Through his own life’s experience, Casey gives us a stirring look at how families in the church can fill in the gap for children who are at risk. If adoption is our model, each one of us can look no further than our own salvation experience where we were adopted in Christ Jesus.
Better Together
Darrell reminds us that Jesus prayed in John 17 for us to all be ONE. This is our common call, that we would be a community that builds each other up on a foundation of love. We are better together.
Eternity in Our Hearts
Darrell reflects on how we as humans seem to be instinctively aware that there is a God who is in ultimate control. There is something inside each of us that is radically connected to God, because we were made in His image and are drawn to experience this connection. In this context, when we encounter Jesus and declare Him as Lord, we move outside of our self centered existence and discover “eternity in our hearts.”
Unity and Diversity for Eternity
Phil exhorts us to consider that we are better together in our diversity and that this signifies our calling for eternity. United in the Father’s love we find our purpose individually and collectively. Listen in as Phil discusses what keeps us from this high calling.
Unity in a Shared Life Together
True unity as described in John 17 is found in a shared life together. As Jesus’s words become a part of us, we are filled with joy, delivered from evil, set apart, sent out with purpose, and ultimately changed from the inside out. We are made one as Jesus and the Father are one.
Growing Together in Unity
As a community of faith, we firmly believe that we cannot go where God has called us without increasing unity in every area of our lives together. With our focus on growth in 2017, we are particularly exhorted to seek unity in the areas of growth we’ve been developing, so that we can grow together in our expression of authentic community. As God continues His work in us, there is only one way forward and that is— together.
That We May Be One
Jesus is always making intercession on our behalf. He prays in John 17 that we may be one in Christ. It’s importance is tied with the all important message that our unity communicates to the world, that the Father did, indeed, send the Son.
Fruit That Will Remain
God calls us as a church to a fruit that will remain and continue, regardless of the season of life. As we do life His way, Jesus brings true unity and authentic relationships. John 17 reminds us that by this unity the world will believe that God sent Jesus.
The Kind of Fast God Wants
God came to the nation of Judah to be their provider while Judah was depending on human strength. Let’s use this time of fasting to search the places in our hearts where we are challenged to trust God—in us and through us.
The Coming of Christ
The life of Christ discloses to us the purpose of life. We light the candle in honor of Him and the values He modeled for us. “Jesus, the light of the World."
Inbreaking: Love
Love is the essential nature of who God is, and this love is revealed in Jesus. This is a biblical love that is everlasting and timeless. Let the love of God in Christ break in this Christmas!
Inbreaking: Joy
In Luke 2, an angel of the Lord declares to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” How do we find this joy? Darrell’s message underscores that it is in Christ alone and His presence. The call to each of us is to “taste and see that the Lord is good!"
Second Sunday in Advent
First Sunday in Advent
Thankfulness
Stewardship
Is it possible to rob God? This can only be understood with the right Kingdom tools to view our place in the world. Listen in to Darrell’s message and consider this Biblical perspective of our roles as stewards.
Peace
When we do life Jesus’s way, peace lives in us. When we step outside of His will, there is no peace. Darrell exhorts us to beware of a False Peace. In this message, he considers how to avoid this and to walk in the Kingdom way.
A Personal Journey
Colossians 3:13
We believe in the whole body and the importance of relationships within each church community. Within our own church family, relationships grow deep and fruitful as we encourage transparency, and it is here that we find the gift of friendship. In this context, Darrell shares a message on Colossians 3:13 and the admonition to “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you."
Authentic Community: Clothed with Compassion
In the context of community, we should always be seekingthe best for one another. Where it can, at times, be easy to lose patience and fall into judgement, we are called to walk in compassion. “Mercy triumphs over judgement!”