Counterculture
Does being a Christian make any difference? It should. Christians should be different . . . Counterculture because of Jesus. The values of Jesus are vastly different than the values of this world and as a result, Christians live differently because of Jesus’ values.
That’s what this series is all about . . . looking at the counter-cultural way that Christians live.
Legalism and License
The Gospel is the good news of what Jesus HAS DONE to solve our problem of
sin and separation from God. There is nothing that WE DO. We only accept it
by grace, through faith and live with joy and gratitude for what we have
received.
sin and separation from God. There is nothing that WE DO. We only accept it
by grace, through faith and live with joy and gratitude for what we have
received.
But for some reason, we have warped this wonderful news with our own versions of legalism or license. This series addresses those errors head on and points us back to the truth we need.
What If God…
WHAT IF GOD . . . really used me to reach others . . . really rose in my life . . . really changed me . . . really spoke to me . . . really used me to serve others . . . really meant what he said?
I imagine we would be compelled to build lives that go deeper and higher and wider into Christ and live to make much of him. The results would be explosive for us and the ripple effects would go well beyond us.
That’s just what this series is all about!
VISION: Building Something that Lasts
Jesus made our mission clear: make disciples. He gave us the Great Commandment to inspire the mission: love God and love your neighbor.
In that spirit, here is the heartbeat of our church: As Jesus gave His life for us, we give our lives for others in our community and world.
That means we love God.
It means we love people.
And it means we love now.
Endurance
Everyone is running a spiritual race. Some are conscious of that race while
others are not.
The race we run can be a joy or a burden. It can build us up or tear us down. We can know where we are going or be totally lost.
We can finish the race or die on the side of the road. So it matters how we
run. And many of us aren’t running well. That’s why we need a better way
to run!
Go Ahead, Ask Me Anything
We all have questions. In this sermon series, Pastor Jim addresses questions from the congregation. Question topics include
> STAYING FAITHFUL IN HARD TIMES
This one centers on issues related to stress, suffering, spiritual doubts, etc.
> EMOTIONAL REACTIONS TO LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES
This one centers around our reactions and responses to all kinds of situations and relationships.
> HOW DO I REACH…?
This one is about helping you to feel more equipped to share the Gospel or point different people in your life to Jesus.
On the fourth week we will spend time answering questions NOT related to those three subjects.
Because of Christmas . . .
It’s easy to overemphasize the wonder of Christmas or miss it’s importance completely. Christians do both all the time.
In this series we are going to avoid those pitfalls and see that because of Christmas . . . there is Incarnation, there is Easter, there is the Church, there is Pentecost and there is Eternal Life!
Relational Rehab
We don’t have to look very far to find broken relationships in and around us. People hurt us. Fights gets so viscous that people don’t speak anymore. If you have different opinions than some people they won’t talk to you. Some use manipulation or guilt to get their way. And let’s not forget that person who you always have to walk on eggshells with. It’s exhausting!
But God’s Word offers us hope and answers to make it through these situations so we can live confident and at peace with Him. In this new series – Relationship Rehab – you will find answers for how to get healthy again . . . or for the first time!
gods at War
There may not be wooden or golden idols in your home but there may be significant idols in your heart. These idols can look like normal, everyday concerns about security, financial stability, desire for attention or affection, but can easily become the ugly reality of anxiety, greed, and seeking approval of man, rather than God.
This sermon series addresses the issue of idolatry in the lives of believers by determining which false gods are striving to sit on the throne of your heart. Whether they are the idols of money, love, success, food or romance, you can discover the freedom that awaits you when you allow the true God to reside unchallenged in your heart and life
#selfie
Our culture says that focusing on yourself is natural. It says that fulfillment is found in more and more self-affirmation, self-assertion and self-esteem.
The only problem is that it doesn’t work.
Christianity always goes against the cultural grain. It says that the only way to really find fulfillment is by losing yourself in God and loving others in His name.
That is the best way to DIE and the best way to LIVE.
The S Word
The S WORD is everywhere! It’s in our fashion, advertising, media, entertainment and much, much more. People wonder about how to do it, when to do it and who to do it with.
We discuss and debate it on talk shows, in classrooms, bedrooms, therapists offices and even in the Supreme Court. Opinions about it shift from generation to generation and across many different demographics.
But what does the Creator have to say about it? If you haven’t guessed it yet, the S WORD is SEX and its time we get crystal clear on what God says about the wonderful gift of sex that He created.
That’s what this series is all about . . .
From This Side of the Cross
As Christians, we have been redeemed and transformed by the cross of Christ. But how SHOULD we live now? What SHOULD mark our lives as Christ-followers? In this series, we explore four truths that will help us grow in our relationship with God and characterize us a Christians.
1. Growing to know God – Gospel
2. Growing personally – Rhythms
2. Growing personally – Rhythms
3. Growing with friends – Community
4. Growing to serve – Mission
- Mar 27, 2016The Risen One Must Be First
- Mar 20, 2016I Am Second in Every Context
- Mar 13, 2016I Am Second in Humility
- Mar 6, 2016I Am Second in Surrender
- Feb 28, 2016I Am Second in Every Racial Divide
- Feb 21, 2016I Am Second When it Comes to Money
- Feb 14, 2016I Am Second in My Marriage
- Feb 7, 2016I Am Second in Trying Times
I Am Second
There is a lot of competition in our world for the top spot. Everyone wants to be number one, head of the class, first in line, top priority . . . the list goes on and on.
If we don’t get it we aren’t happy and even resent others that seem to have what we don’t. Yet even if we do get to the top, we find out that it’s only an empty illusion. The answer to our deepest longings and greatest hopes isn’t found in being first. It’s found in being second, in denying ourselves and decreasing so that Jesus can increase.
When we are second and Jesus is first we finally find what our heart was always longing for, our greatest hope and the gift of present peace and eternal joy.
It’s all found in the secret of being second . . .
- Nov 23, 2014People of Peace
- Nov 16, 2014Pure in Heart
- Nov 9, 2014Persecuted for Righteousness Sake
- Nov 2, 2014Mercy from the Source Out
- Oct 26, 2014Satisfying Our Hunger and Thirst
- Oct 19, 2014The Upside Down Reality of Meekness
- Oct 12, 2014The Comfort We Need
- Oct 5, 2014The Source of True Spiritual Wealth
- Apr 20, 2014No More Half Measures
- Apr 13, 2014God’s Plan for Spiritual Health
- Apr 6, 2014Keep Going
- Mar 30, 2014Making Amends
- Mar 23, 2014Foundations of Healing
- Mar 16, 2014Asking God to Change Me
- Mar 9, 2014Ready for a Change
- Mar 2, 2014Coming Clean
- Feb 23, 2014Entering into Honesty
- Feb 16, 2014Coming Home


