You don't have to be an alcoholic. You don't have to be an addict. The truth is, any one of us can have an unhealthy relationship with alcohol or drugs (whether legal or not). But how can we tell? How does one avoid crossing the line from moderation into excess? How does one determine when a permissible thing has become a necessary thing that we can't live without, and more importantly, which then robs us of the real rest we can only find in Jesus? #escape #realrest

Achievement and success so easily become “ours,” don’t they? The more hard work and effort we put into something, the more natural it is for us to overlook the true source of our success: the Lord and his strength. May we grow in our ability to humbly give credit where it is due, and always remember to thank God for the strength he provides to accomplish even the smallest good through us.

Sermon Info: "JUDGES - Rebellion → Regret → Rescue: (Samson)”  •  Judges 13-16  •  Breaking the Cycle series

The same individual or group who previously dismissed you or rejected you now needs you. Do you help? Do you come to their aid? Jephthah was in a similar situation. He wasn’t the only one. So was Jesus. We know how Jesus responded and are eternally grateful for it. How did Jephthah respond? How would you respond?

Sermon Info: "JUDGES - Rebellion → Regret → Rescue: (Jephthah)”  •  Judges 11 •  Breaking the Cycle series

We all make plans - some better than others. Sometimes we formulate and carry out our plans to near perfection and other times things seem to start to unravel right out of the gates. While some plans are better than others and sometimes we may forget certain details, may we never forget to include God in our plans. Yet even when we do, may we rejoice all the more that he hasn’t forgotten to include us in his!

You may not feel particularly special. You may have convinced yourself that God is very selective with the people in whose lives he chooses to operate and make an impact. You think that God only makes a difference for people who have their act together and have everything going for them. Well, that’s not the God who chose to raise up an ordinary Gideon for an extraordinary rescue mission. That God is more than capable of accomplishing anything he wants by using absolutely anyone. Including you.

Maybe it’s only been recently. Maybe it’s been your whole life. We get spiritually stuck. Progress suddenly slows or comes to a complete stop. Perhaps we backslide or stumble mightily in sin. Then we turn to the Lord and start all over again. How do we break the cycle? How do we get unstuck so that we see less of the pattern of rebellion, regret, and rescue in our lives? We’ll look at the book of Judges for answers, directing our attention today to the account of Deborah.

If you’re a #dad, Father’s Day might be a mixed bag. Your wife and children might do something special to express their appreciation. At the same time, a day set apart to recognize your role as a dad might also serve as a sober reminder of past failings as a #father. God has good news for you today: he specializes in making faithful fathers from deficient dads.  

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me a Dad with Proper Priorities”  •  Deuteronomy 6:4-9 •  Summer Vocation series

If God is so great, then why does he need us to #glorify him? Is he that full of himself? Does he actually struggle with insecurity? Truthfully, God does not need us to give him #glory. He doesn’t call us to glorify him for HIS benefit, but for ours.

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Glorify Him”  •  Colossians 3:15-17 •  Summer Vocation series

“All the church cares about is #money.” Maybe you’ve heard it. Maybe you believe it. Financial giving is a struggle for many. Why are some able to give so generously while others struggle to give at all? The difference is found in realizing who is really doing the #giving. Spoiler alert: it’s not us.  

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Manage His Gifts Faithfully”  •  1 Corinthians 8:1-15 •  Summer Vocation series

Jesus described characteristics that apply to his #disciples. They will hold to his teachings, love others, and bear fruit, to name a few. But as challenging as any of them is Jesus’ call to bear our #cross. What makes it so hard? The better question is, what makes it so worth it?

Sermon Info: "God Calls Me to Bear My Cross”  •  Luke 9:21-26 •  Summer Vocation series