Risen Church NC

We all have a great work to do in 2022. Perhaps we haven't identified yet, or it could be something we've walked away from in the past. In this message, we turn to Nehemiah for inspiration about how we might commit our hands to the work God would have us do in this year. Nehemiah teaches us how to identify the "great works" that believers should prioritize. His story also shows how important accou...

At the dawn of a new year, we turn to God's Word for inspiration and direction. Naturally, there's no shortage of wisdom and guidance to be found. Romans 14 is a brilliant passage that calls for unity amongst a diverse group of Christians, who were quarreling over traditions vs liberty. One side argued that there were certain days that required a specific measure of reverence, while the other side...

Every year that passes is another lap in an incredible journey towards our eternal destination. In 1 Corinthians 9, the Apostle Paul rallies the Church to consider the invitation and opportunity we have been given. We are called to run this race for the glory of God, devoting every day to Him. As we close another year, it's right that we evaluate the progress we've made. What did we add to our ete...

After enjoying the wonder of Christmastime and in reflection on another year under God's care, we spent the last Sunday of 2021 doing the only sensible thing: Savoring our Savior. Shouldn't our biggest regret of the year be that we didn't savor Him and seek out all of His grace? We are often full of worry or given to worshipping lesser things. If only we would spend every day soaking up all of God...

Jesus was known to keep company of people from all across the spectrum. He dined with both Pharisees and Tax Collectors. Both sides, especially the religious crowd, wanted to keep Him for themselves, but Jesus could not be contained. On one occasion when Jesus sat down with a group of Pharisees, an unexpected and unwelcomed guest found their table. A woman labeled as an outcast and considered irre...

Matthew's version of the Christmas story doesn't begin with a grand introduction, nor does it immerse us into the drama and wonder of it all. No, Matthew's Gospel begins with a list of names. This isn't an ordinary list of names of course, but it is the genealogy of Jesus, tracing Him back to the beginning of Israel's story. Matthew assures us that Jesus's bloodline included the who's who of Israe...

Christmas promises to produce a hope within us that is unwavering and thrilling beyond all compare. During the seasonal lead-up and celebration, it seems easy to believe that this is true and obtainable. However, for many of us once December 26 rolls around, Christmas is already a memory. The indication of whether we've embraced and received the true spirit of Christmas is not our hype in the buil...

We've all heard the story of the Wise Men who following a star, came to Jerusalem in search of a newborn king. Perhaps however, you haven't heard their backstory. Yes, their dedication to studying the heavens for a sign from God was a longstanding quest, that generations of stargazers had pursued. Practically the entire world featured religious societies which looked to the stars for a sign from G...

In this conclusion to our Acts series, we look back at the road taken by the Disciples from Jerusalem to Rome. It's clear that we can learn a lot from the early Church's constant, forward motion. They embodied the true spirit of being Jesus Followers. Arriving at Rome wasn't the end of the Church's journey, but rather, it was just the beginning. If we continue to be the movement, as they were... i...

In this message, we considered the familiar Christmas story in a different light, and what we discovered is pretty remarkable. It turns out that the people that we celebrate as the stars of story, were actually ridiculed in their day. Yet, that’s what makes their role in the story so perfect, because it captures the heart of Christmas. From Jesus's entrance into this world, He identified with thos...

Given the option, wouldn't you always want to be wherever God is? Even if God's choice is to lead us into a storm, if that is His dwelling place of choice, there remains no more desirable place for us. In Acts 27, we once again witness the Apostle Paul exemplify faith and delight in the Lord. In the eye of a hurricane, Paul leads a ship full of nonbelievers in a time of worship. They begin thankin...

As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, Advent teaches us how to wait patiently and expectantly on the Lord. Christ's coming is certain, but in Advent we lean into the wait and realize that it's not in vain. The Bible is full of promises from God, that He will visit us in our waiting and deliver us. If and when we ever consider giving up, we are reminded that just as Christ came the first time, He...

How can our thanksgiving outlast just a day or a season? Is it possible for us to be thankful every day and in every season? Even in challenging circumstances? The Bible teaches us that the key to this kind of thankfulness is a life of giving and sacrifice. Choosing to leverage our lives, our blessings and burdens, for the glory of God allows us to stay in tune with the work God is doing and wants...

This portion of Paul's custody and trials in Caesarea, features two leaders who are remembered for all the wrong reasons. They thought Paul was at their mercy, but the story reveals that they were truly blessed to be in his presence, and given the invitation to Christ through him. However, both of these men fail to capitalize on the opportunity presented to them. One thought it was too inconvenien...

Having been arrested in Jerusalem and now set to appear before the Roman governor of Judea, the Apostle Paul isn't worried at all. He knows that the accusations made against him by the Jewish leaders are baseless and he has done nothing to disgrace Rome. Neither of these charges would pose any threat to him. When he finally stands trial before Governor Felix, the Jewish leaders bring these two acc...

All of us share memories of being reminded again and again as children to say, "thank you." Thankfulness is a learned behavior, not simply an emotional reaction. If we were aren't taught to be thankful, we won't be thankful... The Bible is full of reminders to praise and worship the Lord, giving us an infinite number of reasons why we should. However, the Bible is also clear that no matter how ble...

If only we had more, better, different, another... If only things were different. Often we look at where we are at in life and we grow frustrated at what is missing or what we need. We've all found ourselves dissatisfied and discontent because of our own inabilities and this world's unpredictabilities and uncertainties. If we're being honest, these same frustrations can keep us from pursuing or gr...

The Apostle Paul was relentless in his attempts to reach his Jewish brothers and sisters with the Gospel. Against the will of his companions, he returned to Jerusalem to preach that Christianity was the fulfillment of Judaism and that Christ did what the Law could not do. After being assaulted at the Jewish Temple and then seized by the Roman tribune, Paul was even more determined to use this as a...

After addressing several churches with a call to repentance, and a message of renewal and reform, John is called up to Heaven. His experience is meant to invite every believer to understand the bigger picture and adopt a new perspective for their lives. Catching a glimpse of Heaven and seeing our eternal destination, compels us to take even more seriously and sacredly the mission that God has give...

Paul begins a remarkable journey in Acts 21, which will result in him being arrested in Jerusalem and sentenced in Rome. Everyone knew that Paul was facing danger on this journey, and many tried to talk him out of it. However, Paul could not be persuaded. Paul had a heart to reach his Jewish kinsmen and had a passion to take the Gospel to the heart of the empire. He knew it would be a costly road,...

There is often duplicity between something's appearance and its true substance. Sometimes there is a disconnect between what we claim to be and what we actually are. When it comes to Christianity, this equates to hypocrisy. The Church at Sardis and Laodicea both had a great reputation. Sardis was recognized as a thriving, booming church. Laodicea was renown for doing great things and offering lots...

Acts 20 serves as a reminder of all that had made the launch of the Church a success. Special attention is given Paul's commitment to encouraging and equipping believers and communities with all they needed to thrive as a local Church. In this message, we break down what faithfulness looks like in a modern context, and how we can see our churches reach and maintain their full strength.

In this message, we continue to talk about the tension between the world and the Church, particularly the trials and tribulations that come on the people of God. We hear Jesus' word to Smyrna and Philadelphia, as they were facing increased opposition and persecution. His Word to them was to fear not and remain faithful. He made it clear that following Him would cost them, explicitly saying that ma...

Christianity made a huge splash in Ephesus, leading many to forsake their idols and cling to Jesus. In this message, we talk about how idolatry persists in our world today, even and especially in religion. God calls all of us to cast down our idols, and totally surrender to Him. True Christianity should threaten the idol industry, just as it did 2000 years ago.

Revelation identifies the Local Church as a candle placed by God to light up a dark world. Jesus' critique of the first few churches is most concerned with each church's ministry and mission. In this message, we consider the calloused church at Ephesus, the compromised church at Pergamum, and the causal church at Thyatira, and hear God's call to repentance. These churches all share a common issue:...