The Open Word (Audio)

Hell is a real place. It’s a real place that people that we know will go to forever, if they don’t accept Christ. Today, Pastor David will remind us that just like the men who loved their friend so much that they took Him to Jesus, we need to do the same thing. There is nothing in the entire world that we should be more passionate about than taking people to Him. Jesus saved their friend, He can save our friends too. Today, you still have time. One day, you won’t. What are you waiting for?

Choosing fruit can be quite the trick. Often an apple might look really red and juicy on the inside, but you open it up to a rotten core, or a banana looks ok at the store, but once home, it’s squishy and brown on the inside. Today, Pastor David will teach that it’s often the same with us. We might play the part really well. We go to church, go to bible study, and we might even host a small group. When on the inside, we are a mess, full of things that keep us from the relationship that Christ really desires.

Often we notice when something is different about someone. Maybe it’s a haircut, maybe new glasses. Maybe, they have been sick and now they are better. Whatever it is, we can usually tell when something has changed. Today, Pastor David will challenge us to look at ourselves and wonder if we are different. Not because of outwards changes, but because of a new spirit living in us. Are we different and changed because of Jesus? How many people can see Jesus in us? Is it obvious that we have been touched by the savior of the world?

Let’s think about a sports team for a minute. They all have many positions that make up the team. Imagine, if the players decided they wanted to be on the team, but they just wanted to sit on the bench and never play. It would make it very difficult for the team to have success, or accomplish what needs to be done. Today, we hear from Pastor David that the same is true for us as Christians. We need to be active participants. It’s not just about the “jersey” or being on the “roster”. We need to be an active part of helping the team accomplish the task at hand.

Have you ever met someone in a relationship who has a really hard time committing? Maybe it’s going really well, you have tons of fun together, and you enjoy each other’s company. All of sudden, something changes and they run the other direction. Today, Pastor David will teach that this is true in our relationship with Christ as well. Probably, because it’s hard and it takes work. However, if you are willing, the results are worth it and the relationship will be the best you’ve ever had.

Do you remember when you first fell in love? At first, you may have updated your social media status to show that you were in a relationship. Next, you just couldn’t wait to introduce the special person to your family and friends. Today, Pastor David will teach us that it’s the same with Christ. When you have a genuine love relationship with Him, you can’t wait to tell and share Him with others. After all, He is to amazing not to share, so who are you going to tell? What are you waiting for?

Have you ever been to a butterfly garden? So many butterflies just flying around. They are absolutely beautiful. What is so amazing, is that originally they were ugly creepy caterpillars. Now, when you look at them, they have been transformed. Not just on the outside, but from the inside out. Today, as Pastor David teaches about the sick women who Jesus healed, we will learn that it’s the same way for us. When Jesus truly touches and changes our lives, we are completely transformed. We become a new creation.

As Christians, do we live our life as thankful people? Not just thankful in general, but thankful for what the Lord has done in our life? Today, we hear Pastor David teach about the sick woman that Jesus healed. She immediately got up and served. This was out of thankfulness. She was no longer sick, and she knew why and who had healed her. How about you? How have you responded to touch of Jesus in your life? Maybe, it’s time to show Him your thankfulness? He deserves it, don’t you think?

Lots of people love eating junk food, some even look forward to eating it, especially when they have something to celebrate. It might be a birthday, or a holiday, maybe a big accomplishment. Whatever the case, at first it’s really good, but then, you feel really sick and yucky inside. Today, Pastor David will teach that Jesus did not come for an emotional high. He did not want to give us only desert, and leave us feeling yucky. Jesus came to fill us up with rich, satisfying food full of everything we need.

Have you been driving down the road and you come to a dead end? All of sudden, we have to make a decision. We have no choice, we must go one way or the other. Today with Pastor David we will learn the same is true when Jesus is in the house. He will demand all of us to decide which way we will “turn”, which “road” will we take? Will we be swayed by the ways of the world or will we trust Him to lead us down the right path? He would say: look for the light, and go toward it.