What is the Church known for? According to news outlets and online blogs, the Church is frequently criticized for its judgmental outlook and political leanings. It’s heart breaking. We must refuse to become known better for screaming at people than serving people. In this message, we will examine our call to love like Jesus and live like Jesus.

We all love love! From the songs on the radio to the movies on the big screen, we love to watch a love story unfold. Our culture’s obsession with love has also made us grow detached from the true meaning. In the same breath, we can say we love biscuits and gravy while also saying we love God. Those two must be different, right? In this session, we are going to learn the nature of the most radical love of all time — the love of Jesus for you.

Are we truly living up to our full potential as Christians? This powerful message challenges us to move beyond the mindset of 'doing our best' and instead embrace the transformative power of relying completely on God. The story of David and Goliath serves as a striking example of what can happen when we put our trust entirely in the Lord. David's victory wasn't about his own strength or skill, but about his unwavering faith in God's ability to deliver him. This narrative reminds us that we're not 'only human' - we're vessels of the Holy Spirit, capable of achieving far more than we could ever imagine on our own. The message urges us to commit every task, from the mundane to the monumental, to God. By doing so, we tap into a divine strength that surpasses our human limitations. It's a call to step out of our comfort zones, to stop supervising our own lives, and to allow God to work through us in ways we never thought possible.

In John 14, we find a powerful message about overcoming anxiety through trust in God. Jesus' words, 'Let not your hearts be troubled,' serve as both a comfort and a command. This passage reminds us that anxiety often stems from uncertainty about the future and fear of loss - feelings we all grapple with. Yet, Jesus offers us a profound alternative: a peace that transcends circumstances, rooted in His victory over the world. We're encouraged to shift our focus from worldly concerns to believing in God's character, love, and sovereignty. The promise of the Holy Spirit as our constant companion further reinforces this message, assuring us that we're never alone in our struggles. As we navigate life's challenges, let's remember that true peace comes not from external stability, but from our trust in Christ. How might our lives change if we truly embraced this divine peace, letting it guard our hearts and minds against anxiety?

As we embark on a journey through the Sermon on the Mount, we're invited to explore what it truly means to be children of God's kingdom. This powerful message reminds us that the kingdom of God isn't just a future hope, but a present reality that began with Christ's birth and continues through us. The Gospel of Matthew meticulously outlines Jesus' ministry, emphasizing the theme of God's kingdom throughout. We're challenged to consider our role in building this kingdom, not as passive observers, but as active participants. The Beatitudes, which kick off the Sermon on the Mount, present a radical departure from worldly values, calling us to embrace spiritual poverty, meekness, and even persecution for righteousness' sake. As we delve into these teachings, we're encouraged to examine our relationship with Jesus, submit to His authority, and take up His yoke. This journey isn't about perfection, but about continual growth and transformation as we align our lives with Christ's teachings.

We have looked at the Book of Colossians as a roadmap for our faith. It starts personally with salvation, then we make it public with baptism, and now it’s time to get practical. Salvation is just the start. What does it look like to live as a Christian? The answer is growth. God wants you to grow. In this final sermon, we will invite students to grow closer to God in three ways.

As we step into a new year, we're called to refocus on what truly matters in our spiritual journey. This message challenges us to build our lives on the solid foundation of Christ, emphasizing the importance of discipleship and the commands of Jesus. The Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, will be our guide as we learn to live as children of God's kingdom. We're reminded that our primary focus isn't to build a single church, but to expand God's kingdom by sharing the gospel and pointing others to Jesus. This year, we're encouraged to be more vocal about our faith, to share our testimonies, and to actively engage in reaching out to our community with the love of Christ. The message urges us to move beyond mere busyness and instead focus on serving the Lord with purpose, always keeping the gospel at the forefront of our actions.

We spoke about salvation last week. Talk about a milestone moment for someone! But, what happens next? Baptism is everyone’s first step after they experience salvation. As we explore the symbolism of baptism, we will see that it is so much greater than a mere swim in a church. It’s a picture of death and resurrection.

In this powerful exploration of Mark 5, we encounter the transformative power of Jesus Christ. The story of the demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes serves as a vivid illustration of our own spiritual condition before encountering Christ. Just as this man was tormented by a 'Legion' of demons, we too are often bound by multiple chains of sin, addiction, and spiritual darkness. But the message is clear: no matter how dire our situation, Jesus has the power to set us free. The dramatic change in the man - from naked and screaming to clothed and in his right mind - mirrors the radical transformation that occurs when we truly surrender to Christ. This narrative challenges us to examine our own lives. Have we experienced this level of transformation? Are we 'sitting at Jesus' feet,' clothed in His righteousness, and renewed in our minds? Moreover, it prompts us to consider our response to Christ's work in our lives. Are we, like the townspeople, asking Jesus to leave because we're uncomfortable with change? Or are we, like the healed man, eager to share our testimony with others?

Have you ever felt like you were playing hide and seek with God? Sometimes it feels like no matter how hard you look, you cannot find Him. In the childhood game, we often missed the kid hiding in plain sight. The same is true for God. We often miss Him because we make it far more mysterious than it needs to be. God is not found in some complicated program or supernatural vision quest — God is within you right now. Let’s open our Bibles to Colossians to learn how Paul helped some new Christians unlock the mystery of their spiritual lives.