"24", Part 3 of 6 - "Condemned By The Righteous"

As we continue this series “24,” discussing the final 24 hours before Christ’s death, it’s important that we understand what Jesus was facing. He was facing a mob mentality, putting punishment ahead of justice and truth. But to get there, to get to the mentality of the sentence being set before the trial even begins, to get to the point of the same crowd cheering His entry into the city TURNING on Him and shouting for Him to be crucified, we start by looking to the moment of betrayal.

Join us as we unpack this and more as we continue our series, “24”.

Note: The original message was given on February 28, 2016 and published on a later date.

"24", Part 2 of 6 - "Agony Is NOT Defeat"

Throughout the life of Jesus we get glimpses into His humanity. We see it when Lazarus dies and Jesus mourns. We see it when Jesus gets frustrated with the disciples, asking them “how many times do I have to tell you, let the children come to me.” He became exhausted after a long day of preaching and healing, and He needed to get away.

But in this moment, hours before the incredible physical, spiritual, and mental pain He's going to endure, what did Jesus do? How did He prepare so His body can deal with the brutal punishment it was about to go through?

Join us as we unpack this and more as we continue our series, “24”.

"24", Part 1 of 6 - "The LOVE Feast"

There’s something special about a table. It’s easy to see at holidays or maybe a special family dinner, but historically life happens around a table. We come together and eat, we talk, we see life and interactions in real ways. So Jesus, in His final hours with all of His disciples together, gathered around a special table.

So what was Jesus teaching us around this table of the Lord's Supper? What is our call as His followers in discipling others and teaching them what He taught?

Join us as we unpack this and more as we begin our series, “24”.

"Mythbusters", Part 5 of 5 - "Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin"

On it’s face, “Love The Sinner, Hate The Sin” seems like something that makes sense. I mean, we know we’re supposed to love everyone around us. We know sin is evil. So put it together and we have a nice phrase we can pull out and use whenever it seems appropriate.

But this is a phrase I can act out. So how am I called to act this phrase out? Is it even possible to do this in a way that honors God?

Join us as we unpack this and more as we finish our series, “Mythbusters”.

"Mythbusters", Part 4 of 5 - "God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It"

Brothers & sisters in faith typically stand in two camps in regard to the Bible: either it's inerrant and infallible, or it's not. Whatever you believe around inerrancy and infallibility, there is a statement for us to consider: God’s character is contained in the Bible, but God is not contained by the Bible. We’re doing our best to wrap our heads around an infinite God with finite minds reading in a finite language.

I think the biggest question we should ask is this: what are we trying to settle? Is our heart to bring people into a greater understanding of Christ, or is our heart to win an argument?

Join us as we unpack this and more in our latest series, “Mythbusters”.

"Mythbusters", Part 2 of 5 - "God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle"

"God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle" is another incredibly common phrase. But looking at Facebook and Twitter, when we asked whether this is true or false there wasn't much debate; across the board most people said false. In fact, the people who replied that this phrase is false even quoted where it came from and how it's been twisted from scripture. So here's the question we need to answer: "is this phrase even comforting?" What are we trying to say when we tell someone "God Won't Give You More Than You Can Handle," and how can we convey that message in a biblically true statement?

Join us as we unpack this and more in our latest series, “Mythbusters”.

"Mythbusters", Part 2 of 5 - "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves"

68% of born-again Christians believe that "God Helps Those Who Help Themselves." 55% of Christians strongly agree with this statement. 75% of American teenagers believed that “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves” was the central message of the bible. But contrary to 68% of BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS, maybe even contrary to what you believe, you won’t find the phrase “God Helps Those Who Help Themselves” in the Bible. Any time we have that many people who claim to be followers of Christ believing something that isn’t explicitly in the scriptures we should search out for the truth.

Join us as we unpack this and more in our latest series, “Mythbusters”.

"Mythbusters", Part 1 of 5 - "Everything Happens For A Reason"

“EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON.” It’s a phrase I’m sure all of us have heard or said at some point in our life. Usually it’s said in a time of crisis, whether personal or in a community. The idea is that no matter how bad the situation, no matter what kind of pain or loss someone is going through, there’s a reason for it. But why? Why do some things happen? What's the reason? Even if we can understand the things WE had a part in, what about children dying? What about disease and natural disasters? What's the reason then?

Join us as we unpack this and more in our latest series, “Mythbusters”.

Mary & Joseph lost Jesus when He was 12 years old...sort of. And after 3 days of looking in the busy city of Jerusalem they found Him sitting at the temple, talking to the rabbis and others gathered. Everyone was amazed, but Mary had one question: “why would you do this to me? To your father, Joseph? To your family?”

Jesus responds with a calm wisdom. He answered in a way that was loving, honest, and maybe even a little challenging. He tells them that if they really understood Him, who He was, it would have been a short search. So today we are reminded of a few places we know we can find Him.

We invite you, as we begin 2016, to join us on the journey in this week's message from Awakening @ First Church: "Where We Find Him."

"Christmas Carols", Part 4 of 4 - "Joseph's Lullaby"

Fatherhood is a daunting task. It takes every ounce of manhood to raise a family, and it's not easy. How much greater was the task before a man like Joseph, charged with caring for the Son of God, the Messiah? What was his call in the light of his family?

Join us as we unpack this and more in our latest series, “Christmas Carols”.