The Open Door Church 337

Message : The Lord is inviting us to join in Him.  Before we can do that, we need to understand that there are 3 tables shown to us through Scripture. The first is the table of creation, where we were in fellowship with God. The second is the fall, where we now are invited to seek God, and the third is redemption, where we will celebrate with God. Between the fall and redemption, we find ourselves...

Message: How do we allow God’s good work to be completed in us? We grow in our identity in Christ, we grow in our purpose, and we grow in our practice. We, as Christians, have to understand that our identity can’t be found anywhere except for in Christ. We have to commit everything to the Lord and our thoughts and desires will begin to be transformed to His. After that, we have to put off the old...

Message: The Word of God is living and activeThe Word of God never comes back void. The Word shows us our need, and how to trust the Lord in that need. God's Word strengthens us and makes us wise about our days. The Word makes it clear who has rejected Him. The Word of God is about us knowing the Lord. Passage: Hebrews 4:12-13 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any tw...

Message: Our theme for this year is COMMITTED TO JESUS. In the passage for today, Paul warns Timothy to not have a form of godliness (pretend to be godly), but rather to be totally committed to Jesus as King and Lord. The 3 essentials to being committed to Jesus. 1) being committed to the sufferings of Jesus, 2) being committed to the lordship of Christ, and 3) being committed to the love of Jesus...

Message: This year, we will be focusing on finishing the race together. In our passage, Paul asked the Galatians you were running well, who hindered you? The answer is both the world, and you. That begs the question, how can we hinder each other? By discouraging instead of encouraging, by running in the wrong lane, and by having a little bit of, but not too much, disharmony. Scripture: Galatians 5...

Message: As we come closer to Christmas, we are anticipating the coming of the Lord. While we are patiently, expectantly waiting on the Lord, we get to grow with Him, learn to recognize Him, labor to be with Him, and enjoy the wait with Him. Scripture: Luke 12:36 opendoorla.org

Message: As we begin our Advent season, we need to remember to keep our lamps burning. We need to be sober-minded in this intoxicating world. We need to gird up our minds against the lies of this world. We must stand on the truth of God's Word. And we must be ready to give an answer; to let our light shine before men. Scripture Reference: Luke 12:25-27 opendoorla.org

Message: The Greek word translated "Forgiveness" literally means "to Let Go!" To forgive debts, like God did for us, is a beautiful work of God in us and towards others. Let's discover in God's word the Beauty of Forgiveness by "Letting Go!" Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-22

Message: In this episode, Pastor Jeff discusses the great conflict (struggle) that Paul has for the people of Colossae. He so desired that they would have a full assurance of understanding of who God and Christ truly are. A part of Paul's conflict or struggle was to share the word of God in such a way that they would not hear him, but hear and see Christ. What a great Conflict for all of us to...

Message: Have you ever experienced something so good you didn't want it to end? [Testimony of relationships and dating] Psalm 126 is a community song of trust and confidence in God, where the Israelites are asking Him to repeat Himself, proclaiming Him as the One who brings joy out of sorrow, laughter from tears and good out of evil. We often thing things are going to drag out, then God comes...

Message: Revival is a refreshed hunger, a desire for righteousness and to know God. Our desire should be to make Jesus the Lord of our lives. In the reference scripture, a man blind from birth, was healed. The Pharisees would not accept the healing and questioned the man, having predetermined Jesus as a sinner, not of God. In his frustration, the man questions their motives. The Pharisees had no d...

Message: Maybe you had to choose between two things? Hard-pressed is having a difficult decision and choosing which way to go, better or best, or the better over the more needful. [Testimony of Better and Best, Salt and Light] What is better and what is best or needed? Accepting Christ is a newest, an abundance, but it is also a life of affliction and sacrifice for others and yourself. Christ gave...

Message: Intro [A personal story reflecting on a lesson in learning to drive in a bottleneck with rubberneckers] We can rubberneck scripture, passing it by without understanding it. The scripture passage is Jesus on the cross being mocked by passerby's for not using his power to save Himself. There are three groups of passerby's: 1) the casual people who have heard His claims to be the Son...

Message: Peter is talking about the sufferings of the world and brings in spiritual gifts. Why don't we get involved? We know our flaws and mistakes. [04:16-08:20 Tim Wilcox's Testimony - God had a purpose] There's a lot of labor that goes into running a church, but there's also spiritual gifts. Spiritual gifts are given to everyone who is a believer, to minister the grace of God t...

Message: In a society and church where where we are made to feel dispensable, not needed, unnecessary and expendable, God never will. There are many parts making up the family of God, and every part is indispensable. In Corinthians 12, the church is starting to have division based on the importance of spiritual gifts. The message of this chapter is to value the place God has given to every member...

Message: We need someone to speak for us sometimes when we're going through a hard time. [testimonial of advocacy] Scripture expresses the full fellowship we can have with God, Jesus Christ and should have with others. These relationships should grow in the abiding love of God. John wants us to know his reason for writing is to introduce the Advocate. There is an ongoing defense and comfort fo...

Message: A letter of Paul to Timothy as he nears the end of his life as he has kept the faith and awaits the crown of righteousness. Paul has been isolated and imprisoned, relying on the support of friends for survival. Paul reflects on his life in Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit, caring little for his life, but that he might finish with joy in the plan God had for him. God has a plan an...

Message: Have you ever been in a place where things don't go your way, trouble on every side? God is there. In the scripture reference, Israel has been exiled, but God has a plan for deliverance from Babylonian captivity and restoration for the faithful remnant. Have there every been times when it's not easy to see God working, seeming long and feeling forgotten? Israel felt that way. Simi...

Message: Why do people refuse to believe in God when He is evident in all of creation? Most people suffer with pride, not wanting God to run their lives, which results in losing the meaning of life. The fool has said in his heart, “ There is  no God.” - Psalm 14:1. In Mark 9:14-29 The disciples are unable to heal boy with a mute spirit. The boy's father has brought him to Jesus for healing. Je...

Message : Studies say every 1 to 2 years we have a huge transition and every 3 to 5 times in a life we have "life quakes". We have 2 responses: we lean into the Lord or we back off. Israel is an example of these responses. The context of Deuteronomy 30 is Israel's captivity, exodus and entry into the promised land. Out of fear they stay away from the promised land, instead dwell in t...

Angela Nicholas shared on fear, anxiety, and worry at the Women of Wisdom brunch on July 29.

Message: Have you ever pondered the question, What is Life? There are different thoughts that go through our minds. There are also many quotes about life. Thomas Edison, an American inventor, once said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how lose they were to success when they gave up." In 2018, LIFE magazine published one of their issues with the title, "Mi...

Message: Have you ever see something you've been captivated by? We can see God working today with Jesus at the center of it all. In Luke 10:9, Jesus sends out the seventy-two people to share that "the Kingdom of God is now". Allowing only the provisions of the Lord, they went out and returned rejoicing from their encounters with the power and authority they had been given. In compari...

Message: Have you ever wondered how God works? It's often unclear to the natural eye. We will ask for an open door, or steps, or the shortest route. Whatever the case, His plans are unique to each of us, each a masterpiece. Solomon concluded after trying everything his way, there is some satisfaction in this world, but there is nothing more satisfying than the work of God. Solomon counsels us...

Message : Paul is closing his letter and giving final thoughts on salvation to the Jews and Gentiles, to have hope through God's Word. He relates the word to a lamp to tell us where we're heading when we're helping others through the practice of faith in Christ. Paul is speaking into 3 things: 1) Christ bears no reproach, 2) Scripture was written for our learning, 3) Through scripture...