Walking in Truth

You’re in the boxing ring…letting out some steam, and processing through some things. Punching someone or something is an outlet for you in working out some of your frustration. But before you know it, you’ve thrown a right hook that ends up being a death blow to your opponent. This is how it is in a marriage when a person chooses to commit adultery. It’s a devastating blow to the marriage. Today, Pastor Johnny gives a strong warning against falling prey to cheating on your spouse.

Making a s’more around a campfire can be fun, and a great memory to share with others on a cool summer night. The whole point is to use the fire to soften the marshmallow just enough that its heat can melt the chocolate. But as you well know…if you get the marshmallow too close to the fire, it burns and becomes useless for the yummy treat you had in mind. Today, Pastor Johnny talks about how people play with fire when they get involved in relationships that lead to scarring.

You see it everywhere…at work, in the schools, in your extended family, and even in your church. Families are breaking apart because of someone choosing to be unfaithful to their spouse. It’s sad, but it happens all the time. You see it in the movies. You see it in the news with some big name. You start to wonder if it’s even possible to not fall into it yourself. Well, Pastor Johnny has a word for you today about adultery, and where it all starts. Don’t forget that your heart and mind might be part of the problem!

Growing teenage boys seem like an endless vacuum…eating up whatever food’s around them, and yet not getting full. There’s no evidence that they’ve eaten much of anything, except that your refrigerator’s empty of the essentials. Well today, Pastor Johnny’s talking about a different kind of filling-up. Too often, people fill themselves with things in life that they think will keep them full, but they’re still hungry for something more. What they don’t realize is that the thing they’re hungry for is Jesus!

Unless it’s a really hot day, you see most people gradually ease into a pool, trying to adjust to that cold temperature of the water. You first put your legs in, then you slowly dip in until the water’s up to your waist. Your arms eventually go under, and then, maybe your head goes underwater. Wouldn’t it just be quicker to jump in quickly and get the cold shock over with? Well today, Pastor Johnny is talking about how - many times, people slowly ease into a relationship with God, without fully committing.

What if you ate all the delicacies that you possibly could, but remained hungry? What if you had an endless supply of water and drank every possible drop that came your way, but you were still as thirsty as ever? This kind of existence would feel useless and hopeless, right? Well in today’s message, Pastor Johnny relays that this is the reality if you don’t know Jesus. You’re empty in a way that only Jesus can fulfill. So how do you get to a point where you’re satisfied and filled to the brim? You’ll hear how today!

You could claim you’re a rocket scientist and know all the textbook answers about the topic. But until you’re in a situation where you have to troubleshoot, in the moment, that’s when your knowledge becomes useful in reality. So Pastor Johnny gives a reminder today to think about whether you’re living out what you say you believe, and if all that knowledge is useful in the real world. How do you treat your neighbor or the waitress at your favorite restaurant? Hopefully, your walk backs up your talk.

It’s not a mistake that there’s a hostile reaction to your admission of following Jesus. Why is it that every other religion or moral standard is accepted whole-heartedly, but if you even venture toward saying you believe in Jesus and His salvation, you’re black-listed? What Pastor Johnny wants you to be assured of today - is that following God is the very best thing you can do…even if it comes at the cost of family, friends, a job, or that social circle or status that you’re trying to be a part of.

If you were to tell a person that there’s something more important than their family, you’d be met with much opposition from many…saying that you’re a neglectful person toward your family. Like with many things, Jesus ruffled people’s feathers when He made a statement about His earthly family. As you listen to Pastor Johnny today, take account of the priority that your family has for you. It’s not wrong to love and prioritize your family, but are they higher in your ranking than where God is?

Sometimes, it’s refreshing when you hear someone just speak the truth! It may be bold and it may be surprising, but it’s at the very least – unexpected, and even appreciated! Are you someone who gets offended by hearing another tell the truth? Well in today’s message, Pastor Johnny explains what’s behind that offense many times, and it may or may not be what you want to hear. But if you keep listening, you’ll have a better understanding of why God’s truths are important, even if they’re offensive.