Manna Fellowship Church

We worship a living God. The only one who has conquered death. This Easter sermon is for the skeptics and those who need to hear the good news that Jesus is alive.

Wake up and see Jesus for who He really is.  Jesus is coming as Messiah, King, Savior and Servant.  Do you see Him as that on this Palm Sunday?

How can we have joy in hard times?  Both Peter and Paul will help us understand. 

This message was live streamed on Facebook and YouTube on March 22, 2020, the first Sunday of the "stay home" order.

Living for Jesus and caring for others starts with prayer.  Prayer changes us and our heart for other people while God works in the lives of the people we pray for.  How, then, do we pray for others?

We can come to the throne of grace with confidence that God hears our prayers.

Do you want to know that you have eternal life? That's exactly why John wrote this letter and we'll find out how we can know in chapter 5.

God is Love, therefore, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.  Racism is, fundamentally, hating someone because of the color of their skin.  So, racism and Christian love cannot coexist.  We are all one in Christ. 

This is how we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us and we should be willing to do the same for others. How we love others is how we know if we belong to the truth.

They will know we are Christians by our love and that we are walking in agreement with God. We should practice righteous which means that we agree with God what sin is.

In this message we look at the great love that God has for His children.

The second chapter in John's first letter is a gracious reminder to those who have questioned their faith.  Are you walking in obedience, loving your neighbor, gathering with other believers, trusting in Jesus and continuing in the faith?  If all five of these things are not evident at some level in your life, then it's time to trust in Jesus.

To kick off the new series through the letters of the New Testament we're starting with 1st John. In the first chapter John reminds us that he is an eye witness of Jesus and encourages us to walk in the light.

What will the new Heaven and Earth be like and who will be there?

In the first scene, Satan is bound for 1,000 years and released for a purpose.  The result is the great judgement scene for all of mankind. 

How do we abide in Jesus?  In this passage He gives us a prescription for living in His grace.

Heaven rejoices at the wedding feast of the Lamb and the rider on the white horse makes His triumphant entrance.

The world mourns as Babylon falls with all of her excessive luxuries.  The power of the world is nothing when compared to the power God. 

What does the beast represent and who is the woman?  This challenging chapter gives us a glimpse of what regions/nations will be at war during the end times. 

In this scene, God's wrath is unleashed, but, remember, God is just.  His judgements are right.

The history, and attitude behind Thanksgiving.

The cross is foolishness to the world, but we still need to preach it to everyone. 

This year we honored Chris Beal, Fire Marshal in Belton, Roger Mayberry, Police officer in Raymore, and our own J.R. Alley, a Korean War veteran.  After the awards, Rick brings a message to remind us to honor those who protect and serve us.

The eternal gospel is proclaimed to the whole world to "Fear God and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgement has come."  Chapter 14 sets the stage for God to exercise His justice and mercy.

Jesus is the image of the invisible God and preeminent.  He is above all things and in all things.  How can we live everyday as if Jesus is supreme? 

2 Corinthians 5 Andrew Even, Vice President of Manna Worldwide, shares how the Church is working to bring reconciliation to the world in global missions and at home. 

There is a lot of mystery in the two beasts mentioned in Revelation 13, but rest assured, God is in control.

Who is this mysterious woman, her son and the dragon? 

Why was John asked to measure the Temple and who are the two witnesses? 

Is all this judgement stuff necessary?  In Revelation chapter 10 we take a brief intermission before the seventh trumpet sounds. 

The seventh seal is opened and seven trumpets sound as judgement is announced.  The imagery is intense, but we have hope in Jesus that all of this will work together to honor God.

In this message, Brett Fredenberg, reminds us of Paul's words that we are to live by faith and not works.  How do we apply that concept in a world driven by works?

In Revelation Chapter 7 John sees the 144,000 servants who have been sealed for a purpose and a great multitude worshipping God on His throne.  Who are they and what is their purpose?

"I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals." – Revelation 6:1 In this chapter, God reveals His judgment upon a world that has boldly rejected Him. God is not "Father Time, the Man Upstairs" or any sort of indifferent bystander in the affairs of men. He is just and He judges because He loves. And because He loves, He invites us to begin a relationship with Him and experience His joy instead of His judgment. The choice is ours.

In Revelation 5, John and a great audience in Heaven watched as Jesus the Lamb is deemed the only One worthy to open the scroll revealing God's message and will. Heaven erupts in praise – the only reasonable response when we're confronted with the glory and greatness of God. "Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: 'To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb     be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!' "The four living creatures said, 'Amen,' and the elders fell down and worshiped."

In Luke 15, God is represented as urgently searching for valuable things that are lost. The Good News is that these aren't really "things" – but people. And we are the people loved and sought after by God. If you know Christ, share the life changing message that God is longing for a relationship with every single person.

Revelation chapter 4 emphasizes God is holy and worthy to receive glory, honor and power. This is more than a theological abstraction. It shows us that God – not us – is the center of the universe. We can acknowledge His greatness and align our lives with His plans or turn our back and go our own way. Revelation 4:11: “You are worthy, our Lord and God,     to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things,     and by your will they were created     and have their being.”

The good news: The Christians at Laodicea had not let the world infiltrate their church. Then what was the problem? They were complacent and content – sickeningly so. They were not engaging and loving the world outside the church walls. In Revelation 3, Jesus says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. ... Because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth." Let's ask God to help us see ourselves, and our world, as He sees us. Then take action.

Jesus called us to "make disciples of all nations ... and teach them ... everything I have commanded you." That means He has commissioned each of us to both follow Him and lead others on the path. Luke Sidebottom, Manna's director of discipleship, shares how God called him to the journey and how we can be a part of God's grand plan to change lives.

Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia was:  to stay faithful. to let their weakness become strength in Him. to trust God's sovereign plan when doors open and close. Learn more in Revelation 3:7-13, Acts 16:6-10 and 2 Corinthians 2:12-14. How can you apply His words today?   

In Revelation 3, Jesus speaks three devastating words to the church of Sardis: "You are dead." Although they were physically alive, the members of the church were spiritually frozen. Where there had once been fire, there were now only faint embers. Jesus' remedy was straightforward: "Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die. ... Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent." Jesus' call to the church at large is also a call to us as individuals: Are we awake or asleep? Hot or cold?

The church in Thyatira was a complicated mess. A minority stood firm in the faith. Others, however, simply evoked “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil” when it came to heresy and immorality in their midst. Still others actively participated in evil. Christ-followers today face a similar challenge: They must live in love and have charity toward all without compromising their biblical convictions. We can take comfort from Jesus’ encouragement: “Hold on to what you have until I come!”

Our world demands we compromise our biblical beliefs and replace them with a secular moral code. Although Jesus had some good thing to say to the church at Pergamum (Revelation 2), He rebuked them for tolerating evil and heresy. We can stand firm and still be kind to those with whom we disagree. Stand firm, in love.

Fathers who don't have to be superheroes. But with God's help, they can be dads who leave a legacy.

Our human nature is to flee trials, poverty and persecution. Jesus encouraged the suffering church of ancient Smyrna with these words: "I know your afflictions and your poverty — yet you are rich!" The body of Christ was facing stress like coal under pressure. Without knowing it, they were becoming immortal diamonds through the work of the Holy Spirit. Their pain held promise and could be used by God for good. Take courage, because He promises to do the same for us.

The church at Ephesus held the line. They worked hard, did good works, maintained sound doctrine and withstood persecution. But in Revelation 2, Jesus said one thing was lacking – and it was no small thing. The people had lost the love they had for God and one another. But there was hope. There was still time to change. Revelation 2 is Jesus' call for all people, in all times, to excel by loving like Him. 

Jesus told us to watch for and eagerly anticipate His return. When He arrives, will we be overjoyed or terrified? Those who long for His return are living for another world in the midst of this one. They long for God’s desires to become their desires and for His heart to be reflected on their hearts. Are we living for the now? Or for the eternal?  

It's easy to get sidetracked by the controversy and speculation surrounding the book of Revelation. While there is benefit to exploring these topics, we must be careful not to miss the center and star of this book: Jesus. Revelation should change us and help us know Him better.

The idea of "Super Mom" is a myth that puts pressure on mothers concerning their appearance and behavior and forces comparisons with other moms. Yet all around the world, moms share the same heart, strength and tenacity to love their children and dream the best for them. Mothers do this through faith and sacrifice, not always knowing the outcome. It's these acts and attitudes of obedience that make them heroes in God's sight. And that's all that matters. Photo: Flickr, Kelly Garbato, https://bit.ly/2LEi6bZ, CC BY 2.0

God did not give us the book of Revelation for idle speculation or endless debates. Instead, He speaks to us in these unique Scriptures to give us hope: God will prevail and all His promises are true. We can follow Him with courage, no matter what the ground game looks like. Revelation gives us a window into the Heavenly perspective. And it's all we need.

Doubt does not have to count us out. Heroes throughout the Bible have been shaken by uncertainty. But if we are willing, God will meet us in our doubt. In fact, like Thomas in John 20, our Father can transform us from people of doubt to people of courage and conviction. Here's Sunday's message from Pastor Bill Boren.