Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Word that Works” from 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. When Paul defended his ministry in Thessalonica, he did so by pointing out the changes that happened in the lives of these new Christians. People were changed, not because of Paul's speaking skills, but because they received the Word of God in faith. As believers we can be thankful and confident that God has given His Word to be at work in our lives.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "The Character of a Gospel Witness” from 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12. One of the greatest blessings that God gives us is the privilege of sharing the Gospel with non-Christians. It's a joyful moment knowing that God is very specifically using that moment for His glory. As we long to practice evangelism more and more, Paul shows us four important lessons for being a Gospel Witness.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Life-Changing" Part 2 from 1 Thessalonians 1:4-10. In the opening chapter of 1 Thessalonians we are seeing the power of the Gospel in the lives of believers. Salvation does bring about change. And, as a church we want to be that change for the glory of God and for encouragement and witness to those around us.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Life-Defining" from 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5. This message begins a new sermon series in 1 Thessalonians where the opening verses present defining marks of God's salvation in our lives. When we come to believe the Gospel, God empowers us to live changed lives that please and glorify Him.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God's Set Times" from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. In chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes Solomon asks us to consider the timing of just about everything in life...being born and dying, planting and harvesting, weeping and laughing, etc., etc. What he's getting at is that these occasions and rhythms happen in God's timing. He is the One who determines when all things take place. And since that's the case, ought we not to be in awe of God?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Quest for Enjoyment" from Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26. Do you think that if you had more "thing" in life you would be a happier person? Do you think there would be more joy? As we study the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon tests those waters for us. Over and over again we are brought back to this reality: we find our enjoyment in life when we walk with God.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Emptiness of Work Apart from God" from Ecclesiastes 1:1-11. This is the beginning of a new sermon series in the book of Ecclesiastes where Solomon wastes no time in warning us of an empty life. His first concern is that people apply themselves to their work, but at the end of their lives they are left with nothing meaningful. How many people get to the end of their lives and quietly think, "I wasted my life"? Ecclesiastes will help us think more Biblically about a life of Godly fulfillment and meaning.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "When God Hides Himself from You” from Psalm 10. The Psalms are filled with honest, heartfelt questions and emotions that plague us during hard times: “Why O LORD do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” We might not ask those specific questions, but if our emotions were given a voice, they would be screaming those words loud and clear. In Psalm 10 David buoys us up with truth for when our hearts are filled with questions about the existence of God.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Praising and Pleading: The Peaks and Valleys of the Christian Life.” Psalm 9 is an accurate reflection of the Christian life. On one hand we praise God for defeating our enemy. On the other hand we plead with Him to go before us and defeat our enemy, that roaring lion. At first glance, this seems contradictory until you consider it in Biblical terms. What is unwaveringly true is that Christ will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. The battle rages but God will bring His people through it.
Pastor Andy brings the message, "The Majesty of God Revealed in Human Frailty” from Psalm 8. What comes to mind when you consider the majesty of God? The Sun, moon, and stars? The expanse of the universe? In Psalm 8 to highlight the majesty of God, the psalmist draws our attention to the insignificant and unimpressive creature called “Man.” The wisdom of God’s plan to display His majesty through human frailty has far-reaching and eternal effects: it gave hope to David, to the people of Israel who were exiled and oppressed, and finally to all humanity through the Son of Man, Jesus.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God Is the Judge: It’s Going to Be Okay.” As we turn to Psalm 7, David is again facing perilous times. In his cry to the Lord, David finds encouragement in the truth that God is a Refuge and Judge. That’s an interesting pair to put together as you consider safety…and eternal justice. There is a lot of moral turbulence going on in this world, but God’s perspective, Christians are going to be okay…and in all reality, much better than “okay.”
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Dark Hours of God’s Good Discipline:” from Psalm 6. As a father loves his child and provides discipline when needed, so God loves us, His children, and brings discipline into our lives. In Psalm 6 David is experiencing such a time in his life and pleads with God to bring it to an end. It is a penitential psalm that will help us understand God and place our hope in Him.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Deliverance from Deception" from Psalm 5. For the next few weeks we will be studying various Psalms. They are filled with personal emotions that teach us how to express our hearts to God. In Psalm 5 David pours out his heart to God as people spread lies that effect him deeply. We then find how God can be trusted when others are deceptive.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "What Are You Standing In?" from 1 Peter 5:12-14. The giant redwoods in California can soar to over 350 feet in the air. Their massive trunks and branches can weigh millions of pounds. Only a strong root system could keep them standing. This is the last sermon in the book of 1 Peter. In his closing statement to the churches, Peter exhorts Christian exiles to stand firm in the grace of God.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Fighting Satan with Promises of God” from 1 Peter 5:8-11. We are in a battle. Satan, our adversary, is carrying out plans to attack Christ's Bride. He hates her and wants to devour Christians like a lion devours sheep. Yet God leads us in His grace to be able to resist Satan and stand firm all the way to the end.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Freedom from Yourself” from 1 Peter 5:5-7. As Peter begins the conclusion of his letter, he calls Christians to a very important virtue: humility. In living humble lives we honor God, develop essential healthy Christian relationships, and find freedom from self absorption.
Pastor Muri brings the message, "A Life That is Holy and Pleasing to God" from 2 Peter 3:14-18. On this 4th of July we look soberly toward the future of our country. Paul warned that as time went on things would get worse and worse, and that we should be lights in the gathering darkness. Today we look at a man who stood where we stand, held his ground, and won the praise of God and kings. This message is a word of encouragement and hope for distressing times.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "What to Expect from Pastors” from 1 Peter 5:1-4. Since Pentecost, God has graciously gathered His people into local churches for His glory. A major component of the church is the relationship between pastors and the congregation. How should shepherds conduct themselves in respect to the flock? And, what is the motivation for their conduct? In this passage we study God’s exhortation to pastors.
Pastor Andy brings the message, "The Church: Two Distinguishing Badges.” Ever been asked what your church is like, and replied by describing the building and grounds, programs, and pastor? But…what is church? What are the most important things? Pastor Andy gives us two badges from Scripture that should distinguish a church.
Pastor Nate will bring the message, "Living Biblically in a LGBTQ + World" from 1 Peter 4:1-4, 19. First Peter 4 taught us that followers of Christ move away from worldly practices even if it means suffering and rejection. In our society today we are experiencing the cultural agenda to promote unbiblical sexuality and Christians are often challenged by the following tension: how do we reject the practices and cultural agenda of unbiblical sexuality, yet love individuals as God would have us?
Pastor Nate brings this message from 1 Peter 4:12-19. Were you surprised when the sun came up this morning? Or when the water came out of the faucet? Or when the red light turned green on your way to work? We come to expect those occurrences in everyday life. As Christians, God tells us to expect suffering to come our way. How we should respond to that suffering is what we will learn from this study.
Pastor Nate brought the message, "Arm Yourself” from 1 Peter 4:1-11. How are Christians to live in a world that increasingly grows hostile toward them? Through Peter, God commands you to arm yourself with Christ's way of thinking, trust Him with ultimate justice, and to be encouraged that you have an alternate community, the church family, where love and encouragement should be readily found.
