First Assembly NLR Audio Podcast

The church is the one place where you shouldn't have to fear being judged and rejected for your past.  We should be able to bring our hurts, sins, and our pasts to church and receive acceptance and forgiveness.  But, it can be a real fear.  Will people condemn me?  Will God even accept me?

In the ancient world, children were considered to be very low status, valuable to families only if it was thought they could be productive.   Jesus had a radical attitude about children: that all of them were priceless treasures who had a part in God's Kingdom.  

Many people picture God sitting up in Heaven with a big stick, waiting for you to do wrong so He can punish you.  He can't wait to catch you.   In this message, we see that Jesus tells us things are very different.  

Do you have questions about God and Christianity?  The greatest verse in the Bible was originally said to someone who was curious and had questions.  

It's a tough place to be, in the middle of a crisis.  When it doesn't turn out the way you thought it would, it's easy to give up.  It's easy to pack your bags and walk away.  But when things seem to be going wrong, God's plan for your life still applies.  In this message, Pastor Randy Jumper examines the story of the road to Emm

The value of something is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for it.  At Easter, we celebrate that God made the decision to value us.

Everything in Jesus' life pointed to this one event.  From day one, this was Jesus' purpose on Earth.  Saving the world was Jesus' assignment, His purpose, and God's plan.  For that to be accomplished, He had to die.

Jesus was betrayed, not just by Judas, but the other disciples abandoned Him as well.  His closest friends let Him down.  If you feel like you've let God down, like He could never forgive you, and no longer has a plan for you, you need to hear the full story of the night Jesus was betrayed and how He responded.

At the Last Supper, Jesus didn't give the disciples a pep talk.  He knew what was coming.  He knew the disciples were in for the fight of their lives.  Life with Jesus is not worry and trouble free.  He never promised that.  But He also promises to be with us through it all.

Week after week, people who are burned out, stressed out, and worn out come staggering into church.   They need to be introduced to Jesus,  He alone is the way, the truth, and the life and we have been looking for.

At the Last Supper, Jesus humbled Himself and served the disciples.  What would happen if we all had an "others first, me last" mindset?

Jesus said we should love our neighbor as ourself.  So the question is: who is my neighbor?  Pastor Parker Loy takes a look at one of the most famous stories in the Bible to see how Jesus answered this question.

Like the Pharisees of the Bible, we often make up rules that have little to do with Scripture. Too often, love seems to give way to judging.  Grace has been replaced by score keeping.  What did Jesus have to say about this? How should we respond?

Are you in a storm?  We're not talking about weather, but a life storm - when it feels like your life is crashing all around you.  It may seem impossible, unending, and devastating. Jesus, on the other hand, isn't frightened in the least by your storm.  

Often, we think we don't have any talents to use for God, but the Bible says that He can use our particular gifts, even when they seem small to us.

Are you grateful?  It's not enough for us just to be obedient to God.  He also commands us to be grateful.  What does a grateful life look like?

Following Christ is not a free ticket to everything we've always wanted.  Jesus tells us that in order to follow him we must be willing to pay the price he requires of us.  What is the price tag for following Jesus?

Just like a tree, the product of your life reveals what's in your heart.  You can't claim to be good and do evil.  Your heart reveals itself in your words and actions.

What makes a church healthy?  In this message, Rod Loy looks at the model we should follow for building a healthy church.

Most people make big plans for the New Year - life-altering decisions called resolutions. Most of the time, though, we waste these opportunities at "do overs."  This struggle is not new.  And just like everything else we face, the Bible has some answers. 

Over the week of Christmas, business will shut down, schools will let out and stores will be absolutely packed.  In an increasingly secular society, everything still stops for Christmas.  Why? What's the big deal about Christmas?

Worry is fear about things that haven't happened yet or are already in the past.  Worry is toxic.  It affects your relationships, your energy, and your health.  It can dominate your thinking.  No one enjoys worrying.  But, how do you stop?  What's the answer?  Is there a cure?

Loneliness isn't discussed in church very often.  Even talking about loneliness can be uncomfortable.  But it's important to talk about it because at some point, everybody feels alone.  Feeling lonely isn't a sin and it doesn't mean that you are a failure or are flawed.  What does the Bible have to say about loneliness?

The dictionary definition of weary is: physically or mentally exhausted by hard work, exertion, strain; faitgued; tired.  Does this describe you?  What do you do?  Is there an answer?  Is there hope?

We all like to receive gifts.  But in this message, Pastor Rod talks about a gift from God - a gift we really need in life's most difficult, stressful times.