Awake Us Now

It is a good thing to call Jesus "Lord," but He warns us that faith is not just a matter of mouthing the right words, but of having the right heart.

Jesus warns us to be on the alert against false prophets - those eager to tell us pleasing things, while distorting the Gospel to avoid mention of sin and repentance. He bluntly calls them "ravening wolves" who wear "sheep's clothing" to disguise their predatory nature.

Scripture: Mark 16:15, Acts 16:11-34. Individuals matter to God, and so do families. In today’s study of God’s Word, we see entire households being baptized into the family of God. God calls us to proclaim the Truth of the Message of Jesus, The Gospel of God.  For today’s teaching let’s consider this frequently asked question: Is baptism necessary for salvation?  Answer: NO BUT! Is baptism necessary? Answer: YES Baptism IS necessary but the Bible makes it clear it’s not necessary for salvation. Yet, it’s incredibly important. Today’s story is of Paul, Silas, Timothy and Luke in Philippi.  In this city of retired Roman soldiers, there was evidently no synagogue in town, so on the Sabbath Day Paul and his group went to where people would be gathered.  That was at the river outside of town and it was women that were gathered there. Paul’s team shared the gospel with the women and Lydia - a business woman - was there. God opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. After accepting Jesus as her Savior, she and

Truth #8: “We are all called to be witnesses of Jesus Christ.” From Acts 1:1-8 we explore the ways we are His witnesses: lifestyle, language and by the love we share, show and give to others. Love is the heart of the Bible’s message, that God’s steadfast love endures forever. Love is the way we demonstrate the character of God and how we bear witness to the loving Son of God who gave His life for us all!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 12 Scripture: Psalm 91,John 14:15-31, John 15, 1 Peter 4:12-13, Acts 14:22,Matthew 10:22, 2 Timothy 3;12, Matthew 5:10-12. Psalm 91 tells us that our God can be trusted. This psalm has words that Jesus depended on and held onto as He headed Up to Jerusalem. He was able to face the trial, trouble and tribulation that came on the road to the cross. Our story today picks up with Jesus saying, “If you love me, keep my commands.” This is not about earning eternal life, it’s about our relationship of love with The One who showed His love for us at the cross. As we love Him we show that in genuine obedience (keep my commands). God’s desire is that we mature in faith and that our very lives reflect Him through our speech and behavior and that we model Christ’s example. Then Jesus shares that He will send an Advocate to help. This Advocate is the One who speaks truth. A counselor, encourager, comforter who will help us and be with us forever - The Holy Spirit. God’s supernatural presence and

The world tells us we should not be "narrow minded," but Jesus says there is a time when "narrow" is not just good, but it is fundamentally good and absolutely essential!

The "Golden Rule," of doing to others as we would have them do to us, is not the way we measure up to God's standards. It is rather the way we show God's love to the world; a world increasingly troubled by fears and tumult.

Even in dark and difficult times, Jesus gives His followers this amazing promise: "A.S.K." - Ask, and it will be given to you - Seek, and you will find - Knock, and the door will be opened to you

Scripture: Isaiah 65:9, Isaiah 46:9-10, Deuteronomy 28:58-67, Deuteronomy 29:22-23, Jeremiah 31:35-37, Isaiah 11:11-12, Luke 21:24, Ezekiel 36:33-35, Luke 13:35, Romans 9:5, Romans 11:12-15. We continue to look at God’s fingerprints that are readily observable but often overlooked, things that testify to God’s goodness, faithfulness, power and promises. The Living God is true, genuine, near and He keeps His word!  2,700 years ago God declared through His prophet Isaiah that he knows how everything turns out in the end. He knows the end from the beginning and he will accomplish everything He has said he will do. “Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’” Isaiah 46:9-10 In today’s study we will look at the way those promises of God have been fulfilled through the ages and apply that to our

Jesus warns his followers against the spirit of judgmentalism - the eagerness to condemn the sins and faults of others while excusing or even denying our own. His followers are to discern truth and falsehood, right and wrong, with humility, repentance, and honesty.

Chronic worry not only disorders the mind but can actually damage physical health. Treatments like massage, breathing exercises, and medicine can relieve the immediate symptoms - but Jesus provides another answer for worry; one that gets directly to the heart and soul of the sufferer.

Scripture: Acts 2:14-21, Joel 2:28-32, Acts 2:38, Luke 11:13, Acts 2:17. Have you repented? And have you been baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and believe on Him? Then the gift of the Holy Spirit is already yours (Acts 2:38). But... have you opened that gift? Pastor will examine what the Scriptures have to say about the Holy Spirit and what that means for our lives today. Our text is Peter’s speech to the crowd on the day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit found in Acts 2. Peter shares that what has happened to a group of believers is that they had received the power of the Holy Spirit.  This giving of the Holy Spirit came after Jesus ascension and was told in the book of Joel. Peter recounts those words: Acts 2:17 “‘In the last days, God says,     I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy,     your young men will see visions,     your old men will dream dreams.” We are living in “The Age of the Last Days.” Those days are from the coming of the Messiah until His fina

We explore Truth #7: “The Old Testament Points to Jesus,” focusing on Luke 24:45 to see how everything written about a Savior in the Old Testament books of The Law, The Prophets and The Writings pointed to Jesus and was fulfilled by Jesus. He is returning, and He will rule forever!

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 11 Scripture Luke 22:31-34, John 13:31-37, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, John 14:1-31, Hebrews 7:25 Up to Jerusalem is a story filled with tragedy and yet a story that is above all, a story of victory and hope and defeat of the devil! Pastor’s teaching on Jesus’ Last Supper continues with a look at 1 Corinthians 11:23-25 which documents the changes Jesus instituted in the Passover meal. As He breaks the 3rd piece of matzah Jesus says, “This is My body given for you.” He’s making it clear that what they have been celebrating for centuries is being fulfilled at that very moment. The fulfillment of the meal that had been celebrated for centuries - was changed because Jesus is the fulfillment - He is the Messiah. Then He takes the cup and says, “This is the New Covenant of My blood, poured out for you.” This is the promised new covenant! There are three primary beliefs regarding the Lord’s Supper:     1.    Transubstantiation - bread and wine change into the body and blood of Christ     2.  

The question we need to ask ourselves is: "What do I value most? Am I going to value things that don't last, or am I going to value what God values most - those qualities that endure forever?"

Our God is a deliverer, and He offers us deliverance even - and especially - today!

Why did Jesus teach us to pray. “Lead us not into temptation”? God does not tempt, but He is the One who gives us the strength to face testing/temptation and provides a way of escape from the lure of evil.

Scriptures: Acts 17:24-27, John 1:4, John 6:4, 1 Timothy 4:8, Ecclesiastes 3:11. This is a series that takes a look at things that are readily obvious, but whose significance is frequently missed. We’ll look at Fingerprints of God that are truly all over the world today and all over our lives and yet so often in the busyness of the moment we miss those amazing reminders of God’s goodness, of His presence, of his faithfulness and of His great gift of Jesus Christ for each of us. God IS speaking in amazing ways in our generation and in our time! Pastor talks about the miracle of life and the odds that science has placed on life happening, they say it requires at least 150 unique things to make life possible. The research calculates the chance of that “accidentally” happening to be 1 chance to the 50th power - that’s a 1 with 50 zeroes behind it… or impossible….  How life happened cannot be explained, but there is a 1 word, three letter answer - IT’S G-O-D! LIFE IS A MIRACLE! Our culture sees life as just happen

"Forgive us our debts/sins as we forgive others" is not a prayer to be spoken lightly, but a prayer to be lived. Even the most devout believer has a daily need to reconnect with God through repentance and forgiveness.

"Give us ... our daily bread" is not a "mundane" prayer request. Jesus is calling us to look to God, to trust Him with our entire lives, and to call on Him to meet all our physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.