Posts with the tag “holy-spirit”

In this powerful message, we're challenged to become an 'Empowered Church' by examining the early disciples in the book of Acts. The story of Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, teaches us that God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary things. We're reminded that it's not about titles or positions, but about being filled with the Spirit and wisdom. The key lesson is that God wants to do the supernatural through our natural selves - using our strengths, weaknesses, and even our struggles for His glory. As we surrender fully to God, saying 'I'm all in,' we open ourselves to be used in miraculous ways. This message encourages us to step out in faith, ready to face persecution if necessary, and to always respond in a Christ-like manner. It's a call to move beyond comfort and truly turn our world upside down for the Kingdom of God.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to embrace the true essence of an empowered church as seen in the book of Acts. The central theme revolves around being witnesses for Christ, not just in word but in action. We're reminded that the early disciples didn't just preach a reduced gospel, but lived out a kingdom gospel that turned the world upside down. This isn't about political power or earthly kingdoms, but about the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit working through us to redeem humanity. The message urges us to move beyond a private, comfortable faith and into a bold, transformative witness that impacts Jerusalem (our local community), Judea (our region), Samaria (our nation), and the ends of the earth. As we deny ourselves and embrace this calling, we're promised that God will move mightily through us, just as He did in Acts, resulting in salvations, healings, and Kingdom advancement.  Read More

This Easter message invites us to reflect on the profound theme of being 'Lost and Found.' We're reminded that all of us, like sheep, have strayed from God's path at some point in our lives. The beautiful truth is that Jesus came specifically to seek and save the lost. This isn't about condemnation, but about God's relentless love for us. The parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15 illustrates how valuable we are to God - He leaves the 99 to find the one. This challenges us to see ourselves through God's eyes: not as disappointments, but as treasures worth finding. The resurrection we celebrate isn't just about Jesus conquering death, but about our own spiritual rebirth. We're invited to embrace a new life in Christ, where our past doesn't define us. As we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in His resurrection, we too can experience the power of being made new. This Easter, let's respond to God's whisper calling us back to His path - a path of purpose, redemption, and abundant life.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to confront the reality of sin and its devastating effects on our lives. We explore the concept of SENS - Separation from God, Enslavement to death, Never hitting the mark, and Shame that binds us. The message takes us back to the original sin in Genesis, reminding us that we all fall short of God's glorious standard. But here's the beautiful truth: God's hatred for sin stems from His deep love for us. He hates what sin does to His beloved creation. This realization sets the stage for understanding the true power of God's amazing grace. We're invited to see ourselves not through the lens of our failures, but through God's eyes - as His cherished children whom He longs to set free. This message encourages us to embrace the 'privilege of repentance' and to continually surrender to God's transformative love.  Read More

Today, we delve into the profound responsibility and joy of parenting through a biblical lens. The message emphasizes three key requirements for godly parenting: hard work, leadership, and God's grace. We're reminded that children are a gift from the Lord, but raising them requires intentional effort and spiritual guidance. The scripture from Ephesians 6:4 calls us to 'bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord,' highlighting our role in shaping our children's faith. This journey isn't just about discipline, but about building lasting disciplines that will serve our children throughout their lives. As we reflect on our own upbringing and the legacy we're creating, we're challenged to lead our children into healthy routines, genuine faith, and enjoyable family time. The message draws a powerful parallel between spiritual training and athletic practice, reminding us that repetition and consistency are key to instilling lasting values. Ultimately, we're encouraged to rely on God's grace, acknowledging that while parenting is weighty, we're not alone in this sacred task.  Read More

In our journey of love and marriage, we're challenged to move beyond mere hope and into intentional action. The message draws from Genesis 2:24, emphasizing the Hebrew word 'debach' - to cling or adhere. This powerful concept reminds us that love in marriage isn't just about feelings, but about purposeful pursuit and unity. We're encouraged to focus on our own gaps rather than our spouse's, to prioritize their needs above our own, and to create a plan for intentional connection. By practicing daily encouragement, weekly dates, and yearly escapes, we can build marriages that don't just survive, but thrive. The lesson from Revelation 2:4-5 serves as a poignant reminder to return to our first love, both with God and our spouse. This message isn't just about improving our marriages; it's about reflecting God's love and commitment in our most intimate relationships.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to confront the critical importance of healthy communication in our marriages. The staggering 50% divorce rate, with 41% citing communication problems, underscores the urgency of this topic. We're reminded of King Solomon's wisdom in Proverbs 18:21 - 'The tongue has the power of life and death.' This isn't just about words; it's about the heart behind them. The story of the Tower of Babel illustrates how communication can unite or divide us. We're called to practice active listening, embracing the power of silence, and speaking with intention. Most importantly, we're encouraged to invite God into our conversations through prayer. By doing so, we can access His wisdom and supernatural peace, guarding our hearts and minds as we navigate the complexities of marital communication. This message isn't just about improving our relationships; it's about deepening our spiritual intimacy and aligning our marriages with God's design.  Read More

In our journey of faith, we're called to connect deeply with God and His family. This message challenges us to examine our priorities and ensure we're putting God's kingdom first, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:33. Are we allowing good things to crowd out God things in our lives? The enemy often uses subtle distractions - sports, hobbies, or even parenting styles - to hinder our connection with God's people. We're encouraged to make fellowship a priority, even when it's uncomfortable or inconvenient. This isn't just about personal growth; it's about fulfilling Jesus' commandment in John 13 to love one another deeply, showing the world we are His disciples. As we align our priorities with God's, we may find He provides exactly what we need, opening doors for meaningful connections and spiritual growth we never anticipated.  Read More

In our journey of faith, we're called to build and block - to construct godly relationships while defending against the enemy's attempts to divide us. The story of Nehemiah rebuilding Jerusalem's walls offers a powerful metaphor: we must work with one hand and wield a sword with the other. This teaches us to be intentional about fostering connections within our church family, encouraging one another, and staying committed even when challenges arise. Just as those who are planted in God's house will flourish, we too can thrive when we remain rooted in our faith community. Let's resist the temptation to isolate ourselves, recognizing that the enemy seeks to devour those who are alone. Instead, we're encouraged to think of ways to motivate one another, put courage into each other, and stay connected. This message challenges us to examine our own involvement in our faith community and consider how we can deepen our relationships with fellow believers.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to consider the vital importance of meaningful connections within the body of Christ. Drawing inspiration from the game Connect Four, we're reminded that our faith journey isn't meant to be a solo adventure. The cornerstone of our connection is Jesus Christ himself, as emphasized in Ephesians 2:19-20. This foundation is crucial for building lasting relationships in the church. We're encouraged to resist the enemy's attempts to isolate us, likened to a lion seeking to devour its prey. Just as animals in the wild are stronger together, we too find strength and protection in our spiritual family. The message urges us to embrace our role in the body of Christ, recognizing that we not only need others, but others need us too. As we cultivate these connections, we become a powerful testimony to the world, fulfilling Christ's command to love one another and draw others to Him.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to embrace bold obedience in our walk with God. Drawing from Acts 5, we see how the apostles faced opposition yet remained faithful to their calling. This story reminds us that when we step out in faith, we often encounter resistance, but it's precisely in these moments that God's miracles are released. The central theme encourages us to understand that our responsibility is obedience, while the results are God's domain. We're prompted to reflect on areas in our lives where we might be delaying or partially obeying God's call. The message emphasizes that true faith often requires risk and stepping into waters that are over our heads. As we contemplate this, we're invited to consider: Where is God calling us to be boldly obedient today? How might our lives and our world change if we fully embraced God's call, regardless of the opposition we might face?  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to speak boldly for our faith, despite our fears and insecurities. The story of Peter and John in Acts 4 serves as a inspiring example of ordinary people finding extraordinary courage through their trust in God. Just as they declared 'We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard,' we too are called to share our experiences of God's work in our lives. The sermon draws fascinating parallels between biblical figures like Moses, Esther, and Gideon, and our own struggles with self-doubt. It reminds us that God doesn't call the qualified; He qualifies the called. By trusting in His sovereignty, leaning on His promises, and embracing the power of the Holy Spirit, we can find the courage to step out in faith. This message encourages us to reflect on where God might be calling us to speak boldly in our own lives, reminding us that our obedient 'yes' is all He requires to work miracles through us.  Read More

In this powerful message, we're challenged to embrace boldness in our prayer lives. Drawing from Acts 4 and 5, we see how the early church responded to opposition with fervent, united prayer. Their first instinct wasn't to strategize or celebrate their release, but to seek God's face together. This reminds us that our initial response to challenges should be prayer, not just action. The early believers prayed for two things: boldness to speak God's word and for miracles to be performed. This teaches us that our prayers often reflect our view of God. Are we praying small, safe prayers or are we boldly asking God to move in miraculous ways? We're encouraged to pray in a way that, when answered, could only be attributed to God's power. This message urges us to step out of our comfort zones and pray with audacity, believing in a God who can do the impossible. It's a call to align our prayers with God's perspective rather than our own self-centered desires.  Read More

In a world that often encourages us to blend in, there's a powerful call for believers to stand out—not through ostentatious displays, but through a quiet, unwavering boldness that stems from an unshakeable faith. This boldness isn't about being loud or confrontational; it's about living with a conviction so deep that it naturally influences our behavior and choices.The early Christian church was ...  Read More