COMMON GROUND CHURCH of the CMA

What does it take to endure whatever life throws our way? In this message, we learn through the example of Paul and his instructions to Timothy a good pattern for patience and longsuffering.

Whether young or old, being a disciple of Jesus means learning how to handle the Word of Truth carefully - and the best place to start is by understanding what is meant by the "word of truth."

The biblical model of evangelism and discipleship involve every believer doing their part to help another person take the next step of obedience with Jesus. In Paul's letter to Timothy, we find excellent instruction on how that should be one.

What is discipleship? We can answer that question by looking at the relationship between Paul and Timothy. In this series, we'll explore a pattern that has been laid down to help us recognize that discipleship isn't so much systematic or a program, but rather informal but intentional within the landscape of intimate relationship.

Entering into a new year provides an opportunity for a church to review its vision and to seek God to clarify that vision in the coming year. This message is more of a talk with Common Ground Church about entering 2020.

This world is weary with hate. It's humanity's standard procedure to devalue others based on their failings. The gift of Christmas in Jesus teaches us to value people in an entirely different - unworldly- way.

Darkness is often equated to misery. Perhaps that is why angels came at night to bring good news to some shepherds. The gift of Christmas is God turning our nights into day.

During Advent we celebrate the Incarnation and the Hope and Peace that Jesus brings to a weary world. Herein we find a Savior who can relate to humanity's distress and despair. (NOTE: If you also listen to Mary Haan's testimony from the This is My Story series, you will have a fantastic intro to this message.)

COMMON GROUND CHURCH of the CMA

Sometimes we can get 'spiritually near-sighted' and miss how salvation work ... and especially how grace works in us and out of us. The apostle Peter reminds us of that grace and the character qualities is produces.

Modern-day idolatry can be subtle ... and it can be the thing that stunts our growth in a relationship with Christ. In this message, we will see how the things we worship are the things we often become.

What if our walk with God has gone flat because we feel like we've disappointed Him so greatly that He's done with us? Sounds like a great time to revisit the wonder of God's grace.

COMMON GROUND CHURCH of the CMA

It's easy to desire to do a good thing but just as easy to do it the wrong way. Often we default to our own way of thinking or understanding but soon find out that's no way to attempt the Christian walk. Perhaps one reason we find our spiritual life dull is because we've forgotten to live it according to God's instructions.

When we begin to focus on what God has done for others in a way that we envy them, it's easy to miss the presence of Him in our own lives. The psalm-writer, Asaph has some helpful words for us when that happens.

Routines are good, but sometimes they can turn into a rut. The worst kind of rut is a spiritual one, where we begin to take God for granted and treat the holy as common. Holiness is when heaven intersects with earth. Learn how we can identify holy things and appreciate them for the purpose God has given them.

So many get wrapped up in being 'good enough' for God that they make faith more about them and less about God. This message about prayer helps us to seek more of God and less of me.

When disillusionment and fear lead to isolation, we might be tempted to reconnect with God by expecting Him to make a power play similar to someone else's experience. God instead whispers to our souls in a way that draws us back to community.

There are two kinds of fear ... the healthy kind that gets you moving and the destructive kind that makes you act irrationally. In this message, we'll see how similar we can be to Simon Peter on one of his worst days yet have hope for even better days to come.

When faith begins to dwindle and our relationship with Jesus seems like it has diminished, what can we do to reignite and refresh our passion for Christ? The series "Rekindled" will look at several instances when God burned something out of someone and burned something into that person as well. We start with Moses at the Burning Bush.

In the hectic upheaval and pain of life, God is in control and brings good news no matter how bad things might look.

It's easy for us to think the way we've always done things is the best way, but that's not necessarily so. The text reveals that the old way was a ministry of death and condemnation. God always had a plan for something new - a ministry of the Spirit, life, and righteousness.

After nearly two weeks working alongside Envision and Bright Lights Academy, the Fagerland family along with Doug & Dawn Diehl and Justin Gwinn share about relationships built and potential future impact in that area.

The Book of Joel is a difficult one to place in a timeline but it serves very well as a summation to all the minor prophets. Joel rehashes the them of a coming Day while calling the reader back to the heart of YHWH, the only saving God.

How does God make His name great among the nations? He uses a scattered, battered, and tattered remnant of His people who choose the narrow hard road that leads to life. Malachi, like the other prophets warns of judgment for unrepentant disobedience, but he (like the other prophets) also share God's promise for healing and restoration.