Guest Speaker

Things Jesus Never Said: Week 3 (Jeremiah 17:5-10)

Things Jesus Never Said: Week 3 (Jeremiah 17:5-10)

October 27, 2019 | Jonathan Yakel | Jeremiah 17:5-10

This week we continue our series on Things Jesus Never Said (even in 1x10^6 years). First of all, He is not bound by time! He is the author of all truth because He is The Truth. Some statements the world comforts us with are partially true and some are just out of left field at Nationals Park.

“Follow your heart” is an example of one that sounds compassionate when delivered to us but falls short of providing value when we are searching for answers. When God reveals His truth to us, it is plain to see that any person’s heart is not to be followed.

Jeremiah 17:5-10

5 Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. 6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. 8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it? 10 “I the Lord search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds.”

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The Great Storyteller: Week 5 (Luke 18:9-14)

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The Great Storyteller: Week 5 (Luke 18:9-14)

September 1, 2019 | Charles Causey | Luke 18:9-14

The church stands or falls on this one question, "How shall we be right before God?" If we get this wrong, we have nothing but false hope, moralism or idolatry. How are we justified before God? The parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector sheds light on what God cares about vs. what man thinks is important.

Luke 18:9-14

"He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

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A Faith That is Seen and Moves

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A Faith That is Seen and Moves

July 21, 2019 | John Bartlett | 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Our faith should be something others see, impacting how we live, as we share the Gospel and make disciples.

 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 8 For not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything. 9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

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"Embrace the Weirdness" - Week Six

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"Embrace the Weirdness" - Week Six

June 9, 2019 | Jim Day

This week we will complete our sermon series, “Embrace the Weirdness,” where we have been looking at the fact that sometimes God calls us to do things that are out of the ordinary. In truth, simple obedience to scripture causes the world around us to take notice. Obedience to God in the world’s eyes is just plain weird! As expected, when we follow Christ, we are going to stick out. 

This week we zero in on the early church as God started it in Jerusalem. Throughout the life of the church, the Holy Spirit has been the key to spreading the gospel. In Acts 1:8 Jesus tells His disciples, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” But what does this mean?

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"A Life of Irony vs. A Life of Integrity"

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"A Life of Irony vs. A Life of Integrity"

May 26, 2019| Charles Causey | Psalm 15:1-5

This week, we are probing into a crucial aspect of intimacy with God: living a life of integrity.

The world would make us think we can live any way we want and still be able to call upon God to deliver us from all of our troubles. There is some truth to this—God is faithful when we are faithless, and He is always capable to hear and heal us in our time of need. However, this kind of philosophy misses out on a huge blessing of the Christian life, that of daily intimacy with Him.  Is there a current disconnect in the life you present to others and your true secret life?

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Last Words: "It is Finished"

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Last Words: "It is Finished"

April 7, 2019 | Dave Keener

This week we continue with week 6 of our sermon series “Last Words.”

John 19:29-30

“A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

Hebrews 1:3

“He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...”

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Last Words: The Promise of Paradise and the Cost of Paradise

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Last Words: The Promise of Paradise and the Cost of Paradise

March 10, 2019 | Craig Clendinen | Luke 23:43

This Sunday, March 10th, we will continue with Part 2 in our series about the seven things Jesus said on the cross. We will be joined by Wycliffe missionary to Asia, Craig Clendinen as we look at the second thing Jesus said on the cross: "Today you will be with me in paradise."  What are the implications to the repentant sinner? What wonderful promises did these words have to the thief who acknowledged his sin to Jesus?

 Learn how the Gospel is spreading in Asia against fierce opposition as the power of forgiveness is on display in this passage and in action through the Wycliffe ministry to unreached people groups.

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Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 5

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Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 5

February 10, 2019 | Jonathan Yakel | 1 Peter 4:10-11

This week we continue in our series “Running on Empty” as we look at the spiritual discipline of serving.  Spiritual gifts manifest themselves in many ways, but we are all called to serve. Just like studying scripture, praying, and worship, we are designed to serve each other.   

We will look at how serving others fills our tank when our motivations are pure and how it can be exhausting when our hearts are not in the right place. There is a wide range of actions that we define as serving but all are pointless if not for the glory of God. 1 Peter 4:10-11 reminds us that it is through His strength that we are able to minister to others. 

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Praise

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Praise

December 30, 2018 | Jake Mitchell | Psalm 150:1-2

As we come to the close of the year, many of us take time to reflect on our past year and resolve for the upcoming year. Oftentimes, in our reflecting and resolving, we focus on different practices that need to be changed or continued as we move into the new year. While this is important, God is calling us deeper. During this time of ends and beginnings, let us shift our focus from examining practices to asking God to examine something much deeper–the posture of our heart. One prime thing that sheds light onto the posture of our heart is asking God to examine the state of our PRAISE.

1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Psalm 150:1-2

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Ready for Battle: Wk 6

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Ready for Battle: Wk 6

December 2, 2018 | Dave Keener | Ephesians 6:13-18

We continue with week 6 of our sermon series “Ready for Battle” as we look deeper into the call Paul gives us to take up the armor of God. Now that we have carefully looked at each of the tools God has given us and by God’s grace “taken them up,” what is it that God would have us do? What are our orders as we stand firm against the schemes of the enemy? And whose battle is this anyway?