December 20, 2015: This is Love

In this well-known account, we'll highlight the many profound ways God shows love and kindness to us by sending His Son - He gives us the very best. The highest praise was given by angels and men alike because of who He is and what He did. Also, God's providential care and leading is remarkable in this passage, in a very personal manner.

This is Love

November 29, 2015: When Gratitude Doesn't Come Easily

Text Psalm 100

It's Thanksgiving week. The week when we are most thankful, or at least are supposed to be. But family gatherings can be awkward, tense, and sometimes downright painful. And while we all acknowledge His blessings particularly on our nation, many of us carry deep wounds from regret and consequences. How do we give thanks in heartache? How do we show true gratitude through pain? How can we show a smile when we wish we could do it all over again...differently?

When Gratitude Doesn't come Easily

November 22, 2015: Let's Do This!

Яethink Church Series Conclusion - Message 8

Text: 1 Peter 2:9-12

This is the final message in our series 'Яethink Church'. My prayer and intent of this series is that you would consider deeply what it means to be a Christian both in the context of your fellow believers and the outside world. I hope it has been both helpful to you and, at points, challenged some assumptions you have held about 'church'.

Let's Do This!

November 1, 2015: Freedom!

Яethink Church Series Message 6

Text: Galations 5:1

Christ did not suffer and die for us to live crippled by our insecurities, haunted by our past, or seized with fear. He rose victorious so we would live confidently and assured of our Redeemer and salvation. Too often we live behind a mask, pretending everything's fine when it's not - Or pretending to be someone we are not, afraid of being judged and weakened by shame. Time to change all that. Church is a hospital for the wounded and a staging ground for heroes.

Freedom!

October 18, 2015: Remember Me

Яethink Church Series message 5

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

Ever wonder why we serve crackers every few weeks on Sunday mornings? And I'm pretty sure the early disciples didn't have disposable plastic grape juice cups that were collected after worship services. This Sunday we'll focus on two special events that take place within the church - communion and baptism. They are both loaded with meaning and significance. We'll take a look at the history of the communion and how Jesus rewrote history when He both fulfilled and redefined the Passover narrative.

Remember Me

October 4, 2015: What to Do?

Яethink Church Series message 4

Text: Matthew 28:16-20

So far, we've seen that we should be known as people who love well. We looked at what is true about us from Scripture, and, how we should interact with one another within the church. Now it's time to look beyond the four walls of our building. We gather together for 2 hours each week - what do we do in the other 166 hours? We'll break down the individual mandate to love our neighbor and the Great Commission in which we take the Gospel to the nations.

What to Do?

September 27, 2015: Behind the Scenes

Яethink Church Series message 3

Text: Colossians 1:27-28a

God has placed each of us into His church. All of a sudden, we share a deep bond with other people who have varied life experiences and backgrounds. Our mission is clear: to contend for the Gospel and bring the light into darkness. We lay down our lives for others as we extend the hope that is found only in Jesus Christ. We don't do this alone, for God has not made us islands unto ourselves. Rather, we are called to bear one another's burdens as we contend as "one man" for the Gospel. We'll talk about what this looks like on Sunday.

Behind the Scenes

September 20, 2015: Spotlight's On You

Яethink Church Series message 2

1 Peter 2:4-5

We started our series with this question: "What does love require of you?" Our intentional and demonstrative love for others is the most natural expression of our faith, we should be known for this. This Sunday our focus is on the individual, for the church is comprised of individuals ("living stones"). We'll explore 5 truths about you that are crucial to understand as you thrive in your walk. We'll also highlight 5 elements to reach for as you grow.

Spotlight's On You

September 13, 2015: Refining Our Focus

Яethink Church Series message 1

Text: 1 Peter 2:9-10

Church. Have you ever stopped to think why you go to church? Do you go because "you've always done this"? It's easy to check it off our list each week and miss the point entirely. In fact, church is not a building or a place, it's people. God's church is made up of all kinds of people, who all have an identity, a mission, and a purpose. Understanding God's plan  for His church is crucial, so we're going to take some time to refine our focus on God's vision for His people during this present age. We'll begin this week by focusing on some key teachings of Jesus. He turned the religious establishment on its head. He bypassed our actions and addressed the attitudes behind what we do. He called His people to love. An unfettered love for God, expressed tangibly in love for others. And certainly, not passive inaction, but faith actively expressed through love.

Refining Our Focus

September 6, 2015: What's in a Name?

What's in a Name? Final Series Message

Text: Isaiah 42:8-9

We've spent the summer looking at different aspects of God's nature and character; we'll connect them all together and stand in awe of the One who  alone is eternal and does not share His Glory with another. And yet, we'll celebrate the One who shared glory with His father before the world was and upon whom the church is built.

What's in a Name?