Escape urself Podcast

July 16, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
Am I?
Over the next few weeks, we will be looking at the challenging words found in 1 John. I will be honest this is my favorite kind of study to do. I love going through a book chapter by chapter, verse by verse to discover what God reveals to us. It is truly the way that God gave us His word. 1 book or letter at a time. To be read, reviewed, broken down, and most importantly implemented into our lives.  
This short letter is challenging, if you are willing to take it to heart. John addresses questions like, “does it matter what you believe?” “Can God be known apart from Jesus?” “Does it matter if you believe in Jesus and maybe a few other ideas from the world?” “Does it matter if you believe most things about Jesus to be true but maybe not everything?” “Isn’t it enough to simply know God in your own way and on your own path?” John’s answers always point people toward the truth of Jesus. This study is perfect for anyone. Whether you are a lifetime follower of Jesus or someone who has never had their first encounter with Him yet.  

July 2, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 

This Sunday we are going to focus on one word.  A different word than last week.  But one that is just as essential.  Last week the word was repent.  This week it is forgive.  As we come to Independence Day, a day when we celebrate our nation’s freedom, we will be considering the greatest freedom that man can experience.   Freedom that comes from the forgiveness of your sins.  A freedom that is only found through the sacrifice of Jesus.  We invite you to come and share in this freedom with the family of God at Berea. 

June 25th, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
This Sunday we are going to focus on one word.
The word is mentioned throughout the New Testament. The concept is found throughout the old. In fact, this word plays a key role in salvation. This word, this concept is so important that men of every Biblical age preached it. John the Baptist preached it (Matthew 3:1-3); the Apostle John proclaimed its necessity (Revelation 2:5); Paul preached it wherever he went (Acts 17:30; 20:21); and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself strongly emphasized that men who refused to do this would perish (Luke 13:3, 5). This word was the foundational answer to the question that was asked by the crowd that had gathered the moment that the first Gospel message was preached! You could say that this word is part of the foundation of the church and who or should I say what we are to do to be saved? This word is the key that unlocks the door to God’s grace in your life.  
Seems pretty important right? Yet how many of us right now are trying to think of what word this could be? What concept, what spiritual foundation could this be? We cannot wait to share it with you!

June 18th, 2023
Fathers, there is no better way to help our kids experience the love of their Heavenly Father than through the person of their earthly father. When our kids feel us loving them, see us loving their mothers, watch us showing the love of Jesus to our friends and neighbors. See us helping those in need around us. Hear us interacting with strangers, encouraging people we don’t even know. Then they will get it. Not just because we do it, but because we take the time to explain to them why. We love because our Father first loved us. Out of love for Him this is who I am. Men, we must be consistent in this. Oh, we will mess up. Probably pretty often. But there is a lesson there too. As we show our kids how to gracefully fail and fall short. How to accept the forgiveness of God and show that same grace and mercy to them when they fall short as well.  
As a family, we want you to know that you are welcome to join us. God has a plan for you. No matter where you have been or what you have done, He is waiting for you now. Our God has a place waiting for you within our family at Berea. 

June 11th, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
Summer Break! 
It finally feels like summer! School is out, we have already had some heat and humidity. Many people are anticipating a summer vacation or just some time off. These are good things. God created this earth for us to enjoy. But I would caution you in one area. Don’t enjoy it without God. We all need a little break from the running and the daily grind. But don’t leave God behind. Make Sunday mornings one of the highlights of your week! Make it a priority to meet with the family of God and celebrate your Savior. The Summer is a great time to invest deeper into the things of God, rather than take a break from God or maybe it is a perfect time to meet God for the first time. 

We want to invite you to join us for a special worship service on Sunday, May 28th!
Worship in the Park! We will gather at the Band Shell in Forest Park @ 10:00 A.M.
May 21, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
Who’s Hungry?
Did you know that according to a recent study, a majority of U.S. adults desire a spiritual dimension to life? Do you think that is a coincidence? Or is there a greater force fueling that desire?  
This week we will look at a famous teaching of Jesus found in Matthew 25. He shares with them a hard truth. That there will be a day when everyone is separated into two groups. He then goes on to share the reason behind the separation. His description reveals several groups of people in need in various ways. How are those needs portrayed today? Are you and I helping to meet those needs? 

While we do not know where everyone who listens lives, we still would like to invite you to join us for a special worship service on Sunday, May 28th!
Worship in the Park! We will gather at the Band Shell in Forest Park @ 10:00 A.M.
May 14, 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
Happy Mother’s Day!
We know that this day brings great joy to many. However, we also know that this holiday can be difficult for many different reasons. As the family of God, it is our desire to focus today on the love that God has for all of us regardless of our situation in life. To challenge us to evaluate our priorities in life. And if you are a parent, to ask you how far you would go to protect your kids?
This week we will be sharing with you the example of a mother in the Old Testament who risked her own life to protect her child and was rewarded by God in ways that she could have never imagined. Please consider joining us this week as we celebrate the love and faithfulness of God. 

April 30th , 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
Faith once and for all
Jude 3-4
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people. 4 For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.”
How do we contend for the faith? In a world that is attacking the truth of Jesus from every angle, how do we stand strong. And how do we share His love and truth, grace and mercy, forgiveness and salvation with a world that denies Jesus even exists?  
As we finish this series on deconstruction, we will go to God’s Word to search for ways to build our faith so that stands the test of time. But our faith must do more than last, it must be shared with others. This is a foundational part of our faith. It is central to the command Jesus gave us to “Go and make disciples” (Matt. 28:19). If you are struggling in your faith right now, please join us and let the Spirit help strengthen you. If you have questions, please join us and let the Word of God begin to provide some answers. If you are ready to grow in Christ and go share the good news, please join us as we reach out to the community and world around us with the love and truth of Jesus. 

Faith that lasts…when I struggle
What is your greatest struggle in life? For many today there is a struggle to believe or have faith in God. Why? Where does this struggle come from? How can we fight against the temptation to abandon faith? 
Last week (4/16) we began to define “deconstruction” and share how we can grow closer to God and strengthen our faith in a world that wants to pull us away from God. A world that wants to prevent you from ever believing in God if it can. This week we will be looking at examples of people who struggled to believe for a variety of reasons. We will see how they handled those struggles and what we can learn from their examples. Do you have questions? Are you seeking answers? If so, we believe God would like to begin to reveal those to you. 

April 16th , 2023 @ 10:00 a.m. 
A Faith That Lasts…Deconstruction and the Pursuit of faith in Jesus
Last Sunday the world gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! This is the foundation of our faith. For the Christian, this is where it all begins. It is the reason we believe. But what happens when questions arise? When the world attacks? When society contradicts nearly everything that Jesus taught? What do we do?  
When you watch the news or read the headlines of a believer who suddenly renounces or abandons their faith, what do you think? How do you feel? When someone you know that has always been a faithful believer begins to stray away, when someone you know just stops attending church and begins distancing themselves from Jesus and from you, what do you think? How does that make you feel? When you encounter someone that says they do not believe in God at all, what is your reaction? Maybe you are the one that is struggling with these things. Whatever the case, we want you to know that God cares about how you feel. He desires to make Himself real to you, to your family, to your friends, whoever it is that is struggling in their faith. We would love for you to join us for this conversation.  
Over the next three weeks, we are going to help define “deconstruction” and share how we can grow closer to God and strengthen our faith in a world that wants to pull you away from God. A world that wants to prevent you from ever believing in God if it can. God’s love for you is greater. He would love a chance to respond to whatever the world is sending your way.