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 Andy brings the message, "A Seismic Crisis” from Psalm 11. Hypothetically, what if you faced a crisis that caused your whole world to shake? Where would you turn? What would you hold on to? In Psalm 11, David is not facing hypotheticals, he is facing foundation shattering events. As we look into his response, we want to imitate him in seeking ultimate refuge in the righteous Judge.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Conclusion to Mark.” Have you ever noticed the little footnotes when you read Mark 16:9 that say something like “not in the earliest manuscripts”? In this message Nate explains the meaning and significance of that note in the first half of the sermon. The second half of the sermon focuses on the encouragement of Jesus’ finished work as presented in the Gospel of Mark.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Risen.” The resurrection of Jesus delivers joy to a world plagued by hopelessness and despair. The resurrection sends a loud and clear message: life will not always be this way. Jesus, who died, is now alive. And those who believe in Him will share in His eternal life.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Dead.” When it was obvious that Jesus was dead, a man named Joseph of Arimathea publicly stepped forward, took down the corpse, and buried it in his tomb. Such an act was a bold demonstration of faith and identity. How does your commitment to Jesus look to a world that has pretty much written Him off as dead?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Forsaken.” When the hour of crucifixion came the crowds, religious leaders, and even the criminals taunted Jesus: “If you’re the Christ, save yourself!” And yet, Jesus’ mission was not to save Himself, but to give Himself as a ransom for many. Chris willingly remained on the cross and was forsaken by God so that we could be saved.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus Crucified.” The Romans crucified their opponent as a sign of humiliation and defeat. But Jesus was not a defeated opponent or a martyred victim. Jesus willingly went to the cross, fulfilling the prophetic Scripture, and offering Himself as a substitute in our place. The cross of Jesus, which was a platform of public mockery, became the gateway to eternal salvation for those who will believe in Him.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Jesus for Barabbas” from Mark 15. The theme of substitution is front and center in this section of Mark. Jesus is sentenced to death in place of a known murderer named Barabbas. But it wasn’t just Barabbas who deserved judgment. We all deserve death, but Jesus went to the cross for us.
Pastor Nate brings the message "To Die or Deny" from Mark 14:53-72. Earlier in the garden Peter had told Jesus, "If I must die with you, I will not deny you." Yet, when the pressure cooker of life heated up, Peter's real treasure came to the surface: self-preservation. In contrast, Jesus continues his path to the cross of death and perseveres in what is true. The contrast is once again obvious. And, we are thankful that Jesus did die in our place.
Pastor Nate brings the message "Salvation for Those Who Fall" from Mark 14:26-51. It's a reminder that we all need to hear: the very nature of Christ's salvation is that it is a gift for those who fall. In Mark 14:26-51 we see Jesus deeply sorrowful and eventually abandoned by His followers. Yet, Jesus endures and pursues the Father's will. In agony, He continues toward the cross in order to provide salvation for fallen people like the disciples...and us.
Two weeks ago, we saw Jesus moving us from the religious celebration of the Passover meal to a new meal we call "communion." On Sunday we will be studying this important ordinance and seeing how God uses this meal in our lives. Following the sermon we will, like a family, participate in the communion meal together.
Dr. Davey, our BUILD Men's Conference speaker, will bring the message, "Genuine Love" from Romans 12:9-21. As the gospel transforms mankind spiritually from death to life, it also transforms our entire being, actions, and attitudes. Paul highlights one area specifically that should demonstrate this transformation: genuine love.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "For 1300 years the Passover meal was celebrated by Jews as a reminder of God’s past redemption and as a confidence of His future redemption. When Jesus gathered the disciples together in the Upper Room, He explained to them that this meal had been pointing to Him. It’s through Jesus, the last lamb, that we have our redemption.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "A Beautiful Thing." In Mark 14 the scene is being set for Jesus' imminent death, and people are finding Jesus either to be valuable or dispensable. When a woman shows her devotion to Jesus in an extravagant and beautiful way, the disdain and anger of Jesus' skeptics overflows with sophisticated reasons as to why she shouldn't do such things. The question that begs to be asked is whether or not our hearts love Jesus above all things.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God Pursues" - Part 4. For our last message in this series, we are turning to Luke 2:1-20 and seeing the arrival of Jesus into the world. From the early chapters of Genesis, God had been promising that a Savior would come to His people. He came and what a gift we have been given!
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God Pursues" - Part 3. In this series we have seen how God is graciously moving toward us. We have sinned against Him and are deserving of His eternal wrath, yet God has pursued us for His glory and our good. In this message we look at Galatians 4:1-7 to see what Jesus accomplished for us when he came into the world.
As you think about the Advent of Jesus, a question will eventually come to mind. Why did God pursue us? Was it because we were lovely and attractive to Him? No. The Bible says that before salvation we were rebellious and refusing to seek after God. So, then, why did God pursue us? In this message, we look to 1 Timothy 1:12-17 for the answer.
