Through and To

Do a quick internet search for the lyrics to popular love songs from the past 80 years and you will find most are about heartache, cheating, unrequited love, or just physical intimacy. If art imitates life, more of our experiences with love are ultimately disappointing rather than being ultimately fulfilling. 

This is our human experience because humans are imperfect. The good news is  that God is perfect. Therefore, his love is perfect. That means his love never stops, it never leaves, it never runs out. It endures forever. 

This message was originally shared on 11.17.24 at Eaton Rapids Church of the Nazarene. 

God is our ever-present help in times of trouble. How do we access that help? What does it look like to prepare for those seasons when everything gets flipped upside down?

This message was originally shared November 10, 2024 as the second week of a series called -ever-. Check out the rest of the series right here. 

God reigned before the beginning, and he will reign after the end. He is the king over all he has made, including us. The kingdom is where the king is and the king is here…So, why do so many Christians live like citizens of the empire who temporarily reside in the kingdom instead of citizens of the kingdom who temporarily reside in the empire? What happens when we adopt an eternal perspective?

We're wrapping up our "Mocked" sermon series looking at the ways Jesus was mocked on his way to, and in the midst of, his crucifixion. We consider how God's light shined brightest when Jesus was broken and when Jesus bids us to pick up our crosses and follow him, it includes our own willingness to be broken so God's light can shine through us, too. 

You know that Bible story when God sends two bears to maul 42 kids for teasing a balding guy? No? Most people don't. Why not? It's three verses long and it's hard to understand why it's even in there.

Welcome to week three of the Mocked series. Why was Elisha mocked? What else is going on beneath the surface for God to respond in such a dramatic way? How does this line up with what we read about God elsewhere in the Bible? Finally - what does God have to say to us through this story? 

Listen to this sermon and find out! 

Have you ever had a dream so bold that it made other people furrow their brows or tell you you're crazy? God's dreams for your life should do that! God gives us dreams that are only possible with him...and when we're curious, courageous, and consistent in our pursuit of God's dreams - he makes them happen! 

We’re starting a new message series called “Mocked.” Over the next four episodes, we will look at four different stories about people in the Bible who are mocked for their beliefs, their faith, and their obedience. My hope is that you will find encouragement in God’s faithfulness, inspiration in the faithfulness of these characters, and motivation to be curious, courageous, and consistent – just like them. 

This episode looks at Noah and invites us to consider the mockery he may have experienced at the hands of the evil people around him as he built the ark. 

The final message in our series on spiritual growth concludes with the powerful story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch from Acts 8. Philip sets an example for us to Listen, Engage, Abide, and Do what Jesus did (LEAD).

Owning your kingdom purpose unlocks your greatest potential. Starting with the end in mind helps you plan the steps for how to get from where you are to where you want to be. It might sound weird, but when we're talking about our lives, that means you're planning your own funeral. 

What does it look like to finish well, to live a life that reveals the most important relationship you had was your relationship with Jesus? Listen to Week 3 of "It's Just a Phase (So Don't Miss It)."

What am I doing with my life? Is this the direction I want my life to go? And I don’t mean in a “I’m in crisis” kind of way, but in a very real, “What is my purpose” kind of way. 

We often search for our purpose in life, then ask God what His plan is for that purpose. That's actually backwards.  Searching for my purpose first, then asking God what he wants to do with that purpose endeavors to fit God into what I have already determined for life. 

God has a plan and a purpose for you in that plan. If you lean in and pursue His purpose for you in His plan, only God knows how far those ripples could reach.