What kingdom is your heart living in? Are you pouring your energy and resources into living a comfortable, happy life in this world, or are you investing yourself in following Christ and seeking His Kingdom? As Pastor Bill will explain in today’s message, the things we get so hung up on in this life are like a vapor. They’re here for what amounts to a blip in the scale of eternity, but the Kingdom that Christ invites you into will last forever and it’s characterized by generous love and grace.

Instead of looking back at the events of Scripture and wishing you could be part of it, you get to live in a moment where you can expect Jesus to return at any moment. As Pastor Bill will explain in today’s message, the events we read about in Scripture pale in comparison to what Jesus’ second coming will be like. We can’t know when it will happen, and it may not be in your lifetime, but you need to live like it will be. That means urgently sharing the truth and love of Christ with your world.

Leading up to Jesus’ miracle of feeding the five thousand with five loaves of bread and two fish, the disciples were tired and overwhelmed. They didn’t have anything more to give. That’s when Jesus demonstrated His supernatural provision. He stretched their faith and their devotion in that moment – when they were totally depleted and ready to drive the crowds away, Jesus showed us that when we give Him what we’ve got, as little as it may be, He can turn it into more than enough.

When Jesus called the 12 disciples to follow Him, were they under the impression He was taking them to relax at the luxurious home of a wealthy supporter? Of course not! They knew they were embarking on an adventure. And just like the best adventures, it was not going to be all easy or fun. As Pastor Bill will remind us in today’s message, following Jesus today is no different. He’ll take you far from your comfort zone through challenges and trials all for the sake of finding those who will hear His voice.

If anyone ever told you the life of a believer is carefree or easy, they were lying. As Pastor Bill will point out in today’s message Jesus calls us to take up our cross and follow Him. Taking up a cross is not fun or trendy. He’s not referring to the pretty little pieces of jewelry that adorn the necks and ears of people in modern society. He’s referring to a heavy, crude instrument of death - to the conscious choice to put others above yourself and to surrender your own desires, comforts and even life for them.

The healing we find in Jesus isn’t just for us. It’s for all the people we encounter as well. As much as He wants to save us and have a relationship with us, He also wants to use us as tools to reach the world we encounter. As Pastor Bill continues our study of the book of Luke in today’s message, he’ll point out the way that Jesus’ interaction with the ill woman who touched His garment demonstrated the power of connecting with Him, both to that woman who was healed as well as the crowd around them.

So few things in this life are certain. Jobs, relationships, friends, family members – any of these things can be gone in an instant. That may sound awfully pessimistic, but it’s also realistic. Scripture reminds us in numerous instances that this life is like a vapor. As Pastor Bill will challenge you in today’s message, the only steadfast, certain thing you can cling to in this life is Christ. Place your faith in Him, and even in the midst of this brokenness and death, He can bring peace and life to your soul.

A loving parent won’t shelter their children from every trial and hardship – as much as they may want to, they know that those experiences are necessary to mature and grow in confidence. As a Child of God, you may question why He would allow you to be attacked and confronted by demons, but as Pastor Bill will assure us in today’s message, these experiences are an opportunity to grow. God allows these trials so you can learn to trust in Him more fully and grow a stronger faith.

In today’s message, Pastor Bill will warn against the ways of our enemy, Satan. Scripture describes him as a lion, roaming around seeking out anyone he can devour. He’s a monster with many tools at his disposal, including elements of nature. We’ll witness that power as we examine Luke 8. The storm that faces the disciples was driven by evil forces, but those forces were no match for the power of Jesus. He simply had to speak the words, and the storm instantly became calm.

So many people think that they can walk with the Lord and still be involved in the ways of the world. Today, Pastor Bill explains to us how impossible and irresponsible that kind of thinking is. No matter how strong you are, we are all influenced by the things and people around us. If you surround yourself with ungodly people, you’re going to grow apart from God. Don’t give yourself too much credit, you need to surround yourself with Godly people and Godly thinking. Dig into and meditate on God’s word daily.