Podcasts about collierville church

THIS EPISODE:Prayer is one of life's great mysteries. Most people pray at least sometimes; some people a great deal. For some, it seems like shouting into a void on the off-chance there may be someone out there listening. For others, prayer merges into love, and the presence of God becomes palpable. But for most Christians, it's somewhere in the middle. And for many of us, it's not just a mystery but a puzzle. We know we ought to do it, but aren't quite sure how to “do it right.”Jesus gave us a model for prayer placing it in the context of relationship with our heavenly Father. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Matthew 6:5-9 (NIV)—5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

THIS EPISODE:Don't we have a few things worth lamenting together?A lament is spiritual permission to process the pain of life all while searching for God's grace and understanding. We'll never escape pain, heartache, or disappointment in this lifetime, but we can more surely become better equipped to process it with the Lord. In this episode we look at when a group or nation vocalizes corporate pain, grief, fear, or some other strong emotion together. And we consider how communal lamenting can help us process our pain as a people, and simultaneously remind us of the goodness of our great God.Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Psalm 12:1-8 (CSB)—1 Help, Lord, for no faithful one remains; the loyal have disappeared from the human race. 2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and deceptive hearts. 3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully. 4 They say, “Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own—who can be our master?” 5 “Because of the devastation of the needy and the groaning of the poor, I will now rise up,” says the Lord. “I will provide safety for the one who longs for it. 6 The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver refined in an earthen furnace, purified seven times. 7 You, Lord, will guard us; you will protect us from this generation forever. 8 The wicked prowl all around, and what is worthless is exalted by the human race.

THIS EPISODE:“Where are you God? Why is this happening?” Pain, trauma & tragedy are inevitably circumstances that seem to challenge everything we think we know about the goodness of God. As followers of Jesus trying to process these things, it's the deep questions we find ourselves facing & wrestling with (often quietly) that make us timidly wonder, “Can I really even say that out loud?”The answer is yes. The “Psalms of Lament” give us permission & even a framework of sorts to how we can (and need to) say the hard things out loud that we can't make any sense of in life. It's a spiritual process of moving from heartbreak to hope that gives us permission to honestly process the pain, all while searching for God's grace and understanding.Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Psalm 13 (CSB)—Psalm 13A Plea for Deliverance | A psalm of David1 How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?How long will you hide your face from me?2 How long will I store up anxious concerns[a] within me,agony in my mind every day?How long will my enemy dominate me?3 Consider me and answer, Lord my God.Restore brightness to my eyes;otherwise, I will sleep in death.4 My enemy will say, “I have triumphed over him,”and my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.5 But I have trusted in your faithful love;my heart will rejoice in your deliverance.6 I will sing to the Lordbecause he has treated me generously.

Is it okay to pray for the destruction of your enemy?Recently we've come to understand Biblical lamenting as honestly bringing our raw complaints to God (even if they are about Him), praying boldly for Him to right the wrongs, and choosing to trust Him with His answer.But what when Godly people pray for children of their enemy to be harmed? Or what about Jonah earnestly praying to God for God to destroy the Ninevites? Is this a good way of lamenting or simply mean-spirited?These are prayers of imprecation, and understanding their purpose and meaning can help us grapple with the seeming tension between making heartfelt pleas to God for specific justice against evil, and also loving our enemies and even praying for them. Loving our enemy does not absolve them of sin or from the justice their sin deserves, and grasping God's heart for both is imperative to understanding the place for prayers of imprecation in our lives.Let's unpack this and more in today's message… 

THIS EPISODE:How much does the Trinity matter to you? If you found out tomorrow that God is actually only one person instead of three, would your relationship with God feel any different? Would it require a drastic overhaul in the way you think or witness or pray?While most Christians have retained a formal belief in the Trinity, what we need to recover is an understanding of what it really means and why it matters so much. Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—John 16:12-15 (CSB)—12 “I still have many things to tell you, but you can't bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and declare it to you. 15 Everything the Father has is mine. This is why I told you that he takes from what is mine and will declare it to you.

THIS EPISODE:It's astonishing how much a medical crisis can bring us to the point of hopelessness. Despairing of any healthy, normal living, all the color seems to fade out of life, and the joy you once had seems gone.And perhaps even more devastating when your child is on a course for destruction, and you feel totally unable to do anything to stop it. How can you have joy in life if your child is suffering? You'd gladly take your child's place, but you cannot.In today's message we consider two people seeking Jesus' help from serious crises, but who did not resign themselves to suffering in the grave of hopelessness, and instead found help and healing in the garden of new life.Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 8:40-56 (CSB)—A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus's feet and pleaded with him to come to his house, 42 because he had an only daughter about twelve years old, and she was dying.While he was going, the crowds were nearly crushing him. 43 A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years, who had spent all she had on doctors[a] and yet could not be healed by any, 44 approached from behind and touched the end of his robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped.45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.When they all denied it, Peter[b] said, “Master, the crowds are hemming you in and pressing against you.”[c]46 “Someone did touch me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched him and how she was instantly healed. 48 “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you.[d] Go in peace.”49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader's house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Don't bother the teacher anymore.”50 When Jesus heard it, he answered him, “Don't be afraid. Only believe, and she will be saved.”[e] 51 After he came to the house, he let no one enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the child's father and mother. 52 Everyone was crying and mourning for her. But he said, “Stop crying, because she is not dead but asleep.”53 They laughed at him, because they knew she was dead. 54 So he[f] took her by the hand and called out, “Child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. Then he gave orders that she be given something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded, but he instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

THIS EPISODE:Have you ever had something that really mattered stolen from you? In reality we've all had something essential taken from us—something of great consequence stolen from us when sin entered the world & started corrupting everything. But Jesus came to the world to absolutely put things back to rights.In this message we consider five indispensable things that've been stolen from us all because of this world's brokenness, and how deeply King Jesus cares to restore them whole to us again.Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 8:26-39 (NLT)—Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Man26 So they arrived in the region of the Gerasenes,[a] across the lake from Galilee. 27 As Jesus was climbing out of the boat, a man who was possessed by demons came out to meet him. For a long time he had been homeless and naked, living in the tombs outside the town.28 As soon as he saw Jesus, he shrieked and fell down in front of him. Then he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, I beg you, don't torture me!” 29 For Jesus had already commanded the evil[b] spirit to come out of him. This spirit had often taken control of the man. Even when he was placed under guard and put in chains and shackles, he simply broke them and rushed out into the wilderness, completely under the demon's power.30 Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”“Legion,” he replied, for he was filled with many demons. 31 The demons kept begging Jesus not to send them into the bottomless pit.[c]32 There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby, and the demons begged him to let them enter into the pigs.So Jesus gave them permission. 33 Then the demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned.34 When the herdsmen saw it, they fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. 35 People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been freed from the demons. He was sitting at Jesus' feet, fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. 36 Then those who had seen what happened told the others how the demon-possessed man had been healed. 37 And all the people in the region of the Gerasenes begged Jesus to go away and leave them alone, for a great wave of fear swept over them.So Jesus returned to the boat and left, crossing back to the other side of the lake. 38 The man who had been freed from the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him home, saying, 39 “No, go back to your family, and tell them everything God has done for you.” So he went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

THIS EPISODE:“Storms” in life are inevitable. They often come suddenly, with no clear timeline or certain outcome, and almost always demand our full attention to contend with.In this series we've been looking at the stories of people who felt all hope was lost, fear had consumed, and tragedy had won—until Jesus arrived. When the "storms" of life suddenly emerge, we're faced with the same two questions Jesus' followers were faced with on one fateful night: “Who is Jesus?” and “Will I really trust him?”Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 8:22-25 (CSB)—Wind and Waves Obey Jesus22 One day he and his disciples got into a boat, and he told them, “Let's cross over to the other side of the lake.” So they set out, 23 and as they were sailing he fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. 24 They came and woke him up, saying, “Master, Master, we're going to die!”Then he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?”They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who then is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him!”

THIS EPISODE:We all face moments in life when our future seems hopelessly stolen away. Suddenly steeped in insecurity, uncertainty swells, dreams are dashed. How can you find hope in these moments?In this episode we consider what happens when Jesus interrupts a funeral procession of a now-childless widow,  and turns her grave of insecurity into a garden of provision. In thoughtfully considering the 3 ways Jesus responded to this dire situation, we can see how he interacts in the same way with us, graciously restoring our lost hope in the deeply insecure moments we face.Let's unpack this and more in today's message… ___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 7:11-15 (CSB)—A Widow's Son Raised to Life11 Afterward he was on his way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with him. 12 Just as he neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the town was also with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said, “Don't weep.” 14 Then he came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And he said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

THIS EPISODE:The struggle of power. It's clear that there are powerful forces all around us constantly competing for preeminence and authority over each other. From macro political & cultural ideologies to struggling friendships and marriages, these opposing forces seem stuck in cycles of constantly grappling with each other for greater influence, control, and ultimately power.In this episode we look at a different kind of power—In considering Jesus' encounter with an unlikely character, we see through his eyes an unexpected, seemingly counterintuitive kind of power unlike anything we typically find ourselves drawn to. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 7:1-10 (CSB)—A Centurion's Faith7 When he had concluded saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 A centurion's servant, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, requesting him to come and save the life of his servant. 4 When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to grant this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.”6 Jesus went with them, and when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, since I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I didn't even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed.[a] 8 For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,' and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,' and he does it.”9 Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel.” 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant in good health.

THIS EPISODE:Have you ever felt deeply wounded by disappointment? Chances are we all have at some point for one reason or another. But have you ever found yourself feeling disappointed with God? Being completely honest, it's only human at times when facing our own unmet  expectations or when circumstances suddenly seem changed against us.It seems an enduring truth that we can never seem to escape deep disappointments in others and sometimes even in God while living in this world. But a deeper truth also exists—that we can also never escape Jesus' abiding grace in our lives. And this truth, when understood, means we don't have to carry the shame or bitterness of our disappointments anymore.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 24:1-12 (NIV)—Jesus Has Risen24 On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.' ” 8 Then they remembered his words.9 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

THIS EPISODE:In today's text we look at the end of Paul's letter to the Corinthian church in which he makes “deep truth” proclamations about the resurrection of King Jesus that are actually the foundation for our faith.Yes, the resurrection of King Jesus is GOOD NEWS, but it was also intentionally a very public, highly visible event. Jesus' death and resurrection wasn't God just trying to make the best of an unfortunate situation—it was “PLAN A” from before the universe was even spoken into existence, and has powerful implications for you personally to this day.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—1 Corinthians 15:1–11 (NIV)—1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

THIS EPISODE:In today's text, Jesus publicly signals a change unlike anything the world has yet experienced: Jesus openly reveals that “the time has arrived”—that he is the one they've been waiting for. But also, with unprecedented grace, this shocking proclamation from Jesus also reveals a change that his audience wasn't remotely expecting.Israel had been waiting, longing, expecting the Messiah, the one who would rescue & deliver them, the one who would bring about life and healing. In this unexpected proclamation, Jesus makes it clear that not only is he the long-awaiting Messiah, but that he brings Good News for all the world's troubled people, not just for Israel. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 4:14–28 (NIV)—14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.15 He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.21 He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn't this Joseph's son?” they asked.23 Jesus said to them, “Surely you will quote this proverb to me: ‘Physician, heal yourself!' And you will tell me, ‘Do here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in Capernaum.' ”24 “Truly I tell you,” he continued, “no prophet is accepted in his hometown.25 I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout the land.26 Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon.27 And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”28 All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this.

THIS EPISODE:Jesus' vision of God's kingdom differed radically from ours. On this second Sunday in Epiphany, we are looking at the true King, and considering what his vision is for his Kingdom.We look first at John the Baptist's sudden announcement of Jesus as the Messiah, immediately followed by Jesus' baptism, which points us to the cross. And from this we can see that the true king has a radical vision for sharing, fairness and contentment. A radical vision for our identity, for power, and for true glory.  Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Luke 3:1-22 (CSB)—The Messiah's Herald3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch[a] of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, God's word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah: A voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Prepare the way for the Lord; make his paths straight!5 Every valley will be filled, and every mountain and hill will be made low;[b] the crooked will become straight, the rough ways smooth, 6 and everyone will see the salvation of God.[c]7 He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don't start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree that doesn't produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”10 “What then should we do?” the crowds were asking him.11 He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”13 He told them, “Don't collect any more than what you have been authorized.”14 Some soldiers also questioned him, “What should we do?”He said to them, “Don't take money from anyone by force or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages.”15 Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water, but one who is more powerful than I am is coming. I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with[d] the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing shovel is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with fire that never goes out.” 18 Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. 19 But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of Herodias, his brother's wife, and all the evil things he had done, 20 Herod added this to everything else—he locked up John in prison.The Baptism of Jesus21 When all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized. As he was praying, heaven opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well-pleased.”

God has revealed himself to the world. And in this season, we will not only ponder, but wrestle at times with the realities of what this means, and consider how it informs our lives and shapes our hearts.Today we begin a new series teaching through the season of “Epiphany” in the church calendar.  We hope to deeply focus our minds & hearts on the significance of Jesus's resurrection for our church, our lives, and our world.  And that by exploring these truths together, we ask the Holy Spirit to deepen our heart's burden as followers of Jesus for these realities to be experienced by our friends, family, and neighbors.  Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

THIS EPISODE:How is “hope” defined? In one sense, hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. But hope is also defined as a sense of deep, knowing trust.As Christ followers, our deep sense of hope anticipates a future God has already written for us. A new heaven, a new earth, God being with his people, living among his people. Our future is no more tears, no more death, no more sorrow, no crying or pain. There will be one sitting on the throne forever, and that one is King Jesus.We can trust what God will do because we know what God has done. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Revelation 21:1-7 (CSB)—Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” 5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

THIS EPISODE:Hopelessness breeds despair, and despair often disguises itself as passivity...Have you ever seen someone in the midst of immense hardship, and yet wandering through the circumstances of each day seemingly indifferent to it all? Perhaps you've even been there.But, when hiding in the desert on the run for his life, how did not-yet-king David not lose all sense of hope? And to now only dodge despair, but to deeply express a deeply, heartfelt focus on the true hope of his salvation.  Let's begin unpacking this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Psalms 63:1-11 (CSB)—God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. 2 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. 3 My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life.4 So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands. 5 You satisfy me as with rich food;  my mouth will praise you with joyful lips. 6 When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches 7 because you are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings. 8 I follow close to you; your right hand holds on to me. 9 But those who intend to destroy my life will go into the depths of the earth. 10 They will be given over to the power of the sword; they will become a meal for jackals. 11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by him will boast, for the mouths of liars will be shut.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt concludes his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we focused on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

THIS EPISODE:Many of us have endured seasons of life when hope seemed thin or failing altogether. Seasons filled with such sorrow, loss, doubt or suffering that it seems the forces of evil might actually be greater than the forces for good.But they are not. And there is a truer, deeper hope to be found in the middle of the suffering. Advent embraces the mess, the pain, the uncertainty of suffering, and still draws us into a depth of hope that transcends anything our human experience can offer.“If only... So that... Yet Lord...” Ann Voskamp says it this way: “You can't lose hope, because Hope has a name and His name is Jesus.” Let's begin unpacking this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Isaiah 64:1-9 (CSB)—If only you would tear the heavens open and come down, so that mountains would quake at your presence —2 just as fire kindles brushwood, and fire boils water —to make your name known to your enemies, so that nations would tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome works that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From ancient times no one has heard, no one has listened to, no eye has seen any God except you who acts on behalf of the one who waits for him. 5 You welcome the one who joyfully does what is right; they remember you in your ways. But we have sinned, and you were angry. How can we be saved if we remain in our sins? 6 All of us have become like something unclean, and all our righteous acts are like a polluted garment; all of us wither like a leaf, and our iniquities carry us away like the wind. 7 No one calls on your name, striving to take hold of you. For you have hidden your face from us and made us melt because of our iniquity. 8 Yet Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we all are the work of your hands. 9 Lord, do not be terribly angry or remember our iniquity forever. Please look ​— ​all of us are your people!

THIS EPISODE:Today we follow James into even more difficult territory as we candidly consider two uncomfortable realities: ➊ No matter how long you've been following Jesus, you can still stray from the truth.➋ When others stray from the truth, we must try to bring them back.Hard truths to be sure, but very important for us to understand more deeply. So, today we spend some time marinating in these two uncomfortable realities. Because Jesus wants so much more for us. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 5:19-20 (CSB)—19 My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

THIS EPISODE:Who's in charge of your life? This is the nucleus of today's conversation.James begins to open the door to some very challenging issues to all of us in the neverending war in our hearts and minds between independence & dependence. James contends with the two most important questions we could ever ask: ➊ Who is Jesus?, and ➋ Who are we to him?Spoiler: Jesus is not who we think he is—not defined by us. Jesus defines himself to us in scripture. And to him, we are God's beloved children created to be most fully alive by and through our complete dependence on him and his supreme grace and goodness.Self-dependence or God-dependence: Which is it going to be? The true sign of a Christ-follower is someone who's surrendered to God. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 4:13 - 5:1-6  (CSB)—13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.” 14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.Chapter 5... 1 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days. 4 Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Armies. 5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who do not resist you.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

THIS EPISODE:What is wisdom? Is it having a vast knowledge of a subject? Having the right answers or insights to the world's biggest problems? What if the true essence of wisdom is a moral rather than intellectual quality?In this message we'll make the case that wisdom is less about the knowledge in our heads, and much more about what we demonstrate in life. We'll thoughtfully consider the two specific directions James invites us to: ➊ The personality of radical wisdom, and ➋ the source of radical wisdom. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 3:13-18  (CSB)—13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and deny the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt continues his teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

In this sermon, Pastor Matt begins a new teaching series titled "Greater Than" where we'll focus on what God has planned for us as believers by putting our own plans aside and following what He calls us to.

THIS EPISODE:Can you believe anything without acting upon it? It's just part of the human psyche that faith in something causes and results in acting on that faith. Failure to act on what we say we believe indicates we don't really believe.  In raising the question of faith that doesn't save versus saving faith, it seems that James is making the case that it's impossible to have faith without works.  But is that really true? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 2:14-26  (CSB)—Faith and Works14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.”[a] Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless? 21 Wasn't Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,[b] and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn't Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

THIS EPISODE:Do you, with your acts of favoritism, really believe in Jesus? A hard question, I know—but exactly the hard truth that James challenges us to face today. How we treat one another is a gospel issue, and favoritism and faith in Jesus have no place together.“The world is always assessing people, sizing them up, putting them down, establishing a pecking order. And God, who sees and loves all alike, wants the church to reflect that generous universal love in HOW it behaves.” - N.T. Wright Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 2:1-5 (CSB)—My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. 2 For if someone comes into your meeting (this could be a church gathering, this could be a smaller setting) wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, 3 if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” (or the place of honor) and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” 4 haven't you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn't God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?—James 2:8-13 (CSB)—8 Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well. 9 If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. 

THIS EPISODE:We all have an ache inside to belong, don't we? Whether with family or culture or a sports team or other shared interests, we're made to crave & enjoy community with each other. But there's also a dangerous kind of 'tribalism' that's set into our society. A polarizing 'us-vs-them' mindset that's destroying relationships, and is imminently destructive rather than life-giving.But there is a better way—a timeless way we can learn from James that shows us how to reflect something greater back to our culture and community. Can we see this become a shared reality in our own church family? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 1:22-25 (CSB)—22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works ​— ​this person will be blessed in what he does.  

THIS EPISODE:We all experience seasons of painful trial and suffering at some point in life. And what we think about God in walking through these seasons is immense in determining how these experiences will end up shaping us, for better or worse. Whether we're led toward doubt, pride and fear or toward a much deeper, truer experience of God's profound and constant goodness in the midst of it all.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 1:2-18 (CSB)—2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God ​— ​who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly ​— ​and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn't tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.16 Don't be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. 

THIS EPISODE:This message kicks off our twelve part series marinating together in the book of James. From this we will take wisdom, insight, action, and a bigger vision—not only for our lives, but also for our church. When applied, the results will be radical.We start considering the first four verses, and what it means to say that our trials and troubles are more than something we are meant simply to endure, but are intentionally meant to lead us toward greater maturity.What does this really mean to us? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—James 1:1-11 (CSB)—James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God ​— ​who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly ​— ​and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities. 

THIS EPISODE:We have far too much pulling on our time and attention today. From pandemic to politics, from ever-changing work/school dynamics to endless news cycles & social media distractions...Amid the ongoing inundation and mental/emotional roller coaster of it all, it's critical that we remember how to actually rest. Not just taking a physical/mental break, but experiencing a deep, lasting, “no matter the circumstances” kind of rest. This can be a very difficult thing to find, or even understand. But good news: There is hope for weary souls looking for this kind of deep, abiding rest, and it can be found in better understanding Jesus' simple invitation to “Come to me.”Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Matthew 11:28-30 (CSB)—28 “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

THIS EPISODE:As a Christ follower you constantly encounter people who need your voice speaking Jesus' hope into their lives & circumstances as they try to navigate these difficult times. But why is it so hard for us to have meaningful spiritual conversations with people sometimes?  Maybe you're unsure of how they'll respond, or frozen by feelings of fear, insecurity or  embarrassment... Missional conversations do not start with tactics or strategies but with Christ ruling as Lord in our hearts. And in this episode we offer you a framework for having real missional conversations about Jesus in a secular age—practical tools you can use in having meaningful spiritual conversations with those in your life.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—1 Peter 3:15—“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 

THIS EPISODE:In this series we've been discussing what it means to live a “missional life.” Today we'll consider what it might look like integrating our missional identity and calling, with what we do for work. Most of us will spend ⅓ of our lives working—around 90,000 hours over the course of an average lifetime. And we all think about work in different ways don't we?Is a job just a job, or could it be something more? Is it possible that God's great calling in your life isn't your vocation, but the location of your job?Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:8-15 (CSB)—This is the message of faith that we proclaim: 9 If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, 12 since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. 

THIS EPISODE:Why am I here? What's gone wrong? What's the solution? What will “restoration” look like? These heavy questions stir consciously or unconsciously in every human heart.Our culture is teeming with narratives attempting to answer these questions for us. Followers of Jesus have the best, truest answers—and a great hope compelling us to order our lives in alignment with God's character, and to live & share these deep truths with others around  us.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 1:16-17 (CSB)—16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith.

THIS EPISODE:An “ambassador” is someone committed to representing the values, culture & stories of another place or people group. Most of us understand this best in a geopolitical sense, but it's also a factor of our everyday life. The vast majority of us are an “ambassador” of something that we find deeply connected to, whether a sports team, political ideology, a movie series or even Apple products. As followers of Jesus we are called to live out our calling as representatives of the Kingdom of God. No matter where we live, we can seek for it to be “on earth as it is in heaven” by representing our Lord's Kingdom.What does it look like, and how does it work? Let's continue unpacking this and more in today's message...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (CSB)—17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 18 Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” 21 He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.—1 Peter 2:9-10 (CSB)—9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the one who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. —2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB)—20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”—Matthew 5:3-10 (CSB)—3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. —Matthew 5:13-16 (CSB)—13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. —John 13:34-35 (CSB)—34 “I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” —Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)—“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —2 Corinthians 5:13-15 (CSB)—13 For if we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, since we have reached this conclusion, that one died for all, and therefore all died. —1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (CSB)—19 Although I am free from all and not anyone's slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law—to win those under the law. 21 To those who are without the law, like one without the law—though I am not without God's law but under the law of Christ—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some. 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so that I may share in the blessings.

THIS EPISODE:If you're a follower of Jesus, you've been called to a life that bears witness to the place you live—a life lived on mission for the things of God. But between the faith we typically have and the radical, empowered faith we're called to is a gap. This is our “missional angst” where personal, social & cultural forces work to keep us from following Jesus the way we desire deep in our hearts. Let's unpack this and more in today's message...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —Matthew 5:13-16 (CSB)—13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. —Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)—18 Jesus came near and said to them,“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Acts 1:7-8 (CSB)—8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” —Romans 10:14-15 (CSB)—14 How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news. —Philippians 2:13-16 (CSB)—13 For it is God who is working in you both to will and to work according to his good purpose. 14 Do everything without grumbling and arguing, 15 so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, 16 by holding firm to the word of life. —2 Corinthians 5:20 (CSB)—20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf, “Be reconciled to God.” —Ephesians 4:11-13 (CSB)—11 And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God's Son, growing into maturity with a stature measured by Christ's fullness. 

THIS EPISODE:At every turn today we're constantly barraged by messages about the things we're lacking or missing in life, along with spotlighting the things we should consider that might make us more content—or at least distract us from our gnawing discontent for a time.In reality, we often don't really understand what true contentment looks and feels like. More than merely feeling ‘satisfied', contentment is a deeper state of mind and heart that, when authentically experienced, draws us closer to the heart of God. But it doesn't just naturally grow in us, and we just mentally ‘flip a switch' and turn contentment on. A content heart must be thoughtfully cultivated, and when we do, it unlocks so much more for us in understanding God's best for our lives.Let's begin unpacking this and more in today's message, starting with how contentment cultivates both confession and greater joy in our lives...___PRIMARY TEXT:—Philippians 4:10-14 (CSB)—10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.—Galatians 5:16-26 (CSB)—16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things ​— ​as I warned you before ​— ​that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.—Philippians 4:6 (CSB)—Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—Mark 10:51-52 (CSB)—51 Then Jesus answered him,“What do you want me to do for you? ”“Rabboni,”' the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road. —Matthew 6:30-34 (CSB)—30 If that's how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won't he do much more for you ​— ​you of little faith? 31 So don't worry, saying, ‘What will we eat? ' or ‘What will we drink? ' or ‘What will we wear? ' 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.—Luke 11:9-13 (CSB)—9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? ” —Luke 11:9-13 (CSB)—9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” —Psalms 37:4 (CSB)—4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.—2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (CSB)—Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.—Isaiah 53:1-9 (CSB)—Who has believed what we have heard?  And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?2 He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground.He didn't have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from;  he was despised, and we didn't value him.4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.  8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment and who considered his fate?  For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people's rebellion. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully.—Numbers 6:24-26 (CSB)—24 “May the Lord bless you and protect you;25 may the Lord make his face shine on youand be gracious to you;26 may the Lord look with favor on you >and give you peace.” ' 

THIS EPISODE:When we're jealous, we are in effect saying, “God, you don't really know what I need to be happy”. Often the 'gateway' to so many other negative emotions, from greed to anger to guilt and shame, jealousy is also a road leading to resentment of God's goodness in other people's lives, while ignoring God's goodness in our own lives.The antidote for jealousy is cultivating a heart of contentment. And in truth, the secret of cultivating a heart of contentment is found in Christ and Christ alone. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Philippians 4:11-13 (CSB)—11 I don't say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.—Philippians 2:2-4 (CSB)—...make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.—Philippians 4:6 (CSB)—Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.—Psalms 63:1-7 (CSB)—God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for youin a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. 2 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. 3 My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands.5 You satisfy me as with rich food;  my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.6 When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches7 because you are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.—Philippians 4:19 (CSB)—19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 2:5-11 (CSB)—5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God  as something to be exploited.  7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.  And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even to death on a cross.—Ephesians 3:14-21 (CSB)—14 For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, 19 and to know Christ's love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us ​— ​ 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

THIS EPISODE:Today, we consider the baggage of fear, a reality we all must contend with. What are you most afraid of? Being completely honest, what ominous fears do you find yourself secretly simmering or wrestling with in quiet moments or sleepless nights? In this episode we invite you into a deeper understanding of how combatting the baggage of fear starts with having a right-sized view of God. And how a richer understanding of the profound goodness of God can absolutely overshadow even the darkest "shadow of death" fears in our lives.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Psalms 23:1-6 (CSB)—The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff ​— ​they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.—Psalms 139:7-12 (CSB)—7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon,  10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” — 12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you—Philippians 4:5-7 (CSB)—The Lord is near. 6 Don't worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

THIS EPISODE:Today, we are looking at the baggage of bitterness, which always starts with unforgiven pain at its source. And this unforgiven pain, left unchecked for too long, has profound effects on our lives. But it doesn't have to.As followers of Jesus we're sometimes called to seasons of suffering, but not under the oppressive weight of our own unforgiveness and resulting bitterness. But how do we deal with the seeds of unforgiveness and prevent the ugly fruit of bitterness from taking root and growing in our lives? Let's unpack this and more in today's message…PRIMARY TEXT:Matthew 18:21-35 (CSB)21 Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times? ”22 “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied,“ but seventy times seven. 23 “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him. 25 Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 26 “At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27 Then the master of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan. 28 “That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe! '29 “At this, his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' 30 But he wasn't willing. Instead, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. 31 When the other servants saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened. 32 Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn't you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? ' 34 And because he was angry, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.”

THIS EPISODE:Have you ever had to be bold about something? To stand up to someone or set the record straight?There's a time coming when boldness in our faith will be more important than ever. And in this time we’ll have two choices: ➊ to recede or backpedal in fear, or ➋ to boldly step forward and stand up for truth.But how? And what does that even look like? And what if we've not had the best track record with being bold before?Today we consider two contrasting stories of Peter: First when he fearfully denied even knowing who Jesus was to a teenage girl, and then when speaking with seismic boldness only 50 days later to set the record straight about exactly what has just happened with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Peter understood scripture, and his Holy Spirit boldness was rooted in this knowledge of scripture and his realization of Jesus. By better understanding these things, we can gain a better understanding of how to step into greater boldness similarly in our own lives. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:Acts 2:14-41 (CSB)14 Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy. 19 I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. 23 Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24 God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay. 28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence. 29 “Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay. 32 “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do? ” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation! ” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

THIS EPISODE:It was just another day...until it wasn’t. Today we continue exploring the critical yet often overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in our church and lives as Christ followers. First with the Day of Pentecost, when a group of people begin suddenly and inexplicably speaking in other languages. We also consider the broader context of two central figures echoing in the story, Abraham and Moses, and the key events underlying God's plan surrounding that day.  Then we look more deeply at the Spirit's role that day, and even still in our church and lives today, so that we can see more clearly the Holy Spirit as a long-awaited gift to us, whose purpose is not to divide us, but to unite together in Jesus.Are we seeing the Holy Spirit do anything in our lives that would cause unbelievers in our community to stop and ask, “What's happening with that church?”Let's unpack this and more in today's message…___PRIMARY TEXT:Acts 2:1-13 (CSB)When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs ​— ​we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean? ” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

As followers of Jesus, we've been given the Holy Spirit. But who is this “Holy Spirit” really?Focusing on the Holy Spirit is a salient reminder that we are deeply in need. We desperately need the Holy Spirit in our lives to fix what's broken, restore us to God and resurrect what is otherwise hopelessly dead inside us. Anything else that we turn to for this will eventually fail us.  Today we consider the Holy Spirit's divine qualities, the name of God indirectly given to him, the works of God attributed to the Holy Spirit, and how these things are relevant to our lives.Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

THIS EPISODE:Have you ever thought of the Holy Spirit as a person? For most people, it's easier to view Jesus, and even the Father, as distinct personalities. But the Holy Spirit can often seem more like God's mystical shadow, with somehow not as much actual person-hood.And yet the Holy Spirit is very much a person. His power is equal to the Father and the Son's, and yet his mission is distinct. His actions—to guide our hearts, to counsel, comfort and convict— are deeply personal, and the better we understand him, the more profoundly & intimately we understand our God.So, today we look more closely at the person of the Holy Spirit, to better understand him as a vibrant part of our daily lives…___PRIMARY TEXT:—Deut. 6.4 (CSB)—“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.—John 14:16-18 (CSB)—16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.—John 16:8 (CSB)—8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. —John 16:13 (CSB)—13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.—Psalms 86:11 (CSB)—11 Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.

This is about loving God. And if we are going to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we need to pursue, to the degree our minds can attain it, some understanding of God. One of those ways of understanding begins with the doctrine of the trinity.But what is the trinity? Where is the trinity in the Bible, and how should we apply this triune doctrine to our lives?  Let's unpack this and more in today's message…