All of us have had “turning points” in our lives, where the direction we were going suddenly changed, often dramatically. Turning points can be positive or negative – impacted by relationships, seasons of life events, or life-changing experiences. Today’s message on “REMEMBERING,” is the first of a five-part sermon series on “Turning Points in Life.” In our series, we will explore the stories of men and women of Scripture and see how God worked in each one of their lives to bring a “turning point.” We will see how this “turning point” left each one radically different as persons and how that experience gave their lives new purpose, meaning, and focus. Pastor Wallace begins today with the familiar story of Jonah and the whale. He lays forth the idea that there are two turning points in this story: one initiated by God and the other by Jonah himself. First turning point: God did not allow Jonah to drown. Second turning point: Jonah prayed and praised God! What was the turning point in your life that brought you back to God?

Support the show

Happy Father’s Day. In today’s message Pastor Wallace notes that although Father’s Day is a difficult day for some and a day of celebration for others; we all can celebrate and praise God for His great love. When it comes to a father’s love, the Scriptures have a lot to say, and they all point to the love of our Heavenly Father. The Scripture lesson teaches about what manner of God’s love is available and the object of that love – US. If you have not experienced the love of your earthly father, know that God can be your Heavenly Father and His love is everlasting – NOW and Later. 

1 John 3:1-2 (NKJV)

Support the show

In the book of Psalms, the various psalmists face all of life’s vicissitudes. There are ups-and-downs, highs and lows, victory-and-defeat, joy-and-sorrow, doubt-and-confidence. But when you get to the end of the book of Psalms, the storms cease, the clouds lift, and the sun shines. And as darkness gives way to light, life’s ultimate priority comes into view. And this ultimate priority is stated with an imperative: “Praise the Lord.” In today’s message Pastor Wallace highlight why God deserves our praise and suggests that God deserves our praise because of what He has done and who His is. What is God worth to you?

Support the show

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the Sunday we celebrate the church’s birthday. Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season. For Christians, it is a memorial of the day the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in the form of fiery tongues, an even t that took place fifty days after the Resurrection of Jesus. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace reminds us that Pentecost is an event of both the past and the present. The gift of the Holy Spirit is still alive and should move us to action and inspire us to share this gift with others. In this message, you will see what happens to a group of gathered people together when the Holy Spirit is breathed into them, when God breathes into them the breath of life. Your life will be changed, you will be empowered to be and do God’s work – to speak loudly and act forcibly. 

Acts 2:1-4;42-47 (NRSV)

Support the show

According to Billboard’s Year-End of chart of the Top 100 Songs of 1965, No.1 was “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace suggest that not much has changed today. There’s a desire and hunger at work that cannot be satisfied, gratified, or fulfilled. It’s the same hunger that Isaiah in chapter 55 wants the people to be attentive to. He wants them to feel the depth of their hunger, to feel the depth of their desire. For what do you really hunger? For what do you really thirst? What do you really desire? Or as White Castle ads suggests: “What you crave? These are questions we need to regularly ask ourselves. They are essential for life’s journey. In this message, Pastor Wallace will challenge you to examine what’s really driving you – what’s really motivating you. The answer is found in the One who alone can give us living water to well within us to everlasting life. We want you to come to or come back to Christ and to drink!

Support the show

It’s amazing what a change divine grace will work in a person and how short a time! In today’s message, Pastor Wallace tells the story of Peter who once followed his Master afar off, and with oaths and curses denied that he knew His name, is now to be found side by side with the other disciple John, boldly declaring the resurrection of Jesus Christ. How does one go from denying Jesus to boldly proclaiming that He is the Risen Lord! What accounts for this change in circumstances? The text reveals that they had been with Jesus, and this was the explanation. They had somehow caught the infection of the resurrection and believed themselves to have the same power as Jesus Christ! 

This is the continuing miracle of Easter. Not so much that Jesus Christ rose from the dead but that you and I may rise from the death in which we now find ourselves and become in our ordinary lives, beings of extraordinary witness to Christ. When we spend time with Christ, we become imitators of Him. We are given in Christ a chance to do extraordinary things and to take nothing and make something, to go from a nobody to somebody. Who are you hanging out with? 

Support the show

One of life’s most unpleasant experiences is to be at odds with someone - a family member, neighbor or coworker. Whoever it is, it’s never pleasant. In the same manner, in today’s message Pastor Wallace shares with us that although many people don’t realize it, they are at odds with the worst enemy imaginable: the living God! Our sins means that outside of Christ, we are enemies of God. But God, because of His great love, sacrificed His own Son on our behalf to change us from enemies to friends, from alienation to reconciliation. Therefore, since we have been reconciled to God, the good news is that we can change. You don’t have to be what you have been doing. You don’t have to say what you have been saying. You don’t have to do what you have been doing. God can and will clean your past, conquer your problems, and change your personality. Most importantly, not only can God change you; but He will keep you. 

Support the show

Last week, Christians all over the world celebrated Easter. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the most amazing event in history. But just as amazing is that every person who trusts in Christ shares the reality, power, and glory of His resurrection. In today’s message, Pastor Wallace reminds believers that Jesus Christ has forever changed our status before God through His bloody cross and empty tomb. In light of our new position, not our “condition,” we can change our ways by the sovereign power of the risen Christ. 

That is the message of the text. Jesus Christ changes the lives of those who live with heavenly priorities. Colossians 3:1-4 lay down the requirements and reasons for living with heavenly priorities. Today, many Christians are so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good. Is that you?

Support the show

Today, is Easter, the day we celebrate Jesus rising from the dead. This morning, Pastor Wallace invites us to look at the Easter story and Christ’s victory over the grave. He wants us to focus on the women who came looking for Jesus early that first Easter morning. Theirs is an important story and we can learn a lot from them, particularly since we often do not know what it is that we are looking for. Pastor Wallace wants us to see three things about desperately looking for Jesus from these women’s lives which means: 1) putting Christ first; 2) letting nothing stand in your way; and 3) joyfully obeying God’s commands. You will never be disappointed when you seek Christ first, because when you seek Him, you will find Him, and He is all you could ever want and need.

Support the show

In this podcast, Pastor Wallace is concluding our Lenten sermon series on “Praying Through the Psalms” with a focus on spiritual success in living long life. As we consider Psalm 16 together, Pastor Wallace first briefly looks at the causes of David’s insecurity, and ours; and why he is praying this prayer. And then lastly, he follows King David to see where he finds his assurance, that extraordinary security that characterizes him in Psalm 16. Pay close attention to the three sources of insecurity that David has to face and see if you recognize any of them in your life. More importantly, reflect to make sure you handle your insecurities like David does.  

Support the show