Continuing in our series "Behold...New", we are led to a passage Jesus used to show what truly loving like Christ is all about. When we are made new in our surrender to Jesus, our whole perception of what matters will change. Our heart will be open to needs around us and we will recognize, by the Spirit's leading, ways to honor God with how we love the world around us. Just like everyone who passed the man who was left by the side of the road, we have a choice to reach out and help those who need it. Being in tune to the Holy Spirit and how He is leading you will open opportunities to share the love of Christ and extend yourself for someone else. Honoring Christ with our lives most often takes the appearance of being a servant and loving people well, just like Jesus did for each of us.

Luke 10:25-37

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Having faith in God means trusting Him and being obedient when He says, "go". God can see all the way to the end of our journey. Surprises to us are the things God knew were coming our way. What seems like darkness to us does not seem the same way to Him. Being tuned in to the voice of the Holy Spirit is how you navigate in the darkness. 

God made a covenant with Abram and said his descendants would be great and promises his people will inherit the land of Canaan. In our covenant with God is the Good News that tells us Christ came to stand in our place so we can be made right with God. In our surrender, He gives us freedom from all the things keeping us from living in His likeness. Christ came to do what we are unable to do for ourselves, to save us.

Genesis 12:1-20; 15:1-21

Kenny Nix, Pastor

When we become a believer in Christ, the first thing we must do is let go of our old self. The Holy Spirit begins a transformation in us that makes us a new creation. We have to embrace the newness that is being cultivated within the heart of flesh God has gifted us. When we fully surrender and cling to Jesus, our new life begins and we are now led by the Spirit within us. God will place a desire for the people in our lives, as well as those in the world, to come to Christ. Remaining open to Jesus and not being wrapped up in rules, traditions and checking the box is crucial to our effectiveness in sharing this hope we have to others. Christ changes everything. Once we see and believe that, it will be our deepest desire and calling to share this Good News with the world.

Luke 5:33-39

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Jesus was often questioned and even criticized by the Pharisees for associating with sinful people; they did not realize they were as sinful as those they judged so harshly. Jesus showed grace, compassion and offered forgiveness to those who saw their sin and repented. He is still as merciful today as He ever has been. When we see our sin in light of who Christ is we come to realize even our best falls short of His perfection. The good news of the gospel is, Jesus does not expect perfection. He only wants our seeking heart and for us to surrender to Him. Christ within us provides transformation and renewal. If we are His, He will take our broken past and make it into beauty for His kingdom.

Luke 7:36-50; Matthew 26:12

Ken Nix

As we continue in Romans 8, we reflect on the beginning of the chapter when Paul explains we are not under condemnation as believers in Christ. Because of our new life in Him, we are no longer under the law; rather, we are guided by the life-giving Spirit inside us. Moving ahead, we see not only are we free from condemnation, we are no longer bound or controlled by our sinful nature. The very Spirit of God, the same Spirit that brought breath back into the lungs of Christ after three days of death, lives inside every believer. 

Christ died to give us freedom from all the things that keep us held back from Him. Surrendering to Him is the gateway to that freedom and eternal life in Him is the reward. 

Romans 8:9-17

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As we continue in the series "No Matter What", we are led through the passage that shows us how God gave Joshua victory over a city because he obeyed God's instruction. Even though the battle plan did not make sense in the eyes of everyone, Joshua trusted and obeyed. 

In our lives, the battle is already won. Walking in sync with the Holy Spirit, trusting Christ and obeying God's direction will often seem like it is futile. It is only when we try to walk on our own that our efforts become fruitless.

Joshua 5:13-15, 6:1-22

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As followers of Christ, there is no condemnation for us in this life. We tend to forget that fact when it comes to things we struggle with or situations others find themselves in that are against God. A life surrendered to Jesus is not a life without trouble or sin. Our lives are riddled with setbacks, trials, pain and failure. A believer seeking Christ is not immune to any of the things life and sin bring our way; the struggles and setbacks deepen our dependence on the One who is able to deliver us from our brokenness. Jesus died so we can walk in the freedom His sacrifice paid for.

Romans 8:1-8

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Psalm 18

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Paul taught and encouraged believers everywhere. What we face here on this earth for the sake of the gospel is worth it. He urges us to remember this life is temporary and only the things that are eternal will last. When Paul and Silas were in prison and the jailer came to Christ, it only strengthened their faith. God's power continued to illuminate the light of Christ and His power was amplified in the lives of His followers. 

The same power that shook the walls of the prison and saved the jailer is alive and well today in the hearts that are led by the Holy Spirit. The spread of the gospel is as important as it was in the early church. The results of a soul surrendered to Christ is just as new and the power of the Holy Spirit to lead in difficult places is as powerful as it ever has been. Jesus died to give freedom to those who follow Him; it is our choice to walk in it.

Acts 16:25-34; 2 Corinthians 4:5-18

Dawn Hedgepeth

In part two of our series, "Behold...New", we take an honest look at how Christ loves us regardless of our struggles in life. Scripture perfectly states we are made new once we place our faith in Jesus and loved by God. His word is alive and active, ready to replace our heart of stone with a heart of flesh. Once the Holy Spirit lives within us, we still sin, but we are no longer controlled by sin. God is for us and He offered His Son to give us freedom from the bondage that holds us down. As followers of Christ, we can walk in the freedom He died to provide. 

Colossians 3:5-6; Hebrews 4:12-13; Colossians 2:13-15; Micah 7:8-9

Jameson Thacker