Romans 12:17-19 “Leave Room for God”

 Message: Romans 12:17-19 “Leave Room for God”

We’re called to live at peace with others, in as much as it is possible on our part. Sometimes, it just doesn’t seem possible and the healthiest thing we can do is create a safe distance between us and another person. What God doesn’t want you to do is repay evil for evil. There may come a point when it is best to leave a relationship and entrust the other person to God. Even in doing this, you can want God’s very best for them. You can continue to be thankful for the good that once was and continue to hope for the good that will still be in both your futures, even if it is not together.

 

James 1:19-20 “Those People”

Message: James 1:19-20 “Those People”

Due to the growing divisiveness of our society, we are all coming into contact with increasingly opinionated and aggressive people. They may be neighbors, co-workers, social media contacts, or even family members. In this message we will explore how we let go of bitterness and act in kindness and compassion. It is an intentional move toward building others up in place of tearing down. It is the practice of encountering others with the same Grace with which God encounters us. 

Deuteronomy 2 & Joshua 4 “Remembering the Wilderness”

 Message: Deuteronomy 2 & Joshua 4 “Remembering the Wilderness”

 What, in the Western mindset, should have taken Israel only a couple of weeks, took forty years. The goal of Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness wasn’t reaching the Promised Land so much as it was the transformation that took place on the journey. This was the Function of the Wilderness. Rebekah Joy writes, “God does not seem overly concerned with us reaching our desired destination as quickly as possible. The roundabout way, including its delays and detours, is often the transformational path.”

 

James 1:19-20 “Unoffended”

 Message: James 1:19-20 “Unoffended”

In a culture increasingly divided politically and socially, Christians are not immune from becoming ever more easily offended. News, social media, and personal conversation is focusing more and more on our differences rather than what we have in common. This is to be expected between members of secular political parties, but as followers of Jesus Christ, we’re called to engage others differently. It begins with learning how not to be so easily offended. In this first message we will talk about lowering our expectations of others and raising our gratefulness for God’s Grace.  

 

Matthew 4:1-11 "The Rhythms of Becoming"

 Message: Matthew 4:1-11 "The Rhythms of Becoming"

Many of the wilderness experiences mentioned in the bible are drawn out of 40 year or 40 day experiences. The idea is that our change and transformation takes a drawn out period of time. Jesus not only underwent 40 days in the wilderness, but he also made it a habit to withdraw to 'wilderness/deserted places' to spend time with God. This means that as a human being, Jesus developed healthy spiritual life rhythms as he grew in his life with God. We too are invited to create healthy spiritual rhythms in our lives so that we might develop into the fullness of who God is inviting us to become. 

Genesis 21:14-21 & 1 Kings 19:11-15

Message: Genesis 21:14-21 & 1 Kings 19:11-15

 Sometimes, who God has made us and what pursue is at odds with what others want from us. As we grow into the people God has called us to be, we’ll face opposition and even loss. The good news is, we can always be real with God, who always meets us where we are but never abandons us there. Our encounters with God will enable us to encounter the world in authentic ways. In today’s message, as we continue the series “Wealth of the Wilderness,” we’ll look at how Elijah was authentic with God and how Hagar encountered God even as others sent her away. We’ll talk about our own encounters with God and how our authenticity with Him enables us to be authentic with others. Hagar is called to leave those who have rejected her, while Elijah is called to return and engage. 

Exodus 3:1-3; 1 Kings 19:1-9 “Eyes to See, Ears to Hear”

 

Message: Exodus 3:1-3; 1 Kings 19:1-9 “Eyes to See, Ears to Hear”

 Both Moses & Elijah spent time in the wilderness. Though hundreds of years apart, they had a shared experience at Mt. Horeb. Moses’ wilderness experience gave him eyes to see God showing up unexpectedly. Elijah’s time in the wilderness gave him ears to hear God’s still, small voice. Our wilderness experiences help us to develop eyes to see and ears to hear God as well.