In Matthew 16:19-27 Jesus says some hard words regarding the kingdom. He speaks of willingly surrendering to Him. Willingly surrendering to Christ gives access to the kingdom. It brings us life. It makes a soul alive. The goodness of what Jesus is saying is the kingdom is worth everything, and He is giving you access to it.

When I deny myself, what does that bring about? The obvious answer is Heaven.

But what about on the journey? Spiritual blessings that are more valuable than any others is brought about by denying oneself.

Christ gives us the most essential blessings – the spiritual ones. The promise of good news (Luke 4:18). Release from what imprisons you (4:18). The ability to see clearly (4:18). The power to choose good (4:18). The confidence of God’s favor.

Listen as Pastor Steve speaks about Ephesians 2:1-9 and Galatians 3:1-4.

We see the more modern bumper cars that throw us off the journey. The need for self discovery. Elevating empathy above honesty. Seeing cynicism as wisdom.

When you get hit by a bumper car, go to the cross. At the cross, surrender your pride. Realign your GPS to walk with Jesus.

Listen as Pastor Steve discussing holding onto what you have learned.

How do we hold onto what we have learned? Be a person who is teachable but not gullible. Be a person who is confident but not arrogant. Be a person who is respectful but not unquestioning. Be a person of curiosity with a heart of discernment.

Whether we are headed back to school or not, we can all learn to have the right kind of spirit.

How is your walk with Christ? Listen as Pastor Steve goes through 1 Kings 17-19 showing the highs and lows of Elijah.

Elijah was called to confront a sinful leader. Then he was fed miraculously. Both of those events were highs. Then his livelihood evaporates, which was a definite low. Then God surprised him with goodness. Then God is labeled as evil by those around him. A definite low in life. But God shows His love. A definite high. Then God honored his faith filled risk, which was both a high and a low. Followed by another high when God honored his prayer for grace. Then Elijah felt like it was all for nothing, a definite low. But God gives hope when Elijah looks to Him. Yet again a high in the life of Elijah.

What do we do with a life of highs and lows on this journey we call our faith? We celebrate the highs. We find joy in what God has done. Then we investigate the lows. We look to see what God might be doing. Leave judgement with God. Trust Him to be good and do what is right.

Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Matthew 11:5-6 to speak on Finding Joy.

Jesus isn’t about getting stuff from you.

Jesus talks about giving something to us. Something we’ll call transformation. Jesus doesn’t demand such things. Transformed people naturally do them. We do things that we didn’t do before we were transformed. Jesus is about touching our hearts so that He can bless our lives.

Jesus wants to meet your deep needs. Jesus wants you to experience joy. Joy is what really matters.

There’s pain involved in receiving joy, but it is worth it. The Gospel, even in the worst of times, meets our deepest needs. The Gospel, particularly in the worst of times, meets our deepest needs.

What is really behind your conflict?

Conflict comes from deep within our hearts. Either we will control our sin or our sin will control us. Sin can even distort our prayers.

What are the loyalties behind your conflict? Adultery is a loyalty that’s lost its way. Conflict exposes our misplaced affections. Friendship with the world takes away our defenses. Pride keeps conflict cooking.

Embrace humility that ends conflict. Submit to God’s authority. Resist the enemy’s influence. Draw near to God. Receive the invitation to restoration.

When you’re off kilter, something’s gotta change. Listen as Pastor Steve goes through Psalm 32.

Three signs that maybe something’s gotta change. You feel a holy dissatisfaction. You don’t feel right about yourself. You feel like avoiding God.

Where is this off-kilter-ness coming from? The Hand of God. Our own spiritual awareness. A reluctance to receive God’s redemptive proclamation.

How do you pursue the change you need? Talk with God about the change. Trust God for deliverance. Share your experience with others. Resist the lies about God’s trustworthiness. The essence of faith is trust. Live with a heart in tune with God’s.

There are times that we question is this all there is. We are still thirsty for something more.

Listen as Pastor Steve goes through John 4:5-29 and looks at the thirst that we have in life.

What do you think God wants you to do with your life?

There are some wrong answers like God wants me to have a good time. Or God wants me to do something “spiritual”.

Just because God doesn’t call you to something that we generally label as “ministry work” doesn’t mean He doesn’t care what you do with your life.

There are some fundamentals of serving God. God doesn’t need you to do anything. It is a privilege to be called to do anything for God. God is interested in forming you as a person.

God wants you to make sure your life shows that You’ve been chosen by God. He wants you to make good things happen. God wants you to glorify Christ by being like Christ.

There are certain things in this world that God has for you to do, and you’re just the right person to do them!

Listen as Louie Tkacik speaks about misplaced fear.

Misplaced fear is replacing the reverence/adoration for God that we were created to have with a looming anxiety about anything else.

Misplaced fear is a distraction.

Misplaced fear ignores God’s attributes.

Misplaced fear overlooks the cross.