Ephesians (Week 10) In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Paul depicts what it looks like for the church to be mature, theologically driven, and relationally healthy. For many of us, we put so much of our focus on the individual pursuit of God, but what if we together as a church became more like what Christ intended? Are we on a trajectory that is becoming more like an Ephesians 4 church? (Ephesians 4:11-16)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 9) The first word of chapter four is, "therefore." Paul uses this word to distinguish a pivotal moment in his letter to the Ephesians to call the Church forward. He calls us to live a life worthy of our calling. (Ephesians 4:1-6)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 8) At the end of Paul's prayer in Ephesians, he attempts to describe the indescribability of God's power at work within us. Do we believe that God is as powerful as He says He is in Eph. 3:20-21? And if so, does our life reflect that? We often believe that God can do these things in other areas, but are we asking Him to do more than we can imagine in our life for His glory? (Eph. 3:20-21, Mark 9:17-24)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 7) What is our vision for the church? What is our vision for our personal life? Are we as a church and as people seeking to be self-fulfilled in our church and self-focused in our life? There is a big difference between really liking the things of God and rooting ourselves in the kind of love that knows no bounds. This is the mindset that is the catalyst behind why we love our city, love our neighbors and desire to be a church that is planted in the love of God that knows no bounds. (Eph. 3:14-19)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 6) The life of Paul, (author of Ephesians) is an example of saying YES. The ripple effect and ultimate impact of saying yes to what God calls us to is staggering - he uses our faithfulness beyond our imagination. (Ephesians 3:7-13, Acts 9:1-17, 2 Tim 4:1-9)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 5) The chaos of our world and the divisive realities can feel like a storm crashing in on us. We need to awake and rise as the people of God who can say to the chaos, “peace be still.” With Jesus as our cornerstone, together as united people, we must build a restored humanity. (Ephesians 2:11-22, Mark 4:35-39)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 4) When we fully understand our separation from God and the reality of the depth of our sin, we can then begin to see the magnitude of His love for us. What God has done in our life should lead us to a place of humility and give us a broken heart for the lost around us. (Eph. 2:1-10, Rom. 12:2, James 4:4, Col. 2:12-13)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 3) We can be so focused on what we need to correct in our life and often view God as a "Big-Brother" who is always watching and pointing out our failures. But Paul's words through the Holy Spirit, show us the power of encouraging words and remind us that God loves us, chose us, and is thankful for us. (Eph. 1:15-23)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 2) In the early part of Paul's letter to the Ephesians, he wrote a 220 word doctrinal rant about what God has done for us, and what it means to be blessed. The biblical claim of the gospel is that we live from the blessing, not for the blessing. We remind ourselves of each of these truths and blessings this morning and re-shape the narrative of what it means to be blessed. (Eph. 3:1-14, Jer. 29:11)
Read MoreEphesians (Week 1) In the first week of our series on Ephesians, we examine the history behind the city of Ephesus and their incredible transformation to Christianity. The gospel of Jesus is a story of revolution that flips cities upside down. It has the power to change everything and everyone. We must not shrink the story of Jesus down, but shout it out in the theaters of our influence and life. (Eph 1:1-3, Acts 19:23-41, 20:1)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 8) The idea of God's presence with us should be an awakening moment that spurs us forward to do things that matter. Do we care enough to bring the love and presence of God into the life of everyone around us? We have been given the power to encourage, heal, and strengthen our community around us! There is a story waiting to be told, and it is waiting for you. (Acts 3, Acts 5:14-15, Matt. 10:6-9, 2 Thes. 2)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 7) The problem isn't our desire to do something great... it is our understanding of greatness. The gospel is intended to be lived. The greatest thing we can do is serve like Jesus. Who/How/Where are you serving? (John 13:1-17, Mark 14:22-24)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 6) We are taking a new step into what we are calling our "Global Life" initiative, which looks beyond our city and hopes to do things that matter with other people and places around the world. We're excited to work with the Mission of Hope, Haiti - Ruben Cenea shares about the amazing work MOH is doing and how we can engage.
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 5) Reckless love is an action that is not just about doing good deeds. So many followers of Jesus effort to be good people, but we must also effort to bring the kingdom of God. The people we love, we pray desperately for. Are our prayers for our city and our neighbors desperate enough? (Mark 2:1-12, Job 29:6, Isaiah 52:7)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 4) It is difficult to measure faith. One of the ways we can see evidence of our faith is in the story of our life and what God has done. This morning we hear a powerful story of what God is doing and has done in the life of Jeremy and Brandy Romine and what it takes for each of us to live differently. (2 Cor. 5:17, Phil. 2:12-13, Gal. 5:13-25, Eph. 4:22)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 3) There are moments in life when God allows us to see our world for what it could be, to see a vision or a dream of what could be done to impact those around us. Just as blind Bartimaeus responded when Jesus asked "what do you want me to do for you," we too must ask to for eyes to see the need around us and the courage to do things that matter. (Mark 10:35-52)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 2) We live in a world divided against itself. Many people want to do things that matter in response to the racism, hatred, and division in our culture. Jesus walked in a world riddled with the same problems and showed us a few things that mattered then…and still matter today. (Gal. 3:26-28, Matt. 4:23-25, 5:1-3, 13-16, Luke 9:52-54)
Read MoreDoing Things That Matter (Week 1) In the first week of our staple series on "Doing Things That Matter," we hear the silent beckoning from God calling us to more. This idea is about life and what we are choosing everyday. Are we choosing the path to God or simply allowing life to make the choices for us? Are there stories and evidence of God moving in our lives? It is time to begin living the life we were called to live. (John 10:10, Matthew 17:13-14)
Read MorePsalms (Part 6) As we wrap up our series in Psalms, we read of David's struggle with his understanding and acceptance of God's presence. We want to control everything in our life instead of merely resting in God's presence, remembering that God sees us, God loves us, and God has us. (Psalm 139, Romans 8)
Read MorePsalms (Part 5) This morning we look at the words of David in Psalm 62 and the life of Job. In both situations, we see a pattern of relying completely on the Father and trusting in Him alone. There are moments when we ask God for things, but sometimes we must just be patient, be still, and remember all He has done for us. The powerful words of this Psalm inspire us to pour our hearts out to Him. (Psalm 62)
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