Jul 10, 2016
Week 28- As Far as the East from the West (Psalm 103)
Man’s continual fight with sin brings us face to face with the glorious gospel. Our God does not treat us as our sins deserve; His love is great for those who are in awe of Him. The Psalm we are letting pour over us this week declares that when we are forgiven; our sin is “as far as the east is from the west.” What an amazing and comforting promise. Also that God, in His compassion, remembers that we are but human beings. We’ll look at the human condition—sin and what we have in God through His Son, Jesus—forgiveness, pardon, and freedom!
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  • Jul 10, 2016Week 28- As Far as the East from the West (Psalm 103)
    Jul 10, 2016
    Week 28- As Far as the East from the West (Psalm 103)
    Man’s continual fight with sin brings us face to face with the glorious gospel. Our God does not treat us as our sins deserve; His love is great for those who are in awe of Him. The Psalm we are letting pour over us this week declares that when we are forgiven; our sin is “as far as the east is from the west.” What an amazing and comforting promise. Also that God, in His compassion, remembers that we are but human beings. We’ll look at the human condition—sin and what we have in God through His Son, Jesus—forgiveness, pardon, and freedom!
  • Jul 3, 2016Week 27- When God is Silent (Psalm 77)
    Jul 3, 2016
    Week 27- When God is Silent (Psalm 77)
    We all feel like sometimes God is a million miles away. During these times we ask the following questions: Why doesn’t He rescue us? Why are we allowed to continue to suffer? Why doesn’t He hear our prayers, our pleas? Why can we not hear Him? Why doesn’t He speak? The psalmist, Asaph gives us great insight in Psalm 77 as to what he brings to mind in times like this. The meditation of our heart on who God is and what He has done keeps us motivated to continue to trust Him!
  • Jun 26, 2016Week 26- The Fear of The Lord (Psalm 34)
    Jun 26, 2016
    Week 26- The Fear of The Lord (Psalm 34)
    Week 26 - The Fear of the Lord, Psalm 34
    In Psalm 34 David gives praise and thanks to God for delivering him from his enemies.  He attributes his favor with God and success as a leader to "The Fear of the Lord"  He gives many instructions as to what the fear of the Lord is and how it manifests in a believer's life.
  • Jun 19, 2016Week 25- God Our Father (Psalm 23)
    Jun 19, 2016
    Week 25- God Our Father (Psalm 23)
    On this Father’s Day, we celebrate our heavenly Father and embrace His role in our lives! One of the best pictures of His active presence engaged in our daily lives is in the 23rd Psalm. David intimately and passionately reveals ways that the Lord is our Shepherd and how that affects us. Great imagery because we are sheep in need of direction, hope, and love. Let the details of this very familiar Psalm create new life in you as we look to the Lord directing every aspect of our lives as His children.
  • Jun 12, 2016Week 24- A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed (Job 1-42)
    Jun 12, 2016
    Week 24- A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed (Job 1-42)
    A person who helps at a difficult time is a truly reliable person and a true friend. Job was a man in deep anguish with great loss and pain. We will look at his friends that came onto the scene; what they did that was helpful and what was destructive. Instead of providing encouragement to Job, they were more concerned with being right and winning a debate. How often do we fall into that trap ourselves? How can we be better friends to those in our lives? What do we say? What do we do when someone is suffering? We will look at what it means to be a better friend and how we can prepare the way for God to speak!
  • Jun 5, 2016Week 23- I Will Worship (Job 1)
    Jun 5, 2016
    Week 23- I Will Worship (Job 1)
    Job had the world cave in on him. We have all had a taste of that in our own lives. He lost everything that was dear to him. The pain was so great he ached. Instead of cursing God, shaking his fist toward the sky and blaming Him, or making an inward pact that he would no longer serve a God that would allow this to happen; Job fell to the ground in worship. We will examine what worship is, what pleases the Lord, and what goes into the decision to worship the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
  • May 29, 2016Week 22- Building and Warfare Go Hand in Hand (Neh 4)
    May 29, 2016
    Week 22- Building and Warfare Go Hand in Hand (Neh 4)
    We must learn, just as the people rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem under Nehemiah’s leadership learned; constructing and fighting go hand in hand. Those who were repairing the breached wall had a tool in one hand and a weapon in the other to defend themselves and their families from attack. We are very much involved in constant spiritual warfare. As we build a life and walk that honors and glorifies our Lord; we also are under an assault from our enemy. We never fully succeed until we are engaged in warfare and building His kingdom at the same time.
  • May 22, 2016Week 21- Lessons from Josiah (2 Chron 34)
    May 22, 2016
    Week 21- Lessons from Josiah (2 Chron 34)
    King Josiah has a heart toward God like his forefather David had. He tore down altars for other gods and purified the land and temple. As his men are cleaning out the temple they find the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses. When the king heard the words of the Law as they read from it, he tore his robes. He said, "Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.” King Josiah renewed the covenant before the people and read from the law in their hearing. This speaks so well of the responsibility of "faith at home" and passing God's word to the next generation!
  • May 15, 2016Week 20- Who Do We Rely On? (2 Chron 14-16)
    May 15, 2016
    Week 20- Who Do We Rely On? (2 Chron 14-16)
    Asa, king of Judah lived a life that was marked by a roller coaster of faith in God. When a mighty army of Cushites came against Judah, he cried out to the Lord and the Lord struck down his forceful enemy. He and the people made a covenant to seek the Lord with every bit of their heart and soul. He was fully committed to the Lord as were the people he governed. Then another king and army came up against Judah and Asa decided to get a neighboring king and nation’s help. Whereas he cried out to the Lord before, he now put his reliance in others. Even while afflicted with a disease, Asa he did not seek help from the Lord but only from the physicians. Who or what are we relying on?
  • May 8, 2016Week 19- Serving Together (1 Chron 6:31-33)
    May 8, 2016
    Week 19- Serving Together (1 Chron 6:31-33)
    When the ark of the covenant that represented the presence of God came to rest in Jerusalem; David appointed ministers before the ark. They ministered to the Lord with music and those who served did so “with their sons.” On this Mother’s Day we will look through Scripture at various parents and children (both physical and spiritual) who served the Lord together. Though tension exists, we can minister to the Lord and to people as a family. Neither ‘the family’ nor ‘ministry’ should suffer. Instead, they both can be strengthened at the same time.
  • May 1, 2016Week 18- Mixed Worship (2 Kings 17)
    May 1, 2016
    Week 18- Mixed Worship (2 Kings 17)
    Because of their wholesale sinning and departure from the Lord; the Israelites are captured and exiled to Assyria. The king of Assyria then brings Gentile people from other lands to settle in Samaria in their place. The new Gentile residents began to worship the Lord, but they also served their own gods and persisted in their former practices; just as their Israelite counterparts did. Even while these people were worshiping the Lord, they were serving their idols. Is that a statement that is indicative of me and you as well?
  • Apr 24, 2016Week 17- Elijah, a Man Like Us (1 Kings 12- 2 Kings 8)
    Apr 24, 2016
    Week 17- Elijah, a Man Like Us (1 Kings 12- 2 Kings 8)
    James 5:17 says Elijah was a human, just like us.  We will discover Elijah's secret to faith, "Living by every word", his mentoring of Elisha, The Double portion, and finally Gehazi's corruption that prevented him from receiving the blessing.
  • Apr 17, 2016Week 16- He Delights in Us! (1 Kings 3&10)
    Apr 17, 2016
    Week 16- He Delights in Us! (1 Kings 3&10)
    King David knew that he was rescued and brought into a spacious place and said the reason was “because He delighted in me!” His son, King Solomon was assured of by God that anything he would ask of the Lord would be granted. Instead of riches, fame, or anything selfish; Solomon asked for wisdom and a discerning heart to govern God’s people. A request that pleased the Lord. Solomon’s wisdom spread and the whole world requested some of Solomon’s time including the Queen of Sheba. She was so overwhelmed at his wisdom that it caused her to praise the Lord of King Solomon. She exclaimed, “Praise be to the Lord your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel.” Because God delights in us too…!
  • Apr 10, 2016Week 15- What is God Telling Me? (1 Sam 26)
    Apr 10, 2016
    Week 15- What is God Telling Me? (1 Sam 26)
    In 1 Samuel 26, we read the story of David and Joab sneaking into Saul's camp late one night.  Joab encourages David to kill the sleeping King Saul because after all, "God has delivered him into your hand."  David responds in a way in which all of us need to pay close attention to.  In this message, we will examine the pitfalls of interpreting our circumstances incorrectly to believe it is a message from God and how we can avoid those pitfalls.
  • Apr 3, 2016Week 14- When the Lord Rips Away our Kingdom (1 Sam 15)
    Apr 3, 2016
    Week 14- When the Lord Rips Away our Kingdom (1 Sam 15)
    The kingdom of Israel was torn from Saul who was rejected as king. Why? Several reasons are listed in our text: he turned away from God; he did not carry out His instructions; he valued religion over obedience; he was in rebellion; he was arrogant; and he rejected the word of the Lord. Pretty good reasons for God to remove our “kingdoms” as well!
  • Mar 27, 2016Week 13- Redemption, Resurrection, and Ruth
    Mar 27, 2016
    Week 13- Redemption, Resurrection, and Ruth
    Ruth is one of the most beloved stories in the Old Testament. It is a love story about overcoming great pain and odds, selflessness, redemption, and giving all for someone else. Not only does Jesus come from the lineage of Boaz and Ruth; but His gospel is also front and center!
  • Mar 20, 2016Week 12- Palm Sunday (Special)
    Mar 20, 2016
    Week 12- Palm Sunday (Special)
     
  • Mar 13, 2016Week 11- Every Christian’s Fight (Joshua 1:5-6)
    Mar 13, 2016
    Week 11- Every Christian’s Fight (Joshua 1:5-6)

    Joshua 1:5-6 says, "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them."
    The Old Testament contains a great many foreshadows of the New Testament and this scripture is no exception. God speaks directly to Joshua and tells him that he is one to lead the Children of Israel into the promise land. It was going to be a battle to take this land God gave them but God makes a great promise to him that He will never forsake them as they go into battle.

    As Christians each of us fight a battle everyday. We are fighting a spiritual battle on three fronts: Our Flesh, the World, and Satan himself. We are going to look a the Christian battle on all three fronts and come away encouraged that truly God has already given us the victory in a battle where the outcome has never been in doubt.
  • Mar 6, 2016Week 10- Jesus is Promised! (Deuteronomy 18:14-19)
    Mar 6, 2016
    Week 10- Jesus is Promised! (Deuteronomy 18:14-19)
    The coming of Jesus is foretold that He will be a “prophet like Moses among the people.” We can learn much about Jesus by seeing Moses’ relationship to the people he delivered from slavery. Jesus is our mediator; Jesus rescues; He performs miracles; He leads people and intercedes for them; He models a close relationship with the Father; He is the author of grace, just as Moses was God’s author of the Law; and Jesus speaks the very words of God, words we must listen to.
  • Feb 28, 2016Week 9- That’s Not Fair! (Num 27; Deut 3)
    Feb 28, 2016
    Week 9- That’s Not Fair! (Num 27; Deut 3)
    Moses was highly favored by God; he was privileged to speak to God face to face, as a friend. This same man that God used mightily to rescue His people from slavery, bringing them into their inheritance in the Promised Land was not allowed to enter himself. Instead, God took Moses onto a high mountain and told him to look at the land in all directions from afar because he would not be permitted to go there himself. If anyone could scream, “That’s not fair!” surely Moses could. We will examine why God dealt this terrible blow to Moses and what we can learn for ourselves from it.
  • Feb 21, 2016Don’t Love the World
    Feb 21, 2016
    Don’t Love the World
  • Feb 14, 2016Week 7- Pursuing Holiness (Lev 19:1-2)
    Feb 14, 2016
    Week 7- Pursuing Holiness (Lev 19:1-2)
    The Bible talks much about a Holy God desiring, excuse me, demanding a holy people. What does it mean to be holy? Where does holiness come from and how can we pursue it? Can we even obtain holiness in this life? That’s a lot of questions to be sure; questions that need to be answered for we must long to be holy.
  • Feb 7, 2016Week 6- Fasting and Today’s Christian (Leviticus 16)
    Feb 7, 2016
    Week 6- Fasting and Today’s Christian (Leviticus 16)
    In Leviticus 23 we read about the annual set of Holy Days they were to keep.  Each of these Holy Days had a specific meaning given to it and all were meant to remind the Children of Israel who they were as a holy nation and to also remind them of their relationship with God.  One of those Holy Days was called the Day of Atonement when they were told to 'deny themselves' for a 24 hour period.  In Leviticus 16 the entire chapter is dedicated to how this day was to be observed and, as in Lev 23 there is a clear command to fast.  What is the role of fasting for the Christian today?  In this message we will discuss the spiritual discipline of fasting and how we are called to use this discipline to draw closer to God.
  • Jan 31, 2016Week 5- I Must Have HIS Presence (Exodus 33)
    Jan 31, 2016
    Week 5- I Must Have HIS Presence (Exodus 33)
    God tells Moses to take His people to the Promised Land but that He himself would not go because they are a stiff-necked people. They had taken His presence for granted. It says when the people heard this news they began to mourn. Moses begged God to go with them and said, “If your Presence does not go with us then do not send us up from here.” God’s presence in our life is vital! We will examine just how important it is. We shouldn’t budge an inch on our own.
  • Jan 24, 2016Week 4- Excuses, Excuses, Excuses! (Exodus 3-4)
    Jan 24, 2016
    Week 4- Excuses, Excuses, Excuses! (Exodus 3-4)
    God calls Moses in a very dramatic way to do what appears to be the impossible. Moses uses every excuse he can think of to get out of his calling: “What if they don’t believe me or listen?” “I’ve never been eloquent,” and “I am slow of speech.”  Finally, Moses exclaims, “O Lord, please send someone else to do it.” Can you relate? I think we all can. When God tells us to do something we encounter fear, not the least of which includes the fear of man. How can we navigate through that?
  • Jan 17, 2016Week 3- Wrestling With God (Gen 32)
    Jan 17, 2016
    Week 3- Wrestling With God (Gen 32)
    In Genesis 32 we read an amazing account of Jacob engaging in a struggle with a man who was identified generally as God.  Whether it was an angel or our Lord manifesting himself as a man we know this person to be a representative of God.  This struggle is interesting because it was indeed a physical encounter that lasted all night and although the initial cause for the struggle is not clear it is apparent that God was pleased with Jacob due to his tenacity and refusal to give up until his hip was supernaturally dislocated.  Is this an example we as Christians today should follow?  Should we 'struggle with God' and if so what does that look like?  In this message we will examine scripture regarding the concept of struggling with God and how and why it is not only something God expects but desires.
  • Jan 10, 2016Week 2- What Can I Learn about Being Missional? (Gen 12-25)
    Jan 10, 2016
    Week 2- What Can I Learn about Being Missional? (Gen 12-25)
    We can learn a lot from Abraham’s journey of faith. He is told to leave his home and just go. The Lord would tell him where once He was ready. He receives the promise of many descendants and a form of the first gospel. Abraham believed the Lord and it was credited it to him as righteousness. He becomes the father of Isaac just as promised but is then tested by God to give his son, his inheritance up. What really matters most to us? Will we obey God?
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