Rediscover Christmas
The Christmas story is filled with ordinary people who followed an extraordinary God. God works in ways that often don’t add up, but He always comes through and is always faithful. How do we respond when we feel the tension between what God says and what makes sense? Do we trust? Run? Do our own thing? During this series, we’ll meet six people in the Christmas story and see how they handled this tension.
The Man Who Didn’t Have Room for Christmas
The question has been asked many times: why was there no room in the inn? Surely if the innkeeper knew what was happening, he would have done whatever it took to make room for Jesus. But no room was made. The sad truth is that while the innkeeper (and us) had no room for the Christ-child, Jesus was making room for us (Biblical text: Luke 2:1-7).
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- Dec 18, 2022The Man Who Didn’t Have Room for Christmas
The Man Who Didn’t Have Room for ChristmasThe question has been asked many times: why was there no room in the inn? Surely if the innkeeper knew what was happening, he would have done whatever it took to make room for Jesus. But no room was made. The sad truth is that while the innkeeper (and us) had no room for the Christ-child, Jesus was making room for us (Biblical text: Luke 2:1-7).
- Dec 11, 2022The Man Who Saved Christmas
The Man Who Saved Christmas
Life can sometimes put us in that hard place between what God has said and what makes sense. Have you ever been there? Joseph had been there, but every time we read about Joseph, there’s one practice that we find him doing again and again: he’s obeying God. Joseph had his questions, but he did what God said anyway. Joseph didn’t know everything, but he obeyed everything he knew. (Biblical Text: Matthew 1:18-25)
- Dec 4, 2022The Man Who Tried to Kill Christmas
The Man Who Tried to Kill ChristmasThere was once a man who hated Christmas even more than the Grinch and Scrooge combined. In fact, he tried to kill Christmas. It's a bizarre story that doesn't sound right in the midst of the Christmas carols, bright lights, candy, and presents. But the story is still there. Only he's not a fictional character. He's real; he hated Christmas, and he’s never even heard the word before. History calls him Herod the Great, and this sermon will explore his life and impact on Christmas
- Nov 27, 2022The Man Who Predicted Christmas
The Man Who Predicted ChristmasThis advent season at Parkgate, we’re inviting you to rediscover Christmas by revisiting several passages of Scripture we often hear this time of year but finding fresh truths in them by looking at them from a slightly different perspective. Today, we’ll be looking at the man who predicted Christmas, the prophet Isaiah, and one of his most famous prophecies about the coming Messiah. Through Isaiah's words, we'll discover four questions we can ask to help prepare our hearts for Christmas.
Be the Church
Rediscover what church is all about
The Church is far more than a building with a sign out front that says “church.” There are elements that make up a Biblical church; if those elements are taken away, you may have a building but cease to have a church. During this series, we will explore what some of those essential ingredients are.
The Church That Cares
True religion does for others what they cannot do for you. A worthwhile faith makes a difference in the lives of people who cannot pay you back, and that’s ok because it is God who blesses and God who sees, and God who is honored by your sacrifice. When James wrote this letter, widows had no life insurance policies. There were no government-run programs to provide for them. The church was to step in and help.
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- Nov 20, 2022The Church That Cares
The Church That CaresTrue religion does for others what they cannot do for you. A worthwhile faith makes a difference in the lives of people who cannot pay you back, and that’s ok because it is God who blesses and God who sees, and God who is honored by your sacrifice. When James wrote this letter, widows had no life insurance policies. There were no government-run programs to provide for them. The church was to step in and help.
- Nov 13, 2022The Church That’s Devoted
The Church That’s DevotedWe often measure our health by looking at our physicality. We focus on things like weight, exercise, blood pressure, and sleep habits, all the while ignoring emotional and spiritual health. In today’s message, Pastor Kenneth and Pastor Kenny explore the four markers of a spiritually healthy church.
- Nov 6, 2022The Church That Perseveres
The Church That Perseveres
In many parts of the world, persecution is a somewhat normal experience of the Christian faith. If you come to faith in Christ, you know that persecution will also come. A.W. Tozer once wrote, "To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men." Following Jesus comes with a cost. Are you willing to pay that cost?
- Oct 30, 2022The Church That Goes
The Church That Goes
After Jesus’ death and world-changing resurrection, Jesus told His followers to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Holy Spirit. This newly formed church had a mission, a purpose, had things to do, but before they could do it, they needed the power of the Holy Spirit. This first chapter in the book of Acts reminds us to think globally and act locally. That’s what Faith Promise is all about. Will we be a church that goes or a church that stays?
- Oct 23, 2022The Church That Loves
The Church That LovesTim Kizziar wrote, "Our greatest fear as individuals and as a church should not be of failure but of succeeding at things in life that don't really matter." Love matters, and if love is not what we are about, then we're not acting like Christ's church. In this message, Pastor Kenneth will share how those who are loved love. People who receive the love of Christ extend the love of Christ.
- Oct 16, 2022The Church That Runs
The Church That Runs
The Christian life is a race and the author of Hebrews tells us what to do to finish the race well. He gives us three encouragements to keep going, which are easy to spot because they begin with the words "let us." In this sermon, Pastor Kenneth will unpack what it means to run the race well.
- Oct 9, 2022The Church That Serves
The Church That ServesPhilippians 2:1-11 is an amazing passage of scripture. Many consider it to be an early hymn or creed of the early church, maybe something that was sung or read together. It shows us the humility of Christ, the crucifixion of Christ, and the exultation of Christ, all in a few sentences. If Jesus did this for us, what are we to do for others?
- Oct 2, 2022The Church That Surrenders
The Church That SurrendersIf someone were to ask us, "Who is the Lord of Parkgate?" most of us would emphatically respond, "Jesus!" The trouble is, we know the answer should be Jesus in our heads - but we have trouble fully embracing the lordship of Christ in our hearts. Listen as Pastor Chelsea shares what it looks like to be the church by surrendering to the lordship of Jesus.
Rediscover … The Art of Neighboring
Jesus told us to love our neighbors, and that includes anyone in need. Christian love should include everyone, everywhere, but at a basic level, it also includes our physical neighbors. This series will help us be more intentional about blessing our neighbors and pointing them to the good news of Jesus. What kind of neighbor will you be?
Neighboring Has An Open Door
How you see your neighbors will affect how you treat your neighbors. Neighbors can be difficult, but God places us among our neighbors for a reason, to point them to Him. In this message, Pastor Kenneth challenges us to see and treat people as Jesus saw and treated them.
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- Sep 25, 2022Neighboring Has An Open Door
Neighboring Has An Open DoorHow you see your neighbors will affect how you treat your neighbors. Neighbors can be difficult, but God places us among our neighbors for a reason, to point them to Him. In this message, Pastor Kenneth challenges us to see and treat people as Jesus saw and treated them.
- Sep 18, 2022Be Mission-Minded
Be Mission-MindedListen as Texas State Minister Efrain Cirilo shares how our God is a missionary God and, because of it, we are all missionaries.
- Sep 11, 2022Who Has Time for That
Who Has Time for That
You cannot be a good neighbor on a diet of constant activity. We need regular times and seasons of slowing down to sit at Jesus' feet. Even Jesus Himself left the busyness of life to be with His heavenly Father. Busyness can distract us from what's really important. In this message, we'll learn how to slow down and do what God wants us to do.
- Sep 4, 2022I Don’t Know and I Don’t Care
I Don’t Know and I Don’t Care
Christianity isn’t just about knowing things. Many of us have been taught a paradigm that suggests the more we know, the more spiritual or mature we are. Knowledge is undoubtedly important, but it’s not enough. We have to act on it; we must do something with it. John Maxwell said, “Most Christian are educated way beyond their level of obedience.” We don’t need more knowledge; we need more obedience.
Rediscover … What’s Next
In this series on the book of Joshua, we will look at those experiences in life that, if not dealt with, can end up causing us to miss what God has for us. God wants to work in and through us to accomplish His Kingdom purposes in this world. The question is, will we trust Him and go when He tells us to go, or will we let something get in the way?
Following God Through Questions
Many of our problems regarding the destruction of the Canaanites come from the fact that God hates sin, but we do not. We don’t take the depth and cost of sin seriously. We don’t appreciate how sin destroys and kills. Sin is responsible for doing the most horrific act in history anyone can do; it separates us from God. Anything that separates us from God is a massive problem. We often view sin much differently than God does.
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- Aug 28, 2022Following God Through Questions
Following God Through Questions
Many of our problems regarding the destruction of the Canaanites come from the fact that God hates sin, but we do not. We don’t take the depth and cost of sin seriously. We don’t appreciate how sin destroys and kills. Sin is responsible for doing the most horrific act in history anyone can do; it separates us from God. Anything that separates us from God is a massive problem. We often view sin much differently than God does.
- Aug 21, 2022Following God Through Choices
Following God Through Choices
A good speech has a way of motivating and galvanizing people to a cause. This morning we're skipping ahead to the end of Joshua's story to hear his final speech to Israel, and his challenge is this: God has been faithful to you; will you be faithful to him?
- Aug 14, 2022Following God Through the Impossible
Following God Through the ImpossibleWe can be courageous in obedience because the outcome relies on God—not our own abilities. The point of the story of Jericho and other stories like it is that God wants us to trust Him and not our own cleverness or resources.
- Aug 7, 2022Following God Through Uncertainty
Following God Through UncertaintyFaith is taking the first step before God reveals the second step. We want God to give us the big picture, but most of the time, He gives us just enough insight or light to take the next step. Why? Because He wants us to trust Him. In this message, we’ll tackle following God through times of uncertainty.
- Jul 31, 2022Following God Through a Questionable Past
Following God Through a Questionable PastWe may not always like change, but here's something to consider: "It is impossible to change the future without disturbing the present." If Rahab's future was going to be different, then God was about to mess with her present. And the same is true for you and me.
- Jul 24, 2022Following God through Fear
Following God through FearBeing fearful is not entirely a bad thing. Many fears are hardwired into us as survival tools. The fear of failing or of loud noises helps us protect ourselves. However, fear can be very bad when it begins to define and control you. In this sermon, we will look at those experiences in life that, if not dealt with, can end up causing us to miss what God has for us.
- Jul 17, 2022There Were Others
There Were OthersSuccess in God’s Kingdom is faithfulness to what He has called you to do. Those in Hebrews 11 were commended for their faith because they were faithful to the end. They were successful because they did what God asked them to do.
Rediscover … The Summer Road Trip
Rome: The Gospel
We are a gospel-centered...
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- Jul 10, 2022Rome: The Gospel
Rome: The GospelWe are a gospel-centered...
- Jun 26, 2022Ephesus: Forsaken Love
Ephesus: Forsaken LoveLove is the "Why?"
- Jun 19, 2022Nineveh: An Unlikely Revival
Nineveh: An Unlikely RevivalSpiritual awakening is the only thing to save us.
- Jun 12, 2022The Heart of Justice
The Heart of JusticeWe need to move from just-us to justice.
- Jun 5, 2022Haran: The Place of Decision
Haran: The Place of DecisionEveryone loves a fun family road trip — and in the USA, there are so many great places to visit. This week, our church family is going to take a Biblical “road trip” to the fascinating location of ancient Ur and Haran. We will discover the patriarch Abram and learn about his world-shaping decision. We’ll also get a picture of how we can make good decisions, too.
Rediscover … Strength in the Storms of Life
The Debt Disaster
Times are tough. It seems like everything that should be up is down (think stock market) and everything that should be down is up (think crime). Not only is this phenomenon true for fuel prices and food shortages, but it's also true about our money. In this lesson, we mine the treasures of Solomonic wisdom on money and learn how to live a life without adding the debt disaster to it.
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- May 29, 2022The Debt Disaster
The Debt DisasterTimes are tough. It seems like everything that should be up is down (think stock market) and everything that should be down is up (think crime). Not only is this phenomenon true for fuel prices and food shortages, but it's also true about our money. In this lesson, we mine the treasures of Solomonic wisdom on money and learn how to live a life without adding the debt disaster to it.
- May 22, 2022Who Do You Say I Am
Who Do You Say I AmMatthew is the only Gospel that mentions the word church, and it comes from the Greek word ekklesia. An ekklesia refers to an assembly of people, in this case, an assembly of Christ-followers. Here are some things the text reveals that may help us answer the question, what does God want Parkgate’s next chapter to look like: 1. The church is a community of people who know Jesus intimately 2. The church is a community of people who proclaim Jesus confidently 3. The church is a community of people who obey Jesus sacrificially
- May 15, 2022Dealing with Disease
Dealing with DiseaseOne of the most common storms people face is disease. In the lesson this week, we learn how one person has faced disease with faith, and how you can do so as well.
- May 8, 2022Dealing with Discouragement
Dealing with DiscouragementJohn W. Stott said a Christian's two chief occupational hazards are depression and discouragement. Last week we learned how depression impacts the believer and how to better cope with its impact on our lives. This week, we discuss discouragement and to effectively deal with this fiery dart of the enemy. It’s also Mother’s Day and every mom will receive a gift that will have a big impact on their ministry as a mom. Join us for a special time with the Lord and each other.
- May 1, 2022Dealing with Depression
Dealing with DepressionThe Scriptures are an amazing resource to not only help believers enjoy a rich spiritual life, but to also help them navigate all the circumstances of life. This week, we will explore a challenge facing millions of people around the world—depression. We’ll see how one Biblical character dealt with the topic, and we’ll also learn some helpful ways to serve others. It’s all a part of the new series for May entitled, “Strengths in the Storms of Life."
Rediscover … The Sacred Romance
From the very beginning, we have been called to a journey of the heart. It’s a powerful quest of intimacy, beauty, and adventure. But it’s not all roses and chocolate. The enemy outside of us — and the enemy inside of us — seeks to steal the powerful story of our heart. Our hero whose name is Jesus comes to save us, restore us, and use us to share the Sacred Romance with others. In this Lenten series, we’ll learn how Sacred Romance calls us to our greatest love and most noble achievements. Join us each Sunday through Easter for the series, the Sacred Romance.
Our Repurposed Heart
The sacred romance is the epic story of God’s all-consuming love for us. It’s the holy story of our adventure as God repurposes our lives for his glory. Ultimately, it’s the story of our heart. And Easter is the pivotal point of the story.
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- Apr 17, 2022Our Repurposed Heart
Our Repurposed HeartThe sacred romance is the epic story of God’s all-consuming love for us. It’s the holy story of our adventure as God repurposes our lives for his glory. Ultimately, it’s the story of our heart. And Easter is the pivotal point of the story.
- Apr 10, 2022God’s Broken Heart
God’s Broken HeartWhen we think of Palm Sunday, we often picture a parade of happy children waving palm branches, shouts of hosanna, and Jesus riding on a donkey. While this imagery certainly isn't incorrect, it doesn't give us the full picture of the depth and heartbreak that accompany this story. Ultimately, this passage points us back to the truth that our rebellion breaks God's heart - but there is hope.
- Apr 3, 2022Hurting Hearts
Hurting HeartsPsalm 91 does two things for us: it encourages with grand statements revealing the glory and beauty of God Almighty, while at same time, confronting the afflictions we face in this life. In this message, we’ll learn how the sacred romance can be disrupted by pain but we’ll also see how we can have victory over it. Don’t miss our worshipping together.
- Mar 27, 2022Wayward Hearts
Wayward HeartsIt’s easy to get off track in life and in the process, derail our efforts at living the Sacred Romance. King David understood this all too personally. In this week’s message, we’ll explore the path of the wayward heart and learn how to bring it home once again.
- Mar 20, 2022The Mystery of the Heart
The Mystery of the HeartGuarding the heart is everything, said Solomon. But how do we guard our hearts when the mysteries of life overwhelm us? How do we make sense of the chaos in the world? For this answer, we return to the words of the Wise Teacher in Ecclesiastes for some deeper insight into the human condition. Join us as we seek to unravel the mystery.
- Mar 13, 2022The Lost Heart
The Lost HeartThe Sacred Romance, that divine relationship between God and humanity, was lost. How was it lost, and how can it be restored? Listen to this message by Pastor Tim to find out.
- Mar 6, 2022The Story of the Heart
The Story of the HeartJesus is calling each of us to a Sacred Romance with him. But living this Romance isn’t easy. Sometimes our heart gets in the way of what is best for us and even deprive us of our very best life. In this message, we’ll begin to learn how God made our hearts, and us, to live with him and others. Let’s share the story together in this adventure filled journey of Biblical self-discovery.
Rediscover … Heaven
In the month of February, Parkgate Community Church launches a new sermon series entitled Rediscover … Heaven. People have lots of ideas about what heaven is, and isn’t, and in this months sermon series, we’ll explore the truth of Scripture on this topic.
The Reign of Heaven
As we finish this series, Rediscover Heaven, two questions are asked. One, how do things end, for both us and our world? Two, how does Christ reign in this world while there is still so much evil happening? Join us as we finish this series on how we all finish life..
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- Feb 27, 2022The Reign of Heaven
The Reign of HeavenAs we finish this series, Rediscover Heaven, two questions are asked. One, how do things end, for both us and our world? Two, how does Christ reign in this world while there is still so much evil happening? Join us as we finish this series on how we all finish life..
- Feb 13, 2022Relationships in Heaven
Relationships in HeavenPeople are naturally curious about life beyond the grave. We are especially interested in the nature of our relationships in heaven. Will we know our spouses and our children? If so, what will this look like? This week, we’ll take an in-depth look at the Scriptures to learn more about relationships in heaven.
- Feb 6, 2022The Reality of Heaven
The Reality of HeavenIs heaven real? If it is, what does it look like? Where is it? What does it mean for me right now? In this first message of the new series, we’ll learn more about this place, and more importantly, how life in heaven gives purpose to life on earth.
Rediscover … Change
All growth in life happens as a result of change. But not all change is helpful to becoming the person God wants us to be. In this series, we will examine the kinds of strategic changes it will take for us to live at our very best. Join us as we rediscover change.
Change Your Graze
Imagine what listening to the words of Jesus could do for our lives. Imagine also how each one of us might be changed by his words, even just his presence. This Sunday, we’re going to rediscover what life look could be like if we did what this biblical character did. Come and see for yourself.
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- Jan 30, 2022Change Your Graze
Change Your GrazeImagine what listening to the words of Jesus could do for our lives. Imagine also how each one of us might be changed by his words, even just his presence. This Sunday, we’re going to rediscover what life look could be like if we did what this biblical character did. Come and see for yourself.
- Jan 23, 2022Change Your Generosity
Change Your GenerosityWe need the Rediscover series because, as Pastor Tim says, we are good “forgetters.” Drawing from both Old Testament and New Testament passages, we’ll rediscover the grace of generous giving. Bring your Bible and join us for a powerful time of worship.
- Jan 16, 2022Change Your Gaze
Change Your GazeThings are not always as they seem — and this is never more true than with people. In today’s message, we’ll look at a powerful parable Jesus told about the necessity to really see people. By changing our gaze on people, we can improve our walk with Jesus, and in the process, elevate the deeper values of the kingdom of God.
- Jan 9, 2022Rediscover Change
Rediscover ChangeA scary story. A frightening possibility. An amazing God. These are the threads for the message this Sunday. We invite you to join us to learn more about how properly measuring your life can lead you to a better life.
- Jan 2, 2022Rediscover Your Roots
Rediscover Your RootsJust as the condition of a tree's roots directly impacts the condition of the tree, the condition of our faith directly impacts the condition of our lives.