Risen Church NC

In this message, we learn what it means to be transformed by the saving power of God. We don't just need to be freed from sin, but we need to be filled with the Life and Presence of God. We learn from two famous stories from Scripture about the longing within all of us for a real, authentic connection with God. We see what happens when we are filled with all the wrong things, and how only true, lasting satisfaction comes through Jesus.

In this first message of our "REDEMPTION" series, we discuss why we need to be reconciled to God in the first place. Romans 5 explains how sin entered creation, by contrasting Adam's rebellion with Jesus' sacrifice. We come to understand that all that is broken in the world stems from the Fall in Genesis 3. We also realize that the first temptation is a preview of the temptation that we face every single day. The first humans' sin caused a systemic fracture in Creation, setting all of us up to inherit a nature of sin and shame. The fallout from all of this? Well, we all own a piece of our broken world. We all fall short of God's standard. We all hide our sin in shame, until eventually we become defiant and even make excuses for our sin. This is just the beginning of our study on redemption, but even in this first message, we hear the Gospel's invitation to bring our sin to Jesus and find forgiveness. By confessing our sin, we can access and receive the gift of salvation.

In this special message, we look back at the story of Esther and learn about God's sovereignty over the nations and the unique responsibility He has given His people, which He has placed in the various kingdoms of the world. Esther tells of the only time in history where Israel faced oppression from the Persian kingdom. We discus why this is significant, especially in light of a prophetic passage in Ezekiel and recent real-world events. 2500 years later, on the eve of celebrating Purim, this story demands a fresh look...

In this message, we discuss what it's like to feel a sense of urgency while lacking the agency or opportunity to properly respond. We've all felt this tension—knowing that something needs to change, but being unable to make the change. We often face these kinds of waiting periods, where the pressure only builds and builds as time presses on. Listen as we wrestle with this burden and the emotions that go hand in hand. God's Word speaks into this common scenario, by reminding us that we can still honor and serve God in the midst of our waits. We may feel held back by many limitations, but God promises to do much with whatever we have to offer.

In one of the most theological rich passages in all the Bible, Jesus teaches us about the nature of discipleship, the sovereignty of God, and our hope in the face of fears and uncertainty.

We've all sat in plenty of waiting rooms, where it seems like time stands still as we sit on the edge of our seats or pace the floors in distress. Other waits aren't confined to clinics, but still render us frozen and full of emotions. The problem with our waits is that the world continues to turn and life moves forward whether or not we are able or ready to. As ideal as it would be to be able to bring our burdens to God in prayer and sit still until the answer comes, this simply isn't how the process goes. In fact, the Bible teaches us that God uses our waits and is in their midst. Prayer has never been touted as a means of erasing our waits, but rather enduring them and redeeming them for God's glory. Listen to this first message in a series all about life's most challenging waits and learn how Jesus promises to be our source of strength during and throughout our trials.

A look at Jesus' first parables, focusing on the story of the seed and different types of soil.

Peter closes out his first letter by admonishing Christians everywhere to reset their expectations for how the world will treat us and react to our faith. He admits that it may feel strange to expect trials and persecution, but he reminds us of what our ultimate goal should be as followers of Jesus. Jesus called all of us to take up our cross and follow Him. The Way of the Cross is not just a means of salvation, but a lifestyle for all who are saved. In this message, we discuss what it means to bare a cross for Christ and how it should inform and influence our stance and response to whatever the world might throw at us.

If you were in and around the church in the late 90's, odds are you remember everyone being on "Rapture Watch". The New Millennium had everyone on edge, wondering if "the end of all things" was at hand. That fervor continued into the 2000's, but eventually faded into the background. Nowadays the subject is barely breached in the local church, with an emphasis on political and cultural dominance having become the new favorite topic within the evangelical church. The Bible has a lot to say about the Last Days, warning us that we are exiles on this earth and that we should live out every day as if it could be our last. The promise of Jesus' return is certain and the reminder that we are strangers who will never truly belong to this world is stressed particularly by the Apostle Peter. In this message, we discuss how we might conduct ourselves and live out our lives until Jesus returns. He warns us to live with sobriety and seriousness, so that we don't lose focus on who we are and our purpose as missionaries for Christ.

In this message, we learn how Jesus' miracles were signs of an even greater work that He came to do. Our flesh focuses on the sign, but they were always meant to point to God's plan and provision of salvation. We'll unpack how this frames miracles of all kinds, past and present. Then we discuss the way and method in which Jesus welcomed and accepted people, just as they were. When Jesus passed by Levi's house, he was captivated by the matchless grace of God, while convicted by His unwavering truth. Listen as we consider how we might strike the same perfect balance of acceptance and accountability.

A message about Jesus showing us how to navigate to honor God with our daily lives, while also making it clear that He came to do for us what we could not do for ourselves.

A message about the power of a testimony and the transformation that follows an encounter with Jesus.

In this message, Peter shows us how our freedom in Christ should inform us as we face opposition in this world. As exiles, the empires of this world push us to the margins, and thus, to our limits. As believers, we can thrive in the fire and realize that God is using these moments to amplify our witness and shine His light into darkness.

After the resurrection of Jesus, Peter returned to his old lifestyle, assuming the "Jesus Movement" was all but over. However, Jesus came looking for Peter and reminded him that His ministry was only beginning. Peter confessed to Jesus that he wasn't sure he was willing to be as devoted as He was asking and expecting him to be. Jesus informed Peter that in due time, he would come to see the value and necessity to surrender all to God... Years later, Peter sat down and wrote to the churches scattered throughout Rome and called every believer to step into their new identity in Christ. He called them (and us), "a chosen generation", "a royal priesthood", and "a holy nation". He compelled us all to taste and see that there is so much more to life than what this world offers to us. Listen as we hear Peter's invitation and learn what is fully offered to us from our new birth in Christ.

Acts 10 represents a watershed moment in not only Church history, but world history. The Church faced a crossroads early on in its establishment - How would it handle growth and expansion? To whom would it carry the Gospel? How wide-open were its doors? The Apostle Peter is confronted with a divine appointment, wherein he refuses to stand in God's way and takes the church into its next phase. On the other side of the story is a man named Cornelius, who had many reasons to doubt that there would ever be a place for him in the story of Faith and Redemption. Listen as we dive into this incredible story and hear how the meeting of these two men changed the world.

Mark 1:1-14 underscores Jesus as the one and only Savior, emphasizing that He came to save by way of serving, submission, and substitution. Listen as we go verse-by-verse through Mark's prologue to see how he introduces us to Jesus and several core principles of our faith.

1 Peter refers to Christians as both "elect" and "exiles" - two words that you wouldn't think go together. While we welcome being called elect or chosen by God, the thought of being an "exile" isn't the most encouraging notion. Yet, our true purpose and true power from God lies in our accepting and embracing this role. Listen as we discuss how Peter's message would've encouraged his original audience and why it offers both uplifting and challenging truths to modern ears.

In this message, we reflect on the past year and consider what remains unfinished. Perhaps many of our goals, aspirations, and plans didn't come together. Does this mean they are now abandoned or will be forever incomplete? Listen as we remember the story of Joshua and think on some of the challenges, delays, and setbacks that his generation faced. As he resolved to keep pursuing the Lord into the next chapter of his life, so must we as one year transitions to another.

Listen as we take a look at an ancient Messianic prayer that was answered through the birth of Christ. From there, we unpack 3 promises that Christmas brings to all who believe and 3 challenges that it presents to us.

Because of Jesus, joy is obtainable and sustainable. Having been born disconnected from God, we know all too well the struggle to find and keep joy. We battle the enemy day in and day out, as he attempts to suppress and steal our joy. Listen as we discuss our shared quest for joy and how Christmas makes it a reality.

RESET: Ground Zero - Ezra 3 by Risen Church NC

RESET: Realignment Assignment - Ezra 7 by Risen Church NC

A message on Job's gratitude and peace in spite of his devastating circumstances. Discover the secret to maintaining a thankful heart at all times.

In this message, we look at a story that doesn't have the happy ending we assume its featured character deserved. Instead, tragedy and injustice strikes a man who played a key role in preparing the way for Jesus and introducing Him to the world. While there isn't an easy way to make sense of the story, we hear Jesus invite us to trust Him and have hope in spite misfortune.

A Comprehensive look at many of the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming Messiah and their fulfillment as detailed in the New Testament.

In this message, we discover how presence is always key to having peace. From the presence of family to friends, there is nothing more vital and valuable than having someone by our side with persistence and purpose. This longing for presence is ultimately the thumbprint of God on our souls, pointing us to our greatest desire: His Presence. Listen as we discover why God's presence is the greatest present of them all and see how peace is uniquely tied to our relationship with Him.

Zacchaeus' pursuit of Jesus represents the longing in every heart for more than anyone or anything of this world can provide. From Luke 19 to Acts 17, this message shows us that we can find everything we need in a personal relationship with Jesus.

The story of Ezra represents a reset for the people of Israel and shows all of us how we too can find a fresh start through repentance and sensitivity to God.

Genesis 25 shows how God made the specific choice of Israel over all the rest of Abraham's children. Also, this text underscores the fulfillment found in a life devoted to God and the certainty of an afterlife.

The next step in the story of God's promise to bless Abraham's family turns out to preview an even greater story -- How God sent His Son into the world to find His Bride and bring salvation to the ends of the earth.

Most of us are superstitious about any number of things, even regarding what could affect our standing with God. Often we obsess or fixate on issues that condemn others, so as to elevate our own egos. All the while, what actually condemns us is our own self-centered, sinful hearts. Listen as we discuss our tendency to deflect our own sin by focusing on others'. Galatians 5 confronts the duplicity within every heart- the struggle between our flesh and God's Spirit - and calls us to surrender to the work that God can do within each one of us.

In this message, we consider how the widow of Luke 18 represents a believer whose hope is totally resting in Jesus, compared to those who hedge their bets and lean on this world for peace and confidence.

History may seem to be a series of disconnected events which have an equal chance to produce something good or bad. However, according to the Apostle Paul, history is actually a series of Providential events which God has orchestrated to further His Redemption Plan. Listen as Galatians 4 details how the advent of Jesus was preceded by specific actions that perfectly set the stage for His saving work and movement.

How would our lives be better if we too began looking forward, building towards, investing in Eternity more than this temporary world? What if we did what Hebrews 11 commends Abraham for doing, "looking for a city whose designer and builder is God”? What if saw ourselves as “exiles on this earth” and true citizens of Heaven? Might this attitude and outlook “cost us” in this life? Certainly - but should that be considered a bad thing? What if that's actually a saving thing? What if our priorities and ambitions are actually misinformed and ill-inspired, where this world's motives are distracting us from our Kingdom reward? Listen as we examine the attitude and mindset Abraham conducted himself with and learn how this should inspire and inform our daily activities and eschatological beliefs.

2000 years ago, many assumed Christianity was just Judaism 2.0- an evolution of the religious systems that held the world in hopeless bondage. In Galatians 2, the Apostle Paul argues how Christianity was truly a revolution, meant to replace all other would-be pathways to God. Listen and learn how Jesus promises and provides what no religion ever could.

In this message, we look at one of the earliest and greatest tests that God ever brought on someone. After waiting years for God to answer his prayers for a son, God finally provides - and then instantly asks Abraham to render the child back to Him. Listen as we wrestle with this test and seek out the purpose in our own.

In this message, we listen Jeremiah's lament over Jerusalem in the aftermath of its destruction. Filled with great sorrow, he finds comfort and perspective in God's sovereignty.

In Paul's most personal and passionate letter, he defines and defends the Gospel. Listen as Paul pours out his heart and shares his testimony, laying a clear foundation for what it means to be in an authentic relationship with God.

In this message we reflect on Abraham's imperfect journey as he learned what it meant to trust and follow the Lord. What is made obvious in his story - and any of our stories - is that God is the main character. He bears with our shortcomings and sin in order to magnify and underscore His grace. As His grace has its perfect work on us, we are progressively sanctified and discover our source of joy.

The story of King Saul is earmarked by unreached potential and repeated mistakes. Perhaps the most tragic part of it all is fate of his loyal son, Jonathan. In this message, we dig into the complicated relationship between father and son, and discover one of the greatest Christ-like examples in Jonathan. With all that went wrong for Jonathan and as unfair as his story went, he remained full of hope and trusted that God was still sovereign and good.

As we near halfway in our Genesis study, we take the opportunity to recap God's faithfulness to Abraham and the nature of the covenant He made with him. In this message we discuss the broader, longterm implications of the Abrahamic Covenant and how it is still in effect to this day. We discuss both the spiritual and terrestrial aspects of the covenant, with looks at Galatians 3 and Romans 11 with regards to how it applies to every generation since Abraham. Listen for insight about Israel's role throughout history and its purpose in God's eschatological plan.

Genesis 19 is one of the most infamous chapters in the Bible. The story of hostility, immorality, and compromise echoes thousands of years later. Overlooked by many, a similar scenario plays out within Israel's own borders a few generations afterwards. As we discover, this parallel story actually ties into the story of Sodom and Lot in multiple ways. Listen as we discuss the sin of Sodom, Lot's family, and one of the greatest redemption stories of all.

Life is full of letdowns. It can be hard to recover and bounce back from some of our toughest falls and failures. There are so many factors that influence how quickly any of us will be able to get back up. No matter how great the letdown and how difficult the recovery, could it be possible to look up immediately? Is there a way to find the strength and faith to look up to God, even when we're still navigating the fallout? In this message, we wrestle with life's greatest letdowns with the story of Joseph as our guide. We seek out the Goodness and Sovereignty of God which persists in spite of our struggles. Listen and discover how we can find the faith to always look up to Heaven's Light and be lifted up by God's own hand.

Every season of life is finite. Some may seem to last longer than others, but ultimately everything exists within a short window of time. In this message, the prophet Jeremiah brings one final warning to Judah, which nears the end of a long, grueling summer. After suffering from famine and pestilence, the outlook for the winter months appears grim. At this eleventh hour, a turnaround seemed unlikely. Listen as Jeremiah's message reminds us that our opportunities to serve and respond to God are likewise short. How is God trying to get your attention? What is He calling you to? How can we ignore the invitation of a lifetime?

Humanity has a long, complicated history of pretending to worship God, but all the while, we're really just worshipping ourselves. Since the beginning, we have been crafting idols and stamping God's name on them, insisting that we are living for Him, but our devotion and behavior suggests otherwise. In this message, we look at the infamous story of an impatient Israel at Mt. Sinai's base, wherein they rebel against the God who was actively delivering them. We see how God uses Moses to bring conviction regarding how they had replaced Him with golden calves. Although they asserted that they were still honoring God, they were actually wrapped up in the false promises of this world. We hear God's call to repentance and then hear Jesus outline what true repentance is and isn't. Listen as we consider these questions and more: - Why do we shift our trust to worldly leaders and systems? To objects, images, ideas? - Why can't we imagine a life where our faith isn't propped up, supported by, supplemented by more than God Himself? - Are we truly living life on "The LORD's Side"? - Do we see Repentance as our only entry point into a redirected and restored life from God?

In our final Passion + Purpose study, we discover the endgame of our Salvation. From justification to sanctification, the endgame of our maturation in Christ is the passion and purpose laid for us in Romans 14 and 15. Listen as we hold up our broken world to these passages and seek God's grace and truth to navigate us through these days. In this message we discuss: - How Christians have always been on the margins of society, culture, and political power and how Jesus instructs us to respond - How we might maintain our voice and maximize our witness, choosing to make a impactful difference rather than just make witty points - How the litmus test of our sanctification is found in our desire to and determination to love and serve others, especially those who are not like us - How we should continue to love and endure no matter what comes against us. Just as Christ bore our reproach, so we must bear one another's weaknesses

God invites us to trade pressure for purpose, to exchange stress to perform for power to serve God.

The first 8 minutes contains a reflection on recent tragedies in our country. "Lord haste the Day, but until then may we continue to seize the day." --- At the 8:15 mark, our message on Sodom and Gomorrah begins. Listen as we discuss the outcry against those cities and the severity of their sins. We hear from Romans and Ezekiel on what led these cities down this dark road and we answer questions about how to respond to similar cases in our world today.

In this message, we study Lot's drift away from God into darkness and learn how we should conduct ourselves as lights and witnesses for Christ.

We often pray for God to hold up the systems and institutions of the world wherein we have placed our hope. However, the Bible invites us to shift our hope entirely - out of this world, on to Christ alone. When everything around us moves and fails, Christ remains secure.

God promised Abraham and Sarah that their prayers for a son would be answered soon. When God appeared to their homestead in Genesis 18, Abraham was determined to make the most of this opportunity. In this message, we look at the template for true worship that is presented and modeled in this text. We also discuss how the long wait was part of a necessary process to prepare their hearts for this moment. It's never a matter of difficulty for God, but that He is waiting for the right opportunity and for us to be best positioned to take full advantage of it. God is waiting on us: - To elevate Him to first place, regardless/without results - For our delight in Him and desire for Him to match/surpass all else - For us to make the most of the wait and be prepared for the opportunity Questions to consider after listening: - Does Genesis 18 resemble your approach to God in worship?
 - Does your response reflect doubt or anticipation and readiness? - Are you making the most of it, from prayer to answer?