Relationships in HD — Letters to Our Children (Father’s Day)

Description:

From there, Eric reminds us that our families are our first mission field. We’re not called to sacrifice our kids on the altar of ministry—or to worship them as little gods—but to model a faith that is real, humble, and dependent on grace. Our children (and the kids in our church) “read” us long before they understand a sermon; we are living epistles, showing them what Jesus is like in how we love, repent, forgive, correct, and prioritize.

With stories about Peter sinking and being rescued, kids coming to Christ, “Happy Birthday Jesus” gifts, Santa vs. grace, and the dangers of child-centered homes, this message calls moms, dads, grandparents, and spiritual parents to embrace their ministry of reconciliation—starting at home—and to help little hearts meet a big Savior.

Key Scriptures (NKJV):

Highlights:

What it really means to be “saved”: rescued from sin, hell, and death, and made a new creation in Christ.

God as Father: not everyone is automatically a child of God—adoption comes through Jesus.

You are a “living letter”: your kids (and church kids) are learning what Jesus is like by watching you.

Family as first ministry: don’t sacrifice your family on the altar of ministry—and don’t worship your children either.

Using the tools God gives: church, kids’ ministry, pastors, and mentors as allies in bringing children to Jesus.

Teaching grace at home: gifts as a picture of the gospel and why “Santa theology” (earn it) is the opposite of grace (receive it).

Hope for imperfect parents: when you fail, repentance and honesty become a powerful testimony of God’s mercy.

Next Steps:

When feelings go quiet, faith keeps moving. In Part 10, Eric traces God’s faithfulness through hard seasons and shows why our relationships thrive only when our goals align with Jesus—His character, His truth, His way. From the gospel’s rescue (John 3:16; Peter sinking and saved) to rock-solid assurance (John 10; “God, who cannot lie”), we’re called to become living letters that people can read (2 Cor. 2–3): the aroma of Christ in a fractured world. Peter then gives us the template—no reviling, blessing when wronged, suffering well, and always ready with a gentle answer (1 Pet. 2–3). With the Samaritan woman’s story as a mirror, this message invites us to replace condemnation with compassionate truth so grace flows not only to us, but through us.

Key Scriptures (NKJV):

Highlights:

Faith vs. feelings: trusting God’s presence when you can’t sense it.

Set relational goals that match God’s goals—starting with Jesus at the center.

Saved to be seen: “living letters” and the aroma of Christ in everyday life.

Responding like Jesus: no reviling, blessing instead, suffering for what is right.

Gospel posture with the broken (Samaritan woman): truth without condemnation.

Assurance that holds—held in the Son’s hand, the Father’s hand, sealed by the Spirit.

Next Steps:

We’re jumping back into Relationships in HD with a foundation talk on connectedness—how a living relationship with God reorders everything: marriage, parenting, friendship, and our witness to a hurting world. Eric unpacks why Jesus at the center isn’t a slogan but a way of life: husbands loving like Christ (Eph. 5), wives honoring, parents reflecting the Father’s heart, and believers resisting a culture of condemnation by pointing people to the Savior who saves rather than shames (John 3:16–18). From Eden’s breach and God’s covering (Gen. 3) to the cross where love is proven (Rom. 5:6–8) and the promise that nothing can separate us (Rom. 8:31–39), this message calls us to walk in the light through ongoing repentance (1 John 1:5–9) and to let grace flow through us, not just to us. If your relationships need tools to cultivate, mend, or even restore, start here—on the sure foundation of the gospel.

Key Scriptures (NKJV):

Highlights:

Connectedness: why our bond with God sets the tone for every other relationship.

Jesus at the center of marriage and parenting—what that actually looks like day to day.

Gospel posture: not condemning, but inviting people to the One who removes condemnation.

Assurance that holds: the Son’s hand, the Father’s hand, the Spirit’s seal.

Walking in the light: repentance as a lifestyle that keeps fellowship fresh.

Practical tools to cultivate, mend, or restore relationships with Scripture as the guide.

Next Steps:

We wrap up the “Relationship with God” section of Relationships in HD by turning to the often-overlooked Person of the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. This message shows how the Spirit pours God’s love into our hearts (Romans 5), leads us from fear into sonship (Romans 8), teaches and reminds us of Jesus’ words (John 14 & 16), and speaks in a still, small voice that steadies us in storms (1 Kings 19; Psalm 46:10). We’ll talk honestly about what it means to grieve or quench the Spirit—and how simple, obedient faith re-opens the floodgates of joy, peace, and holy direction. If you’ve felt unloved, stuck, or unsure of God’s will, this episode will help you listen, believe, and walk as an adopted son or daughter.

Key Scriptures (NKJV):

How’s your relationship with God? In this message, we move from how God reveals Himself—through creation and His inerrant Word—to how we relate to Him in prayer. Hebrews 4:12–16 shows the Word as living and sharp, and Jesus as our great High Priest who tore the veil and welcomes us to the throne of grace with confidence (not arrogance). We talk about praying as you are, not as you wish you were; bringing your “bucket of pain” and your joys to the Lord; the difference between vertical forgiveness (you and God) and horizontal forgiveness (reconciled relationship); and practical ways to build a praying life—morning, midday, evening—until prayer becomes an ongoing conversation.

Key Scriptures (NKJV):

Pastor Eric continues “Relationships in HD” by showing how God speaks beyond pages and pulpits—through people and through providential events. From Esther’s “such a time as this” moment (Esther 4) to real-life stories of counsel, affirmation, and course-correction, we learn to resist fear, seek wisdom, and obey courageously. You’ll hear why fasting focuses the heart, how to test a word from others against God’s character and Scripture, and how trials can become classrooms for growth rather than wasted pain. Along the way: a celebration of community outreach, a reminder to vote your conscience shaped by Scripture, and a sober look at spiritual warfare with a greater confidence in Christ.

Scripture: Esther 4:10–17; James 1:2–4; Romans 15:4; Psalm 119:105; John 1:12; Proverbs 11:14; Colossians 4:6; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Tim. 3:16–17.

In Part 5, Pastor Eric moves from “how God reveals Himself” to “what God values—and how that shapes us.” Beginning with the gospel foundation (salvation, adoption, new birth), this message shows how an initial decision for Christ is meant to grow into daily discipleship. Through Scripture—our God-breathed, reliable guide—we see the values on God’s heart: truth, obedience, justice, mercy and compassion, faith, security/assurance, love, sincerity, humility, diversity, hard work, the church, and relationship.

You’ll be challenged to shift from a merely intellectual faith to an experiential walk with Jesus—praying continually, confessing truthfully, obeying even when it costs, and loving the people right in front of you. The question that lingers: How is your relationship with God—today?

In Part 4 of the Relationships in HD series, Pastor Eric moves from knowing about Jesus to truly knowing Him. Drawing from Philippians 3, this message explores how our relationship with Christ is not merely intellectual, but deeply experiential. We’re called to value Him above every other pursuit—our time, our treasures, our status—so that we may “know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.”

Pastor Eric also shows the real, human side of Jesus. We see Him weep for His friends, long to gather with His people, agonize over His mission, and even grow righteously angry at hypocrisy. This vivid portrait of Jesus invites us into a relationship with a living Savior, not a distant concept.

If you’ve ever wondered how to deepen your faith or why some drift away from the church, this message is for you. It will challenge you to let go of lesser loves and draw close to Christ Himself—the One who weeps with you, walks with you, and empowers you to represent Him wherever you go.

In this third installment of the Relationships in HD series, Pastor Eric unpacks how God reveals His character through His Word. From creation’s testimony to the preserved Scriptures, we learn not only that there is a Creator, but who He is: a God of love, holiness, justice, mercy, goodness, care, and generosity.

This message walks us through 2 Timothy 3 and beyond, showing how God speaks to His people through His Spirit-breathed Word. Along the way, Pastor Eric warns against false teachers who twist Scripture, reminds us of the need to ground ourselves in truth, and encourages us to see God’s character in light of Christ’s sacrifice.

If you’ve ever wrestled with God’s goodness in suffering or questioned His care during hardship, this sermon will point you back to the unshakable truth of His Word: God is love, God is just, God is merciful, and God is for you.

In this message, Pastor Eric continues the Relationships in HD series by turning our focus to the most important relationship of all: our relationship with God. Drawing from both creation (God’s general revelation) and Scripture (His special revelation), we discover how God makes Himself known to us—not as a distant, angry judge, but as a loving Father who treasures, rejoices over, and desires fellowship with His children.

From the beauty of the Northern Lights to the miracle of the preserved Word of God, Pastor Eric shows how everything around us points to a Creator who cares deeply about our joy, peace, holiness, and mission. Along the way, he reminds us that God’s Word is more than information—it is His love letter to the world, a living truth that transforms hearts and renews minds.

This sermon challenges us to invest in our relationship with God, to see Him as He truly is, and to recognize His concerns for every part of our lives. Whether you’re exploring faith for the first time or have followed Christ for years, you’ll be encouraged by the reminder that you are God’s joy, His treasure, and the object of His unfailing love.