The Church Next Door - AZ

Do you wish more people would just say it like it is? Then you would love Peter’s preaching. When it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus, we can learn a few things from his first message. 10/27/12

God’s primary agent for hope and change in the world is not Democrat or Republican. It’s not socialism or capitalism. It’s not even solely American. It is the Church and the Gospel it carries. Check out this message to see what it means to be People of the Word and People of Fellowship – the world changers God intended His Church to…

Preachers think long and hard about how to introduce their sermons. Do I tell a joke? A story? Show a video? But at the end of the day, no one introduces a message like God Himself.  When the Spirit came on the Day of Pentecost there was the sound of a violent wind, 120 believers had tongues of fire over their heads,…

What’s the difference between Judas (who hung himself) and Peter (who became a key leader in the Jesus movement)? Judas failed Jesus and Peter was perfect, right? Wrong. They both failed Jesus in epic ways. The difference was where they went with their failure. How they handled it. What they did with it.  And the same is true today. We all fail.…

True love for others comes from breathing in God’s love for us. Check out this short message from I John to see what the simple act of breathing can teach us about receiving God’s love and passing it on to others. 09/15/12

Acts 1: 1 says that in the gospel of Luke, he recorded all that Jesus began to do and teach. That means his sequel (the book of Acts) records what Jesus continues to do and teach through his body, the church: the same church believers today are a part of! Check out this intro to our series on the book of Acts.…

When you and God have a disagreement, who needs to change their mind? Easy answer. Not so easy to live out. Thankfully, God is patient with his children and has many ways to teach us. We don’t know if Jonah ever really agreed with God about reaching the  people in Nineveh. When it comes to reaching those who need Jesus, are you…

People spend a lot of time waiting. Sometimes, it’s just the way it has to be. Other times, there’s no reason to wait at all: Like when it comes to sharing the good news about Jesus. Don’t Wait until you have it all together. Don’t Wait until you’ve mastered a complicated message. And Don’t Wait to obey God’s message to you. Listen…

Ever heard a message that started with a game of limbo? Nuff said. If you need more, think about this: “How low can you go?” is a great goal for that game, not such a great goal for life. Here’s the good news: Jonah cried out to God from the bottom of the ocean and God saved him. No matter how low…

Paralyzed by your own shame? Afraid to be real because others will reject you? Jesus came to set us free from these fears. The only answer is to let our shame drive us out of hiding and straight to the foot of His cross. 07/15/12

So you’re on Family Feud. The first question is “Name something in the book of Jonah.” Number one answer is…Fish? Jonah? Nineveh?  The truth is all these things are like little pictures in a giant collage. When you zoom out and your eyes adjust, you see that they all blend together and form a big picture: the face of a Missionary God.…

If you’re completely honest, is God’s presence enough for you to be content, at peace, satisfied? Or do you require something more? If you require more, should that concern you? It’s not a new issue. David wrestled with it centuries ago in Psalm 131. Check out this message for more. 07/01/12

Ok, so we’re new creations. Now that we’ve celebrated that awesome truth, what’s next? What should new creations spend their lives doing? Paul says we are ambassadors of God himself: Ambassadors carrying a message of reconciliation. Check out this message to see how this should impact the way we spend our time and use our talents. 06/24/12

Paul said those who believe in Jesus are new creations. Listen to hear what a crab apple tree and a golden delicious tree can teach us about this radical transformation. 06/17/12

Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics was given a nickname: “The Truth.” One of the most famous movies lines of all time was: “You can’t handle the truth.” People often say “My truth is my truth, your truth is your truth.” and  “There is no absolute truth.” The truth is talked about a lot. It was Jesus who said he would send…

Every groom is concerned when his bride is sick. One thing that concerns Jesus is when His bride, the church is racked with disunity.  That’s why the Holy Spirit works to bring Inward Unity (between churches and individual believers). When Jesus prayed for this unity in John 17, he knew it was intricately connected to Outward Unity  (between God and lost people)…

The Bible has many pictures of the Holy Spirit’s power.  One of them is a stream of living water. Simply put, your life is like a hose. The Holy Spirit is like the powerful, refreshing water that wants to flow through you and bless those around you. You can’t create His power, but you can put kinks in your hose that stop…

Spiritual interest is up. Church attendance is down. Could it be that some looking for spirituality are looking elsewhere because the church has been trying life in our own power? Too often, the Holy Spirit is ignored or misunderstood. Check out this message for an introduction to some of the common ways He’s misunderstood and what the Bible really teaches about him.…

Ever wish you could listen in while Jesus prayed to His Father? Some of his disciples did. And they were so blown away by what they heard, they asked him, “Lord teach us to pray.” What we now call “The Lord’s Prayer” was what he told them. Listen to hear how this prayer can become more than rote words to recite. You’ll…

Marshall’s story of how God used the Missional Community in the Superstition Hills neighborhood of Prescott Valley, Arizona to help him meet Jesus. 2/19/12

Often when we think of trusting Jesus, we think of the things we are saved from (Hell, guilt, and bondage to sin). That’s good news for sure.  But we are also saved to something that should take our breath away: a relationship with the Creator of the Universe!  Are you enjoying that relationship today? I hope so. Because nothing else can satisfy…

Is fasting only for monks in monasteries and spiritual weirdos or a part of the normal Christian life? When or why would I consider fasting and what did Jesus have to say about it? Check out this 25 minute message for some fast info on this spiritual discipline. 01/01/12

Know anyone who thinks of God as a mean old miser who’s holding out on them? This message will show you just how wrong that is. He gave his only Son! Why would he hold back anything else? If you’re feeling empty, listen to this message to hear just how full our generous God wants our lives to be. 12/18/11

What connection is there between giving and my prayer life? Can I live like a miser and expect to fully enjoy God’s generosity in my own life? This message will give you the inside scoop on the connection between generosity and prayer. 12/04/11

Wanna see the Apostle Paul get ticked off? Start adding to salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And then stand back. Paul (and God for that matter) can’t stand when we act as though the grace we receive through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection was not enough to save us. Should our lives be filled with good works done…