Focus Church Sunday Night Gatherings

Dr. Vivek Murthy says there is an urgent health crisis in America, the most under appreciated healthy crisis in many years, he says.

Some people love talking about end times; others love talking about social justice. My brothers wonders why those are rarely the same people!

We put so much stock in fame and power; we have become convinced that even discipleship is best done loudly, but what if this also is wrong.

If Discipleship is best done faster why is God always slowing the really important missions down?

What do we mean by looking to "smaller" as a discipleship strategy?

Both in the churches and out of it we are primed to see success as bigger, faster, louder. Unfortunately in the church this means we've decided that discipleship is best assessed and accomplished in the same bigger, faster, louder ways. But what if this is not inherently true. What if it's just what we've adopted from the culture around us? Could the American Church possibly go forward...

We're visited by the Apostle abnormally born.

Why and how is Hope an eternal treasure?

So much of our life is driven by our desire to belong, to find a community where we know we are accepted as we are, but which also gives us room tog row and change. Another truly precious and beautiful treasure found in Christ.

We too often think of rejoicing in trials as an extra burden, a spiritual duty which just makes trials even harder as we pretend to be happy about things that are painful.  But when we think this way we've really missed the boat.  The fact that we can rejoice in trials is a great gift, a truly precious treasure which is just not available to those without the Christian Worldview.  A...

Humility has fallen out of favor in our culture and the implications are fairly large, but what a burden is lifted when we remind the value of Humility in Christ. 

Paul says we not longer regard anyone from a worldly point of view.  What does this mean?  How is it a treasure?  What are the implications for our interactions?

This is another of many in this series where we can realize that something we previously aw as a burden is genuinely a treasure and it makes all the difference.

We all want to be better people, but how do we go about becoming better people? Resolutions?  Discipline?  Willpower? or could it be something else?  Could it be this is actually a treasure of the fanatic, and if so, what does that really mean?

It's a great treasure to have a North Star, an authority outside ourselves to help us navigate the storms of changing culture and circumstances. 

Treasure number one was a Purpose of Delight.  That is an incredible answer to an incredible soul need.  Tonight we explore treasure number two, which, if possible, is an even more deeply felt need, an identity of substance.  

Scripture tells us that every human being was created with one purpose from which all meaning comes.  And guess what, it's not to work for God.  It's something unbelievably good, so unbelievable good that the enemy has a head start in convicting us it can't possibly be what life is about.  A few well meaning Christians, even preachers, may even support the idea that what the Christi...

What if this year was the year you even entertained the question of whether Jesus was worth your whole life?

Tonight in our advent reflections, we reflect on the Power of God.  Turns out, the most powerful being in the universe sees power differently than we do.  And it's a good thing for us He does!

God could no sooner stop loving you than He could stop being Holy.  God could no sooner stop loving you than He could stop being Just.  God could no sooner stop loving you than He could stop being God.  It's who He is. 

Our Second candle of Advent this year is the Justice Candle.  What does it mean that our God is a God of Justice?  Why was this such a point of hope and encouragement to the Israelites?

Just a few thoughts from the heart intended to encourage. 

Maybe it's time to think deeply about gratitude.  How are we really supposed to give thanks always and for everything?  Is it even possible?  Is it even right?  The truth of the exhortations to gratitude will not shame you, burden you, or condemn you, but seen in their context might even thrill you.

We begin our second annual season of celebration with an emphasis on helpful reflection this year.

The Bottom Line.  The Core Value which gives meaning to all the other core values.