Jesus did tangible and physical things that hadn't ever been done before so that we may know that He really is who He says He is, and He can do everything He promised.

SERMON SUMMARY:

The transformative mission of Jesus that's revealed in the Book of Acts, moves us beyond a passive faith toward actively engaging in reaching the lost and making disciples. True Christianity involves living out one’s faith in a way that extends God's grace to others, regardless of the challenges faced, as exemplified through the persecuted early church which thrived amidst adversity. The Great Commission is not an optional task but a command from Jesus, that He personally couples with the assurance of the Holy Spirit's presence to empower believers in our mission. There is an immense cost but also infinite value to participating in Jesus' movement.

SERMON SUMMARY:

This week, we explore the challenges faced by the early church in Acts as they encountered internal discontent and disgruntledness. Dealing with this requires addressing our own pre-existing prejudices and attitudes that we brought with us into the Christian life by repenting (rethinking and reconsidering) and believing (trusting that Jesus offers a new a better way). Serving others and preaching the Gospel are both vital for the church's identity. We must take personal responsibility to reshape, restructure, and reorganize our lives around our identity in Christ, to ensure that the institution of church can effectively reach the lost and make disciples.

SERMON SUMMARY:

This week emphasized the enduring truth of Jesus' message and the importance of genuine faith in the movement of evangelism and discipleship. While early Christians faced external and internal opposition, the church today has a responsibility to confront hypocrisy and cultivate authentic community. The story of Ananias and Sapphira, warns against the danger of presenting a false image of generosity while ignoring the true intent behind our actions. Ultimately, believers must embrace their ongoing need for grace and foster relationships that expose and address the truths within, leading to a more authentic and vibrant faith.

Sermon Summary:

Jesus met people in their circumstances, we too must learn to engage with the lost and make disciples, demonstrating characteristics like devotion, gladness, sincerity, and generosity. While acknowledging fears related to rejection and opposition in evangelism, we must prioritize faith over approval. True courage comes from trusting in God's promises.

SERMON SUMMARY:

Success in Discipleship and Evangelism happens when our preparation through prayer and the word, meets the opportunities provided by the Holy Spirit.

Sermon Summary:

Evangelism and disciple-making not only bring others closer to Jesus but also deepen our own experience of His promise and power.  We must be driven by the Word of God, mission of God, and Spirit of God to reach the lost and particpate in the awakening and revival of believers. Courageous devotion to these elements builds a community that thrives on generosity, worship, and the sharing of the gospel. The church functions like a family that finds favor with its community. Family then becomes the vehicle for taking the Gospel to the ends of the earth.

Discussion Questions:

Click HERE for this week's discussion guide

Sermon Summary:

Because of Jesus’ goodness and the power of the Holy Spirit, our wounds can be transformed into ways of healing instead of being transferred to others. Our past pain can become our present platform from which we share and show the Gospel of Jesus.

SERMON SUMMARY:

With great responsibility comes great power. After His resurrection, Jesus commands His followers to share the gospel and make disciples. He commissions them with the promise of His power being present with them at all times as they are reaching the lost and making disciples. This responsibility and the promise of Jesus' power and presence is universally applied to all believers, not just church leaders. Engaging in both evangelism and discipleship are essential for a vibrant faith and a thriving relationship with Christ. Without this engagement, believers are leaving huge parts of the abundant life on the table. Ultimately we rely and fully depend on the Holy Spirit. We must first receive and then respond.

SERMON SUMMARY:

Nothing kills a relationship faster than lack of communication. It's through the practice of prayer that we cultivate and grow in our relationship with God. Praying helps us to shift from a casual relationship with God to one that's close.

SERMON SUMMARY:

We create space for God in our lives, through the practice of tithing. Courageous Generosity is a central and essential act of faith that cultivates spiritual growth. Tithing is not merely as a financial obligation, but a spiritual exercise that shifts our attitude from ownership to stewardship, promoting a mindset of courageous generosity. Our resources belong to God and by actively participating in tithing we reflect God’s heart by caring for and providing for others like He would.

Sermon Summary:

The sermon this week emphasizes the importance of understanding holiness and sanctification as practical aspects of daily living. Engaging in sacred practices like fasting, Sabbath, tithing, and prayer helps individuals shift away from sin while moving towards the abundant life God promises. This week focuses on the concept of Sabbath, highlighting that true intimacy with God leads to genuine rest rather than a mere pause from work. Ultimately, we are encouraged to prioritize rest as a reflection of our love for God and a pathway to fulfill our divine purpose.

Sermon Summary:

What if your struggles against sin aren’t a sign that something is wrong, but instead are a sign that something is right? Spiritually dead people don’t fight against sin in their lives. They don’t join Jesus in reclaiming the territory within their hearts and minds. Jesus didn’t set us free from the fight, He set us free for the fight. There is holiness in our struggle against sin.

In today's sermon, Pastor Brad emphasized the profound holiness of God and how it shapes our understanding of our relationship with Him. He highlighted that God's holiness is unique and set apart, and it is through God's grace, mercy, and justice that we are redeemed from our sinful nature. Pastor Brad encouraged the congregation to embrace the rhythms of holy living, which reflects God's character and draws others to Him. Ultimately, he reminded us that we are called to live out this holiness, not as a means of superiority, but to bring hope and healing to a broken world, illustrating this through the work of organizations like Safe Passage that support victims of exploitation.

SERMON SUMMARY

Even though it’s a bit of a stretch, there’s a parallel between driving a stick shift and understanding God's holiness. Both require practice and familiarization with new rhythms. Holiness is not about being better than others, instead it’s all about reflecting the reality of God's unique goodness in all aspects of life, showcasing how God chooses to dwell among messy people rather than perfect ones. We embody holiness through love and obedience which brings about a shift in our lives and points others to the unique love and goodness of God.

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SERMON SUMMARY:

God’s Un-Decorated Peace doesn’t remove us from the conflict and tension happening around us. Instead, it brings wholeness and completeness in the midst of it all. God’s Un-Decorated Peace arrives as promised, but often in ways we least expect.

SERMON SUMMARY:

Un-Decorated Joy is not an emotion tied to our situations and circumstances, instead it is a mindset, attitude, and posture of our hearts, minds, and souls that goes beyond and is ever-present in spite of our situations and circumstances.

SERMON SUMMARY:

Un-Decorated Hope points us to the fact that God chooses people we’d never choose, to do things we never thought possible, in ways we never considered. We can’t allow our assumptions and expectations about God cause us to miss out on what He’s doing among us, in us, and through us.

SERMON SUMMARY:

This week, we explored the deeper, often messy truths behind our decorated lives and the Christmas story. We tend to cover up our brokenness with superficial appearances, leading to scarcity and isolation during a season that's meant to remind us of abundance and ecnourage togetherness. In the true and un-decorated story of Mary and Joseph, we can see that God chooses imperfect, undecorated people for His plans, and that nothing is impossible with Him. God's love is unconditional and transformative. He invites us into authentic community with Him and with one another.

5X5 Devotional:

Click HERE to download this week’s 5X5 Devotional (Reading the Bible and praying 5 min per day for 5 days can make a ton of difference in your life.)

David, faced immense challenges—from being hunted as a young man to experiencing personal failures as a king. Despite David's flaws and the turbulence of his life, he was known as "a man after God's own heart" because of his genuine willingness to invite God into his circumstances. David’s last words express his gratitude for God's unwavering faithfulness throughout every moment of his life. David recognizes where God has been present, even in hardship. The same is true for us. We too can express gratitude for every moment of our lives as we grow to embrace and trust the promises of a faithful God.