Faith Church Weekly Sermon - Audio Podcast

The Advent season is about expectantly awaiting the Savior to the world. We are not expectantly awaiting His second return. Jesus not only came to save us, but also gave us a vision for our own purpose!

Jesus came as the Prince of Peace. There is a direct relationship between how we posture our heart towards work and what peace we carry. We are called to be stewards of the gifts God has given us. If we show up and our primary expectation is getting paid, we will lack peace.

Some would say the pinnacle of following Jesus is not going to hell or living forever. However, it's actually knowing God - that is the pinnacle. There are roadblocks to fully knowing God and walking with a surrendered heart, like greed. Watch how Jesus handles this heart issue.

Family. Parents. Children. Singleness. ALL are a unique position and picture of a Kingdom yet to come. In the 'American Dream,' a good job, a family, and 2.5 kids seem to be the pinnacle. But it's not. A healthy family, children, and even singleness - are all pictures of what God is preparing for us.

Jesus isn't mute on marriage or sexual orientation. As always, He is kind, wise and re-affirms the Genesis account of the creation ordered design from the very beginning. It was true then and continues to be true today.

Forgiveness is painful but powerful. We are most like Jesus when we walk in forgiveness.

In nearly every relationship at some point, reconciliation will be required. Jesus came to reconcile humanity to His Father, so as followers of Jesus, the requirement is that we follow His example. Reconciliation brings wholeness and healing.

Children are so much more than just mouths to feed, mooching off of their parents. The Bible says they are a gift, even a reward! We have a responsibility to disciple them in the way of following Jesus.

The mountaintop encounters we have with God are meant to reveal our identity and release strength. It wasn't meant for us to stay there, but for us to yearn to be nearer to Him. Our discipline and fasting increase our faith to live more effectively.

Ever been around someone that just refuses to see the truth no matter how much evidence is offered? Jesus ran into the same problem with the religious leaders (who were supposed to be on the same team). Jesus teaches to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear ... let's be part of that crowd.

Inside motives or outward habits? Which are more important ...? Well, both - but if out outward actions are only for show, we miss the greater inward action that Jesus died for, that we maybe truly free and honor Him and those around us with BOTH inner and outer actions!

There is a reason faith is called faith. There are few things in life we can 100% fully count on. Jesus doesn't promise a perfect life, free from pain and storms of life. But He does promise He will never leave us, but it will take faith to follow.

The feeding of the 5,000 is one miracle recorded in all four gospels. This makes it unique and especially worth studying. There are key characteristics it reveals about King Jesus

Hell is a weighty topic to discuss because it affects us all. Jesus, being the King, teaches about hell and being that it's His Kingdom, He gets to set the boundaries.

There are two kinds of people on the earth. Jesus uses a parable to describe these two as He continues to teach us about God's Kingdom in the book of Matthew.

In Matthew 13, Jesus continues to teach us about the Kingdom of God. Jesus shows us people can receive His message in one of four ways. We also see, that the subtle line between building on rock vs sand is simply putting into practice the teachings of Jesus.

The unpardonable sin? Jesus speaks to those about the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, what that means and how we can grow healthy fruit!

There are two Kingdoms on Earth. Light and dark, Jesus came to rescue people from the darkness and provide a way into the light.

The Sabbath rest is very often overlooked in the Christian life. Then we wonder why we feel overworked and overextended. This week we take a look at the importance of rest and sabbath. We are created to rest FOR our work, not rest FROM our work.

Doubts are real. Doubts do not mean you are less of a follower of Jesus. Followers of Jesus are allowed to have questions and doubts. In Matthew 11, Jesus walks through several responses when we face doubts and questions.

Jesus is looking for more than just 'believers,' but ambassadors. He lamented there were few workers to build the Kingdom. Pastor Matthew discusses the characteristics of Jesus and describes His workers!

We are not the healer, God is the healer. We pray for people to encounter the love of Jesus, not pray for symptoms. Healing isn’t only physical because there is a soul that needs to be redeemed and a spirit that needs to mature through discipleship. Listen through the message today as we discover God's design for healing.

Four keys are found in Matthew 9. He is near, He wants to clothe us in righteousness, He makes us new and wants to be friends. This is the King Jesus the Bible talks about.

The first part of Matthew describes the message of Jesus. Chapter 8 starts showing us the ministry of Jesus. We see the authority and power that Jesus has given to His followers.

A good tree is known by the good fruit it produces. Fruit takes time to produce - the same is true of a follower of Jesus. Practicing the way of Jesus, consistently over time, will produce good fruit!