Come Alive (Audio)

Sin is very hard to let go of. Because of Adam and Eve, we inherited a selfish nature, and we instinctively choose to do things that make us feel good. The problem is that the fun only lasts so long. Before long, we start to realize that hurting ourselves and others isn’t worth it. By that point, the sin is so entrenched in our lives that it may seem impossible to root out. As Pastor Mark reminds us in today’s message, it is not impossible. Christ purchased our freedom, and through the Holy Spirit we can completely conquer sin. We need to look beyond the short-term pleasure and see the eternal consequences.

Most parents want to protect their children from the harsher realities of life. Hannah and Elkanah would have felt the same about their son, Samuel, yet they surrendered him over and trusted that God would do great things through Him. God gave us that desire to protect our children from things that would harm them and itt’s not a bad thing, but at times, we might shelter them to a dangerous extreme. As Pastor Mark explains in today’s message, God used Samuel, young though he was, to deliver a strong message. God is not limited by age or status; He’ll use even the weakest amongst us to administer His will.

Most parents want to protect their children from the harsher realities of life. Hannah and Elkanah would have felt the same about their son, Samuel, yet they surrendered him over and trusted that God would do great things through Him. God gave us that desire to protect our children from things that would harm them and itt’s not a bad thing, but at times, we might shelter them to a dangerous extreme. As Pastor Mark explains in today’s message, God used Samuel, young though he was, to deliver a strong message. God is not limited by age or status; He’ll use even the weakest amongst us to administer His will.

God has blessed all of us with certain strengths that make us well suited to minister in the ways that He calls us to. Sometimes, we might take those special gifts and use them as an excuse to avoid doing things we aren’t as gifted in. As Pastor Mark explains in today’s message, there are certain aspects of the Christian life that are common to all believers. All of us need to be diligently studying the Word, spending time in prayer, and sharing the Gospel with others. Even if we struggle to understand Scripture, or our prayers feel weak, or we struggle to talk with others, He will equip us as we commit to living in His will.

God has blessed all of us with certain strengths that make us well suited to minister in the ways that He calls us to. Sometimes, we might take those special gifts and use them as an excuse to avoid doing things we aren’t as gifted in. As Pastor Mark explains in today’s message, there are certain aspects of the Christian life that are common to all believers. All of us need to be diligently studying the Word, spending time in prayer, and sharing the Gospel with others. Even if we struggle to understand Scripture, or our prayers feel weak, or we struggle to talk with others, He will equip us as we commit to living in His will.

Maybe it’s a particular sin, a habit, a possession, or perhaps a misleading doctrine, but we all have areas of our lives that could be seen as an infection. As with Pastor Mark’s example of an infected tree branch, it may be painful to cut off that harmful part. Many times, it’s become such an important part of our lives that it is stealing resources and energy from our relationship with God. As He reveals those problem areas to us, we are faced with a hard decision. Do we surrender to His loving wisdom and cut that sin or struggle completely out of our lives or do we hang on and let it gradually destroy us?

Maybe it’s a particular sin, a habit, a possession, or perhaps a misleading doctrine, but we all have areas of our lives that could be seen as an infection. As with Pastor Mark’s example of an infected tree branch, it may be painful to cut off that harmful part. Many times, it’s become such an important part of our lives that it is stealing resources and energy from our relationship with God. As He reveals those problem areas to us, we are faced with a hard decision. Do we surrender to His loving wisdom and cut that sin or struggle completely out of our lives or do we hang on and let it gradually destroy us?

Serving God can be very hard. It often means going to undesirable places and doing things that are completely selfless. In many cases throughout history, following Jesus has led to persecution and even death. Yet, so many of those believers, even in the middle of painful torture or execution, were filled to overflowing with a supernatural joy. In today’s message, Pastor Mark challenges us to examine our own walk with God. Are we following Him joyfully, ready and willing to endure the social or physical persecution or are we begrudgingly going through the motions simply for the eternal benefits?

Serving God can be very hard. It often means going to undesirable places and doing things that are completely selfless. In many cases throughout history, following Jesus has led to persecution and even death. Yet, so many of those believers, even in the middle of painful torture or execution, were filled to overflowing with a supernatural joy. In today’s message, Pastor Mark challenges us to examine our own walk with God. Are we following Him joyfully, ready and willing to endure the social or physical persecution or are we begrudgingly going through the motions simply for the eternal benefits?

Often times parents get caught up in the everyday routine and they neglect the calling God has on their lives. When He blessed them with the gift of children, He also called them to raise them up in the Gospel. Part of every parent’s role is to teach their children as much as they can about who God is and demonstrate what it means to live in relationship with Him. As Pastor Mark examines the account of the Eli’s sons, we are warned to be guarded against spiritual complacency and idleness as we raise our kids. We need to make sure that we are actively pointing them towards our Savior.