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In Part 5, Pastor Doug introduces the 6 foundational principles of our faith that are laid out in Hebrews, Chapter 6: v1-3. While the Bible is a large book with a lot of details, this passage summarizes the principles that are the backbone all all scripture and is a great place to get started when you are trying to understand and live by the Word of God. If you’ve ever struggled to understand or explain the basics of our faith, this message will help you answer the fundamental questions of what it means to be a follower of Christ.

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In part 4, Pastor Doug talks about how we can know that the Bible is truth. It all boils down to faith. But Pastor Doug gives us some key historical events that show how carefully the Word was preserved and how we see biblical prophecy being fulfilled. He encourages us to “not develop the god of your own opinion” and challenges us to meditate on God’s Word. Just as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for training in righteousness.”

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In Part 3, Pastor Doug addresses the wide-ranging questions that have been submitted to him about dealing with deception. No topic is off-limits and Pastor Doug shares his frank and scripturally based responses to real questions and real issues that face us all.

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Getting grace is easy; we ask for it, and through faith receive it. Walking in grace, though, is not so easy. In part 2 of this series, Pastor Doug shows why the false religions and doctrines based on works and law are so appealing to us, even after we have received grace and are believers. We need to understand how grace provides an exit strategy from our old way of life, empowering us to walk an entirely different path.

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In the opening message of this series, Pastor Doug explains how Christianity is a walk of faith and grace, where we are saved simply by believing in Jesus’ words: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). All other attempts by man to reconcile with God are based on doing good works, without recognizing the sacrifice of Christ - the Son of God - for our sins. Understanding the foundation of our faith - and how it is different - is the first step in learning how to deal with the would-be deception that Satan would like to use to confuse us and lead us astray.

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Pastor Randy Don Giovanni highlights the story of the Prophet Ezekiel as he was taken by God to a valley of dry bones and was asked to prophesy that these bones would come back to life to create an army for Israel. When Ezekiel obeyed, the Spirit of God came as a wind and gave new life to those who had been dead. Today, if we are open to God’s Spirit, we can gain new life for both ourselves and those around us.

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Guest Pastor Steve Hage shares an inspirational message based on the story from Mark 4 and 5, where the disciples encounter a tremendous storm while taking Jesus across the Sea of Galilee. They awaken Jesus, who calms the storm but asks them where their faith is. Then, when they finally get safely to the other shore, the first person they meet is a demon-possessed man who has been living in the tombs. They had to weather the storm to reach a man in desperate need of help, which a pattern that repeats itself in our lives as well.

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The Mark of the Cross

The Cross is the number one source of both pain and blessing in the Christian faith. The Cross symbolizes the willingness to do God’s will, and not your own. For Jesus, it was literally the cross that was God’s will for Him. Jesus said, “If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me” (Luke 9:23). For each of us, self-denial and following God’s will may mean many different things, but the end result is the same; following God’s will for our lives helps us adopt His nature and equips us to do His work.

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Don't Waste Your Pain

In Part 2 of this series, Pastor Doug urges us to not waste the pain that inevitably comes into our lives. One of the biggest misunderstandings of God and His purposes we have is in relationship to the hurts and disappointments of life, and what His role is in those affairs. No matter what the source of our pain, God can use these experiences to help achieve His two purposes for our lives: for us to become like Christ and to use our lives to help build His kingdom. If we respond appropriately, like Joseph and David did, our painful experiences can help prepare us to perform the works we have been called to do in Christ’s name.

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In this inspiring message, Pastor Ranjit Abraham shares the story of how he began in ministry; with no money, no church, and no formal training. After early failures that helped him to learn to rely on God and His faithfulness, he has gone on to lead one of the most far-reaching Christian ministries in India. Christ for India is a growing organization that now includes more than 3,000 churches, 14 orphanages, 16 Bible colleges, six Christian mission schools, and broadcasting facilities. He has also been given a platform from which to work with leading politicians in the Indian government, though often behind the scenes. Despite persecution, the grace and faithfulness of God continues to build His church in India.