discipleship (Page 6)
Discerning the Call of God – Introduction
What is God’s call on my life? Most Christians have wrestled with that question and some of us multiple times. Many get frustrated and simply give up thinking it is not possible to know the mind of God. A few turn it into a mystical quest and others think they can verbally strong-arm God making him reveal it by saying the “right things.” Part of our problem is that God doesn’t always communicate it to us in a way we want or expect it. How often…
Incarnating the Gospel in 2015
Here’s some simple things that if you are intentional about them in 2015 will help you live your life more missionally and incarnate (put flesh on) the Gospel with those who you work and live with. Make these ideas more than just a resolution. Make them goals with actionable tasks that you measure and monitor. 1. Things You Are Already Doing Opportunities Hospitality Invite non-believing friends over for a meal. Invite non-believing friends over for a game or movie night (with snacks). Throw a…
Overwhelmed
Ladies’ Mid-Week Life Group Starting Wednesday, 1/7/2015, 6:30 pm Between financial struggles, family dynamics, health issues, and the typical problems of everyday life, it’s easy to feel weighed down and trapped by our circumstances. And it’s tempting to just throw in the towel and quit. Perry Noble has stood at the edge of the abyss himself. In this Bible study, he shares the keys to unlocking the chains of anxiety and despair once and for all—shifting our focus from our…
Is He Like Joe?
The fear of failure keeps us from trying to succeed. The fear of losing keeps us from trying to win. The fear of what everyone else will think keeps us from stepping out boldly. The fear of ridicule keeps us from declaring our faith in Jesus Christ. Most of all, fear stifles hope. – Hope from My Heart by Rich Devos Joe was an alcoholic whose life was miraculously changed by Christ in an inner city mission. Prior to his…
Be Rich In Good Deeds
The 1st Century Church not known for their temples, their theology or even the miracles. The thing that caused their world to sit up and take notice was the crazy generosity and compassion that the followers of Jesus displayed toward one another and those around them. That counter-cultural characteristic of the early Christian Church propelled them to the forefront of the Greco-Roman world. They had no political, economic or religious clout yet they change their world and all of history since…
Follow – Amazingly Simple, Incredibly Hard
Following – how hard can that be? On the surface it sounds pretty straightforward. And following a person is amazingly simple. Simple enough for a child. But when the one you are following is Jesus it’s a different story. It may be simple but it is not easy. As a matter of fact it is incredibly hard. So hard that most won’t even try, some give up and many just pretend. We’re going to look at what it means to be a real follower of…
What We Do In Life, Echoes In Eternity
Maximus, in the movie Gladiator, before his epic battle with the barbarians said, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity!” But does it really? If who I am, what I do, or who I become means nothing, how then can life have any meaning? Inevitably we all will begin asking life’s most difficult questions. One question we all ask ourselves is; is my life significant? Does it matter? Is there purpose to my life? If so, what is that…
i WONDER? – sermon series
Have you ever asked yourself these questions? Does my life matter? – 9/27 God are you there? – 10/4 Why is there evil? – 10/11 Why is life so unfair? – 10/18 Is there life after death? – 10/25 Why do I feel so alone? – 11/1 If you have wondered about these questions (and who hasn’t) and are still looking for answers, then this series of messages might be for you. If you would like a safe and respectful place…
Where the Church is the People
This month we publically launch NineSevenZero Church. We come out of the closet and announce to our community that we exist. But make no mistake this isn’t the “start” of our church, just our formal introduction. NineSevenZero Church is a new church emerging in the Grand Valley. And while this launch has us consumed for the moment, we’re not working to create an organizational entity. We believe that the church is not a building or a denomination. We believe that the…
Hot Spots Attract People
“Hot Spots attract people” Have you ever noticed that when the fish are really biting, you attract other fishermen? It’s the law of the Hot Spot. People are attracted to activity, they are attracted to success, and they are attracted to winners. It’s the quest for the answer to one of those deep inner questions of life, “Wuz Up?” One of the keys to evangelism in our emerging postmodern culture is the same as it was for the early church, create…
There’s Something Irresistible About Live Bait
There are many fabulous artificial lures on the market but they all seek to imitate real life. Relational Evangelism is like using live bait when fishing. Amazing events and fabulous services can be effective and productive in communicating the Good News to our world but we must never forget that there is something irresistible about live bait. There is no substitute for real life. Many times in our culture we (not the corporate church) are the most effective and productive connection…
Children of the Day
Children of the Day – by Beth Moore An in-depth video based Bible study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians Is family life a challenge? Is work is driving you crazy? Do you know God has a purpose for your life, but can’t figure out what it is? Know that your circumstances are not coincidental. And God’s timing is impeccable. Join Beth Moore on the Thessalonian shores as she walks you through the truth of each verse of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.…