Our mission statement says that we “Believe in Christ alone.” Well, of course we do. We are a Christian church. It is right there in our name! The danger isn’t in believing in something instead of Jesus, the real danger is in believing isn’t enough. Believing that we need Jesus PLUS something else. The Apostle Paul faced this same problem in the church of Colossae. His words to them are just as important to us today.

The greatest threat to the Church today does not come from the outside, it comes from within. We have lost our Sense of Belonging! God’s Word reminds us that we Belong to each other and we Belong to God. This week Peter reminds us who we are and to whom we belong.

Our best life is following Jesus.

God entrusted every believer with a special gift. Hand picked by God to match our wiring to His perfect plan. God trusts you with that gift. Do you trust Him enough to invest His gift back into the Kingdom?

Can anything Good come out of Samaria? Jesus uses an otherwise despised enemy to teach us what a real neighbor looks like. Who’s your neighbor?

The Lost must be Found! That is a recurring theme for Jesus throughout the Gospels. Seeking and saving the lost was His own personal mission, and the mission He sent us, His church, on as well. What happens if we don’t join Him on His mission? How will the lost be found? Who will go searching?

Is a fig tree a fig tree if it never bears figs? Botanically speaking, it is still a fig tree, but certainly not a healthy fig tree. Something is not right with that fig tree. In our story this week, Jesus talks about a fig tree that isn’t producing and answers the question, “What do we do with a tree that doesn’t bear fruit?” With a relationship, a job, a church, a “believer” that doesn’t bear fruit?

How’s your retirement account doing? Equity in your home growing? We pay a lot of attention to our investments. We expect them to grow, so when they are not performing as expected, we move our assets elsewhere. God is no different. He has placed heavenly resources in each of us and expects a healthy return on that investment. The Parable of the Shrewd Manager teaches us what that looks like. 

The one about the 10 Virgins… or... If you’re gonna be a Bridesmaid, make sure you are a “Wisemaid”!

What do you do when God doesn’t answer your prayer? Do you quit praying? Quit believing? Or even walk away? In this week’s Summer Story, Jesus teaches us how to pray through “unanswered prayers” with power, persistence, and with Shameless Boldness!