Starting Over - Part 3

Have you ever felt stuck in a loop? You know that you need to change, and you want to do it. But like clockwork, you fall to the same temptations, bad habits, and sins, and the cycle repeats. Sometimes, the only answer is to start over. That's what Peter does in Luke 5:1-11.

If you don't commit to starting over, then you commit to staying stuck. You may have been victimized by other people's choices, or you may have repeatedly victimized yourself with your own recurrent choices. Regardless, if you don't commit to starting over, then you commit to staying stuck. At some point, staying stuck is an act of your own free will.

In part three of this series, we discuss how starting over requires that we cross over.

Starting Over - Part 2

Have you ever felt stuck in a loop? You know that you need to change, and you want to do it. But like clockwork, you fall to the same temptations, bad habits, and sins, and the cycle repeats. Sometimes, the only answer is to start over. That's what Peter does in Luke 5:1-11.

If you don't commit to starting over, then you commit to staying stuck. You may have been victimized by other people's choices, or you may have repeatedly victimized yourself with your own recurrent choices. Regardless, if you don't commit to starting over, then you commit to staying stuck. At some point, staying stuck is an act of your own free will.

In part two of this series, we acknowledge that starting over might require help.

Starting Over - Part 1

Have you ever felt stuck in a loop? You know that you need to change, and you want to do it. But like clockwork, you fall to the same temptations, bad habits, and sins, and the cycle repeats. Sometimes, the only answer is to start over. That's what Peter does in Luke 5:1-11.

If you don't commit to starting over, then you commit to staying stuck. You may have been victimized by other people's choices, or you may have repeatedly victimized yourself with your own recurrent choices. Regardless, if you don't commit to starting over, then you commit to staying stuck. At some point, staying stuck is an act of your own free will.

In this new series, we examine Jesus’ call for us to leave everything and follow Him.

Invisible Man - Part 2

In Psalms 77:7-9, the writer cries out in anguish at God's apparent silence, "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love ceased forever? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"

It is easy to feel invisible when we are suffering. Does God notice? Does He care? If so, why am I suffering? This week, we continue exploring what we need to know during invisible times.

Jesus Resurrected

The empty tomb is the beginning of our faith. Without it, Jesus was simply a good man, executed for crimes he did not commit. With it, there can be no other name above His name. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ the Messiah, has risen from the dead and proclaims to us, "Because I live, you also will live!" In this lesson, we discuss what our lives should look like in light of Jesus' resurrection.

Invisible Man - Part 1

In Psalms 77:7-9, the writer cries out in anguish at God's apparent silence, "Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? 8 Has his steadfast love ceased forever? Are his promises at an end for all time? 9 Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?"

It is easy to feel invisible when we are suffering. Does God notice? Does He care? If so, why am I suffering? This new sermon series explores what we need to know during invisible times.

Give thanks in all circumstances

We are commanded in 1 Thessalonians 5:18 to "give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

But it can be challenging.

What can fuel my thanksgiving when my life is out of gas? What can help me stay thankful when I feel like my life is waiting for a tow truck that never arrives?

In this sermon, we explore how to stay thankful in the midst of trials.

Edifying the church (with visitors present)

When visitors walk into your church, you must make them feel welcome. But far too often, we fall into routines. We sit in our usual place. We greet our familiar brethren. Yet, we neglect this critical duty to make newcomers feel welcome. In this lesson, we review the importance of edifying the church with visitors present.

The Greatest Show on Earth - Part 3

The world wants to see authentic people who believe in a real God (and really, really believe it). But instead, they often see people who go to church on Sunday morning but don't look any different on Monday morning.

In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses the problems with almsgiving, prayer, and fasting for the sake of human attention. This week, we continue discussing the importance of pursuing righteousness for the right reasons.

The Greatest Show on Earth - Part 2

The world wants to see authentic people who believe in a real God (and really, really believe it). But instead, they often see people who go to church on Sunday morning but don't look any different on Monday morning.

In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses the problems with almsgiving, prayer, and fasting for the sake of human attention. This week, we continue discussing the importance of pursuing righteousness for the right reasons.

The One Thing

Too many people try to do more than one thing at a time. Yet, Time Magazine reports that, “The neuroscience is clear: We are wired to be mono-taskers. One study found that just 2.5% of people are able to multitask effectively. And when the rest of us attempt to do two complex activities simultaneously, it is simply an illusion." As Publilius Syrus wrote, “To do two things at once is to do neither”.

In Mark 12: 28-34, Jesus was asked about His one thing. This week's lesson dives into The Greatest Commandment and encourages us to ensure that God is truly our one thing, our primary focus, and our greatest love.

The Greatest Show on Earth - Part 1

The world wants to see authentic people who believe in a real God (and really, really believe it). But instead, they often see people who go to church on Sunday morning but don't look any different on Monday morning.

In Matthew 6, Jesus addresses the problems with almsgiving, prayer, and fasting for the sake of human attention. This new series discusses the importance of pursuing righteousness for the right reasons.

Loving mean people (and meaning it) - Part 2

In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus commands you to "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven."

But this isn't easy. In fact, it's unnatural.

This week, we continue discussing the importance of loving our enemies.

Loving mean people (and meaning it) - Part 1

In Matthew 5:44-45, Jesus commands you to “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven."

But this isn't easy. In fact, it's unnatural.

In this new series, we discuss the importance of loving our enemies.

Right Responses to Wrongs - Part 3

In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus says, “38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.” In this lesson, we continue discussing the deeper meaning behind these instructions to uncover how Jesus calls us to respond to our enemies.

What’s So Great About The American Dream?

We are very blessed to have a comfortable life in the United States. But as Christians, we should always be focused on our end goal. So is our end goal as Christians 2.5 kids, a white picket fence, and a comfortable existence?

Aren't we called to something greater than comfort? Aren't we called to something greater than a 401K, stock options, a career, a big family, and a financial legacy? Is that really our goal?

This morning we focus on just one of Jesus' disciples. He was a fisherman invited to work in a global enterprise. His name was Simon, son of John, and Jesus called him Peter. The gospel is quite clear... Jesus calls us to more than the American dream.