Much is bruised in our world and lives. International conflict, political division, disease, relational tension and anxiety. In this 2nd week of Advent, we receive God’s desperately needed vision for peace through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
Much is bruised in our world and lives. International conflict, political division, disease, relational tension and anxiety. In this 2nd week of Advent, we receive God’s desperately needed vision for peace through Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.
As we begin our Advent series called King of Kings. And You. we first focus on one of four attributes of Christ – Mighty God. What does it mean for the baby Jesus that we celebrate at Christmas to be The Mighty God? What are the implications for our world? And what would that mean for each of us individually?
This Sunday we conclude our series on the Holy Spirit by observing how Stephen walked with God’s Spirit until his final breath. We will then enter Thanksgiving week by having time in the service to express our gratitude to God.
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.
God’s Character is perfect and He desires for His life and character to flow out of His Children by having them bear the fruit that looks like, tastes like and smells like Him. As we continue the part of our series on the Fruit of the Spirit, we see the next three fruit of the Spirit that Paul outlines show how those walking with God live in relationship with others – Patience, Kindness and Goodness. These are needed character qualities in our divisive world today.
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
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!