Jacob's Well Church

When we say God is good, we are saying something both simple and profound. This truth is the guide for how the Christian should live. God is good, even in a world with real evil. We should be people who embrace the good and oppose the evil.

We live in a world that says beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That beauty is subjective. While there is a degree of truth to this when we discuss preferences, this is relatively a modern idea. The ancients believed that there existed a transcendent reality called the Beautiful and we would recognize it when we experienced it. The Beautiful was something to be discovered, pursued and sacrificed to bring forth. This was the concept that drove art for centuries.  The idea that beauty is its own reward. Postmodern philosophers have brought forward the concepts that beauty is an artificial and abusive concept used to control people. They argue those things that seem beautiful are only things that we are drawn to because of our experience and biological needs. Art therefore is no longer the pursuit of the beautiful but a tool to deconstruct, tear down and make a statement. Art as protest is the new normal. As Christians we believe reality is defined in the nature and Character of God. That which is beautiful reflects and displays those things in harmony with the nature and character of God. Therefore, to pursue and bring forth that which is beautiful is worship, and worship reveals the nature and character of God. He is the ultimate Beautiful One.

In this new series we will consider the attributes of God. We will discuss the need to worship God as He reveals himself. Anytime we pick and choose what aspects of God we want to embrace while ignoring or even rejecting others, we create God in our own image and ultimately start to worship something that is not the true God. In doing so we become idolaters. Not only is a god of our own design not helpful but these gods can become dangerous. Any god but the true God is a taker and cruel. We will consider how God reveals himself in the scriptures through those verses that tell us "God is…" We will begin with the understanding that God is, by definition, beyond our understanding, experience or capacity to fully understand. JW Kids will be tracking with this series also, so this will be an opportunity for families to connect over the next few weeks. And through the daily devotionals we will be showing how the Names of God reveal who God is. This is ultimately a series on worship-- Our transcendent God is worthy of our best response through worship. The big take away from this series? --We are to align our nature and character with the nature and character of God.

Do you have the power to change your life and to change the world? In this message we will unpack the power of the life death and resurrection of Jesus and show how it has changed everything. It has freed us from the slavery of our past, established us with a new identity and destiny for the future and empowered us to do good works today. True saving faith comes with powerful grace. That grace brings real salvation that makes real change. Once again I ask: Are you in Chris? Or just in Church?

In this message we will walk through Ephesians chapter 1, showing Paul’s emphasis on being “In Christ” or “In Him.” Paul’s desire is that the heart of the church would be enlightened and that we would know the significance of God’s plan. That we would know our purpose in Christ and the HOPE to which we are called: Because we are in Christ everything changes. Consider this: Are you truly in Christ? or just in church? We will look at what Paul says should and will change when we are "In Christ".

Today is the 3rd week of a message series called Yes I Will. Today we are reading from Daniel chapter 6 where we see an example of faith lived out. Although Daniel could’ve lost his life, he chose to honor God no matter what. Not by power not by might but by God’s Spirit Daniel found the courage to stay faithful.

Very often it is hard to see past the hope we need for today. When we can step back and get a glimpse of God’s bigger eternal plan it helps make sense of our journey today and gives us the hope we need.

Continuing with the study of Ruth, this message covers verses 1-10 in chapter 4. In this section, Boaz steps into his role as the kinsman redeemer for Naomi and Ruth. His actions can inspire all of us to willingly step into situations and serve others as a redeemer. Also, and more importantly, Boaz's role as the redeemer foreshadows the redemption available to all through Jesus. Redemption is a free gift that Christ offers to all through his death and resurrection, but it is a gift that becomes true for each individual when it is accepted as an act of faith.

Ruth's bold actions inspire others to take the same step. Through our actions, we can show hope and inspire others through the good consequences of our actions.