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John 11:1-7,Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill. 3 So the sisters sent to him, saying, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” 4 But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was. 7 Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”With John 10 behind us, we enter now into a new phase of Jesus' ministry. Phase one opened with John the Baptist baptizing in the wilderness east of the Jordan. That was back in chapter one. Nine chapters later — following a variety of Jesus' miracles and Jesus' teachings, crowds coming and crowds going, Pharisees questioning and Pharisees condemning — we ended up back in the very same place it all began. John 10:40,“Jesus went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first.” So, phase one has come full circle. Jesus' public ministry has all about concluded. And at this point, life actually looks pretty good for Jesus. John 10:41 says of Jesus, having returned to this region of the Jordan,“And many came to him [so, he's got the crowds]. And many said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true [he's got public testimony]. And many believed in him there [he's got ministry success].”Sounds pretty good, right? Jesus is at last away from the tension and death-threats he'd been experiencing in Jerusalem. He's not having to walk mile-after-mile from town-to-town like he did in Galilee. He's east of the Jordan. He's got his disciples all round him. He's got the crowds coming to him and believing him. Life, right now, looks pretty good for Jesus. Then, like a fly in the ointment, John 11 begins,“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha.”Hmm, now what might that mean for Jesus? What might that news of one, relatively unimportant person's illness, mean for Jesus — especially in light of crowd-sized, relatively comfortable success? In this morning's text, we're going to see Jesus' response to this one, relatively unimportant person's illness. It's a response that's going to give us a window into three truths about the heart and character of Jesus:Jesus personally loves his people.Jesus prizes his Father's glory.Jesus pursues our very best.Let's pray …. 1. Jesus Personally Loves His PeopleJesus personally loves his people. Let's begin at John 11:1.“Now a certain man was ill, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. [and then there's little this parenthesis…] It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was ill.”Now, this is foreshadowing. We've not read about this event just yet, but we will see it in chapter 12. For now, John's just flagging it — saying, “Hey, keep your eye on this family; make note of the connection here: Lazarus, Mary, Martha — they're siblings. Siblings who are going to have some significant interaction with Jesus in the next few days.”So, imagine it with me, Mary and Martha are in their home. Their brother Lazarus gets sick. And sickness is a dangerous thing in the ancient world. Not many options for medicine or doctors. Then, the sickness worsens. Things are beginning to look bad. The sisters think: Let's send for Jesus. Verse 3:“So the sisters sent to him, saying, ‘Lord, he whom you love is ill.'” Again, remember where Jesus was at this time. This message concerning Lazarus gets delivered to Jesus at a time when he's living in relative security. In it comes — the message that Lazarus of Bethany is ill. And, you just gotta think, I mean — “Lazarus, I'm sorry, but the timing's just not great right now. Your location, a bit too close for comfort to Jerusalem. And you're just one person compared to the many who are coming my way.”And, look, let's get real, I mean: how many people had Jesus' interacted with throughout his three years of public ministry? We know he fed the 4,000. We know he fed the 5,000. We know, at times, he had crowds so large he had to get into a boat so as to not be trampled by them. Even now, he's got waves of people coming toward him. You think he even remembers Lazarus? You think he really has capacity — with all the other things he's doing and all the other people he's caring for — to show concern for this one single, relatively unimportant individual?Well, the sisters sure seem to think so. Just look how they describe their brother to Jesus. The message is not, “Lord, he whom you appreciate; he whom you might remember; nor is it even he who loves you. The message from the sisters is, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.”Now, why is it that these sisters believe Jesus loves their brother? Well, I imagine Jesus told them he did. And Jesus showed them he did. That his previous posture toward Lazarus had not been one of cold, detached indifference. Like, when Jesus had been around Lazarus, he had not been checking his watch, or rolling his eyes, or day-dreaming about all the other places he'd rather be. No, no, no, Jesus loved Lazarus and it showed. The sisters knew, Jesus loves our brother. And this, is stunning. Earlier in John — 3:16 — we read that God loves the world. It's an amazing truth, yes? It's also a broad truth — gloriously broad, but broad nonetheless. After all, you've gotta zoom out quite a bit to see the whole world, right? And when you zoom out, what happens to you? What happens to the individual? They fade into the crowd. That is, when humans who are merely humans look at the world. But see, here is where God is different. Here is where Jesus, the Son of God, is different. Jesus has capacity, boundless capacity, to love the world and love individuals within the world. It is not an either/or for Jesus. “Either, I'm a big, distant God. Or, I'm a small, personally involved God.” No, no, no — God loves the world, and God loves his people — collectively, and individually. Calls them by name, counts the number of hairs upon their heads, knows the exact number of days he's given them. Jesus did not love Lazarus generally. Jesus knew Lazarus: Knew what he looked like, knew what he sounded like, knew — even as we'll see in a moment — the details concerning Lazarus' sickness and where it was headed. Jesus knew Lazarus — and his sisters by the way (see that in verse 5) — he knew them personally, and loved them personally. How would you, this morning, describe Jesus' love for you? Do you believe Jesus knows what you look like? What you sound like? What difficulties and sorrows have befallen you? Do you believe that if you, like Lazarus, were to get sick. Get hurt. Need help, and send for Jesus — Do you think Jesus would need a reminder of who you were? Need to jog his memory: “now how exactly is it again that I know this person?” Do you think he'd not be the first to pause the messenger: “wait, wait, wait — I don't need you to describe who she is. I don't need you to tell me who he is. I love that man. I love that woman. And I have since before the foundation of the world.” Look, Jesus' just got done telling us:John 10:14,“I am the good shepherd. I know my own.”John 10:27,“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them.” Jesus, my brothers and sisters, personally loves his people. That's the first truth about Jesus: Jesus personally loves his people. 2. Jesus Prizes His Father's GloryVerse 4:“But when Jesus heard it [that is, heard that Lazarus was sick] he said, ‘This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.'”Now, we've got to ask: what, exactly, is Jesus getting at here. He says, “This illness does not lead to death.” But, I mean, doesn't it? Lazarus does, in fact, end up dying, right? I mean, he'll be four days in the tomb by the time Jesus finally arrives in Bethany. Four days without a heart beating. Four days without lungs breathing. Four days without any activity in the brain. He dies. And so, when Jesus says, “This illness does not lead to death.” What's he mean? I think there's layers of meaning here, but at the top, is purpose. That is, the purpose of the illness is not death. Yes, his illness will lead to his death, but its purpose is “for the glory of God.”And now, we've seen something like this before in John already. Just two chapters earlier, John 9, the disciples ask Jesus concerning the blind man, “Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered in terms of purpose: “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”There's purpose to the suffering. Purpose to the plight. That blind man was not blind for nothing. Lazarus is not sick for nothing. The purpose of God is to display the glory of God through the blindness and the illness. So, that's shared ground between John 9 and John 11. Now, what's relatively new here, not only in John 11 but the book of John as a whole, is the complementary dynamic between the Father's glory and the Son's. And, you gotta see this with me. This is an amazing claim being made here by Jesus in verse 4. So, look there with me. Verse 4: Jesus does not just say: “It is for the glory of God.” But, “It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” The Son is clearly after the Father's glory, yes? And, the way that glory is revealed to the world is through him, through the Son. They are respective, in other words, function in tandem. Jesus magnifies the Father through his obedience to him. The Father magnifies Jesus through his honoring of him. Jesus goes to the cross, it glorifies the Father. The Father raises him from the grave to restore honor to the Son. The Father and the Son's relationship is one of mutual glorification.Now, remember, all of this is under the banner of “Jesus prizes his Father's glory.” Point one: Jesus personally loves his people. Point two: Jesus prizes his Father's Glory. And the fact that the second point follows the first is so important, so helpful, especially in our particular cultural moment. For we live in an age where it is common not just for the world, but for churches, ministries, writers of worship lyrics, to tout a view of Jesus that suggests we are supreme in his mind. We rank highest in his sight. We (and I want to say this as graciously as I can) are almost like God to him. The message is that he needs us, he's incomplete without us, he is unhappy unless we're with him — it's like we're god to Jesus.Now, look, church, Jesus loves us. Point one — he loves you personally. But he does not worship you or me. Jesus loves us, but he does not need us. Jesus loves us, and he's for us, but he's not only for us, as if we are the only thing in all of life that matters to Jesus. Listen, Jesus prizes his Father's glory, and does so supremely. His highest allegiance is not to us, but to his Father. And that is really, really good news, because if that were not true of Jesus, then he'd be a sinner in need of a Savior just like you and me. Jesus prizes his Father's glory, and, he loves us personally.So, Jesus personally loves his people. And Jesus prizes his Father's glory. Finally: Jesus pursues our very best.3. Jesus Pursues Our Very BestVerse 5:“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.”Read that again. When he heard that Lazarus was ill — he'd become aware of the need, aware of Lazarus' suffering, aware of the sisters' anxiety concerning their brother, and then, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.It's a contradiction, isn't it? Seems it should either read, “Since Jesus hadn't yet heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer.” Or, “When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he decided not to stay two days longer, but to race on over to Bethany instead.” But, as it is, the text reads: So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” What do we make of this? What's Jesus after? Well, that's precisely the point. What Jesus is after is our very best. See it with me. Watch how this thing unfolds. Verse 7:Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again. The disciples said to him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?Simple question, right? Jesus, you mean to go right back to where there's a mob seeking to kill you? It's a simple question. But watch Jesus' answer. Verse 9:“Are there not twelve hours in the day? If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world.” Who's the subject of that answer? Jesus had been the subject of the disciples' question, right? “Rabbi, the Jews were just now seeking to stone you, and are you going there again?” Who's the subject of Jesus' answer? Who is it that's walking in the day, seeing the light of the world (not being, but seeing the light of the world), and thereby not stumbling? It's not Jesus. Jesus is the light of the world. Who is it that's seeing the light of the world? It's the disciples. Jesus' answer is about them. Jesus is after what's best for them. And he knows they're frightened by the mob in Judea. Frightened by the danger awaiting them there. And so, he's telling them, “So long as you follow me there, keep me, the light of the world, in front of you, you're not going to stumble.” He's saying, “stay with me. You've got nothing to fear so long as you stay with me.” And now here's the warning. Verse 10:“But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.”This is the alternative for the disciples. Rather than love the light, and follow Jesus into Judea, they could love the world instead. They could remain in the comfort and safety offered them east of the Jordan. But since Jesus would then be gone, so too would the light. And there, cloaked in darkness, that's when their stumbling would occur. Those are the two options on the table: Light with Jesus as they head into danger. Or comfort without Jesus as they stumble in the dark. And Thomas is the first to get it. Verse 16, skip down there with me for a moment. Verse 16:“So Thomas, called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.'”Thomas gets it. He gets it. “Brothers, it is better, better to go with Jesus to our deaths than live here in the dark. Let us go with him, lest we stumble.”Jesus is after our best, brothers and sisters. Not our convenience, not our safety, but our best. And he's willing to delay the miracle, willing to allow Lazarus to die, willing to have sorrow fill the hearts of Mary and Martha. He's willing to bring his disciples away from comfort east of the Jordan. He's willing to lead them right on into the danger of Judea.He's willing to do all this because he does not simply want what's good for Mary, Martha, and his disciples. But he wants what's very best. And what's very best is awaiting them in Judea — waiting for them at the tomb of Lazarus. Verse 14: “Then Jesus told them plainly, Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” Jesus could have gone to Lazarus sooner. Had he, he would have kept Lazarus from dying. Would've healed him. Would've restored him back to full health. And, oh, how glad that would have made the disciples. How relieved that would have made Lazarus' sisters. But it would have been a gladness and relief with a cost. Their reception of that good gift from Jesus would've meant their missing out on the greatest gift. And Jesus would not have that. Jesus aims to give us what's not merely good, but best — the gift of faith in him. “…for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe.” What if suffering was a necessary ingredient for you to maintain your faith in Jesus? Discomfort? Loss and pain? What if, in order to keep you, Jesus needed to delay his help, let the bad news come, allow the tears to fall, and the sorrow to descend, and even stay for days?Could you trust in such a moment:“Jesus is after my best?”“Jesus is giving me what I most need?”“Jesus is taking care of me?”How do we hold onto our trust in Jesus when he's yet to stop the sorrow?We follow him.We follow him from the Jordan, to Bethany, to Judea, to Jerusalem, and up the hill of Golgotha to see him there hanging suffering there for you and for me. Can we trust the man upon the cross? Can we trust the man with scars in his hands? Can we trust the shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus died to give us his very best. The TableNow, what leads us to the table this morning, is that death which Jesus willingly went toward, that he might purchase for you and for me a seat at his table. Forgiven by him, washed pure by his blood, restored to fellowship — this table is a foretaste of our future — sitting down at the table of fellowship with Jesus forever.

Today, we will be looking at the words of Jesus and what He had to say about money. Regardless of our financial circumstances, we can find some peace and hope in this often volatile area of life.The wording of Matthew 6:19-24 in the New Life Bible is intriguing. Listen to the words of Jesus … “Do not gather together for yourself riches of this earth. They will be eaten by bugs and become rusted. Men can break in and steal them. Gather together riches in heaven where they will not be eaten by bugs or become rusted. Men cannot break in and steal them. For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also. The eye is the light of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. If your eye is bad, your whole body will be dark. If the light in you is dark, how dark it will be! No one can have two bosses. He will hate the one and love the other. Or he will listen to the one and work against the other. You cannot have both God and riches as your boss at the same time.Now, Jesus is not saying that it's wrong to have a savings account. That's not the point. The concept here is not about our bank account, but our motives and focus. It's interesting to think of money as a boss. In fact, we will often put up with a lot in our lives in work with actual bosses because money is our ultimate boss. But Jesus is saying that mindset easily competes with God's place in our lives.If you are honest with yourself right now, what tends to be the boss in your life right now? What drives your actions and attitudes? Security? Money?Verse 21 is a great litmus test to constantly evaluate our lives:For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also.The converse is also true: Whatever has your heart, that's also where your riches will be found.What has your heart right now? What or who is your mind set on?We put our efforts into what we love most. Money, security, self reliance all can be rusted or eaten away by things beyond our control. Only God's riches and security are reliable. So, let's let that love be our driving force—where our riches, our treasure, our hearts, are.Let's pray: “Heavenly Father, please help me to keep money and security in perspective—a heavenly perspective. I want you to be my security. I give my self reliance and confess that you are my security, my treasure and where my heart is. As above, so below.”

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost August 3, 2025 Faith, Okemos Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-12, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21   Living Under the Sun, Living from Above   Grace to you and peace… [Please take a few deep breaths. This will be a difficult sermon to hear, but I ask you to wait with me for the precious good news at the end…]   Vanity of vanities, says the Teacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity… it is an unhappy business that God has given to human beings to be busy with.  I saw all the deeds that are done under the sun; and see, all is vanity and a chasing after the wind… What do mortals get from all the toil and strain with which we toil under the sun?  For all their days are full of pain, and their work is a vexation; even at night their minds do not rest. This also is vanity.  [There is nothing better for mortals than to eat and drink, and find enjoyment in their toil.  This also, I saw is from the hand of God…] Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14, 2:22-24   In an email sent from Kalea on Wednesday, I invited you to read the entire book of Ecclesiastes.  It is a sobering, largely dark assessment of the human story “under the sun.” If you had time to read it, I like to take a couple of minutes now to hear a sampling of your reactions…   I think of the tens of thousands in our country whose jobs have been either completely eliminated or made more burdensome.  I think of those trying to support themselves and/or their families but are paid far from sufficiently for their work, whose days, in the words of the Teacher, “are full of pain, and their work is a vexation.”   Maybe you, like me, remember projects in which you passionately spent countless hours and perhaps a fair amount of money, all to see them either immediately or eventually go up in smoke.  And don't we see in our own day the erosion of hard-fought protections for the poorest among us or for the people in Gaza or for the well-being of Earth itself?   I remember Dr. Leupold, an Old Testament professor at our seminary in Columbus, who reminded us of the importance of the phrase “under the sun.”  For him that was key to understanding the darkness and seemingly endless repetition, generation after generation, of the quest for power and the presence of insatiable greed.  [Historians don't have to look far to see the parallels of the rich getting richer and poor getting poorer throughout our 250 years as a nation and throughout the thousands of years of the lives and deaths of countless empires, nations, and kingdoms.]  So the perspective and wisdom of the Teacher in Ecclesiastes.   Which perspective is then enriched by Jesus' story of the rich man in our gospel for today. Jesus said:  Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.  For the rich man, life under the sun was going great.  And yet. as Jesus told them this story [here in the Message translation often read in our Tuesday Bible Studies]:  The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop.  He talked to himself:  ‘What can I do? My barn isn't big enough for this harvest.'  Then he said, 'Here's what I'll do:  I'll tear down my barns and build bigger ones.  Then I'll gather in all my grain and goods, and I'll say to myself. “Self, you've done well!  You've got it made and can now retire.  Take it easy and have the time of your life!”  Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die.  And your barnful of goods – who gets it?'  That's what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.”   Or this last thought in the words in the NRSV translation (in our bulletin):  So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.   Next Sunday you will hear these further precious words of Jesus:  Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell your possessions, and give alms.  Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven…  All of which is to say, in Jesus all is not vanity, all is not a chasing after the wind!   Which then takes us to our Second Reading from Colossians 3, words which call us to a live this vexing life above the sun.  These words in Colossians don't deny how hard and painful and empty and lonely and, yes, how finite is our life on Earth, our life under the sun.  The Teacher in Ecclesiastes counsels a little relief in seizing the moment [Carpe Diem] doing your best to find a measure of enjoyment in your work, in drink… in your eating…   But hear again these words:  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is your life is revealed, the you also will be revealed with him in glory.   What does that mean, “you have died”?  For me that means that in Jesus who died for me, my life is much more than my possessions, whether small or great, cheap or very expensive.  My life is not about fulfilling my bucket list before I die.  I have already died.   My eternal life with God and with all his children has already begun, made sure for us in the gift of holy baptism.  That's how powerful is his death on cross for me and for you and for all of creation.   So, the Teacher in writing the book of Ecclesiastes was only partly right.  Life is filled with vanity, [we might say ‘so full of s_t'].  But it is so much more than that. Hidden in the midst of our trials and tribulations, in our sorrows and in our fleeting happy moments with a drink and a little food to eat, is this gracious, wonderful gift of life from above.  Together with our siblings in Christ and with others of goodwill who do not yet recognize him as their Lord, we get to live an amazing life given to us from above.    For me that life is experienced in daily gratitude for the beauty of the Earth and for all who dwell therein.   I'm enriched these days by the sight of countless fields of corn and soybeans, of the gladiolas in our backyard, of the swaying trees, taking in tons of excess CO2 and giving back an abundance of O2.  And I think of countless very real people, including you all, who enrich my life and lift me up when I get down or hyper-critical or self-centered, when I'm like the rich man who thought only about himself.   But when our old under-the-sun-self seeks to smother our gratitude for this life from above, when that self tries to make us forget the grace-filled eternal life that Jesus won for us, the Holy Spirit, who may be especially present in the moments we need to take for quiet reflection, will prompt us to put to death that old self filled with greed and lies and malice and abusive language.  Martin Luther called it “daily dying” a needful daily discipline putting to death our old self and receiving the precious gift of a new, risen life from above, putting on the clothing of compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, and patience.   I invite you to repeat after me: In Jesus' name I put to death my old self And, in Jesus' name, with a grateful heart, I receive today a new, risen life.   Amen.                                                                     

What defines you—your past, your pain, or the label the world has placed on you?In this powerful message, More Than a Label, Chris Simning dives into the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5, bringing it to life through his own story of brokenness, humor, and deep hope. With raw honesty and spiritual insight, Pastor Chris invites us to consider four life-changing questions rooted in this miracle moment with Jesus:Do you want to get well?What is your mat—and is it paralyzing you?Do you feel lost in the crowd?Where will your mat lead you?Through these questions, we're reminded that healing often begins with movement. Sometimes, Jesus doesn't remove our brokenness, but instead transforms it into a powerful story of empathy, connection, and purpose.If you feel stuck, overlooked, or labeled by the world—this message is for you.Key Takeaways:Jesus sees beyond your label.Movement is often the first step toward healing.Your brokenness can become a vessel of hope for others.God wants to work through your story, not just in spite of it.#MoreThanALabel #ChrisSimning #John5 #HealingAndHope #FaithInBrokenness #JesusHeals #PoolOfBethesda #ChristianSermon #MoveYourMat #SundayMessageFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

In this sermon from “The Next Right Thing” series, Pastor Dave Bondeson teaches from Acts 18:1–17, where Paul—exhausted, rejected, and afraid—receives a timely vision from Jesus: “Do not be afraid.” Paul is reminded that God is with him and working in unseen ways. Through this powerful story of perseverance, discouragement, and divine purpose, we are challenged to stay faithful, speak boldly, and trust God's presence even in seasons of hardship. A timely encouragement for anyone walking through uncertainty and weariness.

In a world drowning in anxiety, Jesus offers something radical: freedom from worry. In this powerful message, Pastor Erik Lindeen unpacks one of the most overlooked commands of Jesus—“Do not worry”—and shows us how to actually live it out. From personal stories to practical tools, this sermon explores how faith, trust, and Kingdom priorities can reframe your fears and ground your soul. Whether you're anxious about finances, family, or the future, this message will encourage you to seek first the Kingdom and take life one day at a time.

In today's message, Pastor Aaron McRae unpacks one of the most misunderstood teachings of Jesus: “Do not judge.” As part of our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we explore what true judgment looks like — discerning without condemning, examining our own hearts before pointing at others, and living out Jesus' call to love.We discuss the danger of a judgmental spirit, the difference between discernment and condemnation, and how to follow the Golden Rule in a world quick to criticize. Ultimately, we are reminded that judgment belongs to God alone, and we are called to walk in humility, love, and truth.Key Scriptures: Matthew 7:1–6, Matthew 7:12, Romans 13:8-10, Psalm 139:23 References: Bible Project, "UnChristian" by David Kinnaman, teachings by Jonathan Pennington, Scot McKnight, and Billy Graham.Join us as we seek to love others as Christ has loved us — with grace, discernment, and hope.#SermonOnTheMount #DoNotJudge #LoveFirst #JesusTeaching #GoldenRuleFor the full gathering of this message which includes worship, visit our Youtube channel. Stay Connected With Hillside Community Church.Youtube | https://www.youtube.com/c/HillsideCommunityChurchInstagram | https://www.instagram.com/hillsidechurches/Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/hillsidechurchesWebsite | https://hillsidechurches.com

Matt Drago is an American actor and theatre performer. His resume is lengthy and vast, highlighting his most recent film "Somewhere in Montana," as well as "Just Go with It," "What would Jesus Do," "To the New Girl, "The Remake," and "Profits of Science." Highly trained at the most competitive schools in the country, his ability to character build and perform is pretty much second nature (though he may say "first nature"). 01:52 - College theatre, the process and technique, different styles of teaching and learning, first auditions, things you do in "real life" that help you in character development 15:16 - Was there an inciting incident that triggered the choice to do acting or was it a gradual thing, choosing schools to network vs choosing schools to hone your craft, plus, "there is no learning like doing," the distinction between BFA and BA in theatre performance, pros and cons 29:43 - What was it like to be on the set with Adam Sandler on "Just Go with It," first time he met Al Pacino, making bold moves on and off the set 40:00 - Finally! We talk about the film "Somewhere in Montana," working with Graham McTavish, Michelle Hurd 1:02:25 - The bigger distinction between film and stage, what makes me a good coach? My degree in theatre performance 1:13:13 - The value of the film "What Would Jesus Do?" 1:27:44 - Why did Pat Simon REALLY get fired? Plus, not-so-lightning rounds

On Ep:69 Me and Matt discuss his Latest Film somewhere in Montana, how spirituality is connected to Acting, how he stays grounded and centered in chaotic industry, how he deals with rejection in the industry, and so much more!Matt Drago is an acting who first got his start on Broadway. Hes starred in Numerous Projects such as Disneys Counting Scars Viral Video What would Jesus Do? the Journey Continues, Ridley's Scott's Propphets of science Friction No Other Way. Now he will be starring in the Film Somewhere In Montana where he plays alongside Graham McTavish and Michelle Hurd. Matt also has his own production company, that's working on producing its first feature film. IG: @mattdrago Social Media: IG: Vibeselectionpodcast Website:https://vibe-selection.captivate.fmTwitter:@Vibe_Selection To Support Vibe Selection Podcast Please Donate: Patreon: www.patreon.com/vibeselection CashApp:$vibeselection PayPal: PayPal.Me/vibeselection Get Vibe Selection Merchandise:https://vibe-selection.creator-spring.com

Today, we will be looking at the words of Jesus and what He had to say about money. Regardless of our financial circumstances, we can find some peace and hope in this often volatile area of life. The wording of Matthew 6:19-24 in the New Life Bible is intriguing. Listen to the words of Jesus … “Do not gather together for yourself riches of this earth. They will be eaten by bugs and become rusted. Men can break in and steal them. Gather together riches in heaven where they will not be eaten by bugs or become rusted. Men cannot break in and steal them. For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also. The eye is the light of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. If your eye is bad, your whole body will be dark. If the light in you is dark, how dark it will be! No one can have two bosses. He will hate the one and love the other. Or he will listen to the one and work against the other. You cannot have both God and riches as your boss at the same time. Now, Jesus is not saying that it's wrong to have a savings account. That's not the point. The concept here is not about our bank account, but our motives and focus. It's interesting to think of money as a boss. In fact, we will often put up with a lot in our lives in work with actual bosses because money is our ultimate boss. But Jesus is saying that mindset easily competes with God's place in our lives. If you are honest with yourself right now, what tends to be the boss in your life right now? What drives your actions and attitudes? Security? Money? Verse 21 is a great litmus test to constantly evaluate our lives: For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also. The converse is also true: Whatever has your heart, that's also where your riches will be found. What has your heart right now? What or who is your mind set on? We put our efforts into what we love most. Money, security, self reliance all can be rusted or eaten away by things beyond our control. Only God's riches and security are reliable. So, let's let that love be our driving force—where our riches, our treasure, our hearts, are. Let's pray: “Heavenly Father, please help me to keep money and security in perspective—a heavenly perspective. I want you to be my security. I give my self reliance and confess that you are my security, my treasure and where my heart is. As above, so below.”

The ultimate question of spiritual growth is the question posed by Jesus—"Do you want to get well?” That is the ultimate question of our soul, the ultimate question of spiritual growth, of coming to know God, and of walking with God. This question, posed by Jesus to the invalid man in John 5, challenges us to reflect on our desires and motivations. It invites us to consider whether we truly seek transformation or if we are comfortable remaining in our current state, which may be marked by fear, control, and self-centeredness. Acknowledging our reality is a crucial step in this process. It requires us to confront the honest truth about ourselves, including our shortcomings, sins, and the ways we fall short of God's glory. Many people, especially in culturally Christian contexts, may use religious language without fully understanding its implications or the transformative power it holds. This disconnect can lead to a superficial faith that lacks depth and genuine connection with God. To truly desire wellness means recognizing our utter inability to change or fix ourselves without the presence of God and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. It involves a willingness to turn away from the shadows of our fears and insecurities and step into the light of God's love. This light not only illuminates our path but also offers healing and restoration. This journey toward wellness is not about striving for perfection or trying to earn God's approval. Instead, it is about coming to Jesus, who offers life and freedom from condemnation. When we accept His invitation, we cross over from death to life, experiencing a profound transformation that reshapes our identity and purpose. Ultimately, the call to spiritual growth is an invitation to fully embrace the love of God. It encourages us to engage in a relationship with Christ that leads to a deeper understanding of His grace, mercy, and love. As we navigate this journey, we are reminded that the fruit of our relationship with Christ should be love—both for ourselves and for others. This love empowers us to live open-handedly, free from the burdens of regret and insecurity, and to move toward a life characterized by sacrificial love. The ultimate question of spiritual growth—whether we truly want to be well—challenges us to acknowledge our reality and our need for transformation through Christ. It invites us to step into the light of God's love, where true healing and wholeness await. THIS WEEK'S RESOURCES: Sign up for Nicole's newsletter and get regular encouragement straight to your inbox: https://nicoleunice.com/realtalk/ Help! My Bible is Alive! Nicole's Newest Book: Not What I Signed Up For  When you go to NicoleUnice.com/notwhatisignedupfor you'll get the intro, first chapter and a free prayer guide!  Find all of Nicole's books and resources on Amazon or Barnes & Noble Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

How do you live this life set apart and in the world but not of the world ? Does the old testament hold the answers? WWJD What would Jesus Do? Jesus followed the Old Testament. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/christmediapolitcs/support

Nowadays, you don't have to spend long on the internet before finding yourself neck-deep in advertisements. Adverts, like signs, reveal some aspect of the product they are selling. Due to the number of adverts we are exposed to, we have become accustomed to ignoring them if what they reveal doesn't pique our interest, suit our desires, or meet our needs.- -Jesus himself was a sign. The miracles he performed and the words he spoke all revealed aspects of the kingdom of God that was dawning-a kingdom of compassion, where what is needed is provided in abundance.- -Many people like the sound of the kingdom of God and of eternity, but not always the version of it that Jesus reveals, not always the truth that he speaks. There is then a tendency to swipe or scroll on to the next advert or sign, looking for the Jesus, the kingdom, and the God that suits our preferences and the needs we perceive as most important. --The great threat Jesus warns his disciples of, and even the Pharisees and Sadducees, is this- only one sign reveals the kingdom of God. That sign is Jesus- Do not look for other signs that satisfy your preferences or perceived needs. Trust in Jesus- he will give you all you need, according to his wisdom, in abundance, but you must trust him and not swipe on.

Nowadays, you don't have to spend long on the internet before finding yourself neck-deep in advertisements. Adverts, like signs, reveal some aspect of the product they are selling. Due to the number of adverts we are exposed to, we have become accustomed to ignoring them if what they reveal doesn't pique our interest, suit our desires, or meet our needs.- -Jesus himself was a sign. The miracles he performed and the words he spoke all revealed aspects of the kingdom of God that was dawning-a kingdom of compassion, where what is needed is provided in abundance.- -Many people like the sound of the kingdom of God and of eternity, but not always the version of it that Jesus reveals, not always the truth that he speaks. There is then a tendency to swipe or scroll on to the next advert or sign, looking for the Jesus, the kingdom, and the God that suits our preferences and the needs we perceive as most important. --The great threat Jesus warns his disciples of, and even the Pharisees and Sadducees, is this- only one sign reveals the kingdom of God. That sign is Jesus- Do not look for other signs that satisfy your preferences or perceived needs. Trust in Jesus- he will give you all you need, according to his wisdom, in abundance, but you must trust him and not swipe on.

Welcome back to another episode of the Underground Society Podcast. Our guest today, Sara Benyo, might be known for her vocal work with artists like Jessica Audifred or Freaky but there is so much more to her than what's just on the surface or the vocal work that she has done.For starters, Sara has also been djing and producing and is now touring as a solo act playing festivals like Breakaway and EDC! Furthermore, a GIANT part of her brand is spirituality (which of course intrigued us). We are always told as believers to live by the phrase “WWJD” - What would Jesus Do and as you can tell right off of the bat, she writes music to heal people which is mirrored by the life that Jesus lived while he was here on earth. Today she describes how every single decision in her career is all centered around her faith and how she wouldn't be here if it weren't for her gift of music.For her, she claims that no matter if it is about her writing, her spiritual practices, or even her use of certain substances, it all comes down to her intent behind the things she does. In this episode we hope to share with you why intention setting is so important and how it can help you walk more confidently as a believer in the music industry. Thank you so much for tuning in, enjoy the episode!Society Selects (Last Updated 5/7/24)Follow SaraInstagramTwitterSpotifyYouTubeUnderground SocietyInstagramTwitterSpotifyYouTubeWebsite: www.undergroundsocietypodcast.comSupport the Show.

What would Jesus Do and be involved in today, would it really be what many liberals say? This is a best of episode --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/foruncommonsense/message

We need God  Be at peace  Look to Jesus  Do not let bitterness get into you 

What is involved in the call of Jesus-- Do we have a part in it-- In this message, Pastor Steve will examine two features of Jesus' call of the twelve from Mark 3-13-15.

John shares the second message of a series “Famous Last Words” during this season of Lent (the lead up to Easter) - a journey through John 13 - John 17 as Jesus prepares and shares with his disciples his thoughts and words before the suffering (and triumph) of Easter. Reflecting on John 14 John Arts shares a little about the Upper Room discourse, focussing on the words of Jesus - "Do not let your hearts be troubled." John looks at some of the reasons the disciples were troubled, and some of the reasons Jesus shared with them to not be troubled.

Do not worry that you'll be here a lot longer! Please don't kill it! Please don't win! JESUS: Do not worry. I have overcome the world, and so therefore have you.   Spiritual, political and philosophical observations along the way. And now music and information on Zeph E. Daniel and Crazed House, Ltd, film production.  Zeph E. Daniel is known for his screenwriting for the films “Girl Next”, “The Quantum Devil” and “Dementia”. Zeph also co-wrote other horror classics such as “SOCIETY”. His film production Crazed House has received numerous awards, reviews and enthusiast. Zeph is mostly recognized for his veracious and subversive podcast, THE ZEPH REPORT. For over 20 years Zeph has been reporting on observations to his faithful listeners. Author of the books GIRL NEXT, GLASS BACKWARD and LAMB. For decades Zeph has used music to candidly unveil the atrocities of our current world situation. Joining forces with DCP (Death Camp Parade) Rich Keltner, Trish Daniel, Kellie Rowley and other artist. Find the full Podcast of THE ZEPH REPORT; clips, shorts, films and books in the links below. LINKS Z Media Worldwide- Video shorts and Zeph's Music Catalog.
https://www.youtube.com/@ZMediaWorldwide https://crazedhouse.com/ https://www.spreaker.com/show/zephreport https://rumble.com/c/c-3417648 https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/x298c-70519/The-Zeph-Report-Podcast https://zephedaniel.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Backwards-Zeph-Daniel/dp/193085966X https://www.amazon.com/Lamb-Zeph-Daniel/dp/1930859317 https://soundcloud.com/zephdaniel

Do not worry that you'll be here a lot longer! Please don't kill it! Please don't win! JESUS: Do not worry. I have overcome the world, and so therefore have you.

Do not worry that you'll be here a lot longer! Please don't kill it! Please don't win! JESUS: Do not worry. I have overcome the world, and so therefore have you.   Spiritual, political and philosophical observations along the way. And now music and information on Zeph E. Daniel and Crazed House, Ltd, film production.  Zeph E. Daniel is known for his screenwriting for the films “Girl Next”, “The Quantum Devil” and “Dementia”. Zeph also co-wrote other horror classics such as “SOCIETY”. His film production Crazed House has received numerous awards, reviews and enthusiast. Zeph is mostly recognized for his veracious and subversive podcast, THE ZEPH REPORT. For over 20 years Zeph has been reporting on observations to his faithful listeners. Author of the books GIRL NEXT, GLASS BACKWARD and LAMB. For decades Zeph has used music to candidly unveil the atrocities of our current world situation. Joining forces with DCP (Death Camp Parade) Rich Keltner, Trish Daniel, Kellie Rowley and other artist. Find the full Podcast of THE ZEPH REPORT; clips, shorts, films and books in the links below. LINKS Z Media Worldwide- Video shorts and Zeph's Music Catalog.
https://www.youtube.com/@ZMediaWorldwide https://crazedhouse.com/ https://www.spreaker.com/show/zephreport https://rumble.com/c/c-3417648 https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/x298c-70519/The-Zeph-Report-Podcast https://zephedaniel.substack.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Glass-Backwards-Zeph-Daniel/dp/193085966X https://www.amazon.com/Lamb-Zeph-Daniel/dp/1930859317 https://soundcloud.com/zephdaniel

Do not worry that you'll be here a lot longer! Please don't kill it! Please don't win! JESUS: Do not worry. I have overcome the world, and so therefore have you.

I greet you in Jesus' precious name! It is Tuesday morning, the 6th of February, 2024, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today. We start in the Book of Isaiah 39:4: And he said, “What have they seen in your house?” So Hezekiah answered, “They have seen all that is in my house; there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shown them.” The prophet said to him, if you carry on reading, that “everything you have shown them in your house will be taken away from you and will be sent to Babylon, even your own family.”Then we go to Matthew 7:6. This is the word of Jesus: “Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces.” There are certain things which are to remain private and within the family. When somebody comes to me and says to me, “You know, I shouldn't really tell you this, but …” I stop them right there and say, “Before you go any further, I want you to know something, whatever you tell me I am going to go and tell everybody.” And all of a sudden, they are quiet. We need to guard our private family lives very carefully. Proverbs 10:19 says: “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.” Nothing is more destructive and damaging to a family when something private, spoken in confidence to a so-called friend, is leaked out and the public knows about it and it comes back to you in the crowd. Very destructive. Keep it quiet. Like that lady who has a beautiful recipe for some brand-new cake she is making, and she tells her friend in confidence because she is doing a little bit of business about it and she is selling her cakes all over the area, only to find out in a few weeks time that there is someone else who is baking the exact same cake and is in direct opposition to her. Very hurtful! I think we need to start to count to ten before we share personal things with others. That is why you have a patent. Now, the word patent means the sole right to exclude others from making, using or selling an invention. Keep it quiet until you register that patent and then you can tell the world. This is wise advice but especially in the family.Jesus bless you and have a wonderful day,Goodbye.

-This really is the question of the season- but not just the season, but the most important question for life- Who is He-- Who is Jesus-- Do you know who Jesus is--- - Pastor Ken Endean--Watch this Sunday evening's Christmas Eve Service from Luke 2-8-20 entitled -The Glorious Announcement.-

-This really is the question of the season- but not just the season, but the most important question for life- Who is He-- Who is Jesus-- Do you know who Jesus is--- - Pastor Ken Endean--Watch this Sunday evening's Christmas Eve Service from Luke 2-8-20 entitled -The Glorious Announcement.-

Worry is something we all deal with on some level, and in response, humans have come up with tools like breathing exercises and mindfulness techniques to help us cope. Yet as Christians we receive this simple command from Jesus: “Do not worry.” How can we live in step with the way of Jesus if our lives are filled with worry? Come this week as we discover the power over worry that we can only find in Jesus. The post Do Not Worry appeared first on Pine Lake Covenant Church.

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.comProtests are the gift of a free society. But also: Annoying! We talk about three recent stories on the explosion of activism over the Israel-Hamas war, and when “building a better world tomorrow” ends up tearing apart the community today.* Nancy stans Dave Barry; Sarah needs convincing* Humanity is hard. Protesting is easy.* Why has the 21st century seen a threefold increase in protests?* What would you do if your kid tore down posters?* “We need to stop acting like these are serious people.”* The moral rot of anti-Semitism* Political cartooning as latest culture war battlefield* Ayaan Hirsi Ali is down with Jesus* Do you feel comfortable in church?* A Beach Boys confession* We ❤️ Jeff TweedyWhere else are you going to hear about Home Goods, Philip Roth, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Rammstein in one convo? Plus a listener request (in episode notes), and what's in our hot boxes!

Roy and Wilson engage in a candid conversation with Kimberly Leong about living with bipolar disorder.   Some talking points include: Roy's regrets as a pastor when interacting with a member with bipolar disorder Kimberly's vulnerable recounting of some manic episodes The temptation to argue someone out of a distorted reality The healing properties of sleep, and the safety that allows for deep sleep The road to mental stability, and the supportive people who journeyed with her The wonderful experience of authentic weakness in the presence of Jesus Do medication and therapy help? Living and thriving with mental illness   Drop us a line: thesameboatpod@gmail.com Produced by Clayton Yip [@yipster_hipster] Logo by Hyeyoon Chong [@hye.img] Music by Nathan Baldwin Wilson Wang is lead pastor of Renew Church OC (www.renewchurchoc.com) and author of the "Called to Be" series and "The Adulting Journal" (www.calledtobeproject.com). You can listen to his sermons here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/renew-church-oc/id1038985827 Roy Kim can be found on social media @thisisroykim Other podcasts: SA Speakeasy [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sa-speakeasy/id1438434927] New Therapist FAQ [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-therapist-faq/id1514669839]

New co-host Alisha Coakley visits us from Texas.She is preparing some thoughts for a Turtle House fireside coming up:"I'm in Conflict. What would Jesus Do?"We had a fun discussion, but, as always, we probably asked more questions than we answered.What are your thougths?Please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my n...

New co-host Alisha Coakley visits us from Texas.She is preparing some thoughts for a Turtle House fireside coming up:"I'm in Conflict. What would Jesus Do?"We had a fun discussion, but, as always, we probably asked more questions than we answered.What are your thougths?Please like, share, subscribe, and give us a review. You can email me at ken@chocolatecakebytes.com and follow me at https://www.facebook.com/ChocolateCakeByteshttps://www.instagram.com/chocolatecakebytes/Check out my new podcast: Bad Boss Podcast athttps://play.disctopia.com/podcasts/bad_boss_podcast or wherever you listen to podcasts

TwoSistas and it's Episode #681 on this MindsetMonday, October 9, 2023 - Happy Columbus Day and why the history can never be erased!  So much happening in the news which certainly weighs heavy on our thoughts with everything going on in Israel right now.   We've seen and will continue to see humanity at it's worse with brutal savages.  The offenses . . . What would Jesus Do and the continuum of our faith being tested through a tug of war. Let us know what you thought of today's episode and how you plan your week.  Our website is currently having difficulties; however, you can still reach us via email: Janis.TwoSistas@gmail.com

IN THIS PODCAST: The people nowadays invest a lot of money, time and resources to acquire wealth and secure a safe future. This wealth and treasure is perishable and does not last forever. In today's gospel Jesus tells us not to yearn for treasures on earth but earn treasures for ourselves in heaven. Fr. Siluvai Muthu reminds that in the words of Jesus “ Do not live for treasures on earth but for the treasures in heaven” This homily was preached on the passage from Mt 6:19-23 by Rev. Fr. Siluvai Muthu, CSsR, on 16 June 2022. Let us reflect and pray to the Lord

Today, we will be looking at the words of Jesus and what He had to say about money. Regardless of our financial circumstances, we can find some peace and hope in this often volatile area of life. The wording of Matthew 6:19-24 in the New Life Bible is intriguing. Listen to the words of Jesus … “Do not gather together for yourself riches of this earth. They will be eaten by bugs and become rusted. Men can break in and steal them. Gather together riches in heaven where they will not be eaten by bugs or become rusted. Men cannot break in and steal them. For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also. The eye is the light of the body. If your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. If your eye is bad, your whole body will be dark. If the light in you is dark, how dark it will be! No one can have two bosses. He will hate the one and love the other. Or he will listen to the one and work against the other. You cannot have both God and riches as your boss at the same time. Now, Jesus is not saying that it's wrong to have a savings account. That's not the point. The concept here is not about our bank account, but our motives and focus. It's interesting to think of money as a boss. In fact, we will often put up with a lot in our lives in work with actual bosses because money is our ultimate boss. But Jesus is saying that mindset easily competes with God's place in our lives. If you are honest with yourself right now, what tends to be the boss in your life right now? What drives your actions and attitudes? Security? Money? Verse 21 is a great litmus test to constantly evaluate our lives: For wherever your riches are, your heart will be there also. The converse is also true: Whatever has your heart, that's also where your riches will be found. What has your heart right now? What or who is your mind set on? We put our efforts into what we love most. Money, security, self reliance all can be rusted or eaten away by things beyond our control. Only God's riches and security are reliable. So, let's let that love be our driving force—where our riches, our treasure, our hearts, are. Let's pray: “Heavenly Father, please help me to keep money and security in perspective—a heavenly perspective. I want you to be my security. I give my self reliance and confess that you are my security, my treasure and where my heart is. As above, so below.”

Does your speech point people to Jesus-- Do you talk like Jesus or one of His enemies-- -Learn seven prayers to overcome the sins of the tongue and maintain Christlike speech. This sermon is part two of a two part sermon. -Listen to the first sermon at https---www.sermonaudio.com-dashboard-sermons-81823171010672- .

Does your speech point people to Jesus-- Do you talk like Jesus or one of His enemies-- -Learn seven prayers to overcome the sins of the tongue and maintain Christlike speech. This sermon is part two of a two part sermon. -Listen to the first sermon at https---www.sermonaudio.com-dashboard-sermons-81823171010672- .

God is calling to those who are in a spiritual stupor to wake up. If you will turn to Jesus Christ, He will take God's wrath in your place. So leave the sin behind and follow Jesus- Do not fear -- the Lord God will make a way for all who trust in Him.

God is calling to those who are in a spiritual stupor to wake up. If you will turn to Jesus Christ, He will take God's wrath in your place. So leave the sin behind and follow Jesus- Do not fear -- the Lord God will make a way for all who trust in Him.

This week on The KYLO Show, Danny and Ben talk about being a husband and what it looks like to fulfill the role of a protector, provider, and connector like Jesus--Do you have a question that you need answered? Record and submit your question at http://thekyloshow.com. Danny and Brittney may answer your question on the show and you'll get the breakthrough you've been looking for!--Support The KYLO Show by making a tax-deductible donation https://lovingonpurpose.givingfuel.com

Does your speech point people to Jesus-- Do you talk like Jesus or one of His enemies-- Learn seven prayers to overcome the sins of the tongue and maintain Christlike speech.

Does your speech point people to Jesus-- Do you talk like Jesus or one of His enemies-- Learn seven prayers to overcome the sins of the tongue and maintain Christlike speech.

Perhaps you know the story of Corrie ten Boom and how she and her sister were imprisoned during World War II for hiding Jewish people from the Nazis. Well, I have one last wise statement to give you, and this comes from Corrie. She said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” We all know that worry is useless and yet I dare say we all still worry, some of us more than others. And Corrie is so right—worrying just takes away your strength and your endurance. What or who is on your worry list today? How long have you been worrying about them or it? Has it helped? Are things any better because you are worrying? Silly question—of course not. Yet this is a tendency all of us have—to just worry about most anything, and that takes us easily into the miserable what-ifs that I talked about earlier this week. Here's what Jesus said about worrying: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. . .  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?'. . .  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:25-31, 33-34). This is a directive from Jesus: “Do not worry;” full stop! So that means when you worry, you are disobeying Jesus and believe me, that never ends well. Here's what Jesus told us to do with our worrying situations: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Exchange your worrying burden for Jesus' light one. You may have to do it several times a day, but when you start to worry, stop in the middle, remind yourself that you are disobeying Jesus, and then by an act of faith—not feelings—leave your worry with Jesus and take his light one. It works, I promise. You just have to do it.

Perhaps you know the story of Corrie ten Boom and how she and her sister were imprisoned during World War II for hiding Jewish people from the Nazis. Well, I have one last wise statement to give you, and this comes from Corrie. She said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” We all know that worry is useless and yet I dare say we all still worry, some of us more than others. And Corrie is so right—worrying just takes away your strength and your endurance. What or who is on your worry list today? How long have you been worrying about them or it? Has it helped? Are things any better because you are worrying? Silly question—of course not. Yet this is a tendency all of us have—to just worry about most anything, and that takes us easily into the miserable what-ifs that I talked about earlier this week. Here's what Jesus said about worrying: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. . .  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?' or ‘What shall we drink?' or ‘What shall we wear?'. . .  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:25-31, 33-34). This is a directive from Jesus: “Do not worry;” full stop! So that means when you worry, you are disobeying Jesus and believe me, that never ends well. Here's what Jesus told us to do with our worrying situations: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Exchange your worrying burden for Jesus' light one. You may have to do it several times a day, but when you start to worry, stop in the middle, remind yourself that you are disobeying Jesus, and then by an act of faith—not feelings—leave your worry with Jesus and take his light one. It works, I promise. You just have to do it.

Brothers and sisters: I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 1 Corinthians 11:23–24We begin the most sacred Triduum, the greatest Feasts in the life of the Church. Tonight we celebrate the Last Supper with our Lord. The Church then keeps vigil in prayer until midnight. Tomorrow, though Holy Communion that was consecrated on Holy Thursday is distributed, the Mass is not celebrated and the tabernacle is empty. We venerate the Cross, recall the Passion, and experience the silence of the death of our Lord. On Holy Saturday, the Liturgy is not celebrated until the sun sets and we begin the Easter Vigil celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord.Tonight we especially ponder the words of Jesus: “Do this in remembrance of me.” This is not only an invitation; it is a command. A command of love. A command to share in the Memorial Sacrifice of the Savior of the World. The word “memorial” is important to understand. When Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me,” He was not simply asking us to remember Him, or to celebrate the Eucharist as a memorial in the normal sense of a memorial. Normally, a memorial is something that is used only to remind us of something that previously took place. There might be a memorial plaque placed at a location of some important event, commemorating the event with a description and date. Or there might be a memorial ceremony where we honor someone who has gone before us. But the Mass is a memorial in a much different way. As a memorial, or remembrance, our Church teaches that every time the Mass is celebrated, the saving events of the Paschal Mystery are truly made present. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, in quoting the great Council of Trent, states it this way: The sacrifice of Christ and the sacrifice of the Eucharist are one single sacrifice: “The victim is one and the same: the same now offers through the ministry of priests, who then offered himself on the cross; only the manner of offering is different.” “And since in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the Mass, the same Christ who offered himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is contained and is offered in an unbloody manner. . .” (#1367).In other words, when we participate in the Mass we are participating in the Sacrifice of Christ; we are present at the Cross. It is His offering that culminated in His victory over sin and death. Thus, when we celebrate this “remembrance,” we do more than remember the Last Supper. We are truly there, truly participating in it, truly experiencing the saving grace of Christ's gift. It is very easy to “forget” what we actually participate in. Sometimes we can become distracted at Mass. If Mass is celebrated in an irreverent way, if it is rushed or if our minds are somewhere else, then we are standing at the foot of the Cross more like a soldier or bystander than like the Mother of God or people of deep faith. As we participate in the Last Supper and the saving Sacrifice of Christ this night, reflect upon what you participate in every time you celebrate the Most Holy Eucharist. Pray for the eyes of faith and for the gift of reverence and awe. Pray that the veil be lifted and you be invited to gaze upon the greatest act of love ever known. Allow this night to be a true reminder to you that the Mass is real, is the Holy Sacrifice, is the most important Gift you will ever receive. It is the Gift of the Sacrifice of the Savior of the World. My Sacrificial Lord, this night You instituted the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in which Your saving Sacrifice became a permanent Memorial in which we are invited to share. Please open my eyes to the reality of the Mass and help me to always participate in it with deep faith, reverence and love. Jesus, I trust in You. Source of content: catholic-daily-reflections.comCopyright © 2023 My Catholic Life! Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission via RSS feed.

Sermon Series - "What Wouldn't Jesus Do?"-Week 5-Jesus Would Never Not Worry About the Lost-Luke 15

Continuing with our Series “The LOVE Challenge” based on the book “1 John”, today Pastor Jodi teaches on chapter 2 about “What would Jesus Do” and how He lived the 1st commandment, we are to model Jesus not the pharisees, in our daily lives. 

You have probably asked yourself the question... "What would Jesus Do?" This can feel overwhelming. Today I share an alternative question and why it can be more useful!

As founding Pastor of East End Fellowship Church in downtown Richmond, Don Coleman now serves as Pastor Emeritus. He has a passion for seeing people meet Jesus through the lives of other believers, as well as the witness of the Church. Mike and Don discuss what it means to meet Jesus, how the Church needs to grow and change, and how we need to learn to follow Jesus and guide others to follow him.   “Stop taking them to church. Take them to Jesus.”  He continues by asking, “Have you met Him (Jesus)? If you haven't, where are you leading people?”  “Do what Jesus Did (DWJD). Don't ask, 'What would Jesus Do?' (WWJD) He already told us. Stop asking questions. Read his Word!”  “Jesus said, 'Follow me, and I will MAKE you fishers of men.' He did not expect them to automatically be fishers of men. As we follow Jesus, he will make us disciple-makers, so we don't have any excuses!”  Resources: Matthew 4:18-22  1 Corinthians 11:1  1 Corinthians 4:14-17  2 Corinthians 5:17  Philippians 2:3  Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT)   East End Fellowship  Dr. John Perkins  Christian Community Development   John Stot  The Noble Man / ISI Conference: Don Coleman Workshops  Noble Warriors Blog: Don Coleman   View Show Notes: NobleWarriors.org/episode90 Leave a Review: If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode!  More Resources and Encouragement: NobleWarriors.org  © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved

As founding Pastor of East End Fellowship Church in downtown Richmond, Don Coleman now serves as Pastor Emeritus. He has a passion for seeing people meet Jesus through the lives of other believers, as well as the witness of the Church. Mike and Don discuss what it means to meet Jesus, how the Church needs to grow and change, and how we need to learn to follow Jesus and guide others to follow him.   “Stop taking them to church. Take them to Jesus.”  He continues by asking, “Have you met Him (Jesus)? If you haven't, where are you leading people?”  “Do what Jesus Did (DWJD). Don't ask, 'What would Jesus Do?' (WWJD) He already told us. Stop asking questions. Read his Word!”  “Jesus said, 'Follow me, and I will MAKE you fishers of men.' He did not expect them to automatically be fishers of men. As we follow Jesus, he will make us disciple-makers, so we don't have any excuses!”  Resources: Matthew 4:18-22  1 Corinthians 11:1  1 Corinthians 4:14-17  2 Corinthians 5:17  Philippians 2:3  Church Hill Activities and Tutoring (CHAT)   East End Fellowship  Dr. John Perkins  Christian Community Development   John Stot  The Noble Man / ISI Conference: Don Coleman Workshops  Noble Warriors Blog: Don Coleman   View Show Notes: NobleWarriors.org/episode90 Leave a Review: If you like what you've been hearing, we invite you to leave us a review. Tell us what you love about this episode!  More Resources and Encouragement: NobleWarriors.org  © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved

What *wouldn't* Jesus do? Jeff and Steph ask this pertinent question as we discuss Galatians 3:1-5. How do the questions surrounding Law & Spirit, Jew & Gentile, faith & freedom bear upon us? How does staring at "Christ and Him crucified" safeguard us from the seduction of bewitching words and Gospel perversions? Listen to Part 13 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, "What *Wouldn't Jesus Do? (Gal. 3:1-5)" now