ReCreate Church's Podcast

Disciples Who Make Disciples Today, Pastor Michael is starting off with an affirmation, a potential sixth love language.  What is this extra expression of love?  Discipleship. This message is about discipleship.  Disciples who can disciple the next generation.   Michael picks up the story with Jesus picking out the twelve disciples, those who could “preach and drive out demons.”  These twelve are listed in three additional lists in the New Testament (Matthew 10: 2-4, Luke 6: 14-16, and Acts 1: 13) with Peter always named first.  Being a disciple always requires intentionality.  You are a disciple, you are being discipled, and you disciple others.   What is a disciple? Someone who believes in Jesus for salvation.  Someone who is being transformed by obedience to the teaching of Jesus, with the help of a mentor.  Should be showing/bearing the fruit of a new life. Taking part in the mission of Jesus. Wrapping up, Pastor Michael offers the following: Have you trusted Jesus as your savior? Who is helping you grow as a disciple? Who are you helping follow Jesus? Be a disciple that makes disciples! (CSB Bible Notes) Mark 3:13-15 The mountain here is not identified. Jesus spent the night praying (Lk 6:12). Summoned those he wanted seems to indicate more than just the twelve disciples (cp. Lk 6:13). The number twelve recalls the twelve tribes of Israel. Today's verses are found in Mark 3: 13-14. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

The Rescuers Today, Pastor Michael is talking about rescue.  If you are a Christian, a follower of Christ, then you have been rescued.  And Jesus is sending you to rescue others! The rescued become rescuers is our theme for the day. We can summarize the mission of the Great Commission in four words: Go—intentionally where people are.  Intentionally connect with people. Reach—share Jesus with people in a way that they can relate to and respond. Baptize—not just getting them wet, but making them a part of the community of believers. Teach—disciple them.  We cannot ever lose sight of this mission!  We must refuse to be inwardly-focused.  We must become “rescuers.” Steps to Rescue Pray for the Lord to open your heart to someone who needs Jesus and His hope and light.  Be aware of your opportunities with that person. God has thrown someone a lifeline, and that rescuer is YOU! Today's verses are found in Matthew 28: 18-20. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

A Safe Place to Be Real Today, Pastor Michael is talking about things that cut us deep.  Mistakes and regrets that we have made.  Wounds that can poison us.   The only way to help in this is to have a safe place to be real.  Recreate Church is exactly that…a safe place to be real.  The safest place to be real is in a church family.   Today's central idea, “In a community of life and love, nobody struggles alone!”  We all need someone we can trust, to help us out of the pits of life.   (CSB Bible Notes) 5:16 Pray for one another echoes the prayers of the elders, and these should lead to both physical and spiritual healing (i.e., forgiveness). Prayer is not a magical incantation or a guarantee of healing, but when offered fervently by a righteous person, God will respond in a way that best fits his good purposes. Today's verses are found in James 5: 16. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Simplicity of Faith Today, Pastor Michael discusses the gospel and its purity, not needing rules and attachments to its core.  The gospel isn't complicated.  There is joy in the simplicity of the gospel message, so don't complicate what Jesus made simple.  Michael then gives us examples that churches and Christians complicate the message to confound potentially new believers: Expecting people to clean up before they meet Jesus. Be patient with folks and allow them to grow! Expecting people to be doctrinal pros from the get-go. Making an idol out of our preferences and traditions.  Forgetting that not everybody's an insider. (CSB Bible Notes) 15:19 James's position as the first among equals in the Jerusalem church is seen in his summarizing conclusion to the debate. In his judgment, Jewish believers should not cause difficulties for those turning to God from among the Gentiles. Today's verses are found in Acts 15: 19 Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

A Community of Life and Love Today, Pastor Michael is discussing how some folks have dismissed church due to not finding a church that serves them well.  At Recreate we are doing just what our name impies; redefining our church to serve people.  Church done right is a community of life and love! (CSB Bible Notes) 2:42 These four practices—teaching . . . fellowship, the breaking of bread, and prayer—provide insight into the priorities of early Christianity. These same practices should be considered normative for the church today. Today's verses are found in Acts 2: 40 - 47. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

The Resurrection on Trial Today, Pastor Michael is discussing the Resurrection and Easter. Michael reinforces the case of the resurrection. Did Jesus really rise from the dead?  The answer is all-important: if the resurrection didn't happen, then Christianity's claims all fall apart. Paul covers this in 1 Corinthians 15. 14  If it did, death has been defeated.  If Jesus walked out of the grave, you cannot walk away unchanged. Michael, Duncan, and David present a current version of a trial, with the defense showing Jesus is real and the other side showing it was a ruse. The defense trumps the trial with eyewitness accounts of Jesus' crucifixion, John 19: 33-34, heralding the efficiency of Roman executioners. Additional proof for the defense is that no single disciple recanted their belief in the Lord, even though most died suffering for the truth.  The final proof of Jesus's resurrection is that people saw Him after He had risen. If it wasn't a miracle, it was absurd. Tacitus, a Roman historian who despised Christians, even confirmed Jesus's resurrection! This is the story of a tomb found to be empty.  Many early Christians were horribly persecuted for their beliefs.  And there were eyewitnesses, even enemies, who concluded: Jesus is risen! We don't need a comfortable lie but a disruptive truth! Live for Jesus! Today's verses are found in 1 Corinthians 15: 14 and John 19: 33-34. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

What Nick and Joe Didn't Know Today, Pastor Michael is covering the second part of the Story of the Cross, the Burial.   Remember, there are three parts to the Story of the Cross: Death Burial Resurrection Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus asked Pilote for Jesus's body so that they could bury it before it became dark, as was Jewish custom of the day and the Sabbath was about to start.  Pilate gave them permission to do so and they wrapped Jesus in clean linen and placed him in a tomb, carved from the rock. Where earth sees a grave, heaven sees a garden! Today's verses are found in 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4, John 19: 38-42, and John 12: 24. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

Sacrifice and Salvation Today, Pastor Michael is on a mission for his next series: to help folks “get it” (the Story of the Cross) and, if you have it, to help others understand it.  There are three (3) main parts of the Story of the Cross: The Death  The Burial The Resurrection We're starting with the heavy one today, the death. When Jesus died, His followers thought it was over: His Message and His Life.  But so much was soon about to unfold! Today, we're observing the Lord's Supper, and Pastor Michael is explaining the mechanics behind this tradition.  Be a believer and ensure you're right with God, meaning if you have things between you and the Lord that need to be dealt with, deal with them and have an open and honest heart.   The core idea for today: No Sacrifice, No Salvation.  Today's verses are from 1 Corinthians 15: 3-4, Exodus 12: 29-30, Hebrews 9: 22, Hebrews 9: 26-28, 1 Corinthians 5: 7 and 1 Corinthians 11: 23-28. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

The Most Misunderstood Promise in The Bible, Part 2 Today, Pastor Michael is continuing our theme of studying one of the most famous quotes in the Bible, a quote used anytime one needs encouragement, that promise found in Jeremiah 29: 11. Things God Wants for You (God's Plans for You!): Salvation, John 3: 16, John 4: 14. Fellowship, John 15: 5. Obedience,  John 14: 15. Holiness, Romans 12: 1-2. Discipleship, Matthew 28: 19-20. Good works, Ephesians 2: 10. Progress, 2 Peter 3: 18. Our theme for today is, “Walk with God and the rest will follow.” (CSB Bible Notes) Many a faithful believer has found comfort in these words of hope. Today's verse can be found in Jeremiah 29: 11. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

The Most Misunderstood Promise in The Bible Today, Pastor Michael is drilling down on the lore of Jeremiah, specifically verse 29 and the promise the Lord gave in it.  When life breaks down, God builds up, our central theme today. We must continuously look past our current situations beyond the anxiety and hopelessness that can easily consume us and instead focus on the figurative light at the end of the tunnel. This light represents the hope found in God's Word. That hope, a firm assurance, will always help guide us through. Real-life applications from today's lesson: Recognize consequences. Accept reality. Make a difference where you are. Trust God's timing. Believe in God's plans. Seek God with all your heart. Restoration is coming. Today's verses can be found in Jer 29: 11 (central verse) and Jeremiah 29: 4 - 14 (supporting verses) Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Jonah and The Worm Today, Pastor Michael is back in Jonah and NOT talking about Jonah and the whale.  Today's story is the highly anticipated, the much heralded, the AMAZING story of Jonah and the WORM! We pick up the story at Nineveh, where Jonah has warned them to turn from their evil ways.  Which they did! And God spared them for doing so! But, Jonah isn't happy about that, one bit!  In essence, Jonah is angry because God was being Himself, behaving consistently.  Jonah was angry because God didn't do things Jonah's way.  At this point, Jonah is literally ready to die.  So, in His infinite compassion, the Lord even made a plant to cover Jonah's head to shield him from the sun.  Even then Jonah was still angry so the Lord had a worm eat the plant, and Jonah was even madder.  The Lord at this point, told Jonah, (CSB) “You cared about the plant, which you did not labor over and did not grow. It appeared in a night and perished in a night. 11 So may I not care about the great city of Nineveh, which has more than a hundred twenty thousand people who cannot distinguish between their right and their left, as well as many animals? ” God wasn't looking for a way to destroy Nineveh, he was looking for a way to SAVE it! The heart of our message is “God is God and I am NOT!” (CSB Bible Notes) 4:1-2 The unexpected and overwhelming success of Jonah's preaching resulted in Nineveh's escape from calamity. However, this brought emotional calamity to the angry and self-pitying prophet, who wished he were dead. Jonah had initially fled from preaching to Nineveh because he feared that God, being excessively gracious and compassionate (see Ex 34:6-7), would find some lame excuse to forgive these pagan, warlike Gentiles. Now his fears had come true. Today's verses can be found in Jonah 4: 1-11. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Every Day is a Second Chance Today, Pastor Michael is continuing the story of Jonah, a man just bent on not doing the will of God.  We pick up the story with Jonah, having been spat out of the fish/whale, being confronted with God's forgiveness.  A second chance is given him, even though he's not quite on board.  And he does go to Nineveh and speaks to the king.  They do what Jonah tells them, notably fasting, dressing in sackclothes and sitting in ashes (hey, it was the ancient world!) and God sees this and does not destroy the city.  So, not only does Jonah get a second chance, Nineveh does as well! (CSB Bible Notes) 3:1-3 Jonah went to Nineveh as God had commanded. Extremely great city (lit “a great city to God”; see textual footnote) may have a double meaning: great in size (where “God,” Hb elohim, is used as a superlative for “extremely”) and a city “important to God” even though inhabited by Gentiles. Today's verses can be found in Jonah 3: 1-10. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Jonah and Jesus Today, Pastor Michael is continuing the story of Jonah and his continual running from God, notably because he did not agree with a decision made by the Lord to warn the city of Nineveh's citizens of immenent destruction.  Jonah did not like God showing mercy to the Ninevites, so he was trying to get as far away from the situation as he could! Big problem, though.  You cannot run away from the creator of the universe! At this point in the story, Jonah is in the belly of a whale (fish in those days) due to him being cast into the sea by sailors who wanted to appease God for Jonah running from Him.  So Jonah is praying fervently to God from the belly of the whale, obviously knowing God called the storm and the fish, as part of a plan to show Jonah, you can't run from God.  And Jonah heartily repented in prayer and the Lord made the whale spit Jonah out to dry land.  Today's take away is, “Swallowed by sin, set free by the Savior.” Today's verses can be found in Jonah 1: 17 - 2: 10. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Salvation is in the Storm Today, Pastor Michael is back with Jonah, the prophet who 'never got it'.  The last time we saw Jonah, he was on a ship bound for Tarshish.  He was essentially in denial of God's leadership, and he was running from God. The ship encountered a huge storm that the Lord clearly sent for Jonah's disobedience.  This storm saved Jonah from destruction; in fact, many things we think of as storms are ‘path corrections' by the Lord.   So the ship was in this huge storm, and Jonah crashed out below decks; he was so tired.  The ship's captain asked Jonah to pray to his God to help them in the storm.  The captain and the pagan sailors recognized that Jonah was running from his God and that bad things were happening to them because of his disobedience.   Jonah offered to the sailors that they could throw him into the sea.  Jonah, however, was flawed in his understanding; Jonah risked his life for the sailors but not for the city that the Lord told him to go and help save.  Jonah didn't show much mercy, but the pagan sailors did. The sailors did throw Jonah into the sea, at which time he was promptly swallowed by a whale!  Even getting swallowed by a whale was an act of God's mercy! Today's verses can be found in Jonah 1: 4-17. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Mercy Has No Margins Today, Pastor Michael is in Jonah, talking about how today's theme, “Mercy Has No Margins” really shows how God's people can miss God's purpose.  The Lord had sent Jonah to Nineveh to warn them that their pagan ways would be held accountable for that evil.  Yet Jonah refused the call and tried to run from the Lord.  He boards a ship, with pagan sailors, at Tarshish, about as far in an opposite direction from Nineveh as he could get.   Jonah was fleeing, not because he didn't believe or didn't want to be called, but because he didn't believe in the call.  He didn't feel it far for the pagans or Gentiles to be on God's team.  And for the Lord to warn pagans of their evil did NOT go over well with Mr. Jonah.  He misunderstood God's mercy.  He felt good people should get mercy and the bad people should not get mercy. Jonah (and us!) have to see everyone as a soul that God loves.   (CSB Bible Notes) God's holiness is offended by sin. He showed himself to be the judge of the world by holding these distant pagans accountable for their evil, though he also showed his mercy by commanding his prophet to warn them. Today's verses can be found in Jonah 1: 1-3. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Can't Save Yourself. Today, Pastor Michael is continuing last week's theme on salvation, and we continue with our previous week's essential list: Everyone needs to be saved.You cannot save yourself. God sent the one and only savior, Jesus Christ, to save us. Pastor Michael picks up the story about 15 years after the Resurrection. Paul and Silas set out on a mission to start new communities of believers. Jerusalem and Antioch were two of the leading Christian areas at the time. During this trip, they enlisted Timothy as part of their troupe, and Luke may have also joined them.    So they headed west to Troas, and Paul had a vision, a waking one.  In this vision, he sees a man calling him from across the water, asking them to come to Macedonia to help them. So, the gang headed out, from Troas to Neopolis to Philipi, in Macedonia.  Paul was preaching there when Lydia approached them and offered them shelter in her home. Soon after they stayed with Lydia, they were out preaching again, and a slave approached them, having an ability to predict the future and screaming, “These are servants of the highest God!”  That sounds good because it was correct, but it was an evil spirit that gave her the ability to predict the future and shout what she did. But she followed them for days, continuing to shout this out.  Finally, Paul turned around and commanded the evil spirit to come out of the girl.  The spirit immediately left her, and she was fine!  Now, at this point, everyone is happy except the men who enslaved the girl to make money with her talents.  They dragged Paul and Silas back into the city, in the middle of a marketplace, and stirred up an angry mob. Paul and Silas are dragged to prison after suffering a good smackdown, courtesy of the crowd.  They prayed and sang praises to God in prison, and other prisoners and the jailer are listening. Then, an earthquake shook pretty much everything, and the jailer panicked. He understood that everyone would get away, and under Roman law, if a prisoner escaped, the guard could get the prisoner's sentence. So he was pretty freaked out! He draws his sword and places it against his chest to kill himself, and a shout tells him to STOP.  It's Paul.  Paul told him “Believe in Jesus, and you will be saved.” Roman guard, Jesus's love.  The perfect example of how salvation works. (CSB Bible Notes) 16:28 We are not told how Paul knew what the jailer was about to do. There may have been just enough light, Paul may have had prophetic insight, or he may have heard enough to surmise what was about to happen. 16:29-30 The jailer fell down trembling because he realized the earthquake was supernatural. This prompted him to ask the most important question in the book of Acts: What must I do to be saved? He was spared from death in the quake, spared from suicide by the discovery that the prisoners had not fled, and now wanted to be spared from God's future judgment. Today's verses can be found in Acts 15:39 - 16:40. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Only the Lost Get Found Today, Pastor Michael is discussing salvation and our situation in the present age.  Along those lines, Pastor Michael reminds us of three things, all hugely important: Everyone needs to be saved. You cannot save yourself. God sent a savior in Jesus. In today's lesson, Michael will drill down on the first item: everyone needs to be saved.  We pick up the story back in Jesus' time, with communities springing up along the Mediterranean of followers of Jesus.  There were also missionaries, and likely, the most famous of them was Paul.  Paul was on his way to Damascus, and at that time, he wasn't on the side of Jesus, but after a chance encounter with Jesus, he became a strong believer and missionary. Paul and Silas, to continue the story, were on their way to Phillipi, a Greek territory.  They found people hungry for Jesus and the message.  But they encountered a lady, displayed as a sideshow.  Paul and Silas prayed for this lady and an evil spirit in her departed.  The two men who ran the lady's sideshow were unhappy that their show had been effectively canceled and started a riot!  Yep, weird indeed! Paul and Silas were apparently complicit in all of this, and they were beaten and thrown into prison.  Paul and Silas were in prison, praying, and the prisoners overhead them.  When the story couldn't get any crazier, along comes an earthquake.  Yep, you read that correctly: an earthquake! This earthquake effectively freed all the prisoners, forcing all the doors to open and freaking out the prison warden.  It freaked him out because, in Rome, the guards would have to serve the sentence of any escaping prisoner.  Paul called out to him to not worry and the warden fell down, exclaiming, “What must I do to be saved?” To be saved, you must be saved from SOMETHING. What must you be saved from?  The consequences of our actions. In other words, the consequences of sin. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.  The story of salvation is not about you or what you have done: it is about what Jesus has done! (CSB Bible Notes) 16:29-30 The jailer fell down trembling because he realized the earthquake was supernatural. This prompted him to ask the most important question in the book of Acts: What must I do to be saved? He was spared from death in the quake, spared from suicide by the discovery that the prisoners had not fled, and now wanted to be spared from God's future judgment. Today's verses can be found in Acts 16: 22-34. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

A Wonderful Message on Bible Study. Today, Pastor Michael is turning over the reigns to David Boudreaux, one of our church elders.  Today, David wants us to read God's Word and spend as much time in His Word as we can. The Word of God is the Law of God, the very breath of God.  God didn't give us just a short study on life; He gave us a detailed guide to follow in His Word, and David will be spending most of today's message in the Old Testament, specifically in Joshua. This wonderful teaching that David brings today is an exercise in how, as Christians, we need to be in the Word, always.  David gives many excellent tips on how to read the bible and apply it to study and your life.  This message is a proper foundation for reading the Bible, given by a seasoned pro who has spent considerable time in the Word and is a fantastic reference for new Christians as well as mature ones. Review the verses section below; David has gone to great lengths to give us verses that apply to today's message. (CSB Bible Notes) 1:8 Two more references to the instruction affirm the key importance of God's revelation. Study and learning of it are to form so much a part of one's life that the words are fully obeyed as in Dt 6:6-9. The stylistic frame of God's promised presence in Jos 1:5,9 indicates that Joshua's success will come because God is with him, enabling him to read and observe God's Word (Eph 2:8-10). Today's verses can be found in John 1: 1-2, Psalms 1: 1-2, Joshua 1: 7-8, Deuteronomy 17, Romans 3: 23, John 6: 44, Ezra 7: 9-10, Hebrews 10: 24-25, 2 Timothy 2: 15, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17, Matthew 28: 20, Proverbs 27: 17, Joshua 3:15, Joshua 23:6, Joshua 24: 15, Revelations 3: 20, Joshua 1: 8, and Jeremiah 33: 3. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Not This Year! Today, Pastor Michael is comparing our physical and spiritual health, which is very timely given how many are trying to start the New Year on a new foot. Some ways we can encourage spiritual health are: Start every day with prayer. Engage with the word of God every day. You can add other items, such as writing down things you are grateful for, scripture memorization, serving people while avoiding recognition, and more. Let's start with spiritual junk food.  Spiritual junk food is the empty distractions and missed beliefs that starve our souls.  Anything that fills your hours without filling your soul is an easy way to remember what we shouldn't be doing!  Today, our lesson finds us in Ephesus; Paul is speaking to the Ephesians about striving to become what they should / could be as followers of Christ.  And he's preaching precisely what we just said: if you've been set free in Jesus, don't go back to the spiritual junk food! What would that be today (spiritual junk food)?  Entertainment and media! They are far more addictive than we think, and we could go down so many rabbit holes here.  We can, however, quickly state areas that, at the start of this new year, are things we ‘should' do: This year, we will worship in a way that is not just emotion. This year, we will trust that God loves us, even when we're having a bad day. This year, we will know we are blessed, even when our bank account doesn't know it. This year, we will move beyond the idea that righteousness is all about rule-following. This year, we will refuse to confuse tradition with truth. This year, we will choose spiritual intimacy over religious busyness. This year, let's move beyond social media spirituality. This year, let's move beyond spirituality. That's all talk.  If you say that you're saved, live like it. This is your year to live differently! This year, let's let go of shallow beliefs. Three actions steps this year: Examine your diet (media).  Is it feeding your soul? Replace the junk with truth. Focus on forever. (CSB Bible Notes) 4:17-19 This section of the letter provides the practical outworking of v. 1. Paul's exhortations denounced the readers' former way of life. The content of the exhortation parallels early Christian baptismal practices of putting off old clothes before putting on new clothes to enter the baptismal water. Today's verses can be found in Ephesians 4: 17-18. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

If Jesus Said It, We Can Trust It. Today, Pastor Michael is giving us a lesson remotely, as the snow and ice forced us not to hold a service at the church.  Today's lesson is about faith.  Jesus expressed sorrow that His followers didn't have great faith.  But Jesus did have a believer who trusted Him in His word. Here, Jesus had just finished a powerful message, returning to Capernaum.  A delegation of Jewish elders came out to meet Jesus, asking Him to help a Roman Centurion.   This Centurion had a servant who was sick.  The Centurion had heard about Jesus and his miracles, so he asked the Jewish elders to ask Jesus for help.  Jesus agreed to see the Centurion's servant, and when He got there, another group of folks came out to meet Him. The Centurion knew Jesus only had to say the word, and his servant would be healed.  This Centurion did not even feel worthy of Jesus coming to him, but he knew Jesus had the authority to heal.  He knew the authority Jesus had and recognized Jesus as the Messiah.  This Centurion even had more faith than many followers of Jesus did at the time!  Jesus marveled at the Centurion, telling the crowd He had not seen such great faith, even in Israel.  And the servant was healed!  The Centurion saw the truth in Jesus that even Jesus's followers did not see.  “If Jesus said it, we can trust it” is our central theme today.  Full Authority In Those Hands = FAITH. (CSB Bible Notes) 7:2-3 A centurion was a commander of a hundred men in the Roman army. This centurion was apparently a compassionate man, deeply concerned about the illness of his servant. He reached out to Jesus through some local Jewish elders (either recognized leaders in the community or respected older men). In the parallel passage in Mt 8:5-10, the centurion approached Jesus directly. Today's verses can be found in Luke 7: 1-10. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Get to the Root Today, Pastor Michael is showing us, we have a champion in Jesus!  A champion that wants you to thrive, in 2025! In a story found in Luke, we find a man that planted a fig tree.  This tree, for over three years did not produce fruit.  So, the owner of the orchard told his gardener to cut the tree down. But the gardener convinced him, to let him nurture the tree and see if they could get some fruit.  The gardener will work the tree, dig down to the roots, fertilize it and see if the tree will blossom.  If you want to get the fruit, you've got to start at the roots! Here, the fig tree is actually symbolic of Israel and God the Father is the owner of the orchard. Three years, which is important.  How many years did Jesus's earthly ministry last? About three years.  But Israel, even with the messiah amongst them, they still didn't ‘get it.'  God wanted to help change Israel, but they wouldn't let Him get to the ‘root of the problem.' The message is to encourage you to believe in Jesus.  He is the gardener in this story and will help you, IF you are willing to embrace Jesus in your life.  You will see the fruit, if you let Jesus get down to the roots! Today's verses can be found in Luke 13: 6-9. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Courage in the Chaos. Today, Pastor Michael discusses how “Faith finds courage in the chaos,” our central theme.  We start at a place that is typically after most Christmas stories.  It's the story of a tyrant trying to find the baby Jesus, and the Magi are at the center of it again.  The Magi made their visit and gave their gifts, and this is where most Christmas stories end.  But we're going to dig a little deeper today. The Magi had dreams of an angel speaking to them, warning them not to return to Jerusalem.  They followed the angel's advice and returned to their lands without stopping in and saying hello to Herod.  Herod was a bit ticked, to put it mildly, ordering his soldiers to Bethlehem to break down and search all homes and kill all male children under 2 years old.  Joseph had a dream where an angel spoke to him, telling him to hightail it to Egypt.  That very night, Joseph packed up his family and fled.  They stayed in Egypt until Herod died. Yet again, an angel appeared in a dream to Joseph, telling him to return to Israel, specifically Nazareth.  But Joseph had placed his faith in the Lord, and we shall soon see Jesus's earthly ministry start. Today's verses can be found in Matthew 2: 11 - 23. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

The Shepherds Today, Pastor Michael is talking about the birth of Jesus.  Here, he's talking about the shepherds.  Farm kids growing up in the country.  The shepherd's story shows us that God doesn't see value like people.  God chooses those who are overlooked. In those days, it was hard for shepherds to participate in Jewish customs and rituals due to them being ceremonially unclean.  But the announcement of the birth of Jesus came to shepherds!  Just to the north of Bethlehem is Migdal Eder, “Tower of the Flock,” where a special group of shepherds raised the temple flock of sacrificial lambs.  Most likely, these shepherds were the shepherds in the Christmas story.   The shepherds remind us what Jesus' birth was all about.  It's the story of God sending his son to give his life so we can live.  (CSB Bible Notes) Though the social position of shepherds was lowly, the role is often viewed positively in the Bible. God is pictured as a shepherd (Gn 49:24; Ps 23:1). King David was the shepherd of God's people (2Sm 5:2). Jesus called himself “the good shepherd” (Jn 10:11). Today's verses can be found in Luke 2: 8-20.  Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

Three Christmas Gifts Today, Pastor Michael is continuing the story of the Three Wise Men. At this point in the story, they have found Jesus and begun worshiping him. He is no longer at the stable where he was born, the Wise Men finding him in a house. They came with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   Gold is a tribute paid to kings.  It represents royalty.  The gift of gold is the promise of a great king.  Frankincense is a resin that comes from a rare tree in the Middle East. The gift of frankincense points to Jesus as a priest.  Lastly, myrrh is another resin primarily used in funerals to anoint bodies.  Myrrh represents the gift of Jesus as savior. Jesus is gold, our frankincense, and the gift of myrrh, the gifts of the Magi.  They remind us that “Jesus is the king who leads us, the priest who connects us to God and the savior who gave his life for us”; the heart of today's message.  Today's verses can be found in Matthew 2: 11. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Peace for the Restless Heart Today, Pastor Michael is looking at the Three Wise Men looking for Jesus at His birth. The wise men, the magi, were coming from Persia.  They arrive in Jerusalem, asking where is the King of the Jews that was just born.  However, the message had not spread at this point, so most simply didn't know.  They followed the star to Bethlehem and found Jesus and worshipped Him.  What did the Magi need that they didn't have?  Peace.  After years of studying and research, they found the peace they needed in Jesus. Today's core idea is “Restless Hearts Find Peace in Jesus”. (CSB Bible Notes) In contrast to the stable in which Jesus was born (Lk 2), Jesus's family now lived in a house. This shows that the magi visited Jesus after the visit of the shepherds described by Luke. The magi worshiped Jesus openly, as did many other people during his lifetime (8:2; 9:18; 14:33; 15:25; 20:20; 28:9,17). Jesus's reception of worship reinforces his identity as Immanuel, “God is with us” Today's verses can be found in Matthew 2: 1 - 12. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Grateful for the Gravy. Today, Pastor Michael is returning to the Old Testament, in 2 Kings, about a lesson in the ministry of Elisha, the prophet.  One day, he's going through Shunem, and a couple invited him to dinner.  After one of many visits, the wife asked her husband to build a room for Elisha when he came through.  Gahezi traveled with Elisa through Shunem, so Gahezi retrieved the woman from the house, and they asked her, “What can we do to repay you for your generosity?” The woman wanted nothing, but Gahezi reminded Elisha that she had no children.  So, Elisha prophesied to her that she would bear a son, and she did!  That son was in the fields with his father and collapsed, dying.  So the woman went to Elisha and told him the story, so Elisha went back to their house and found the child dead.  Elisha went to the child and prayed to God over the boy, and the boy came to life! Later, the Lord told Elisha that a famine would come, so Elisha told the woman of this and that she needed to leave the country.  She left the country and lived with the Philistines for seven years.  Finally, it was time to come back.  But while they were gone, strangers had moved into their house and taken over.  She took her cause up with the king, and Gehazi was visiting with the king when she was there!  And Gehazi talked about numerous miracles, concerning Elisha's ministry. The woman relayed that the stories Gehazi told were true and that she and her son were the recipients of some of the miracles.  The king was impressed enough to restore her home and lands. Had she not experienced the tragedy years before, she would not have experienced the triumph later! (CSB Bible Notes) The next episode introduced a flashback seven years earlier when Elisha advised the Shunammite woman to sojourn outside Israel during a famine (8:1–2). Because she now has to reclaim her land from the king, one wonders if the king somehow appropriated the land in her absence (8:3). There is a miracle of timing: at the very moment, the king is asking Gehazi about Elisha's mighty deeds, the woman shows up with her son! Today's verses can be found in 2 Kings 4: 8-37 and 2 Kings 8: 1-6. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Gratitude Defeats Grump! Today, Pastor Michael is talking about gratitude and thankfulness. Paul wrote a letter to the Thessalonians about thanks.  It has one of the most famous lines in the bible, “…give thanks in everything…” Michael asks the pertinent question, “Do we really worship God, or do we worship the idea that God owes us an easy life?” Gratitude isn't something God doesn't have; it's good for US!  “It's not happy people who are thankful; it's thankful people who are happy” is today's takeaway thought. (CSB Bible Notes) The third exhortation of this trilogy (5:18a) is a call, not to give thanks for every situation, but rather to give thanks in every situation. The Christian affirms that God can use any situation for his or her own good (Rm 8:28) and that one can triumph in the midst of any circumstance, even adversity (Rm 8:31–39). Today's verses can be found in 1 Thessalonians 5: 18. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Gratitude Makes Room Today, Pastor Michael is talking about gratitude. Today's core idea is, “Gratitude for what you have now makes room for what God wants to give next.”  We are in James, Chapter 1 today, James being the half-brother of Jesus.   Central to our reading today is the fact that all good comes from God.  Even knowing that we are human and when life is going good, we feel grateful; when life is negative, it's harder to feel grateful. But, remember: gratitude is not a feeling but a choice.  Think of something you need a blessing on and think about this: then ask the hard question: are you fully grateful for what you have in that area?  Are you using the things in that area for the glory of God? Gratitude prepares your heart for blessings from God.  (CSB Study Bible Notes) James 1: 18 - Word of truth refers to the gospel, by which new birth comes. First fruits refers to the best that the harvest produces. God gives good gifts that yield wondrous fruit, not temptation that leads to death through wayward desires. Today's verses can be found in James 1: 16-18. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Empowered to Proclaim Today, Pastor Michael is finishing our long study on Mark, ending with Jesus's charter to His disciples and telling them to spread the word of all they have seen and done. We are starting with what is called “The Great Commission.”  Our central mission is to share the good news of Jesus and help them to learn of His love and make disciples. Do you know what to say to someone about how to share the Great Commission?  Michael offers the following verses to help spread that message: Romans 3: 23—(CSB) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6: 23—(CSB) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 5: 8—(CSB) But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 10: 9,10 and 13—(CSB) 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. We have the privilege of sharing this message with the world! So, what things concern us about sharing the gospel?  Examples include: Rejection Don't know what to say / lack of knowledge Arrogance Bad theology Apathy But, to our advantage, communication barriers cannot stop the spread of the Gospel, especially today.  Whatever you feel is standing in the way of you sharing the gospel, God steps in! So, that leads to our big idea of the day, which is, “When you step out, God steps in!”  Today's verses can be found in Mark 16: 15 - 20. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

The Elephant, The Donkey, and The Lion. Today, Pastor Michael is talking about politics but not talking about politics. This is a timely segue due to next week's elections.  Far greater than any political position is this: Jesus Christ, the son of God, lived a perfect, sinless life. He gave that life on the cross, He spent three days in the grave and rose to immortality, and whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. That IS the message…the Good News. So, in our message today, the Pharisees are up to trying to trip Jesus up by trapping Him into saying something.  And, of course, Jesus's answer is perfect: yes, we have responsibilities to our government (State and/or Caesar).  But more important is the second part of His reply, being loyal to the things of God. More than anything, here's the key idea:  When choosing between the Elephant and the Donkey, choose the Lion!  Choose Jesus. CSB Bible—Matthew 22:15 - 22. The Pharisees intended to trap Jesus in a position that granted loyalty to Caesar and not to God. They wanted to level a charge of blasphemy against Jesus. By getting him to declare non-loyalty to Caesar, they could get him charged with a civil crime. Both attempts failed. Jesus's response does not resolve all of our questions regarding the responsibilities we have with church and state, but he does provide some beginning places to inform us. His answer implies that we do have responsibilities to the state. These extend only to those “things that are Caesar's.” A yet higher authority commands our allegiance. We must be faithful to those things of God. Today's verses can be found in Matthew 22: 15 - 22. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Meet Jesus, be Transformed Today, Pastor Michael is continuing our study in the book of Mark.  We've been following Jesus through the gospel of Mark, and now He's done the greatest miracle of all, rising from the dead, just as He predicted. After Jesus was risen, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, who told others of His appearance.  Curiously enough, others did not believe her! What's up with that? Why don't we accept things, even today, in things that we shouldn't struggle to believe? Doubt. Discouragement. Hardness of heart. Our catchphrase today is “Meet Jesus, be transformed!”   What needs to be transformed in your life? Today's verses can be found in Mark 16: 9 - 12. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

He's Still Rolling Stones. Today, Pastor Michael is giving a history lesson on the old Berlin Wall.  It was felt this wall would never be torn down, but in 1989, it fell without violence.  Even the most immovable object can be moved. All of us have immovable, unrollable stones…objects we deal with that feel like impossible barriers. Guilt, fear, anxiety, depression, and broken families come to mind as those. But we have a Savior who tears down barriers and still rolls stones away. Key Idea today: Jesus is still rolling stones! Michael's story involves women taking fragrant spices and heading to Jesus's tomb to anoint His body. These women knew time was of the essence, and more work was needed. They came to the tomb and expected to find Jesus dead and a stone across the entrance to the tomb. All the while, the women wondered, “Who will roll away the stone?” But when they got to the tomb, the stone was rolled away.  The Lord rolled away the tomb and can roll away your “stones” as well. So, what “stones” do we have in our life?  Guilt.  Busyness and distraction.  Depression Sin.  We fill our days, but our days don't fill us up.  We all have stones in our lives that need rolling away. There is no stone that Jesus cannot roll away! Today's verses can be found in Mark 16: 1 - 8. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Faith in the Dark Today, Pastor Michael is talking about darkness and faith in the dark.  Here, Michael talks about how Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus's body. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, but Joseph had a secret.  Joseph had become a believer in Jesus!  So Nicodemus and Joseph carried Jesus's body to a nearby garden, to a tomb that Joseph had.  They put his body in the tomb and rolled the stone across the entrance and felt that they wouldn't see anything here for a year.  The world was so dark that an act of faith seemed pointless. Faith does not require that we understand every detail.  Faith requires that we understand God can be trusted. No matter how dark and troubled the world gets, even in the dark, God is still working.  Two women, Mary Magdalene and Salome, were first to the tomb the next day.  But when they got there, the stone was rolled away, and the women encountered a young man dressed in white, telling them that Jesus had risen! So, everyone has a story about wrestling with the dark.  Trust Jesus in the dark!  (CSB Bible Notes) Jesus's burial was hastily performed because it was already evening on Friday. The Sabbath was soon to begin, a time when burial labors were not permitted. The day of preparation (the day before the Sabbath) was when pious Jews prepared whatever they needed for the Sabbath. Today's verses can be found in Mark 15: 42 - 47. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

The Breaking Point Today, Pastor Michael is discussing how faith in Jesus turns breaking points into turning points. In this story, a lady with a chronic illness weaved and pressed through a crowd to touch Jesus. Upon touching Him, she was immediately healed.  She was at a breaking point and ran to Jesus.  Twelve years of suffering ended that day. Do whatever you have to do to get in touch with Jesus! Yet, there is someone still in this story, and that's the synagogue's leader, Jairus, whose daughter died during this healing event.  Jesus' followers even said to Jairus, don't bother Jesus, your daughter is gone.  Jesus, however, said she wasn't dead, merely sleeping.  She arose when Jesus called her; He raised her from the dead!  Jesus knew this girl had died, but what is death to the Son of God?    (CSB Bible Notes) As a doctor, Luke was especially sensitive to the fact that this woman had spent all her resources on doctors and yet could not be healed. Even with the crowd pressing against Jesus from all sides, he was immediately aware of the touch of the woman who was instantly healed of her bleeding. No explanation is given for how he knew that healing power had gone out from him. Today's verses can be found in Luke 8: 40 - 55. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

The Paywall Today, Pastor Michael is talking about paywalls…the payment of a fee to enjoy premium content.  Paywalls are frustrating, but you might pay the price if you want something badly enough.  But what if you need something that is life or death, and the paywall is priced so high that no one can afford it?  It's an impossible paywall. That's how life was before Jesus.  There was a barrier that could not be crossed; you couldn't connect with God on the level you can after Jesus.  People were trying to get to God but were blocked by sin.  That's the harsh reality of the world that Jesus came into. The sacrifice of Jesus tore down the paywall….our central theme today. When Jesus died on the cross, he permanently opened the way to God for everyone. No matter what you've done or has been done to you, you have total access to God! Today's verses can be found in Mark 15: 33 - 41. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Which Rebel Are You? Today, Pastor Michael continues our long, long journey :) into the book of Mark.  We're looking at two men that don't get much coverage in the Bible, being the men crucified next to Christ, but theirs is a fascinating story, so let's dive into it. The two men next to him were descrdibed as ‘thieves or robbers' yet it may have been likely that they were more than that.  They may have been political criminals, insurrectionists against Rome, possibly.  Historically, these two men have been referred to as the ‘good' thief and the ‘bad' thief.  However, you will make a choice, similar to one of those men, someday. These two men were equally guiilty and both forfeted their mortal life.  One man came to the end of his life in peace and opened his eyes in paradise.  One ended his life in agony and ended up in eternal agony. Will you continue to insist that you are a good person and you don't need redemption or will you cry out to Jesus and cry out for salvation?  You cannot be saved unless you know you are a sinner. So, which rebel are you? Today's verses can be found in Mark 15: 27 - 37. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Removing Stones. Today, Duncan Crook is delivering the message, about “Removing Stones”.  Jesus is at the tomb of Lazarus, seeing the sadness of those at the tomb.  His death will show God glorified and increaed faith in Jesus.  At this point, the disciples faith in Jesus still needed further strengthening.  Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, reinforces the disciples faith, as well as glorifying God.  The sickness and eventual death of Lazarus teach us many things: That bad things do happen to good people. There is no question that Jesus loved Lazarus. The death of Lazarus teaches us about prayer, especially prayer that seemingly is unanswered. When you face difficult times, realize God may be pruning you for further growth or to glorify His name. When you face difficult times, don't conclude that He doesn't love you! When you face a trying time, don't ever give up on God or prayer. So, remove the stone, meaning the tomb entrance stone.  Jesus chose to include people in this miracle; He could easily have moved that stone.  Here, no one is a spectator; those folks participated in the miracle. Jesus wants us to trust Him for what we cannot do and loves sharing with us. Roll away the stone, and God will raise the dead! (CSB Bible Notes) 11:43 Jesus raised Lazarus not by magic, incantations, or spells, but by the power of his word. Today's verses can be found in John 11: 38 - 48.  Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Get Off the Couch! Today, Pastor Michael talks about how much being a Christian has changed in our culture.  The prevailing values of our culture were ‘Christian-ish', but you could escape by without proving too much.  For the longest time, one could be a Christian from the couch! The days of couch Christianity are over.  Even the illusion of it is gone now.The reality of today's Christianity is that people are not used to being challenged; it's time to learn spiritual endurance now. Today, Michael is talking of Jesus' death and the Roman soldiers casting lots to take his clothes.  And David predicted this in Psalms over 1,000 years earlier.  And this is further reason to believe in the bible and its specific predictive prophecies! Why did Jesus choose to endure this?  He put God's plans over the pains of Golgatha. We must learn to put the plans of God over the pains we endure.  It's the only path; life will be hard anyway!  Might as well receive something wonderful in return! It's time to get off the couch!  The culture used to be ‘Christian-ish', but now we face pressure for the first time in a long time.  But we're back in the game! The world needs us to be a shining light.  How to Get Off the Couch: Live it. Don't just talk about it; live for Jesus every single day. Engage the culture with positivity and compassion. Get off the course and build spiritual endurance, but expect some resistance.  Don't let it make you bitter, nor let it stop you from being who God made you to be. If you don't like the trajectory the world is on, GET OFF THE COUCH! Today's verses can be found in Mark 15: 22 -  27 and Psalms 22: 16 - 18. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Discipleship, Part Two. Today, Pastor Michael is returning the reigns over to David Boudreaux to let him finish his series on Matthew 28: 16 - 20, “The Great Commission,” and a study on discipleship. So, to ick up where we left off, here is a brief summary of last week's message. It looked at the definition of a disciple, which said, in part, that anyone proclaiming to be a follower of Jesus is a disciple.  This was not a suggestion by Jesus but a mandate, a command.  And we'll pick right up there.  Here, David points out that if you're a seasoned believer, find someone to help and be open to being taught.  In other words, go and make disciples.  We're not called to do this by ourselves but with the authority and power of Jesus himself. To make a disciple, we must first be a disciple.  Did you know that the word disciple appears 269 times in the bible?  Jesus didn't come to make Christians; he came to make disciples. Every disciple should have three (3) folks at their side: A Paul, who is older and wiser. A Barnabas, who is a friend and holds you accountable. A Timothy, a younger believer that we are investing in. Every believer needs to ask two (2) questions: Who am I discipling? Who is discipling me? Today's verses can be found in Matthew 28: 16 - 20, Acts 1: 15, Matthew 5: 14 - 16, John 8: 12, Mark 16: 15, Acts 17: 11, 1 Peter 1: 16, James 2: 14, 2: 17 - 20., Acts 1: 14, 1 Corinthians 10: 12 and Matthew 25: 20 -30. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.  

Who We Are Today, David Boudreaux will stand in for Pastor Michael, and it will be his first time giving the message, so let's welcome him warmly. David starts by visiting the Recreate Church website, www.recreatechurch.org, and reading the tab “Who We Are.” David focuses on the second statement on that tab: “We are disciples who make disciples.”  This was the last command that Jesus gave to His disciples. What is a disciple? The Webster's dictionary defines it as “A learner.  A scholar, one who receives or professes to receive instructions from another”.  “A follower, an adherent to the doctrines of another.”.  Hence, all Christians are called His disciples. All disciples may not be true disciples; they may ‘confess' to be disciples.  And those folks may be deceiving themselves. A helpful thing about making disciples is asking: Am I in God's word daily?  Or regularly? This is an overview of how Jesus took these 12 Disciples under his wing, the “Masters Model, Jesus' Four-Step Progression.” Jesus ministers and the disciplines watched and observed. Jesus allows the disciples to assist in the ministry. The disciples ministered, and Jesus assisted them. Jesus observed as the disciples ministered to others. Jesus didn't do it alone; we can't do it alone. David covers the Great Commission in Matthew 28: 18 - 20.  As we turn our hearts and minds to Jesus, we find ourselves being given a divine mandate, not a casual suggestion or passing thought; it's a command. It's a charge.  David offers some suggested  sites on the Web that can assist us in making disciples: navigators.org www.replicate.org Are we making disciples? (CSB Bible Notes) The verb matheteuō (to make disciples) is derived from the noun mathētēs which occurs more than 250 times, entirely in the Gospels and Acts. Mathētēs means disciple, pupil, one who learns from another, and typically indicates a person whose life is bound up with that of Jesus, his master. Matheteuō means to become a disciple (Mt 13:52; Today's verses can be found in Mathew 28: 16 - 20. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

The Cross That Carries You. Today, Michael is talking of denial and carrying your cross.  Simon's (not Simon Peter) story is fascinating.  At this point in the story, Jesus has been arrested, had a false trial, beaten until his back was shredded, and after all of this, they (the Romans) make Him carry the cross to the hill, Golgotha, the place of skulls.  Jesus, though God, took on the fullness of humanity so that He could feel things like pain and exhaustion.   At some point, He stumbles; the Roman soldiers pull a man out of the crowd, and his name is Simon.  Simon was in Jerusalem at the time of the feast of Passover.  Simon is the father of Alexander and Rufus, who were known to Mark's Roman audience.  Simon's family was impacted by this for generations, by his carrying Jesus' cross to the hill of execution.  Simon was the first to take up the cross.  For him it was literal, but it became spiritual.  Some believe that Simon became a Christian through this, but certainly his sons did.  “When you carry the cross, the cross carries you,” is our core message today.  (CSB Bible Notes) Condemned prisoners customarily carried the crossbeam, or patibulum, to the site of their execution, where it was attached to the vertical beam. The Greek biographer Plutarch wrote: “Every criminal condemned to death bears his cross on his back” (Moralia, 554 A/B). Apparently Jesus was too weak from being flogged and beaten to carry it all the way. Roman soldiers had the right to press citizens of subject nations into compulsory service (Mt 5:41), so they forced Simon to carry Jesus's cross. Simon was a Jewish Cyrenian from the north coast of Africa. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus, indicating that readers in Rome probably knew these men (Rm 16:13). Today's verses can be found in Matthew 16: 24, Mark 15: 21, and Romans 16:13. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

When Faith Feels Offended Today, Michael discusses how believers should respond when they feel something important has been disrespected.  Today, Michael encourages some perspective.    Should we be shocked when lost people act like lost people?  Yet we seem so surprised when folks who don't understand God don't respect the glory of God.  We shouldn't be, potentially, as they truly don't understand God.  It should shock us if believers disrespect God, but not so much when lost folks do. So, what should we do if folks talk ill of God?  It should bother us, but how do we respond?  Jesus was mocked, beaten, spit upon, and could have called twelve legions of angels, but He did not.  Roman soldiers crowned Jesus in mockery and robed Him in humiliation, yet he wore the purple robe of a king.  They bowed before him in pretense; someday, every knee will bow to Him.  They intended it in mockery, yet they unintentionally showed the truth in Jesus and His ministry.   You cannot devalue the truth in the Word of God. No matter how much He is mocked, God is mocked; anything that suggests mockery, the misuse of it, is quietly a testament to the power of that name. We get so torn up by outsiders not understanding or mocking our faith; but unbelievers act like unbelievers, only. Today's core statement is “Don't be provoked by mockery; be motivated to pray.” Mark 15:17-18 (CSB Bible Notes) The soldiers used makeshift substitutes for the robe . . . crown, and scepter of a king. Purple was a royal color. 15:18 Hail, King of the Jews was a mocking corruption of the greeting, “Hail, Caesar.” Today's verses can be found in Mark 15: 16. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

Fighting the Black Dog Today, Michael is talking about depression, the “Black Dog” as Winston Churchill coined it. The theme today can be summed up as, “Praise is a weapon against depression” and Michael will drill down on it herein. Not all depression is situational, though as we see in Psalms 102 we hear of ‘the day of his trouble”, a season of struggle, a deep disappointment, prolonged illness, a myriad of things.   The author of this Psalm is wrestling with God, feeling he has been abandoned by Him.  Yet, He clearly has not! Prayers prayed to God from human suffering can increase personal faith.  Sometimes it does seem, due to our human understanding of things, that God has abandoned us, but He never does and never will.  Psalms 102:3-10 (CSB Bible Notes) 102:3 My days vanish like smoke, which immediately dissipates into the air (37:20; 68:2; Hs 13:3). Life passed quickly as the psalmist suffered physical pain (Ps 69:18; Is 33:14). The furnace could be a hearth or brazier (Jr 36:23). 102:4-5 The heart, or seat of morale, has been suffering as if by disease. Withered like grass shows the discouragement of the psalmist. He longed for death as the ultimate deliverance from a life of persecution and oppression (Pss 39; 90). Today's verses can be found in Psalms 102. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

Peace Today, Michael shares with us the story of Greg Boyle, a missionary whose experiences in Bolivia shaped his understanding of justice and peace. Upon his return, he found himself in East LA, a community scarred by violence.  Greg, who had officiated at the funerals of many young men, was approached by their mothers, seeking ways to bring peace. Greg prayed fervently to God for a way to help and Greg opened a bakery, Homeboy Bakery.  He hired kids who were trying to get out of gangs and gave them an opportunity.  From there it grew into work readiness, tattoo removal and legal resources.   They provided an exit ramp out of generational violence.  Today, they are the largest gang rehabilitation facility in the world.  And Greg Boyle is motivated by the peace of Christ.   Now, what we have in our world: Peace on earth will not come from earth. Peace within us will not come from us. Peace cannot be found in social media or even religion. Peace is not a condition; peace is a person.  His name is Jesus. Action Steps for Peace. Stop looking for peace in the world. Look to Jesus for peace.  Spread peace.  (CSB Bible Notes) John 14:27 The expression peace (Hb shalom) could serve as a greeting or announce blessing upon those who enjoyed a right relationship with God.   (CSB  Bible Notes) Philippians 4: 6 - 7:  In this section, Paul approached peace from two perspectives—peace within troublesome circumstances (vv. 4-7) and constructing an environment of peace (vv. 8-9). Today's verses can be found in John 14: 27 and Philippians 4: 6 - 7.  Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

Choosing Barabbas Today, Michael is talking about choices. Choices can fall into many categories: really important or seemingly trivial.  Every time we make a choice, it can impact our lives.  And choices shape character and destiny; one choice at a time. In today's lesson, two men were sentenced to death, and someone got to choose between two men; one got to be freed and one executed.  A group of religious leaders, a crowd of people, and a government official get to choose.  “Choices shape character and destiny; choose Jesus” is our core thought for today. Religious leaders have captured Jesus and put him through a mockery of a trial, but they were not allowed to execute him without the approval of the Romans, which is why they brought him to Pontius Pilate.  Pilate was the Roman governor of Judea during that time, not a super popular fellow, but Pilate at this time was much more interested in keeping the peace.  So the Sanhedrin wanted Pilate's cooperation, and Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” and Jesus answered, “It is as you say.”    Pilate knew the charges were wrong but could not get Jesus to answer his queries, so he went with another tact.  Pilate asked, “Do you want me to release to you, the king of the Jews?”.  A Roman strategy in those days was to release prisoners to build cooperation with the Jews.  Barabbas, at that time, was a prisoner and a popular hero of the time. This allowed Pilate to offer the crowd and the religious leaders a choice between a popular hero and a suffering servant. But the crowd and the Sanhedrin wanted Jesus crucified and loudly proclaimed it. So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas and delivered Jesus to be crucified.    The religious leaders chose Barabbas because they wanted to keep control.  Do not blindly follow any human leader, ever.  Choose Jesus and follow HIS example! (CSB Bible Notes) 15:2 Pilate focused on whether Jesus claimed to be King of the Jews. Clearly the Sanhedrin's condemnation based on blasphemy (14:64) had turned into charges of sedition and treason. This is the first use of this title in Mark's Gospel, but Pilate repeatedly used it (15:2,9,12,26; cp. v. 32). The words recall the quest of the wise men at Jesus's birth (Mt 2:2). Jesus's reply, you say so, can be understood as either noncommittal or as an acknowledgment, but not as a denial. Today's verses can be found in Mark 15: 1 - 15. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

12 Denials of Christ We Never Saw Coming Today Michael is looking at one of the most famous denials in history.  Jesus was carried to face the Sanhedrin, with Caiaphas leading the charge of trying to find something they could use to put Jesus to death. The high priest asked if Jesus declared himself the Messiah?  To which Jesus answered, “I am.  And you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming with the clouds of Heaven”.  This was seen at this mock trial as proof positive that Jesus was making a clear claim to be God and they had the admission they needed to put Him to death. Meanwhile, Peter is watching all this and his heart is breaking, though he is too afraid to do anything about it.  The servant girl, saw his face and asked him, “Don't I recognize you, I've seen you with Jesus of Nazareth” to which Peter denied, very loudly, that she did not know him.  A rooster crowed in the distance. The servant girl stated this to the crowd and he denied it again.  Then finally a man saw Peter at the fire and recognized him, and others recognized Peter's accent, as being from Galilee, and Peter denied Jesus yet again.  And a rooster crowed a second time.  This time Peter remembers Jesus' prediction that when a rooster crowed twice, he will have denied Jesus three times, which, of course, he had.  We are in the same situation today; we deny Jesus through our actions but your lives say otherwise.  The take home for today is, “Let your life declare I know Jesus”.  Sometimes our lips say it, but our life may not match it.   The Twelve Denials of Christ We Never Saw Coming (or how we currently don't live what we say we do, as Christians). Compromising your integrity. Neglecting to help. Run towards the messes. Taking part in gossip or slander. See Ephesians 4 on this one! Placing comfort over people. Withholding forgiveness. Neglecting to share your faith. Conforming to worldly values. Ignoring injustice. Living hypocritcally. Neglecting personal spiritual growth. Not taking a stand, we have to be salt and light. Failing to love like Christ.  (CSB Bible Notes) 14:53-65 No single Gospel comprehensively records Jesus's trials, and each emphasizes different perspectives and events. It is clear, however, that both Roman political authorities and Jewish religious leaders were involved in handing down Jesus's death sentence. Today's verses can be found in Mark 14: 53 - 72. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.   

The Moonlight Kiss of Betrayal. Today Michael is still in Mark (we're just about done!) and he is going to tell a story, like a story, not just reading.  True narrative format and it's good! Jesus is talking with His disciples, letting them know, that all ‘will fall away'.  Meaning, when the going get's tough, the disciples won't be so tough! And this theme, with Jesus, His disciples and the message is about betrayal.   Back on topic, the disciples hear Him tell them that they will bolt when it get's tough and they are, of course, agast.  What, “US” leave you?  Are you kidding????" Even Peter, a rock if there ever was one, cannot believe He is telling them that.  Naturally, Peter claims his undying loyalty to the cause and Jesus reminds him, even he will fall away. So, twelve of them go to the Mount of Olives (one is missing; wonder where Judas is?) and they come to a lush grove, Gethsemane, and Jesus tells them to rest, sit and pray.  Jesus leaves them and prays three times.  Each time he comes back, the disciples are asleep.  During all of this, the disciples can see Jesus is in extreme anguish and knows something very foreboding, serious is coming His way. Finally, a crowd appears to take Jesus away.  They drag him into the city and a trial will soon begin.   During all of this, Jesus suffers three betrayals: 1. Notably, Judas Iscariot. 2. The religious leaders and the system of the time. 3. HIs disciples.   Our central message this week, concerning betrayal is: "When you experience betrayal, and you will, trust God and choose better over bitter”. Today's verses can be found in Mark 14: 27 - 52 Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Dinner with Jesus Today Michael is talking about the Last Supper.   Jewish holidays, during biblical times, were in the spring and close together, starting with Passover, going into the Feast of Unleavened Bread and then the Feast of Firstfruits.  So, this lesson is on the Passover meal and how Jesus asked His disciples to prepare the meal and trust in Him.  There are two key takeaways from this lesson: Trust in Him.  Even if you cannot see what He's doing or the results you may seek or expect, He IS working in your life.  It might be that He is wanting you to prepare something for someone else; not you.  Mark 14:12-16 (CSB Bible Notes) 14:12 Jesus decided where they would observe the Passover, but his disciples were responsible to prepare it. 14:13-14 Luke (Lk 22:8) identifies the two disciples as Peter and John. Go into the city indicates they were outside Jerusalem, probably at Bethany. Meet could mean either “encounter” or that the man was looking for them. The owner of the house was apparently acquainted with Jesus since they identified him only as the Teacher. 14:15-16 The “guest room” (v. 14) was a large room upstairs, probably the spacious roof chamber of a wealthy man. The room was ready to accommodate a large group. Found it just as he had told them stresses the exact fulfillment of Jesus's words. Today's verses can be found in Mark 14: 12 - 21.  Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Generation Shapers Today, as we celebrate Father's Day, Pastor Michael is kicking off with a dose of “Dad Jokes.” He humorously insists that these jokes are the comfort food of humor, but whether you agree or not, they're sure to bring a smile to your face!   Now, here are some Dad statistics that aren't so funny:  25% of children grow up without a Dad. These 25% represent:  90% of homeless and runways, 85% of behavioral disorders, 75% of substance abuse admissions, 71% of high school dropouts, 70% of juvenile detentions, and 63% of youth suicides. Boys without a dad are twice as likely to be incarcerated. Fathers Shape Generations.   None of us can live up to what it means to be a truly great father, but we need to celebrate and support fathers who are doing their best for their families.  Our relationship with God teaches us fatherhood.  We view our world through the lens of God.  As fathers, we want to teach our children right from wrong and to honor God. And they do watch what you do; you must show and demonstrate; be a leader, not a boss. Fathers are truly generation shapers; we influence and help our children learn worldview.  We're called to be fathers even to the fatherless. You have a father, always: Father God and He will never, ever leave you.   Things you can do to shape generations. Teach wisdom. Model godliness. Speak life.  Be present. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Build a legacy of faith. Proverbs 4:2-4 (CSB Study Bible Notes) 4:1-2 These verses introduce a series of a father's exhortations to his sons to pay attention to his instruction.  4:3 Being a true son implies obedience, not merely being a male child. A tender child is delicate as well as teachable. Precious means to be treated as if an only child (Jr 6:26; Am 8:10; Zch 12:10). 4:4,6 To keep . . . commands is to listen attentively, retain, and obey them; it could also be translated “guard.” Those who keep their way in godly wisdom Today's verses can be found in Proverbs 4: 1 - 5. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Jesus Is Worthy Today, Pastor Michael is promulgating a story, seemingly unconnected in purpose and place, about parallels in why folks show up at places. Linking this to Jesus and His stories, the core idea here is “Jesus Is Worthy.” Timeline-wise, this is about 36 hours before Jesus' crucifixion. The next night would be the Passover meal. Jesus is not in Jerusalem at this moment but in Bethany. At this point, the scribes did not like Jesus at all; they saw Him as someone who would challenge the corrupt religious system and corrupt religious leaders, i.e., ‘their' system.  So they plotted and worked with Judas Iscariot on how to plot against Him.  If you understand how worthy Jesus is, there is no amount of giving of ourselves that is too much.  Mark 14:1-2 (CSB Bible Notes) 14:1 The temporal clause—it was two days before—points to the start of the Jewish Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. This means the Sanhedrin plotted to kill Jesus some time between sunset on Tuesday and sunset on Wednesday. 14:2 The Sanhedrin hesitated to act because of Jesus's popularity among the people who had flooded into town for Passover. Today's verses can be found in Mark 14: 1 - 11.  Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. 

Trust the Timing to God. Today, Pastor Michael is starting us off right on eschatology, a big word that means the science of the last things. If only we had someone on our side who could help us understand time and the last times. This concludes Pastor Michael's study on the end times.  We find Jesus telling a story about a fig tree. The signs Jesus talks about in this parable are during the Tribulation. The message is for the future generation that will live during that time.  And Jesus tells us that a fig tree, when sprouting leaves, shows that summer is coming.  Similarly, when folks in this Tribulation period see events coming, they will know He is near.  “Heaven and earth will pass away but My words will never pass away.” The core of today's message is, "Be ready and trust the timing to God." (CSB Bible Notes) Just as Jesus's followers knew how to read the signs of the coming summer, so also when they saw these things happening they were to know that a cataclysmic event was near. It is unclear whether Jesus was referring to Jerusalem's fall or his return in the end time. Verses can be found in Mark 13: 28 - 37. Scripture quotations marked CSB have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.