Jan 3, 2016
Week 1- The Transformative Word of God
As we embark on reading the Bible through in a year as a church, we first address the transformative nature of Scripture in a person’s life.  Specifically we focus on the importance of reading, studying, memorizing, meditating upon, praying, listening to, responding to, and teaching the Word of God. Scripture can and will change your life!
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  • Jan 3, 2016Week 1- The Transformative Word of God
    Jan 3, 2016
    Week 1- The Transformative Word of God
    As we embark on reading the Bible through in a year as a church, we first address the transformative nature of Scripture in a person’s life.  Specifically we focus on the importance of reading, studying, memorizing, meditating upon, praying, listening to, responding to, and teaching the Word of God. Scripture can and will change your life!
  • Dec 27, 2015All about Kings and Men
    Dec 27, 2015
    All about Kings and Men
    Series: Misc
     
  • Dec 24, 2015Christmas Presence
    Dec 24, 2015
    Christmas Presence

    We celebrate Jesus’ incarnation; not just that he became flesh, but that He became a servant! On this Christmas Eve, we will explore the mindset of Christ becoming man found in Philippians 2:5-11. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

  • Dec 20, 2015Week 12- The Power and Role of Prayer (James 5:13-20)
    Dec 20, 2015
    Week 12- The Power and Role of Prayer (James 5:13-20)
    “Is anyone among you in trouble?” James says, “He should pray.” Not always our first reaction unfortunately. “Is anyone sick?” James says to “call the elders of the church to pray over him.” We will examine prayer, prayer offered in faith, the role of others to pray for someone else, and “powerful, effective” prayer.
  • Dec 13, 2015Week 11- Patience in Suffering (James 5:1-12)
    Dec 13, 2015
    Week 11- Patience in Suffering (James 5:1-12)
    James exhorts us to “Be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near.” Everything is temporal. Yes, including the suffering that we at times endure. The great backdrop of comfort for us, regardless of what we are going through, isn’t so much that soon we will stop suffering.  Rather, it is the fact that soon the Lord will be returning again! Then, and truly only then, Jesus will stop all suffering.  James reminds us also of Job's perseverance in his lengthy and devastating ordeal that he went through. This illustration was given not to point to Job’s suffering, but to remind us of what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
  • Dec 6, 2015Week 10- Who are You to Judge? (James 4:11-17)
    Dec 6, 2015
    Week 10- Who are You to Judge? (James 4:11-17)
    One of the most misunderstood aspects of the Christian life is the role of 'judging'.  On one hand we are told to discern between good and evil and yet we are told not to judge.  In this passage James writes that speaking against a brother is the same as judging them and we are not the judge of people or the law.  In this message we will dig deeper into what James meant when he addressed judging in this passage of chapter four.
  • Nov 29, 2015Week 9- Desires and Motives (James 4:1-10)
    Nov 29, 2015
    Week 9- Desires and Motives (James 4:1-10)
    Why do we have such conflict in our lives? James proposes that they come from our desires that battle within us. James continues in the same vein to say that we do not have what we desire because we do not ask God. When we do ask, we don’t receive because we ask with wrong motives, concerned with our pleasures. We are promised that if we first, submit ourselves to God; second, resist the devil; that he will flee from us. The power to distance ourselves from the devil does not come from ‘resisting’ (though that certainly plays a role—that we must do) it instead originates in ‘Coming near to God and he will come near to you.’ God examines our hearts; our desires and motives.
  • Nov 22, 2015Week 8- Who Are You Listening To? (James 3:13-18)
    Nov 22, 2015
    Week 8- Who Are You Listening To? (James 3:13-18)
    Do you hear voices in your head? No, you’re not crazy! We all hear thoughts and ideas in our minds (or soul) that often sounds like wisdom. James addresses two forms of wisdom that we must distinguish between—wisdom from heaven and wisdom from the devil. It’s vitally important that we know the difference and can discern the origin of the thought that is compelling us. Specifically, we will look at envy and selfish ambition, both of which are not God’s kind of wisdom.
  • Nov 15, 2015Week 7- The Power of Words (James 3:1-12)
    Nov 15, 2015
    Week 7- The Power of Words (James 3:1-12)
    Words have immeasurable power! James uses five examples to make his point: a teacher leading and directing people; a bit in the mouth of a horse that makes it obey and turn the whole animal; a ship being steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go; a tiny spark that sets a whole forest on fire; and taming a wild animal. The tongue is a small part of our body, but is most powerful. With our tongue the Christian seems to praise God, and also with it curse men. What a paradox! Being able to bridle our tongue can save existing relationships, create new relationships, and most of all honor and reflect our Lord!
  • Nov 8, 2015Week 6- Walk that Walk (James 2:14-26)
    Nov 8, 2015
    Week 6- Walk that Walk (James 2:14-26)
    In James 2:14-24 we read a passage that many believe to be very controversial and still others feel it is even contradictory to other writings from the New Testament.  We read scriptures from Paul's writings like Ephesians 2:8-9 states 'For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.' Yet in James we read 'Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.'  So which is it?  In this message Pastor Scott will show truly how faith and works are not contradictory but rather complementary.
  • Nov 1, 2015Week 5- Favoritism (James 2:1-13)
    Nov 1, 2015
    Week 5- Favoritism (James 2:1-13)
    Our culture is plagued with discrimination. Marked by racism, cliques, the poor devalued, and gender inequality; favoritism causes huge division and damage. If God’s commands can be summed up by loving God with everything we are and loving others as we love ourselves then these mentalities have no place in a believer’s life! We must be people of love and mercy if we are to reflect Christ in our world!
  • Oct 25, 2015Week 4- Anger & Deception (James 1:19-27)
    Oct 25, 2015
    Week 4- Anger & Deception (James 1:19-27)
    The book of James is incredibly practical. It deals with many core issues that we struggle with and how our faith in Christ, put into action, can overcome our frailties and issues. Anger and deception are addressed specifically in this teaching. We also discuss the correct aim we should have with our ‘religion.’
  • Oct 18, 2015Week 3- Overcoming Temptation (James 1:13-18)
    Oct 18, 2015
    Week 3- Overcoming Temptation (James 1:13-18)
    Jesus was tempted in every way, yet without sin. He promises us that with every temptation, He will make a way of escape. In this teaching we will look at how temptations occur in our lives; how they increase when we allow them to and the fruit that they bare. Most importantly we address how we can stand firm and overcome temptations and choose not to sin.
  • Oct 11, 2015Week 2- How Do We Ask God? (James 1:5-12)
    Oct 11, 2015
    Week 2- How Do We Ask God? (James 1:5-12)
    We are exhorted by James that if we ask God for something we must believe and not doubt. Such doubting is characterized by being “double-minded” and being “unstable in all of our ways.” Why do we waver in our faith? In Mark 9, we read of an interaction between Jesus and the father of a boy with an evil spirit. During his pleading with Jesus for his son to be healed, the father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” We find ourselves in the position as well. Let that be our prayer.
  • Oct 4, 2015Week 1- Testing of Your Faith (James 1:1-4)
    Oct 4, 2015
    Week 1- Testing of Your Faith (James 1:1-4)
    The only life pleasing to the Lord is one lived out in faith. In our lives we are promised many trials and hardships. It is these very trials that test our faith. James says that they do such a work in us that we should have joy when we encounter these tests.
  • Sep 27, 2015Lessons from Jessica
    Sep 27, 2015
    Lessons from Jessica
    Series: Misc
    Lessons-From-Jessica
  • Sep 20, 2015The Lost Miracles of Peter
    Sep 20, 2015
    The Lost Miracles of Peter
    Series: Misc
    Lost Miracles
  • Sep 13, 2015Depression Part 2
    Sep 13, 2015
    Depression Part 2
    Healing and Dealing - Depression Part 2
    In this second message on depression in the Healing and Dealing series we will focus on how we can help our loved ones struggling with depression and how truth from God's word can help all of us when dealing with this terrible reality within our world.
  • Sep 6, 2015Depression Part 1
    Sep 6, 2015
    Depression Part 1
    Healing and Dealing - Depression Part 1
    "Depression is like a war:  You either win or die trying."  This quote summarizes the terrible reality for many who struggle with depression.  Christians are not immune from depression either although the church has largely ignored depression and discounted it as spiritual weakness.  In part 1 of this Healing and Dealing series we will define depression and identify symptoms and causes.  We will also examine what the Bible tells us about depression.
  • Aug 30, 2015Week 13- Sowing and Reaping (Gal 6:6-18)
    Aug 30, 2015
    Week 13- Sowing and Reaping (Gal 6:6-18)
     
  • Aug 23, 2015Week 12- Restoration of a Sinner (Gal 6:1-5)
    Aug 23, 2015
    Week 12- Restoration of a Sinner (Gal 6:1-5)
    We are encouraged throughout Scripture to be in each other’s lives; to bear one another’s burdens and to love one another. This necessitates that we be involved in restoring someone who has sinned. Paul says to the Galatians that if someone has been caught in sin that “you who are spiritual should restore him gently”. What does it mean to be ‘spiritual’? How do we actively restore a brother or sister in Christ? Paul also gives a warning to any who thinks that falling into sin could never happen to them also! Spiritual pride is a very common device that Satan uses in a Christian’s life.
     
  • Aug 16, 2015Week 11- Fruits of the Spirit vs. Sinful Nature (Gal 5:16-26)
    Aug 16, 2015
    Week 11- Fruits of the Spirit vs. Sinful Nature (Gal 5:16-26)
    There is a war within the human soul that trusts in Jesus as their Lord. That battle is between our fallen sinful nature that we are born into and the new nature given to us by Christ Jesus when we become born again believers. Paul admonishes us to “live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Just as a certain tree bears certain fruit, so too does our life when we allow either of our two natures to influence us most. If the fallen nature, we will exhibit sinful acts. If we allow the Spirit of God to rule us then we will bear the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians chapter 5.
  • Aug 9, 2015Week 10- Small Things Forfeit Freedom! (Gal 5:1-15)
    Aug 9, 2015
    Week 10- Small Things Forfeit Freedom! (Gal 5:1-15)
    A semi-truck barreling towards us is an easy cue for us to get out of the way or we will suffer major loss. However, smaller things that we may not see approaching us; or worse, something we may think is harmless can be our undoing. Allowing that ‘small thing’ that doesn’t fit with the purposes of God to infiltrate our lives and our faith is detrimental! Paul uses the metaphor of a little yeast working through the whole batch of dough. We will look at the importance of guarding our hearts and minds and establishing boundaries to prevent this from happening.
  • Aug 2, 2015Week 9 – Spiritual Freedom and Slavery (Gal 4:8-31)
    Aug 2, 2015
    Week 9 – Spiritual Freedom and Slavery (Gal 4:8-31)
    Before we knew God we were slaves. Knowing God is not just mental assent; it is an intimate bond. We walk right back into a form of spiritual slavery when we bond to something or someone else other than Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul uses an illustration of two women in whom Abraham had intimacy with and the sons that they bore. He did this to show doing things the “ordinary way” as opposed to “by the power of the Spirit.” We are admonished to get rid of the slave woman and her son!
  • Jul 26, 2015Week 8- Our Identity (Sons and Heirs of God) (Gal 3:15-29; 4:1-7)
    Jul 26, 2015
    Week 8- Our Identity (Sons and Heirs of God) (Gal 3:15-29; 4:1-7)
     
  • Jul 19, 2015Week 7- Faith Revealed (Gal 3:6-14)
    Jul 19, 2015
    Week 7- Faith Revealed (Gal 3:6-14)
    The gospel was announced in advance to Abraham, known as the father of our faith. Abraham was justified before God not based on anything he himself did or did not do, but rather because of his faith. He believed and it was accounted to him as righteousness. Jesus was revealed to Abraham centuries before Jesus walked this earth; Abraham believed and put his hope in Him. Faith is the activating agent for us to accept the good news, believe upon the Son of God, be justified from our sins, and receive the promise of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Faith is revealed in Jesus Christ. Before faith comes, we are locked up; held prisoners to the law, our sin, and our efforts.
  • Jul 12, 2015Week 6- The Spirit vs. Human Effort (Gal 3:1-25)
    Jul 12, 2015
    Week 6- The Spirit vs. Human Effort (Gal 3:1-25)
    When we first embrace the grace of God through faith, we realize just how unworthy we are and how much we are in need of our Savior. Without God pursuing us through His Spirit and offering us redemption, we could not be saved. We didn’t deserve it and somehow we realized that—that is grace. Gradually, like the Galatians who Paul writes to, we begin inexplicably trying to obtain our goal by human effort instead. What causes us to make that shift? What bewitched us? Why do we have such a hard time trusting? Why do we think trying to earn His presence in our lives is somehow easier than accepting what the Spirit offers? What a paradox!
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