At every turn today we're constantly barraged by messages about the things we're lacking or missing in life, along with spotlighting the things we should consider that might make us more content—or at least distract us from our gnawing discontent for a time.

In reality, we often don’t really understand what true contentment looks and feels like. More than merely feeling ‘satisfied’, contentment is a deeper state of mind and heart that, when authentically experienced, draws us closer to the heart of God. 

But it doesn’t just naturally grow in us, and we just mentally ‘flip a switch’ and turn contentment on. A content heart must be thoughtfully cultivated, and when we do, it unlocks so much more for us in understanding God’s best for our lives.

Let's begin unpacking this and more in today's message, starting with how contentment cultivates both confession and greater joy in our lives...

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—Philippians 4:10-14 (CSB)—

10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me. 14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

—Galatians 5:16-26 (CSB)—

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things ​— ​as I warned you before ​— ​that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

—Philippians 4:6 (CSB)—

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

—Mark 10:51-52 (CSB)—

51 Then Jesus answered him,“What do you want me to do for you? ”“Rabboni,”' the blind man said to him, “I want to see.” 52 Jesus said to him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” Immediately he could see and began to follow Jesus on the road. 

—Matthew 6:30-34 (CSB)—

30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t he do much more for you ​— ​you of little faith? 31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat? ’ or ‘What will we drink? ’ or ‘What will we wear? ’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

—Luke 11:9-13 (CSB)—

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him? ” 

—Luke 11:9-13 (CSB)—

9 “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” 

—Psalms 37:4 (CSB)—

4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.

—2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (CSB)—

Therefore, so that I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so that I would not exalt myself. 8 Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times that it would leave me. 9 But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

—Isaiah 53:1-9 (CSB)—

Who has believed what we have heard?  And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

2 He grew up before him like a young plant and like a root out of dry ground.

He didn’t have an impressive form or majesty that we should look at him, no appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of suffering who knew what sickness was. He was like someone people turned away from;  he was despised, and we didn’t value him.

4 Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced because of our rebellion, 

crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds. 6 We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to the slaughter and like a sheep silent before her shearers, he did not open his mouth.  8 He was taken away because of oppression and judgment and who considered his fate?  For he was cut off from the land of the living; he was struck because of my people’s rebellion. 9 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully.

—Numbers 6:24-26 (CSB)—

24 “May the Lord bless you and protect you;

25 may the Lord make his face shine on you

and be gracious to you;

26 may the Lord look with favor on you >

and give you peace.” ’ 

When we're jealous, we are in effect saying, “God, you don’t really know what I need to be happy”. Often the 'gateway' to so many other negative emotions, from greed to anger to guilt and shame, jealousy is also a road leading to resentment of God's goodness in other people's lives, while ignoring God's goodness in our own lives.

The antidote for jealousy is cultivating a heart of contentment. And in truth, the secret of cultivating a heart of contentment is found in Christ and Christ alone. Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

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—Philippians 4:11-13 (CSB)—

11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. 12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content ​— ​whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

—Philippians 2:2-4 (CSB)—

...make my joy complete by thinking the same way, having the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. 4 Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others.

—Philippians 4:6 (CSB)—

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

—Psalms 63:1-7 (CSB)—

God, you are my God; I eagerly seek you. I thirst for you; my body faints for you

in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water. 2 So I gaze on you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory. 3 My lips will glorify you because your faithful love is better than life. 4 So I will bless you as long as I live; at your name, I will lift up my hands.

5 You satisfy me as with rich food;  my mouth will praise you with joyful lips.

6 When I think of you as I lie on my bed, I meditate on you during the night watches

7 because you are my helper; I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.

—Philippians 4:19 (CSB)—

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

—Philippians 2:5-11 (CSB)—

5 Adopt the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God  as something to be exploited.  7 Instead he emptied himself by assuming the form of a servant, taking on the likeness of humanity.  And when he had come as a man, 8 he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death —even to death on a cross.

—Ephesians 3:14-21 (CSB)—

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. 16 I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, 17 and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, 19 and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us ​— ​ 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Today, we consider the baggage of fear, a reality we all must contend with. 

What are you most afraid of? Being completely honest, what ominous fears do you find yourself secretly simmering or wrestling with in quiet moments or sleepless nights? 

In this episode we invite you into a deeper understanding of how combatting the baggage of fear starts with having a right-sized view of God. And how a richer understanding of the profound goodness of God can absolutely overshadow even the darkest "shadow of death" fears in our lives.

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

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—Psalms 23:1-6 (CSB)—

The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3 He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4 Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff ​— ​they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.

—Psalms 139:7-12 (CSB)—

7 Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, you are there. 9 If I fly on the wings of the dawn and settle down on the western horizon,  10 even there your hand will lead me; your right hand will hold on to me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me, and the light around me will be night” — 12 even the darkness is not dark to you. The night shines like the day; darkness and light are alike to you

—Philippians 4:5-7 (CSB)—

The Lord is near. 6 Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Today, we consider the baggage of pride—and more specifically spiritual pride. We revisit the story of a “rich, young ruler” who approached Jesus asking what he must do to gain eternal life, only to leave confused and dismayed by Jesus’ answer. We’ll see how Jesus' answer wasn’t a recipe for salvation, but an exposure of a heart’s idolatry. 

An idol is anything more important to us than God, and this is at the very heart of what Jesus is saying to us here.  If we're honest with ourselves, we really resemble the rich young ruler in letting our own religious pride prevent us from even seeing how the “idols” in our own lives are preventing our hearts from fully loving Jesus with our whole being. 

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

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—Mark 10:17-31 (CSB)—

17 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? ” 18 “Why do you call me good? ” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother. ”  20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” 21 Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him,“You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. 

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples,“How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! ” 24 The disciples were astonished at his words. Again Jesus said to them,“Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were even more astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved? ” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said,“With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to tell him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus said,“there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundred times more, now at this time ​— ​houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions ​— ​and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Today, we are looking at the baggage of bitterness, which always starts with unforgiven pain at its source. And this unforgiven pain, left unchecked for too long, has profound effects on our lives. But it doesn’t have to.

As followers of Jesus we're sometimes called to seasons of suffering, but not under the oppressive weight of our own unforgiveness and resulting bitterness. But how do we deal with the seeds of unforgiveness and prevent the ugly fruit of bitterness from taking root and growing in our lives? 

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

Matthew 18:21-35 (CSB)

21 Then Peter approached him and asked, “Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? As many as seven times? ”22 “I tell you, not as many as seven,” Jesus replied,“ but seventy times seven. 

23 “For this reason, the kingdom of heaven can be compared to a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle accounts, one who owed ten thousand talents was brought before him. 25 Since he did not have the money to pay it back, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold to pay the debt. 26 “At this, the servant fell facedown before him and said, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 Then the master of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him the loan. 

28 “That servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him, started choking him, and said, ‘Pay what you owe! ’29 “At this, his fellow servant fell down and began begging him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’ 30 But he wasn’t willing. Instead, he went and threw him into prison until he could pay what was owed. 31 When the other servants saw what had taken place, they were deeply distressed and went and reported to their master everything that had happened. 32 Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you? ’ 34 And because he was angry, his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 

35 So also my heavenly Father will do to you unless every one of you forgives his brother or sister from your heart.”

Have you ever had to be bold about something? To stand up to someone or set the record straight?

There's a time coming when boldness in our faith will be more important than ever. And in this time we’ll have two choices: ➊ to recede or backpedal in fear, or ➋ to boldly step forward and stand up for truth.

But how? And what does that even look like? And what if we've not had the best track record with being bold before?

Today we consider two contrasting stories of Peter: First when he fearfully denied even knowing who Jesus was to a teenage girl, and then when speaking with seismic boldness only 50 days later to set the record straight about exactly what has just happened with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Peter understood scripture, and his Holy Spirit boldness was rooted in this knowledge of scripture and his realization of Jesus. By better understanding these things, we can gain a better understanding of how to step into greater boldness similarly in our own lives. 

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

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Acts 2:14-41 (CSB)

14 Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them, “Fellow Jews and all you residents of Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words. 15 For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning. 16 On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 And it will be in the last days, says God, that I will pour out my Spirit on all people; then your sons and your daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 I will even pour out my Spirit on my servants in those days, both men and women and they will prophesy. 19 I will display wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below: blood and fire and a cloud of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 

22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to these words: This Jesus of Nazareth was a man attested to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through him, just as you yourselves know. 23 Though he was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail him to a cross and kill him. 24 God raised him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by death. 25 For David says of him: I saw the Lord ever before me; because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices. Moreover, my flesh will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me in Hades or allow your holy one to see decay. 28 You have revealed the paths of life to me; you will fill me with gladness in your presence. 

29 “Brothers and sisters, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah: He was not abandoned in Hades, and his flesh did not experience decay. 32 “God has raised this Jesus; we are all witnesses of this. 33 Therefore, since he has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, he has poured out what you both see and hear. 34 For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says: The Lord declared to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.’ 36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 

37 When they heard this, they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what should we do? ” 38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt generation! ” 41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them.

It was just another day...until it wasn’t. 

Today we continue exploring the critical yet often overlooked role of the Holy Spirit in our church and lives as Christ followers. First with the Day of Pentecost, when a group of people begin suddenly and inexplicably speaking in other languages. We also consider the broader context of two central figures echoing in the story, Abraham and Moses, and the key events underlying God's plan surrounding that day.  

Then we look more deeply at the Spirit's role that day, and even still in our church and lives today, so that we can see more clearly the Holy Spirit as a long-awaited gift to us, whose purpose is not to divide us, but to unite together in Jesus.

Are we seeing the Holy Spirit do anything in our lives that would cause unbelievers in our community to stop and ask, “What's happening with that church?”

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

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Acts 2:1-13 (CSB)

When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. 3 They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. 4 Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were Jews staying in Jerusalem, devout people from every nation under heaven. 6 When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 They were astounded and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 How is it that each of us can hear them in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts), 11 Cretans and Arabs ​— ​we hear them declaring the magnificent acts of God in our own tongues.” 12 They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean? ” 13 But some sneered and said, “They’re drunk on new wine.”

As followers of Jesus, we've been given the Holy Spirit. But who is this “Holy Spirit” really?

Focusing on the Holy Spirit is a salient reminder that we are deeply in need. We desperately need the Holy Spirit in our lives to fix what's broken, restore us to God and resurrect what is otherwise hopelessly dead inside us. Anything else that we turn to for this will eventually fail us.  

Today we consider the Holy Spirit's divine qualities, the name of God indirectly given to him, the works of God attributed to the Holy Spirit, and how these things are relevant to our lives.

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…

Have you ever thought of the Holy Spirit as a person? 

For most people, it's easier to view Jesus, and even the Father, as distinct personalities. But the Holy Spirit can often seem more like God's mystical shadow, with somehow not as much actual person-hood.

And yet the Holy Spirit is very much a person. His power is equal to the Father and the Son's, and yet his mission is distinct. His actions—to guide our hearts, to counsel, comfort and convict— are deeply personal, and the better we understand him, the more profoundly & intimately we understand our God.

So, today we look more closely at the person of the Holy Spirit, to better understand him as a vibrant part of our daily lives…

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—Deut. 6.4 (CSB)—

“Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart.

—John 14:16-18 (CSB)—

16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever. 17 He is the Spirit of truth. The world is unable to receive him because it doesn’t see him or know him. But you do know him, because he remains with you and will be in you. 18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.

—John 16:8 (CSB)—

8 When he comes, he will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment. 

—John 16:13 (CSB)—

13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.

—Psalms 86:11 (CSB)—

11 Teach me your way, Lord, and I will live by your truth. Give me an undivided mind to fear your name.

This is about loving God. And if we are going to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, then we need to pursue, to the degree our minds can attain it, some understanding of God. One of those ways of understanding begins with the doctrine of the trinity.

But what is the trinity? Where is the trinity in the Bible, and how should we apply this triune doctrine to our lives?  

Let's unpack this and more in today's message…