Message: We usually identify ourselves by what we do or our associations. What would the person who knew us the best say? This is who we are by what we've done. Of those attributes, there are some we would change. Though these attributes define us and some we would change, who does God say we are? Throughout all time, Jesus the Light of the world has been rejected by man to keep his evil deeds in the dark. When the Light of the gospel truths shine in our lives, God calls us to repent, leading to fellowship with others and further expose ourselves to the Light. Though we have the gospel, we sin, so God provided an advocate, Jesus Christ, who paid the debt for our sin. In the scripture passages of Hosea, Israel turns from God and is restored from judgement. The scripture relates a God who loves beyond comprehension as He calls us into His family, knowing our sinfulness and will sometimes go through extreme measures to restore us.

Scripture: 1 John 1:6-7 "If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." NASB

Message: The initial passion and faith of accepting Christ can wane as well as our commitment to God's  plan, creating a need to recharge. A "loss of zeal" is another way of stating the missing joy and excitement of the Lord. The call is to have a "fire", a zeal, that is infectious to the people around us for the love of the Lord. Stephen was operating in the gifts God had given him, allowing God to speak to his heart to do great wonders among the people who could not resist his anointing. Therefore, in jealousy, the leaders looked for opportunities to convict him of blasphemy. [Pastor Jeff shares his testimony which could have caused him to lose his zeal] Stephen calls out the religious leader's passionate stubbornness to turn to the Lord. As Stephen, in order for us to be moved to action, there must  be a passion, as Christ's passion for the things of God. Satan wants to wear us out, so we give up, but God reminds us to rest, find strength in Him. He reminds us who we are and to stir up the truths though the Holy Spirit. In the Lord's salvation, joy and love our fears are quieted so His passion can come out in us.

Scripture: Acts 7:51-58 "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul." KJV

Message: Have you ever been invited, but didn't want to go initially, then once there the atmosphere changes to discover you've made a good decision?  Jesus is speaking with the Pharisees, they are examining His actions against traditions and the Mosaic Law. Jesus is examining their hearts against their actions through the poor excuses of invited guests in a parable. In the parable Jesus tells of a host who is angered when guests who have accepted invitations, have now canceled with poor excuses. The excuses revealed a heart in the pursuit of man's doctrines over God's, a satisfaction with their circumstances which devalued the effort and a busy time consuming care for the things of life that left them unable to attend. God has prepared a banquet, guests who accept His invitation will never hunger or thirst again.

Scripture: Luke 14:15-18 "And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.  Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused." KJV

Sermon: Last week Jesus took steps to get to your door, this week He is at your door. How is He authorized to come to your door without trespassing? Death had authority on earth. Death was redeemable only by death. Christ had to come to take on all condemnation, in His death sin died. Receiving Christ in the Spirit, our sin is also dead and we obtain a righteous life. Christ is at your door with this gift of life, will you walk to the door to let Him in? 

Scripture: Romans 5:17 "For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ." NKJV

Sermon: God let the Old Testament prove over and over again, we could not do it ourselves, giving us no hope, except for a Savior. Jesus took steps to the door by giving anticipation for His coming, letting us wander, live in captivity and silence to create a longing for Light, then by leaving heaven to be among us to be the Light. When the time had come, Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly as the people acknowledged Him as Messiah, casting their outer garments and laying branches in the manner of a king, which signifies a giving of their lives to be saved. Their former behavior cast off and repented to put on Christ as the garment of salvation. Shouts of "Hosanna" said their King was God, hope arrived and victory imminent. The city was held for a high ransom, the King had arrived to pay the price of freedom to those who desired to be set free from sin and death.

Scripture: Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." NKJV

Audio quality: Broken

Sermon: Paul speaks of a warm welcome whether at home or in the synagogue as a symbol of Christ. There's a change occurring in the religious community of the early church toward women and others. Greetings are to be given to women who have been faithful to serve the Lord and to different nationalities, such a Greeks, Romans and Asians. All are coming under the same Lord and a universal gospel, so to create a bridge, Paul suggests relationship formation starts with a sincere greeting to ease tensions. We are to follow up with a salute to recognize, praise, appreciate and thank from a sincere heart. The suggestion is a "holy kiss" as a sign of christian greeting, such as a modern handshake or hug, to display brotherly love and to distinguish from intimate affection. An affectionate greeting such as a hug has healing effects, combating loneliness, anxiety, depression and stress, reinforcing trust, safety, giving and receiving. Be welcoming and ready to take the first steps toward genuine affection in a way to promote pure motives, discretion and true Christian love, which will create unity, healing, understanding and acceptance from Christ through you.

Scripture: Romans 16:3-16 "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits ofAchaia to Christ. Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you." NKJV

Note: Sermon is delivered by an 18yo member of The Open Door Church, Christian Leblanc. He was inspired by affirming thoughts from the Holy Spirit as he debated whether he was qualified to preach the Word of God. He is in the Worship ministry as a musician and a Children's Ministry youth leader in the Royal Ambassadors.

Sermon: Should we take heed to the thoughts we get? Yes, they effect the way we are living. Where do thoughts go? They go to good or spiral  down. Who  is it centered around? Us. Does the reality match the fantasy? No, it's an attempt to remove God and to control the our future. In our minds, it will turn out right, but that's not faith. The sermon focuses on renewing our minds with words that are true, noble, just, pure and lovely, mediating on what is virtuous and praiseworthy. We start with opening up our hearts to the Lord to search our wicked ways and surrendering our thought life. Spend time with the Lord in the Word, as a father or as a friend and your thoughts will align to Him. We can take practical steps. First, taking our thoughts captive in the obedience of Christ. Second, think and guard your attention with the intention inputting God's Word more than the distractions of the world. Your obedience, or lack of, leads to actions, the actions develop patterns. 

Scripture: Philippians 4:8 "...brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." NKJV

Sermon: The sermon asks "do we need to grow?". As a church, we've all measured growth by "bodies, bucks and bricks" unconsciously, missing God's plan for us. As an individual, we've asked others to "grow up!", or someone put the question to you. These types of callouts show us areas of immaturity, possibly helping us become all God wants us to be. Scripture also talks about the maturity of a body of believers as divine process toward becoming the embodiment of Christ on earth. There is a wonderful transformation process to project the maturity, wisdom and love of Christ, but we frequently miss the mark. This is the perfecting process, when we desire to be the image of Christ. We are equipped for the work of the ministry which edifies the body, though it seems we are unprepared. So, trust is important to grow though the impossible, letting God do it with the knowledge of Christ. As children, God's truth dispels lies, such as the media's deceitful schemes to separates the people, creating disfunction. Therefore, remembering scripture is critical for intimacy, reasoning and life during the growth process, which edifies God and makes us an indispensable part of the body. Jesus left the "blueprint" and "bread crumbs" for our sinful eyes to see a humility, a divine image, a growth curve through trials and temptations, which evidenced the the maturity obtainable by being with the Father and waiting for the His timing. Allow yourself to grow through God's ways to do greater things.

Scripture: Ephesians 4:15-16"...that we should no longer be children.....but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." NKJV

Message: James is writing to those who have accepted Christ, the conflict from within and their friendships. Friendships are defined by love (phileo) for one another, which gives us influence over them. The prideful influence can distract us from God's influence, as in the garden of Eden, causing separation and spiritual death. This world of temptation, which James speaks of, is love of the driving spirit behind it, Satan and self. Perversion creates a strong desire for flesh, satisfaction gained through temptation, when our  focus is off God. The old saying, "the ends justifies the means" encourages pride, ambition and a disregard for others. James calls us to push down the world, walk in the Spirit and be a manifest of the truth. Trust in the Lord, be changed by the renewing of your mind, be equally yoked, be different as a traveler from another country and you will speak greatly of God's transformative power.  Lastly, be a light, a new creation, the world will walk to the Light of Christ in you and away from the darkness.

Scripture: "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." KJV

Part 3 of 3 "Fellowship That's Full" Series

Message: The disciples had fellowship ideally designed by God. In the new church, the disciples had a common doctrine, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. Doctrine come to us through the Word of God, shaping and keeping us accountable. The Spirit of agreement unites us together in a giving of ourselves to each other. Jesus was the example of laying down a life for another, broken as bread and shared. In communicating with God in prayer, we are in agreement with His will. In prayer is a cleansing through confession to be in genuine fellowship and righteousness before God. Acknowledging God's handiwork and voice says we believe His words which shape the way we treat one another. We are stabilized in obedience and His indwelling, enabling us  to walk in the Light, responding in righteousness. Consistency is found following Jesus and letting His blood cleanse all sin, shaping our minds toward righteousness. These beliefs are founded on the inspired Word of God, the roles, purposes and deity of the Trinity, the resurrection of Christ and the salvation by grace through faith. In freedom there are matters of conviction, conscience and choice, wanting God to be in all of them. In Christian love, let there be no division, but God's love, so our fellowship is full.

Scripture: Acts 2:42 "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." KJV