Life Chapel Toledo

SEX, GENDER & LIFEMIND V BODYSUNDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2023In this series we hope to answer three basic questions biblically - 1. Is sex limited to male/female marriages? 2. Is gender defined by our biology?3. Who is eligible for human rights?Genesis 1:26-27The creation of man and woman comes at the end of a list of the creation of complementary forces:- Light/Darkness- Waters above/waters below- Land/Sea- Day/Night- Man/WomanThis pattern shows us how we should interpret the creation of man and woman: Two opposite but not opposing parts that create a pattern that leads to life. “We must be able to separate politics from people.” - Studies show that most people who struggle with gender dysphoria do not desire a genderless society but simply resolution to the incongruence they feel between their mind and body.Christians should seek and encourage others to seek congruence with our physical sex for three reasons:1. It's not just the brain. Every cell in the body is sexed2. There is more diversity when our bodies and not our attitudes, feelings, and desires define us as male or female.3. The Scripture supports gender being defined by sex.Romans 12:1-2

SEX, GENDER & LIFESUNDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2023Goals for this Series:1. To clarify the scripture's position on same-sex relations through clear biblical expository2. To stir the church's heart to compassion for those struggling with SSA and desiring to follow the way of Christ.3. That through better understanding and more compassion we can become a church that is loving and compassionate and yet uncompromising when it comes to what we see to be the clear biblical ethic.4. Ultimately, to point people to Jesus above all else as the center of our hope.Progressive Christianity v Traditional Christianity comes to a different conclusion about biblical sexuality.The traditional interpretation and understanding of biblical sexuality is the correct conclusion.Genesis 2:18, 21-24Leviticus 18:221 Corinthians 6:9-11“The church needs a new apologetic, a way of thought and life that neither demonizes nor elevates the same sex desires facing many Christians... This new apologetic must further permit us to form a deeper response to homosexuality, one that honors both scripture, the wisdom of tradition, and peoples real experience.” - David BennettGod loves you and a relationship with him is the ultimate relationship.Resources:1. A War of Loves - David Bennett 2. Gay Girl Good God - Jackie-Hill Perry3. Holy Sexuality - Christopher Yuan4. LGBTQ and the Church - Becket Cook // The Controversial Jesus: Jesus and the Gay Community - Jon Tyson YouTube Resources:LGBTQ+ & the Church | Interview with Becket Cook & Pastor Lee Cummings The Controversial Jesus - Jesus and the Gay Community - Jon Tyson

JONAH SERIESMISPLACED PRIORITIESSunday, October 8, 2023Have you ever met someone who had misplaced priorities?  Maybe you were that someone.Jonah 4:5-11Jonah had misplaced priorities - Jonah was all about Jonah - Jonah was self-centered.God points out that Jonah was mad about the plant dying but had no pity for 120,000 people and all they owned being lost to the judgement of God.John 5:16 Religious people of Jesus day were mad about Him healing on sabbath and disciples picking corn on the sabbath, yet they themselves were in need of a healing.Romans 1:31 and 2 Timonthy 3:3 uses the word “heartless” in the ESV.  In the KJV it uses the words “unnatural affection.”The word “heartless” or the phrase "without natural affection" is the translation of one Greek word, astergeo. It was a characteristic of many pagans of the ancient world. Significantly, it is also prophesied to be a characteristic of the humanistic pagans of the end-times.We are living in the time of heightened misplaced priorities. Isaiah 5:20-21Luke 17:26-30 God is calling us to realign with His purpose, plan and priorities.

JONAH SERIES - 5 GOD'S NOT FINISHED WITH YOUSunday, October 1, 2023Jonah 3:1-10“The word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time…”Isaiah 46:10The first and most important thing you need to know is that God never throws your book away. Wherever you are struggling in life you can't stay there and reach your purpose.1. GET UP!Proverbs 24:16 2. GO!Philippians 3:13-143. DO!John 9:4It's not too late.  You haven't missed your moment.  It's not over.

JONAH SERIESRADICAL REDEMPTIONSunday, September 24, 2023 Jonah 2:1-6aIn this moment of despair Jonah decides now is the time to pray.  Sheol - the place of death.Jonah finds himself at “deaths door.”In verse 4 Jonah repents by saying, “I will look again toward your holy temple.”In verse 6a Jonah goes back to his near death experience when he says “I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever;”David writes about a similar situation.Psalms 40:1-3Jonah 2:6b-9Jonah 2:6 I went down to the land whose bars closed upon me forever; But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.Jonah arrives at the doors of death, then the conjunction of BUT changes everything.James 4:8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.Jonah makes an interesting observation in verse 8 - “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God's love for them.”Jonah now knows that God loves all, even those who cling to worthless idols, even the people of Nineveh.The last phrase of this prayer in the belly of hell is “Salvation belongs to the Lord!” This is about Lordship.Jonah 2:10 God is a God of second chances.  He's just waiting on you to make the first move.This is radical redemption!

Wake Up!Pastor Sharon Jonah 1:1-16When the church is asleep the world is suffering. Proverbs 24:33-34What is the sign of a someone that's asleep?  INACTIVITY The result of inactivity is dormant authorities and missing mantles. Romans 13:11Ephesians 5:15-17 NKJVA warrior mindset is walking circumspectly. 1 Peter 5:8 NLT

JONAH SERIESTHE PRODIGAL PROPHETSunday, September 10, 2023Congruence matters.  The outer you will always rise or lower to the inner you.Luke 12:1-3Jonah has this conflict, the outside he is referred to as a Servant of the Lord (2 Kings 14) yet on the inside he is doing everything possible to NOT be a servant of the Lord.Jonah 1:1-31. Sin cost more then you want to pay Romans 6:232. Sin takes you farther then you want to go. Psalms 139:7-103. Sin works you harder then you ever imagined Mathew 11:28-304. Sin keeps you longer then you want to stay Hebrews 12:1-25. Lastly, Sin will make you believe you are better than you really are.  It is so easy for the enemy to slip sin into our own life when we are watching others…It's called self-righteousness.There is a coming judgement. Galatians 5:19-24Paul list the works of the flesh and clearly states that people who do such things will not be saved.  But God does not leave us hopeless. If we will crucify our flesh and it passions and desires we can live producing the fruit of the Spirit.

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday morning gathering as we start our new series, Jonah!___________________________If you like our services or videos, please subscribe for more content.          If you'd like to tithe or give, please do so at our website. - LifeChapelToledo.com          You can connect to us on these social media platforms!     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechapeltoledoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechapeltoledoOur Website: https://www.lifechapeltoledo.com/

Summer in Pslams: Be an Encourager Sunday, August 27, 2023Psalms 121:1-8Verses 1 and 2 - the writer encourages himself. Verses 3 through 8 - the writer encourages others. 1 Thessalonians 5:11Encouragement is building others up. Hebrews 10:24-25 Your words of encouragements stir up those around you moving them into two powerful forces - Love and Good WorksParents and guardians we are starting a fresh school year. Find a way to encourage your kids. Husbands and wives, your marriage will be a better marriage if you learn to speak life over your companion.  If you are a leader in any capacity you should desire to be an encourager. Here's a few ways you can encourage one another. Words of Affirmation - Simple words like "You can do it" or "I believe in you" can work wonders.Acts of Kindness - Small gestures of help and support demonstrate care and encouragement.Active Listening - Sometimes, all someone needs is a listening ear.Praying for One Another - Prayers are powerful forms of encouragement. BE AN ENCOURAGER!

Thank you for joining us for our series, Summer in Psalms.____________________________________       Our vision is to build a church that is “Encountering Jesus. Empowering People. To change Everything.”  Thank you so much for watching our videos.      If you like our services or videos, please subscribe for more content.          If you'd like to tithe or give, please do so at our website. - LifeChapelToledo.com          You can connect to us on these social media platforms!     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechapelto...Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechapelt...Our Website: https://www.lifechapeltoledo.com/

SUMMER IN PSALMS HOLINESS IN THE HOUSE Sunday, August 13, 2023Psalms 15:1-5This is a very interesting Psalm because it starts with questions.There are only 51 questions in the book of Psalms and this chapter begins with two of those questions.Who can dwell in your tent?  Who can live on your holy mountain?David proceeds to give us a list of requirements from those who wanted to come into the House of the Lord.These are the requirements that David lays out for the people of God - 1. Walk blameless.2. Do right.3. Speak truth.4. Do not slander.5. Do no evil.6. Take up no reproach against his friend.7. Honor those who fear the Lord.8. Keep our word even if it hurts us.9. Do not take advantage of a neighbor in need.10. Refuse the bribe against the innocent.All these requirements are focused on our relationship with our fellowman.Matthew 5:21-24You love and serve Him by loving and serving them. - T.L. OsbornMatthew 24:10Jesus came…. This changes everything and changes nothing.Hebrews 8:6You don't get good to get God - you get God to get good. - Kentucky ProverbWe must have holiness in the house!The world needs to see a holy church.

SUMMER IN PSALMSPSALM 8ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR POINT OF VIEWSunday, August 6, 2023There are many kinds of Psalms - Prayers, Repentance, Praise, Songs, Celebrations, etcBut this is another level - this is adoration.  This is about Worship!Psalms 8:1 David takes us from ME to WE.Psalms 8:2 His strength sustains us. Psalms 8:3-4 David ask God the big WHY?Psalms 8:5-8This takes us back to the Genesis 1 - Adam and Eve, created in the image of God and living in the Garden with authority and dominion over all things.You and I are created in the image of God!  God does not see us as incapable human called to live from failure to failure.God sees us living from victory to victory.  Psalms 8:9I feel like the over arching issue of this Psalm is about Identity.  How we see God!How we see ourselves!How God sees us!True identity can only be found in times of worship.It's in His presence!It's when the glory of the Lord fills a space that we can see who we are in Him.

SUMMER IN PSALMSPSALM 119SUNDAY, JULY 30, 2023Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. It is, in fact, the very center of the written BibleIt is written about the Psalmist's love for the law of the Lord, or love for what the scripture does for the reader.There are 8 basic words used to describe the Scriptures:1. Law2. Word3. Judgements4. Testimonies5. Commandments6. Statutes7. Precepts8. Word"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" Psalm 119:103 "Oh! How I love your law! It is my meditation all the day long!" Psalm 119:97Moving from an immature appetite of this world to a mature desiring of God's Ways:1. Recognize the WORD of God has the power to transform our lives. The law of the Lord is reformative, not restrictive.2. Realizing that studying and consuming the Word is Christ formed in us. Meditating on Scripture FILLS your mind with the Words of God.3. Consuming the Word and allowing it to become the light by which you navigate life. "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light on my path." Psalms 119:105Practical ways to consume the Word:1. Read it often and carefully - set a time and place2. Teach it - it will cause you to press in3. Listen to it being taught - don't miss an opportunity to hear the Word4. Pray it - learn to use scripture as your prayer guide5. Love it - determine your appetite and don't let the world and its passions determine your cravings

SUMMER IN PSALMS PSALMS 51Pastor Grant Perry We want to see victims restored but what do we do with perpetrators?God wants to restore both victims and perpetrators. 2 Samuel 11 and 12 tells the story of David's greatest failure. He took advantage of Bathsheba. David murdered her husband to cover his sin.  The prophet Nathan calls David out on his sin.  Psalms 51 is David's response to the conviction in his heart after being confronted by the prophet. Psalms 51:1-19We all have issues that can mark our life but God has the ability to redeem and change the narrative of how we are remembered. 4 key points found in this chapter -1. Only hope is in God's nature. 2. David acknowledges his corrupted nature and accepts judgement. 3. He ask for a clean heart and the hope of restoration. 4. David gives God his affection through worship.

SUMMER IN PSALMSPSALMS 23Sunday, July 16, 2023 Psalms 22 Good shepherd - story of the cross - salvation - justificationPsalms 24 Chief shepherd - story of his Kingship - glorification Psalms 23 Great shepherd - story of walk it out “in between” - sanctification Psalms 23:1-6Isaiah 53:6V 1 Sheep exalts “MY” shepherd.John 10:11V 2/3 Sheep experiences the benefits of the “MY” shepherd.V 4/6a Sheep have expectations from “MY” shepherd.V  6b Sheep engagement for everything we just talked about.

SUMMER IN PSALMSPSALM 1 SUNDAY, JULY 9, 2023Psalm 1:1-6There are two contrasting paths that take place over the course of three steps: Pattern - The patterns of life which give life its shape. Position - The result of those patterns creates a life that is marked by stability and production or dissolution. Product - Ultimately these two things will result in one being “known by the Lord,” or perishing.There are two different words which are translated as “blessed in our Bibles.” 1: Barukh: To receive God's blessing and favor.2: Ashray: Referred to the public image of one who is blessed. It's something like “Living your best life.”Psalm 1:1 can read: “A man is living his best life when he he doesn't walk in step with the wicked”Blessed ≠ SuccessfulPsalm 93:3-5 The good life is to be a source of life.It seems that according to Psalm 1, living your best life has very little to do with whether or not you are comfortable or rich, and has much more to do with whether or not you are a source of life in the world. The righteous one brings life and nourishment while the wicked becomes nothing.

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday morning gathering with pastor Grant Perry.____________________________________       Our vision is to build a church that is “Encountering Jesus. Empowering People. To change Everything.”  Thank you so much for watching our videos.      If you like our services or videos, please subscribe for more content.  

BREAKING THE CYCLEGOD'S RECIPE FOR A MIRACLESunday, June 11, 2023WHAT IF God wanted to use everything in your life for His purpose?2 Timothy 2:19-21When we have an iniquity that has been a  part of our life since birth it can be challenging to define what is honorable and dishonorable and then allow God to use each vessel in our life (memories, failures, wins, etc…) to bring about His purpose and plan.We must acknowledge our issues and face our failures so that God gets glory and the next generation walks in freedom.2 Corinthians 4:7-11God has chosen to use us, in all our messed up broken state to reveal His promise wholeness and His power to heal. You can BREAK THE CYCLE!2 Corinthians 3:3Within you is a recipe for a miracle.

God operates in systems.Genesis 8:22System - 1. a set of things working together as parts of a mechanism or an interconnecting network. 2. a set of principles or procedures according to which something is done; an organized framework or method.The devil works in cycles. Cycle - a series of events that are regularly repeated in the same order.Psalms 51:5Family iniquities can come in all shapes and sizes.  Fear. Sexual Sins. Lying. Addiction. Poverty.Laziness. Chaos. To break the cycles we must challenge three areas -Inner Man - Psalms 51:6Forgiveness - Psalms 32:1-2Awareness - Philippians 3:13-14Your frustration can birth your future!Matthew 11:12

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday morning gathering with pastor Grant Perry.____________________________________       Our vision is to build a church that is “Encountering Jesus. Empowering People. To change Everything.”  Thank you so much for watching our videos.      If you like our services or videos, please subscribe for more content.          If you'd like to tithe or give, please do so at our website. - LifeChapelToledo.com          You can connect to us on these social media platforms!     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechapeltoledoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechapeltoledoOur Website: https://www.lifechapeltoledo.com/

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday morning gathering with pastor Sharon Perry.____________________________________       Our vision is to build a church that is “Encountering Jesus. Empowering People. To change Everything.”  Thank you so much for watching our videos.      If you like our services or videos, please subscribe for more content.          If you'd like to tithe or give, please do so at our website. - LifeChapelToledo.com          You can connect to us on these social media platforms!     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechapeltoledoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechapeltoledoOur Website: https://www.lifechapeltoledo.com/

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday morning gathering with our special guest pastor, Paul Cook.Our vision is to build a church that is “Encountering Jesus. Empowering People. To change Everything.”  Thank you so much for watching our videos.      If you'd like to tithe or give, please do so at our website. - LifeChapelToledo.com

Sunday, April 30, 2023Matthew 24:3-14Jesus gives is the prophetic Cliffs notes. The full book is Revelation.  Actually, the name of the book is The Revelation of Jesus Christ. All the apocalyptic writings in the New Testament are not meant to be a scare tactic or a sci-fi movie.  It is meant to lead us to the understanding that Jesus is in control. Jesus tells us that in the midst of the darkness there will be a light - the proclamation of the Kingdom as a testimony to the nations!God calls Moses to deliver Israel and gives him a plan.  While Moses stays on task Pharaoh tries to negotiate. Exodus 8:25 - Go and sacrifice but stay in the land.Exodus 8:28 - Go and sacrifice but don't go to far.Exodus 10:7 - Go and sacrifice but just the men can go because you have evil plans for the children.  Exodus 10:24 - Go and sacrifice but leave cattle and children.Moses says - Not only are we going, but we are taking our young and our old, our sons and daughters, our flocks and our herds and we will feast before the Lord!Exodus 10:21-23While the world around them was lost in a thick darkness the people of Israel enjoyed light in their dwellings. John 14:271 Corinthians 2:7-12As Spirit filled people, we are people of light, people of wisdom, people of understanding.We are a Kingdom people and therefore operate as people of light. We'll leave the light on!

Thank you for joining us for our Sunday gathering series, Faith Rising.____________________________________       Our vision is to build a church that is “Encountering Jesus. Empowering People. To change Everything.”  Thank you so much for watching our videos.      If you like our services or videos, please subscribe for more content.          If you'd like to tithe or give, please do so at our website. - LifeChapelToledo.com          You can connect to us on these social media platforms!     Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lifechapeltoledoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifechapeltoledoOur Website: https://www.lifechapeltoledo.com/

UNCONDITIONAL PRAISESunday, October 2, 2022This message was originally preached on March 22, 1992.The book of Habakkuk is only 3 chapters long.Habakkuk  is one man's journey from doubt to worship.The difference in the opening verses and the closing verses is striking.Habakkuk 3:17-19He considers the possibility of the most important elements of his life and the lives of those around him…Figs – Olives – Fruit – Meat – Flocks – HerbsWhat does Habakkuk do?He turns his eyes toward the Lord.“YET” - In spite of all that…“Rejoice” - finding joy or delight…Have we acquired a habit of only praising God in the good times?Do our spiritual antenna's tell us when to praise?Psalms 3:1-6Psalms 149:5Praise Him in your pain.Dance in your dilemma.

THE BEAUTY OF REDEMPTION Sunday, September 11, 2022I don't have to ask if you have ever failed God, failed yourself, or just failed in life because I know you have!We all have!Simon Peter no doubt felt the pain of failure many times. He denied Jesus 3 times while Jesus was in the final hours of His life. Mark 16:1-8 there are two words that are significant in the story of second chances. Verse 7 - go, tell his disciples “and Peter”Jesus comes to Peter and finds him in his guilt and shame and asks a simple question.Do you love me? This has nothing to do with redemption, but everything to do with how Peter will use his redemption.What are you doing with your second chance? Every time we fail we learn something about ourselves, we learn something about those around us, we learn something about God.  He just wants us to love Him with a sincere heart.1 John 2:1-6He explains our second chance by using a word we may not be familiar with - Propitiation.  This basically means that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sin so that we can have a second chance.The perfect picture of that word - propitiation is found in the story of the Jews.In Leviticus 16 God gives the plan for a Day of Atonement.The priest was to kill a goat and sprinkle the blood on the Ark of the Covenant.The priest would then lay hands on a live goat and confess the sins of the people and then run the goat out of camp as it symbolically carried the weight of the sin into the wilderness.These two goats are the picture of what Jesus did on the cross.  He both died and then rose again to carry our sins away.

MIRACLES: WHEN GOD DOESN'TSUNDAY, MARCH 6, 2022Galatians 4:13-14Can God heal every disease? We believe the answer to be: Yes. The God of the Bible has power over all sickness, disease and death.Why doesn't he? 1: Because He (at least potentially) has sufficient reason not to do so.Romans 8:282: Because performing every miracle we asked for may actually undermine his ultimate goal.James 2:193: Because an eternal perspective changes everything.Revelation 21:4But what do I do now? We don't stop praying, we don't stop seeking, we don't stop knocking… But in the meantime do what can we do.1: Is there something you can do physically to alleviate the issue?2: What can I draw from this?“Once man's search for meaning of life is successful, it not only renders him happy but also gives him the capability to cope with suffering.”-Viktor Frankl,  'Man's Search for Meaning'.3: How can God be glorified in this?Believe that He can, accept if he won't.

MIRACLESPart 1: MiraclesSUNDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2022Mark 16:15-16“The believers in miracles accept them (rightly or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles deny them (rightly or wrongly) because they have a doctrine against them.” G. K. Chesterton: Orthodoxy• More than 94,000,000 Americans believe they have directly experienced a miracle. • 67% of American believe miracles are possible today. • 75% of 1,100 Doctors polled believe miracles can happen today.Throughout the scriptures miracles are the way God identifies himself and asserts his dominance over other forces both physical and spiritual.John 21:25 Jesus performs so many miracles in the gospels that scholars Gerd Theissen and Annette Merz write, "Just as the kingdom of God stands at the center of Jesus' preaching, so healings and exorcisms form the center of his activity."John 14:12 Why were miracles so important to Jesus' ministry?"His miracles were a sign of the inbreaking of the kingdom or the rule-of God. They were a taste of the future, when healing will be complete. Jesus said, ‘But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you?' These signs were a prelude to the entire restoration, when God will make a new heaven and a new earth. They remind us that a day is coming when there will be no more suffering or pain.” Craig KeenerOr as Eric Metaxas puts it:“…what if the God who had created us and loved us had found a way to break through into our world and to offer us his hand, to say, If you take my hand I can take you back to where you once lived and to where you really belong, because your heart knows that you do?”

WINNING THE WAR IN YOUR MIND: TAKE YOUR MIND BACKSunday, June 13, 2021Have you ever made an irrational decision?  Why do we do these things?We have wires that are crossed in our mind.Somewhere we have bought into a lie. Colossians 2:6-7Notice these words: Rooted - Built up - Established - Abounding.Colossians 2:8Notice these words: Cheat - Philosophy - Empty Deceit - Traditions of men - Principles of the world.Philippians 4:6-91. Prayer (requesting)2. Supplication (persistent asking)3. Thanksgiving (remembering God's power in your past)4.  Meditate (Eastern - empty the mind / Christian  - fill the mind / fix the mind)Psalms 119:15Psalms 143:5 To take your mind back you must identify the wrong thought patterns and then determine to fix it.  Write it—Think it—Confess it—Believe it

WINNING THE WAR IN YOUR MINDSunday, June 6, 2021Most of life's battles are won and lost in your mind.  Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts.Proverbs 23:7The Word of God and Spirit of God has the ability to transform your mind and renew your thought patterns.2 Corinthians 10:3-4Two key words:1.  Mighty - divine power - (Greek) Dumamis - dynamite - explosive power2.  Strongholds - walls - (Greek) Ochuroma - Military stronghold - fortress built on a high placeProverbs 21:222 Corinthians 10:5The Holy Spirit dynamite has the ability to cast down every argumentTake Captive - Capture with a spear or sword.The sword is the word of God and it is the only offensive weapon we have. It's time to blow the dust off the Bible and grab hold of that sword and speak the truth of God's word over the lie of the devil!

FAVOR Sunday, May 30, 2021You and I can have the favor of God but it requires some action on our part. We have to position ourselves to experience God's favor.1 Chronicles 4:9-10The Jabez Prayer List: Bless me. Enlarge my territory. Be with me.  Keep me from evil.  Don't let me cause anyone pain ever again.James 4:3We all love the last line of this verse - God gave him what he asked for.1. Honor - 1 Chronicles 4:92. Love God - Proverbs 3:1-43. Hate what God hates - Revelation 2:64. Give gifts and offerings - Genesis 4:45. Be faithful - Genesis 6:7-86. Be righteous/blameless - Matthew 6:33 / Psalms 5:127. Be submitted - Esther 2:158. Be humble/have humility - 1 Peter :5:59. Get Wisdom - Proverbs 8:35