Build up in Christ

Send us Fan Mail Rethinking Church: Keeping Unity in Conflict Co-Host: Pastor Henry Rick Verdejo Repensando la Iglesia: Mantener la unidad en el conflicto Text: Philippians 1:12-14; Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28-29 ; 1 Peter 4:12-16; James 4:1-3 Topic: Growth, Conflict Big Idea of the Message: The stories and testimonies of our courage in obeying God can inspire and challenge others to be bolder them...

Send us Fan Mail Rethinking the Church – One Body, Many Parts This is an episode that was live-streamed on our church (Threshold Church of Christ) youtube channel. Repensando la Iglesia: un solo cuerpo, muchas partes Big Idea : The local church is not a religious event you attend but a living body you belong to; when every member is connected and engaged, the whole body grows healthy and strong. L...

Send us Fan Mail Verses: Genesis 1:31; Psalm 23:6; Galatians 5:19-23; Acts 2:42-47; Ephesians 4:17-24 Main Idea:   We have a cultural problem in the church that results in patterns of abuse, repeated again and again in different locations, traditions and church contexts. Culture change is difficult and requires intentionality.  We need to learn how to keep these devastating events from repeating t...

Send us Fan Mail Text: Ephesians 4:25–32; Colossians 3:10; Exodus 34:5-6; Psalm 103:8; Romans 12:14-15; Matthew 9:35-36; Luke 10:33-34 Topic(s): Anger, Conflict, Restoration, Empathy Big Idea of the Message: Anger is normal; what we do with it can be restorative or it can be destructive. Application Point: When confronting or being confronted, the believer needs to accept and acknowledge truth, wh...

Send us Fan Mail Recently, President Trump of the United States of America, publicly expressed uncertainty about whether he will go to heaven, reflecting a misunderstanding common to many: that salvation is based partly on one’s good works or life achievements rather than wholly on grace through faith. we wanted to share an episode  that clarified what it means to be Saved in Christ. Salvation (or...

Send us Fan Mail This sermon helps us see John 3:16 in the light of the Trinity, so that we can fully appreciate the true nature of God’s self-giving through his Son. We will consider the benefit of acknowledging the entire Trinity in all our circumstances. It is difficult to determine precisely how often John 3:16 is quoted around the world , but it is widely recognized as one of the most quoted,...

Send us Fan Mail Big Idea of the Message: Paul emphasizes that we have a part to play in our ongoing transformation. While the transforming comes through the work of the Holy Spirit, we must be available and willing participants for the work to take root. Application Point: We must actively listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit—both in our own lives and through the lives of others—to ensure th...

Send us Fan Mail Text: Hebrews 10:23-29; Hebrews 10:35-36; Hebrews 11:1-6; Hebrews 12:1–13; Hebrews 12:18-29 Topics: Destination, Goal, Motivation Big Idea of the Message: Never lose sight of the destination: Jesus. Application Point: Losing sight of your goal can make it harder to accomplish. What is the goal of your faith? There are 3 groups of Christians addressed in the book of Hebrews: 1.   ...

Send us Fan Mail Big Idea of the Series: Deciding to follow Jesus (or to recommit your life to him) is like a journey. This series starts off the new year by looking at the important elements of a successful journey and then applies that to our walk with Christ. Text : Matthew 28:19–20 ; Luke 14:25–33; Matthew 10:36-38; Matthew 7:15-16 Topics: Discipleship, Preparation Big Idea of the Message: Fol...

Send us Fan Mail Text: 1 Corinthians 5:1–13; Roman 14:10-13; Matthew 7:1–6 Believers are charged with encouraging and holding each other accountable when we are struggling with sin in our lives, but we are called to do so without burdening each other with ungodly judgment and shame. Application Point: When we judge others, we elevate ourselves as morally superior, which often stems from false humi...

Send us Fan Mail The belief that God wants all believers to be healthy, wealthy, and comfortable is an extrabiblical belief that is contradicted by the Scriptures. We are not promised that our lives will be free of suffering in this life. However, we are promised that we will not face pain or suffering on our own. Application Point: Our ever-shifting circumstances are not in themselves proof of Go...

Send us Fan Mail Topics: Discipline, Holiness Big Idea of the Message: The desires of the flesh are directly opposed to the desires of the Spirit. Application Point: We cannot do what our flesh wants and also serve the Spirit; we must choose which we will elevate.  Galatians 5:16-26, 6:7-8; Romans 6:12-13, 8:18-19 "Discipline, for the Christian, begins with the body. We have only one. It is t...

Send us Fan Mail Text: 2 Cor 5:17-18; 2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12:1-15; Psalm 51 Topic: Repentance, living in your newness Big Idea of the Message: When you slip up, repent and ask God to help you; don’t use it as an excuse to give into more sin.  The new life of devotion to Christ means one has new attitudes and actions. Why do most New Year resolutions fail? Usually, we slip up once and then use th...

Send us Fan Mail Friendship is a mutual relationship characterized by intimacy, faithfulness, trust, unmotivated kindness, and service. The concept can describe one’s relationship with people and with God. Obviously, we are affected most by those to whom we are closest. It is why there is such a heavy emphasis by Solomon on choosing close friends carefully & when you find some great ones---sti...

Send us Fan Mail As the United States of America celebrates Independence Day on July 4, it’s worth noting the nation was founded upon the idea that God created human beings to be free. The Declaration of Independence states that people “are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” But what is “liberty,” exactly? Is...

Send us Fan Mail The church that does not operate under the biblical theology of worship is in danger of failing to give God glory and failing to offer worship that is pleasing to Him.  Contrary to popular belief, worship does not begin and end with the singing portion of our church services. Worship is also not limited to bowing in reverence before God. To begin with, worship is determined by God...

Send us Fan Mail No church is perfect. It’s full of imperfect people who come together for a common goal: to love Jesus and to talk about Him to those who don’t know Him. The Church is the body of Christ and, as such, is charged to carry out His work in the world. Before Jesus ascended back into heaven, He gave the disciples the Great Commission: "Go therefore and make disciples(reproduce) of...

Send us Fan Mail God bless everyone & welcome to Build up in Christ Podcast. This episode will be broadcast in Spanish. I have been asked to upload an episode in Spanish & I am curious to see if there is any interest out there for any Spanish episodes. I have had listeners from Latin American countries listen to the English episodes. So, let’s see how well a Spanish episode is received. Th...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I discuss Spiritual growth in Christ. Becoming more like Christ is the desire of every believer, and it is encouraging to know that God has the same desire for us. In fact, the Bible says that God “predestined [believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son” ( Romans 8:29 ). Making us Christlike is God’s work, and He will see it through to the end ( Philipp...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode Brother, Jason Mitchell Weber is with us, AKA Mitch. We are discussing What is the meaning behind the word Church, and the need for the church & fellowship. Key verses: Matthew 16:18 & Genesis 28:3 Recommended reading: The Body: being light in the darkness by Charles Colson, Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer Wise Quotes: “Let him who is not in the commun...

Send us Fan Mail A biblical worldview (or a Christian worldview) is a worldview based on God's unchanging Word . Since God is the Creator of everything in heaven and earth, He is the standard for truth. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and unchanging. The Bible contains the words of God, and God is Truth. In broad terms, a worldview that is Christian examines cultural data and locates them w...

Send us Fan Mail Advent symbolizes the present situation of the church in these “last days” ( Acts 2:17 ), as God’s people wait for the return of Christ in glory to consummate his eternal kingdom. The church is in a similar situation to Israel at the end of the Old Testament: in exile, waiting and hoping in prayerful expectation for the coming of the Messiah.  The return of Jesus Christ is a vital...

Send us Fan Mail This Episode is part of the Church Hurt episode. When we are hurt in a church, we should not stop fellowshipping. We should go into prayer, and seek discernment & Godly counsel before making a decision to leave a church. Most importantly, if we decide to leave we should seek another Christ-centered church to fellowship in. Verses mentioned: Acts 2:42, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-12, J...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I discuss Spiritual Disciplines. Spiritual Disciplines are practices we do regularly that can help us change with the power and grace of the Holy Spirit, our sinful habits and make us more like Christ, and connect us closer to God. Biblical Spiritual Disciplines are for: The spiritual maturity of each believer and the community as a whole. The realization of the f...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we discuss Discipleship with Pastor Gary Buon & brother Mitch Weber. We discuss how we came to love disciplining people for Christ. Key Verse Matthew 28:16-20 We must know Christ, grow in Christ, serve in Christ, to share Christ! What is a Disciple? A disciple is a person who follows Jesus, knows Jesus & His teaching; to grow more like Jesus, and goes for...