Risen Church NC

Many of us are introduced, motivated, and choose to come to Jesus on the basis of a fairly simple and selfish basis. In short, we don't want to go to Hell. On this same note, Heaven is mostly talked about as a place for reunions and luxury. The Christian life is reduced down to having little to do with what the New Testament actually teaches. While we are certainly saved FROM Hell, Christianity is actually more about being saved FOR something. The Bible teaches that we are saved for God's glory, to live a life that will honor Him and serve His purposes. This is why the New Testament has so much to say about how our lives should be radically transformed by Jesus. Salvation is the starting point of a life that should be sanctified for God's glory. This doesn't put pressure on us to perform, but emphasizes the power of the Holy Spirit within any true believer's heart. In this message, we talk about the first steps we should take as a New Creation in Christ. We listen to Peter cast his vision over us regarding our new identities as chosen, royal, and holy. Peter calls us priests unto God and shows us how our lives should look with Christ as our Cornerstone.

The world had become a dark, corrupt place by Genesis 6. God expresses emotions not recorded anywhere else in the Bible and the human race is indicted as being totally, utterly depraved. But one man found favor in the eyes of God. But God had mercy for one man amidst the multitude of rebels. In this message, we put a spotlight on the grace of God which spared an unraveling world. Years later, God's grace continues to endure and overcome the persistent sin of humanity. Listen as we unpack God's mercy, Noah's salvation, and much more!

Isaiah the prophet once wrote that no one has seen, heard, or imagined the things that has prepared for His own to experience once freed from this fallen world. This is often circulated to refer to what Heaven has in store for us in our *next* life. However, the Apostle Paul makes a bold declaration that those who are in Christ can experience these things *right now*... Jesus' Resurrection brought about a new age for all creation. Those who trust in Him and receive His Spirit can enter into His New Creation here and now. We don't have to wait until we get to Heaven to be filled with and led by God's Spirit. What is life like as part of this New Creation? What can we experience now? What things still await us in Heaven? Listen to this first of many conversations about how our longing for more is answered and realized in Christ.

In this message, we see both pictures of Jesus and patterns to mimic as His followers in the lives of Enoch and Noah. They both stood out in their godless generation because they "walked with God". Listen as we learn how walking with God is possible and expected of God's people, even in an ungodly world.

Jesus' Resurrection changed everything. It signed and sealed everything that the Cross accomplished. It proved everything Jesus had ever said and did, and authenticated Him as God's Messiah. While Good Friday would have secured our forgiveness, without the Resurrection there would have been so many outstanding concerns. From the paradox of suffering, our persistent sinful impulses, and the questions about death and the afterlife - only Jesus' Resurrection brings clarity and certainty. In this message, we observe how the Disciples wrestled with their unbelief and came to true faith in Jesus because of Easter Sunday. We also learn about these major promises of the Resurrection: Hope for our Trials, Freedom from our Sin, and Victory over Death.

Good Friday defines and illustrates goodness. It also makes it clear that true, pure goodness is found in Jesus alone. Listen as we reflect on Jesus and His Cross and learn how this day brought favor and hope to us all. We could never be good enough on our own, but Jesus proved that He is good enough. That's why Good Friday will always be enough for us. Jesus forever settled on earth and in Heaven our relationship with God, when His extraordinary, unending goodness met our excessive, unrelenting sin.

How could someone who spent so much time with Jesus remain lost and ultimately decide to betray Him? The story of Judas is both baffling and typical. He wasn't the only person who followed Jesus for selfish reasons, as many sought to make Him their personalized lord and savior. In the end, the reason Judas followed Jesus became the very reason he betrayed Him. He followed Jesus for personal gain, and then turned Him over when that seemed to promise a better reward. Judas refused to surrender to Jesus as King and saw no need to cling to Jesus as his Savior. He believed the lie that the devil ensnares so many with, and was left hopeless and full of regret.

Palm Sunday is the intersection of what we often want Jesus to be and who Jesus actually is... What we often envision Christianity to be about and what it actually is about. Everyone expected a king and a kingdom to rise up during the events of Passover 33 AD, and it certainly did. However, nobody could have imagined the way Jesus introduced His rule nor the nature of His Kingdom. Listen as we follow Jesus through the events of Palm Sunday and see how He subverted every expectation that day. His words and actions in the face of such an opportunity reveal the heartbeat of His Kingdom and show us the way forward as God's people. Palm Sunday's outcome is why we can be saved and it outlines how every saved person must live.

John 6 is a crossroads in the early Christian movement. The masses assumed they understood Jesus and believed that He could be easily manipulated to get whatever they wanted from God. Perceiving that His signs had been woefully misinterpreted, Jesus sought to clarify His message to His thousands of followers. Alas, at the end of the day, the majority unfollowed Him. In this message, we discuss the motives of the crowds that followed Jesus in those early days. We learn why it was so urgent and necessary that Jesus correct the narrative surrounding His movement, even if it did end up costing Him greatly. He knew that the greater cost would be that which His followers would pay, if they remained so misguided. Listen as we learn about the true, pure, and most fulfilling incentives for following Jesus. His primary purpose isn't to enrich us with temporary stuff, but rather to fill us with Eternal Life. Many turn to Jesus to obtain and consume more, but the true prize comes from following, sacrificing, and surrendering our lives to His greater calling over us.

For God so loves our rebel race that He continues to have mercy for those who deliberately turn against Him. In the immediate aftermath of the Fall, Cain begs for relief from his self-induced burden and God gives him grace. If we ever question how God feels about sinners like us, Genesis 4 makes that very clear. in response to this grace, Cain's offspring react with even more defiance. Things continue to look bleak for the human race. Yet, God had a plan - He always does. God would raise up a remnant that would live in contrast to the children of man. Even in our generation, God has a remnant and will preserve a people for Himself.

Jesus came into a world that was so misinformed, misguided when it came to God. Attempts at reconciling with Him had only created further distance and separation between the average person and God. Religious leaders were delusional in their quest to earn God's favor, while common people were downcast in their own sin, guilt, and shame. People were waiting in lines that never took them anywhere good, but only left them with less hope and more questions. In this message, we see Jesus encounter people on both sides of the spectrum, but extending the exact same message. Listen and see how the same Gospel comes to all us, whether in our self-righteousness or self-defeat. Jesus issues the same invitation to us, one of grace, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.

In this message we discuss divine appointments, risk vs reward, and the boldness of Christian hope. In one of the most memorable chapters in the Bible, Jesus demonstrates His mastery over demons, disease, and even death.

As hard as it to imagine, there was a time when "Jesus" wasn't synonymous with God and when Christianity wasn't an global institution of grace and truth. 2000 years ago, a line was drawn in history when Jesus entered this world and changed everything. While many generations since haven't worshipped Him as Savior and Lord, they've lived in a world that has been undeniably touched and impacted by Him. That truth alone ought to make everyone take a second look. Even believers should consider Jesus more seriously and sacredly than ever. In this series, we follow the eyewitness account of Jesus' original follower, John, as he details how Jesus began to change the world. In this opening message, we see Jesus encounter John and his friends for the first time and consider John's initial observations of who Jesus was. Together, with the witness of history, we marvel at how Jesus revealed God to a lost, desperate world and kickstarted a movement that has yet to slow down.

In this message we discuss: - The origins of sin in our universe. Does evil predate Genesis 3? - If God is sovereign over all things, is it possible that the events of Genesis 3 were part of His plan all along? - Why the original audience for this text would've needed no explanation for the serpent being synonymous with the devil - How the enemy always calls into question the goodness and trustworthiness of God's Word

The breakdown of our world was a direct result of the breakdown of the family - the very first family, that is. In this message, we look at God's original mandate given to Adam and Eve pertaining their complementary design and purpose in reflecting the full image of God. We see how both were made in equality, yet given unique responsibilities, for the good of each other and the Kingdom of God. A failure to meet those responsibilities is what caused the first of many dominos to fall in the world, leading to the disorder we still feel today. Listen as we discuss all of this and more - including a quick mention of dinosaurs and some concluding thoughts on God's promise to clean up the mess we had made.

Our 1 John series concludes with a conversation about confidence and assurance. In Christ, we can possess an unshakeable faith, preparing us for and motivating us during whatever the Lord wills. John outlines three secrets to obtaining this enduring confidence in God: Anchor our faith in God's Truth, Surrender our lives to God's Plan, and Guard our hearts from sin and idols

God's Love is front and center of the Gospel and should remain top of our minds always. In His love, we find a better belonging and through His approval, we find a pathway to become the person we were made to be.

Take on a "Greater Than" faith in the face of conflicting emotions and opposing enemies

God didn't rest on the seventh day because He had to but because He could... He could rest because He was finished and everything was in place to operate smoothly and completely. We are called to take hold of this same kind of rest, not to fulfill religious obligations, but to take hold of one of God's greatest promises.

MANIFEST: Beloved - 1 John 4:7-12 by Risen Church NC

Before the Fall, there was Purpose. Humanity was placed by God in paradise and given responsibility. Even on this side of the fallout, we still look back to God's original vision for our world to understand what we were made for and how we might honor God with our lives.

We were not made for the commandments. The commandments were given for us, for our good. In this message, we consider how salvation should produce obedience. We also conclude that obedience is the obvious move, because our best is always on the other side of it.

Jesus performed many miracles throughout His ministry, it's hard to keep up with them all. However, Jesus was very strategic and intentional with each divine work. None of them were random acts of power, but rather signs and wonders designed to show people who He really was. While clearly a miracle worker, Jesus came to do something even greater than heal our earthly maladies. He came to forgive sins and deliver our hearts from bondage. Jesus did the unthinkable in His day - He touched the unclean and did good for those that religion had condemned. He gave people their lives back who had long been cast away... but more importantly, He showed those same people what a connection to God was like and provided them Eternal Life.

In the opening message of "Beginnings", we discuss the 'why' behind the book of Genesis and marvel at the power and goodness of God on display in the Creation story.

Ephesians promises that the Holy Spirit wants to take our lives to new level of depth and purpose for God's Kingdom. Chapter 4 emphasizes that above all, He desires to see us united to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Discovering and valuing our place in God's family is key for us to rise up to our calling and gifts in Christ.

If we believe that forgiveness comes through Christ, then we must also embrace the freedom and invitation that He brings to our lives. We have been forgiven so that we might follow Him and walk just as He walked. In this message, we discuss the transformation that salvation brings upon our lives. To follow Jesus is more than to say "no" to sin, but we are commanded and compelled to say "yes" to love. John anchors the Christian walk in how we love our brother, sister, and neighbor. He goes as far to say that if we focus on loving like Jesus did, sin will become an afterthought. Listen as we talk about the contrast between sin and love and set our sights on following Jesus, as closely as we can.

Proverbs offers all sorts of wisdom for any given area of our lives. It also happens to place premium value on finding our place in the faith community and leaning on one another. In this message, we look at several verses from Proverbs that all build a powerful case for our belonging and investment into our local church. Listen as we discuss the importance of accountability, the danger of isolation, and the blessing of having a Spiritual support system.

The Holy Spirit desires to change our lives. He has full intentions to overpower our flesh and empty of us of sin. The question will always be - are we cooperating with this transformation? Are we walking in His steps? Listen as we discuss the tension between our flesh and God's Spirit. We emphasize the importance of justification by faith, wherein we lean on Jesus completely. We also see how this kind of faith produces within us a New Life, leading us in a bold, brand new direction.

To say that the Christian life is full of blessings is not news to most believers. We believe and serve a Good God who indeeds is kind and gracious to His children. However, the true, desired blessings that both Jesus and the New Testament promises us are much greater than, beyond what we've otherwise settled for... In Ephesians, Paul writes with clear intent to direct our eyes higher, above this material world towards the Spiritual promises that God has made us. He leads us along from chapter 1 to 3, speaking of our "Spiritual Blessings", "Glorious Inheritance", which promise the "fullness of God" in our hearts, bringing us "Abundantly More" than we've even considered. Coupled with the teachings of Jesus, it's obvious that there are Spiritual Blessings we've passed over, settling for temporary fixations. Ephesians calls us to discover our true inheritance as believers, exclusively found in the transformation the Holy Spirit wants to bring on our lives. In this message, we decouple ourselves from what we've settled for and set our eyes on a new horizon. What can our lives look like in sync with the Holy Spirit? What new goals can we set? What new aspirations can we live for? Far beyond our temporary satisfactions, focused on short lives full of treasures and pleasures. God is inviting us to accomplish Immeasurable Greatness in His Church - Abundantly More than we've ever even considered.

Jesus came to manifest God unto the whole world. He came reflecting Heaven's Light and promising life as God always intended us to have. For generations, the truth about God was misconstrued and many religions proposed ways back to Him. Jesus came to set the record straight for all time to come, so that nobody would be in the dark about God or His plans for our lives. Listen as we look back God's original vision for creation and see how Jesus restores both creation and creature. 1 John 1 provides a true benchmark to show whether or not we have come to know God like we can and are enjoying true, eternal life.

Many relate to Church the same way we do restaurants or stores. We may happen to attend with many other people, but everyone's disconnected, without regard nor obligation to any but one's own interests. While this may be the predominate understanding of church and the Christian faith in our modern world, it couldn't be farther from the Biblical teaching on the Faith Community. In this message, we dive in and hear the truth echoed from all over the Scriptures - how our faith binds us together, to a larger body. We hear both Old and New Testaments stress the importance of vulnerability, accountability, and our shared responsibility. Listen as we define Christianity the way that Jesus did - and still does. If we are following Him, we will belong to His Body and take serious the role we play and the relationships we are called to embrace. From the first faith community in the Garden of Eden to the newly minted Church of Jesus Christ - God's command to every believer is to put WE over ME.

Have you ever started something that you didn't finish? As easy as it is to start, it's almost easier to quit and walk away. Spiritually speaking, we are all guilty of beginning efforts that will draw us closer to God and His Kingdom, only to lose heart along the way. In this conclusion to our Nehemiah study, we learn about his team's commitment to their work. We discuss the importance of declaring God's call over our lives as great and worthy and why we cannot trust the many dissenting voices that surround us. We also conclude that "greatness" in God's eyes is much different than the way our flesh and world see things. What is your "Great Work" in God's Kingdom? Have you walked away from it? Has your commitment or enthusiasm for it waned over time? Listen as we allow God's Word to motivate us and hear Jesus' call us all to God's Great Work for our lives.

The first step in thriving spiritually is totally dependent on the steps we take to follow Jesus. A common disconnect between our confession of faith and activation of our faith lies with our misunderstanding of true salvation. To be saved is to follow Jesus, to abide in Christ. If we believe, we will belong to Jesus and follow after Him every single day. Listen as we take salvation back to its roots and outline the basics of Christianity.

Abiding in Jesus will lead to a transformed life. Our hearts will become aligned with His truth and we will be compelled to act out our faith. In this message, we discuss the common disconnect between what we believe and how we behave. Listen as we hear God's Word give us decisive truth on the subject of faith and good works.

The Holy Spirit fills the heart of every believer and begins leading us all in a very specific path. His primary desire and purpose for all of us is that we would seek God's glory in all that we do. Jesus told His original disciples that the Holy Spirit would come upon them for a single reason - so that they might be witnesses to His Gospel. In this message, we discuss what it means to be a witness for Christ and how the Holy Spirit narrows our focus on God's will for our lives. Embarking on God's mission will surpass any competing call. The Spirit will show us how our involvement in God's movement on earth is more rewarding than anything else.

Who is the Holy Spirit? How does He relate to God the Father? To Jesus? What impact should and can have on our lives? In this message, we are introduced to the Holy Spirit and hear how every Christian should come to rest in and rely on Him. In short, the Holy Spirit's role in a believer's life is to bring the presence of God to us and work the power of God through us. He makes us like Jesus and helps us obey the Greatest Commandment through our words and actions.

How can we find the courage to make the move that God has called us to make? Why are filled with fear and anxiety when we are called to sacrifice something or surrender everything to God? God's callings are greater than any invitation of this world, yet they test us and challenge our fleshly instincts. Only when we've humbled ourselves to Him and given our hearts over to His causes, will we be fueled by His passion. In this message, we study how Nehemiah was able to walk away from His privilege and embrace a life of service. He chose to make God's glory the desire of his soul and never looked back.

Reignite your passion. Rediscover your purpose. Be revived by God's call over your life in 2025

In this message, we take a look back at our Spiritual growth and progress in 2024. We measure ourselves against Peter's words regarding sanctification and a life that glories the Lord. As we finish another lap around the sun, has 2024 been just another lap around the mountain? Or have we become more holy? Have you become more Christ-like this year? Would you describe your attitude and actions as others' first? We have been saved unto this end - so that we might thrive Spiritually and be holy, as God is holy.

The world becomes a different, better place for a few weeks every December. Everywhere we turn, we hear the Good News of Jesus Christ proclaimed. Even the non-believing world takes notice and feels the effects. There is an undeniable, palpable spirit of hope, peace, joy and love in the air. In this Christmas Eve message, we reflect on the power behind Christmas and marvel at the impact of the birth of Jesus. From a throne to a manger, the world received its final, ultimate King.

A message about the Peace that Christmas promises and how Jesus demonstrates the true power it brings to our lives.

A message about the Joy the Christmas brought into the world and how Jesus alone helps us retain the Christmas Spirit.

The Christmas story punctuates God's amazing grace on so many levels, but maybe the most powerful takeaways are the revelations within its backstory. Some of the most embarrassing episodes from Israel's past just so happen to involve some of the ancestors of Jesus. It would make sense that these stories be buried and forgotten, but no - Matthew highlights them as he sets up his Gospel. As someone who had been scorned by society for his past, Matthew relished in being chosen to tell the story of Jesus. Perhaps what delighted him the most was to be able to remind people that Jesus came from a long line of sinners. God isn't embarrassed or ashamed to include any of us in His family. Our backstories simply make us prime candidates to experience the salvation that Jesus came to bring.

Christmas came to bring good news of great joy to all people - particularly, all SINNERS. How do we know this? Well, because Christmas came THROUGH generations of all kinds of sinners. In this message, we study the life of the namesake Israel's most famous and important tribe. It turns out, Judah wasn't selected to be the progenitor for God's Messiah because he was good, but rather the opposite. His life demonstrated just how much the world need a Savior.

A reminder of the Hope that Christmas brings us.

It's easy to excuse people who have been dealt the worst hand and have become bitter as a result. We understand that if only things had went better, maybe they wouldn't be broken. However, we know exceptions to this rule - people who consistently rise above their troubles who choose to respond to life's unexpected turns with extraordinary perspective and grace. In this message, we see how Daniel responded to some of the worst news anyone could ever receive. We marvel at his faith and discuss how we might remain strong when confronted with adversity. Discover how choosing to be thankful no matter what is key to remaining faithful throughout life. We too can choose the extraordinary path in our lives, by which we see and are full of God's goodness whether or not we feel good.

Every Christian should be full of gratitude towards God. Thankfulness isn't an emotion, but rather a decision and an attitude that we must constantly possess. If we don't choose to be thankful, we will become forgetful of what the Lord has done. The Bible also calls us deeper, beyond just saying that we're thankful. We are called to show that we're thankful by leveraging our gifts for God's glory. In fact, God desires that we mimic in Him in generosity so that others may become aware of God's goodness and join in with praise. In this message, we connect the dots between God's blessings on us to God working through us. What begins with giving thanks is meant to produce a lifestyle of giving and serving. By this, others will discover our God and we can take hold of an even greater reward.

Revelation 21 is *the* longing of every heart. We may not realize it. We may feel as if other desires are stronger. Truthfully, every desire we have is an overflow of this ultimate longing for Heaven. The Bible teaches that God has set Eternity at the center of every heart, and deep down, we want to be with Him more than anything. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of a future we can have with God, and offers to set our hope in the right direction. In this message, we discuss this longing within us all and talk about the core promises of Heaven. We learn how the hope of Heaven can give us perspective and purpose for every day life. Also, we hear one final warning of how foolish it is to jeopardize our souls, attempting to find satisfaction in all the wrong places.

In this message, we discuss the sobering subject matter of Hell and eternal judgment. We discuss the reason there is a place called Hell and then learn what an eternity of judgement might be like. More importantly, we also learn how Jesus offers everyone a way to be saved. On the cross, He welcomed on Himself a torrent of judgement, that was the combined punishment due to every sinner across all time. In His three hours of suffering, He experienced an eternity's worth multiplied by all in need of salvation. In light of what our Savior suffered for all and the extent He went to pardon us, the subject of Hell cannot be ignored.

We all know what it's like to lose hope. So often the many variables we place our hope in prove unsustainable and as they falter, we faint. In this message, the Bible exposes the futility in placing our hope in fragile, uncertain variables. We are invited to trust only in the one and only constant, the God of the Universe. Daniel teaches us that God truly is in control of all the elements of this world. Daniel brings a word of challenge and conviction to King Nebuchadnezzar, which sends him off the deep-end of insecurity. The king attempts to secure his power, making an example out of Daniel's three friends. Their response sends shockwaves throughout all the world and all time to come, as they showcase what it looks like to have a hope that is unshakeable and fireproof.

In this series, we study the lives of four sons of Judah who have their entire worlds turned upside down, and yet they retain their faith. Everything that they had prepared for and dreamed of was taken from them, setting in motion a series of unpredictable events. This message spotlights Daniel's determination and resilience in the face of adversity and uncertainty, and shows us a core pillar of the Christian faith. Our foundation in a Resurrected Savior anchors and aims our lives in an ever positive direction, instilling within us a "refuse to lose" attitude.