The Connection Church

Who is God? What is God like? These are enormous questions that are difficult to fully answer. But maybe the answer lies in another question: what if God is like Jesus? What if the personality of God is identical to the personality of the man called, Jesus of Nazareth, as portrayed in the Gospels? Jesus audaciously made this claim, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” What if that claim is true? Wouldn’t that be good news? Ah, that is the good news! God is like Jesus!

Who is God? This is the question that humanity has tried to answer for centuries. The many different conceptions of God, and competing claims as to God’s characteristics, aims, and actions, have led to the development of many different theories about Him. So how do we know what God is really like? While we may never know everything there is to know about God, there is a treasure trove of things written about Him in the Bible. So now the question is, “where do we start?”

“Expectation is the mother of all frustration.”

—Antonio Banderas…

Expectations can be so good, but sometimes they can be extremely frustrating, especially when they don’t live up to what we desired. This Sunday, we will see how God wants us to deal with our expectations in the sermon, Managing Expectations.

What has God promised you that you greatly desire to come to pass? Has He given you a dream or vision to move in a certain direction, but you just don't know how? Or maybe you know the direction in life you are going, but you keep feeling like you are going to mess it up. This Sunday, we will share the characteristics that every believer must have to ensure that you are Moving Toward Your Promise.

For roughly three and a half years Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. He did this in both the hills and valleys of Israel, along with the temple and synagogues of the land. As he healed the sick and fed the hungry, He constantly preached the Kingdom of God. In Matthew chapter 10, He gathered twelve apostles and sent them out to preach the Kingdom, just as He did. As disciples of Christ today, we have a responsibility to exercise the gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon us to further His Kingdom. This may sound like work, but it is a calling. And when we answer the call, we are blessed beyond anything this world can offer. Join us for the concluding part of the Think Better, Live Better sermon series!

The Gospel of the Kingdom was never intended as a one-time work in the life of a believer. The gospel should be on continuous display over the lifetime of a disciple—an unfolding of years of service to our King, Jesus Christ. This is why having A Kingdom Mentality should be first and foremost for every Christian. This Sunday, we will see the value of the Kingdom of God as revealed in Scripture, looking at how one should live once they have entered this kingdom, as we continue to Think Better and Live Better.

We continue the bettering of our thinking and lives as we begin answering the question: What does it mean to have a “kingdom mentality”? And why does it matter if we have one? Join us as we begin wrapping up the last few weeks of this multi-sermon discovery of ‘Think Better, Live Better’.

Join us for part 9 of the “Think Better, Live Better” sermon series: In the Bible, we come across words like justification and election and predestination. At times they can be confusing at best and seemingly scary at their worst. Does God choose some people to be his beloved people and exclude others? Does the word predestination imply that some people’s destiny is fated to greatness and others to some horrific end…with no choice in the matter? Does fate play a role in humanity’s future? The answers to these questions can greatly affect the way we view and treat others (not to mention God Himself). They greatly affect the decisions we make and the lives we live.

As Christians, our theology shapes us. It shows up in our relationships, conversations, and the way we respond to our circumstances. If our theology doesn’t find its foundation in Scripture, we can do serious damage to those around us. Bad theology hurts people and dishonors God. When we study the Bible correctly, with the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can take great comfort in having a theology that honors God. This will help us encourage one another without confusion, present the gospel effectively to the lost, and live a truly blessed life.

“I think, therefore I am…” Rene Descartes, a philosopher and mathematician in the early 17th century, penned this one simple phrase that helped define a worldview for a future generation. As Christians, this cultural philosophy of individualism should not be followed. Our strength should come from the power of the Holy Spirit, not ourselves. When we think better about putting our faith in the wisdom and power of God, then we will live better.