Anxious-less Principle #1 ::: Invest Eternally and Securely
Sermons

Anxious-less Principle #1 ::: Invest Eternally and Securely

Anxiety feeds on perceived threats. When someone or something we care about are in danger whether in real life or in our imagination, the possibilities of these threats can send our blood pressure through the roof and sometimes place us in spiraling descent cycles of unhealthy and risky habits and behaviors. The antidote to an anxiety-controlled heart, Jesus tells us, is to make sure our ultimate heart’s affections are not controlled by the temporary and insecure nature of worldly treasures. Only when we invest our lives in God’s eternal purposes because our heart is set on him, we can experience the peace and security that only he provides. Afterall, wherever our treasure is, our heart will be also. When God is our treasure, our heart is his.

The Pursuit of Happiness::: Reconciling, Countercultural, Reviled Ones
Sermons

The Pursuit of Happiness::: Reconciling, Countercultural, Reviled Ones

The Kingdom comes to shake the world and rid it of everything that is contrary to God’s righteousness. Even though God’s people are sent as messengers of peace (shalom), they are persecuted and reviled for the world has chosen to reject God’s word and with his word, God’s blessing. Nevertheless, God promises everlasting joy to those who are sent to shake the world with God’s countercultural message. The world may be able to kill us but it can never take our life away.

The Pursuit of Happiness::: Famished Ones, Gracious Ones, Authentic Ones
Sermons

The Pursuit of Happiness::: Famished Ones, Gracious Ones, Authentic Ones

In the Kingdom of God being comes before doing. As we saw in the first three beatitudes, God must break our pride before he bestows his blessing and, in it, we discover our true happiness through the new life of his forgiveness. Once our relationship with God is restored, God gives us a new hunger for his life, and a new disposition to bless those who are still hurting. As we are remade in his likeness, we receive a new vision for life springing from a pure heart that sees God and is transformed into his likeness.

The Pursuit of Happiness::: Empty, yielded, grounded
Sermons

The Pursuit of Happiness::: Empty, yielded, grounded

God must break us before he can bless us. Coming to him in humility to receive by grace what we cannot earn with our personal effort is the beginning of the gospel and the entryway of the Kingdom. In the first three beatitudes Jesus crushes the pride of this world and replaces it with the all-sufficient provision of God’s grace.

Turning Points ::: From Now to Forever
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Turning Points ::: From Now to Forever

Hope is all about perseverance. The goal of this long obedience in the same
direction is to be found faithful both individually and in community. In spite of
spiritual opposition, anxiety, and potential pitfalls, God has called the church to
remain faithful, hopeful and loving. Starting on the leadership, believers must
carry on the mission of God until Christ returns and rewards everyone according
to his work.

Turning Points ::: Pressing Forward
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Turning Points ::: Pressing Forward

In this life suffering is not optional. The cause of our suffering, however, may be something we can determine. When we suffer for doing evil, suffering is simply the inevitable result of evil. When we suffer for the sake of righteousness, however, we become Christ-like counter cultural members of God’s household. God has not promised us to keep us from suffering but God has promised us to keep us through it all.

Turning Points ::: The Glory of Our Suffering
Sermons

Turning Points ::: The Glory of Our Suffering

One of the most challenging things for a Christian is facing injustice when we are
trying to live for Christ. In situations like this, followers of Jesus may feel
tempted to retaliate or pay others in kind. In these verses, Peter reminds us evil
cannot be overcome by evil. In our struggle with injustice, Christian witness is the
answer to the problems that only God can solve.

Turning Points ::: How can we get along?
Sermons

Turning Points ::: How can we get along?

The gospel begins at home. When those who are closest to us in the flesh receive
God’s grace, redemption is able to paint a picture of restored humanity not just in
the redeem individual believer but in the redeemed home. Christian marriage is a
temporary state that has eternal implications and repercussions. Redemption
rescues and restores humanity at the very root of what sin distorted, namely the
relationships and roles between husband and wife.

Turning Points ::: How do we win?
Sermons

Turning Points ::: How do we win?

Humility is the hallmark of true Christian maturity. Believers deployed on
mission are sent to be salt and light in their communities sharing the love of
Christ. Sharing his love can be challenging in our everyday living particularly
when we are persecuted or treated unfairly by the world. This however, is an
opportunity to show the world what only Christ can do- redemption. We have a
story to tell, our story is one where Christ rescued us from a rebellious past to
become like Christ, the Shepherd and Overseer of our souls.