Sermons
Description: Explore 'thin places' where God intervenes in our lives, challenging practical deism and highlighting divine deliverance through Moses' burning bush encounter and Jesus' sacrifice. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:00:58 The Essential Beliefs of Christianity 00:09:25 Pro-Deism and Moralistic Therapeutic Deism 00:15:55 The Thin Places of God 00:21:50 The Miracle of the Burning bush 00:30:45 The Angel of the Lord 00:36:36 God's Deliverance Through Thin Places 00:45:25 Heavenly Worship Recorded on June 1, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Fully Known, Fully LovedDescription:Pastor JP explores God's unconditional love, emphasizing identity as His children, leading to freedom and gratitude-driven transformation.Chapters:0:00 Opening00:01:37 God Fully Known and Loved00:02:39 Fully Known, Fully Loved00:05:18 John 3: Lavished Love00:10:44 Jesus Christ: Fully Known, Fully Loved00:14:28 John 3: Fully Known, Fully Loved00:23:45 Purification is Saying No to Sin and Yes to Righteous Life00:26:08 I'm Fully Known and Fully Love by You00:31:33 3 Things to Do This Week for Personal Purification00:34:04 All God's Love For UsRecorded on May 25, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Description: Explore Jesus' teaching on unlimited forgiveness, where forgiving others is essential to receiving God's grace, as illustrated in the parable of the unforgiving servant. Recorded on May 19, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Description: Explore encouragement through Barnabas, emphasizing generosity, belief, and grace, with family as a spiritual renewal hub, reflecting God's character. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:00:23 The Power of Encouragement 00:07:47 Paul the Son of Encouragement 00:15:54 Barnabas the Charismatic 00:16:29 Paul the Apostle 00:25:25 Paul's Encouragement starts with Barnabas 00:33:27 Barnabas the Encourager 00:37:57 The Call to Encouragement Recorded on May 18, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
odcast for May 12, 2025 TWL - Parables S5E9 5.13.25 Description: Pastor Chris explores Luke 16's parable, urging mercy, timely action, and reliance on Scripture for eternal impact and righteous living. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:01:35 Jesus' Parable of Lazarus 00:04:26 The Rich Man and the Beggar Recorded on May 12, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Family Legend EP3 Description: Discover how to leave a godly legacy through character development, family investment, and embracing one's divine role, inspired by Proverbs 31. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:01:17 Family Legend 00:09:11 Proverbs 31: The Aspirational Values 00:11:52 The Virtues of the Noble Woman 00:21:56 The Truth of God's Teaching 00:24:12 The Role of Moms in the Family 00:30:54 A Legacy of Love Recorded on May 11, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
TWL - Parables S5E8 5.6.25 Description: Exploring Jesus' parable, the sermon highlights humility's protection over dignity, contrasting worldly pride with divine rewards for selflessness, inspired by Christ's ultimate humility. Recorded on May 5, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
## Exploring the Legacy of Boaz: A Family Legend In the second episode of the "Family Legend" series, we delve into the story of Boaz from the Book of Ruth. This sermon explores the characteristics that define a family legend and how we can leave a God-honoring legacy for future generations. ### The Legend of Boaz and Ruth The story of Boaz, found in the Book of Ruth, is a tale of faith, providence, and legacy. During a time of famine, Naomi and her daughter-in-law Ruth return to Bethlehem after suffering great loss. Ruth, a Moabite, pledges her loyalty to Naomi, famously stating, "Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay" (**Ruth 1:16-17**). Upon their return, they encounter Boaz, a man of standing and integrity, who plays a pivotal role in their story. ### Characteristics of a Family Legend The sermon outlines four key characteristics that Boaz exemplified, which we can cultivate to become legends for our families: 1. **Prayerful**: Boaz's life was steeped in prayer, even in his greetings and interactions. His blessing upon his workers and his prayer for Ruth's well-being were sincere acts of faith. "May the Lord repay you for what you have done" (**Ruth 2:12**). 2. **Perceptive**: Boaz noticed Ruth, a foreigner, working in his fields. His awareness of her presence and situation highlights the importance of being perceptive and attentive to the needs around us. 3. **Protective**: Understanding the potential dangers Ruth faced, Boaz ensured her safety by instructing his men not to harm her and providing her with water. This reflects the protective nature legends must embody to safeguard their families. 4. **Provider**: Boaz empowered Ruth by allowing her to glean in his fields, respecting her dignity and encouraging her independence. He provided opportunities rather than handouts, fostering growth and faith in God. ### Lessons in Legacy The overarching message is that legends are those who fear God and prioritize the well-being of others over mere happiness. Boaz's actions were not just about meeting needs but about creating opportunities for Ruth to experience God's provision and grow in faith. His life serves as a template for how we can influence our families positively through: - **Prayer**: Inviting God into every aspect of life, trusting Him to work in the lives of those we love. - **Perception**: Being aware and attentive to the needs and situations of our family members. - **Protection**: Safeguarding our loved ones from harm and guiding them through life's challenges. - **Provision**: Empowering others to stand on their own, fostering independence and faith. ### Conclusion Boaz's story teaches us that a true family legend is someone who leaves a legacy of faith and integrity. By cultivating these characteristics, we can inspire our families to follow God and live lives of purpose and significance. As Boaz was to Ruth and Naomi, we too can be guiding lights, pointing our loved ones to the path of righteousness and God's enduring love. For more insights, you can explore the full story in the [Book of Ruth](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ruth+1-4&version=NIV).
Family Legend EP1 Description: Pastor Chris explores Samuel's legacy, emphasizing integrity, adaptability, and continual learning from God, while acknowledging the influence of free will on those we guide. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:00:38 What Makes a Legend? 00:04:23 3 Characteristics of Samuel 00:13:02 The Legacy of First Samuel 00:21:51 Samuel 00:30:56 Samuel the Hebrew: Change Your Approach 00:35:44 The Characteristics of a Legend Recorded on April 27, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Description: Pastor Chris explores Easter's victory over all enemies, highlighting Satan's tactics and affirming believers' unbreakable connection to God's love through Christ's resurrection. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:00:09 Easter: A Celebration of Victory 00:02:21 Death is the Only Final Enemy 00:06:39 All of Our Enemies 00:15:55 2 The Righteous Among Us 00:22:47 3 Reasons Why God Loves Me (Suffering) Recorded on April 20, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Podcast for April 13, 2025 More Than Conqueror's EP14 Description: Explores Palm Sunday, highlighting God's unexpected work and the Holy Spirit's role in our weakness, emphasizing peace through spiritual connection over fixed circumstances. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:01:01 The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem 00:11:58 The People of God 00:16:50 How to Recognize and Trust God in Our Weakness 00:27:36 Proscriptions on Praying in Tongues 00:38:02 Why We Should Trust God 00:42:30 Have You Placed Your Faith in Jesus? Recorded on April 13, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
# Finding Joy in the Parables In this week's sermon, we delve into the profound lessons embedded within the parables of **Luke 15**. These stories, often associated with themes of loss and redemption, offer a deeper exploration into the nature of joy as intended by Jesus. ## The Joy of the Lord The sermon begins by reminding us of two critical truths from Scripture: the joy of the Lord is our strength, and Jesus desires for us to live with His joy, making our joy complete. This joy is not just an emotion but a life-animating force that is deeply connected to Jesus's presence and purpose in our lives. Despite this promise, many of us struggle to experience this joy. Pastor Chris suggests that the parables in **Luke 15** might hold the key to understanding and living with this joy. ## The Parables of Luke 15 The parables in **Luke 15** are responses to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who were upset with Jesus for associating with sinners. These stories include: - **The Lost Sheep**: A shepherd leaves 99 sheep to find the one that is lost, rejoicing upon its return. - **The Lost Coin**: A woman searches diligently for a lost coin and celebrates with her neighbors when she finds it. - **The Prodigal Son**: A father welcomes back his lost son with open arms and a celebratory feast. ## The Message of Joy While these parables are often viewed through the lens of searching for the lost, they also emphasize the joy that follows when the lost is found. Each story concludes with a celebration, highlighting the joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. The sermon underscores that joy comes not from obtaining everything we desire or from strict adherence to religious practices, as the Pharisees believed. Instead, joy is found in aligning ourselves with God's purpose—seeking and saving the lost, and celebrating their return. ## Joining the Search and Celebration To experience the joy of Jesus, we are encouraged to join in both the search for the lost and the celebration of their return. This involves: - **Embracing God's Purpose**: Understanding that what brings joy to God should bring joy to us. - **Loving Others**: Prioritizing love and compassion over self-righteousness. - **Celebrating Redemption**: Rejoicing in the repentance and restoration of others. ## Conclusion The sermon concludes with a call to action: to pursue joy by participating in God's mission. This pursuit is a truth worth living, promising peace and joy as we align our lives with Jesus's purpose. As we go forth, may we find strength in the joy of the Lord and share in the heavenly celebrations that occur when the lost are found. This reflection on **Luke 15** invites us to reconsider where true joy originates and challenges us to live out this joy in our daily lives.
# The Conqueror's Path to Glory In the latest installment of our series, "More than Conquerors," we delve into **Romans 8** to explore the profound journey of faith and the role of suffering in the life of a believer. This journey, as outlined by Paul, is marked by the dichotomy of present sufferings and future glory. ## Key Themes Explored - **Adoption into God's Family**: As believers, we are not only saved but also adopted into God's family. This relationship allows us to call God "Abba, Father," a term of intimacy and trust, highlighting our close relationship with Him. - **Inheritance and Suffering**: While being heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ promises us the riches of heaven, Paul reminds us in **Romans 8:17** that suffering is a necessary part of this journey. Just as Christ endured suffering, so must we, to share in His glory. - **Purpose of Suffering**: Suffering is not without purpose. Paul reassures us in **Romans 8:18** that our sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that awaits us. This perspective is crucial to maintaining faith through trials. ## Creation and Redemption Paul paints a vivid picture of creation groaning in anticipation of its redemption, paralleling the believer's journey. Creation's current state of decay is a result of mankind's sin, yet it eagerly awaits the revelation of the sons of God, which will coincide with the second coming of Christ. - **Romans 8:19-22**: These verses emphasize that creation's struggles mirror our own, as both await liberation from the bondage of decay. ## The Role of the Holy Spirit The Holy Spirit is our guide and comforter, providing us with the firstfruits of the Spirit, a foretaste of the glory to come. This presence assures us that our journey will culminate in victory. - **Romans 8:23-25**: As we groan inwardly, the Spirit strengthens our hope, reminding us that our current struggles are temporary and will lead to ultimate redemption. ## Perseverance through Faith Drawing from **Hebrews 12:1-2**, the sermon encourages believers to emulate Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him. This passage serves as a powerful reminder that our path to holiness requires perseverance, much like the saints who have gone before us. ## Anticipation of Glory The anticipation of Christ's return is likened to waiting eagerly at an airport for a loved one's arrival. Though we endure suffering now, the joy of reunion with Christ will far outweigh our current trials. - **Romans 8:18**: Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. This future glory is assured, and our hope is anchored in the promise of Christ's return. ## Conclusion The journey of faith, marked by suffering and hope, is a testament to God's redemptive plan. As believers, we are called to endure, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. Through suffering, we are transformed, and our ultimate victory is secured in Christ. In this profound message, we are reminded that while suffering is part of our earthly journey, it is the path to experiencing the fullness of God's glory. Let us embrace this journey with hope and anticipation, knowing that we are indeed more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Podcast for April 1, 2025 TWL - Parables S5E6 Description: Chris explores Jesus' parable of the dishonest manager, urging believers to be strategically shrewd, steward resources wisely, and maintain an eternal perspective. Recorded on April 1, 2025 at Skycrest
Description: Pastor Chris explores Romans 8, highlighting believers' identity as God's children, overcoming sin through the Holy Spirit, and sharing in Christ's glory despite suffering. Chapters: 0:00 Opening 00:05:54 Romans 8: Who Are We? The Children of God 00:11:55 Paul on Being Children of God 00:21:04 Abba Father and An unhealthy attachment 00:30:08 Children of God and their suffering 00:37:56 What Are You Attached To? Recorded on March 31, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Podcast for March 24, 2025 TWL - Parables S5E5 3.25.25 Description: Explore God's grace in Matthew 20's vineyard parable, challenging fairness and merit, urging celebration of grace for all, and embracing heavenly kingdom principles. Recorded on March 24, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Podcast for March 23, 2025RighteousnessDescription:J.P. discusses true righteousness from Matthew 5:19-20, emphasizing inner transformation through faith, surpassing Pharisaic superficiality, and adhering to God's unchanging truth.Chapters:0:00 Opening00:00:49 What Does It Mean to Be Truly Righteous?00:06:57 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount-00:15:14 The Absolute Truth of Scripture00:21:31 Matthew 5:1900:30:41 True righteousness is not about looking righteous or even living a Christian life00:39:14 All About ItRecorded on March 23, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
The Conqueror's EP11 Description: Explore Christian obligation and self-control in Romans 8:9-13, emphasizing active participation with the Holy Spirit to overcome sin and pursue holiness. Chapters: 00:00:00 What Are Your Obligations? 00:07:02 The Real World 00:13:56 Paul on Victorious Living After Conversion 00:22:45 What is Self-Control? 00:32:55 Guard Your Heart 00:40:14 Prayer for Victory Recorded on March 16, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
Parables S5E4 Description: Explore Matthew 13's parables revealing God's kingdom as the ultimate treasure, offering joy and purpose beyond material desires, transforming lives with its hidden, immeasurable value.
Well, good morning.That was worth getting up early for, wasn't it?Romans 7: Who Will Rescue Me From Sin?Spring ahead, and here we are.The last time we met, we dispelled a myth that is widely held among followers of Jesus Christ.Those of us who are more than conquerors in Christ.And that myth says that those who are more than conquerors are actually hopelessly doomed to defeat in sin.Okay, where does that idea come from?Traditionally, we interpret the closing verses of Romans 7 as giving us an out, a soft landing if we fail in our quest toward holiness, that quest to which we have all been called.And in that famous passage, it's where Paul confesses that the things he wants to do, he doesn't do.And the very things he really he doesn't want to do, those are the things that he finds himself doing.And so, as that passage comes to a close, he calls himself a wretched man and testifies that he is hopelessly trapped in this swirl of sin and death.But we concluded last week, and this is really important to understand, we concluded that that's not Paul's testimony.As Paul, the swashbuckling church planter who changed the world by preaching the good news of Jesus and planting churches among the Gentile cities.This was not, obviously, the man who boldly said, follow me as I follow Jesus.That kind of encouragement could only come from someone who was confident in that Jesus was going to enable him to overcome the temptation of the flesh.Rather, what we learned is that as chapter seven closes, Paul is telling the story of his life as Saul, the murderous persecutor and prosecutor of Christians, who, prior to meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus, was bound to the law and by the law.Romans 7 culminated in the acceptance of his own disheartening reality, which, if we have the courage, we will own it as our own.But it was his disheartening reality that because of his sin nature, the law which God gave through Moses and was good.But because of Paul's sinful nature, the law was too weak to give him victory in his pursuit of holiness without help.He recognized that he could not and would not ever get it Right.His noble quest for holiness would fall woefully short.So he cried out in desperation, what a wretched man I am.Who.Who will rescue me from.From this body that is subject to death.Now we feel that, or we should.It's a terrible place to be, but it's a necessary place to go.We all need to realize that without Jesus we are trapped in hopelessness and we are needing to be rescued.No amount of self reliance, determination or grit will enable us to free ourselves.Even with the perfect plan, which by the way, Saul had, and it came in the form of the law.Even with the perfect plan to extricate ourselves from the trap, we will fail.We will not, we cannot ever do enough to rescue ourselves.Becoming holy and forging a soul, satisfying life, edifying relationship with our Heavenly Father.It cannot happen.Can't happen.But there's some really good news.This is why we love the Scripture and God's revelation of the truth to us.The truth is that God wants that for us as much as we need it.He wants a relationship with us.He loves us, wants to be connected with us.So God came along and offered a rescue.Remember Paul's question, who will rescue me from this body of death?Well, God offers a rescue, a way of escape from the realm of sin and death and therefore a pathway to the realm of life for which we were created.It is a path whereby we are justified and not condemned.We're granted life and saved from death.We're made conquerors, not captives.And in that space we enjoy peace and not chaos.The way God made is both path and possibility.Let me say that again.The way God made for us is both path and possibility.And it is by faith in Jesus that we gain the path.And it is by following Jesus that we seize the possibilities.Now, having revealed that without Jesus we are more than conquered.That's what was going on in chapter seven.Paul steps back into the present.Now in Romans 8.So if you have your Bibles, want to turn there, Romans 8, he steps back into the present to say, that was then and this is now.But now everything is different.But now there is new life.But now I am more than a conqueror.But now I'm a victor.Because now I am in Christ Jesus who has set me free.That's where victory lies.We are in Christ Jesus who has set us free.Look at Romans 8 beginning in verse 1.Remember, he's in a terrible spot without Jesus.Then he says in verse one, therefore there is now no condemnation for those Who.Who are in Christ Jesus.Because through Christ Jesus, the law of the Spirit who gives life, has set you free from the law of sin and death.For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.And so he condemned sin in the flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us who do not live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.Now, those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires.But those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God.It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot, cannot, cannot please God.Paul reveals the Path to New LifeNow listen right here.Paul reveals two foundations of the new life that we have in Christ.First, he says there is a path, foundation of new life.There is a path.What God did in Christ, you know what he did, he dealt with sin effectively by loading it on Jesus, setting us free from the burdensome weight that we carry, trying to be holy, trying to be good.He loaded that burden on Christ.And second, he says there are possibilities, the guiding action of the Holy Spirit, whose great power and guidance keep us free.It's the Holy Spirit that enables us to live free and with victory.Now he begins by saying that the path that we find ourselves on by faith in Jesus is the path to new life.Okay?It's the path to the life we were born to live.And so he says, here and now, right now, with faith in Jesus, there is no condemnation for the sin that we could neither escape nor conquer.In the old realm before Christ, we can't get out from under the sin.We can't get it right.We can't conquer it.But in Christ, we are free from condemnation because Jesus came along to do for us what we could not do for ourselves, to fulfill the law.Okay?That was the objective, right here.Here are the laws.These are the top 10 things you're supposed to do.None of us are ever going to get all of that right.And so Jesus came along and said, hey, you know what?I'll just do it for him.And he did.Now we have to remember that in the old realm of death, the good law of God, which was the perfect plan if we could but enact It.It's the perfect path to life.It pointed to the way of life.But that plan was weakened by our sinful nature.We weren't strong enough to get the job done.The job was keeping the law, and we couldn't get it done.We could not make it to the finish line of the righteous life that God called us to.The burden was too much to bear.We couldn't get there.And as he actually points out in verse three, the law was powerless.It was too weak to break us free.Why?Because we were too weak in the flesh, okay?Our struggle with sin sapped us of strength.So when we got the plan, when God said, hey, Here are the 10 things, the laws that you need to follow to get it done, we were too tired, too burdened, too weary to step into that moment.We weren't strong enough to follow the plan.We couldn't carry the load.Now, the good news that Paul is announcing is that, hey, guess what?You don't have to hold up, okay?We don't have to carry the burden.God in Christ Jesus will take those burdens, freeing us to walk boldly into the realm of life.Now, that's a lot of heady theological talk.I want to try to illustrate it, something that I can understand.I hope you can, too.But let's say a few years back, my family's younger.We had a long, hard, bitter winter like the one we've just experienced.We endured it, got through it.I decided that what my family needed was a day at the beach.We're all going to go to the beach.So I load up the car.Actually, probably Nikki does most of the work.She loads up the car, beach towels, beach chairs, toys for the kids.I put the fishing pole, tackle box in the car.She's got a cooler packed for lunch that we're just hoping the kids won't feed the seagulls.We make our way out to Honeymoon island, okay?We find a parking spot and begin to make that laborious trip from the.Across the parking lot, across the sand to the water's edge.And when we get there, everybody grabs something, right?The kids get their toys.Nikki gets the bag with the sunscreen and the towels.But as the dad, like, what's my job?My responsibility is to carry the heavy stuff, right?As a matter of fact, in Foolish Pride, I determined that I And this really would have happened.I determined that I'm going to carry it all in one trip.So I take the cooler, stack the tackle box on top of the cooler, put the straps of the beach chairs over my shoulders.Grab the fishing rod and hold it close to my edge, right to my ribs, under my arm.Then I pick up the tackle box in the cooler and begin the walk as Nikki and the boys disappear onto the beach.It's a sight to see me.It's pathetic.I recognize that.But I'm going to do it.I'm determined, so I start walking right away.And what happens?Those straps from the chairs begin to slide off the shoulders.So it all goes down.Make some small adjustments that are probably not going to work.Pick the stuff up again, try again.Shuffling across the parking lot, I finally make it to the sand.And when I hit the sand, I discover that Jesus was right.The sand is where all the bad things happen, right?So sure enough, traction changes.The fishing rod slips out from under my arm, falls to the ground.I put all the stuff down to start over again.Frustration turns to madness when the guy comes prancing along with one of these.Do you know what this the beach cart.Like, I hate the beach cart.I really do hate the beach cart.Not because I don't need a beach cart.Obviously I need a beach cart.But I hate the beach cart because I don't have one.And this dude comes whistling by, not a care in the world.All of his burdens stacked neatly in the cart.Jesus Bothers All Our BodiesHe's happy, self satisfied.He loves the beach.He can't wait to get to the beach.And I'm not sure I ever will get to the beach.I'm literally crumbling under the weight of my burdens.A beach cart would change everything, but I don't have one.What a wretched man I am.Who will rescue me now in our quest for God's presence?The answer to that question is Jesus will.God loaded on him all the burdens, all the burdens.All the burdens that we are too weak to carry.750something years before he did it, Isaiah told us he would listen to Isaiah, chapter 53.Surely, surely, he took up our pain and bore our suffering.Yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him and afflicted.But actually he was pierced for our transgressions.He was crushed for our iniquities.The punishment that brought us peace was on him.And by his wounds we are healed.We all, like sheep, have gone astray.Each of us turned to our own way, trying to do it ourselves.And the Lord said, no, I'm going to lay on him the iniquity.God laid the burden on him.The cross was the cart.Jesus bore all of our burdens.When he died on the cross, or at least he offered to, he offered to carry our burdens.We just have to lay down our pride and let him take them.That's exactly what he invited us to do.Listen what he said to those who are following him.Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I'll give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I'm gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.For my yoke is easy.My burden is light.In contrast to the burden that we think we have to bear when we give it to him.His burden is light.Jesus says, come on, I'll take it.You don't have to worry about sin.You don't have to worry about the law.I took care of it all.I lived a sinless life, kept all the laws, fulfilled the law.And then I took your burden, took it to the cross.I died for you that you could be free.See, sin had to be neutralized.The law had to be fulfilled.And Jesus did both.The power of sin erased, the law fulfilled.The burden had to be lifted for us to connect with our Creator.And it was.And now burden free.Progress toward holiness is possible for those who are in Christ Jesus.The goal of victory, establishing ourselves living as more than conquerors, is within reach in Jesus.It is the possibility.It's a possibility.If.Ah.Hey, if.If what?How is that possible?Because the reason we believe the myth that we are hopelessly trapped in sin is because it seems to play out.We live the myth.But the good news that God is delivering here is no, no.It's a possibility to live free.If you remember how Paul wrapped up verse four, what he said was the righteous requirement of the law is met in us if we live not by the flesh, but by the Spirit.Look back at verses three and four.For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh.God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh.He was just like us.He was a human, but he wasn't stained by sin.He was in the likeness of human flesh to be a sin offering.And so condemned sin is in the flesh in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us.God gives us credit for living up to the high standards of the law.When we place our faith in Jesus in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us who do not live according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, the Victory is ours, the burden is lifted.Our demons are conquered.If in Jesus Christ we live not by the flesh but by the Spirit.So I guess we have to pause and say, do we live by the flesh or by the Spirit?The question is, how in the world do we live by the flesh?You know what I'm going to say.It's easier said than done, right?And that's true.Usually when we talk about something being easier said than done, we find that it's easy to describe.It's a very complex process for pulling off something that seems relatively simple, like folding a fitted sheet.Have you ever tried that?Get that right.Nicky's saying.Has he ever tried that?I don't think he has.I have.It didn't work.I don't know how to do that, but I know it's not simple, like folding a towel.I've done that a time or two.There's nothing simple about it.But in this case, living by the Spirit is very simple.It's not very easy.One thing's required.So it's really, really simple.No complexity.It's just not easy.Mind set on the flesh and spiritLook at verse five.Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires.But those who live in accordance with the spirit have their mind set on what the spirit desires.So it's just a mindset.Yet those who live by the spirit simply have their minds set on the Spirit.And those who don't have their minds set on the flesh.Here's what you need to understand about your mind.This is true.The fixed object of our minds determines where we go and what we do.You want to know what you think about?You can actually play the tape back and review what you did.It's an issue of the mindset, okay?Our souls, understand, have a one direction orientation.In other words, we are always moving one way.It can be one way or the other, but it is one way.It is impossible for us to do what Canadian philosopher and humorist Stephen Lecoq suggested, which is to jump on our horse and ride off in all different directions.Okay?We can't do that.That's not the way it works.We go one way or another.We don't go both.Now, Paul, in this passage of Scripture, has defined clearly the two ways we can go, two roads to travel.We can go in the direction of the flesh, or we can go in the direction of the spirit.And we will go where we make our minds up to go.Because whatever we have our minds set on, whatever we are devoted to is Going to determine the way we go.So if our minds are set on the flesh, what I want, what I need.If our minds are set on the flesh, we'll be governed by fleshly desires.And we are likely to take shortcuts to get what we want or need.But on the other hand, if our minds are set on the spirit, then we will be governed by the Spirit's desires one way or another.You can't go off riding in all directions.Now be warned.Verse 6 says, the mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.Again, this could not be more simple.Okay.Mind on the flesh equals death.The desires of the flesh misdirect us.The habits of the flesh entomb us.The heart of the thyroid, flesh fails us under the burden of the flesh.Flesh is death.But the mind of the Spirit, which is ours in Jesus, is not, might be, is life and peace.Now why is it that the mind of the Spirit is life and peace?The mind on the Spirit leads to life and peace because the Spirit, his job, his role, the gift to us from on high.He takes us back to Jesus, the one who exchanged our heavy burden for his easier burden.That's the role of the Spirit.Do you guys remember when Jesus was talking to his disciples?He knew they didn't get it, but he was trying to prepare them for the fact that he was on his way out.He was headed toward the cross.They were meeting in the upper room.It was going to happen the next day.And he had a meeting with his guys.And he was telling them, look, you can be at peace.You're going to have peace.Because in a strange sort of way, he was promising them that God was going to actually make things better for them after he was gone.And do you know how he said he would do it?John, chapter 14, verse 26.This is exactly what he said.But the advocate, the one who's going to cheer you on, the advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and remind you, remind you of everything I have said to you.So what does that mean?That means when our mind is on the Spirit, he reminds us of Jesus words, His unfailing love, his implacable wisdom and his mighty power.He reminds us that he is our peace and that Jesus prayed that we would have his, the full measure of his joy.So with the Spirit's reminders, we are guided to victory and peace.We live in a victorious life.We are more than conquerors.I'LL sign up for that.You.surrender your will and submit to God'sSo what do we need to do to keep our mindset?What do we need to do to have the right mindset?Look at verses 7 and 8 of Romans 8.The mind governed by the flesh.Now do you see that the mind is on the flesh and therefore it yields to the governance of the flesh.That's what that means.The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God.It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so those who are in the realm of the flesh.Flesh cannot please God.Now this is the hardest and simplest part of all.What he's saying is to walk in victory, to live the life, the sustained life of the burden free conqueror, which is God's vision for your life.Now, I told you this the hard part.We have to surrender our will and submit to His.If we cling to our will, we are at war with God.That's the exercise of the flesh.And we will be more than conquered.But if we submit to his will, then we're free.We enjoy life and the good pleasures of God's delight.We please God.So the step is to surrender our will and submit to his.Thomas Keating said, the chief act of the will is not effort, but consent.That's submission.I consent to his will governing mine.The mind governed by the Spirit is life and pleases God.When our mind is set on the Spirit, then we yield our will back to God in loving trust, consenting to his plan, to his path, which is better than our own.It's exactly what Jesus did.Do you remember in the garden?Everything was pointing to this moment.And he got there and his flesh was saying, let's get out of this deal in the flesh.He didn't want to die on the cross and he surrendered his will and submitted to God's.Nevertheless, not my will, but thy will be done.It's not what I want.It's what you want.I surrender.Someone has said that it's more difficult to yield the will than yield the will.Wield it.It's more difficult to yield it than wield it.That's consent.It's the path to greatness in his kingdom.It's the path to burden free victory.Paul, writing to the Philippians, said this.Let this mind be in you.That is also in Christ Jesus.That's the mindset.God help us surrender our will so we can submit to yours.Let's bow our heads and pray.Lord, we appreciate the simplicity of all of it.That we're burdened by sin.It's a burden we can't carry.We want to go where you're calling us to go, but we can't get there without help.We're grateful, Father, that you sent Jesus in love to make the path, to clear the way, take up the burdens for us, set us free to walk into life and peace and victory.Lord, I pray if there's anyone here who hasn't taken that step to place their faith in Jesus.Just pray, Lord, that they'll remember that the cross is the cartoon.The burdens all go neatly on the cross.Christ takes them away.And the beautiful part is we gain that path.It's by faith we choose to believe that Jesus lived a perfect life life that he submitted to your will and died.On the cross.You demonstrated your victory, the power of the spirit.You raised him from the dead.You are our living hope.So Father, I pray if anyone needs to believe today, that by your spirit you would draw them to belief and grace them with life.And Father, for those of us who have embraced the path, I pray that we'll meet the if we'll do what we need to do to set our minds on life in the spirit.Lord, right now, by your spirit, bring.Bring to mind those things that we are focused on that we need to hand over to you.Help us, Lord, to surrender our will so we can submit to yours.Thank you for the path, thank you for the possibilities and thank you for the promise of victory and the peace that comes.Because we are more than conquerors through Christ who gives us strength.It's in his mighty name that we pray.Amen.
Hello Skycrest Community Church Family, This past Sunday, Pastor Chris delivered a thought-provoking sermon on the parable of persistent prayer from Luke 11. We explored the profound lessons Jesus taught about the power and necessity of praying with unwavering faith and shameless audacity. As we delve deeper into this parable, here are some key points to ponder: - **Praying with Boldness**: Pastor Chris emphasized that our prayers should be marked by a bold and persistent spirit, much like the friend who sought bread at midnight. This boldness reflects our trust in God's willingness to provide. - **The Heart of Prayer**: We were reminded that prayer is not about the right words but about aligning our desires with God's will, focusing on the hallowing of His name and the coming of His kingdom. - **The Promise of Persistence**: Jesus assures us that if we ask, seek, and knock with determination and faith, God will respond. This promise encourages us to remain steadfast in prayer, confident in His provision. As we reflect on these teachings, let's approach this week with a renewed commitment to prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength in all we do. We're blessed to have you in our community, and we hope to see you at our next gathering. In Christ's love,The Team at Skycrest Community Church
Explore the struggle with sin and law, and how victory through Christ and sanctification transforms us, aligning our desires with God's will. Chapters: 0:00 Thanksgiving and Christmas at Skycrest 00:01:02 There's Wonderful Power in the Blood 00:04:08 Connect with the Pastor 00:04:45 Connection Groups: New Launch and Mission 00:13:05 Savior He Can Move the Mountains 00:17:31 God's Will in Your Life 00:23:22 Living Under the Law of Romans 00:29:23 Paul on the Law and Sin 00:39:21 Paul on Sin and the Realization 00:47:19 Paul's Testimony on Sin 00:57:14 Paul on Desires and His 01:04:23 All victory in Christ begins with faith 01:08:35 God's Word Recorded on March 2, 2025 at Skycrest Community Church.
In TWL Parables 2 – The Sower, we dive into Jesus' timeless parable from Luke 8:1-15. Discover how God's word is like a seed—sown on different types of soil that represent the condition of our hearts. Is your heart hardened like the path, shallow like rocky ground, choked by worries like thorny soil, or fertile and ready for a harvest of faith? Join us on Truth Worth Living as we unpack this powerful message and learn how to cultivate a heart that welcomes God's truth. Listen now and let's grow together in His will!
What Can We Learn from Judas? Judas wasn't always a villain—he started out just like the other disciples. But along the way, his love for money became greater than his love for Jesus.
Welcome back to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God's Word so we can live in God's will. Today, we take a look at Matthew, also known as Levi. If you're a fan of The Chosen, you might know Matthew as the quirky, neurotic, and OCD disciple who struggles with being ostracized due to his past. While this creative depiction captures some relational tension, the truth is that scripture tells us very little about Matthew as a person. What we do know about Matthew comes from his own account in the Gospel of Matthew:
Welcome back to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God's Word so we can live in God's will! Today, we're diving into the story of Philip, one of the twelve apostles. His journey with Jesus is a powerful reminder of how God uses each of us, just as we are, to accomplish His purposes. Philip was a process person—a facts-and-figures guy who needed all the details before making a decision. He wasn't one to leap without knowing exactly where he'd land. Yet, when Jesus called him, Philip responded immediately, leaving behind his calculations and hesitations to follow the Messiah. But even as a disciple, Philip's practical mindset sometimes held him back. Remember the feeding of the 5,000? When Jesus asked Philip how they'd feed the crowd, Philip's response was all about the numbers: “It would take more than half a year's wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!” (John 6:7) Philip's math said, “It's impossible.” But Jesus was teaching him—and us—that faith changes the equation. Here's what we can learn from Philip:
Welcome back to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God's word so we can live in God's will. Today, we're diving into the life of Simon Peter. Did you know that Peter was the only disciple Jesus formally renamed? Originally named Simon, which means “listening,” Jesus changed his name to Peter, or “the rock,” not because he was already steadfast, but because of what he would become in Jesus' hands.
Welcome back to Truth Worth Living, where we seek to understand God's word so we can live in God's will. Over the next few weeks, we're diving deep into the lives of the 12 disciples—the ordinary men Jesus called to be His closest followers. We talk about them often, but how well do we truly know them? Join us as we uncover their stories, their struggles, and the incredible transformation that took place when they answered Jesus' call.
No matter who is elected into Office. Jesus is King!
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