Discovering Jesus with FirstNaz Zephyrhills

We opened our Bible Study with a study on the Cultural Context of Hebrews, moving then into a verse by verse study. 

In his sermon "Foundations Matter" from the series "Basic Christianity", Pastor Nick delves into Jesus' teachings from the Sermon on the Mount. Focusing on the metaphor of the narrow gate from Matthew 7:13-14, Nick underlines the critical nature of building our lives on a solid, spiritual foundation and not succumbing to the allure of the wide path that inevitably leads to destruction. He depicts...

...Class Discussion on Malachi 3 and Jeremiah 44

In the sermon titled "The Final Rung...Or is it?" from the series "Beatitudes-The Blessing Ladder," Pastor Nick delves into exploring the concept of the kingdom of heaven. He illustrates that though the kingdom is said to be manifesting here on earth, it may not be evident to all. Nick uses the analogy of people's different ways of consuming news to underline the importance of the right mindset wh...

Pastor Nick's sermon "Seeing God's Heart" from the series "Beatitudes-The Blessing Ladder" emphasizes orienting towards the kingdom of heaven and embodying mercy, purity, and peace. He highlights mercy as reflecting God's righteousness and teaches about the importance of purity of heart and being peacemakers. Pastor Nick urges the congregation to overcome their personal "exit ramps" and continuall...

Pastor Rob's sermon, "Self Preservation," delves deep into the subject of self-preservation and how it might negatively affect our bond with God. Rob illustrates this through his experiences at Loving Hands Ministry, stressing the vital role of mentors in his spiritual journey. Through his interpretation of the Bible's Matthew 12, Rob stresses that Sabbath was meant to be a day of rest and holines...

Pastor Nick explores the Beatitudes as a ladder leading to the kingdom of heaven, emphasizing the presence and reign of God on Earth. The journey starts with recognizing the need for God, extends to meekness, hungering for righteousness, and showing mercy. He rejects the idea of Jesus starting a new religion, focusing on fulfilling the law and prophetic teachings. Through living out the Beatitudes...

In this sermon on the Beatitudes, Pastor delves into the blessings of being poor in spirit and those who mourn, viewing them as foundational steps towards living in God's kingdom. He explains the deeper meaning of "blessed" and how it signifies a life rooted in God. Reflecting on the examples of biblical figures and personal insights, Pastor highlights the significance of acknowledging our spiritu...

Pastor Nick delves into restoring and cultivating deep relationships in line with God's plan using Joseph's forgiveness of his brothers as an example. He emphasizes the importance of godly relationships, citing Ruth and Naomi's bond as a model of support and commitment. Deep connections require vulnerability, trust, and support, with Pastor Nick urging the congregation to walk closely with God to...

Pastor Nick delves into Joseph's story, focusing on healing broken family relationships through forgiveness and reconciliation and by following God's plan. The sermon parallels Joseph's family drama with our universal need for healing and restoration in relationships. Comparing restoration to Kintsugi, Pastor Nick highlights the beauty of healed relationships. Listeners are urged to prioritize the...

Pastor Nick's sermon delves into the theme of forgiveness and restoration, drawing from the exchange between Jesus and the repentant criminal at the crucifixion. The narrative highlights the transformative power of forgiveness, challenging preconceived notions of who is deserving of redemption. Emphasizing the importance of seeking forgiveness and restoring relationships, the sermon underscores th...

Pastor Nick's sermon "Forgive Like Jesus 2" focuses on forgiveness, drawing lessons from the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The prodigal son's journey of rebellion and redemption illustrates the themes of forgiveness and restoration. The sermon highlights the contrast between the father's unconditional forgiveness and the older brother's struggle with bitterness. Pastor Nick challenges list...

In the sermon "Forgive Like Jesus," Pastor Nick addresses the significant impact of forgiveness. He notes that many people harbor anger and hurt due to others' actions, which subsequently holds them back and hinders growth. He urges his audience to contemplate their most profound pain caused by someone else and asks them if they would like liberation from those emotional chains. The sermon uses Je...

Pastor Nick's sermon, "Travelling with Jesus," stresses the significance of following Christ by delving into the Bible. Using John 6:66-69, he illustrates how some turned away from Jesus, but Peter stood firm, recognizing Him as the source of eternal life. The sermon highlights that despite challenges, embracing Jesus' teachings is a personal journey of faith and calls for a deep relationship with...

The sermon focuses on the story of Pentecost and the Holy Spirit's effect on believers. Pastor Nick emphasizes the importance of quality time with loved ones and relates it to his experience with his daughter. He explains that the Holy Spirit is like God's quality time with us, always seeking to deepen our relationship. The sermon encourages seeking more of the Holy Spirit in our lives and emphasi...

Pastor Nick's sermon discusses Ascension Sunday, highlighting Jesus' ongoing work post-ascension in power, position, and place. Luke wrote Acts for a person named Theophilus, focusing on Jesus' continuous work through the Holy Spirit and intercession with the Father. Jesus went to heaven to prepare a place for believers to coexist with God, offering hope of eternal life. The sermon calls listeners...

Pastor Nick's sermon "Two Choices: Heaven or Hell" delves into God's plan for humanity, emphasizing salvation through Jesus Christ. By accepting Christ, individuals align their past and future with His, ensuring qualification for heaven. The sermon explores the consequences of rejecting Christ and the importance of understanding both heaven and hell as realities influenced by personal choices. Con...

Borrowing a phrase from pastor Josh Howerton, when you are saved, Jesus' past becomes YOUR past and his future becomes YOUR future! The will of God for humans is that everyone would be saved through Jesus Christ!

In the sermon "Making Disciples," Pastor Nick stresses the crucial role each person plays in sharing Jesus' message and making disciples. He challenges the congregation to consider their time on Earth and the impact of making just one disciple annually. Pastor Nick uses the story of Abraham to show the importance of passing down faith through generations and being a blessing to others. The sermon...

The sermon "Intimacy with God" by Pastor Nick delves into the concept of closeness with God through biblical stories like Adam and Eve, Moses, and Jesus, highlighting repentance as a key step. It stresses the importance of cherishing a deep relationship with God, contrasting it with hiding from Him due to sin. The sermon encourages the congregation to prioritize intimacy with God in their lives as...

The sermon "What is Truth?" explores Jesus' conversation with Pilate, emphasizing Jesus as the ultimate king and truth. Despite controversy throughout history, belief in Jesus as king carries significant implications for believers. Pilate's question, "What is truth?" prompts Jesus to assert himself as the embodiment of truth. The sermon challenges listeners to align their lives with Jesus as king...

Pastor Nick's sermon on Palm Sunday discusses Jesus' peaceful and humble entry into Jerusalem, emphasizing transformation and repentance. He highlights Jesus' healing miracles, visit to Bethany, and encounter with Greeks as lessons about purpose and serving God. Pastor Nick stresses the importance of sacrificial living, sharing the gospel, and aligning with God's will for ultimate fulfillment and...

In this sermon, Pastor Nick discusses the misconception that the book of Revelation serves as an end-times roadmap, emphasizing the overarching theme of Jesus' victory. He clarifies misunderstandings about the rapture, encouraging the audience to seek understanding from scripture rather than cultural influences. Pastor Nick highlights the importance of faithfully serving Jesus and eagerly anticipa...

Pastor Nick challenges the idea that the Bible is individually tailored, explaining its diverse nature and historical context. He links the faith of Abraham to the importance of accepting Jesus as the Messiah. Emphasizing the Bible's resilience through history, he urges daily engagement to draw wisdom and truth. Concluding with an encouragement for a daily scripture habit, Pastor Nick stresses the...

After spending quite some time with Jesus, he had now ascended. From his place in Heaven, seated at the Father's right hand, he would make a request--one that the Father was eager to give! Jesus would ask the Father to send the Holy Spirit to empower the believers for life and ministry. In the meantime, however, they waited. Somewhere in those 10 days of waiting, Peter stood up with a Bible lesson...