Pastor Andy brings the message, “Grace for 2023” from John 1:16-18. What do we want to focus on as a church and as individuals this coming year? What will define us? This year, let's be defined by Grace.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Above All." In Mark 9:1-13, we see the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain and a voice from heaven declaring Him to be the Beloved Son. Clearly, Jesus' exalted status is being proclaimed, but it's Peter who unknowingly says that Jesus is on par with Elijah and Moses. How often do we fail to see Jesus' glory and then place Him right alongside (or below) other good things?
Pastor Andy brings the message, "Identity and Mission" from Mark 8:27-9:1. Mark 8:29 is the watershed moment of the gospel: Peter confesses Jesus is the Messiah. The disciples finally understand Jesus' identity. Immediately, Jesus begins to reveal his mission. With the disciples, we will begin to see Jesus' identity and mission as inseparable. And his identity and mission have ramifications on the cost of discipleship.
Pastor Luke brings the message, "The Power of the Church" from Acts 12. There are times when it seems like the church will be snuffed out like a struggling flame, or that the oppression and persecution will grow to a point when the darkness will overcome it. Yet, we are reminded in Acts 12 that the power of the church does not rest in the people of the church, but in the object of their faith.
The message is from Ephesians 2:11-22. Walls of hostility between spouses, Christians, people in general, etc., unfortunately exist. In our passage this week Paul tells us how the wall between the Jews and Gentiles came down. Question to consider: how do you approach walls of hostility between you and others?
The message is from 2 Peter 1:3-11. "...make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love."
The message is from Ephesians 2:1-10. War veterans talk about buddies who saved their lives. They talk with deep thankfulness and appreciation. Similarly, Paul points us to the great truth that God has saved our lives. His grace and mercy have come to us through Jesus, and the eternal life we have is a gift of unmatched worth.
The message is from Ephesians 1:15-23. God desires that you would know (on a heart level) the deep treasures of a relationship with Him. Without these treasures, our hope and encouragement rest in the day-to-day circumstances of a broken sin-tainted world. But as we see through this scripture passage, God opens up the eyes of our hearts to see that we are secured and strengthened, no matter what, in Him.
In Ephesians 1:9-10 we see that God's plan is to establish Jesus as the unifying head of all things in heaven and earth. As we apply this message there is reason to praise God for His grace as well as reflect on direction of our own lives. Are we living by faith under the headship of Jesus? What does that look like?
