Deconstructing the Holy Life
As people of the Word, we are to pursue holiness. In fact, without it we cannot see God (Hebrews 12:14). So, biblically, what does holiness look like? Is it a list of do's and don'ts, a particular dress code, a prohibition of where or with whom we can hang out? In this message, Pastor Chris lays out what a holy life looks likes, according to James 1:19 - 21, and exhorts us to live our lives by Holy Spirit and not by flesh.
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- Feb 20, 2022Deconstructing the Holy Life
Deconstructing the Holy LifeAs people of the Word, we are to pursue holiness. In fact, without it we cannot see God (Hebrews 12:14). So, biblically, what does holiness look like? Is it a list of do's and don'ts, a particular dress code, a prohibition of where or with whom we can hang out? In this message, Pastor Chris lays out what a holy life looks likes, according to James 1:19 - 21, and exhorts us to live our lives by Holy Spirit and not by flesh.
- Feb 13, 2022The Goodness of God
The Goodness of GodEveryone, at some point in life, will have to walk tough roads and will have tough questions that need answers. In those moments, we will be tempted to question God's goodness. We will be tempted to believe what we feel about the situation or what we have heard someone say about the situation. In this message, Pastor Chris lays out the strategy, referencing James 1:16 - 18, for standing in faith and believing what God says about the situation. Pastor Chris reminds us that God is our Source to meet any and every need we have.
- Feb 6, 2022L.S.D.
L.S.D.Evangelist R. G. Lee once said, "Sin will always take your farther than you want to go; it will always cost you more that you want to pay; and it will always keep you longer than you want to stay." No one is exempt from temptation and being tempted is not sinning. Acting on the the temptation is where the sin lies. In this message, Pastor Chris teaches from James 1:12 - 15, laying out the deathly progression: lust → sin → death. He reminds us though, that enduring through the crucible of temptation brings the crown of reward.
- Jan 23, 2022The Signs of the Times
The Signs of the TimesGod, in His infinite wisdom, gave us prophecy to foretell how the world would go, so that we would not be taken by surprise. When we know how things are going to turn out, it changes the whole sense of who we are and how we live. In this message, Pastor Chris takes us through Matthew 24:1 - 25 and reminds us to stay alert and not be deceived by Satan in these last days.
- Jan 16, 2022Christian Counterculture
Christian CountercultureIs there a solution to the problem of poverty? As Pastor Chris looks at James 1:9 - 11, he digs into this question, reminding us that God has blessed us to be a blessing. God has no problem with people having things; but He does have a problem with those things not being used to help others. The antithesis to poverty is not material prosperity; the antithesis to poverty is enough. The Church must not get swept into the mainstream thought of collecting things just to have the most things. We must see our blessings as a means to bless the less fortunate.
- Jan 9, 2022Wonderful Wisdom
Wonderful WisdomWe live in a time of escalating availability and accessibility of knowledge. But, there is a world of difference between knowledge and wisdom. In this message, Pastor Chris teaches from James 1:5 - 8 the difference between knowledge and wisdom. He encourages us, as we see the world around us devolve despite the prevalence of knowledge, to have the prayer readily available on our lips, "God, give me wisdom!"
- Jan 2, 2022Blessings and Battles
Blessings and BattlesOnce we become believers, our lives become smooth and easy...right? In this message, Pastor Chris reminds us that, as believers, we are fighting a real war against an enemy whose intentions for us and ours are not good. And, just because we find ourselves in the midst of a struggle does not mean that we missed God. He points out several observations from James 1:1 - 4 and brings encouragement to press on in God.
- Dec 19, 2021The Infinite Became an Infant
The Infinite Became an InfantWhat is the true message of Christmas? A baby in a manger? Shepherds and angels? The wise men? In this message, Pastor Chris looks at 2 Corinthians 8:1 - 9 to reveal the true message of Christmas--Jesus emptying Himself for our sake. In this passage, Pastor Chris points out that Paul referenced the ultimate illustration of generosity, the ultimate example of giving, the quintessential picture of what a life of giving looks like for every believer, everywhere. During this season that has morphed into a "what will I get" attitude, let us remember and exemplify Jesus' attitude at the first Christmas, "what can I give".
- Dec 5, 2021We Have Come to Worship Him
We Have Come to Worship HimOne of the greatest miracles we can experience in the Christmas season is to get our mind around the visit of the Magi from the east and understand their purpose in coming. Their reason--to worship Messiah. The goal of our lives should be to bring honor and reverence to God. In this message, Pastor Chris looks at the account of the Magi in Matthew 2:1 - 12 and brings out three points from their worship that we need to incorporate in our worship of Jesus.
- Nov 28, 2021Conformed or Transformed?
Conformed or Transformed?Holy Spirit's work is making us into the image of Christ Himself. As we offer ourselves before the Lord, as a living sacrifice, there is something that goes on within us where we are being transformed. In this message, Pastor Chris encourages us from Romans 12:1 and 2, reminding us that we ultimately become what we worship and that God is looking for people who will not only die for Him, but people who will live for Him.
- Nov 21, 2021When Thanks is Tough
When Thanks is Tough"When it comes to life, the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude." G. K. Chesterton. One of the marks of real spiritual maturity is the ability to give thanks when life gets tough. In this message, Pastor Chris marks out three things, from 1 Thessalonians 5:16 - 18, that thanksgiving does in our lives. There is something to be said for the great grace that is exemplified in a heart of thanksgiving.
- Nov 14, 2021Three Stone Cold Lead Pipe Locks
Three Stone Cold Lead Pipe LocksWhat are the immovable, non-negotiable tenants of our faith? In the depths of our souls, we must have a bedrock foundational belief that is unshakable. In this message, Pastor Chris points to three of those "lead pipe locks" found in Ephesians 3:14 - 21.
- Nov 7, 2021Does God Really Want Me Happy?
Does God Really Want Me Happy?What is happiness really? Everybody wants to be happy, but few would say that they have ever found it. The Bible, however, is filled with the idea of happiness, using the word "blessed". These blessings are gifts from God that are not contingent upon life's circumstances. In this message, Pastor Chris takes us through Psalm 1, and gives us three points to finding our happiness in our relationship with God.
- Oct 31, 2021Your Attitude Determines Your Altitude
Your Attitude Determines Your AltitudeSomeone with a bad attitude almost always cannot be helped. But it is too easy to get caught up in negativity when we do not guard our hearts. While under house arrest, Paul maintained a proper attitude and was able to encourage the Philippian church to rejoice in God. In this message, Pastor Chris takes a deep dive into Philippians 4:4 - 7 and highlights three aspects of real joy. He also points out that our level of joy is based on what is going on within us rather than what is going on around us.
- Oct 24, 2021The Sacrifice of Praise
The Sacrifice of PraiseAs believers, we are in a fight of faith and God has not left us weaponless. Our weapons are the Name of Jesus, the Word of God and the Blood of the Lamb. Unfortunately, many Christians do not even know what their weapons are, let alone know how to wield them. In this message, Pastor Chris expounds on Hebrews 13:15 and 16. He delves into how we launch our spiritual weapons into the heavenly realm where the real battle takes place--through prayer, proclamation and praise. Of these three, his focus in this message is praise.
- Oct 17, 2021The Lost SonS
The Lost SonSWe are battling in our time a certain mentality within the body of Christ of people who are so disconnected from the world in which they live, that they do not recognize the needs around them. The Church needs a paradigm shift when it comes to the love and grace and mercy of God towards those who are away from Him. In this message, Pastor Chris wraps up his series on Luke 15, looking at the final parable in verses 11 - 32. He points out that, although we are well aware of the lost son who left home, there was another lost son who also needed to repent--the one who stayed home but became self-righteous. Self-righteousness can put us as far away from God as going into a "far country".
- Oct 3, 2021The Lost Coin
The Lost CoinThe value of an object is based on what someone is willing to pay for it, no matter what other value is placed on it. God revealed our value by the exorbitant price He paid for us through the cross of Jesus Christ. In this message, Pastor Chris continues looking at the parables in Luke 15, focusing on verses 8 - 10. We are reminded that because of our value to God, He will not abandon His search for a lost soul. And, as believers, we should mimic His desire to see the lost come to Jesus.
- Sep 26, 2021The Lost Sheep
The Lost SheepThe Lord never wants us to forget His burden for people without Him. In this message, Pastor Chris dives into Luke 15, beginning with the first parable in verses 1 - 7 and points out that the subject of this, and the following parables, is not the lost sheep; but rather, the response of the shepherd to that lost sheep. He exhorts us to not become callous to the lost people around us, for those are the ones whom Jesus came to seek and to save--not explorers, not adventurers--lost people.
- Sep 19, 2021How Long Will You Waver?
How Long Will You Waver?One of the greatest keys to enduring success is learning how to make the right kind of decisions. And our lives are not a matter of chance, but choice. In this message, Pastor Chris exhorts us from 1 Kings 18:18 - 21 to make the choice to choose Jesus. He reminds us that God did give us the freedom to make any decision we want; but, with every decision, there is a consequence.
- Sep 12, 2021Being the Person God Can Use
Being the Person God Can UseThere is much unrealized potential in many lives, but that is not how God created us. Pastor Chris, using 1 Kings 19:19 - 21, reminds us that the Lord, Who redeemed us from our sins and restored us into the image of God, has chosen us and has called us for a higher purpose. Pastor Chris lays out three points on how we can realize our purpose in God and live it out to the fullest.
