Series: The Perfect Gift (Part 2)

Date: December 8, 2024

Scripture: (Luke 1:57-79)

Teacher: Mike Mileski

Often, what passes for "peace" really isn't - like in the Pax Romana, when Rome conquered and destroyed and enslaved, and the world called it "peace".

John's parents, Zechariah and Elizabeth weren't deceived because because they'd been praying for God's TRUE peace: His Shalom. Advent is their story too - the story of prayers answered, and a son who would prepare the way for Messiah, who'd teach us all the "path of peace".

#peace, #shalom, #pax, #paxromana, #violence, #paxamericana, #paxeuropa, #ukraine #gaza #war

Series: The Perfect Gift (Part 1)

Date: December 1, 2024

Scripture: (Luke 2:22-39)

Teacher: Mike Lewis

The years before the arrival of Jesus were dark, difficult ones for God's people. As an oppressed, conquered people, many in Israel had given up hope that things could get better.

Two important exceptions were Simeon and Anna. Their hope - in spite of appearances - is a powerful testimony to all of us that Jesus is God's perfect gift for people who struggle to trust that God CAN and DOES keep His promises.

Series: Formed (Part 9)

Date: November 24,

Scripture: 2Corinthians 3:12-18

Teacher: Mike Mileski

Over the last several weeks we've learned about spiritual disciplines by which God forms us - like a potter with clay - into the image of Jesus. In this final message, we review and reflect on what we've heard and invite God to speak to us. This guided listening prayer creates space for us to slow down, quiet our hearts, and listen for the Spirit's voice. We trust it'll be helpful for you!

#prayer #listeningprayer #contemplativeprayer #spiritualformation #formed

Series: Formed (Part 8)

Date: November 17, 2024

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Teacher: Mike Mileski

Many of us have cringey evangelism stories to tell. Somehow we learned that evangelism is about proving Christianity is the best religion, and those who reject it are fools.

In this message, Philip's conversation with the Ethiopian Eunuch gives us helpful lessons about what Gospel proclamation is and isn't. And, we saw why anyone who believes this Gospel - literally anyone - is qualified to announce it to others.

#evangelism #gospel #jesus #witnessing #defeaters #apologetics #conversion #sexualminorities #holyspirit #church

Series: Formed (Part 7)

Date: November 10, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 96

Teacher: Mike Mileski

Everyone is a worshipper, and everyone worships. What happens when Christians gather for corporate worship?

In this message, we learn to see the regular gathering of God's people for worship as one more spiritual discipline that God will use to make us more like Jesus. It's not about "going to church" - it's about being the Church by showing up to celebrate the one who formed the Church, and become more like Him!

Series: Formed (Part 6)

Date: November 3, 2024

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21

Teacher: Mike Mileski

Jesus had more to say about money than virtually any other subject. He knew that sometimes, what we own actually owns US. In this message, we're challenged to relate to our wealth and possessions as stewards - managing what God has entrusted to us - in order to find freedom from greed, materialism, coveting, consumerism, etc.

#wealth, #money, #greed, #thegospel, #covetousness, #materialism, #consumerism, #hamont, #thegospel, #jesus

Series: Formed (Part 5)

Date: October 27, 2024

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14

Teachers: Lane Fusilier and Mike Mileski

This week is a special one on one conversation on suffering between Pastor Mike and retired pastor Lane Fusilier. Lane's stories of personal loss and suffering make him a powerful voice for those of us wrestling with how to go through suffering in a way that makes us more like Jesus, not less.

It's true that suffering isn't like other spiritual disciplines - because it's not something we choose; on the other hand, it's just as much a tool that God will use to form us, if we're aware of His presence with us while we're in it.

#suffering, #theGospel, #thecross, #jesus, #theChurch, #loss, #grief, #sorrow

Series: Formed (Part 4)

Date: October 20, 2024

Scripture: Psalm 119:97-106

Teacher: Mike Mileski

The aim of reading Scripture isn't just to add more Bible knowledge to our brains, but to internalize God's Word. What method(s) of study will help us do so? How do we know we can trust the Bible? What do we do when we find apparent mistakes in there? This message sets out to show why and how the regular reading of Scripture is an essential practice for followers of Jesus.

#theBible, #scripture, #authority, #inerrancy, #sufficiency, #GodsWord, #spiritualdisciplines, #practicingtheway #formed

Series: Formed (Part 3)

Date: October 13, 2024

Scripture: Luke 11:1-13

Teacher: Mike Mileski

Corrie Ten Boom said "When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.”

More recently, Catholic theologian Henri Nouwen said "The only way to pray is to pray, and the way to pray well is to pray much.”

Prayer is central to the Christian life, and we cannot become more like Jesus without spending time with Him, and contemplating Him in prayer. In this message we set out to answer common questions about prayer, and to introduce several different kinds or forms of prayer.

#prayer, #contemplativeprayer, #lectiodivina, #visiodivina, #examen, #walkingprayer, #journalling

Series: Formed (Part 2)

Date: October 6, 2024

Scripture: Mark 2:23-3:5; Luke 13:10-17

Teacher: Mike Mileski

By nearly every available measure, we live in an Anxiety Culture. Like the Ancient Hebrews, we live in fear of we know not what or whom.

To that culture, and to ours, God calls us to practice Sabbath. It's perhaps the greatest tool in our anxiety toolbox, and the most ancient spiritual discipline.

We ought to Sabbath for all sorts of reasons, and if we do, we can start to believe and live like our time is holy; who can trust God with all the things on our 'to-do' list that didn't get done, and whose decisions are no longer made from fear, but faith.

#anxiety, #sabbath, #exodus, #moses, #jesus, #thegospel, #sunday, #lordsday, #genesis, #miracles