Posted: 22 Oct, 2017 | Author: John Houser
The gospel is the most important message in the history of the world. We are privileged to be a part of following Jesus and spreading hope to a world in desperate need. This is God’s call on our lives: the Great Commission. Download Handout
Read More...Posted: 07 Oct, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
Wouldn’t it be sad to have something really good and never share it with others? Having a relationship with God through Jesus is something worth sharing! Yet those conversations about our faith, although exciting, can at times be intimidating to initiate. This message shares a couple simple tools that can be used to begin conversations […]
Read More...Posted: 24 Sep, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
As followers of Christ, we have been given a mission to bring the good news of Jesus to all of El Paso and beyond. This message addresses why anyone would want to be a part of that mission and how they could be. Download Handout
Read More...Posted: 10 Sep, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
Because of the amazing love of God shown in Jesus, we can experience victory over rejection. Download Handout
Read More...Posted: 30 Jul, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The good life that really counts for something is not just found in a brief interaction with Jesus, but in a journey of trusting Him and following His lead! Download Handout: No blanks/Blanks
Read More...Posted: 23 Jul, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
As we saw with the Pharisees (message 2 weeks ago), we cannot be made righteous by cleaning ourselves up but instead by humbly receiving Christ and His life in us. With Christ in our lives we are new, we are no longer sinners but blameless, pure children of God. This change is what Jesus did […]
Read More...Posted: 16 Jul, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We are all busy people. We want our lives to count and so we fill them up with all sorts of activities. One of the most fulfilling things we can dedicate ourselves to is loving others, but we need to be careful that the busyness of life doesn’t choke out the things we really want […]
Read More...Posted: 09 Jul, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
When Jesus walked this Earth he consistently showed love and grace and acceptance. Yet His love is much deeper than just trying to make people feel good. In fact, He spoke surprisingly harsh words to a certain group of people, the Pharisees. Why? At least in part it was because the Pharisees thought they could […]
Read More...Posted: 02 Jul, 2017 | Author: Bruce Bradford
Do you ever feel like you’ve made too many mistakes for Jesus to accept you? In Jesus’ interaction with Levi (Matthew), we see that there is love, forgiveness, and acceptance in Jesus, even for the really broken people. You past doesn’t matter to Jesus. You don’t have to fix your life before you follow. He […]
Read More...Posted: 25 Jun, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
In today’s episode we see that when a broken Sinner comes to Jesus, she is accepted and forgiven; and her heart of stone is changed into a heart of love. Could we ourselves dare to be so vulnerable with God? And could we be people who accept other people? Download
Read More...Posted: 11 Jun, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
A rich young man came to Jesus asking how to find eternal life. He came confident in himself and in his own goodness. The answer Jesus gave him left him walking away sad. Despite his own accomplishments, possessions, and reputation he was lacking. But he couldn’t bring himself to give up control and follow the […]
Read More...Posted: 28 May, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
There is something in us that makes us want to share with others the good things we have found. Whether it is a great movie, a sunset, a revolutionary product, a new love, or something else we find exciting, we have a desire to pass it on. How much more, despite hesitation or cultural opposition, […]
Read More...Posted: 21 May, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We think of the account of the woman caught in the act of adultery as a beautiful story of grace and forgiveness. And it is. At least for one person. But not everyone received life from Jesus. The religionists (the Pharisees and teachers of the law) walked away from life. They were more concerned about […]
Read More...Posted: 14 May, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
What would it be like to host Jesus and some of his friends for dinner? What preparations would you make? During dinner would you be busy doing things or would you just sit there and listen to Jesus? This is the situation of Martha and Mary who hosted Jesus many years ago. Mary “sat at […]
Read More...Posted: 07 May, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The religious leaders tried to trap Jesus by bringing before him a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. Would he withhold mercy and have her put to death, or would he show mercy and ignore the law? One response would put Jesus in a horrible light with the people, and the […]
Read More...Posted: 23 Apr, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
In the account of the paralyzed man who was brought to Jesus, we learn that Jesus wants us to come to Him for forgiveness—spiritual healing! This is one of the amazing ways we experience life from God. When we ask for and receive forgiveness, we are no longer defined by our loserness! We are freed […]
Read More...Posted: 16 Apr, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus in the secret of night only to get far more than he bargained for. As we look at this interaction with the Life Giver we find how to be born again into a new life. We do not get life by trying to be a better person, but […]
Read More...Posted: 09 Apr, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
Have you ever thought about the Day of Judgement—when Jesus addresses the masses of people who have lived since the beginning of the world? Will He be angry and condemning? Loving and compassionate? In this imagined account of Judgment Day, Jesus pours out his heart to those he loves—a jilted lover to those who rejected […]
Read More...Posted: 26 Feb, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We should never be surprised when we find ourselves discouraged or even despondent. After all, we live in terrible times. Yet God offers hope in the midst of our trials. Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” We can find life from God even […]
Read More...Posted: 19 Feb, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
Dove shares about the opportunity to develop an ongoing, growing relationship with the living God. He unpacks Jesus’ call in the beginning of Matthew chapter 6, to pray, give, and fast in secret—not for the approval of others but for God only. When done with a desire to discover the heart of God, not just […]
Read More...Posted: 29 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The church in Corinth had serious issues that Paul addressed throughout 1 Corinthians. He spoke so strongly on at times that you might think his letter to them would have ended their relationship. Yet as he concluded his letter in chapter 16, instead of writing an it-was-nice-knowing-you ending to their relationship, he penned a very ordinary […]
Read More...Posted: 22 Jan, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
As we near the end of 1 Corinthians, the apostle Paul reminds his audience what is of first importance: the gospel. The gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ came and died for our sins, taking our place, and providing a way for us to have a relationship with God and to be with […]
Read More...Posted: 08 Jan, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
Love is the greatest power on Earth and the true nature of God. In 1 Corinthians 13 we see the beauty and excellence of love. Through Jesus we can participate in this divine life. Download Handout
Read More...Posted: 01 Jan, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
The greatest disciples throughout history, from Jesus’ Twelve all the way to modern-day martyrs, have something in common. They don’t care. They don’t care about what others think, about their own personal gain, or even about their own lives. This one commonly held attribute allows them to live with abandon and care about the things […]
Read More...Posted: 18 Dec, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
Even though it is easy to lose sight of the original purpose, traditions start with the intent of helping us remember significant truths. This year, take the time to remember what God has done for you and find the light of Jesus in the midst of darkness and personal brokenness. Download
Read More...Posted: 04 Dec, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
What comes to mind when you think of authority and the submission to authority? Our own experience and cultural context have inevitably shaped that view. We probably all know examples of the abuse of authority and realize the potential to be taken advantage of. As we look deeper, we see that a loving authority is […]
Read More...Posted: 27 Nov, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
With a healthy understanding of grace, we can appreciate it for what it really is, and stand firm in the security of our committed relationship with Jesus. This allows us to stop being distracted with trying to measure up or trying to discern exactly what is permissible behavior and what isn’t. Instead, we can focus […]
Read More...Posted: 20 Nov, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
As we continue to look at the Higher Calling we have in Jesus, we see the example of Paul to work with extreme effort to bring the good news of Jesus to others, breaking down barriers and enduring difficulties in the process. What is the source of his dedication and sacrifice? Is he trying to […]
Read More...Posted: 30 Oct, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
Marriage is intended to be a beautiful life-long relationship. Unfortunately things don’t always go as God desires in our broken world. In this message we look at what the Bible teaches on divorce and remarriage from 1 Corinthians 7 and from the teachings of Jesus. Download Main Handout / Supplemental Reference on Divorce See also: Pizza Seminar: What the […]
Read More...Posted: 09 Oct, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
Are you chasing after an elusive pursuit to be somebody? What do you think others think about you? What do you think about yourself? It’s easy to think our worth is wrapped up in our own accomplishments and the praise of others, but what really counts is that you belong to Christ. In 1 Corinthians […]
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