Pastor Nate brings the message, "Pleasing God with Purity” from 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8. It's no secret that sexual freedom has been a focal point of our society. Why not? We are pleasure-seekers after all. As we open up chapter 4 of 1 Thessalonians, God's Word directs us in a better path forward, one that keeps the pleasure of sexual activity within the safe boundaries of obedience to God.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Comfort of the Coming King” - Part 2 from Isaiah 42:1-9. As we continue our Advent series this Sunday, we see that the coming Savior would be gentle with His people. "A bruised reed he will not break; and a faintly burning wick he will not quench." No one is a cast-away. No one will be written off. Jesus is for His people.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Comfort of the Coming King” - Part 1 from Isaiah 40. Do you find comfort in your circumstances or in the character and promises of God? As the Jews were agonizing in exile, God gave them a promise of comfort. It's a promise anchored in His unchanging character that extends to our lives today. A Savior would come and those who wait on Him shall renew their strength.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "My Shepherd: He is Enough" from Psalm 23. Pastor Nate reminds us, from a familiar text, of God's care for and provision in our lives.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "Increasing and Abounding in Love” from 1 Thessalonians 3:6-13. What role does your love for others play in your standing before God? That's a question that Paul answers at the end of 1 Thessalonians 3. When we see love flowing through our lives God is establishing us in holiness.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God's Faithfulness: He Keeps His Promises.” The book of Numbers starts with Israel leaving Sinai and wraps up with Israel ready to enter into the Promised Land. It took 40 long years for them to make that trip (due to their complaining), yet God was just as faithful at the end as He was at the beginning. Sometimes the journey seems long and hard, but Numbers reminds us that God is going to fulfill His promise to bring us home.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God's Faithfulness: God Protects His People." Do children realize how much protection their parents provide? In the story of Numbers 22-25 we see the enemies of Israel scheming to secretly destroy them. However, God, Israel's Father, who is all-knowing and all-powerful prevents a disaster from ever happening. In like manner, our heavenly Father continues to protect His children and secure our eternal salvation.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God’s Faithfulness: New Beginnings in the Wilderness” from Numbers 20-21. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, the generation characterized by unbelief has nearly died off. A new generation is now ready to trust God and live in obedience to His Word. It’s an era of hope and new beginnings…not because the challenges are going to get easier, but because God is the object of their faith.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God’s Faithfulness: Rebellion in the Wilderness.” In Numbers 13-19 Moses shows us some of the darker days of Israel’s early history where complaining attitudes led to rebellious actions. Would God just sweep it under the rug as though it never happened? Of course not. He brought judgment, but with the judgment He also gave an opportunity for repentance. Are you willing to live with the consequences of your past sin and still walk in repentance?
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God’s Faithfulness: Complaining in the Wilderness.” Israel’s journey to the Promised Land started well. At first the people were generally obedient, but it didn’t take long for the wheels to start falling off. What should have been a short 2-4 week journey turned into a 40-year wandering in the wilderness. Why did God extend their time? They gave themselves over to grumbling and complaining.
Pastor Nate brings the message, "God’s Faithfulness: Worship in the Wilderness.” This message begins a six-part series in the book of Numbers. The overarching theme focuses on God’s faithfulness to His covenant, with different sections of the book calling for a response from God’s people. This message covers the first ten chapters and applies the principle that life as a Christian must be centered around God.
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.
