Bethany Church Fresno

Bethany Church and Harvest Fresno Church joined together this Sunday for the worship services. Jesus prayed that his followers would be in unity, as He and the Father are one, and we want to practice that whenever we can.

Jesus taught us that we are on a journey with just two options - which one have you chosen?

The trail of life can be hot and dusty - you need to stop and rest in the shade. Can you take a break and enjoy a Sabbath?

Jesus encountered a woman who needed exactly what he had to offer - living water. He saw past how others saw her, and met her exactly at the point of need.

Just as a hiker is hindered by a little pebble in the shoe, there are hindrances to the Christian life that if ignored, will create major problems. The biggest of these is unforgiveness.

The Christian life is a well-marked trail, and the Bible, inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the best trail guide we have. Are you staying on the trail in God’s way with God’s Word?

We can easily overload our lives with material goods, habits, traditions, beliefs and behaviors that slow us down. Hikers lighten the load to enjoy the journey and reach the destination.

Real freedom in worship is only possible when we get real with God, yielding our very selves to him, a sacrifice of praise comes from an honest heart.

Jonah was angry about his most successful sermon ever! Why? And how do we stabilize when we feel out of control?

Jonah was given a second chance to deliver the message, and Nineveh was given the opportunity to repent. If he hadn't gone, how would they have heard the good news of God's mercy?

Jonah prayed desperately from the belly of the fish, declaring his praise and faith in the Lord. What is God calling us to declare in faith?

Jonah ran from the Lord because he didn't want the assignment God gave him - do you have a Nineveh too? You can trust the love of God to turn you around, even if it means a storm.

Paul concludes his letter with one more push into the life-changing truth of grace over law. What really counts? A transformed life!

Our life in the Spirit is lived out in humility, knowing that what we plant is what we harvest. Are we planting to live in the Spirit?

Paul reminds us that anyone in Christ has crucified the flesh - nailed it to the cross! As we keep in step with the Holy Spirit, he produces good fruit in our lives.

The Apostle Paul makes one final push against the hypocrisy of those who teach that salvation includes keeping the law. What do you count on for salvation? Are you still running the race? And what are you using your freedom for?

In the parable of the seeds and soils, Jesus reminds us to spread the Seed of God's Word, and also to test the condition of the "soil" of our hearts to receive the Word, grow good roots and produce a crop.

Using the OT episode of Sarah and Hagar, Paul contrasts life under Law vs. life under Grace. We have to let grace lead us.

The Galatians were being lured back into religious rituals as a means to God's approval, but we are called to live in freedom in Christ.

The Law held us in trust until Christ came at just the right time. Now God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are working together for your salvation by grace through faith.

Your faith in Christ does more than save you - you are adopted into the family of God. The Law of Moses was like a good foster parent, but how much better it is to be adopted into the family by God's grace!

Abraham was counted as righteous because he believed God's promises. We are only made right with God by belief, not behavior.

There's a curse over all of us, thanks to the impossible demands of the law. Jesus came to turn it all around in our favor.

The Holy Spirit is given to every believer as the resident presence of Jesus in our lives, empowering us to continue to live in grace alone.

The believer has the amazing hope of a new life not by trying harder or being morally better, but by dying to self and living a new life in Christ.