If you’ve been distracted lately from your created purpose – to walk with God in all of life – you are not alone! Join us this Sunday to worship God as we re-clarify this beautiful singular focus in a way that will restore life in many ways including an expanded capacity for faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Sermons by Dean Wertz (Page 12)
With so much uncertainty around us, wouldn’t it be nice to experience more of God’s love, joy and peace? These three qualities are the first of nine described by the Apostle Paul as Fruit of the Spirit. They are also realities Jesus experienced throughout His time with us on earth. This week, we discover how to receive and more fully experience these God-given virtues.
When the church gathers there should be joy, liveliness and space for spontaneous participation. Yet, not in a disorganized and chaotic way that makes our guests feel uncomfortable. As we deepen our lives with God’s Spirit and cultivate our spiritual gifts, this week we will discover how we can experience the mysterious ways of God’s Spirit when we gather while also honoring all who are present
Most followers of Jesus desire to be a part of a spiritually healthy church. Yet tensions often exist between those who connect with God in their spirits and those who honor God with their minds. In this message we discover that God builds up His church when we all love Him spiritually and intellectually!
As you discover the spiritual gift(s) God has given to you, this passage reminds us that the all-pervasive atmosphere in which you and I are to express our gifts is love. As humidity fills tropical air and sea breeze permeates life along the coast, so the atmosphere of a truly spiritual church is love.
As you discover the spiritual gift(s) God has given to you, this passage reminds us that the all-pervasive atmosphere in which you and I are to express our gifts is love. As humidity fills tropical air and sea breeze permeates life along the coast, so the atmosphere of a truly spiritual church is love.
Why am I drawn to serve others in such a unique way? Why do others appreciate and express gratitude for what I do for them when it feels like I’m not doing all that much? If you affirm that Jesus is Lord and live accordingly, then the ways you are energized to love and serve others for the common good are given to you by God. Rather than fighting these inner currents or wishing you had the abilities of others, you will be encouraged in this message to thank God, abide in Christ and keep shining as God’s Spirit energizes you to do so, uniquely!
Have you ever wondered if God might use you? If so, how might He do so? Today we explore God’s plan to give spiriutal gifts to all who affirm Jesus is Lord. By distributing spiritual gifts to His people, God works through you in ways that are life-giving for you and benificial for others.
After learning about God’s Spirit in the Old Testament, how to begin well with the Spirit and what it looks like to be filled with the Spirit, we now turn to the important subject of Spiritual Gifts. As we consider this topic (primarily from I Corinthians 12-14) over the next several weeks we begin in this message where Paul begins, grappling with the essential question of who has the Spirit. For those who have Spirit of God are those who have the gifts of the Spirit!
In previous weeks we discovered that everyone who awakens to the reality that Jesus is King over all including our lives (i.e. repentance) receives God’s Holy Spirit. This indwelling of God’s Spirit is essential for all who desire to have a deeper life with God. God also commands His people to “be filled with the Holy Spirit.” In this message we shift our focus from beginning well to living well as we discover what it means to be filled with the Spirit!