Thrive Harbor

It's hard to talk about singleness well in Christian circles. How can the church elevate singleness the way the Bible does, without idolizing singleness the way our culture does? In this talk, Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor, looks to Jesus and Paul—both of whom were single—to explore what it looks like for a Christian to live fully devoted to God as a single person.

Scripture passages cited in this message include 1 Corinthians 7:1-2, 25-38; Colossians 1:15; 2:9; and Genesis 30:23.

"Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother." Thus runs the famous line from "O Holy Night" sung by millions every Christmas. But what gives the gospel the power to put all people—slave and master, rich and poor, prince and pauper—on the same playing field? In this message Conner Dill, a member of Thrive Harbor, opens up Paul's little letter to Philemon, showing how the gospel reconciles us not just to God but to each other.

Imagine growing up with Jesus as your older brother. That was the experience of Jude, Jesus' brother. In his short letter, Jude warns about the perils of cheap grace while also pointing believers back to the protecting, preserving love of God.

This message was given by Greg Carlson, leader of 47 North, a military outreach.

The letters of 2 & 3 John are so short that we often pass them over. But they are gems. In this message, Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor, unpacks how these two "little letters" warn us of two interlocking dangers that can bring down a church: bad doctrine and bad character. Often we're on guard against one of these more than the other—but John says we'll get off track unless we avoid both.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include 2 & 3 John; Mark 12:28-31; Matthew 23:23-24; Titus 1:9; Romans 14:1, 6, 13; and Philippians 1:9-10.

Note: We apologize that due to a technical error the first few minutes of this message are not included.

The good news is not just that God forgives us and transforms us. It's that God has given us himself. He has invited us into relationship, so that we might experience the infinite love of the Trinity.

This message was given by Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include John 1:18; 13:1, 23; 14:4-21; 16:7; 17:20-26.

The Bible teaches that this world is not all there is. There is a spiritual realm populated by personal spiritual forces, both good and evil. But through his death and resurrection, Jesus defeated the devil so that we can have victory over the forces of darkness.

This message was given by Cedric van Duyn, pastor of Anthem Church.

Imagine if God forgave us but didn't transform us. Imagine if God canceled our past sins but left us trapped in our present sins. That wouldn't be good news! But the amazing truth of the gospel is that Jesus forgives us and transforms us. In this message, Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor teaches on how Jesus makes us into a new person, giving us new power over sin.

Scripture passages cited in this message include Romans 1:25; 5:18-6:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17; James 5:16; Ezekiel 36:26-27; and 2 Corinthians 3:18.

At the heart of the gospel is a God who loves and forgives His enemies—and that forgiveness is gigantic good news. It means Jesus has taken our sin and set us free from shame. This message was given by David Shohradov, a member of Thrive Harbor.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Luke 15:11-32 and 2 Samuel 9.

Before the gospel can be good news, we have to understand the bad news. And the bad news is that without Jesus, we are lost—in sin, in rebellion against God, and ultimately deserving of judgment and death. But because of God's love for us, instead of leaving us lost he came down and sought us.

This message was given by Jake Chambers, pastor of Local Church.

The gospel is the good news about what God has done to save us. But who is God and why do we need his salvation? The answer is found in the fact that God is holy. We can't live without him—but we also can't live with him, because sin and holiness don't mix. But because of Jesus, there's a solution.

This message was given by Michael Bouterse, director of Thrive Harbor.

Scripture passages cited (or alluded to) in this message include Isaiah 6:1-7; 64:6; Exodus 3:6; Joshua 5:13-15; Ezekiel 1; 2:15; Daniel 10:8; Genesis 1:31; Ephesians 2:8; 5:8; Romans 3:13; 5:10; 8:7; Psalm 7:11; 10:4; 98:8-9; Matthew 6:24; James 4:4; John 5:42; 7:7; Leviticus 10; and Proverbs 28:13.