James: A Faith that Matters
We are traveling together on a journey that has the potential to change our lives. A faith that matters is a faith dedicated to Jesus Christ and then lived out for and in the power of Jesus. A faith that is meaningful, fruitful, and impacts not only our lives but the lives of those around us.
We want to not only highlight the importance of faithfulness to God but how to be faithful. During this series, A Faith that Matters, we’ll dive into eleven important topics as we walk through the book of James together.
- Sep 16, 2020Q & A with Pastor Jim (James 1.1-18)
- Sep 13, 2020Faith through Trails and Temptations
Faith through Trails and TemptationsEveryone faces trials and temptations in their life. They come in all shapes and sizes. No one is immune. In our trials, we need to trust God. In our temptations, we need to turn to God.
Things We Don’t Pray For
Every Christian knows that we are commanded by God to pray. Prayer is connecting with the heart of God. He wants our heart and we need His. But if we’re honest, there are things about our prayer life that God commands, but we ignore and neglect. If that changed, how would God change us and how would He change the world around us?
Faith through Trails and Temptations
Everyone faces trials and temptations in their life. They come in all shapes and sizes. No one is immune. In our trials, we need to trust God. In our temptations, we need to turn to God.
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- Sep 13, 2020Faith through Trails and Temptations
Faith through Trails and TemptationsEveryone faces trials and temptations in their life. They come in all shapes and sizes. No one is immune. In our trials, we need to trust God. In our temptations, we need to turn to God.
- Sep 9, 2020Digging Deeper – Q & A with Pastor Jim (Eph 3.14-21)
Digging Deeper – Q & A with Pastor Jim (Eph 3.14-21)Nothing of spiritual significance ever happens in our lives by just sitting around. Growth in Christ requires disciplined effort - a fight! And the fight for spiritual growth begins on our knees.
- Sep 9, 2020Things We Don’t Pray For – Spiritual Growth
Things We Don’t Pray For – Spiritual GrowthNothing of spiritual significance ever happens in our lives by just sitting around. Growth in Christ requires disciplined effort - a fight! And the fight for spiritual growth begins on our knees.
- Sep 2, 2020Digging Deeper Q & A with Pastor Jim (Matthew 5:43-48)
Digging Deeper Q & A with Pastor Jim (Matthew 5:43-48)Join us as we dig deeper into Pastor Jim's message about loving and praying for our enemies (Aug 30th sermon)
- Aug 30, 2020Things We Don’t Pray For – Our Enemies
Things We Don’t Pray For – Our EnemiesWhen hatred is the response to love, we are surprised and take notice. We know that is Satanic. When insult is met with insult and kindness with kindness, it's expected and goes unnoticed. We know that is Human. But when love is extended to the unlovable, we are surprised and take notice. We know that is Godly.
- Aug 27, 2020Digging Deeper Q & A with Pastor Jim (1 Tim 2:1-7)
Digging Deeper Q & A with Pastor Jim (1 Tim 2:1-7)Join us as we dig deeper into Pastor Jim's message about loving and praying for our leaders (Aug 23rd sermon)
- Aug 23, 2020Things We Don’t Pray For – Our Leaders
Things We Don’t Pray For – Our LeadersIf we are going to be people of the Gospel, that means we must be people of prayer. We pray for everyone - including leaders and people who persecute us - and we pray for the Gospel to flourish in and through our lives.
Exodus:
Exodus is a story about injustice that demands deliverance. It’s about a people who need a redeemer to protect and defend them. Not only that, those people are alone and broken and they need to be chosen and cherished. They need the rich inheritance of God’s grace. We can all find ourselves in the Exodus story because we all need a God who draws us out to draw us in.
God of the Impossible
God makes the Impossible Possible
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- Aug 16, 2020God of the Impossible
God of the ImpossibleGod makes the Impossible Possible
- Aug 9, 2020Show Me Your Glory
Show Me Your GloryWho do you belong to? If you did an honest inventory of your heart and life for a week, you would know. If you belong to God, He will be at the center of your life and you will reflect Him more and more. If He is not, what you do belong to will be evident and you will reflect that too.
- Aug 2, 2020A Radical Reputation
A Radical ReputationWhen we think of our desired reputation as believers, words like “loving,” “welcoming,” “kindhearted,” and “faithful” come to mind. The word “generous” probably does too - but how are we about actually living that out? As we look at the transformation in the heart of the Israelite people as they brought their gifts to the tabernacle, we learn what it looks like to give radically, by giving gratefully, collectively, sacrificially, and obediently.
- Jul 28, 2020Interrupted by God
Interrupted by GodIf the false gods are THE ISSUE in driving me away from God - and they are - then Jesus is THE SOLUTION - and He is!
- Jul 19, 2020A New Covenant
A New CovenantHow can a faithful God keep covenant with unfaithful me? Only because of Jesus!
- Jul 12, 2020Becoming God’s Treasure
- Jul 5, 2020Passing the Trusting Test
Passing the Trusting TestBecause Jesus took the plunge for us, we can turn our grumbling into trusting.
- Jun 28, 2020Interrupted by God
Interrupted by GodGod’s biggest desire for your life is not to get you from here to eternity as quickly as possible. It’s for your character to be fully formed in Christ. That is why He will interrupt your life hundreds of times to lead you in His ways, not yours, along His timetable, not yours, so that you will more and more develop His heart, not yours.
- Jun 21, 2020Family Stories That Shape Us
Family Stories That Shape UsFamily stories - both good and bad - shape our lives. What was true for Israel is true for America and is even true for us personally. But in Christ, because of Jesus, we can be a part of a new family with a new story, enfolded in His forgiveness, grace, mercy and love.
- Jun 14, 2020The Name Means Everything
The Name Means EverythingEgypt and Pharaoh did what people have done throughout history. They trusted in their gods, false gods, instead of the Lord. Like us, they saw that their gods couldn't deliver. Only the Lord is in control. Only He hears us. Only He is faithful. Only He can save.
REJOICE
We are people that need joy, but too often we find ourselves held captive by the ever-changing circumstances of our lives, which are out of our control. We chase the wrong joy from the wrong source when true joy from the right source is closer than we think.
Being Caught by the Wind
The Holy Spirit is not an idea or an experience. He’s a person to be received. You cannot contain Him, but you can be filled with Him. You cannot control Him, but you can be released by Him. You can’t fit Him into your mold, but you can let Him remold and reshape you. You can't catch the Wind, but the Wind can catch you.
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- May 31, 2020Being Caught by the Wind
Being Caught by the WindThe Holy Spirit is not an idea or an experience. He’s a person to be received. You cannot contain Him, but you can be filled with Him. You cannot control Him, but you can be released by Him. You can’t fit Him into your mold, but you can let Him remold and reshape you. You can't catch the Wind, but the Wind can catch you.
- May 24, 2020Rejoice in Christ-Sufficiency
Rejoice in Christ-SufficiencyWhen self-sufficiency is the real desire of our hearts, two things will happen: (1) We will never know true contentment. (2) We will inevitably worship and live for something else other than God. Self-sufficiency is an illusion. Christ-sufficiency is the key! That is true freedom! That is true contentment! That is true joy!
- May 17, 2020Rejoice in Opportunities to be Generous
Rejoice in Opportunities to be GenerousConsciously or unconsciously, every one of us is developing a spirit of greed or generosity. Which do you want to model? The fruit of joy in Christ is a generous spirit. The generosity of Jesus flows out of us because of what He has done in us.
- May 10, 2020Rejoice in Doing the Right Thing
Rejoice in Doing the Right ThingOne of the fruits of joy in Christ is doing the right even when it’s hard and even when no one else is. It often means stopping the self-justification, admitting we were wrong, changing what we think and how we think, and living as the redeemed people in Jesus that we now are.
- May 3, 2020Rejoice with Thanksgiving
Rejoice with ThanksgivingAnxiety is real. While not everyone will suffer from extreme anxiety, everyone will struggle with it sometime. The question is if we will be Problem-Centered or Jesus-Centered when we do.
- Apr 26, 2020Rejoice with Gentleness
Rejoice with GentlenessIn the world we live in, anger and aggression begets self-justification, which begets more anger and aggression. That's normal and we're miserable for it. The spirit of Jesus produces something very different. Jesus' gentleness in us creates a spiral of gentleness toward others.
- Apr 19, 2020The Source of Lasting Joy
The Source of Lasting JoyJoy doesn't come our way because we work hard and earn it or because we have enough merit to deserve it. It's a gift from God that we receive when we realize what we have received in Jesus, instead of what we deserved.
JESUS’ LAST WORDS
A person’s last words can be pivotal, telling you who they really are and capping off the purpose of their life in one final statement. Jesus had seven last words as He was on the cross, nearing death. His last words can be a catalyst to our first steps of faith and the fuel for our ongoing life in Him.
Jesus’ Earthquake is our Aftershocks
Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus caused an earthquake when He rose from the dead on that first Easter morning! That earthquake shook the foundations of reality, history and our relationship with God. Every response to Jesus since then is but an aftershock.
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- Apr 12, 2020Jesus’ Earthquake is our Aftershocks
Jesus’ Earthquake is our AftershocksNearly 2000 years ago, Jesus caused an earthquake when He rose from the dead on that first Easter morning! That earthquake shook the foundations of reality, history and our relationship with God. Every response to Jesus since then is but an aftershock.
- Apr 7, 2020Into Your Hands I Commit My Spirit
Into Your Hands I Commit My SpiritBecause we will all place our lives in someone's hands, we need to be sure to choose the right ones. Only God’s hands can hold you! Only His hands can keep you grounded when your foundations are shaken. Only His hands can sustain you through suffering and trial.
- Mar 29, 2020It is Finished
It is FinishedWe are not in control of our futures. And our losses still hurt. That will never change. But the thing that matters most in all of eternity is secure and none of our losses can compare to that. That is redemption in Jesus to all who would receive it and follow after Him.
- Mar 22, 2020I Am Thirsty
I Am ThirstyWe are all thirsting for something. We were created that way. In the midst of Coronavirus chaos, we all want some normalcy, but when normal returns, then what? What will be the deep thirst of your heart?
- Mar 15, 2020Why Have You Forsaken Me
Why Have You Forsaken MeIt's easy to think that we have rights that we deserve and privileges that we have earned. Our idea or rights and privileges seeps into everything, but there is a hard spiritual truth: Because of our sin, we have no rights before God. Only because Jesus was forsaken for us can we be welcomed in.
- Mar 8, 2020Here is Your Son … Here is Your Mother
Here is Your Son … Here is Your MotherIf you have been a Christian for very long, you have probably been asked a bunch of times, "Do you trust Jesus?” But there is a far more challenging question, one you may have never been asked before: Can Jesus trust you?
- Mar 1, 2020Be With Me in Paradise
Be With Me in ParadiseJesus doesn't promise Paradise to those who do everything right and earn it. That's not the issue. It never it. Jesus promises Paradise to those who do everything wrong, but then get Him right. That's the issue. It always is.
- Feb 23, 2020Forgive Them
Forgive ThemGod's forgiveness has a high cost, the life of His Son. It's never about merit. It's only about mercy and grace to the completely undeserving and spiritually bankrupt. When you receive it like that, it is everything.
ONE DEGREE
At 211 degrees, water is hot. At 212 degrees, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train. Just one extra degree makes all the difference! What if your heart was EXCITED by Jesus more than that one other thing? What if you removed that one EXCUSE that keeps you from stepping out in faith? What if your LOVE FOR OTHERS increased just one more level? That one small, spirit-empowered act of obedience could make just one degree of difference, but have huge impact.
Do You Care About the Needs of Others
It's pretty easy to tell if someone smells refreshing or repugnant. Do their words tear down or build up? Are they accepting or judgmental? Selfish or generous? Givers or takers? Jesus was always refreshing. And Jesus makes us refreshing too!
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- Feb 16, 2020Do You Care About the Needs of Others
Do You Care About the Needs of OthersIt's pretty easy to tell if someone smells refreshing or repugnant. Do their words tear down or build up? Are they accepting or judgmental? Selfish or generous? Givers or takers? Jesus was always refreshing. And Jesus makes us refreshing too!
- Feb 9, 2020What’s Your Excuse?
What’s Your Excuse?What excuse is keeping you from doing God's kingdom work? "I'm scared." or "I don't have time!" or "I'm not ready ... " or "After what they did?" or "I don't know anyone!" In this message, we wrestle with our excuses and explore what it looks like to take one more degree of action in God's kingdom.
- Feb 4, 2020Does Jesus Excite You?
Does Jesus Excite You?Whatever really excites you is going to take over and permeate every area of your life: consuming your thoughts and plans, capturing your heart and attitude, and orienting your words and actions. Whether we are conscious of it or not, we will worship and serve whatever really excites us! So, when push comes to shove, are you ultimately excited about Jesus . . . or something else?
KNOWN SERIES
God is holy and righteous – hating all sin and evil – and simultaneously loving and gracious – relating to us as our Heavenly Father, our Abba. During this series, we’ll be walking through 1 John, tackling what it means to know who God is, to know what he wants for us, to know when He calls us to act, and to know why he has a clear vision for our church.
Know Why
Your heart controls your thoughts, words and actions. If your heart is closed, there is always an excuse to say NO, wait, or maybe next time. But if your heart is open, there is a deep and growing desire to grow in Christ more and more. So, if your heart open or closed to the things of God?
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- Jan 26, 2020Know Why
Know WhyYour heart controls your thoughts, words and actions. If your heart is closed, there is always an excuse to say NO, wait, or maybe next time. But if your heart is open, there is a deep and growing desire to grow in Christ more and more. So, if your heart open or closed to the things of God?
- Jan 19, 2020Know When
Know WhenGod is not just present in the preferred future, when everything is as it should be. God is present NOW and He placed us at this point in history for a reason. When you find your NOW and you love your NOW, you will clearly reflect WHO you are and WHOSE you are.
- Jan 12, 2020Know What
Know WhatThe answer to our problems and to the world's problems is not love in a generic sense. We need a supernatural love that comes from the ultimate source of love, Jesus Christ. God's love is like a river that flows into us and through us to others.
- Jan 5, 2020Know Who
Know WhoTo know God is to love God and to love God is to obey God. It's that simple.Obedience is the litmus test for a life that loves God.
