In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declares, "I will build my church." How? With the gifts that He has bestowed on each of us! God has gifted each of us for the benefit of the Kingdom.

"Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." - 1 Corinthians 12:7

GO DEEPER: Ephesians 4:1-16

"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them." - 1 Corinthians 12:4

Any gathering of people is a miracle of sorts. Just think about it: Within a gathered group of people there are so many who possess different gifts and abilities that all can benefit the whole. It is amazing the gifts we have been given.

GO DEEPER: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Romans 12:4-8

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share in your master's happiness.'" - Matthew 25:21

There is tired. Exhaustion from doing and feeling run down and broken because we are drained...

And then, there is tired. Tired, but blessed because what we were doing was serving and there is a joy that comes from the Lord.

GO DEEPER: Matthew 25:14-30

A hundred things can happen when you serve...and some of those things are not good. People misunderstand intentions, they attack motive, and they leave you feeling that you may not make a difference. Paul reminds us that what can keep us going is that our mission is to exalt the name of Jesus. He reminded Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:10-13 that he was willing to endure anything that would lead to someone finding salvation in Christ.

WOW! Are we the same?

"I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents." - Acts 20:19

GO DEEPER: Isaiah 40:28-31; Philippians 4:12-13

Sunday Sermon from January 16, 2022 based in Luke 19:1-10.

Pastor Phillip takes a deep look at what we can learn from the actions of Zacchaeus and his approach to seeing and encountering Jesus. It might just leave you wanting to climb a tree!

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." - Mark 10:45

Jesus came to earth humbly. No lavish lifestyle. He didn't walk around telling others He was better than them or too good to do small tasks...He got right in and did what needed to be done. He constantly met others where they were, on their level, and He has given us the same mission.

What comes to mind when you hear "serve others?"

GO DEEPER: Mark 10:35-45

"He appointed twelve that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach." - Mark 3:14

Many of us as Christians adhere to the formula of doing for others. Missions, Feeding the Hungry, Youth Trips, etc., we are willing to jump in and do for others while missing the key part of what Jesus called the disciples to do...not just do for others, but to be with Him. We must spend extended time with the Savior. 

How can we get to know what Jesus said and did, and imitate Him today?

GO DEEPER: John 15:1-8

"Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you have a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

If you hang around "Church" folk long enough, they will cause you hurt. The longer you spend in anything the more you are guaranteed to have a bad experience. But...

When we have bad experiences, it is the way we respond that says a great deal about our relationship with Christ.

Have you been wounded? By whom? Have you wounded anyone else?

GO DEEPER: Colossians 3:1-17

Church attendance has been on a swift decline in the US over the last twenty or more years. "Christians" sporadically attend church, that is if they attend at all, and for a variety of different reasons. The teachings of Jesus and of the New Testament remind us that fellowship with fellow believers is important and needed.

"Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it." - 1 Corinthians 12:27

We are One body with many parts!

GO DEEPER: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." - Matthew 28:19-20

Jesus ministry on earth began with a call, "Come and be my disciples." He ended it with a command, "Go and make disciples." That should be our mission as the Church: to come and follow Him and to go and lead others to do the same.

Are you staying on mission?

GO DEEPER: Matthew 28:16-20