Family of God
The church is often referred to as the family of God which sounds sweet, but is actually a significant analogy with deep implications. If the church is a family, then how we treat one another, how we deal with conflict, and how we help and support each other should all look differently than if we are only a collection of Christians who gather in a building on Sundays. The “Family Church” Model As we continue our series on the Ekklesia,…
The Gathered Church
When people hear the word “CHURCH” they often think of a building they go to or the service they attend. But the Greek word that we translate as “church” actually points to the people who gather. We don’t GO to church but we ARE the church. And this mindset shift has massive impacts for how involved a person in with their church. Jesus expects his followers to be participants and not spectators in their local church! Ekklesia = The Gathering…
The Lost Art of Sabbath
We live in a world that tells us we need to always be producing. But God made us and knows that we need rest. Knowing we would never stop working, God commanded that we stop our work every 7 days and give him our time and attention. You would think we would all rejoice with the break, but it forces us to trust that God will provide for us even if we aren’t producing for ourselves. The Israelites First Rest…
The Lost Art of Fasting
Fasting is a spiritual discipline God offers us as a way to connect more closely and intimately with Him. It’s an opportunity to show him how serious we truly are about this issue in our life. So try adding fasting to the ways you connect with God and watch how that hunger in your stomach turns your senses towards complete dependance on Him. From Feasting to Fasting Last week we looked at the Spiritual Discipline of Celebration, and I have…
The Lost Art of Celebration
Many believe the Christian life is one of somber and serious quiet time with God. And while that is true for some of the spiritual disciplines, it has to be balanced with the joyous discipline of celebration. Jesus was a partier, and we should follow his example of demonstrating what God-honoring celebration looks and feels like. Not So Serious Today we continue to look at the spiritual disciplines that help deepen our relationship with God, but today’s discipline is very…
The Lost Art of Prayer
Christians know that prayer is an important part of their relationship with Jesus, but too often we allow our prayer lives to become tired lists of what you want God to do for you. In this message, you will learn a variety of different ways you can connect with Jesus through prayer to bring new life to your relationship with God. Prayer is the Basis for Relationship with God Today’s message is about the bedrock of every relationship: strong communication.…
The Lost Art of Bible Study
Many Christians want to follow Jesus, but they never make time to actually read God’s Word and see how Jesus lived. One of the Lost Arts of our day is to actually take the time to learn what is inside the Bible, to read it for ourselves and to put it into our hearts. If we are willing to do that, however, it will transform our lives. Message Coming Soon
Solitude and Silence
In our new series about the Lost Arts of spiritual discipline, we first look at the foundation of so many ways we connect with God – by putting away distractions and finding silence and solitude so we can hear God’s quiet whisper. Finding Stronger Connections With God Today we start a new series building on the great message Kirk gave last week. He encouraged us to make some New Year’s Resolutions to use four practices to help build a stronger…
New Year’s Resolutions
Kirk Irwin, and elder at the church, shares four New Year’s Resolutions we should all make to deepen our relationship with Jesus in the coming year.
The Virgin Mother
The fact that Jesus was conceived in the power of the Holy Spirit by a virgin as incredible implications for this God-man who is the perfect intersection of heaven and earth. How Babies are Made Today we are going back to high school. To high school health class. To a topic that made the kids giggle. The topic that made me hang out in the library for a week because my mom exempted me from it. SEX ED. I’m guessing…