Podcast by Pierce Point Community Church
Week 7: The Fullness of God on Display (Ephesians 3:14-21) (NATHAN) Mar. 3 - Paul's prayer for inner strength - Christ dwelling in our hearts - The breadth, length, height, and depth of God's love
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit (Part 2)
Week 6: The Mystery of the Gospel (Ephesians 3:1-13) (DYLAN) Feb. 25 - The revelation of the mystery - Paul's role as a steward of God's grace - The inclusion of Gentiles in God's plan
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit (Sunday Devotion)
The Person and Work of Jesus (Sunday Devotion)
In this message, Nathan reveals what makes a person chosen or predestined. *Hint: Calvinism is wrong.
The Incarnation (Sunday Devotion) Kathy Glover Griever
Ephesians -The Immeasurable Greatness of His Power
Ephesians - God's Eternal Plan (The Applause of the God of Grace)
Good morning, church. Today, I have an important announcement. One that's difficult but also exciting. As some of you know, I've spent the last twenty-five years in ministry. The last fourteen of which, have been dedicated to planting and building Pierce Point. For those doing the math in your head, that's right, I started when I was just nineteen years old. As you all know, (show ministry meme) with ministry comes a very close relational element that element includes blessings along with challenges. Seven years ago, our church went through the most significant of these challenges: a church split. That challenge fundamentally changed me as a person. Though not all of you were here to experience it, those who were know very well the profound wounding I and my family experienced. Repeatedly over the past seven years, I have been met with—what feels to me—a recurrence of this wounding on micro levels. Multiple families and individuals deciding to leave our church family. Some have been willing to speak with me about their decision. Many do not. (And an even smaller number allow their opinion to be better informed) Adding to this, the repeated feedback that we do receive focuses on me personally and on perceived disappointments in my care or leadership. With each person or family who walks away, I am forced to relive misconceptions, mistruths, and accusations against my character that I endured during the church split. Each time another person or family—whom I've poured love and help into—blames me for their dissatisfaction and accuses my care of not being enough, it becomes more difficult to recover emotionally. I find myself relating to Scriptures such as Proverbs 16:28 (A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.) and Psalm 55:12-14 (If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God as we walked about among the worshipers.). As time passes and these instances continue, my ability to bear up under this weight has diminished to the point where I am unable to continue. Please understand I love what I do, church. I know what gifts have been given to me. I know how God has used them. I know the care I've given and the man that I am. But I also know the toll that this takes and the healing I need. So, I've created a strategy for that healing and it begins with stepping down from leadership and focusing the strengths and skills that God has gifted me with in a new and different arena. My goal will be what it always has been: seeing people grow, but it will be achieved in a way that allows me to heal and recover some of the joy I lost. I owe this to my family. Moving forward, I will be focusing on the launch of a coaching business in which Steph (whom most of you know) and I will work to bring life, purpose, and clarity through meaning and worldview coaching. Also, with the approval that I've been given by the leadership here, we'll be offering more traditional forms of coaching and Christian counseling to individuals, couples, and/or families through the church.
The Scriptures: Our journey begins with the foundational belief in the Scriptures as the inspired and authoritative Word of God. These sixty-six books, Old and New Testaments, guide our faith and provide the complete revelation of God's will (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Reflection: As we delve into the significance of understanding and articulating our beliefs, consider the profound impact our convictions have on our lives. Let's take a moment to reflect on a practical example of how our beliefs shape our actions and decisions. Imagine you believe in the inherent value and dignity of every person, a belief grounded in the understanding that each individual is created in the image of God. This belief has a tangible impact on how you treat others. In your daily interactions, you are more likely to extend kindness and respect to everyone you encounter, regardless of differences. This belief influences your decisions at work. It affects your relationships, prompting you to build connections that reflect the love and acceptance you believe God has for each person. In challenging moments, this conviction becomes a source of strength, guiding you to respond with grace and forgiveness. For a church it fosters a community that loves one another, celebrates one another, and even corrects one another in gentleness. Now, consider how articulating this belief not only shapes your own character but also serves as a powerful witness to others. Your actions become a testament to the transformative power of your faith, creating opportunities to share the love of Christ with those around you. Why “What We Believe” Matters: 1. The Significance of Understanding: Last week I taught about the trinity of meaning… Proverbs 4:7 reminds us that the beginning of wisdom is to seek understanding. How can a deeper comprehension of our beliefs contribute to our spiritual growth and maturity? 2. The Importance of Articulating Beliefs: You learn more by teaching… In 1 Peter 3:15, we are encouraged to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope within us. How does expressing our beliefs not only deepen our own understanding but also become a means of sharing our faith with others? 3. In what ways can a deeper understanding of the key beliefs outlined in the series enhance your experience of God's love? (Ephesians 3:18)
The Epistle to the Ephesians is a captivating letter. It unfolds like a cosmic drama woven with threads of divine warfare and celestial tension. In exploring the contours of Ephesians, one is beckoned into a narrative that transcends the ordinary and plunges into the extraordinary depths of spiritual reality. Today, we embark on a 12-week journey through the mystical tapestry of Ephesians, unraveling its timeless truths.
In today's world, we are facing an overarching challenge — a crisis of meaning. This crisis reflects a widespread disorientation, where traditional centers of meaning, such as churches and temples, no longer have the influence they once had. Today I want to talk about this meaning crisis, exploring its implications, embracing what I will call “the trinity of meaning,” looking at the decline of traditional institutions, and proposing a revitalization rather than abandonment of these centers.
Prepare the Way - Light (Advent 2023)
As we embark on this Advent journey, our hearts are drawn to the central theme that encapsulates the essence of the season – love. Today, we delve into the profound and multifaceted nature of love, exploring the different dimensions as revealed in the Scriptures and illuminated by the insights of C.S. Lewis in his book "The Four Loves."
As we delve into the theme of peace today, during this second week of exploration, let's turn our attention to the profound significance of faith in attaining true peace, particularly within the context of the Christmas story. The angels' proclamation in Luke 2:14 resounds with the promise of peace on earth, but to whom is this offer extended? According to the Scriptures, it is given to those on whom God's favor rests. So, how do we find favor with God? The answer lies in the words of Hebrews 11:6: "Without faith, it is impossible to please God." As we unravel the layers of this divine connection between faith and peace, we'll journey through the Christmas narrative and explore the title given to Jesus as the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6.
The Art of Doing Good - Are We Good or Merely Current?
Sunday Devotion (Mark Williams) by Pierce Point Community Church
The Art of Doing Good - Agency and Gratitude
The Art of Doing Good - Humility and Empowerment
Anxiety About Tomorrow - Sunday Devotion (10:29:23)
The Art of Doing Good - Structure and Function of Self
The Art of Doing Good - Part 2 Today we learn what happens when our drives are and are not working well.
The Art of Doing Good - The Concepts Today, we look at several essential concepts in the pursuit of doing good!
Mark 13:32 - Sunday Devotion by Pierce Point Community Church
A Practical Guide to Forgiveness and Reconciliation (Plus Q&A)
"True forgiveness gives up the right to demand repayment. True repentance gives up the right to permanently close a door and not deal with the wounds that you caused." - Nathan Franckhauser
Sunday Devotion - 9:10:23 (Kathy) by Pierce Point Community Church
In this message, Nathan deals with the profound and complicated concepts of forgiveness and reconciliation. These are not mere words or feel-good sentiments that we should mentally ascend to as Christians; they are, in fact, decisive actions that have been given to mend the deepest wounds and restore the most broken relationships. C.S. Lewis said, "We all agree that forgiveness is a beautiful idea until we have to practice it." (- From "On Forgiveness" in "The Weight of Glory and Other Addresses")
Forgiveness, Reconciliation, and God's Plan
Sunday Devotions - 8:27:23 (Dylan Adams)
Sunday Devotion - 8:20:23 (Adam Black)
Actions, Reputation, and False Accusations in Genesis 38 and 39
The Beginning or the End of Joseph (Genesis 37)