Growing Gracefully: Awake
God charges His disciples to "be awake" in all times and all situations. We are especially charged to be awake to God's Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20), t he reality of spiritual warfare, and t he signs of the times.
Awake Us Now
Awake Us Now is a body of believers who: WORSHIP the Triune God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Praise Him with joy and thanksgiving for He is God and He is good; WALK by faith in the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the clear teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and the clear declaration of the Scriptures. Such a daily walk is a far cry from mere religion or "church as usual;" WITNESS to Jesus Christ our Savior in daily life situations. Take seriously His call to make disciples. Be…
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Growing Gracefully: Prepared
Almost two thousand years ago, John the Baptist called people to repent and prepare for the coming Lord. Today, we are still called to have repentant hearts that receive and extend the forgiveness of the Living God, and to prepare fruit for Him in our lives!
Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 12: Herod's Demise
Herod Agrippa I Ruled 41-44 A.D. Grandson of King Herod the Great Imprisoned Peter during Passover in 42 or 43 A.D. He died before Passover of 44 A.D. Herod went from Judea to Caesarea following Peter's angelic escape from prison. Herod was quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They joined together asking for an appointment with Herod requesting for peace as they depended on Herod for…
Growing Gracefully: Holiness
Holiness is a gift, offered to us in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. But once God has made us holy, we are then called to pursue holiness in our lives!
Growing Gracefully: Obedience
Growing gracefully in obedience is a response to the salvation God has worked in our lives through Christ Jesus. We are called to walk in obedience as a response to our faith in Jesus. Obedience is not necessary for salvation, but obedience is necessary! Join us as we explore Growing Gracefully in our relationship with Jesus Christ through obedience to Him and His Word. Obedience does not save,…
GOD ACTS! (Chapter 12) - He Proceeded to Seize Peter
God's word brings light into our lives, gives us direction and points us to Jesus showing us where our hope and strength are found. Today's story demonstrates this truth. Join us! Chapter 12 is about some of the persecution Peter experienced and we will look at Peter's writings in 1 Peter in conjunction with this story in Acts chapter 12 for additional insights. THEN + NOW Persecution - Acts…
Armor of God #10 - Keep on Praying!
"Prayer in the Spirit" is about taking time in the presence of the living God and allowing Him to nurture, nourish, transform, and renew our souls. It is not about "give me, give me, give me," but about "mold me, shape me, use me."
Growing Gracefully: Training
Despite the most rigorous physical exercise and training regimen, our bodies will age and, eventually, die. But there is a training - training in godliness - that lasts into eternity. The spiritual diet we eat, the spiritual exercise we do and the spiritual training we choose affects our ability to grow graceful as Jesus' disciples. Training ourselves for godliness has benefits for today, tomorrow…
Growing Gracefully: Contentment
Even in the most difficult of times, believers such as the apostle Paul have known contentment, an inner peace, a certainty that God is in control. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we know that, through faith in Him, we will live forever. That certainty brings true contentment!
Growing Gracefully: Humility
The humility modeled for us by Jesus is not only refreshing, it is life-changing and God-pleasing! Pride, on the other hand, makes us nauseating not only to others, but to God as well.
Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 11: The Origin of "Christian"
In Acts 11:26 we read that the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. "Disciple" is the most used word in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus. It is used 261 times. The word "Christian" is used only 3 times in the New Testament. Brothers and sisters, believers, followers are also used but "disciples" is Jesus' favorite word to describe His followers. Matthew 29:19-20 - the…
Growing Gracefully: Freedom
True freedom is living the full life that God always intended us to possess. In Jesus, we are freed from bondage to sin and are now free to please God!
Growing Gracefully: Thankfulness
Some Biblical virtues mirror God's character, but this one -- thankfulness -- exalts God's character. Thankfulness promotes humility in us and strengthens our faith. ThankLESSness, by contrast, is an exceptionally dangerous sin.
GOD ACTS! (Chapter 11) - The Disciples Were Called Christians
God's Gospel Goes Global After Peter told the story of his vision and going to Joppa to the home of Cornelius, we read in Acts 11:18 that "… the believers in Jerusalem had no further objections and praised God saying, 'So even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.'" And now the barriers that had existed between the Jewish world and the non-Jewish world are down in a single…
Armor of God #11 - Full Armor
We are to be strong in the Lord (with His strength), and to put on the full armor of God (His equipment), so that we are both prepared and equipped for spiritual warfare!
Growing Gracefully: Kindness
Kindness is not weakness. Kindness reflects the character and strength of God, and is seen throughout the ministry of Jesus Christ. Followers of Jesus should show that same character in their lives!
Growing Gracefully: Forgiveness
Jesus not only taught the importance of forgiveness, He practiced it, even from the cross (Luke 23:43). The example of Jesus and the magnitude of His love changes people and gives them the power to forgive even the most bitter of enemies!
Growing Gracefully: The Ultimate Indicator
Our devotion to the Living God is demonstrated in the way we love other people - including even our enemies. Genuine love is the truest expression of right doctrine (teaching) - and without love, the doctrine collapses.
Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 10: All the Centurions
Using the Bible and Roman sources, Pastor teaches us about Centurions. In Sunday's message we met the Centurion, Cornelius. (See teaching here https://youtu.be/yjK_CB20Fk0 ) Acts 10:1-2 Cornelius was a centurion in the Italian Regiment. What we know about Centurions Backbone of the Roman Army Tested and dependable leaders Commanded 80-100 soldiers - 6 Centurions to a Cohort (600) and 10 Cohorts to…
Growing Gracefully: In Joy
Unlike happiness, joy is not an emotion, dependent on particular circumstances. Joy is anchored in God, and through Jesus it is triumphant even over the sufferings of this world! Growing Gracefully In Joy - We are living in a time of chaos and uncertainty, a time of unbridled anger on all ends of the spectrum and if ever there was at time that the people of God needed to remember and reflect the…
Growing Gracefully: Renewed Minds
True faith is not simply a matter of knowing certain truths. It is a matter of knowing Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and allowing the Holy Spirit to change us from the inside out!
GOD ACTS! (Chapter 10) - Impure or Unclean
Day 1 of our story Today's story takes place in Caesarea - Acts 10:1-8. Cornelius, a Roman soldier, a Centurion, lives there. (Pastor shares pictures of this city, still visible today!) Cornelius was one who worshiped the God of Israel but was not a full convert. He and his family were devout and God-fearing. Then he receives a vision of an angel. The angel tells him to bring a man from Joppa…
Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (16) - Assurance
God assures us that eternal life is ours through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, through trusting in His sacrificial death and resurrection, living lives of genuine faith. Like Daniel, we now have just a glimpse of what is to come - and it is glorious!
Growing Gracefully: In His Word
The Bible is more than just a fascinating book! It was written by an author who loved us enough to die for us, and it is a book that leads us to the One we worship.
Growing Gracefully: In Prayer
Prayer is not about rules and obligations! It is how God invites us to talk with Him in order to build a personal relationship. Discipleship, then, is about living that relationship in our daily lives.
Growing Gracefully: The Great Commission
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus states that He has been given "all authority on Heaven and on Earth," and with that authority gives us our marching orders - make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy spirit, and teach them to obey everything He has commanded. But this isn't just about His command, this is about God's faithfulness and His desire for us…
Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 9: Persecutor Persecuted
We dig into Acts 9:15-16: "But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." This isn't about Saul being punished for who he used to be, but rather there is a cost to following Christ, but we see Saul understanding it is worth every penny of the…
The Answer - Week 26: Will Our Bodies Be Resurrected?
This is a question Pastor has received over and again throughout the years, "Will our bodies be resurrected?" The answer is "yes!" Even through there is biblical teaching and a recognition of the resurrection by believers throughout the centuries, there are still many questions from believers and non-believers when it comes to the future resurrection. Resurrection: Doubt and Denial existed among…
The Answer - Week 25: What if the Shroud is Genuine?
This is a controversial topic. The Shroud of Turin is the most studied, most scientifically tested artifact in history. It has been subjected to literally hundreds of thousands of hours of intensive study by people of multiple disciplines. What do we know for certain…. The Foundation: 1 Corinthians 15:1-5 "Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you…
GOD ACTS! (Chapter 9) - Who Are You, Lord?
Today's class is about how God Himself moves things, moves people, moves history, moves events to accomplish everything He desires, to fulfill His plan of winning the world into the knowledge of Living God and today we will see an amazing part of that plan coming to fruition. Today's story is truly a story of how God ACTS - how He acts in the heart of Saul, a persecutor of followers of Jesus,…
Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (15) - Awakening!
Daniel 12 speaks of the last "Great Awakening" at the end of days, when those whose names are written in the Book [of Life] will be delivered, and all who have died will rise to stand before the throne of God for final judgment.
The Answer - Week 24: Is the Shroud of Turin Genuine?
The Shroud of Turin is a relic housed in the cathedral in Turin Italy and claimed to be the burial cloth of Christ. The Gospels give us some details: Matthew 27:59-60 ESV "And Joseph (of Arimathea) took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away." Mark 15:46 ESV…
The Answer - Week 23: How Are Minds Opened Today?
This message focuses on the question: "How are minds opened today?", which is part of our ongoing series: "What's the answer?" Pastor explores how people's lives are changed and what changes their attitudes about God, about Jesus, the resurrection, and about the power of God's Word. Pastor takes us through Luke 24:36-47, an encounter with Jesus that His disciples have with Him after His…
The Answer - Week 22: What Did Jesus Tell Them?
Pastor gives us a look at the story, "On the Road to Emmaus," found in Luke 24:13-27. We don't know the actual location of Emmaus, nor do we know the names of those walking with Jesus in this story. The story takes place later in the day on the day of Jesus' resurrection. Those Jesus walks with do not recognize Him. They are trying to figure out everything that had happened with Jesus and thinking…
Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 8: Simon the Sorcerer
We delve into Acts 8:9-12 about a man named Simon who boasted that he was someone great and so people paid attention to him thinking he had the power of God because he amazed people with his sorcery. However.... When people believed what Philip was saying as he proclaimed the good news of the Kingdom of God in the name of Jesus Christ, people were baptized. THEN… Acts 8:13 tells us that Simon…
The Answer - Week 21: Why Do You Believe He Is Risen?
Happy Resurrection Sunday - Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Today's question is "Why do you believe He is risen?" Pastor starts today's class with a personal testimony in which the Bible changed the direction of his life at the age of 15. Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:14 "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your…
The Answer - Week 19: Are the Gospels Believable?
Today's question is one that Pastor has heard most often from young people. The questioning of the Gospels seems to center around miracles, especially the resurrection. Atheistic Materialism Worldview ⁃ No God - universe is by chance ⁃ Matter only - Life came from non-life ⁃ No Miracles - Life is meaningless Bible's Worldview ⁃ There is a Creator ⁃ He created life ⁃ Life has a purpose These two…
GOD ACTS! (Chapter 8) - A Great Persecution Broke Out
Acts 8 begins with the day of Stephen's death: Then + Now - What we learn All things - work together for good (God used the persecution for His purpose in spreading the Gospel) We read in Acts 8:1 that starting that day (of Stephen's death) a massive persecution broke out against the believers in Jerusalem and especially against those like Stephen, Greek speakers, who were not native to Jerusalem.…
Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (14) - Supernatural!
In our world today, as in Daniel's day, there is a cultural divide between two world views: the Natural and the Supernatural. One says that what we can see is all there is, and that life is ultimately meaningless. The other says there is a reality far beyond what is visible, and that there is a Creator who moves in mighty and purposeful ways!
The Answer - Week 18: What is the Unforgiveable Sin?
Today's question is one that Pastor says has been the question asked with the most fear. Other ways this question is asked: ⁃ What is the unforgivable sin? ⁃ What is the sin against the Holy Spirit? ⁃ How can I be sure I haven't done this? ⁃ If I have done this is there any hope? ⁃ How do I avoid the unforgivable sin? Matthew 12:31-32 Jesus says, "And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander…
The Answer - Week 17: When is the Rapture?
Pastor opens with a prayer for God to build unity among believers especially in the areas where we have differing opinions, that we would show grace to one another and humility before God. Pastor begins with the "rapture" passage in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, "After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will be…
The Answer - Week 16: Who Needs the Holy Spirit?
The answer? EVERYONE! The Holy Spirit is found in the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament the Spirit came mainly to specific people for specific purposes, but there was the foretelling of the Spirit being poured out in abundance - an age of the Holy Spirit ushered in by Jesus. Jesus the Messiah ushers in the Age of the Holy Spirit. Mark 1:7-8 John the Baptist tells us, "And this was his…
Dig Deeper - Acts Chapter 7_ The Witnesses Laid Their Coats...
We dig deeper into a few specific aspects of Stephen's execution. Acts 7:57 When Stephen completed his speech the leaders and people covered their ears and rushed at him dragging him out of the city to stone him. Why stone him? Because they thought he was guilty of blasphemy ( but he was not ) and the Torah in Numbers 15:35 we read that the guilty were to be stoned outside the city. Keep in mind,…
Big Questions - Receive... the Holy Spirit!
When Jesus says to His disciples, "Receive the Holy Spirit," it is not a "one-and-done" activity. He desires us all to live continually in the Spirit!
The Answer - Week 14: Why Am I So Tempted?
Common questions on this age old topic: ⁃ Why is sin so tempting? ⁃ Why do I do things I don't want to do? ⁃ How can I conquer temptation? ⁃ Where can I find strength to resist? ⁃ Why is this so difficult? Genesis 3:1-7 - First sin in the Bible. But prior to sin, Adam and Eve were in a time of blissful innocence. A perfect creation, perfect relationship with God, perfect relationship with each…
GOD ACTS! (Chapter 7) - Just Like Your Ancestors
The Bible is not ancient words. It has so much to say to us today. It is for every generation but especially needed in this generation. Then Accusations False witnesses came forward accusing Stephen of blasphemous words against the Torah and the Temple (Acts 6:11, 13) These are charges that would lead to capital punishment. Acts 7:1 the high priest asks Stephen if these charges are true. Stephen…
Daniel: When Kingdoms Collide (13) - No Fear!
The visions from chapters 10-12 in the book of Daniel may seem confusing and even frightening. But in them, God begins with words of peace and reassurance, reminding us that He is listening to us and that we should not fear!
The Answer - Week 13: Is Marriage Outdated?
In this message we will look at what the Scriptures have to say about marriage, analyze concerns and questions raised in our day, overview the cultural changes that have led to many questioning the value and benefit of marriage, and do so from a Christian worldview. We will also take a look at some secular contemporary research and what it indicates. Common Reactions: 1. The culture has changed: -…
The Answer - Week 12: Does God Exist?
Does God exist? The Bible has described this as a reality for thousands of years. Genesis 1:1 "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." ⁃ There was a beginning ⁃ There is a God ⁃ God created everything This is looked at as a religious belief, but it is increasingly a scientific fact as the scientific world sees that the creation had a beginning. ⁃ Natural knowledge of God ⁃ Nature…
The Answer - Week 11: What About the Virgin Birth?
The message starts with Matthew 1:18 "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit." Pastor explores today's question: "What about the Virgin Birth?" by tackling these 5 questions: ⁃ Is the "Virgin Birth" really that important? ⁃ Why do only Matthew and…