No matter if you are a new believer, young in your faith or someone who has believed in Jesus Christ for many years it is always wise to go back to the basics of our faith. In this series we will look at some of the most fundamental attributes of faith such as assurance, forgiveness, and thankfulness. During this 6 week series, we will study 6 basic characteristics of being a Christian.
November 29, 2015 |
Colossians 3:15-17 |
discipleship, thankfulness
This past week we celebrated a national holiday called “Thanksgiving.” It is intended for us to celebrate all that we’ve been given and be thankful for our families and for God’s provision. Yet, we often have a hard time with this mark of being Christian. We struggle with ingratitude. We complain. Instead of being thankful, we’re often filled with a heart of ingratitude.In the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Colossae, he told them that the result of having Jesus as their Lord and Savior was a heart of thanksgiving.
November 22, 2015 |
Acts 1:6-11 |
discipleship, evangelism
In the book of Acts Jesus gave final instructions to His disciples about their mission in the world. That’s what the book is about. “The Acts of the Apostles” – It’s how they began to be and do what Christ commanded. And what did He command? “Be my witnesses.” Christ told His disciples that they were to be witnesses of the good news about Jesus to the whole world.
November 15, 2015 |
2 Timothy 3:16-17 |
bible, discipleship
Don’t you wish there was a spiritual “Swiss army knife” to equip us to survive in this sinful world? God has given us His Word, a kind of spiritual survival equipment for the soul. In the apostle Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he told Timothy that the Bible had everything he needed to be fully equipped as a Christian. We can be fully equipped with everything we need as Christians through God’s Word.
November 8, 2015 |
1 John 4:11-18 |
discipleship, holy spirit
Jesus promised that those who received Him would experience abundant life, full and overflowing. Are you experiencing this life today? Or do you ever feel empty and powerless? Do you dream of living a life of fulfillment, a life filled with passion and purpose? In the apostle John’s first letter, he told his hearers that they could abide in Christ by being continually filled with His Spirit. We can experience the abiding life of Christ within us by being continually filled with His Spirit.
November 1, 2015 |
1 John 1:5-2:2 |
discipleship
Do you ever feel distant from God? Does the shame and guilt of sin ever make you feel this distance? As if God is far away? Who do you think moved? What do we do as Christians when we sin? In the apostle John’s first letter, he told his hearers that they could know and experience God’s ongoing forgiveness as those who were adopted into His family. We can know and experience God’s ongoing forgiveness in our lives.
October 25, 2015 |
1 John 5:11-15 |
assurance, discipleship
Do you have proof that you are a citizen of heaven? Do you have confidence that you are a citizen of God’s Kingdom? Many people struggle with doubts in this area. Wouldn’t you like to be sure? In the apostle John’s first letter, he told his hearers that they could have assurance of salvation by receiving and believing in Christ Jesus. We can be sure of our salvation by receiving and trusting in Christ Jesus.
October 18, 2015 |
Matthew 20:25-28 |
discipleship, generosity, three commitments
In the book of Matthew, the mother of James and John asked Jesus for seats of authority for her sons on either side of Jesus. Jesus told her and all the disciples that following Him was not a call to be great in the way the world sees things. He said that the greatness they were called to was called servanthood. He told them to follow His example of service by being willing to contribute all that they had in serving God. Jesus gives us the same charge to be servants and contribute to His Kingdom. In today’s message we will see in God’s Word three commitments in order to contribute to His Kingdom.
October 4, 2015 |
Mark 12:30 |
discipleship, three commitments
When is the last time you really celebrated? I mean you really cut loose and let joy wash over you? Or are you living a life of duty? Is your life marked by dryness and dread? The spark is gone and you’ve got nothing to look forward to? To be honest, you’re just going through the motions.
Did you know that love and joy and celebration are connected? And where you focus your heart, where you put your affection, your first love, affects everything. What do you love first? You can tell by what you put first. Who or what comes first in your life? What are you celebrating? What is so important to you that you’re throwing a party, blowing out candles, setting off fireworks for, standing on your feet cheering for it?
In this second message in our Spiritual DNA sermon series, Pastor Gary shows us how we can Celebrate God’s Son by loving him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength.
September 27, 2015 |
Mark 1:16-18 |
discipleship, three commitments
In the book of Mark, Jesus challenged the disciples with a simple commitment: “Follow me.” Jesus called them to a relationship with Him. He called them to be Jesus-followers. Of course, this meant leaving everything else behind. It was such a simple commitment, yet it led a radically better life. We can answer this same simple commitment to follow Jesus and experience the better life He promised.
