Many Christians may find their spiritual lives resembling a broken-down vehicle, stuck in a cycle of failure and forgiveness. This isn’t the abundant life God intended. According to Scripture, 'normal Christianity' involves overcoming temptation, obeying God's will, and increasingly reflecting Christ's character. The missing piece isn’t a 'what' but a 'Who'—the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 reveals that the Holy Spirit frees us from the cycle of sin and death, directs us toward God, fills our minds with life and peace, and liberates us from past patterns of sin. Transformation comes not by trying harder or 'whacking' sins into submission, but from yielding to the Spirit, trusting His guidance, and partnering with Him daily. When we focus on Christ and fellowship with the Spirit, He changes our desires to align with God's heart, leading to the abundant life Jesus promised.

Chapter 1: Redefining Normal Christianity 0:00 - 7:07
Chapter 2: What the Holy Spirit Provides 7:08 - 25:14
Chapter 3: How to Experience Spirit-Filled Life 25:15

Why does the transformative news of salvation often feel like it's not changing us? This message delves into the tension between who we've become spiritually and how we still live practically. Drawing from Romans 6 and 7, it reveals the crux of the issue: our problem isn't merely doing wrong, but wanting wrong. Our misaligned desires create a sin problem. Like Paul's confession in Romans 7, we grapple with doing what we hate and failing to do what we know is right, not due to ignorance or lack of willpower, but because our desires don't align with God's. Introducing a concept from Thomas Chalmers, the message highlights the need to replace wrong desires with godly ones, akin to filling a cup with water to expel air. It outlines a pathway involving two transformative practices: confessing both sinful actions and desires, and relying on Christ's sacrifice for reconciliation. This isn't about trying harder but accessing divine resources for ongoing sanctification.

Chapter 1: A New Kind of Sin Problem 0:00 - 17:30
Chapter 2: The Battle of Our Affections 17:31 - 34:51
Chapter 3: The Expulsive Power of New Affections 34:52

This sermon challenges us with the profound truth that we're not simply flawed individuals in need of improvement; we're spiritually dead and need to come alive through Christ. Drawing from Ephesians 2 and Romans 3, it shows the gospel as a story of resurrection, not self-help. We explore the ABC framework: Admit that we're sinners in need of a Savior, Believe that Jesus is the only available Savior, and Choose to trust in what He has done. The message highlights our inability to grasp spiritual truth on our own—just as a lifeless body cannot respond, we require God’s Spirit to awaken us. It's not about agreeing intellectually or trying harder, but about receiving the unique gift of grace that Christianity offers. We're urged to put our full trust in this faith and recognize it's not meant to stop with us. For those already transformed by the gospel, we’re reminded to share this life-changing news with the eight to fifteen people within our relational world, praying for them to awaken to this truth.

Chapter 1: Admit That You're a Sinner in Need of a Savior 0:00 - 20:35
Chapter 2: Believe That Jesus Is the Only Savior Available 20:36 - 32:51
Chapter 3: Choose to Put Your Faith in the Gospel 32:52

When we say the church belongs to Jesus, it emphasizes profound ownership and leadership. In Matthew 16, Jesus declares, "I will build MY church," highlighting that it's His to lead, not ours to control. True biblical leadership stems from this principle, as seen in the qualifications for pastors and deacons in 1 Timothy 3, which stress character traits like faithfulness, self-control, and hospitality—qualities all believers should embody. Jesus chose shepherds and table waiters—roles looked down upon in the first century—to illustrate that true authority in His kingdom comes through humble service. This creates a dynamic where both leaders and followers are accountable to Jesus. In this partnership under Christ's authority, pastors lead humbly, and congregations follow joyfully, ensuring everyone flourishes as we remember whose church it truly is.

Chapter 1: Jesus Is the Leader of His Family 0:00 - 15:27
Chapter 2: Jesus Appoints Under Shepherds and Servants 15:28 - 37:38
Chapter 3: Mutual Accountability Under the Great Shepherd 37:39

In this powerful message, we're challenged to reconsider our relationship with the church. Are we merely attendees, or are we truly part of God's family? The early church, as described in Acts 2, sets a compelling example of devotion, fellowship, and shared purpose. We're reminded that belonging to a church family isn't about privileges, but about purpose. It's not just about being present, but about participating and partnering in God's mission. This message urges us to move beyond a 'hotel' mentality, where we simply receive, to embracing a 'home' mentality, where we contribute and engage. As we reflect on our own involvement, let's consider: Are we holding unswervingly to our shared hope? Are we spurring one another on towards love and good deeds? The invitation is clear - God hasn't called us to attend His family, but to belong to it. How might our lives and our community be transformed if we truly made ourselves at home in God's family?

Chapter 1: The Importance of Being Present 0:00 - 20:39
Chapter 2: Participation in Church Life 20:40 - 36:50
Chapter 3: Partnership and Membership in the Church 36:51

In this impactful message, we uncover the significance of baptism and communion in our faith. These sacred ordinances serve as visible symbols of our transformation and unity. Matthew 28:19-20 highlights Jesus' command to baptize, signifying our acceptance of salvation and unity with Christ’s death and resurrection, as seen in Romans 6:3-7. In 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, communion calls us to remember Christ’s sacrifice, proclaim His death, celebrate our unity, and anticipate His return. As we witness baptisms and partake in communion, we reflect on our spiritual rebirth and shared unity as a church family. This message invites us to embody these declarations of faith and engage with our Christian heritage together.

Chapter 1: Call to Worship 0:00 - 11:21
Chapter 2: Announcements 11:22 - 14:51
Chapter 3: Understanding Baptism as a Christian Ordinance 14:51 - 30:10
Chapter 4: The Meaning and Practice of Communion 30:11 - 47:44
Chapter 5: Celebrating Baptisms as a Church Family 47:45

In this powerful message, we're challenged to consider the vital role of accountability within our church family. Drawing from Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthians 5, we're reminded that addressing sin isn't about harsh judgment, but about restoration and protecting the unity Christ died for. The speaker presents a stark contrast between cancel culture and biblical accountability, emphasizing that our goal should always be to win our brother or sister back. We're encouraged to grieve over sin, judge it wisely, and remove it when necessary - all while focusing on those within the church rather than judging the world outside. This message calls us to examine our own hearts, to be open to loving correction, and to speak truth in love to others. It's a sobering reminder that sin, like yeast in dough, can spread and affect the whole community if left unchecked. As we reflect on this, let's consider: How can we cultivate a culture of loving accountability in our church family?

Chapter 1: The Importance of Accountability 0:00 - 26:09
Chapter 2: Dealing with Sin in the Church 26:09 - 40:34
Chapter 3: The Dangers of Desensitization 40:35

In this message, we're reminded of the beautiful unity that exists within the family of God, despite our differences. The key scripture, Ephesians 2:11-22, illustrates how Jesus tore down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles, creating one new humanity. This serves as a powerful metaphor for our own lives - we're called to embrace our diversity while maintaining unity through our shared faith in Christ. The message challenges us to reconsider how we view our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially when we disagree. Are we rebuilding walls that Jesus destroyed? Or are we making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit? This teaching is particularly relevant in our divided world, reminding us that our identity in Christ supersedes all other labels. As we navigate cultural tensions, we're encouraged to respond with humility, gentleness, and patience, always seeking to maintain unity through the bond of peace.

Chapter 1: Embracing Unity through the Gospel 0:00 - 22:06
Chapter 2: Identity in Christ Over Labels 22:07 - 32:00
Chapter 3: Maintaining Unity through Effort 32:01

Are we truly generous with what God has given us? This powerful message challenges us to rethink our relationship with money and possessions. Drawing from 2 Corinthians 9, we're reminded that God loves a cheerful giver and that our generosity can deepen our worship and accelerate His work in the world. The key insight is that everything belongs to God - we're merely stewards of His resources. By shifting our perspective from 'earning' to 'stewarding,' we open ourselves to a transformative faith journey. As we learn to share freely, we not only grow in our trust in God's provision but also become more effective witnesses to His love and grace. This message invites us to step out in faith, testing God's promises and experiencing the joy of true generosity.

Chapter 1: Understanding Money as a Tool 0:00 - 18:25
Chapter 2: How Sharing Grows Faith 18:26 - 28:01
Chapter 3:  Faithful Stewardship and Blessings 28:02 - 39:12
Chapter 4: Generosity Accelerates God's Mission 39:13

In our exploration of spiritual gifts and responsibility within the church family, we're reminded of our unique roles as priests and members of Christ's body. The apostle Peter's words in 1 Peter 2:5 highlight our calling to be 'living stones' in God's spiritual house. This powerful imagery emphasizes that each of us has a vital part to play in the church. We're not just passive recipients of God's grace, but active participants with a responsibility to serve. The message challenges us to shift from a consumer mindset to one of contribution, asking not 'What can I get?' but 'What can I give?' As we embrace this perspective, we'll discover a deeper sense of belonging and purpose within our faith community. Let's reflect on how we can use our God-given gifts to build up the church and serve others, fulfilling our priestly role in God's kingdom.

Chapter 1: The Priesthood of All Believers 0:00 - 15:29
Chapter 2: Members of One Body 15:30 - 20:31
Chapter 3: Understanding Spiritual Gifts 20:32 - 33:42
Chapter 4: Discerning Your Spiritual Gifts 33:43