Adventure in the Ascent

Sermon Notes & Applications Guide Comment here

Sermon Notes & Application Guide Comment here

Sermon Notes & Applications Guide Comment here

Sermon Notes & Application Guide Comment here

Sermon Notes & Application Guide  Scripture References Primary Passages: Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Exodus 14:13: “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today.” Supporting Passages: Psalm 3:8: “Salvation belongs to the LORD.” Isaiah 12:2: “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will no...

Scripture References Primary Passages: 2 Samuel 9 (entire chapter: David's kindness to Mephibosheth) Supporting Passages: 2 Samuel 4:4: Mephibosheth becomes lame while fleeing in fear 2 Timothy 1:7: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" Matthew 6: Warning against anxious worry Matthew 14: Peter begins to sink when fear takes his ey...

Lent is a 40-Day Journey of Preparation Lent (meaning "spring" originally) is a season of reflection, fasting, repentance, and renewal leading to Easter—mirroring Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness after His baptism. It's not just "giving up" things for discomfort but creating space for God amid noise, busyness, and self-reliance, leading to freedom and anticipation of...

Growing in Knowledge of God (Epignosis) The core of the message: True spiritual growth in 2026 hinges on increasing in epignosis—not mere head knowledge, but intimate, experiential, first-hand knowledge of God gained through personal communion. It’s deliberate, whole-hearted seeking—like mining for silver or hunting hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:1-5). God promises to reward diligent seekers (Hebrews...

Original Design & Restoration God created us for unhindered communion and intimacy (Eden). Through Jesus' death and the torn veil, we are invited back into that intimate relationship with the Father. Identity in the Secret Place In closeness with God (Secret Place, beyond the veil), we discover our true identity as beloved children resting in Him before any tasks or callings. Two Narrativ...

The Invitation to Soul Rest Jesus extends a personal invitation to the weary and burdened: "Come to me" for true rest, contrasting busyness (Martha) with sitting at His feet (Mary). This rest is a gift found only in Him. Modern Need for Slowing Down In a distracted, high-paced world (constant phone use, shortened attention spans), we risk a "mediocre" faith. Slowing down—sittin...

"God’s intent is that each generation would stand on the spiritual shoulders of the generation before them, reaching ever increasing heights in their walk with God... Simply taking them to church each week will not get that done. We need to talk regularly with our kids about God and His ways." -Richard Blackaby Commitment to Spiritual Legacy: Dedicating children is a pledge to raise them...

Be Led by the Spirit Like Jesus, who only did what He saw the Father doing (John 5:19), Christians must follow the Spirit’s guidance rather than initiating plans and seeking God’s blessing after (Romans 8:14, Isaiah 30:21). Obedience May Lead to Storms The disciples faced a fierce storm while obeying Jesus’ command to cross the lake (Mark 4:35-41). Storms don’t always indicate disobedience; they c...

“I guarantee you that if you are intentional about meditating, fixing your mind, your heart on God’s word in the beginning of your day, at the end of your day, and thinking through how can that saturate your life during the day, I guarantee you, you will see, discover, experience this word as delightful. Full of delight.” -David Platt “So someone may ask: How can I come to delight in the word of G...

“Train up a child in the way he should go—but be sure you go that way yourself.” -Charles Spurgeon “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” -Billy Graham Scripture:  Psalm 103:13, Malachi 4:5-6, Proverbs 22:6, John 1:12, Ephesians 5:1, 1 Corinthians 11:1 T he Fatherlessness Epidemic:   Fatherlessness is a root cause of...

Matthew 25:35-40 The testimonies, the salvations, the stories, all of this is the fruit that all of us get to enjoy, because we are one family in Christ! This trip was a great step of faith for so many, for those that went, you stepped out in great faith, you trusted the Father, you trusted me, you served with love, you carried the light of Christ very practically into places in great need. This j...

Created in God’s Image (Imago Dei): Genesis 1:26-28 establishes that humanity is uniquely created in God’s image and likeness, distinct from the rest of creation. This doctrine, echoed in Psalm 8:4-6, means every person—regardless of race, status, or belief—bears inherent dignity, value, and worth, with a calling to have dominion over the earth. Purpose of the Image: Humans are designed to reflect...

Scripture: Exodus 2:1-10, Exodus 6:20, Hebrews 11:23-29, Proverbs 22:6, Acts 5:29 Jochebed’s Faith and Vision:   Jochebed, Moses’ mother, defied Pharaoh’s decree to kill male Hebrew babies, trusting God’s plan (Exodus 2:1-10, Acts 5:29).   Her obedience and closeness to God preserved Moses, the future deliverer of Israel, impacting generations for God’s glory.   Identity in God:   As a Levite, Joc...

Psalm 119:105- “Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” “I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture. No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to chang...

“We’re standing at the crossroads every day, and God says, ‘Ask for the ancient paths.’ Not the trending ones, not the popular ones, but the ones carved out by His Word and His will. That’s where your soul breathes again." -Paul David Tripp "The Lord pleads with us to pause at life’s intersections, to seek the old paths of faithfulness and truth—not because they’re old-fashioned, but bec...

“If we are to better the future, we must disturb the present.” -Evangelist Catherine Booth "Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocki...

“To dwell with God is better than life at its best; life at ease, in a palace, in health, in honour, in wealth, in pleasure; yea, a thousand lives are not equal to the eternal life which abides in Jehovah’s smile…“May I ask a question of every professed Christian? Have you spoken with God this morning? Do you allow a day to pass without converse with God? Can it be right for us to treat the Lord w...

“But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” -Jesus, John 4:23 "In worship, we enter, touch and are touched by the presence of God Himself. We've been created to live like that" - C. S. Lewis⁠ God created us for the ultimate priority of worshiping Him. As the Westminster Sho...

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” -1 Peter 1:3 “This new birth in Christ, thus firmly believed and continually desired, will do everything that thou wantest to have done in thee, it will dry up all the springs of vice, stop all the working...

Immanuel (God with us) is at the core of God’s heart. He desires to be with us, came to live with us so that we could live with Him. We’re invited into life WITH GOD. Outside of Him, everything is subject to distortion, but what does the God with us life encompass? ↠We begin to look at the results/joyful effects of the “God with us” life ↠We see His desire/heart, now what do we do with that inform...

Immanuel (God with us) is at the core of God’s heart. He desires to be with us, came to live with us so that we could live with Him. We’re invited into life WITH GOD. You’re not meant to do life without Him. Outside of Him, everything is subject to distortion. ↠God maintains three relations to the believer (Hagin)- God is for us (Rom. 8:31), God is with us (John 1:14), and God is in us (John 14) ↠...