The Church Has Left The Building:

"Never Mess With God"

1 Samuel 5: 1-12

It can be hard to know if we are truly answering God's call, but the people around us can affirm us and keep us on the right path. Sometimes, we have to trust that God is speaking to us through others, even when we have self-doubts.

Things You Should Know About Jesus:

"Sometimes We Hurt Him"

Luke 13: 31-35

In this text Jesus laments over the sins of Jerusalem. Any parent knows the pain of watching a wayward child do things that are destructive to their life. The older the children get, the less we can protect them from themselves. The same is true with Jesus and with us.

The Church Has Left The Building:

"Be Supporting"

1 Samuel 20: 1-17

Answering a call is rarely easy. But with the support of good friends and a community, we don't have to face the hardships alone.

Things You Should Know About Jesus:

"He Wants to Change You"

Luke 13: 1-9

Oftentimes Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God and part of Jesus mission on this earth was to prepare us for that coming Kingdom. But for us to be ready, means that we must change, and true change must include true repentance.

Things You Should Know

About Jesus:

"It Was Never About Him"

John 16: 12-15

The entire life of Jesus was about redeeming a lost and broken world. It was about doing and being what God wanted Jesus to do and to be. So often we look at our church, and even our faith from the perspective of what we want. But then, the work of God in this world is not to help us get what we want, but what God wants for us.

The Church Has Left The Building:

"God's Purpose"

1 Samuel 16: 1-13

God has a (different) purpose for everyone, even if it seems unlikely or calls you away from the "norm".

Things You Should Know About Jesus:

"There's a Cost"

Luke 14: 25-33

Jesus was very clear in telling potential disciples to "count the cost" before they decided to follow him. The truth about following Jesus is that it comes with the expectation of growth. But then Spiritual growth is a commitment.

Experiencing God

(a guide to knowing and doing God's will):

"Adjusting My Life to God's Will"

Romans 12: 1-2

A good relationship often takes compromise. One or both sides have to make adjustments. To truly experience God means compromise as well, but not on God's side, but from us and how we live our lives. Big Point: "We have to make major adjustments in our life to join God in his work."

Being the Church:

"Be Transformational:

Romans 12: 1-2

Being transformed allows us to be transformational in the world.

Experiencing God

(a guide to knowing and doing God's will):

"Navigating Your Crisis of Belief"

Hebrews 10: 19-25

At one point all of us will experience at least one crisis of belief. This can manifest itself with doubts about the existence of God to doubts about what God really wants from us. If we navigate this crisis correctly, we generally get closer to God once we go through it. Big point: "God's invitation to work with him often leads to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action."