Blaze Church

As we begin year five, we are committed to blaze beyond! An eternal perspective pushes against a me-centered culture. God is calling us to blaze a path for others to Know Him. Joseph saw every challenge in his life as part of the journey to go ahead and save lives. Jesus declared His mission was to serve; not to be served. We can be consumers or contributors. How do we blaze beyond? 1) Embrace the gospel 2) Elevate others 3) Evaluate ourselves. We are all-in, committed to radical generosity, and ready to blaze beyond!

We’ve probably all said at some point, “I want to help, but I don’t think I can.” There is a desire to serve, but often the cost of using our time, talent, and treasure stops us from making a difference. In Jesus, we have been created to do good! What can shift us from being consumers to contributors? The gospel! The story of the good Samaritan teaches us that we are helpless, but Jesus came to make a difference in our lives. You cannot be the Samaritan until you identify as the Jew. Consumers ask, “What will it cost if I serve?” Contributors ask, “What will it cost if I don’t serve?” You were made for this!

We are on a constant “purpose-quest.” No one wants to live a meaningless life. The enemy will try to devalue your existence, and cause you to doubt your worth. But we believe, “you were created on purpose, for a purpose.” Jesus came to restore the human job description that God gave us when he made us. The Holy Spirit empowers us, produces fruit in our lives, and gives us gifts so we can fulfill our unique purpose. Discovering our purpose begins with discovering Jesus. He alone gives our lives true, eternal meaning! 

When we confess our sin to God, we are saved. But that is not the end of the journey; God wants to transform us and deliver us! The way we find freedom is through confessing to other believers. Throughout the Bible we see moments where God used another believer to help someone find freedom. At TCC, we believe that Groups are where deliverance takes place. When we connect, protect, and grow with others, we will experience the freedom God has for us.

The first step on our spiritual journey is to KNOW GOD. Jesus taught that simply saying, “Lord, Lord,” isn’t the same thing as intimately and personally knowing Jesus. God’s will for our lives is to know Him. This knowing isn’t a one-time moment - it is an ongoing process. We grow in our knowing God through weekend gatherings, prayer, and the Bible. People who know God know it’s God’s will for ALL to know Him. We become witnesses to what we’ve seen Jesus do in our lives. Do you know God? Are you making Him known?

Before you can know what’s next, you need to know that YOU have a next step. Why do you have a next step? Because YOU matter! You matter so much that God sent His Son to find you and save you. Jesus told an incredible story to teach us how ALL of us need His rescue. Whether you feel too good or too bad for God, the Gospel declares that all of us are in need of saving.

Enjoy this incredible message by Pastor Mike Jankowski, the Lead Pastor of The Harbor Church. Celebrate with TCC as we announce our next step as a church! 

Pride has contradicting definitions. There is a big difference between being proud of your accomplishments and being too proud to accept help, guidance, and love. Our pride can create blindspots in our lives and make us value our way over God’s way. But if we humble ourselves and follow the grace that Jesus showed us when he died for our sins, then we will approach life with the wisdom of God. Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts and wants us to surrender our lives to Him so that we can spend eternity in heaven.

Everyone is branded. Your past, present, or future can brand you. To the church of Philadelphia Jesus reminded them of His ultimate authority as the only entry to a relationship with God. Salvation is sure because Jesus is the Door. The church was facing persecution and battles. Branded believers are bold in the battle! Our self-created brands are simply trends. Jesus alone gives an eternal status that cannot be removed! 

Does your reputation match your reality? The church of Sardis had a reputation of being alive, but Jesus said they were actually dead. To be truly alive in Jesus we must be gospel-focused, Spirit-filled, and choose prayer first. All of this is possible because of Jesus alone; He is our hope! The wake-up call that Jesus gave Sardis, He loving gives to us today.