Paradigm

Wrapping up our series in Numbers Pastor Jon led us through what it means to embrace living in submission to God. 👏 In 1 Peter we learned that our identity in Christ surpasses any circumstance. Submission is the choice to be emptied of authority and filled with God's purpose for your life, regardless of the circumstance. Society will tell you to live your own truth and build your own life but as...

This week we continue in the Numbers series! 👏 Pastor Chad’s sermon on Rebellion was a call to reflection. Rebellion is in us all, it has many sources, and it will always lead to ruin. Are you unknowingly rebelling against God? Common sources of rebellion stem from jealousy, ungratefulness, stubbornness, misremembering, and being untrusting. Are any of these causing you to turn from God’s wisdom?...

Last night we dug into what faith really means, found in Hebrews 11. We learned that faith is obediently following God’s Word, regardless of our feelings, knowing that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. Why is faith essential? It pleases God, brings salvation, and overcomes the world. To grow our faith, we’re encouraged to dive into God’s Word, share our stories boldly, and walk closely wit...

Tuesday night we continued our Numbers series by looking at doubt. Here are a few takeaways: 1. Doubt undermines God’s promises, and is the lack of confidence or assurance that He will keep them. 2. What is inside you will eventually come out. Let confidence, trust, and faith spill out of you instead of doubt. 3. Doubt sees obstacles. What obstacle seems so gigantic to where you’re having a hard t...

“Truth without love isn’t true, and love isn’t love without truth.” 🌿 Last night’s message taught us that Biblical truth and biblical love are inseparable. Truth without love destroys, and love without truth deceives. So how do we bring the two together? In the major things, take action. Have a critical conversation including an observation, discussion, your concern, and your love for the other p...

A critical attitude will leave you in a wilderness spiritually. Attitude — pattern of thinking developed over a period of time. Criticism is when you focus on the perceived flaw of another person without any intention to help them. Check out the layers of criticism: it’s petty, self-exalting, and sinful. Criticism is often rooted in unforgiveness, bitterness, personal failure, envy, jealousy or so...

Last night in our Numbers series we looked at contentment. 1 Timothy 6:6 teaches us that godliness + contentment = great gain. Godliness, or God likeness, means to be like Jesus. Paul is teaching that we cannot live in the promised land spiritually, while living like a pagan practically. We often want the blessings of God without the obedience to God, which doesn’t work. You cannot experience the...

Continuing our series in Numbers, Pastor John calls on us to reflect on our habitual covetousness, which can be described as wanting the wrong thing or wanting the right thing but for the wrong amount, at the wrong time, and for the wrong reasons. Our society conditions us to want more, and more, and more. All of the tangible goods we collect might be keeping us comfortable but they aren't necessa...

Some days, weeks, months, or even years are going to be harder than the rest. Life can get real hard real quick and you can easily find yourself in the mental captivity of a complaining attitude. As Christians, we can quickly find ourselves fading from the presence of the Lord in these challenging seasons, but the key to continuing to serve the Lord with gladness is to come before Him with THANKSG...

Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you respond. Last night, we started a brand new series in Numbers! Starting in chapter 11, we dove head first into the attitude of complaining. Anything that separates us from God is a sin, and complaining your way through life is an easy way to find yourself on the path to destruction. Complaining is harmful to your relationship with God, but also to those who...

In a broken world we are bound to experience or be affected by tragedy. As Christians, how do we respond? We can't "decide our theology on the 10th floor of Children's mercy" or decide our theology when we are in the middle of tragedy. We have to know the character of God and inform our emotions when tragedy strikes. As Christians, we have to: 1) Cling to the person of Christ 2) Learn to share our...

We're wrapping up our 24 series by looking at what true wisdom is. James 3:13-18 shows us the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is of the earth; bitter, self-seeking, full of envy and lies, and only results in confusion and evil. Godly wisdom is from above; pure, peaceable, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality or hypocrisy. The outcom...

God created work and desires for us to exercise wisdom in our workplace. As we exercise wisdom in our workplace, we are both able to honor God and be ambassadors for Christ to the people around us. This week Darrell Robinson gives us some practical tips on not only how to be excellent in our work but more importantly represent the church in our workplace. https://events.bible.com/en/event/edit/492...

Every wondered how to make a Biblical decision about something that isn't explicitly in the Bible? The Corinthian grid can help you filter through the thousands of decisions you make a day by applying Biblical principles. When making a decision, ask yourself these five questions: 1: Does it bring me under its power? 1 Cor 6:12 2: Does this belong in God's temple? 1 Cor 8:18-20 3: Will this confuse...

What is wisdom? Why do we need it? And where do we find it? Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; having insight. Wisdom is more than information or education, wisdom is seen in the application. Wisdom is understanding how to do something, and choosing to walk it out. It delivers us from folly, redirects our path, and determines our success. How do we get it? F...

Pastor Phil joined us and reminded us that ​there are three trees that define all human history. 1.​The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil on which humanity fell. 2.​The Tree of Calvary on which humanity was redeemed. 3.​The Tree of Life on which humanity gains immortality. We are reminded of the goodness of God to make a way for us to live in communion with Him forever. How wise is our God who ha...

Last night we continued our Reforesting series by remembering which tree changed everything: The cross. Reading Romans 3, we can find three things we can confess: 1. I am a sinner. 2. Jesus is the Savior. 3. Salvation is for me, but not about me. Are you right with God? Has Jesus changed your life? We have all fallen under sin, and the only way we can have right standing with God is through Jesus....

In the first few chapters of Genesis, we are introduced to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and we find our greatest problem: sin. It’s easy to see the sin in the world, but do you see the sin in yourself? No matter how good life is, we are always bent towards rebellion. So many lies can uproot our faith– the lies that we’re removed from God, restricted in life, we can rationalize thing...

"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven up Earth." -John Wesley Maybe you are someone that is called to be a preacher, or maybe you are someone who is sitting under preaching weekly. Have you ever thought about the seriousness of p...

Last night we looked at why we need the Bible. 1: The Bible is inspired by God. It is a book of prophecy, history, resiliency, and has changed people’s trajectory. 2: The Bible is Profitable. It teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, and trains us. 3: The Bible is effective. The Word completes us and equips us. God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. “In short, I will preach it, teach...

Who do you follow, and who do you avoid in perilous times? Do you listen to the warnings of the Bible? Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 who to avoid: those who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unforgiving, slanderers, brutal; we must ask ourselves what on this list are we guilty of? Do we love pleasure more than we love God? “When a person can't find a deep sen...

In a debating and argumentative culture, how can we defeat distraction from the truth? 1: Be mastered by the Word of God. We are called to study the Word and take care of our soul by doing so. Hold tight to biblical right hand beliefs (Ephesians 4:4-6). Until the Word is changing you, you will look for truth in other things. 2: Pursue consecration in a culture craving compromise. “And the Lord’s s...

What’s the plan for Christianity? Live the strategy. The strategy of Christianity can be summed up into one word: Discipleship. Last night we looked at at the why, what, who, and how of discipleship. Discipleship is radical self-donation for the purpose of godliness and multiplication- to live out The Great Commission. Teach, show, and coach others through The Gospel. Remember God and His Word, fo...

Are you an unashamed believer? Do you have the 5 marks of unashamed believers? 1. Genuine faith 2. A clear gift 3. Fearless spirit 4. Enduring mindset 5. Unwavering grip First, having a genuine faith is the foundation for sharing your faith. Next, every salvation comes with a purpose for you life. Serve, and you might find your calling. Timidity is from the enemy; Satan delights in the cowards, bu...

Who is your Paul? Who is your Timothy? Is there someone investing in your life spiritually, or someone you’re pouring into spiritually? Who is the person believing in you when you don’t believe in yourself? If you’re not in a discipleship relationship, there’s a better way. Come learn about who Paul was, and how he was radically changed by Jesus. He spent time being discipled and learning the Word...