Napoleon Church of the Nazarene

We start a new sermon series called, "Everyday Prophets", where we study the minor prophets and how their message applies and changes lives today.

Pastor Ben ends our "Sent" series with a call to action. As followers of Christ, we are all called to evangelize and make disciples. That doesn't mean that everyone is supposed to drop everything and travel over seas to do missions; but rather, seek and ask God to open doors right in your own back yard - in your work place, even in your own families. God is calling us to take "Christ in us" to every person we encounter. Your mission field is closer than you think.

In week 4 of our series, Sent | Living into the Missio Dei, Pastor Ben teaches on what it means to live as a missional community. As the body of Christ, we are given different gifts and abilities that the Lord can use to encourage others in their walk with Jesus. Don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone to start the missional work that the Lord is calling you to do. It might be something in the community or within the local body of believers. We are all empowered by the same Spirit to edify one another and lead others into a transforming relationship with Jesus Christ.

We are in week three of our series, "Sent". Pastor Dave teaches on the role of the Holy Spirit, working in our lives as we are empowered for God's mission. We learn through scripture how the Holy Spirit fills, unites, equips, and launches us into ministry.

Welcome to a special week 2 of our series, "Sent | Living into the Missio Dei". This week, our youth takeover everything from greeters to preaching; all done by our youth. Our preachers this morning bring us to Luke 15, reading through the Parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. We see here the heart of our Father, who calls us as believers to rejoice with those who have come to faith in Him, not to judge them on their past. Our hearts should be in line with the mission of God on setting the captives free, bringing grace and redemption to the story of the broken, and rejoicing with all of heaven when the sinner becomes a child of God! Are you postured to rejoice when the prodigal returns or are you more prone to question and to judge?

Welcome to our new series, Sent: Living into the Missio Dei. Pastor Ben teaches on God's story from Genesis to Revelation and how we are a part of it. We exist to glorify Him, dwell with Him, and enjoy Him; as we live on mission, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out the gospel in word and deed. Are you making yourself available to live into God's mission?

Happy Resurrection Sunday! We celebrate together our risen King and Savior as we journey through the last portions of scripture in John. In John 20, we see Jesus appearing to many of the disciples after He is raised from the dead. Pastor Ben points out the beautiful picture of Jesus meeting people where they are at in their response coming out of Christ's death. Mary was in her grief, the disciples were living in fear, and Thomas was living in doubt; yet, Jesus revealed Himself to all of them and met them in their various responses and circumstances. How amazing it is to know that Jesus still does that for us today!

Pastor Dave teaches from John 17:20-26, on Jesus' prayer for the believers to become "ONE", unified just as the Father and Son are one; that the gospel message may go forth and bring the world to believe in Jesus, the Savior.

Pastor Ben teaches from John 17, when Jesus prays over the disciples. We take a look into the heart of Jesus as He prays to the Father for the disciple's protection and unity. He knows the troubles the disciples will face ahead; but how encouraging it must have been for them to hear Jesus praying for their strength, unity, and sanctification. This is a powerful example for us to follow, praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ how Jesus prayed over the disciples.

Pastors Britni and Dave Dooley preach on the last portion of John chapter 16, where Jesus tells His disciples that He will be going away for awhile; that meaning His death on the cross. But that they will see Him again, meaning the resurrection. He was encouraging the disciples not to lose heart in their time of grief that would come. But that they would have joy that would remain in Christ Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit to come. We go through seasons of hardship and grief. Jesus knows and cares for us deeply during those times. But He also promises us peace and joy through Him. Put your hope and trust in the Lord today!

Week 8 through our series, His Finest Hour| The Gospel of John, brings us to John 16. Pastor Dave teaches on the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and guide that Jesus sent to us, to lead us into truth. We then had the joy and privilege to live into this as a church body, as parents were dedicating children to the Lord and others were being baptized as they have made professions of faith. Through the power of the Holy Spirit leading us, we can stand strong and shed light on the gospel truth for all the world to see and hear!

Pastor Ben teaches a very convicting sermon from John 15:18-26. Jesus says we will be hated because the world hated Him first. No one likes to be rejected; yet, as Christians when we stand up for the Gospel, we may very well be rejected. Are you willing to face this to spread the gospel truth?

Pastor Dave teaches from John chapter 15, when Jesus teaches the disciples that He is the vine and they are the branches and that He is the source of life. We must remain in Him, stay connected, because He is the only One who can sustain us as believers. Maybe there are some areas in your life that need to be cut off in order to sustain and continue to grow in your relationship with the Lord. Ask and seek Him today!

We are back with our Gospel of John series, His finest hour. Pastor Ben teaches from John 14:12-23. Jesus talks to the disciples about them doing a greater work beyond Jesus' ministry here on earth. He promises them empowerment and authority through work of the Holy Spirit. What is the greater work the Lord is trying to do in you?

We welcome our Nazarene District Superintendent, Andy Monnin, to give us an encouraging word from the Lord. Andy shares about his personal experience with answering the call the Lord had put on his life. In doing so, it required him to surrender his own plans to the Lord and step out in faith, making some hard decisions. Through various scriptures, Andy also encouraged us to be discipling others as we walk with Christ; showing others the way. What is God calling you to do? What mantles of leadership have been passed on to you to live into? Who is God placing in your life to disciple? Take time to pray about this things and hear from the Holy Spirit!

Pastor Dave teaches from John 14 this week. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. We can do nothing apart from Him. He has the victory over death and sin. Jesus has no greater joy than to hear that his children are walking in truth. We are encourage to live the Jesus way, modeling after Him and living out His truth. May our prayer be Psalm 86:11, "Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

Pastor Ben continues to teach from John chapter 13. We look at Judas' betrayal and see how Jesus can empathize with us first hand on the hurt that comes when a friend betrays us. But yet, Jesus still commands his disciples to love one another as I have loved you. By this "agape love" will the world know that we are His disciples. Even through disagreements, hurts, and wrong doings, we are commanded to still love others with the same unconditional love that Christ showed us.

Pastor Dave teaches from John 13, where Jesus washes the disciples feet. There is so much to unpack by this humble act. Listen in and allow the Holy Spirit to impact your heart today as we hear God's truth for our lives.

We return with our series through the Gospel of John, picking up in chapter 12. Pastor Ben shares a brief description of where we have been so far through the book of John, coming to a turning point in chapter 12 where Jesus sheds light on His mission to the cross. He speaks about the importance of "losing your life" in order to bear fruit. To not live as the world lives, but to put off the old self and put on Christ and live to proclaim the good news of gospel!

We are in our third week into the "Pray First" series, learning about the Armor of God. Pastor Dave teaches on what it looks like to be ready to take on spiritual warfare, clothing ourselves with the Armor of God found in Ephesians 6.

Pastor Ben teaches on the second half of the Lord's Prayer as we dive into week two of our series, "Pray First". As we look at the progression of how Jesus taught the disciples to pray, we can see that it shows that God is over our past, present, and future. And when we end in agreement with "Yours is the kingdom, the power, the glory, forever and ever, Amen"; we are declaring our trust in God in all things.

We start our 21 days of prayer journey together as body of believers; renewing our hearts and minds back on Christ as we start the new year. Pastor Ben starts the week preaching on the first part of the Lord's Prayer and how Christ modeled to the disciples how to pray.

Pastor Dave teaches from Matthew 2 about the Magi who traveled to worship Jesus. We don't always think about the details behind this story. The Magi would have participated in pagan practices, yet God still broke through and led them to Himself. God can call anyone and everyone to Himself and even use whatever means He wants to break through. What a wonderful reminder that no one is too far gone for Jesus to save.

Our last Sunday of Advent, Pastor Dave teaches on peace. We take a look at Luke 1:46-56, "Mary's Song" and see the joy and peace in Mary's heart as she glorifies the Lord and sets her eyes upon God.

Pastor Ben teaches on "Joy" in our Advent series, "Changed in the Waiting". We look into Isaiah 12 and see that joy is not circumstantial, but rooted in our salvation through Jesus Christ. The joy we have in the Lord then becomes our strength in troubled times. We experience joy as we spend time in His presence, as a gift from the Holy Spirit; that we then in turn, get to share with the rest of the world.

We are in week two of our Advent series, "Changed in the waiting", where we take a look at the story of Zechariah. He gives praise to God for the love He had bestowed upon them through giving them a son, John the Baptist, who would be the forerunner for the greater gift of all; Jesus! It's a wonderful reminder for us that even in the waiting, He is still present with us; and even in our doubts, His love is persistent and patient with us. May His love for us compel to be a people of praise.

Have you ever had to wait? It can be so difficult to be patient in the process of waiting as we hold out for the hope to come. But when we think about HOPE as not mere optimism for something; but rather as, the confident expectation rooted in the something: like God's promises, our perspective changes in the waiting. We can look at Psalm 25:1-10 and see how David put his faith and patience into practice as he recalled the promises of God that brought about hope. If you are in a seasoning of waiting, you can hold on to hope as you continue to trust in God's character and see how He changes your heart in the process.

Pastor Ben ends out series, "Rooted in Relationship", with the commission to go and be light and salt to the world. He teaches from Matthew 5, where Jesus is calling us to be a light that shines in the darkness so others will see and glorify God. It's not a task but a life to be lived. We are all called to share the gospel. It's part of our identity in Christ as images bearers.

Pastor Dave teaches on the topic of friendship and how we were created to have fellowship and accountability. We look at John 15 how Christ calls us love one another. Jesus was a true teacher and model of what godly friendship is supposed to look and the intentionality and vulnerability it takes to grow deep rooted relationships.

Week 5 of our "Rooted in Relationship Series", started with a morning filled with baptisms from people of all ages, declaring their new life in Jesus! Have you given your life to Jesus? Pastor Ben then gave us the Word from Deuteronomy 6 about how to have households of holiness. It starts with our own hearts as parents to be diligent in the Word of God and the things of God. From the heart, the mouth speaks...What are speaking into our children?

Pastor Dave Dooley teaches on God's blueprint for marriage in the 4th week of our series, "Rooted in Relationship". Whether you are currently walking in marriage, single, divorced, widowed; this message is for everyone, as we look at scripture to see God's design of the healthy boundaries He has laid for us. And while we may have gone outside those boundaries, God wants to heal and restore and bring us back to Him. Prepare your hearts to seek Him and allow God to save, sanctify, and restore your relationships today.

Week three's teaching of our series, Rooted in Relationship, comes out of Acts chapter 2; spiritual community, or being the body of Christ. What does it look like to have all things in common as a church? How can we develop deep, lasting relationships as brothers and sisters that encourage us and strengthen us together as the Kingdom of God? Listen in, as Pastor Ben, shares the Word of God and his heart in the life and necessity of having spiritual community.

In week two of our "Rooted in Relationship" series, we dive into Matthew 18, where Peter asks Jesus about forgiveness. Pastor Ben walks us through Jesus' response and this kingdom ethic. Forgiveness reflects God's mercy and grace, frees us from bitterness, and opens the door to reconciliation. Forgiveness is a decision, not a feeling. Are there relationships in your life where you need to choose to forgive?

Welcome to our new series "Rooted in Relationship", where we dive into scripture to see God's blueprint for community. Pastor Dave and Britni Dooley teach us the foundations of relationships that stem right from creation. We were created in the image of God and designed to be relational just as we see in the relation of our Triune God. Listen in and be encouraged to live as image bearers of Christ.

Pastor Ben introduces a panel of local congregants to share their testimonies and insights on discipleship as we finish out the series, No Accidental Saints. Listen in and be encouraged to take that step to "Do As He Did"; intentionally disciplining others.

This week, Pastor Ben teaches about how to be like Jesus. To become like Him is to be people of love who walk in the light and obey the Holy Spirit. There are three areas we look at when moving to become more like Jesus and that is through teaching, practices, and community; all empowered by the Holy Spirit living inside of us. Which areas are preventing you from becoming like Christ.

Pastor Dave opens up our new series, "No Accidental Saints", teaching from Matthew 4:18-22. Jesus is inviting us into an "apprenticeship" with the simple words of "Come Follow Me." We are all a disciple of something or someone. Look at your own life; are you answering the invitation to follow after Jesus?

Pastor Ben casts vision for our NapNaz congregation; leading us through where we have been in last year and how moving forward, we can continue to live into our core values of: Worship, Connect, and Serve.

Happy Labor Day!! Pastor Ben takes this holiday weekend to teach on the importance of having proper rest in Christ. He walks us through Matthew 11:28-30 and talks about how we can find rhythms of rest when we accept Christ's invitation to come to Him.

We well guest speaker, Pastor Jeff Stark to NapNaz this morning. He teaches on what it looks like to share the good news of the gospel, using the story from John 4 about the woman at the well. We are challenged to pray about where our "Samaria" is and how we can proclaim the good news to those around us.

Pastor Dave Dooley teaches from John 11; the very familiar story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Listen in as pastor Dave shows us through God's Word the importance of having the right perspective.

Pastor Britni leads us into the second part of John chapter 10; as Jesus shows us that He is the Good Shepherd. We are challenged in this passage to be the sheep that listen to our Shepherd (Jesus) and FOLLOW Him. How are you actively responding the voice of the Lord?

We continue walking through our sermon series The Gospel of John; where Pastor Ben teaches through John 9:1-41, where he talks about the blind man who was healed by Jesus. We learn about the power of testimony, and how through his recognition of our condition, he heals us, creating a testimony to share with others. What is your testimony?

The Gospel of John | Week 23 by Napoleon Church of the Nazarene

Join us as Pastor Dave takes us through John 8:12-20 to see how light leads the way, exposes the darkness, and reveals the truth.

We are in week 20 of our sermon series through the Gospel Of John. Pastor Britni teaches through John 8: 1-11; where she teaches on the adulterous woman and the grace that was shown to her. She reminds us to do the same throughout the week.

We are in week 19 of our sermon series through the Gospel of John. We read through John 7:37-52 and are encouraged to receive the gospel invitation and don't miss what God intends to do, through you, right where you're at.

We are in week 18 of our series through the book of John. Pastor Ben walks us though John 7:25-38, where he gives us warnings found in God's word of..... Do you know God or just of God?......Are you actively seeking Jesus?...... And what is your response to all of these?

We are in week 17 of our series through the Gospel of John. Pastor Dave teaches through John 7:14-24. He encourages us to walk in obedience, prompting us to examine our hearts with these three questions; 1) is God the object of my desire, 2) Am I seeking to respond in obedience, and 3) is God the recipient of my praise.

We are back with our sermon series through the Gospel of John, with Pastor Ben reading from John 7:1-13. Pastor Ben taught us about Jesus' Word, Jesus' Works, and His life, leading us to respond with communion. How will you respond to the Word of the Lord today?

We welcome Bailey Sonnenberg, our summer staff member, to give us the word this morning from John 6:25-71. This portion of scripture was quite controversial and hard to grasp in it's context back in that time, as Jesus explains that He is the bread of life. Bailey graciously led us through how Jesus is the bread of life and in that, revealed our need, the source, and purpose of the bread, that is Jesus.