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Sometimes it is a struggle trusting God, taking Him at His word, and believing that what God wants is best for me. This comes from wanting to be in control. Because in control of life, one can be confident everything will happen how they want it to. We have just launched a new series, Elijah; A Man Just Like Us, reminding us how the same God Elijah served can use us to live a life of impact for His kingdom. When looking at this section of scripture, we see that God's people have lost their way and its unique and dangerous time to be a faithful follower of God. In all this, Elijah lives a life of faith, trusting God and taking him at his word. But what does this look like? What does a life of faith look like? Listen to our first message of the series, Elijah, A Life of Faith, and see how a life of faith is a life of trusting God and taking him at his word.
Have you ever been met with the question; “why are you a Christian?” The outside world loves to ask that question, for curiosity or possibly to prove you wrong. It can be very intimidating to feel like all the pressure to defend your faith and want to do it perfectly. Fears may sneak in, and insecurities build up. What should I say? How do I do this? In our series, Asking for a Friend series, we'll answer tough questions and provide you with gospel-centered answers that you can share with a friend. We all have questions, but sometimes, navigating the answers to cultural issues through the lens of the Gospel can be challenging. We need to learn how to be comfortable with the skeptics and doubters within our world. The issue is not about criticizing the blindness of those who do not yet believe and live as we do, but how we respond to an unbelieving world that will help them see Jesus! Listen to our newest messages, How Can We Defend Our Faith When Talking to Unbelievers?, and come to understand when the unbelieving world sees your life, let them see Jesus.
It's one of the most tragic and misunderstood trials a parent can face, losing their child. While plagued with grief, questions are flooding their minds. What happened to our child? Are they with Jesus? How are we supposed to know if they are ok?” In our series, Asking for a Friend series, we'll answer tough questions and provide you with gospel-centered answers that you can share with a friend. We all have questions, but sometimes, navigating the answers to cultural issues through the lens of the Gospel can be challenging. Death is a topic difficult to navigate because we don't know from personal experience. It requires full trust in what God tells us through His scripture. And when it comes to a life ending early, more questions arise and more concerns flood into our minds. Listen to our newest message regarding babies, children, or people with special needs passing, and be comforted that those in Christ will go to Him.
Is anxiety or being anxious, a sin? Anxiety is an issue of giving weight to the things we care about. If we give the proper weight to the proper things, then our anxiety over them is not sin. But if we give improper weight to things, our anxiety could be the kind that Jesus instructs us against. Each of us needs to ask ourselves this question considering scripture, how do I address my anxious heart? In our series, Asking for a Friend series, we'll answer tough questions and provide you with gospel-centered answers that you can share with a friend. We all have questions, but sometimes, navigating the answers to cultural issues through the lens of the Gospel can be challenging. We need to look to God, who he is, and what he has done to help properly reorder our cares and anxieties. Listen to our newest messages, Is Anxiety a Sin?, and begin to see that reflecting on God will reorder our anxieties.
We prepare for tests, parties, job interviews, house projects, and difficult conversations. Preparation is a part of our lives. But how often do we think about preparing for paradise? In Revelation: All Things New, we'll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. We concluded our study by examining the final defeat of sin and death, culminating with the New Heaven and New Earth where God dwells with his people forever. In paradise. If this is truly the destiny for all those who believe in Jesus, then how should we live today? How should we prepare for it? Listen to our newest message of the series, The Great Return, and choose to live in anticipation of Jesus' return!
We all love a good story! Maybe even more specifically, one with a hero and a happy ending! It's the classic adventure we sometimes relate and reflect within our own lives—we face antagonists, weakness, trial or even death—and then we come out of the abyss victorious, resurrected, changed. It's the hopeful outcome of the human soul! We love stories that illustrate this because we all are asking the same question – are we going to make it? In Revelation: All Things New, we'll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. We find the magnificent conclusion of Christ's work in Revelation Chapter 2, which reveals to us that through Christ, God will bring restoration to all! That's the undeniable truth, regardless of what it looks like today. We are going to make it and we will have a happy ending! Listen to our newest message of the series, All Things New, and trust that God is making all things new!
If someone were to ask you what the word “father” means to you, your answer may be vastly different than the person next to you. In fact, everyone may have a slightly different view based on your relationship with your father or if you are a father. Our world has deeply impacted our view, but has that somehow impacted our view of our Heavenly Father? In a special message for Father's Day, we unpack verses from Psalm 103 to answer the question; how does God care for his children? Listen to our newest message of the series, Looking Up to Our Father, and see that God shows us how a father cares for his children.
Who gets the last word? In so many aspects, we see that the last word comes from a place of authority. In a court case, the jury makes the decision. At work, your boss makes the final decision. In a game, the referee makes the call. At church, we learn that God is the ultimate power and authority over all. So, we may wonder, how does God deal with the forces of evil? Will He get the final verdict? In Revelation: All Things New, we'll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. In order for God to renew the world, he must rid the world of what's ruined it. The forces of evil have wrought tragedy after tragedy after tragedy throughout our history. Listen to our newest message of the series, The End of Evil, and trust that God gets the final word on sin and evil!
For many Christians worldwide, the threat of persecution is a constant reality in their following of Jesus. While we do not have those same experiences in the West, it is important to remember what our brothers and sisters face in other parts of the world. Imagine waking up daily under the threat of persecution. What might you long for or place your hope? What vision might motivate you to pursue faithfulness in life and mission amidst the pressure and persecution you face? In Revelation: All Things New, we'll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. The Apostle John shares a revelation he received while a prisoner to encourage churches facing increasing pressure and persecution from their surrounding Roman culture. These churches were tempted to abandon the way of Christ as they faced rejection, martyrdom, cultural influence, spiritual enemies, etc. And yet, John writes to encourage them to overcome by providing them a vision of what is and what will ultimately come when God makes all things new. What might also motivate us towards faithfulness in life and mission? Listen to our newest message of the series, Welcome to the New Millennium, and see how John seeks to encourage His audience by showing them how Christ will reign in a millennial kingdom!
What will it be like when Jesus returns at his second coming? Have you ever thought about that? What's the impact of his return, and what should our response be? Today we continue our message series! In Revelation: All Things New, we'll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. There is debate surrounding this section of Revelation about certain details and when certain events happen. We want to focus on what everyone does agree upon – one day, Jesus is coming back again! Does what we believe about the return of Christ impact how we live today? Listen to our newest message of the series, The Return of the King, and rejoice that Jesus will defeat God's enemies!
In recent years, Christianity has faced some of its biggest challenges in the Western world. Churches are in decline. Personal evangelism is a thing of the past. Sin is rampant. Our current “scientific” and secular culture has shown the foolishness of faith, and on and on it goes. So, how can Christians find the motivation necessary to overcome the challenges of our modern culture and continue the mission that God has called us to? By remembering the end of the story! Today we begin our newest message series! In Revelation: All Things New, we'll discover a glorious description of the end of all things and the great kingdom to come. As truth floods our hearts and magnificent images fill our imaginations, it is here that we find motivation for our present challenges. Listen to our first message of the series, Praise Our God, and be encouraged that our Family Mission is to Spread the Praise of God among our Neighbors and the Nations!
What happens after we die? This is one of the biggest mysterious and curiosities spanning all humankind. There is so little knowledge about what happens to us after we die, there is all sorts of cultural intrigue around this question. We all want to know, because we're all unsure, and we're all going to die. Today we conclude our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. As we read 1 Thessalonians, we support the statement “I believe… in the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.” The church in Thessalonica was also concerned over this same question; what happens after we die? Paul is going to offer further instruction related to the resurrection and how it impacts our lives today. Join us for our last message of the series, I Believe in the Resurrection of the Body, and celebrate that Resurrection is coming!
Isn't it interesting how we naturally want mercy and forgiveness for ourselves when we mess up but want swift justice for anyone that harms us? This is the tension that we live in daily and it's a tension that we navigate unfairly every day. The only person that perfectly balances forgiveness and justice is Jesus. Today we continue our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostle's Creed. Through a deeper look into the book of John, we are looking at the truth that we “believe in the forgiveness of sins”. Having our sins forgiven is a foundational need of everyone. In our text today we are going to see Jesus perfectly balance justice and mercy without promoting sin or condemning sinners. Here, let's answer the question; What does forgiveness look like? Join us for our newest message of the series, I Believe in the Forgiveness of Sins, and celebrate together that Jesus forgives sins!
Why do you do the things that you do? Think about it. Is it because someone you respect taught you? Are you wearing something you thought looked good on someone else? Have you started taking on hobbies your friends have? It's pretty common, we become the people we surround ourselves with regularly. The same thing happens within the church! We don't stay stagnant individuals. But what is actually happening? What is the important of the church? What does God do in the church? Today we continue our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. Through an investigation into Ephesians, we see how scripture enforces the statement “I believe in… the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints” and teaches us about the role of church. When those who follow Jesus as Lord come together, we start to grow in specific ways. Join us for our newest message of the series, I Believe in the holy Universal Church, and learn how God's church is where God's people grow in God's image.
Today we continue our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. Looking further into the book of John, we take a hard look at verses that support our belief that “He suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.” Jesus's death is one of the most famous deaths in history, but do we truly understand the weight of what His death meant? Join us for our newest message of the series, I Believe in the Sacrifice of Jesus, and may we be humbled that through His death, Jesus put sin to death.
Unfortunately when Bible stories become so main stream and casual, we lose the beautiful and power of those moment! Jesus' death and resurrection is not just a story in a kids book. His victory has dramatic and amazing impact and consequences for all of our lives. But you might wonder what that really means? How does the so-called resurrection from the dead of a man who lived over two-thousand years ago have any impact on my life? Today we continue our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. We analyze the statement: “On the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.” What does Jesus' victory mean for me? Join us for our newest message of the series, I Believe in the Reign of Jesus Christ, and celebrate that Jesus' victory impacts everything!
What is your view of Jesus? Who is he to you? Do you believe what the bible says about Jesus? The answer to these questions matter, and they will impact your life and eternity. Sadly, I believe that most people's view of Jesus, inside the church and outside the church, is lacking. We need a much bigger vision of who He is and what's He's done. So the question you need to asking yourself is, how do you see Jesus? Today we continue our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. Through our text in the book of John, we dive deeper into the statement, “I believe in Jesus Christ, his Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary.” Join us for our latest message of the series, I Believe in Jesus Christ, and see how Jesus shines the light on God!
Our current culture preaches worship of self, “you do you” or “live your truth,” elevating ourselves over everything else. With messages like this pressuring us all over our day to day lives, we often question (intentionally or unintentionally), why should I worship God and no other? Today we continue our series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. We look to Psalm 33 to reinforce our creed statement; “I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.” Join us for our newest message of the series, I Believe in God the Father Almighty, and learn how God our father gives us every reason to worship Him!
“What is Truth?” With everyone having their own truth, and the world full of information, misinformation, and disinformation it can seem nearly impossible to tell fact from fiction. How do we know what is true? Does it matter? And how do we live in light of the truth itself? Today we are starting a new teaching series called The Essentials: Why Truth Matters. In this series we are going to seek to lay down and identify the essential truths, the basic doctrines of the Christian faith growing through together one of the oldest affirmed creeds of the Christian church, The Apostles' Creed. In this series we will go to work against the disinformation campaigns of culture and the devil by affirming what the Bible says is true and building our lives around that. The writer of the book of Hebrews calls us a more foundational perspective and truth. Join us for our first message of the series, I Believe in God, and understand that believing in God is essential to possessing truth.
How would you define wealth? There are many different ways for us to calculate true financial wealth. To each person, it may look differently. Truth is, we covet. We always long for a little bit more than what we have. It's easy for people to make an idol of money and wealth. This love of money, and the accumulation of wealth, has caused temptation within the human heart since currency began being used - including Christians! We conclude our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. The Apostle Paul addresses this issue head-on, calling God's people to view money differently than the world and gives us multiple charges to avoid the temptation and to seek something far greater, true life! In regard to money & a fulfill Christian life, let's answer the question; what does it look like to finish well? Listen to our final message of the series, Finishing Well, and make the choice to finish well when we focus our lives on pursuing Jesus Christ.
We know how to recognize and award those who make movies, play sports, or work in different areas of industry. We have Hall of Fames while we nod our heads in approval at that person who we believe deserves our applauds. Culturally, we've learned how to honor and celebrate people, but what about our leaders in the church? Do we really know how to honor our pastors well? We continue our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. In the book, 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul writes about worship gatherers, qualifications for leaders, dealing with teaching doctrine, and how the church should honor their pastors. If pastors follow the instructions from Paul to Timothy, then they will be leading in a manner that is glorifying to God. If pastors are serving or ruling in a way that is glorying to God, then they are truly a gift to the church. Listen to our newest message of the series, Pastors and the Church, and see how godly pastors are a gift to the church!
Family. That words will make each person think of something different! Some may think of large holidays parties with kids running around and people talking over each other, while others may cringe a bit thinking about loss or pain from family. Family is different for everyone, but including God! His plan for the church was to be a spiritual family. So, how do we address the challenges that come from the many types of people in a myriad of circumstances in the church? There are different ages, genders, cultures, and socio-economic conditions. How do we relate with one another in a way that brings glory to Jesus? We continue our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. In the book, 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul writes that the actions of the church could administer God's care for His people, and influence how the unchurched community around them would respond to the gospel. Through the study of scripture, we can ask ourselves how do we relate as a family of God? Listen to our newest message of the series, The Family in the Church, and appreciate that the church relates as a family of God.
The last few years have been disorienting at times for many as we have watched Christian “celebrities” and pastors announce that they were no longer Christians or become disqualified for ministry due to moral failings and sinful leadership practices. It has left many of us shocked, disheartened, and searching to understand what has led to all of this. Many may have seen them as role models, but now they have fallen off that pedestal. If their faith didn't make it, how can mine? How do we watch our life and doctrine so it stays strong in every season? We continue our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. In the book, 1 Timothy, the apostle Paul writes this letter to help instruct Timothy on how to lead the church, knowing how disorienting spiritual abandonment can be for a church community, so he seeks to help Timothy and his congregation know how to keep the faith and not depart from it. Listen to our newest message of the series, How do we Keep The Faith?, and learn how to keep the faith, watch your life and doctrine closely.
If you were to ask the people around you to describe you, how do you think they would respond? Would they describe you by your career, that you are funny or helpful, or possibly by your hobbies? Many people from different areas of your life may describe you in different ways based on how they know you. But, above all else would you be known for? Earthly traits or by your Christ-likeness? We continue our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. In the book of 1 Timothy, Paul lays out a model of behavior for both men and women within the church. Does your life reflect Christ and the Gospel, or the culture we live in? Listen to our newest message of the series, What Should a Christian be Known For?, and understand that Christian men and women should be known for their gospel-centered behavior and reject cultural stereotypes!
Today's society continues to grow more and more individualistic. Be unique. Do it yourself. You can do anything! The disposition of individualism is that a person speaks or acts exclusively for himself with no consideration or reference to other people. This mentally has slowly crept its way into church culture as well. That is not the nature and tone we find in God's Word. The reality is that the forces of our individualistic culture have deeply influenced the way we pray, and even what we pray about. Despite culture today, what does scripture say about what and how should the church pray? We continue our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. Paul gives Timothy a list of specific instructions on how to lead out the worship gatherings of the church he pastored in Ephesus. Listen to our newest message of the series, What the Church Does: Pray, and see that when we gather, we pray!
What happens when we neglect the central reality of the church? What occurs when we discount, ignore, or abandon the Gospel? As we study Paul's letter to Timothy, we're looking at the church itself; how to stay focused on “making sure the main thing is the main thing” rather than taking eyes off what is truly most important. Why should we hold fast to the Gospel? We continue our series, Church: Why Bother?, where together we learn about the beautiful design God created for YOU and His church. Everything in the church comes back to and must center around the good news of Jesus Christ. In fact, when the church departs from the Gospel, trouble abounds. So, this letter, and this passage specifically, is setting up the whole book to tell us to hold fast to the gospel. Listen to our newest message of the series, Hold the Gospel, and truly hold fast onto the lifesaving Gospel!
In 2021, a polling organization published a report revealed that over the last 6 decades the percentage of American adults who belong to a local church dropped from 70% to 49%. It seems that an entire nation is asking a critical question about church…why bother? Many of us often wonder if going to church is really worth it. We can often fill our Sundays with errands, sports games, and kid's activities—putting church and its people on the back burner. But what if we told you God has a beautiful design for the church that very much includes YOU? The book of 1 Timothy speaks to these truths. And if each of us submits to them, our church will function as the loving family God intends. One that beautifully represents the truth of God's merciful plan of salvation through Jesus. Join us each week as we look at the answers to the question, Church: Why Bother? Listen to our first message of the series, What is the Church?, and learn how the church is a family that upholds the truth and spreads the gospel.
Christmas traditions are great! But how many of us have found ourselves at some point in a holiday season carrying on “the tradition,” but the reality is very different? Traditions sometimes can cause us to focus on the “joy” of Christmas while ignoring the harder or more painful parts of the season. This only makes the season harder and more challenging. We're told, “it's the most wonderful time of the year,” but what do we do when it doesn't feel like it? We continue our Christmas series, Fulfilled: His Promise Kept, Our Longing Met, where we will discover how Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to us. While exploring scripture that is not part of the “traditional” Christmas texts, we're going to see, it has a lot to say to us when dealing with the painful parts of the holiday season and our lives in general. Jesus' birth doesn't ignore the reality of pain or suffering, it highlights it. Listen to our fourth message in our series, A Blue Christmas, and embrace that in Jesus, our mourning turns to hope!
Have you ever felt trapped in a situation? You feel like you are so far gone, or the circumstances are irredeemable. While in those moments of desperation or possibly years of trials, how often do we try to just solve all our problems on our own? We try to muster up all our strength, just to feel exhausted and back at the bottom. And possibly, how often do we even acknowledge our need to be saved? It shows a weakness which is not popular in our culture today. However, it is only through salvation that we truly can find freedom! We continue our Christmas series, Fulfilled: His Promise Kept, Our Longing Met, where we will discover how Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to us. In scripture, Matthew takes great care to help us see how Jesus' birth fulfilled the promises of God by bringing deliverance to God's people back then and today. In Jesus, God offers you escape from exile and restoration back into his family. In Jesus, God is calling you back home. Will you receive the invitation? Listen to our first message in our series, A New Exodus, and find security in knowing that through Jesus, God offers deliverance!
What's the greatest Christmas gift you've ever received? Was it an Xbox, a vacation, or a red rider BB gun like in The Christmas Story? When I think back on the greatest Christmas gifts I've received, what made them great was not what they were or how much they cost but who they were connected to or came from. What made them great was the person I received them from rather than the possession itself. Relationship changed everything! We continue our Christmas series, Fulfilled: His Promise Kept. Our Longing Met., where we will discover how Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to us. As we look at our section of the Christmas story today, we find a similar reality, examining Jesus's birth when the Wisemen come to find Jesus born in Bethlehem. Listen to our second message in our series, A King from Bethlehem?, and recognize that in Jesus, the least can become the greatest!
Everywhere we turn, it seems someone or something is promising to finally give us the satisfaction, happiness, and peace we long for. Yet from advertisements to political campaigns, these promises – and the empty places within us – remain unfilled. Throughout His Word, God makes promises, too – the kind that connect with our deepest needs, longings, and desires. But in today's day and age we can't help but wonder, will He actually keep them? Today we begin our Christmas series, Fulfilled: His Promise Kept, Our Longing Met, where we will discover how Jesus is the fulfillment of God's promises to us. Together, we look through the book of Matthew's narrative and see that he has given us an account of how Jesus has fulfilled the signs of Isaiah's prophecy. Listen to our first message in our series, A Surprise Arrival, and see how in Jesus, God comes to be with us!
This is C.T.'s last message as Lapeer's Campus Pastor.
How often do we do a double check before we leave the house, go on vacation, or during prep, saying “Do I have everything I need?” We want to make sure nothing is missing, and we are good to go! The question is worth asking about our lives, especially in regard to our spiritual pursuits. Do we have everything we need to flourish and to overcome in this world? We conclude our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” His concluding message to his disciples is aimed and driving home in their hearts and lives that they have everything they need because of what he has done. Jesus wants us not just to intellectually affirm the truth, he wants us to believe and experience it in every area of his life. As we conclude, we're going to see how he equips and prepares us to walk with courage because we have everything we need. Listen with us in our newest message, Walking in the Way, and rejoice that Jesus' victory provides us everything we need to follow him.
One of the most mysterious aspects of the Christian faith actually revolves around one of the persons of the Trinity - the Holy Spirit. Questions arise like, is it a force or maybe like the force? Is the Holy Spirit an “it” or the Holy Spirit a “he?” Even beyond “what the Holy Spirit is,” or the better question, “who the Holy Spirit is?” What is the role of the Holy Spirit in the world and our lives? Part of what adds to the questions surrounding the Holy Spirit is that different Christian traditions place different emphases on the person and the role of the Holy Spirit. So, how do we answer these questions? We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” As we examine today's text, Jesus brings his most straightforward teaching on the role of the Holy Spirit for the way ahead. Listen with us in our newest message, The Way of the Spirit, and learn how the ministry of the Holy Spirit spotlights the Son!
Have you ever felt unprepared in a situation? Maybe you didn't realize that would happen or possibly someone else didn't prepare you correctly for what was to come! Some have felt this way about becoming a Christian! Maybe you didn't realize when you signed up that spiritual victory comes through carrying your own cross. Is it worth it? We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” As we examine today's text, hours before Jesus is to be crucified at Calvary, he wanted his disciples to know what to expect from the world and how he would help them through all the hostility they would face. Listen with us in our newest message, Haters and the Helper, and see how knowing our opposition and our support helps disciples stay on the way.
So, what is the foundation for all who profess faith in Christ? What is the source of living a life that reflects the things Jesus teaches? While this may seem a bit too simple, too religious, too churchy, the answer remains - Jesus Himself! We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” As we examine today's text, we'll find two significant ways that Jesus shapes our life in community with other believers, by defining our definition of love and redefining the nature of our relationships. Listen with us in our newest message, The Way of Love, and see how walking in the way of love looks far different than we imagine.
Have you ever noticed that in the Bible fruit is frequently used in parables, stories, or symbolism? Fruit and farming were common things among the people of Bible, so it was an easy topic to relate to in a message. While scripture was written to the people of those days, it was also written for us! So, it is important for us to understand just exactly what Christ means when posed with the question; “How do we produce fruitful lives?” We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” In these particular verses in John, we see several key aspects of what discipleship of Jesus looks like. Listen to our newest message of the series, Abiding in the Way, and recognize how disciples of Jesus produce fruitful lives!
In both Christian and non-Christian settings, Jesus is a more well-known name! People know about Jesus and the stories about him. Similarly, God is also known throughout the world. But there's one person of the Trinity that seems to be more of a mystery: the Holy Spirit! Even many within the church don't fully understand who and what the Holy Spirit really does! We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” Through diving into scripture, we unpack the question, what active role does the Holy Spirit have in your everyday life as a believer? When you think about your days, is the Holy Spirit an active participant in your day-to-day life? Listen to our newest message of the series, A Helper for the Way, and find comfort that Jesus Sends the Spirit to Help us on the Way!
Throughout the years, most have tried to find the meaning and purpose of life. They pose questions like - Where did I come from? Why am I here? Where am I going? Who am I? How should I live? And statistics prove that year after year, more people are looking for those answers outside of the church and God, relying on and believing in money, self, power, politics, or something else! One reason why people are so worked up is because their belief — their faith — in all these other things is letting them down. We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through His last hours and teaching with His disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” Here in scripture, we will answer the question: What are we supposed to do when the way we were headed doesn't seem certain anymore? Listen to our newest message of the series, Jesus the Way, and see that believing in Jesus is still the only way!
Do the people around you know who you follow? The things that interest us tend to take priority in our lives; our children, our job, favorite sports team, a hobby, or even favorite series of books. We may have pictures, posters, shirts, and even often have conversations about whatever we follow! As a Christian, can those around us also see that we are followers of Jesus Christ? We continue our series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus, following Jesus through His last hours and teaching with His disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” Listen to our newest message of the series, Which Way?, and realize that the world knows who we follow by how we love one another!
What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? Have you ever been unsure of what comes next, where to go, or how to get there? For as many people as you ask that question to, you will probably hear as many different answers. Yet Jesus didn't leave that question unanswered. Welcome to the first episode of our new series, The Followers Trail Guide: Navigating the Path of Jesus! Over the course of ten weeks, we will be following Jesus through his last hours and teaching with his disciples in the book of John known as “The Farewell Discourse.” Jesus gives his disciples, and us, a trail guide of sorts to bring clarity and direction to our lives as we follow him home to the Father. Tune into our first message of the series, The Jesus Way, and see how Jesus paved the way for us to follow! But the question is: will we follow him?
Finding Community within the church has become evermore increasingly difficult to find. Join us today and discover what community can look like for you and why it is important for Christians to be in community with one another.
In today's day and age people can portray themselves to the world however they choose on social media, while the reality might be a completely different life than what people see. Influencers entice us to follow them on the basis that if we do what they do, we can achieve the appealing life we see on screen. Before we know it, we are following everything they do, and seeking their guidance for answers to our lives. In his letter to the church of Corinth, the Apostle Paul speaks to this kind of "wisdom" the world offers, exposing what seems wise to the world as foolishness. Join us as we continue our series, Divided: Seeking Unity in a Fractured World, by discovering the true wisdom and power of the Gospel. Listen to our next message of the series, The Message of Fools, as we're challenged with the question, "Where am I finding wisdom?"
We've seen it on shirts, bumper stickers, and even on wall murals: Detroit vs Everybody. This isn't the first time people have rallied behind the fact that they are different than another group, where an “us vs. them” mentally has formed. In a society that so often places people at odds, how can we experience unity despite our differences? Join us as we continue our series, Divided: Seeking Unity in a Fractured World, by looking to 1 Corinthians 1 to discover the unifying power of Christ. The Apostle Paul addresses this exact issue in his letter to the church in Corinth, where he admonishes there is no such thing as "us vs. them" when it comes to the people of God. Listen to our next message of the series, Vs. Everybody, to discover the unity we have in Christ.
We might understand the division in our nation, but can we justify it in the Church? Join us as we continue our series, Divided: Seeking Unity in a Fractured World, by looking to 1 Corinthians 1 to discover the unifying power of Christ. This letter by the Apostle Paul teaches us how to live differently—in community with one another. Amidst a culture as diverse as Corinth, not unlike modern-day America, how does a follower of Jesus practice this sort of faith? Listen to our next message of the series, Inexhaustible Grace, as we discover the affects of God's grace when we are in Christ.
One of the chief concerns of our day is that "we're more divided than ever." Have you felt that in your own life? It seems people are polarized over every possible issue and the division is only growing deeper and more isolating. We aren't the first generation called to represent Christ in a splintered society, and God's Word addresses this exact issue in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. Welcome to the first episode of our new series, Divided: Seeking Unity in a Fractured World, where we're looking to 1 Corinthians 1 to discover the unifying power of Christ. Tune into our first message of the series, Come Together, and find the answer to the question, "What does it mean to be called together in Christ?"
As we turn to Matthew 6:16-18, we discover that we are to live for the reward of heaven and not for the reward on man. Together, we'll be challenged and encouraged by the Truth in this important passage of Scripture. So listen with us in our newest message, Habits - Fasting, to see how Christ is our example when it comes to fasting.
As we turn to Psalm 4, we discover how David went to God in the midst of conflict and broken relationships to find peace and rest. Together, we'll be challenged and encouraged by the Truth in this important passage of Scripture. So listen with us in our newest message, Prayerful Response Transforms Into Peaceful Rest, to see how God meets us right in the middle of the tension and helps us to respond when life gets thrown into chaos and relationships get broken.
In the book of Matthew, we see the teachings of Jesus and how His word still impact us today. Here in the scripture we will answer three basic questions; who is Jesus talking to, who does Jesus say that we are, and what does He tell us to do? Join us for our newest message "Let Your Light Shine" and discover what God has in store for you!
In the name of "keeping the peace" many people avoid confronting problems in their relationships. Have you ever felt that tension among your family and friends? As we continue our message series, Family: Why Bother?, we see how the author of Genesis doesn't gloss over the dysfunction of this family or leave it unattended. Instead, he brings it front and center. Why? Because it's through this family's dysfunction, not despite it, we learn something vital about how we can navigate the broken dynamics in our own families. Join us for our newest message, When Dysfunction Meets Grace, to see how God's grace prevails over family dysfunction.
Have you ever been convinced that you and you alone know the best way to do something? If so, can you remember how it feels to have someone distrust your opinion or even prove you wrong? It's not a great feeling. We often go through life convinced we've got it all right, only to find out we missed something. As we continue our message series, Family: Why Bother?, we're looking to the account of Isaac & Rebekah to understand God's sovereignty over our lives. As the only One who actually knows everything about everything, He invites us to rest in His sovereign provision of exactly what we need. Join us for our newest message, Providential Provision, and ask yourself, “Am I trusting God's plan or my own?”