First Love Revolution

How do you respond when you feel attacked, alone, desperate?   In this continuation of the Soldiers and Citizens series, Pastor Brandon reminds us of the weapon that each of has access to... but that too many of us don't pick up often enough: The Word.  Using Matthew chapter 4 as a frame, this sermon examines the ways we can use Scripture to win our spiritual battles. 

When we think of doing great things for the Kingdom, we often consider warriors like David or firebrands like Peter, but are we willing to play the role of a donkey?  In this Palm Sunday message, Pastor Moses uses Matthew 21:1-5 to remind us that humility is necessary if we want to carry Christ to others.  And that's just one of a few thoughts concerning donkeys.

Would you use a tool that you knew could be as harmful as it is helpful?  Would it be worth the risk?  In our series Soldiers and Citizens, Pastor Trent examines the benefits and drawbacks of the tongue, a most powerful weapon for both good and evil.  Backed by numerous verses, he reminds us of the key to taming the tongue and any other weapon we would wield in our spiritual battles. 

We're commanded to love God with all of our minds, but what if we're not doing that?  Are we open to correction?  Pastor Shane shares the process of correcting faulty thinking and how being comfortable can be a barrier to a mind fully devoted to God. 

1 Samuel 16:13 tells us that after his anointing by Samuel, "the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David from that day forward."  Pastor Shane examines not only what can keep us in the stream of the Spirit, but common obstacles and attacks that attempt to knock us off course.  If you've ever had an encounter with the Holy Spirit and long for more of Him in your life, you'll appreciate this examination of David's early life. 

While pursuing knowledge is admirable, it's possible that our knowledge can actually be a stumbling block when we desire to love God with all our minds.  Pastor Shane reveals an underemphasized but vital element of our awareness of God, His word, and His kingdom and shares simple but powerful ways to increase our understanding.  

No one can deny the power of a group that is unified.  But how can that group stay unified, particularly when it's under attack?  In this series about weapons that we can use in spiritual battle, Pastor Amy shares the power of unity, the threats that come against it, and how we can protect it for God's glory. 

Today's message returns our focus to "with all your mind" from what Jesus said was "the greatest commandment" (Mark 12:30).  Pastor Shane reveals two competing mindsets that dominate our decision making and challenges us to once and for all choose to think in a way that makes Him our first love.

Our Wednesday night series begins with Pastor Shane's examination of the Sermon on the Mount.  In it, Jesus proactively provides a picture of who God really is, in particular as our Father.  What the sermon reveals is that Jesus was always showing us the father, witness to who He is, and correcting those who were missing it.  Is your weapon of spiritual warfare your witness to who God is?  

Our examination on the "with all your heart" part of The Greatest Commandment wraps up with a message about what quenches the fire of our hearts.  Pastor Shane offers a deeper look at the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) to reveal what was flawed about both brothers' understanding of their father's love and how that kept them from truly loving him.