No one would argue that a parent who truly loves their child would discipline them when necessary. Similarly, Father God disciplines those He loves because the Bible clearly states that His children are meant to be holy as He is holy. Today, Pastor Ulysses explains how the church is called to discipline its members, what it has to do with church membership, and why it's crucial for the loving restoration of our brothers and sisters.

Last week, we looked at the power of commitment to change one's life. This week, we dive into more specific questions about membership. Is it biblical? How does it address the modern challenges impacting the church today? By going through these questions, we learn why membership is crucial to creating the beautiful vision God had for His church; for creating a place where people experience the presence of God in true community.

These days, there's a lot of fears around commitment: fear of something better coming along, fear of disappointment, FOMO...why would anyone risk all these things and commit to something or someone? In 1 Kings, we examine how Elisha came to sacrifice all he had for God, eventually illustrating how commitment to God radically changed his life and helped him discover his true significance and purpose.

The local church is the centerpiece of God's plan to reach the world. It's the only organization that Jesus himself is leading and building--it's also the only organization that He died for. In today's sermon, Pastor Ulysses preaches on why God will never give up on on loving, beautifying, building, and cleansing the local church.

Why missions? Why do we bother going out of the country when there are so many needs right where we are? In today's sermon, we look to Isaiah to illustrate why it was God’s plan to expand His people's horizons and make His name known throughout the world. Only by participating in God's big vision for the nations can you be free from small living.

In different ways we all want to be recognized. When the disciples wanted places of prominence and greatness in His kingdom, Jesus turned to them asking if they were ready to drink from the cup of suffering. Jesus didn't rebuke James and John's ambition; he corrected it and explained recognition doesn't come from people, it comes from God. It's not wrong to want to be recognized by our Lord, but it must come from the heart that wants to lift people up. When we serve other people according to their needs, then we're walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and living out His mission. In today's sermon we ask this question to someone in need: what do you want me to do for you?

There are many different kinds of offerings described in Leviticus. In today's sermon, we see why the fellowship offering was unique, and how it foreshadowed the fullness of the relationship we can have with God through Jesus Christ.

So many of us are guilty of living as if the world revolved around us. What would it look like to make God the center? Today's sermon explains why making Him the center requires us to pass on certain opportunities and to trust in God for His provision and protection.

We often wonder, "What is God's will for my life?" We spend a lot of time thinking about what we should study or do, where we should live, and who we should marry. In today's sermon, we see that God has never hidden His will from us - but HIs answer may surprise you.

Normally in Luke, it took nothing less than an angelic visitation for people to realize that baby Jesus was the Christ. Mary, Zechariah, the shepherds in the field at night - every one was led to the Christ-child via an angel. Simeon and Anna, however, today's protagonists, were the first individuals to recognize the special child for who He truly was. What did they have that allowed them to recognize the significance of Jesus' birth? What do we need today in order to experience the true meaning of Christmas?