Paradigm

Continuing our series in Numbers, Pastor John calls on us to reflect on our habitual covetousness, which can be described as wanting the wrong thing or wanting the right thing but for the wrong amount, at the wrong time, and for the wrong reasons. Our society conditions us to want more, and more, and more. All of the tangible goods we collect might be keeping us comfortable but they aren't necessa...

Some days, weeks, months, or even years are going to be harder than the rest. Life can get real hard real quick and you can easily find yourself in the mental captivity of a complaining attitude. As Christians, we can quickly find ourselves fading from the presence of the Lord in these challenging seasons, but the key to continuing to serve the Lord with gladness is to come before Him with THANKSG...

Life is 10% what happens and 90% how you respond. Last night, we started a brand new series in Numbers! Starting in chapter 11, we dove head first into the attitude of complaining. Anything that separates us from God is a sin, and complaining your way through life is an easy way to find yourself on the path to destruction. Complaining is harmful to your relationship with God, but also to those who...

In a broken world we are bound to experience or be affected by tragedy. As Christians, how do we respond? We can't "decide our theology on the 10th floor of Children's mercy" or decide our theology when we are in the middle of tragedy. We have to know the character of God and inform our emotions when tragedy strikes. As Christians, we have to: 1) Cling to the person of Christ 2) Learn to share our...

We're wrapping up our 24 series by looking at what true wisdom is. James 3:13-18 shows us the difference between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom. Worldly wisdom is of the earth; bitter, self-seeking, full of envy and lies, and only results in confusion and evil. Godly wisdom is from above; pure, peaceable, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality or hypocrisy. The outcom...

God created work and desires for us to exercise wisdom in our workplace. As we exercise wisdom in our workplace, we are both able to honor God and be ambassadors for Christ to the people around us. This week Darrell Robinson gives us some practical tips on not only how to be excellent in our work but more importantly represent the church in our workplace. https://events.bible.com/en/event/edit/492...

Every wondered how to make a Biblical decision about something that isn't explicitly in the Bible? The Corinthian grid can help you filter through the thousands of decisions you make a day by applying Biblical principles. When making a decision, ask yourself these five questions: 1: Does it bring me under its power? 1 Cor 6:12 2: Does this belong in God's temple? 1 Cor 8:18-20 3: Will this confuse...

What is wisdom? Why do we need it? And where do we find it? Wisdom is the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; having insight. Wisdom is more than information or education, wisdom is seen in the application. Wisdom is understanding how to do something, and choosing to walk it out. It delivers us from folly, redirects our path, and determines our success. How do we get it? F...

Pastor Phil joined us and reminded us that ​there are three trees that define all human history. 1.​The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil on which humanity fell. 2.​The Tree of Calvary on which humanity was redeemed. 3.​The Tree of Life on which humanity gains immortality. We are reminded of the goodness of God to make a way for us to live in communion with Him forever. How wise is our God who ha...

Last night we continued our Reforesting series by remembering which tree changed everything: The cross. Reading Romans 3, we can find three things we can confess: 1. I am a sinner. 2. Jesus is the Savior. 3. Salvation is for me, but not about me. Are you right with God? Has Jesus changed your life? We have all fallen under sin, and the only way we can have right standing with God is through Jesus....

In the first few chapters of Genesis, we are introduced to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and we find our greatest problem: sin. It’s easy to see the sin in the world, but do you see the sin in yourself? No matter how good life is, we are always bent towards rebellion. So many lies can uproot our faith– the lies that we’re removed from God, restricted in life, we can rationalize thing...

"Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergymen or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven up Earth." -John Wesley Maybe you are someone that is called to be a preacher, or maybe you are someone who is sitting under preaching weekly. Have you ever thought about the seriousness of p...

Last night we looked at why we need the Bible. 1: The Bible is inspired by God. It is a book of prophecy, history, resiliency, and has changed people’s trajectory. 2: The Bible is Profitable. It teaches us, reproves us, corrects us, and trains us. 3: The Bible is effective. The Word completes us and equips us. God does not call the equipped, He equips the called. “In short, I will preach it, teach...

Who do you follow, and who do you avoid in perilous times? Do you listen to the warnings of the Bible? Paul warns in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 who to avoid: those who are lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unforgiving, slanderers, brutal; we must ask ourselves what on this list are we guilty of? Do we love pleasure more than we love God? “When a person can't find a deep sen...

In a debating and argumentative culture, how can we defeat distraction from the truth? 1: Be mastered by the Word of God. We are called to study the Word and take care of our soul by doing so. Hold tight to biblical right hand beliefs (Ephesians 4:4-6). Until the Word is changing you, you will look for truth in other things. 2: Pursue consecration in a culture craving compromise. “And the Lord’s s...

What’s the plan for Christianity? Live the strategy. The strategy of Christianity can be summed up into one word: Discipleship. Last night we looked at at the why, what, who, and how of discipleship. Discipleship is radical self-donation for the purpose of godliness and multiplication- to live out The Great Commission. Teach, show, and coach others through The Gospel. Remember God and His Word, fo...

Are you an unashamed believer? Do you have the 5 marks of unashamed believers? 1. Genuine faith 2. A clear gift 3. Fearless spirit 4. Enduring mindset 5. Unwavering grip First, having a genuine faith is the foundation for sharing your faith. Next, every salvation comes with a purpose for you life. Serve, and you might find your calling. Timidity is from the enemy; Satan delights in the cowards, bu...

Who is your Paul? Who is your Timothy? Is there someone investing in your life spiritually, or someone you’re pouring into spiritually? Who is the person believing in you when you don’t believe in yourself? If you’re not in a discipleship relationship, there’s a better way. Come learn about who Paul was, and how he was radically changed by Jesus. He spent time being discipled and learning the Word...

"The storms in this life are but a drizzle compared to the storm of judgement that is to come when we meet God. Only the wise builder, who build their house on the rock of Jesus Christ, will endure." Are you a wise or a foolish builder? Are you building the foundation of your life on the Rock? And where will you be when storms come? The foolish builder hears the words of Jesus, but does not put th...

Are you going through the gate leading to destruction, or the gate leading to life? In Matthew 7:13-23, Jesus is concluding the content of His message, but sharing His burden. We might walk through life thinking we have freedom, but we don’t have the freedom that we think we have until we are resting in Jesus. Here are some questions to reflect on: •Where are your feet leading you? •Who is teachin...

How do you judge someone? Make sure you have the right motive, that you start with yourself first, and that you are careful doing it. In Matthew 7, Jesus is not condemning the correction of people, He’s condemning the condemning of people. Before judging your brother, humble yourself to see your own sin before you see theirs. Remove the plank in your own eye before trying to remove the speck in th...

“Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” ‭‭ Last night we looked at what Matthew 6:25-33 says about worry, and how it doesn’t work, it reveals our faith, and it distracts you from your purpose. We were not made to carry the anxiety that we’re carrying in this life, but don’t give yourself over to worry. Worry pretends to make a difference, and often only makes things worse....

How do we become a generous generation? Give with your whole heart, give with a healthy eye, and you have to choose to give. Give quietly, give your best, and give in response. Also, remember ultimately it’s about the heart of the giver, and that God’s mercy is more precious than money or anything that we own. Paradigm is a weekly gathering of Kansas City college and 20s-30s young adults who desir...

🗣️ You can’t live a powerful life if you live a prayer-less life. 🗣️ Pastor Phil teaches on the power of prayer and fasting mentioned in Matthew 6 and 7. Prayer, firstly, is personal. Prayer is simply a conversation with God, not to impress others in any way. If it doesn’t come from the heart, it isn’t personal. Prayer is also relational; to get our will to align with God’s, and not the other way...

How do you know you’re dating? When and how do you put a label on it? How do you define the relationship, and what’s the next step once you have? First, step back and see where the relationship is heading. Has your attraction to their character grown? And are you truly ready for the next phase? Look for wisdom from God’s Word, His Spirit, and from His People. Once you are sure, have the conversati...