Posted: 03 Feb, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
Acts 2:38-39 Peter replied, Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away all who […]
Read More...Posted: 06 Jan, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
1 Peter 2:11 Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. When we put our faith in Christ, we become God’s people and citizens of his kingdom. We no longer pledge our allegiance to this world, but to God. As the verse says, […]
Read More...Posted: 26 Aug, 2018 | Author: Bruce Bradford
What is it that makes us happy? Money? Success at work? Being popular? Nice house? Nice car? Are those things really it? God wants us to know that there is more in life! We can find true and deep joy! Download
Read More...Posted: 17 Jun, 2018 | Author: Steve Nelson
Relational conflict is normal, and God gives lots of helpful instruction on how to develop deeper and closer relationships as we work through conflict. Download Handout: With blanks/Without blanks
Read More...Posted: 03 Jun, 2018 | Author: Steve Nelson
[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7 NIV Is that the kind of love you desire? Sometimes instead of being “protected,” we get hurt by those we love. “Trust” is something that we value, but once that trust gets violated, it is hard to get it back. As long as […]
Read More...Posted: 20 May, 2018 | Author: Steve Nelson
Having healthy relationships with every coworker, friend, and neighbor is nearly impossible. There is no way. It’s too hard. And that is why we need supernatural help. Thankfully, with God’s help, he can transform us (not them) into lovers of people. Download Handout: With blanks / Without blanks
Read More...Posted: 21 Jan, 2018 | Author: Dove Cranson
We are called to stand, to persevere in our faith, to finish this race, even through the troubles that come. This work is something God is able to do for us as we trust Him. He began the work in us and He will complete it. We are called to trust Him, even through the […]
Read More...Posted: 29 Oct, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
God has given each of us amazing stories of how He has worked in our lives. Fear can keep us from telling people about these incredible events, and as a result, they miss out on learning from us and being encourage by what God has done in our lives. However, through him, we can be […]
Read More...Posted: 15 Oct, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
Christians are not just messengers of God’s plan of mercy and forgiveness, but we are witnesses of how He has worked in our lives! Each of us has a story of how God saved, healed, or met us in some critical life event. In fact, if we stop to think about it, we likely have […]
Read More...Posted: 01 Oct, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We may not normally see things this way, but God clearly communicates that there are two types of people in the world. One group of people is cursed. The other is blessed. The great news is that God doesn’t want people to be in the cursed group. He wants us all to be in the […]
Read More...Posted: 03 Sep, 2017 | Author: Steve Nelson
We all find plenty to complain about, whether it is genuine hardships like sickness, suffering, and death, or it is the little stuff like having to eat the same thing for dinner that we had for lunch. As we see in the example of the Israelites (Numbers 11:1-6), complaining leads to misery, even in times […]
Read More...Posted: 02 Apr, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
This message is from a morning dedicated to the upcoming mission trip to China. Jason, who is leading the trip, explains his passion for China, his family’s experience there, and the upcoming trip. Using the book of 2 Thessalonians as a model, Dove then leads the group in prayer as we ask God for help […]
Read More...Posted: 05 Feb, 2017 | Author: Dove Cranson
From Super Bowl losses, to the loss of loved ones, we will all have disappointments in our lives. In this message Dove wrestles through some of the disappointments in his own life, explaining some of the anchors he has found and continues to cling to along the way. It is the journey to find God […]
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: 26 Jun, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
God’s not just after our obedience; he’s after our hearts! Do you ever feel guilty, dirty, and like you have nothing to offer to God? And then, to feel better, do you start doing things like going to church, reading the Bible, or giving money at church? An amazing illustration from Haggai helps us see […]
Read More...Posted: 05 Jun, 2016 | Author: Dove Cranson
“Behind the scenes is where the work is done.” How can we experience growth and the presence of God apart from our own effort? Me must learn to be connected to the vine by surrender instead of strength. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your […]
Read More...Posted: 01 May, 2016 | Author: Steve Nelson
In this message, Steve talks about how being involved in the church is a strategic part of our mission to advance God’s Kingdom. Church was never intended to be an event, but the church is Christ’s body, in a brotherhood expressed practically in deep and meaningful local relationships, and on mission like a spiritual army. Serving in […]
Read More...Posted: 06 Mar, 2016 | Author: John Houser
In this message, John Houser talks about the importance of working through offense and conflict within the church. God wants the church to be united, and in order to do that we must be prepared to deal with the internal conflicts that will arise over time. “I have given them the glory that you gave […]
Read More...Posted: 20 Dec, 2015 | Author: John Houser
Merry Christmas from the Rio! In this message John Houser speaks about the joy of giving. The more we give, the less time we spend with out stuff. And less time you spend with something, the less you love it. And the less you love the things of the world, the easier it is to love […]
Read More...Posted: 21 Nov, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
Our human plan for reaching the world is not working. However, God has a plan to reach the world, and we know that it does work. However, in order for it to work well, we have to be doing things God way. In this message, Steve takes a look at God’s way of reaching the world—through the […]
Read More...Posted: 14 Nov, 2015 | Author: Bruce Bradford
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.” -Hebrews 6:10 Download Handout Disciple the Heart resource 4 – Serve – Give of Your Life
Read More...Posted: 30 Aug, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
In this final part of the Knowing Jesus sermon series, Steve takes a look at three things that stop us as a church from working together as a team: sin and selfishness that entangles and disqualifies, failure to work as a team and to see what is small as being part of something bit, and indifference […]
Read More...Posted: 28 Jun, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
This next teaching in our series covering Philippians takes a look at a scarcely mentioned character in the Bible—Epaphroditus. By looking at the way Paul speaks of Epaphroditus, we can get a better understanding of what it looks like to live a live committed to the gospel. Download Handout
Read More...Posted: 21 Jun, 2015 | Author: Dove Cranson
“I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. I have no one else like him, who will show genuine concern for your welfare. For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know […]
Read More...Posted: 31 May, 2015 | Author: Steve Nelson
In this next passage in Philippians 2, we take a look at verses 12 & 13, which tell us to “continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” But what does that mean? We […]
Read More...Posted: 23 Nov, 2014 | Author: Troy Roberts
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Your ways, God, are holy. What god is as great as our God? You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among […]
Read More...Posted: 24 Mar, 2019 | Author: Dove Cranson
We were each made for greatness. We were created to do great things, to bring good into this world. Sometimes, aware of this truth, I can shrink back and feel inadequate, overwhelmed, and then do nothing. Or sometimes I can overextend myself try to do too much and then become dry and empty and realize [ ]
Read More...Posted: 14 Apr, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
Jesus did not intend for us to be laden by the weight of unattainable perfection. Instead, he wanted to give us rest for our souls.
Read More...Posted: 01 Sep, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
When we understand how God works in times of trouble, it helps us hold onto hope and stand strong until the time of rescue.
Read More...Posted: 15 Sep, 2019 | Author: Steve Nelson
A counterintuitive approach to a fulfilling life is to live for God and spend your life loving his people. Then you can truly take hold of life!
Read More...