Jacob's Well Church

Sometimes we get into big situations and wonder how did I get here? What is going to come from this? We honestly have no idea what can come from it but God does. He has a hopeful plan and a purpose for you. Even if that means taking a step of obedience. Our choices reveal our character. In the end our character should reflect Jesus, because character is contagious.

In the midst of the unexpected that life throws our way, we can begin to feel a sense of hopelessness. In times like this, it's important for us to turn our eyes towards home. Home to God our father, the security of a relationship with Him and the hope of our eternal destiny being secure in Him, despite the trials, loss and grief we may be facing in the present. This week we see both Naomi and Ruth take steps on their journey home to Bethlehem and back to God. Do you feel far from home? Today can be the day you take that first step back towards home. Your father is waiting with open arms to restore your hope!

What do you do when the unexpected happens? Life is unpredictable and when the unexpected happens, we all have choices to make. It was no different in the Book of Ruth, whose story we'll look at over the next six weeks in our summer message series, "Unexpected Hope". If life was predictable, if the unexpected never happened, we wouldn't recognize our need for hope. It's reassuring to know that what is unexpected to us is not unexpected to God, and that no matter what circumstances we face, we can trust, have faith, and live in hope that God's purposes are being revealed as we follow his leading. We can live in hope!

What does it mean to be a man? We live in a day in which that is a difficult question to answer. Men are warned not to be a carrier of “Toxic Masculinity.” Much of the concern is born from real pain caused by abusive men.  It is unclear how men are supposed to respond to women in the day of #metoo, in which abusive behaviors that where once common and were accepted as the “boys will be boys” are being called out and condemned as wrong. 

Men feel unsure how to engage in an appropriate way, so some are simply retreating into a world of video games, sports and isolation.  There is also a great deal of confusion and change regarding gender roles and even the nature of gender. Is gender a social construct or something grounded in nature or some sort of mix of the two? Statistically men, and especially young men, are in a crisis. Wellbeing statistics indicate that an alarming number of men are not doing well emotionally, economically and educationally. The rate of suicide among men is growing rapidly and there seems to be a general sense of despair and low-grade Nihilism that is spreading especially among the young. A crisis of meaning in which many men feel there is no real purpose or meaning in life. Too many men are withdrawing from their responsibilities as fathers, husbands and contributors to society. The emphasis on denying masculinity has led to many men becoming more violent, emotionally withdrawn and isolated.

In this message we will argue that the problem is not masculinity but men who are immature. We will further argue that there are bad models for masculinity and positive models. The positive models can be used to help young men discover a way in which expressing their masculinity as a positive force for good. This will allow them to take greater responsibility for themselves and to meet their relational commitments in a healthy way. This will also allow men to be a force for positive change that works for the common good.

In this message we will discus how we can recognize false teachers, prophets and unethical leaders.It is also a warning for leaders not to slip into abusive behavior

We probably experience criticism in some form every day. It may be constructive (in the form of feedback or input), or it may be unfair or even untrue. Paul’s response to biting criticism from the “super apostles” in the Corinthian Church shows that although it was painful, because it involved the Gospel of Christ, it was very much worth it. Paul boldly responded by defending his ministry and the Gospel. He also shows us how to deal with (and even welcome!) criticism in our own lives as we follow Christ.

Repentance is a big word, a loaded word, a concept many people don't fully grasp. But it's not really that complicated---just really costly. But when we embrace a godly sorrow that leads to repentance, the process and its results are infinitely valuable and communicate powerful truths about God and about the body of Christ, the Church. Repentance encourages like nothing else can, and when we live it out together, we become a witness to the love of Jesus and the power of the Gospel.

In week four of our Worth It series, we look at 2nd Corinthians again, and the ministry of reconciliation. We see how God has invited us into the story of redemption and how we can share the Gospel with those around us. 

A mother gives the best parts of her self to her family. Her body, her passion, her resources. This is the same love we see in Jesus. The Gospel declares that this kind of sacrificial love is worth it.

In this message we are going to consider the relation of the Gospel and suffering. We will show that to live the Gospel we must let God be our comfort so that we can bring comfort to others with the comfort of God. We must measure our temporary suffering in comparison to the eternal reality of everlasting life. We will also share some reasons God allows suffering.