Reach Sermon Archive

Sometimes there is a natural conflict between parents and their children. Letting go of someone you have been a steward over can be difficult. But what happens when healthy stewardship becomes an unhealthy desire to get in the way of God’s plans in the life of your child? In this lesson from Mark 3:20-35, Pastor Philip Jackson explores Jesus’ reaction as His family comes to force Him to leave His ministry.

Jesus’ life was defined by complete reliance and obedience to the Father. His submission to the Lord did not undermine His earthly parents, but instead He honored them and subjected Himself to their authority until the time was right. This passage shows a willful submission to Mary and Joseph because Jesus understood that God had given Him parents for a reason. Our challenge today is to learn to be like Christ as we submit to the authorities our Father has placed over us.

On June 9th, 2020 Pastor Philip Jackson lost his younger brother Stephen to a long battle with alcoholism.

Stephen's story is more common than most people of faith will acknowledge publicly. The realities of addiction do not discriminate and they have a profound effect on everyone.

This message contains the lessons Philip learned through his 15 year journey with his brother. It is intended to be an encouragement both to those who are struggling with addiction and those who love them. We hope that this is encouraging to you. There is always hope, and that hope is rooted in Jesus!

REACH Young Adult Ministry sermons online from Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 featuring a stand alone message by guest speaker Taylor Gabbert entitled, "Even If" from Daniel 3.

The final message from James circles back to where he started in chapter 1. We must always be vigilant to not be double minded. He challenges those who have made comfortable living their god and directs the saints to focus on waiting expectantly with an eternal mindset. He challenges them to remember that God is the one who directs our lives and we have no authority to make promises. He finishes by encouraging them to bring their brokenness to the throne and earnestly seek the best for everyone. A transforming life is defined by what we focus on. Are we driven by padding our surroundings to avoid trials, or are we embracing the opportunity to transform with the people around us?

Your theology is the most basic thing about you. How you see God will determine how you see the rest of the world. He will not allow us to live arrogant, selfish lives with His divine power. A selfish life is a life with no supernatural presence. God actively works against the proud because they breed destruction in His creation. But He gives grace to those who acknowledge their pride and humble themselves by submitting to His will. A transformed life is one that embraces a lifestyle of humility. As it grows, supernatural power is free to flow through the humble life and glorify the Father. As we experience God’s work through us, He allows us to share in His glory. But to live a double minded life, is to live in sin and against God’s kingdom.

The words we use matter. We live in a generation that is intimidated by silence. There is always a new video to watch, post to like, or game to play. The heart of a transformed life understands that the things coming out of our mouth will either bring life or death. Even more so for those who are given influence in God’s kingdom. How they use that influence will come with increased accountability. James teaches us in this chapter the simple truth of Proverbs 18:21, that the words we speak can bring death or life. As such, we should be very careful how we use our mouths. But even more than that, they are a reflection of the heart. The evidence of a transformed life is that it is grieved by words that cut, and encouraged by words that build up.

A transformed life sees people with compassion. But our world always focuses on the opposite of what God sees. The foundation of the kingdom of God is built on lives that have total trust in Christ. Just like Jesus, we are called to lay ourselves down in total commitment to God’s will. This chapter focuses on the need for action behind our faith. It is normal for human beings to favor what the world values because we are insecure. We will always have a tendency to lean toward what is comfortable. James points out that it is sinful to play favorites with people because we don’t want to be uncomfortable. We want easy, safe relationships that don’t demand any faith. But we are called to be obedient, not comfortable. Chasing Jesus is not just an academic pursuit!

Everything good comes from God. Separate from Him, there is only destruction. Just like a fish out of water, when we separate ourselves from God and try to call our own shots, we immediately begin to die. For the children of God, the constant draw we feel because of sin becomes a tool God uses to transform us. As we sacrifice ourselves and turn control back over to Him, we begin to see that even the fallen nature of our world drives us toward Him. Every challenge we face is because of sin’s effect on the world. But, as we apply God’s word to our lives, we are transformed, and we begin to receive a “crown of life,” the supernatural mark of divine influence that God has promised to those who love Him.

REACH Young Adult Ministry sermons online from Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 by Philip Jackson, Pastor to Young Adults at Evergreen Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma entitled 'Transformations in the Wilderness - Tests & Trials' from Matthew 4:1-11.