New Song Community Church

A compilation of several father-son talks that I've had with my son about growing up to be a man of God. Pastor Mitch

The real Jesus does not sympathize with our weaknesses in a way that empowers our failure. He understands our weaknesses so as to give us grace to overcome in victory.

Church in America, it's time to get courageously honest about our situation - in the nation and in the church. The days of cowardice and denial are over. We're in for some tough times ahead. Hell has some big plans for us, but Jesus always has an answer, and He always wins. So we will prevail over the darkness that is currently hell-bent on ruining our country. God will judge us, but always for our good and for our healing.

God Himself said that "it is not good that a person be alone" (Gen. 2:18). He designed our souls to need relationships with other people. There are seven relationships that the Bible speaks of. Listen to learn about the relationships we need to be healthy in God.

Many people believe that knowledge comes from class instruction or book-reading, but in real life, knowledge comes by experience. We learn by doing. It is not those who attend church or listen to good sermons who know Jesus, but only those who actually "do the will of my Father in heaven (Matt. 7:21-23)."

Jesus said that many who call Him Lord do not actually know Him, because they are not obeying Him (Matt. 7;21-23). How can we be assured that we truly know God? He tells us that if we love people and obey His commands, we will know Him. 1 John 4:7 Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 2 John 6 This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.

Happiness is Like a Butterfly, the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder… Thoreau Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will have enough trouble of its own. Jesus

Matthew 5:10–12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

The border of the Church is in shambles, just as Jerusalem's wall was in Nehemiah's day. Therefore, the Church blends in with the world, and the gospel we preach is unclear. We must have a clearly-defined boundary around the Church, so that we remain holy, and so that all who enter must come through the Door, Jesus Christ (John 10:1-9).

Pastor Mitch tells the story of his "swim" in the Gulf of Mexico that resulted in him clinging to a barnacled pier, bleeding in shark-filled waters. There had a been a warning sign on the beach, but he ignored it. God has also placed His warning signs in His Word - don't ignore them, or you too might end up in serious trouble!

The first apostles sought church leaders who were filled with the Holy Spirit AND wisdom (Acts 6:1-7) - neither spiritual fools nor unspiritual intellectuals need apply. The church still needs men and women who are "in the Spirit", but live in natural wisdom and excellence, as we address the world that needs the Gospel.

At the Cross, Jesus took everything bad that we are, and gave us everything good that He is.

Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the whole world. John 1:29 How are Easter and Passover connected? How are Passover and communion related? Listen to hear how Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God who gave His life and blood for our freedom and protection.

In Psalm 27, God tells David, in the midst of all his problems, to "seek My Face." And David does seek God's face. Looking at God during times of fear and trouble is the only way to find direction and peace.

Revelation 3:14–16 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Romans 12:2 (The Message) Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out, unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity.

Have you experienced a tragedy and thought that maybe God caused it? Do you have trouble accepting what God has allowed in your life? Are you angry at God for something that happened to you? Did someone tell you that "everything happens for a reason"? Do you find it difficult to reconcile the disasters of the world with the Bible's claim that God is good and loving? If any of this rings true to you, please listen as Pastor Mitch shows us that God is not in control - He is not secretly orchestrating the tragedies of our lives. No, He is the healer and deliverer and savior and comforter. We can run to Him, not from Him, when pain, sickness, or tragedy strike.

2 Samuel 2 relates the story of Asahel's death in battle because he would not listen to someone he thought was his enemy - but he was wrong. Pastor Mitch tells us that wisdom will listen to counsel, even when it comes from someone we think we are opposed to or angry with.

Why do you serve God? Why do you do the good things that you do? Are you afraid of making God angry? Are you looking for reward? Do you only do the bare minimum to ease your conscience? Do you take responsibility for what Jesus commands? Do you serve your Heavenly Father out of love?

God is real, He is good, and You may know Him. If you have doubts about the goodness of God because of the evils of the world and humanity, please listen. You will hear that He is perfectly good, and Jesus is present and willing to heal and save.

1 John 2:28 Children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming.