Pastor John Lovell

The New Testament clearly indicates a period of time that Jesus was directly tempted by Satan, the Tempter who questioned the identity and the will of God the Father.  Jesus, in human flesh, was alone, hungry, and exhausted from His fasting time in the wilderness, yet never allowed the external or internal temptations of Satan to sway Him from His mission here on earth.  Listen this week as Pastor...

The prophets of the Old Testament foretold his coming, all four Gospels mention his name, and even the words of Jesus Himself declared that no man was greater than John the Baptist. This remarkable hero of the Christian faith didn't step into ministry with the outward display of holiness like the Pharisees with their fancy hats and robes, but instead, boldly proclaimed Jesus as Messiah wearin...

The birth of Jesus Christ on that very first Christmas Day was the perfect gift from God the Father,  and was undoubtedly the most important day in the history of the whole universe. This cosmic event included supernatural angels and watchers, together with the prophets of old to declare that a Savior is born to us. After 400 years of silence from God and waiting for the Messiah, an angelic proces...

The world holds on tightly to their countless stories of rejection and betrayal, marked by repeated let-downs and disappointments from family and friends. This continuous trauma cycle of bitterness and unforgiveness causes poisoned hearts, isolated souls, and broken relationships. Listen this week as Pastor John directs our hearts to see Jesus as the perfect biblical model of forgiveness, the One...

The Book of Philippians opens and closes with scripture regarding finances and money matters, therefore highlighting the deep spiritual relevance of the topic. The Apostle Paul is urging the Church of Philippi to view their riches according to their eternal rewards in following Christ, not in the monetary value of their assets. Listen this week as Pastor John concludes Philippians with a powerful...

In the New Testament, Jesus talked more times about money than He did about heaven and hell combined. Shouldn't believers follow this same model while escaping culture's money trap? The world distorts the dynamics of money, creating an idol that destroys families and relationships, while boasting that all money matters should be kept private and away from the church. The Apostle Paul adm...

Be very discerning when listening to casual Christians try to comfort or guide you with their favorite out-of-context Bible verses. While the lost world often seeks answers to their earthly woes in their next big promotions, fancy neighborhoods, or the biggest bank accounts, believers are walking in the truth of God's Word and finding contentment in Jesus. The Apostle Paul writes to the churc...

The Apostle Paul's quest to exhort encouragement to the early church at Philippi reminded believers to recalibrate their minds to walk in the way of Christ, in virtue and goodness. The modern world is full of doom and gloom, and humans feel the weighty pressure of such negativity and anxiety. The believer's mind, however, has become new and should intentionally focus on whatever is true,...

In ancient biblical times, God's presence was centered around a holy temple and the old testament saints would journey to this dwelling place in eager anticipation of His glory. While this pilgrimage would often encounter human suffering and trial, the joy of being in the presence of our Holy God was more rewarding than any earthly comfort. Their souls longed for His courts and their hearts s...

While some believers embrace their divisive and prideful intellect during a church conflict, the Apostle Paul models the proper church discipline with two faithful workers, free of judgement and always focused on the goal of unity in Christ and relationship reconciliation. "Unity" that abandons spiritual growth and ignores a biblical conviction of the heart cannot rightfully be called pe...

Regardless of worldly circumstances, believers who are rooted in the Lord can live a continual life filled with peace and joy. The Apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in all things brought on by our broken and sinful world, as we belong to an unchanging sovereign God whose standard of living is totally unrelated to the circumstances of this world. Listen as Pastor John reminds us this week that...

Quality mentorship is imperative for the spiritual growth of believers, as your age and the number of years professing your Christianity does not dictate the wisdom of a person.  Surrounding yourself with godly people in a world full of chaos requires discernment, discipline, and a desire to grow in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul calls for believers to live as citizens of heaven here on earth, imi...

Christians are not perfect people, we are just forgiven people who recognize that mankind is fatally flawed and that we need a Savior.  Believers have heard the liberating call of Jesus Christ to be gloriously authentic, pressing toward the mark of spiritual maturity, always reaching for holy ambition. Listen this week as Pastor John takes us to the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Phil...

The world is mourning the loss of some very influential, kingdom-building Christian leaders at this current time, those who unapologetically shared the Word of God. Carrying this burden of such devastating and heart-breaking loss brings believers closer to Jesus, and in the depth of our collective grief, His eternal promises bring much needed hope.  Listen as Pastor John upholds Epaphroditus, a lo...

The Apostle Paul performs a savage take-down of the inadequate and corrupt religious crowd in the early church era. He proudly proclaimed in the book of Philippians that all his former religious accolades and laws were rubbish compared to the joy of his new heart and his new life in Jesus Christ.  Listen as Pastor John urges us to understand the distinction between religion and faith-based relatio...

What would it be like to be part of a genuine dream team for your church? The Apostle Paul singles out a brother in Christ, Timothy, as a model for the kind of leader the church should value - those who put Christ and others first in all they do. The struggle to locate purely selfless men was as evident in the early church as it is in modern times. While sinful humans revel in their desire for sta...

This vile and broken world that we inhabit is full of warped and wicked displays of behavior, and the disgusting evidence from our current news cycles show a continuous downward spiral of moral decay. We have witnessed the evil of lost souls who celebrate the death of a Christian martyr, who harbor bitterness and anger in their hearts, and who stand boldly against any responsibility or accountabil...

To be saved through God's salvation plan is when you give your whole heart and life to Jesus Christ. It may begin with a beautiful, eternal moment at an earthly altar, but then the lifelong quest of His holiness and righteousness comes from our desire to serve Him and His people. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians that the believers responsibility is the active pursuit of obedience in...

Love God and love others. This profound and simple foundation of Christian principle is boldly exclaimed by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the church at Philippi, as he calls the church to unity through humility. Listen as Pastor John passionately proclaims that the gifts of mercy and love that Christ has provided for believers in turn commissions us to extend this same humility and grace to ot...

The road to victory often goes through pain and suffering, as the Bible does not endorse the current worldview of happiness - that temporary, shallow emotional state based on external circumstances. The Apostle Paul calls for a genuine unity of believer's hearts and minds at the church of Philippi, reminding them that Jesus offers holiness, eternal joy, and a purpose-driven fulfillment that n...

A unique form of radical extremism is demonstrated through the Apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians, as he wrestles with the tension of his soul's deep desire to be with Jesus and his heart's desire to strengthen the spiritual walk of the new believers.  This significantly personal and theological reflection views death as a personal gain and a deeper doorway to fellowship with...

The seeds of destruction are sown in churches across America when envy, rivalry, and selfish ambition enter in, sometimes disguised as a true ministry of the gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul acknowledges that people can sometimes do the right thing (preach the gospel) for the wrong reasons (approval of man, influence, power). Pastor John warns us today that if hearts are...

Being imprisoned typically denotes disgrace and punishment upon the outcast who experiences social shame and failure. The Apostle Paul's message to the Philippians, however, completely flips the script on this prisoner stereotype, as he defied the worldly expectations of his confinement in a Roman prison.  He boldly proclaimed that his chains and his suffering were golden opportunities to lea...

The loneliness epidemic is sweeping across our nation at statistically alarming rates, and this modern day trend is in incredible contrast to the divine, biblical design that calls us to vibrant fellowship and love for our fellow man. The Apostle Paul demonstrates in Philippians that Christians are called to be radically different, yearning to be with each other, having affection toward your broth...

An unrivaled passion for Jesus and the gospel message is fully demonstrated by the Apostle Paul,  as he pens a letter to the church of Philippi while imprisoned in a Roman jail. His message of the completed work of Jesus Christ offers believers a new perspective on some old beliefs, reiterating the promise of eternal security for those new Christians. Pastor John opens up a series on the book of P...