"Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer." - 2 Timothy 2:3-4

Of all the identities that the Scripture gives us...this may be one of the most difficult and unsettling. How can you best equip yourself for a battle "against the powers of this dark world and against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12)?"

GO DEEPER: Ephesians 6:10-20

We've all heard a rags-to-riches story, maybe one of an orphan who is adopted by a wealthy family. Maybe we have even uttered that we would like to be adopted by a wealthy family...

We have been...the wealthiest...we have been called joint heirs with Christ!

"Now if we are children, then we are heirs -- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory." - Romans 8:17

GO DEEPER: Matthew 5:12, James 1:12, 1 Peter 5:4, Revelation 4:10-11

"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves." - Colossians 1:13

Today we paint a powerful picture of the grace of God! Don't miss it. Step into His kingdom today!

GO DEEPER: Romans 7:21-25

"in the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." - Romans 6:11

When we die all of our urges, desires, wants, and addictions die with us. This is why Paul urges us to die to sin, die to this life, and be made alive in Christ. We put off the urges and desires of sin and move forward in a new life, guided by Christ.

GO DEEPER: Romans 7:4-6

"For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin." - Romans 6:6

Paul says that as believers in Christ we, the lost and rebellious person we are, have been crucified with Christ.  The day He gave His life for us, our life ended, meaning who we were is no longer who we are.

GO DEEPER: Philippians 3:7-14

Sermon based in Genesis 37. 

Pastor Phillip looks at the things we must do when we face fallen expectations. How can we learn from the Joseph story and how can we deal with others when they are only out to destroy us and what we stand for? When we are following God we can rest in His grace and guidance. 

Man's plans are not God's plans, and sometimes what man thinks is destroying God's plan is only putting the pieces in place.

"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people." - Ephesians 1:18

The whole of creation is God's, yet He considers us His treasure...that is reason to praise His name today!

GO DEEPER: Revelation 4

Where is God when we suffer? What causes us pain and suffering in this world? What do we know about Christ that can help us?

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

GO DEEPER: Romans 8:18-30

"In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others." - Romans 12:5

Too many people have had bad experiences in the church...but we were created to be together. This "Holy" solitude that we seek is not what God intended for the Body of believers...we are one body...one Church...

GO DEEPER: Ephesians 4:1-16

In ancient times, temples were the place where God was found; where people went to encounter God...or other gods. But something amazing happened...something shifted in the New Testament...God moved His residence on Earth to the temple of us.

"Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own." - 1 Corinthians 6:19

GO DEEPER: 1 Corinthians 3:9-17