back to Me – as we look at the big ideas of Nahum. We will learn about the wrath stored up for God’s (Yahweh’s) enemies and God’s compassion toward His oppressed people.

“If God is so loving and all powerful, why doesn’t He put an end to all the evil in the world?” Have you been asked this question before? Better yet, have YOU asked this question before? As we look at the world we live in, the problem of evil is apparent to everyone. Injustice, oppression, dishonesty, lawlessness and the like are all around us. People sin, benefit from it and are praised for it. Those who are trying to live a godly life often go unrewarded, unrecognized and are ridiculed for even trying. How can our omnipotent, loving God allow evil to continue? If you have ever struggled with the problem of evil, you are not alone. The prophet Habakkuk saw evil becoming more and more a part of the people’s lives in Judah. He cried out to God to put an end to it… and couldn’t believe God’s answer! God was going to use an even more wicked nation to correct His people: the Babylonians! Can God use sinful people to still bring about His holy plan? The answer is a resounding YES! That is how powerful and loving our God is! As we continue our series through the minor prophets entitled Come Back to Me, we will see how God truly works all things for the good of His people and for His glory. As His plan unfolds, He calls the righteous to live by faith, trusting the Master to unfold His perfect plan of salvation and praising Him for who He is regardless of life’s present circumstances.

For many people, the God of the Old Testament seems to be judgemental, harsh, and lacking grace. Read out of context, much of the writings of the prophets could lead us to that same conclusion. But, understanding the context of each book could lead us to the exact opposite conclusion about God. For about 200 years, God watched as his people, his chosen people, continued in their sins. Israel had become more and more like every other nation around them, and instead of seeing and hearing the warnings that God sent to them, they ingored his prophets, rejected his law, and despised his mercy. Amos comes on the scene at one of these moments to let them know that God is serious about his people. Join us this week as we continue our series through the Old Testament prophets and take a deeper look at the book of Amos.

There are few concepts in our culture more complex than relationships. Friendships, marriages, family interactions... all of these occupy a huge portion of our time and energy. When they are working well, they provide great joy. When they break, they are the source of an equal amount of pain. God created humanity for relationship with Him, and he spends incredible effort in building that relationship with His people. Unfortunately, His people aren't always very good at responding to Him. God sent messengers called Prophets to call God's people to change their ways and return to Him. Throughout the Old Testament, but particularly in the prophetic books, we see examples of relational dynamics that challenge and encourage us. As we begin this 5-week preaching series on a section of the Old Testament which describe important relational lessons. Our preaching team will be covering five Minor Prophets in a series titled Come Back to Me. Join us as we discover truths which these uncommon books teach us. We begin with the prophet Hosea, whose incredible experience demonstrates the depths of God's love for His sinful people.

One of the greatest mysteries we find in Scripture is that God created this incredible organism we call the Church. The word church comes from the Greek work ekklesia, which means "an assembly or gathering of people." New Testament authors understood ekklesia in both a local and global context: local churches in specific cities are each a part of a global movement of faithful Christians throughout the earth. Both the local and the global church are made up of imperfect people who have been united by a perfect God, saved by a sinless Savior, and called to live as a holy, united family until Jesus returns. One idea that Scripture uses to describe the mystery of the Church and its connection with Jesus is the image of a marriage. The Church is the Bride of Christ, betrothed to Jesus the Bridegroom and faithfully waiting for the "wedding ceremony" to take place when Jesus returns. The Apostle Paul address the complexities of this idea in Ephesians 5:22-33 by making a direct comparison between the relationship of a husband and wife to the way Jesus relates to the church. Just as a healthy marriage needs divine guidance and encouragement, so the Church relies on God's word for guidance and encouragement as we struggle and strive to be the Church that Jesus wants us to be. We succeed in some ways while falling short in others, but thanks to the grace and mercy of God, our ekklesia can make progress in becoming more like Jesus. This week, we'll focus on what God has called our church to be. We are the Bride of Christ, and we have much to celebrate!

What do you do with the Gospel? The word for Gospel in Greek simply means "good news." It was initially used to describe a generic announcement of something good. Biblical writers used the word to describe something far more specific: the news is that Jesus came to save. The word Gospel actually refers to many aspects of the work of God through Jesus Christ. We see it referred to as the Gospel of God, not of man. It is the Gospel of grace, that which is undeserved. The Gospel refers to the specific work that Jesus does on our behalf to restore our relationship with God by paying the penalty for our sin. It can also include everything that Jesus taught. It is the Gospel that is true and glorious. It is the Gospel that demands a response. Over the centuries, many have looked at Paul's letter to the Romans as a key resource for understanding the Gospel. At some point, someone developed a tool based on the letter which has become known as the Romans Road. There are several versions of this evangelistic tool; however, it is simply a distillation of Paul's words, narrowing down to a few verses from Romans which lead to a full understanding of the Gospel. Last week, we completed our verse-by-verse study of Romans. It has been a challenging journey to examine Paul's argument for the Gospel and its impact. This week, we'll walk down the Romans Road together. Whether you already know the Gospel or need to know the Gospel, I pray that our discussion of the Romans Road will be helpful to you. We can never talk about the Good News enough!

What do you think of when you read the word glory? It's found 338 times in the ESV version of the Bible. The word glory is used to describe creation, people, and God himself. Glory can be given and received. Glory is part of God's nature and character, and glory is given by Jesus to His Father. Jesus asks God to glorify Himself in John 17, and followers of Jesus are commanded to glorify Jesus through their life choices. Despite all of the ways in which glory is used in Scripture, I'm convinced that many modern-day followers of Jesus don't really spend enough time thinking about what glory is and why it matters. We see celebrities, athletes, and even politicians receive glory in this world, but all of that kind of glory is a shadow of what the Bible describes. Because of our tendency to misunderstand concepts like this, we must rely on Scripture to set us straight. It's no coincidence that almost every one of Paul's letters includes what we call a doxology, which literally means a "study" (-ology) of glory (doxa in Greek). This Sunday, as we arrive at the end of the book of Romans, we will examine a 3 verse doxology. Paul uses the word doxa 15 times, and his last one is especially meaningful. In Romans 16:25-27, Paul summarizes the main reasons why God is worthy of being glorified, and he gives us one more reminder of how to glorify God. I hope you can join us as we are encouraged by this brief but powerful conclusion to the letter to the Roman church.

The journey of a believer has its share of adventures, with both mountain top and valley experiences. But the one constant, especially for the believer, is that we can live these experiences together. Paul concludes his letter to the Roman church with an acknowledgement of believers in Rome and companions with him in his ministry which was in Corinth at the time. No man is an island, and Paul made a lot of friends, many who have come to Christ through his ministry. The attitude of gratitude and acknowledgment of Paul for others is quite amazing. It demonstrates that Paul made friends and discipled those he brought to the faith in the Lord. He did not try to live an isolated life; he had friends in the Lord, and he appreciated them. Paul, always a teacher, also took time to warn his friends in Rome to not stray from the Truth. Jesus taught that love for God and others is the summation of the Law. (Matt. 22:40 ESV). Solomon put it this way; “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Eccl. 4:9-12 ESV) This week, as we continue our series Live By Faith, we'll see Paul's heart for the many people who helped him in his ministry. In Romans 16:1-24, Paul appreciates and acknowledges the believers who had an impact on his ministry, and he provides a warning against those who would teach contrary doctrines to the Gospel. Let's learn from this important passage together.

"So, what are your plans for next year?" Each May, this question, or some version of it, has been spoken to uncounted young people all across the country. Graduation season always brings out a celebration of the present as well as a renewed focus on the future. This is a time for making plans and decisions that can have a huge impact on graduates, their families, and our community. In the midst of these difficult questions about the future, God's Word provides a beacon of clarity. Solomon writes, "The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord." (Proverbs 16:3 ESV)/ He goes on to say, "The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." (Proverbs 16:9 ESV). In other words, God Himself makes the best plans, no matter which way the plans lead. In the absence of certainty about the future, God reminds us that we can accomplish God's Plan for us regardless of where our plans take us, The Apostle Paul knew this very well. He knew how the power of God could radically change his plans, and he knew how God could lovingly guide his plans. Paul never stopped making plans, but he always knew that God established his steps. In our text for this week, Romans 15:14-33, we'll hear how Paul describes his own relationship with his plans, and we'll be encouraged to Live By Faith as we make our plans today.

Driving is a lot harder now than it used to be. It seems like many of us who have been driving for a while hold to the rules of the road somewhat loosely. We each need to get somewhere, and we want to get there as soon as possible. When we see signs that slow us down, well, that's just inconvenient. The yield sign is an interesting one. It's doesn't always require a full stop, but it forces us to make a choice to allow someone to go ahead of us. If we obey the sign, we are actually saying that it's ok if someone gets what they want at the expense of us getting what we want. This week, as we continue in our series on Romans, Live By Faith, we'll discover Paul's driving instructions for relationships within the church. In the same way that traffic laws are intended to protect and care for people, so there are truths of Scripture that serve the same purpose: to protect and care for the people around us. Starting in the second half of chapter 14 of Romans, Paul teaches followers of Jesus these truths in order to strengthen the Church family. These ideas are vital for us to wrestle with today in light of our culture. Living sacrifices must learn to yield. I hope you'll join us for this important discussion of God's word.

Christian liberty...that phrase can cause different reactions from different people. In my own life, I feel conflicted when I hear this. Part of me cringes when I think of what has been done in the name of Christian Liberty. Part of me realizes that we are set free in Christ, not to have to follow the Law, but to serve Jesus in a relationship with the Almighty. Whatever your experience is with these words, join us this week as we examine what Paul says about our responsibilities to other Christians and to God in relation to our "liberties" in Romans 14:1-12.

As I've grown older, I've noticed that I'm becoming more nostalgic. I'm more emotional when I'm reminded of people and events from my past. One of the reasons why, to be honest, is Facebook. For better or worse, social media has had a profound impact on our culture. In my life, one of the benefits of Facebook has been seeing a "memory" pop up on my home page, a picture that I had posted in the past. When you look at pictures from your past, what do you see? Can you measure how much you've changed? Throughout his writings, the Apostle Paul consistently returns to the concept of growth and change. He knows firsthand how much God changed him, and he never stops calling others to be changed in the same way. If Paul could see a portrait of himself from before he met Jesus, I'm certain he would not recognize himself physically AND spiritually. Can you and I say the same thing? This week, as we continue in our series on Romans, Live By Faith, Paul will continue to fill in the portrait of what he calls a living sacrifice. He uses this provocative language at the beginning of chapter 12 to describe how followers of Jesus live. The rest of the letter helps us understand what it means and how do to it. Our text this week is Romans 13:8-14, a small section with a huge message. Come explore what it means to be a living sacrifice and consider how your portrait is being developed by Jesus.

The more I read Scripture, the more I realize that God intends for His truth to influence every aspect of our lives. Especially the uncomfortable areas. One of the many benefits of preaching through an entire book of the Bible is that there's no avoiding the texts that are uncomfortable. We must face the passages that bother us with the same humility and determination as we study the passages we like. And so it is that this week, as we continue our journey through Romans entitled Live By Faith, we will find ourselves entering into an area of great discomfort: government. Notice that I didn't say "politics." Romans 13:1-7 does not address the value of one political perspective over another. Rather, Paul gives very direct instructions on how Christians are to respond to their government regardless of where it lands on the political spectrum. Paul believes that the Christian who is striving to be a living sacrifice with a renewed mind should think about government through the lenses of the sovereignty of God, while also ensuring that the government does not take God's place in our lives. This text is full of tension that is just as relevant for our world today as it was for the church in Rome living under Nero. I hope you can join us as we carefully examine our attitudes about government.

If you have been a part of the Church for any length of time, the events we celebrate at the end of Holy Week are familiar. The painful, tragic events of Good Friday as well as the euphoric celebration of Easter Sunday are at the very heart of our faith. However, there is a real danger that our discussion of Jesus' experience will lose its significance. "I've heard this all before..." "It's just the same story again..." The challenge for us is to present the same events in a fresh way every year. Innovation is the rule of thumb in our society. We must find new angles with different phrases & visuals to make old ideas seem new. Our confession: we won't be innovating this year. You will not be surprised by anything you hear & see this year. Why? There is nothing we need more in our world today than to come face to face with Jesus in the depths of His suffering on the cross & at the peak of His resurrected glory! Lord willing, you will be changed not by the service, but by Jesus Himself