Joe Casiglia – Faith Troy | A Church in Troy Michigan

More Important | Core Christianity

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 18 Jan 2026 23:00:01 +0000

Matthew 22:36-40, 23:23, John 13:34-35

In this series we’re attempting to answer the question: What must a person BELIEVE in order to be a FAITHFUL follower of Jesus?

What I BELIEVE will eventually show up in what I DO.

“The angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD news that will cause great JOY for ALL people.” – Luke 2:10

Matthew 22:36-40 (pg. 1,535)

v.36: “Teacher, which is the GREATEST commandment in the Law?”

v.37: “LOVE the Lord your God with all your HEART, with all your SOUL and with all your MIND. This is the FIRST and GREATEST commandment.”

v.39: “AND, the SECOND is LIKE it. Jesus said, Love your NEIGHBOR as YOURSELF.”

v.40: “ALL the Law and all the Prophets HANG on these two commandments.”

Love GOD. Love your NEIGHBOR. You do, what LOVE requires of you.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have LOVED YOU, so you must LOVE ONE ANOTHER. By this all people will know that you are my followers if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Third Core Belief: Jesus New Covenant Command is our foundational ETHIC.

The New Testament is not filled with a bunch of RULES.

The New Testament is filled with one rule, and dozens of APPLICATIONS.

The Apostle Paul applied Jesus’ one New Covenant command to every area of LIFE.

The Clearest Picture | Core Christianity

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 23:00:59 +0000

John 14:1-10, Colossians 2:17

Often in our world, good news for one person is bad news for somebody else.

“The angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD news that will cause great JOY for ALL people.” – Luke 2:10

John 14:1-10 (pg. 1,675)

v.1: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. TRUST in GOD; trust also in ME.”

v.7: “If you know ME, you know my FATHER as well. From now on, you do KNOW Him and have SEEN Him.”

v.8: “Philip said. Lord, SHOW us the FATHER and that will be ENOUGH for us.”

v.9: “Jesus said, Don’t you know ME Philip, even after I have been AMONG you such a long time?”

“Anyone who has SEEN Me, has SEEN the Father. How can you say, SHOW us the Father?”

v.10: “The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the FATHER living in ME who is doing HIS work.”

The Gospels document Jesus BEING the best explanation of GOD.

“These are a SHADOW of the things that were to COME; but the REALITY however is found in Christ JESUS.” – Colossians 2:17

“The LAW is only a SHADOW of the GOOD things that are COMING, not the realities themselves.” – Hebrews 10:1

Jesus didn’t just HAVE the best explanation for God.

Jesus IS the best explanation of God.

Second Core Belief: Jesus came to BE the best explanation of God.

Does your VIEW of God the Father ALIGN with your view of Jesus the Son?

The Foundation | Core Christianity

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 23:00:05 +0000

Matthew 16:13-17

Is IT true?

Is it GOOD?

“The angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD news that will cause great JOY for ALL people.” – Luke 2:10

Gospel…‘God Spell’…GOOD STORY

“The Law and the Prophets WERE proclaimed until John. SINCE that time, the GOOD News of the Kingdom of God IS being preached, and EVERYONE is forcing their way into it.” Luke 16:16

What ELSE do I have to believe to be a follower of Jesus?

What are the core beliefs, when it comes to being a follower of Jesus?

According to JESUS.

A tradition, a belief, or a teaching that can’t be QUESTIONED can’t be TRUSTED.

A STRONG faith does not equate to never doubting.

From a Biblical perspective a strong FAITH is always portrayed as

TRUST in the midst of UNCERTAINTY.

Matthew 16:13-17 (pg. 1,524)

v.13: “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples: WHO do people say the SON of MAN is?”

Our version of this question: Who is JESUS?

v.16: “Simon Peter answered, You are the MESSIAH, the SON of the living God.”

v.17: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not REVEALED to you by flesh and blood, but by My FATHER in Heaven.”

Longing for a Home | Christmas Eve 2025

Anthony Hessler — Thu, 25 Dec 2025 01:00:13 +0000

Galatians 4:4-7

Every parent has had this thought: “I wish my kinds understood how much I LOVE them.”

What do you do if you’re GOD?

Galatians 4:4-7 (pg. 1,813)

v.4: “When the SET TIME had fully come, God sent His SON, born of a WOMAN, born under the LAW, to REDEEM those UNDER the Law…”

We were born into a BROKEN relationship with our Creator.

We’re not very good law KEEPERS, are we?

Whenever you break a law, you create a DEBT-DEBTOR relationship with whoever established the law.

Regardless of whether you AGREE or DISAGREE with the law.

When Jesus died on the cross, His death was the PAYMENT for the sin-debt that we created with God.

v.5: “…that we might RECEIVE, ADOPTION as His children.”

v.6: “Because you are His children, God sent the SPIRIT of His Son, Jesus, into our HEARTS, the Sprit who calls out ‘ABBA’, Father.”

v.7: “So you are NO longer SLAVES.”

The message of Christmas: God sent His SON so that you could become His CHILD.

You want to know what you are WORTH to God?

CHRISTMAS is what you’re worth.

60th Anniversary Celebration | Here for Good

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:00:40 +0000

Luke 5:1-11

Church: An ASSEMBLY of Jesus’ followers who gather together because they have embraced Jesus’ VIEW and His MANDATE.

Jesus’ view: “The Son of Man came to SEEK and to save the LOST.” (Luke 19:10)

Jesus’ mandate: “To MAKE disciples of all people, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19)

“The angel said to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you GOOD news that will cause great JOY for ALL people.” (Luke 2:10)

Luke 5:1-11 (pg. 1,597)

v.5: “Master, we have worked hard all night and we haven’t caught anything. But because YOU say so.”

You’ll never regret saying YES to the Savior who loves you.

Jesus’ invitation: Not just believe Me. FOLLOW Me.

v.5: “Because You say so, I WILL let down the nets.”

v.4: “When Jesus finished speaking, He said to Simon, Put out into DEEP WATER and let down the nets for a catch.”

v.8 “When Simon Peter saw this he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, GO AWAY from me Lord, I am a SINFUL man.”

v.10: “Jesus said to Simon, don’t be AFRAID; from now on you will FISH for PEOPLE.”

v.11: “They pulled their boats up on shore and they LEFT EVERYTHING and they FOLLOWED Jesus.”

There is only one way to know what’s on the other side of saying YES to Jesus.

It’s better to FIND out than MISS out.

The Best Good of All | FOR 2025

Anthony Hessler — Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:00:45 +0000

Luke 6:27-38

BE Good.

DO Good.

Luke 6:27-38 (pg. 1,601)

v.27: “LOVE your enemies, and do GOOD to those who hate you, BLESS those who curse you and, PRAY for those who mistreat you.”

v.29: “If someone SLAPS you on the cheek, turn the other also. If someone takes your COAT, do not withhold your SHIRT.”

v.30: “Give to EVERYONE who asks you.”

Jesus is trying to CHANGE the way that we THINK.

v.31: “Do to OTHERS as you would have them do to YOU.”

v.32: “If you love those who love YOU, what CREDIT is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”

What you DO maters. Because what you do is a REFLECTION of what’s in your HEART.

PROVIDE for those who need provision. PROTECT those who need protection.

At the center of the Gospel is the fact, that God not only BELIEVED something. He DID something.

v.35: “LOVE your enemies, do GOOD to them and LEND to them without expecting to get ANYTHING back. Then your REWARD will be great and YOU will be CHILDREN of the Most High, because God is KIND to the UNGRATEFUL and the WICKED.”

v.36: “Be MERCIFUL, just as your Father is merciful.”

PEOPLE get better.
COMMUNITIES get better.
FAMILIES get better.
NATIONS get better.

I could I do any LESS, in light of what God has already DONE, for ME?

“Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” – Philippians 2:15

Prepared to See God Work | FOR 2025

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 23:00:14 +0000

Luke 3:1-14

Why does OUR church do this?

Why should EVERY church do this?

Everybody in America thinks something when they hear the word, CHURCH.

God’s extravagant generosity towards US, compels us to be extravagantly generous towards OTHERS.

“A new COMMAND I give you: I want you to LOVE one another, as I have loved you. By this EVERYONE will KNOW you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

Love people, whether or not they LIKE us, and especially if they are NOTHING like us.

No strings attached generosity was not only a defining part of Jesus’ MINISTRY, it was also part of Jesus’ ENTRANCE into our world

Luke 3:1-14 (pg. 1,593)

v.2: “The word of God came to John, son of Zechariah, in the wilderness. He went into all the country around the Jordan preaching a baptism of REPENTANCE for the FORGIVENESS of sin.”

v.4: “A voice of one calling out in the wilderness, PREPARE the way of the Lord, make straight paths for Him.”

v.8: “PRODUCE fruit in keeping with REPENTANCE, and do not begin to say to yourself, We have ABRAHAM as our FATHER.”

v.9: “The axe is already at the root of the tree, and every tree that does NOT produce GOOD FRUIT will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

v.10: “What should we DO then? The crowd asked.”

v.11: “John answered, Anyone with TWO SHIRTS should share with the one who has NONE. And the one who has FOOD should do the SAME.”

What you DO maters. Because what you do is a REFLECTION of what’s in your HEART.

PROVIDE for those who need provision. PROTECT those who need protection.

At the center of the Gospel is the fact, that God not only BELIEVED something. He DID something.

The Gospel in Action | FOR 2025

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 26 Oct 2025 22:00:49 +0000

1 John 3:11-19

When you read the New Testament, when it comes to following Jesus the ESSENTIALS are incredibly SIMPLE.

MEMORABLE and ACTIONABLE.

“A new COMMAND I give you: I want you to LOVE one another the way that I have loved you. By this EVERYONE will know you are MY disciples, if you LOVE one another.” – John 13:34-35

A version of our faith that made people OUTSIDE of the faith want it to be true
BEFORE they were able to believe that it is true.

1 John 3:11-19 (pg. 1,901)

V.11: “This is the message YOU heard from the BEGINNING: We should LOVE one another.”

v.14: “We KNOW that we have passed from death to life BECAUSE, we LOVE each other.
Anyone who does NOT love remains in DEATH.”

v.15: “Anyone who HATES a brother or a sister is a MURDERER, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in them.”

v.16: “And this is HOW we know what LOVE is: Jesus Christ laid down HIS life for US.”

And we ought to lay down OUR LIVES for our brothers and sisters.

Your neighbor is ANYONE who has a need YOU can meet.

v.17: “If ANYONE has material possessions and sees his brother or sister in NEED, but has no pity on them, how can the LOVE of GOD be in them?”

Jesus gave His LIFE for that person in NEED.

v.18: “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech, but with ACTIONS and in truth.”

v.19: “This is how we KNOW that we BELONG to the truth, and how we et our hearts at REST in His presence.”

We believe EVERYBODY matters to God, whether God matters to them or not.

Everybody in America thinks something when they hear the word CHURCH.

You know what they should think?

Good for the Future | Here for Good

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 28 Sep 2025 22:00:45 +0000

Acts 20:35, Matthew 6:21, 1 Corinthians 16:1-3

“Remembering the words the Lord JESUS Himself said: It is more BLESSED to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35

The Principle of the HARVEST

You reap WHAT you sow. You reap MORE than you sow. You reap AFTER you sow.

Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul viewed GIVING as a way of LIVING.

Where ever there is an active, outward facing Church that embraces the tone and the posture of Jesus, doing what Jesus calls ‘Good’:

PEOPLE get better.
COMMUNITIES get better.
FAMILIES get better.
NATIONS get better.

“Jesus replied…On this rock I will BUILD MY Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” – Matthew 16:18

Jesus’ kind of good:

Do GOOD for those who CAN’T return the favor.
Do GOOD for those who WON’T return the favor.

Living as a consumer always leads to the same place, DISCONTENTMENT.

A PLAN is simply a PATTERN.

The world’s plan:

Consume
Save
Give

A Jesus follower’s plan:

GIVE
SAVE
LIVE

“Where your TREASURE is, there your HEART will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

1 Corinthians 16:1-3 (pg. 1,792)

v1: “Now about the COLLECTION for God’s people: DO what I TOLD the Galatian churches to do.”

v.2: “On the first day of the week, each of your should SET ASIDE a sum of money, in keeping with their INCOME. SAVING it up so that when I come, NO COLLECTIONS will have to be made.”

“Heavenly Father, how do you want US to PARTICIPATE in what You are doing?”

Good for the Community | Here for Good

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 21 Sep 2025 22:00:28 +0000

Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 6:24-34

Luke 5:1-11 pg. 1,597

v.1: “One day as Jesus was standing by the sea of Galilee the people were CROWDING around Him and listening to the WORD of GOD.”

Where ever there is an active, outward facing Church that embraces the tone and the posture of Jesus, doing what Jesus calls ‘Good’:

PEOPLE get better
COMMUNITIES get better
FAMILIES get better
NATIONS get better

“God, EVERYTHING in heaven and earth is YOURS.” (1 Chronicles 29:11)

Jesus’ kind of good:

Do GOOD for those who CAN’T return the favor.
Do GOOD for those who WON’T return the favor.

AVERAGE Generosity: Reflects the INFLUENCE of Jesus, but doesn’t reflect the actual TEACHING of Jesus.

EMOTIONAL
OCCASIONAL
AFFORDABLE

Matthew 6:24-35 (pg. 1,505)
v33: “But seek FIRST His KINGDOM and His RIGHTEOUSNESS and ALL these things will be GIVEN to you as well.”

TRUST

v.24: “No one can serve TWO MASTERS. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be DEVOTED to the one and DESPISE the other. You cannot SERVE both GOD and MAMMON.”

The issue isn’t are we GIVING. The issue is Who am I TRUSTING?

JESUS Generosity: Reflects the TEACHING of Jesus.

PLAN
PERCENTAGE
FREELY

Give from a GRATEFUL heart and a BROKEN heart.

“Heavenly Father, how do you want us to participate in what You are doing?”

Good for People | Here for Good

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 14 Sep 2025 22:00:43 +0000

Luke 6:32-37, 1 Chronicles 29:9-16, Matthew 16:18

Jesus brought with Him a Kingdom and an Ethic:

Do GOOD for those who CAN’T return the favor.
Do GOOD for those who WON’T return the favor.

Bring JESUS into every relationship

Inspiring people to FOLLOW Jesus at every age and stage of their life.

PEOPLE get better.
COMMUNITIES get better.
FAMILIES get better.
NATIONS get better.

People who have embraced what Jesus teaches about money and possessions and made it a LIFESTYLE would tell you they are never going back.

1 Chronicles 29:9-16 pg. 671

v.11: “God…EVERYTHING in heaven and earth is YOURS.”

v.11: “YOURS Lord is the GREATNESS and the POWER and the GLORY and the MAJESTY and the SPLENDOR, EVERYTHING in heaven and earth is YOURS.”

v.12: “WEALTH and HONOR come from YOU; You are the ruler of all things.”

There are too many variables in life to ever be ARROGANT.

v.14: “But who am I, and who are my PEOPLE, that we should be able to GIVE as GENEROUSLY as this?”

Why ME and why not THEM?

This is not David feeling GULITY about what he has.

This is David feeling RESPONSIBLE and ACCOUNTABLE for what he has.

v.16: “Lord our God, all this ABUNDANCE that we have provided for building You a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand and all of it BELONGS to YOU.”

“Jesus replied…On this rock I will BUILD MY Church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” – Matthew 16:18

We can’t think like OWNERS who DONATE to the church.
We must think like MANAGERS and stewards of GOD’s extra.

Patient | The Reason for Our Hope

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 22:00:20 +0000

1 Peter 3:15, 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 8:18-21

v.15: “Always be prepared to give an ANSWER to everyone who asks you to give the REASON for the HOPE that YOU have.”

Why is my HOPE in Jesus?

Following Jesus does NOT result in a PAIN free or PROBLEM free life.

Good is all GOOD. God is all POWERFUL. Pain in this life is UNAVOIDABLE.

If you could push a button and instantly REMOVE everything BAD in the world, would you push it?

2 Peter 3:9 pg. 1,896

v.3: “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promises as some understand slowness, He is PATIENT with YOU not wanting anyone to PERISH, but everyone to come to REPENTANCE.”

Two very important assumptions we all have:

Certain things should NOT be.
The world is BROKEN.

Followers of Jesus have always believed that our CURRENT world is not the FINAL world.

The best possible world is a world where people are FREE to sin, but freely choose NOT to.

Romans 8:18-21 pg. 1,757

v.18: “I consider that our present SUFFERINGS are not worth comparing with the GLORY that WILL BE REVEALED in us.”

v.19: “For the CREATION waits in eager EXPECTATION for the Children of God to be REVEALED.”

v.20: “For the creation was subject to FRUSTRATION not by it’s own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it in hope that the CREATION itself will be LIBERATED from its bondage to DECAY and brought into the glorious FREEDOM of the children of God.”

There is NO emotionally satisfying answer to the problem of pain.

Because God is NOT SATISFIED with the problem of pain.

Evidence | The Reason for Our Hope

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 17 Aug 2025 22:00:59 +0000

1 Peter 3:15, Luke 1:1-4

v.15: “Always be prepared to give an ANSWER to everyone who asks you to give the REASON for the HOPE that YOU have.”

Why is my HOPE in Jesus?

The GOSPELS

What is the EVIDENCE?

What is the most PROBABLE explanation, not what is a POSSIBLE explanation?

Luke 1:1-3 (pg. 1,587)

v.1: “MANY have undertaken to draw up an ACCOUNT of the THINGS that have been FULFILLED among US. Just as they were handed down to us by those, who from the first, EYE WITNESSES and servants of the word.”

Something extraordinarily GOOD had happened.

v.3: “With this in mind, since I myself have CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED everything from the BEGINNING. I too, decided to write an orderly account for YOU. ”

Are there any other POSSIBLE explanations for why not only Luke, but also Matthew, Mark and John wrote their books?

NONE of these meet the standard of PROBABLE cause.

When you read these four accounts of the life of Jesus, you find exactly what you would expect to find in four DIFFERENT accounts about the SAME person.

Other evidence we should consider:

These men NEVER became rich for what they wrote.
These men did NOT die for what they believed.
These men died for what it is they SAW.

A person may lie in order to SAVE their life, but a person will not lie in order to DIE.

The EVIDENCE tells us, its not a theory that’s alive, it’s JESUS who is alive!

Gentle and Respectful | The Reason for Our Hope

Anthony Hessler — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 03:00:42 +0000

1 Peter 1:3,21, 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:14

One of the things that’s a little odd about being a follower of Jesus: When someone asks you a question about your FAITH, and your mind suddenly goes BLANK and you don’t know what to say.

1 Peter 3:13-18 (pg. 1,890)

v.13: “Who is going to harm you if you are EAGER to do good?”

Peter knows you can’t SHARE what you don’t OWN.

v.15: “In your hearts REVERE Christ as Lord.”

A heart that REVERES Jesus will lead to a life that REFLECTS Jesus.

v.15: “Always be prepared to give an ANSWER to everyone who asks you to give the REASON for the HOPE that YOU have.”

Why am I a follower of Jesus?

“In His great mercy He has given to us new birth, into a living HOPE through the RESURRECTION of Jesus Christ from the dead.” – 1 Peter 1:3

“Through Him you believe in God, who RAISED Him from the dead and glorified Him and so your faith and your HOPE are in God.” – 1 Peter 1:21

v.15: “But do this with GENTLENESS and RESPECT, keeping a CLEAR conscience so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

v.18 “For Christ also SUFFERED once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteousness, to bring you to God.”

Why is YOUR HOPE in Jesus?

“If Christ has not been raised our preaching is USELESS and so is your FAITH.” – 1 Corinthians 15:14

My example: ‘I believe Jesus DIED to pay for my sins, and to prove that He did, God RAISED Him from the dead.’

Because We are Convinced | A Place to Belong 2025

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 13 Jul 2025 21:01:45 +0000

2 Corinthians 5:14-20

You were sacred for more than just HEAVEN. You were saved for a MISSION.

But you can’t accomplish that mission, ALONE.

2 Corinthians 5:14-20 (pg. 1,799)

v.14: “For Christ’s LOVE COMPELS us, because WE are CONVINCED that one died for all, and therefore ALL died…”

v.15: “And Christ died for all, that those who LIVE should no longer live for THEMSELVES, but for HIM who died for them and was raised again.”

v.17: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The OLD has gone, the NEW is here!”

New creations don’t THRIVE in old ENVIRONMENTS.

v.18: “All of this is from GOD, who RECONCILED us to Himself through Christ
and gave us the MINISTRY of reconciliation.”

v.19: “God is reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, NOT counting people’s SINS against them. And He has COMMITTED to us the message of reconciliation.”

v.20: “We are therefore Christ’s AMBASSADORS, as though God were making His APPEAL through us. We IMPLORE you on Christ’s behalf: Be RECONCILED to God.”

Every time we come together as a church, we’re about RECONCILING PEOPLE to God.

The way we say that is:
We want to bring JESUS into every RELATIONSHIP.

GROUPS are GREAT.

Groups allow people to SEE Jesus’ Church.

RECONCILED people, reconcile PEOPLE. How?
LEADING, FUNDING, and INVITING.

INVEST in a relationship, INVITE to a group.

It’s Up to Us | A Place to Belong 2025

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 06 Jul 2025 22:00:26 +0000

Loneliness is not just a FEELING to avoid. It’s a SIGNAL to respond to.

‘A Place to Belong’

A community of people who KNOW who we really are, and who ACCEPT us for who we really are. But who LOVE us far too much to just LEAVE us the way that we are.

Genesis 1:1 pg. 1

v.1 “In the BEGINNING, GOD created the heavens and the earth.”

In the Creation story we find this pattern:

‘God said, Let there be….and God saw that it was GOOD’

v.26 “Then God said, let US make humanity in OUR image, in OUR likeness…”

2 v.18 “The Lord God said, it is NOT good for the MAN to be ALONE.”

v.20 “But for Adam, no SUITABLE HELPER was found.”

‘Ezer Kenegdo’

Ezer: ‘strong partner, rescuer’
Kenegdo: ‘compliment, counterpart’

v.22 “The Lord God FASHIONED a woman…”

FAMILY becomes the original model for the community that we need.

“God SETS the lonely in FAMILIES.” (Psalm 68:6)

EFFICIENT relationships are rarely SUFFICIENT.

Small Group Meet Up at Faith
July 23,30; Aug 6, 13: 7:00pm-8:30pm

The Why | Trust and Obey

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 22:00:35 +0000

John 14:1,15, Matthew 7:24-29

“Jesus said, Trust in God, TRUST also in Me.” John 14:1

“If you love me, you’ll OBEY what I command.” John 14:15

These verses are an invitation to a GROWING relationship.

“God’s KINDNESS is intended to lead you to REPENTANCE.” (Romans 2:4)

“God sent Jesus to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be JUST
and the one who JUSTIFIES those who have faith in Jesus.”” (Romans 3:26)

First: Trust
Next: Believe
Finally: OBEY

The problem with OBEY is this: It requires you to DO something.

Not to EARN My love. I’m telling you this BECAUSE I love you.

Jesus’ point in this parable:
If you organize your life around OBEDIENCE to Me, you’ll NEVER regret what you’ve done.

Not when you get to Heaven. In THIS life.

Matthew 7:24-29 (pg. 1,506)

v.24: “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into PRACTICE,
is like a WISE person who BUILT their house on a rock.”

Obeying Jesus’ teaching is the equivalent of making a decision you’ll never, ever, REGRET.

v.25: “The RAIN came down and the STREAMS rose and the WINDS blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.”

What happens to your LIFE when you have TROUBLE?

v.26: “But everyone who hears these words of mine and does NOT put them into practice is like a FOOLISH person who built their house on SAND.”

This parable is going to strike all of us in one of three ways:

COMFORT
WARNING
EXPLANATION

The Path | Trust and Obey

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 25 May 2025 20:00:38 +0000

John 6:60-69, 14:1,15, Romans 3:21-26

“Jesus said, Trust in God, TRUST also in Me.” (John 14:1)

“If you love me, you’ll OBEY what I command.” (John 14:15)

You’re never going to have a GROWING relationship with someone that you don’t trust.

“God’s KINDNESS is intended to lead you to REPENTANCE.” (Romans 2:4)

The path from ‘Trust’ to ‘Obey’ always runs through BELIEVE

Romans 3:21-26 (pg. 1,750)

v.21 “But now a RIGHTEOUSNESS from GOD apart from the LAW has been made KNOWN,
to which the Law and the Prophets testify.”

v.22 “This righteousness from God comes through FAITH in JESUS Christ to all who BELIEVE. There is no difference.”

v.23 “Because all have SINNED, and all fall short of the GLORY of God.”

‘to sin = to MISS the mark’

‘NOBODY’S perfect.’ There is a PERFECT, that NOBODY is.

v.24 “And all are JUSTIFIED FREELY by His GRACE thorough the redemption that by Christ JESUS.”

v.25 “God received Him as a SACRIFICE of ATONEMENT through faith in His blood.
He did this to demonstrate His JUSTICE because in His forbearance
He left the sins committed beforehand UNPUNISHED.”

v.26 “He did it to demonstrate His justice at the present time, so as to be JUST
and the one who JUSTIFIES those who have faith in Jesus.”

God is JUST, somebody got to pay.

God is the JUSTIFIER, Jesus decided that HE would pay.

The Invitation | Trust and Obey

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 18 May 2025 22:00:36 +0000

John 14:1,9,15, Matthew 9:9-13, Hosea 6:6

“If you love me, you’ll OBEY what I command.” – John 14:15

“Jesus said, Trust in God, TRUST also in Me.” – John 14:1

“Anyone who has seen ME, has seen the FATHER” – John 14:9

Jesus came into this world to invite us into a relationship with God based,
not on BEHAVIOR but on TRUST.

That’s why the vision of our church is: We want to bring Jesus into every RELATIONSHIP.

Is there anyone that you have a GROWING relationship with, that you don’t trust?

Matthew 9:9-13 (pg. 1,509)

v.9: “As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named MATTHEW sitting at the tax collector’s booth. Follow ME, Jesus told him.”

v.11: “When the Pharisees saw this they asked His disciples, WHY does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

v.12: “On hearing this Jesus said, It’s not the HEALTHY who need a doctor but the SICK.”

v.13: “But go and LEARN what this means: ‘I desire MERCY, not sacrifice.’” (Hosea 6:6)

For I have not COME TO CALL the righteous but sinners

Jesus is inviting you to either: FOLLOW Me…or…PARTNER with Me

Three important takeaways for us individually and especially as a church:

Being a sinner is never a disqualification from a relationship with Jesus, its a PREREQUISITE.
Following Jesus does not mean, you can’t ever have any DOUBTS.
The invitation to follow, is an invitation to RELATIONSHIP.

RULES do not make a relationship, LOVE does.

“God’s KINDNESS is intended to lead you to REPENTANCE.” – Romans 2:4

New Covenant | Easter: The Foundation of Our Faith

Anthony Hessler — Mon, 05 May 2025 01:26:13 +0000

Acts 6:7, 9:1-15, 10:13-45, 11:1-21

The resurrection of Jesus is the FOUNDATION for everything we DO and everything we BELIEVE as followers of Jesus.

It’s only when you no loner fear personal loss that you become:
SELFLESS. COMPASSIONATE. GENEROUS.

“The word of God SPREAD. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a LARGE number of PRIESTS became OBEDIENT to the faith.” – Acts 6:7

Acts 9:1-15 (pg. 1,706)

9 v.1: “Saul was still breathing out MURDEROUS threats against the Lord’s DISCIPLES.”

9 v.4: “Saul, Saul why do you persecute ME?”

9 v.5: “Who are you, Lord? I am JESUS, whom YOU are PERSECUTING, the voice replied.”

Not only did Saul regain his PHYSICAL sight, his eyes were also opened with extraordinary clarity about the NEW COVENANT launched by Jesus.

Saul began his mission with the goal of PURGING HIS nation from the influence of Jesus, to Paul’s ambition of REACHING EVERY nation with the message of the RESURRECTION of Jesus.

10 v.14: “Surely not, Lord! I’ve never eaten anything IMPURE or UNCLEAN.”

Has God changed His MIND? God changed COVENANTS.

“Do not think I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to FULFILL them. Not the least stroke of a pen will by any means disappear from the law UNTIL everything is ACCOMPLISHED.” – Matthew 5:17-18

10 v.28: “GOD has SHOWN me that I should not call any person IMPURE or UNCLEAN.”

10 v.34: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but ACCEPTS those from EVERY nation who WORSHIP Him and does what is right.”

To minimize the difference between these two COVENANTS is to minimize the difference that JESUS makes.

Fearless | Easter: The Foundation of Our Faith

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 27 Apr 2025 22:00:14 +0000

The resurrection of Jesus is the FOUNDATION for everything we DO and everything we BELIEVE as followers of Jesus.

The RESURRECTION of Jesus is the reason we have the BIBLE and it’s the reason why there is a CHURCH.

Acts 1:21 pg. 1,692

1v21 – “…it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the WHOLE TIME the Lord Jesus was living among us.”

1v.22 – “Beginning with John’s baptism, to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a WITNESS with us of Jesus’ RESURRECTION.”

2v.6 – “When then heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one HEARD them speaking in their OWN LANGUAGE.”

2v.24 – “But God, RAISED Him from the DEAD, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for DEATH to keep its hold on Him.”

2v.38 – “Peter replied, REPENT and be BAPTIZED.”

2v.39 – “The promise is for YOU and your CHILDREN and for all who are FAR OFF, for ALL whom the Lord our God will CALL.”

The very first Christian sermon was not about what Jesus TAUGHT. It was about the RESURRECTION of Jesus.

3v.15 – “You KILLED the author of life. But God RAISED Him from the dead, and we are WITNESSES of this.”

If you’re a follower of Jesus, WHAT should be the foundation of YOUR faith?

4v.10 – “It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you CRUCIFIED, but whom God RASIED from the dead that this man stands before you healed.”

You know why FEARLESS matters?

Easter Sunday | Holy Week 2025

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 20 Apr 2025 20:00:49 +0000

I Am the Light of the World • I AM Changes Who I Am

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 22:00:10 +0000

John 8:1-12

John is not content to just tell us WHAT happened. John wants something TO happen to you.

“These have been written that you may BELIEVE Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by BELIEVING you may have LIFE in His name.” – John 20:31

“Jesus said, I am the LIGHT of the WORLD. Whoever follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

John 8:1-12 (pg. 1,661)

v.2 “At DAWN, Jesus appeared again in the TEMPLE courts, where all the PEOPLE GATHERED around Him, and He sat down and began to teach them.”

v.5 “In the law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do YOU say?”

v.7 “When they kept questioning Him, Jesus straightened up and said to them, If there is any among you who is WITHOUT SIN, let him be the FIRST to throw a stone at her.”

v.9 “At this, those who heard began to GO AWAY, one at time, the OLDER ones first, until only JESUS was left with the woman still standing there.”

v.10 “Jesus straightened up and asked her, Woman where are they? Has no one CONDEMNED you?”

Is there no one here FORCING YOU to PAY for what you’ve DONE?

v.11 “Then Jesus said to her, NEITHER DO I condemn you. Go now, and LEAVE your life of SIN.”

Jesus’ tone was all about COMPASSION. He URGEED, He did not CONDEMN.

Sin KILLS things.

Jesus offered HIMSELF.

v.12 “When Jesus spoke again to the people He said, I am the LIGHT of the WORLD.”

I CAN show you the way FORWARD and I WILL show you the way OUT.

When someone is willing to DIE for you, you never have to question how they FEEL about you.

v.12 “Whoever follows ME, will never walk in DARKNESS, but will have the LIGHT of LIFE.”

I Am the Bread of Life • I AM Changes Who I Am

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:00:10 +0000

John 6:1-69

The reason why John writes his Gospel:

“These have been written that you may BELIEVE Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and by BELIEVING you may have LIFE in His name.” John 20:31

Perhaps the most misunderstood and misused words in all of Christianity are the words FAITH and BELIEVE.

As soon as the context is Jesus, the words FAITH and BELIEVE are often confused with HOPE.

John wants you to know, WHO Jesus is.

“Then Jesus declared, I am the BREAD of LIFE. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35

John 6:2-69 (pg. 1,655)

v.2 “And a great crowd of people followed Jesus because they saw the MIRACULOUS SIGNS He had performed on the sick.”

v.5 “When Jesus looked up, He saw a great crowd coming toward Him, he said to Philip, Where shall we buy BREAD for these people to eat?”

v.15 “Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by FORCE…”

Jesus would in fact lead His disciples through the gates of Jerusalem during passover. Not to be CORONATED but to be CRUCIFIED.

v.27 “Jesus said to them, Do not WORK for food that SPOILS, but for food that endures to ETERNAL life, which the Son of Man will GIVE you.”

v.33 “For the BREAD of GOD is the bread that comes down from Heaven and GIVES LIFE to the world.”

v.35 “I am the BREAD of LIFE. Whoever COMES to ME will never go hungry and whoever BELIEVES in ME will never be thirsty.”

v.40 “For my Father’s will is that everyone who LOOKS to the Son and BELIEVES in the SON shall have ETERNAL LIFE, and I will raise them up, at the last day.”

Come, Lord Jesus | The God Story

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 02 Mar 2025 23:00:16 +0000

Revelation 21:1-7, 22:17

God’s Story of Redemption through the lives of nine people:

ADAM and CREATION

ABRAHAM and PROMISE

MOSES and PROVISION

RUTH and UNIVERSAL

DAVID and PERSONAL

ZEDEKIAH and PRIDE

JESUS and HOPE

CHURCH and INVITATION

Is what we’ve been asked to wait for, WORTH WAITING for?

God ISN’T satisfied with the status quo either.

GOD and ANTICIPATION

Revelation is a book of PROPHECY.

DOUBT is the natural response to prophecy.

Prophecy always elicits HOPE.

Revelation 21:1-7 pg. 1,937

v.1 “Then I saw a NEW heaven and a NEW earth, for the FIRST heaven and the first earth had PASSED away, and there was no longer any SEA.”

v.3 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, NOW the dwelling of God is with His people, and He will live WITH them. They will be His PEOPLE and God HIMSELF will be with them and be there God.”

v.4 “He will WIPE every TEAR from their eyes. There will be no more DEATH or MOURNING or CRYING or PAIN, for the OLD order of things has passed AWAY.”

v.5 “He who was seated on the throne said, I am making everything NEW! Then He said, write this down for these WORDS are TRUSTWORTHY and TRUE.”

v.7 “And the one who OVERCOMES will inherit all of this and I will be their God and they will be MY child.”

“The Spirt and the bride say, Come! And let whoever hears say, Come! WHOEVER is THIRSTY let them come; and whoever wishes, let them take the FREE GIFT of the water of LIFE.” Revelation 22:17

Standing Invitation | The God Story

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 23:00:39 +0000

2 Chronicles 36:11-15, Jeremiah 29:10-11, 39:5-7

There is a world of difference between: change because of FEAR vs. change because of LOVE.

David showed us that in the law, God is giving us:

“Your commands make me WISER than my enemies, for they are ever with me.”

I have more INSIGHT than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

I have more UNDERSTANDING than the elders, for I obey your PRECEPTS.”

Psalm 119:98-100

God wanted His NATION to be unlike any other NATION because, God wanted His PEOPLE to be unlike any other PEOPLE.

When ever the leaders of the nation abandoned God’s law, the pursuit of PLEASURE increased and JUSTICE decreased.

Sin initially ATTRACTS us, but eventually sin always ATTACKS us.

ZEDEKIAH and PRIDE

2 Chronicles 36:11-15 (pg. 730)

v.12 “Zedekiah did EVIL in the eyes of the Lord his God and did NOT HUMBLE himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the WORD of the Lord.”

v.13 “He also REBELLED against King Nebuchadnezzar who had made him take an oath in God’s name. He became STIFF NECKED and HARDENED HIS HEART and he would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel.”

v.15 “The Lord, the God of their fathers sent word to them through his messengers again and again because He had PITY on HIS people.”

When the CREATURE unplugs from the CREATOR, we make dumb SELF-DESTRUCTIVE decisions.

“This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon. I will come to you and FULFILL my good PROMISE to bring you back to this place. For I know the PLANS I have for you declares the Lord, plans to PROSPER you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE.”
Jeremiah 29:10-11

They BELONGED to Him, He had a PLAN for them. YOU belong to Him, He has a plan for YOU.

My God | The God Story

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 02 Feb 2025 23:00:11 +0000

1 Samuel 8:1-20, Psalm 119:97-104, Hebrews 4:12

This series: God’s Story through the lives of nine people:

ADAM and CREATION

ABRAHAM and PROMISE

MOSES and PROVISION

RUTH and UNIVERSAL

God’s LAWS are not what makes us His people, His LOVE does.

1 Samuel 8:1-20 (pg. 429)

v.4 “So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel…Now appoint us a KING to lead us, such as ALL the OTHER NATIONS have.”

v.7 “And the Lord told Samuel: LISTEN to all the people are saying to you; it is not YOU they gave rejected, but rather they have rejected ME as their KING.”

Our fifth person and word: DAVID and PERSONAL

Psalm 119:37-104 (pg. 961)

v.97 “Oh, how I LOVE your law! I MEDITATE on it all day long.”

v.98 “Your commands make me WISER than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more INSIGHT than ll my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more UNDERSTANDING than the elders, for I obey your PRECEPTS.”

v.101 “I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for YOU, Yourself have TAUGHT ME.”

v.104 “I gain UNDERSTANDING from your PRECEPTS; therefore I HATE every WRONG path.”

Three ways to discover the consequences of sin:

EXPERIENCE

OBSERVATION

REVELATION

God wants YOU to see life, the way HE sees life.

God will use His word to REVEAL to you the TRUTH about YOURSELF.

Your Heavenly Father has INSIGHT into you that NOBODY else has.

Never Absent | The God Story

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 19:22:11 +0000

Exodus 1:7-10

v.7 “The Israelites…greatly INCREASED in NUMBERS and became so numerous that the land of Egypt was FILLED with them.”

The TEMPTATION, when we find ourselves in situations of SILENCE from God, is to draw conclusion about God from our CIRCUMSTANCES.

But, God’s SILENCE is not ABSENCE.

MOSES and PROVISION.

“I am, who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14

Once again, God decided to work WITHIN the UNDERSTANDING of humanity at that TIME.

But, God said; I’m going to make PROVISION for those who put their TRUST in ME.

The BLOOD of a spotless lamb, on the ENTRANCE of a home will be a SIGN that those inside the home, place their TRUST in Me.

Exodus 20:1-3

v.2 “I am the Lord, YOUR God, who BROUGHT YOU out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”

BEFORE I give you my rules, I want you to know: you’re MINE and I’m YOURS.

RELATIONSHIP with God is NOT predicated on keeping RULES.

v.3 “You shall have no other God’s before ME.”

Rules never ESTABLISH a relationship with your Heavenly Father. Rules are always CONFIRMATION of a relationship with your Heavenly Father.

The entire history of Israel is proof that God chooses the FAMILY model over the CLUB model, every time.

In the Family model, you are BORN or ADOPTED into a family, and so you are PART of the family.

“Look, the Lamb of God who TAKES AWAY the SIN, of the WORLD.” John 1:29

Where to Start? | The God Story

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 12 Jan 2025 23:00:43 +0000

The book of Genesis tells us HOW God decided to bring a REDEEMER into the world.

God decided to work WITHIN the UNDERSTANDING of humanity at that TIME.

Genesis 12:1-5 (pg. 17)

v.1 “The Lord said to Abram, GO from your COUNTRY, your PEOPLE, and your father’s HOUSEHOLD to the land I will show you.”

v.2 “I will make you into a GREAT NATION, and I will bless you. I will make your NAME GREAT, and you will be a blessing.”

v.3 “I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and ALL PEOPLES on earth will be BLESSED THROUGH you.”

The second person and second word in The God Story: ABRAHAM and PROMISE.

“When the SET TIME had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, burn under the law, to REDEEM those under the law, that WE might receive adoption as God’s children.” Galatians 4:4-5

God makes ABRAHAM an EXAMPLE for all of us, about how He wants to establish a RELATIONSHIP with humanity, and each of us INDIVIDUALLY.

God didn’t start a RELATIONSHIP with COMMANDMENTS, He started with PROMISES.

Genesis 15:1-6 (pg. 20)

v.1 “After this, the word of the Lord came to Abraham in a vision: Do not be afraid, Abraham, I am your SHIELD, your very great REWARD.”

In the next verse, God defines the terms of RELATIONSHIP between HIMSELF and HUMANITY.

v.6 “Abram BELIEVED the Lord, and God CREDITED it to Abraham as RIGHTEOUSNESS.”

4,000 years ago, the way to have a RELATIONSHIP with God was ESTABLISHED, and it’s STILL the way to have a RELATIONSHIP with God because God DOES NOT CHANGE.

“What must a person do to do the WORKS God REQUIRES? Jesus answered, The work of God is this: To BELIEVE IN the one He has sent.” John 6:28-29

What if a RELATIONSHIP with GOD is REDEEMED by TRUSTING Him?

In the Beginning | The God Story

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 05 Jan 2025 23:00:06 +0000

The God Story can be summed up with one word: The Story of REDEMPTION.

In the very beginning, God does something that FORESHADOWS that God was NOT willing to give up on this prodigal race.

The first person and first word are the most predictable: ADAM and CREATION.

“In the beginning, GOD CREATED,” Genesis 1:1

Only the Bible tells us WHY our world came into existence.

“God said, let us make humanity in OUR image, and in our LIKENESS…” Genesis 1:26

God is telling us that when He sees YOU, there is something about YOU that reminds Him about HIMSELF.

Genesis 3:1-24 (pg. 3)

v.4 “You WILL NOT certainly die, The serpent said to the woman.…you will be LIKE God…”

It was that lie that BROKE the relationship, and it’s that lie that AFFECTS the relationship we have with our Heavenly Father, right NOW.

v.7 “Then the eyes of both of them were opened and they REALIZED that they were NAKED. So they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.”

When relationship with God was broken, BROKENNESS permeated creation.

v.8 “Then Adam and Eve heard the sound of the Lord as He was walking in the garden…and they HID from the Lord…But the Lord called to the man, Where are you?

v.10 “He answered, I heard you in the garden and I was AFRAID because I was NAKED; so I HID.”

v.12 “The man said, The woman YOU put here with me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it”

Only Yahweh goes to work to REVERSE the CONSEQUENCES of humanity’s decision to choose AGAINST Him.

God introduces GRACE

v.21 “The lord MADE GARMENTS of skin for Adam and his wife and He CLOTHED them.”

The Grace of Christmas | Christmas Eve 2024

Anthony Hessler — Wed, 25 Dec 2024 02:26:31 +0000

We’ve all said things like:
‘God, if YOU will….I promise I will….’
‘God, if YOU will…. I’ll NEVER…’

Bargaining with God always rests on two ASSUMPTIONS:

God knows YOU exist.

You have something God WANTS.

God doesn’t want something FROM you. God wants something FOR you.

The word we use to encapsulate this idea is the word: GRACE = ‘UNMERITED Favor.’

Ephesians 2:1-10. (pg. 1,818)

v.1 “As for YOU, you were DEAD in your transgressions and SINS.”

v.4 “But GOD, being RICH in MERCY, because of HIS great LOVE with which He loved US.”

v.5 “Made us ALIVE in JESUS even when we were DEAD in our TRANSGRESSIONS.”

v.8 “It is by GRACE you have been SAVED, through FAITH; and this is not from YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT of God.”

v.9 “Not by WORKS so that no one can boast.”

At Christmas what we celebrate is the GIFT of KNOWING.

LOVE must be shown to be KNOWN.

You cannot demonstrate LOVE without a SACRIFICE.

“Mary will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name JESUS, because he will save his people from their SINS.” Matthew 1:21

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him IMMANUEL, which means God WITH us.” Matthew 1:23

God had to be WITH us so that we would know He is FOR us.

Ultimately He DIED, so that His love would be KNOWN by us.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever BELIEVES IN Him, would not perish but have ETERNAL life.” John 3:16

Grateful and Broken | FOR

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 01 Dec 2024 20:30:53 +0000

My goal for our church is not to just BE generous…I want all of us to LIVE generous.

RANDOM acts of GIVING are not GENEROSITY.

When you become truly generous, as Jesus defines generous, you will GIVE more. You will SAVE more. You will CONSUME less.

Luke 21:1-4 (pg. 1,635)

v.1 “As Jesus looks up, He saw the RICH putting their GIFTS into the Temple treasury.”

v.2 “He also saw a POOR WIDOW put in two very small COPPER coins.”

v.3 “Jesus said, Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in MORE than ALL the others”

v.4 “All these people gave gifts out of their WEALTH; but she out of her POVERTY put in ALL she had to live on.”

Generous people PLAN Generous people CALCULATE Generous people DESIGNATE.

Always give from a GRATEFUL heart and a BROKEN heart.

You cannot ACQUIRE or CONSUME your way into happiness…But you can LOVE, SERVE and GIVE your way there.

How can EMPTYING myself leave me feeling so FULL? DIVINE Design.

SELFISHNESS is the result of BROKENNESS.

Sin SEPARATES us into our own SELF-CENTERED worlds.

Galatians 5:19-23 (pg. 1,815)

v.19 “The ACTS of the FLESH are OBVIOUS: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred discord jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions factions and envy, orgies and the like…”

v.22 “But the FRUIT of the SPIRIT: is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”

v.23 “Against such things there is NO law.”

The VALUE of a LIFE is always measured by how much of it was GIVEN away.

“It is HAPPIER to GIVE than to receive.” – Jesus, Acts 20:35

Doing Something New | FOR

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 24 Nov 2024 19:31:08 +0000

Guest Pastor: Matt Schuler, Journey Lutheran Church, Oxford, MI

DOING SOMETHING NEW sometimes requires UNLEARNING SOMETHING OLD.

What can a group of church planters learn from an episode of BLUEY?

What we don’t KNOW, we are invited to LEARN.

John 1: Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael – (pg. 1,647)

FOLLOW ME leads to COME AND SEE.

John 4: Jesus and the Woman of Samaria. – (pg. 1,651)

KNOWING leads to SHARING.

Luke 19: Jesus and Zacchaeus. (pg. 1,630)

INVITATION leads to TRANSFORMATION

Under the fig tree, by the well, in the sycamore tree…

Jesus SEES them. Jesus KNOWS them. Jesus INVITES them.

Jesus invites them to unlearn something OLD and to do something NEW.

They BELONG. They BELIEVE. They BECOME.

Are you under the fig tree….by the well…in the sycamore tree?

Jesus sees YOU. Jesus knows YOU. Jesus invites YOU.

“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirt of your minds; and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24

Who is someone for you to SEE….to KNOW….to INVITE?

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” – Ephesians 4:25

Here’s to DOING SOMETHING NEW.

Like Father, Like Son | FOR

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 17 Nov 2024 22:48:17 +0000

Did you know that Jesus got ANGRY?

Mark 3:1-6 (pg. 1,555)

v.1 “Another time, Jesus went into the synagogue and a man with a SHRIVELED HAND was there.”

v.2 “Some of THEM were looking for a reason to ACCUSE Jesus, so they watched Him closely to see if He would HEAL this man on the SABBATH.”

“RELIGION that God our Father ACCEPTS as pure and faultless is this: To look after ORPHANS and WIDOWS in their DISTRESS and to keep oneself from being POLLUTED by the world.” – James 1:27

v.3 “Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, STAND UP in front of EVERYONE.”

v.4 “Jesus asked them: Which is LAWFUL on the SABBATH:

To do GOOD

To do EVIL

To SAVE life

To KILL

Is the law of God for the BENEFIT of GOD or Is the law of God for the BENEFIT of those God LOVES?

“Then Jesus said to them, The Sabbath was made for man, NOT man for the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27

v.4 “But they remained SILENT.”

v.5 “He looked around at then in ANGER and deeply DISTRESSED at their STUBBORN hearts, and said to the man, stretch out your HAND. He stretched it out and his hand was completely RESTORED.”

“Jesus, show us the FATHER. Jesus said, Don’t you know ME…even after I have been among you for such a long time.” John 14:8-9

v.6 “THEN the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might KILL Jesus.”

Jesus DIDN’T get ANGRY when He didn’t get HIS way.

Jesus got ANGRY, when people WOULDN’T go out of their way to HELP those who are SUFFERING.

Follow ME.

God’s extravagant GENEROSITY towards US, compels us to be extravagantly GENEROUS towards OTHERS.

Undiluted | FOR

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 10 Nov 2024 19:21:11 +0000

James 1:27

Why does OUR church do this, and why should EVERY church do this?

Everybody in America thinks something when they hear the word, CHURCH.

God’s extravagant generosity towards US compels us to be extravagantly generous towards OTHERS.

“If you DO GOOD to those who are good to YOU, what CREDIT is that to you? Even SINNERS do that.” – Luke 6:33

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have LOVED YOU, so you are to LOVE one ANOTHER. By this EVERYONE will know that you are my DISCIPLES.” -John 13:34-35

James 1:27 (pg. 1,881)

v.27 “RELIGION that God our Father ACCEPTS as PURE and FAULTLESS is this:

To look after ORPHANS and WIDOWS in their DISTRESS and to keep ONESELF from being POLLUTED by the world.”

If religion for you is about ATTENDANCE and some sort of ROUTINE.

Eventually you’ll become CYNICAL and you’ll become CRITICAL.

Church is more than SERMONS and SONGS.

God honoring religion ALLEVIATES distress and AVOIDS the behaviors that create it.

God honoring religion requires two things, SELFLESSNESS and SELF-CONTROL.

At the center of the Gospel is not the fact that God BELIEVED something, but that God DID something.

CHURCH.

Jesus is the Difference | FOR

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 03 Nov 2024 20:05:36 +0000

John 1:14, 14:8-9, 17:4, Acts 6:2-4

God BECAME one of us, and DWELT among us.

“The Word BECAME flesh and made His DWELLING among us.” – John 1:14

“Father, I have GLORIFIED You on the earth; HAVING ACCOMPLISHED the WORK You gave Me to do.” – John 17:4 NASB

Jesus came to take the GUESS WORK out of God.

Jesus came to demonstrate WHAT God was like, and more importantly, WHO God liked.

“Phillip said, Lord show us the Father…Don’t you know ME, Philip, even after I have dwelt among you, for such a long time?” John 14:8-9

If you’ve ever heard the ideas that:

God is LOVE.

God loves EVERYBODY.

EVERYBODY matters to God.

All three of these ideas are UNIQUE to the teaching of JESUS.

First century culture was a SLAVE culture. In a slave culture EVERYONE is devalued.

In a culture defined by slavery the idea of COMPASSION was completely UNNECESSARY, because people got what they DESERVED.

What Jesus TAUGHT was nothing compared to what He DID.

This is why no strings attached COMPASSION and GENEROSITY became the HALLMARK of the first century Church.

“God is Love” – 1 John 4:8

So, What does Love REQUIRE of ME?

The teachings of Jesus have shaped the CONSCIENCE of our nation.

The CHURCH’s role in our community is to REMIND the world through our BEHAVIOR that red, yellow, black and white, EVERYBODY is PRECIOUS in the sight of our Heavenly FATHER.

Everybody in America thinks something when they hear the word, CHURCH.

It’s Not Complicated | Disciples Who Make Disciples

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 29 Sep 2024 18:11:49 +0000

Disciples Who Make Disciples

“It’s Not Complicated”

John 3:16-17

“Come follow Me and I will MAKE you FISHERS of MEN.” – Mark 1:17

DISCIPLES who make DISCIPLES.

We’ve confused PERSONAL with PRIVATE.

The Gospel isn’t COMPLICATED.

The SIMPLICITY of the GOSPEL is one of the things that makes it so REMARKABLE.

The message of Jesus is the same for EVERYBODY.

As it relates to becoming a disciple of Jesus:

What does a person need to KNOW and What does a person need to DO?

John 3:16-170 pg. 1,650

Becoming a follower of Jesus is NOT about:

ATTENDING CHURCH.

GETTING YOUR LIFE TOGETHER.

PRAYING A PRAYER.

COMMITTING YOURELF TO GOD.

v.16 “For GOD so LOVED the world that He GAVE His one and only SON, that whoever BELIEVES IN Him shall not perish but HAVE eternal LIFE.”

Becoming a follower of Jesus isn’t about MAKING a COMMITMENT to God, it’s about the COMMITMENT God made to YOU.

ETERNAL life is NOT the promise of LIVING FOREVER.

EVERYBODY lives forever SOMEWHERE.

We were each MADE in the IMAGE of God.

God LOVED, so God GAVE. We BELIEVE, We RECEIVE.

v.17 “For GOD did NOT send His Son into the world to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE the world, through HIM.”

The Most Influence | Disciples Who Make Disciples

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 22 Sep 2024 18:07:17 +0000

Disciples Who Make Disciples

“The Most Influence”

John 13:35, Matthew 22:37-40, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Come follow Me and I will MAKE you FISHERS of MEN.” – Mark 1:17

DISCIPLES who make DISCIPLES.

The Church is the BODY of CHRIST. Consequently, what was true of JESUS PERSONALLY, should also be true of US COLLECTIVELY.

“By THIS everyone will know that you are my DISCIPLES, if you LOVE one another.” – John 13:35

Matthew 22:36-40 (pg. 1,535)

v.36 “Teacher, which is the GREATEST commandment in the law?”

v.37 “LOVE the Lord your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

v.39 “And the SECOND is LIKE it. LOVE your NEIGHBOR as yourself.”

v.40 “ALL the Law and the Prophets HANG on these TWO commandments.”

What does LOVE require of me?
This is Maturity, as JESUS defines MATURITY.

There are TWO CATEGORIES of people that have INFLUENCED your life profoundly.

These two categories of people did NOT influence you deeply because of what they BELIEVED.

Those who HURT you and those who LOVED you.

Jesus always INTERACTS with people, based on their STORY.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, HONOR GOD with your BODIES.” – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Don’t do anything that will HURT YOU.

Don’t do anything that will hurt SOMEONE ELSE.

Don’t be MASTERED BY ANYTHING.

When Jesus’ DISCIPLES leverage anything OTHER than Jesus’ LOVE we ultimately LOSE our leverage.

Like Father, Like Son | Disciples Who Make Disciples

Anthony Hessler — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 12:38:14 +0000

Disciples Who Make Disciples

“Like Father, Like Son”

Luke 15:1-31

“Come follow Me and I will MAKE you FISHERS of MEN.” – Mark 1:17

DISCIPLES who make DISCIPLES.

Everyone lives forever SOMEWHERE.

The Church is the BODY of CHRIST. Consequently, what was true of JESUS PERSONALLY, should also be true of US COLLECTIVELY.

Luke 15:1-31 (pg. 1,623)

v.1 “Now the TAX COLLECTORS and SINNERS were gathering AROUND to hear JESUS.”

v.4 “Suppose one of you has a HUNDRED sheep and loses ONE of them. Does he not LEAVE the ninety-nine in the open country and GO AFTER the lost sheep until he finds it?”

When we lose something of value, we FOCUS on what’s been LOST, even MORE than what’s UN-LOST.

v.8 “Or suppose a woman has TEN silver coins and loses ONE.”

When you LOSE something of great VALUE, you to great LENGTHS to FIND it.

Jesus isn’t talking about being lost PHYSICALLY, He’s talking about being disconnected, relationally.

v.11 “Jesus continued, There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, father give me MY SHARE of the estate. So he DIVIDED his property between them.”

The Father loved the son MORE than his REPUTATION. In this culture that meant the father was a FOOL.

v.20 “So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off. his father saw him and was filled with COMPASSION for him.”

The Father desired a RELATIONSHIP with the son, not a LOCATION.

v.24 For this son of mine was DEAD and is ALIVE again; he was LOST and is FOUND.

People RECONNECTING with their Father in heaven, is what lights up the HEART, of our Father in Heaven.

Opportunities | Disciples Who Make Disciples

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 08 Sep 2024 20:19:13 +0000

Disciples Who Make Disciples

“Opportunities”

Acts 4:23-29

“Come follow Me and I will MAKE you FISHERS of MEN.”
Mark 1:17

DISCIPLES who make DISCIPLES.

We’re glad somebody told US about Jesus…Don’t expect ME to tell somebody else about Jesus.

Why? We’re AFRAID

As Jesus’ disciples who make disciples, even in the face of genuine FEAR there is reason not to be AFRAID.

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have SEEN and HEARD.”
Acts 4:20

“SALVATION is found in no one else for there is no other NAME under heaven GIVEN to humanity by which we must be SAVED.”
Acts 4:12

The message of salvation is NOT an INTUITIVE message.

Acts 4:23-29 – pg. 1,697

v.24 “When they heard this, they RASIED their VOICES together in PRAYER to God.”

v.24 “SOVEREIGN Lord, You made the heaven and the earth and the sea and EVERYTHING in them.”

v.28 “They did what your POWER and WILL had decided beforehand should happen.”

v.29 “Now Lord, CONSIDER their threats and ENABLE your servants to SPEAK your word with great BOLDNESS.”

They were beginning to understand that SOVEREIGN God is always at work, to ACCOMPLISH what He’s PROMISED. And He’s invited US into the process.

Boldness isn’t LOUDNESS and it isn’t WEIRDNESS.

Boldness is simply SPEAKING up when the OPPORTUNITY comes up.

Listen for the ‘three nots’: Not in CHURCH… Not going WELL… Not PREPARED.

Invitation | Disciples Who Make Disciples

Anthony Hessler — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 17:09:27 +0000

Disciples Who Make Disciples

“Invitation”

Mark 1:14-19, Luke 5:1-11

“Come follow Me and I will MAKE you…” Mark 1:17

Mark 1:14-19 pg. 1,552

v.15 “The TIME has come, the kingdom of God is NEAR. REPENT and BELIEVE the GOOD news!”

Repent = ‘Go in a DIFFERENT DIRECTION’

What has the ATTENTION of my HEART?

LOOKING for it doesn’t put it there, looking for it ENSURES when it’s there, you’ll SEE it.

v.17 “Come follow Me and I will MAKE you FISHERS of MEN.”

DISCIPLES who make DISCIPLES.

Jesus ACCOMPLISHED in their lives exactly WHAT He PROMISED them He was going to accomplish.

You read the Gospels and you realize, this wasn’t NATURAL for any of them.

Jesus’ goal for you is to FOLLOW and DO in the lives of OTHERS what some one has done in YOUR life.

You became a follower of Jesus because you needed God to DO something, FIX something or HEAL something.

Luke 5:1-11 pg. 1,598

v.5 “Peter answered, Master (Jesus) we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because YOU SAY so, I will let down the nets.”

v.6 “When they had DONE so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.”

They followed Jesus because of what He did for them. That’s where EVERYBODY starts.

The call to be a disciple who makes more disciples, is the call to MEANING, the call to SIGNIFICANCE and the call to PURPOSE.

There is someone who will listen to YOU, who won’t listen to ME.

Evangelists | Here As In Heaven

Anthony Hessler — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 20:07:35 +0000

Here As In Heaven

“Evangelists”

Ephesians 4:11-13, Acts 4:1-20

This ISN’T heaven.

“Jesus himself GAVE the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and the teachers, to equip His people for WORKS of SERVICE, so that the BODY of CHRIST may be built up until we reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fulness of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:11-13

Acts 4:1-13 pg. 1,696

v.2 “They were greatly DISTURBED because the apostles were teaching the people and proclaiming in JESUS and the RESURRECTION of the DEAD.”

v.7 “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: By what POWER or NAME did you do this?”

v.18 “Then they called them back in again and commanded them NOT to speak or teach at all in the name of JESUS.”

v.19 “But Peter and John replied, Judge for yourselves whether is it right in God’s sight to OBEY YOU, RATHER than GOD.”

v.20 “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we BELIEVE.”

v.20 “As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have SEEN and HEARD.”

Evangelist: To be an ENTHUSIASTIC ADVOCATE

v10 “Then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of JESUS CHRIST of NAZARETH, whom you CRUCIFIED, but whom GOD RASIED from the DEAD that this man stands before you, HEALED..”

v.12 “Salvation IS found in NO ONE ELSE, for there is no other NAME under heaven GIVEN to humanity by which we must be SAVED.”

The message of salvation is NOT an INTUITIVE message.

In order for God’s Kingdom to GROW on earth, the name of JESUS must be SPOKEN.

GOOD people don’t go to heaven, FORGIVEN people go to heaven.

It’s Not Too Late | Voices

faithtroy — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 13:52:33 +0000

It’s Not Too Late

The VOICES we LISTEN to INFLUENCE what we DO.

It’s too LATE for me….

An incorrect way of thinking: GOD thinks about ME, what I think about ME.

We LIVE as if God takes His cue ABOUT us FROM us.

Your Heavenly Father has a FUTURE for you, regardless of what you’ve DONE.

1 Samuel 16:6-13

v.7 “The Lord does not look at the things PEOPLE look at.”

The very thing you think is an OBSTACLE to God working through you, may be the very thing God wants to USE in you.

v.7 “Man, looks at the OUTWARD appearance, but the Lord looks at the HEART.”

What you DID YESTERDAY is of far LESS concern to God than where your HEART is TODAY.

God’s main activity in our world is to REDEEM and RESTORE.

One of your enemy’s greatest WEAPONS is to get you to BELIEVE that your PAST is filled with OBSTACLES that prevent God from working in your FUTURE.

The only thing YOUR PAST is full of are places to SEE your Heavenly Father at work, REDEEMING and RESTORING your FUTURE, through your Savior, Jesus.

v13 “So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and form that day on the SPIRIT of the LORD came on David in POWER.”

In the moment that JESUS DIED on the cross for your SIN; your sin became far less of an issue to God than the condition of your HEART.

Because in that moment, the condition of YOUR HEART was CHANGED by the LOVE in HIS.

A New Voice | Voices

faithtroy — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 17:39:37 +0000

Voices: “A new voice”

2 Chronicles 34

The VOICES we LISTEN to INFLUENCE what we DO.

If you don’t BREAK it, you’ll PASS it.

Josiah’s story reminds us how GOD WORKDS in SITUATIONS and FAMILIES that look HOPELESS to us.

Four specific CHANGES that Josiah made in his life:

2 Chronicles 34

v.1 “Josiah was eight years old when he become king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the lord and walked in the ways of his FATHER DAVID.”

First, Josiah very intentionally finds a NEW ROLE MODEL.

Jesus really can CREATE something NEW in your life and family that HASN’T EXISTED before.

One of the greatest ministries that you may ever have is simply BEING AVAILABLE, and allowing someone to get on the INSIDE of your life.

This is where DISCIPLESHIP happens.

v.3 “In his twelfth year he began to PURGE Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Ashram poles and cast images.”

Second, the next thing we see Josiah doing is PURGING the land.

Just as you want to start listening to a NEW voice, there are also some voices you need to STOP listening to.

Third, Josiah SURROUNDED HIMSELF with other PEOPLE who also had a RELATIONSHIP with God and who were ALSO FOLLOWING GOD with their life.

Finally, Josiah decided that the SCRIPTURES would be the STANDARD for his life.

Find a passage of Scripture that deal SPECIFICALLY with whatever the old voice is, and then commit that specific Scripture to MEMORY.

The Voice Inside | Voices

faithtroy — Tue, 09 Jul 2024 14:23:54 +0000

Voices: “The voice in all of us.”

Daniel 4

The VOICES we LISTEN to INFLUENCE what we DO.

Anytime you are in an ALLIANCE with someone, they gain LEVERAGE in your life.

Are the PEOPLE CLOSEST to me people who will speak the WORDS of my HEAVENLY FATHER to me?

This is the voice that both ‘Keeps you FROM…’ and also ‘Causes you TO…’

This voice DIMINISHES our capacity to LOVE.

This voice has the greatest potential to crowd out the PRESENCE of GOD in our lives.

Daniel 4:4-37 pg. 1,376

v.1 “I Nebuchadnezzar, was at home in my place, contented and prosperous, and I had a DREAM that made me AFRAID.”

v.17 “The MOST HIGH is SOVEREIGN over ALL KINGDOMS on earth and GIVES them to ANYONE HE WISHES and HE sets them over the lowliest of people.”

v.25 “Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the MOST HIGH is SOVEREIGN over ALL kingdoms on earth and GIVES them to ANYONE HE wishes.”

v.26 “The command to leave the stump of the tree with its roots means that your kingdom will be restored when you ACKNOWLEDGE that HEAVEN rules.”

v.31 “Even as the words were on his lips a voice came from heaven….Your royal authority has been TAKEN from you.

v.34 “At the end of that time, I Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my sanity was restored. Then I PRAISED the MOST HIGH. I honored and glorified Him who lives forever. His dominion is an eternal dominion; HIS KINGDOM ENDURES from GENERATION to GENERATION.

v.37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the KING HEAVEN….those who walk in PRIDE He is able to HUMBLE.”

More than any other voice, its the voice of PRIDE that SHUTS OUT the voice of GOD in our lives.

Noise Reduction | Voices

faithtroy — Tue, 02 Jul 2024 15:30:39 +0000

Voices: “Noise Reduction”

2 Chronicles 18

Isn’t it true that at some point in life you got advice you wish you HADN’T heard?

The VOICES we LISTEN to INFLUENCE what we DO.

2 Chronicles 18:1-27 pg. 697

v.1 “Jehoshaphat had great wealth and honor and he ALLIED himself with Ahab by marriage.”

Anytime you are in an alliance with someone, they gain LEVERAGE in your life.

v.4 “But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, ‘First SEEK the COUNCIL of the Lord.”

Have you PRAYED about this?

v.6 “But Jehoshaphat asked, Is there no longer a PROPHET of the LORD here whom we can inquire of?”

v.13 “But Micaiah said, As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him ONLY what my God SAYS.”

We already know the voice of the CROWD is not the voice to LISTEN to.

WHOSE voice are you listening too?

Are they people who the Scriptures would call WISE?

This is another reason we want to help get you into a SMALL GROUP.

“Anyone who has ears to hear, let them hear.” -Jesus

Questions for Discussion:

1. What is the worst piece of advice that you ever received and acted on?

2. What is the best piece of advice that you received and you regret not acting on?

3. What are the different voices that are trying to get your attention right now?

4. What voice do you need to turn down? What voice do you need to turn up?

Face to Face Church | A Place To Belong

faithtroy — Tue, 21 May 2024 14:42:36 +0000

A Place to Belong: “Face to Face Church”

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Luke 17:1

My prayer for our church isn’t that people would ATTEND, it’s that people have a RELATIONSHIP with Jesus.

A community of people who are IN COMMUNITY with one another and who are CREATING COMMUNITY for one another.

GROWTH and MATURITY always happen in the context of RELATIONSHIP.

As a church, what we’re asking our Heavenly Father to do at Faith is:

Create ENTRY POINTS for people EXPLORING and COMING BACK to their faith.
Helping people who are FOLLOWERS of Jesus to CONTINUE to GROW in their faith by DISCIPLING other followers of Jesus.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

v.10 “If either of them FALLS down, one can help the other up. But PITY anyone who falls and has NO ONE to help them up!

v.12 “Though one may be OVERWHELMED, two can DEFEND themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly BROKEN.

At some point in our lives, we all need some, SOMEBODIES.

“Jesus said to his disciples, It is INEVITABLE that STUMBLING BLOCKS will come into your life.”

Luke 17:1

Jesus is saying, it’s impossible to go through life in this world without there being things YOU don’t see coming. But, that does’t mean NOBODY saw it coming. Somebody can see IT coming.

Life in community is PREVENTATIVE.

There are things you will never have to FACE, things you may never have to FEEL, and PROBLEMS you’ll be BETTER EQUIPPED to face, simply being in a GROUP of people who open and apply God’s Word TOGETHER.

Community is like RETIREMENT SAVINGS; if you WAIT you WON’T HAVE it when you NEED it.

When you NEED relationships the most, thats always the WORST time to try and develop them.

Lifelong Love | Spiritual Principles That Protect Your Marriage | Session 4

faithtroy — Sat, 18 May 2024 15:06:49 +0000

Marriage Retreat 2024 |Lifelong Love
Sunday Morning | Spiritual Principles that Protect Your Marriage

Lifelong Love – In Marriage

Displays God’s Love and Faithfulness to the World

Marriage is God’s favorite illustration to showcase the Gospel and His love for humanity.

The more we discover what a healthy relationship is the more we understand His love for us.

“What has most impacted my marriage is holding onto three spiritual principles.

How I look at marriage has transformed how I act in marriage and

greatly increased my satisfaction in marriage.”

– Gary Thomas

Seek First God’s Kingdom and His Righteousness

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Matthew 6:33

You are made for more than each other.

What is your purpose? The enemy will be after your purpose, because He is after your marriage.

“If I find myself with a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy,

then the probable conclusion is I’m made for another world.”

-C.S. Lewis

When Jesus says to, ‘Seek first His righteousness…’

This will lead me to die to all the things that make me miserable in marriage: Impatience, Unkindness, and Anger.

So I can Grow in: Patience, Kindness and Self Control

Imagine how a marriage can improve if we pour in the ‘Jesus like’ qualities.

When I ‘Seek first His Kingdom and His Righteousness’, I will fail at times and need grace, which looks like:

Seek – Fail – Repent – Receive and Abide – Seek – Grow – Love= Soft Heart

Not ‘Seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness’ looks like:

Seek – Fail – Blame – Withdraw = Hard Heart

“Don’t worry about falling out of love. Worry about falling out of purpose.

And worry about falling out of repentance.”

– Gary Thomas

Jesus already filled your greatest need to be loved.

In marriage, your greatest need is to learn to love.

“Above all else cloth yourselves in love.”

Colossians 3:14

“Above all maintain constant love for one another because love covers a multitude of sin.”

1 Peter 4:8

“A new commandment I give to you to love one another; as I have loved you, you also must love one another.

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

Commandment not a Suggestion.

Jesus plan to reach the world is to build a community that loves.

This is plan A on how the gospel will spread through the world not plan B.

Satan knows if we do this, he loses His power in our lives and our family’s lives.

If marriage is the place I become more like Jesus, the challenges and irritations become opportunities

to grow in my ability to love.

What will you put in the gap between reality and expectations? Anger and blame or grace and love?

RealityExpectations

Marriage is Worship.

Meditate on God being as your Father-In-Law.

Somethings we are called to protect.

We are to treat our spouse as a child of God.

How do I want my boys to be loved by my daughters-in-law? That is how I am to love.

How do you want your daughters to be loved by your son-in-laws?

Meditate on God has your Heavenly Father-in-Law.

“Behold how great a love the Father has lavished on us that we would be called His children.”

1 John 3:1

Agape love is a godly love that is not about loving each other because we are lovable or because our spouse loves us; but simply because we are all God’s children.

These are the truths that will help you to get to lifelong love.

We love because He first loved us.

In order to have a life long love we will need to be with Jesus and be filled up with His Love and Truth,

then we will become like Jesus.

The Family of Jesus | A Place To Belong

faithtroy — Tue, 07 May 2024 14:47:24 +0000

A Place to Belong: “The Family of Jesus”

Matthew 12:46-50

v.47 “Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside wanting to speak to you. Jesus replied, WHO is my MOTHER and who are my BROTHERS?

v.49 “Pointing to His disciples He said, here are my mother and my brothers. For WHOEVER does the WILL of my FATHER in heaven is my BROTHER and SISTER and MOTHER.”

In the world Jesus grew up in, there was no greater sin than DISLOYALTY to BLOOD RELATIVES.

“Another disciple said to Him, Lord first let me go and bury my father. But Jesus told him, FOLLOW ME and let the dead burry their own dead.”

Matthew 8:21-22

“…We have LEFT EVERYTHING to follow you! Jesus replied, No one who has LEFT home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for ME and the GOSPEL will fail to RECEIVE a HUNDRED TIMES as much in this PRESENT age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers children and fields—along with PERSECUTIONS—AND in the age to come, ETERNAL life.”

Mark 10

“Anyone who LOVES their father or mother MORE then me is NOT WORTHY of me; anyone who LOVES their son bro daughter MORE than me is NOT WORTHY of me.”

Matthew 10:37-38

What are the LOYALTIES that we hold to, and that we try to drag with us from the kingdoms of THIS WORLD into JESUS’ KINGDOM?

Jesus most basic VISION of CHURCH is that of FAMILY.

“God said, let US make humanity in OUR image, in OUR likeness…”

Genesis 1:26

God is a FAMILY who MAKES family. God is LOVE, and love cannot exist without RELATIONSHIP.

v.50 “WHOEVER does the WILL of my FATHER in heaven is my BROTHER and SISTER AND MOTHER.”

“Jesus answered, The WORK of God is this: to BELIEVE in the ONE HE has SENT.”

John 6:29

Salvation is a new BIRTH into a new FAMILY.

God does BIG things in SMALL groups.

Living Out Our Faith | A Place To Belong

faithtroy — Tue, 30 Apr 2024 14:15:49 +0000

A Place to Belong: “Living out our Faith”

Matthew 5:17-8:5, Galatians 5:25

Jesus brought with Him an entirely different way of LIVING, a way of living that was never meant to be done ALONE.

Matthew 5:17

v.17 “Do not think that I have come to ABOLISH the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them, but to FULFILL them.”

Jesus was introducing them to a better way; not of BELIEVING, a better way of LIVING.

v.22 “Anyone who is ANGRY with a brother or sister will be subject to JUDGEMENT. Anyone who says to a brother or sister ‘RACA’ is answerable to the COURT. And anyone who says YOU FOOL! will be in danger of the fire of HELL.”

v.23 “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, LEAVE your gift there, in front of the ALTAR. FIRST, go and be reconciled to THEM; THEN come and OFFER your gift.”

v.29 “If your right EYE causes you to stumble, GOUGE it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell.”

v.43 “You have heard it said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I TELL YOU, LOVE your ENEMIES and PRAY for those who PERSECUTE you.”

“Father, FORGIVE THEM, for they do not know what they are doing.”

Luke 23:34

7v.12 “In EVERYTHING, DO to OTHERS what you would have them do to YOU. For this SUMS UP the Law and the Prophets.”

v.24 “Everyone who HEARS these words of mine and PUTS THEM INTO PRACTICE is like a wise man who BUILT his house on the ROCK.”

v.26 “ But everyone who hears these words of mine and DOES NOT put them into practice is like a FOOLISH person who built their house on sand.”

That was Jesus’ WAY, it was the way of His KINGDOM.

Real PEOPLE. Real FRIENDS. Real CHANGE.

No Other Power | No Other King

faithtroy — Tue, 23 Apr 2024 15:07:53 +0000

No Other King: “No Other Power”

1 Corinthians 1:18-20, Galatians 5:22-25

God was doing something NEW in the world, FOR the WORLD.

A Kingdom that would showcase an entirely different way of LIVING.

The apostle Paul realized, Jesus WASN’T an ADD-ON.

1 Corinthians 1:18-20

v.18 “For the MESSAGE of the CROSS is FOOLISHNESS to those who are PERISHING, but to us who are BEING SAVED it is the POWER of GOD.”

“Peter replied, REPENT and be baptized, everyone of you, in the name of JESUS Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your SINS.”

Acts 2:38

The ‘Fruit of the HOLY SPIRIT.’

The Holy Spirt is the one who gives us FAITH and The Holy Spirit also begins to inform our CONSCIENCE.

Galatians 5:22-25

v.22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, gentleness and self-control.”

These are all RESPONSES.

v.25 “Since we LIVE BY the SPIRIT, let us KEEP in STEP with the Spirit.”

“Where is the WISE person? Has not God made FOOLISH the WISDOM of the WORLD?”

1 Corinthians 1:20

This is not a statement about the value of a group of PEOPLE, this is a statement about the value of an ETHIC.

The Church has always said, ‘It’s NOT that God made US better. Our ethic, our WAY OF LFE is superior because it comes from the SPIRIT of God and that RESULTS in a BETTER life.

No other King, only Jesus and only Jesus’ Church, has the message of ETERNAL LIFE and the message of a BETTER LIFE for EVERYONE!

No Other Kingdom | No Other King

faithtroy — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 16:37:25 +0000

No Other King: “No Other Kingdom”

John 20:2-21, Acts 1:6-2:41
John 20:2-21 pg. 1,687

v.21 “Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the FATHER has SENT ME, I am SENDING YOU.”

God was doing something NEW in the world, FOR the WORLD.

Acts 1:6 pg. 1,690

v.6 “So when THEY met together, they asked Jesus, Lord are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

v.8 “YOU will receive POWER, when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my WITNESSES in JERUSALEM, and in JUDEA and SAMARIA, and to the ENDS OF THE EARTH.”

v. 14 “THEY all joined TOGETHER constantly in PRAYER along WITH the WOMEN and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his BROTHERS.”

“The angel said to them.…I bring you GOOD news that will cause GREAT JOY for ALL people. Today in the Town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11

2v.7 “Utterly amazed, they asked: Are not all these people who are speaking GALILEANS?

How is it that each of us hears them in our NATIVE language?”

v.12 “Amazed and PERPLEXED, they asked one another, What does this MEAN?”

v.24 “God RAISED Jesus from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was IMPOSSIBLE for DEATH to keep its HOLD on Him.”

v.32 “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all WITNESSES of the fact.”

v.37 “When the people heard this, they were CUT to the HEART and they said ….what shall we DO?”

v.38 “Peter replied, REPENT and be BAPTIZED, everyone of you, in the NAME of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS of your sins. And you will RECEIVE the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.”

v.39 “This promise is for YOU and your CHILDREN and for ALL who are FAR OFF; for all who the Lord our God will call.”

Since Pentecost, the one thing that has united all followers of Jesus, we all believe:

Jesus is the CHRIST, the SON of the living GOD.

Jesus ROSE from the dead, and His death PAID for the SINS of the entire WORLD.

God no longer inhabits a BUILDING. Now the God of the universe lives in YOU.

Easter Sunday | Holy Week 2024

faithtroy — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 14:28:32 +0000

Easter: “No Other King”

Matthew 14, Mark 14, Luke 24, John 3, 6, 13, 20

Easter is the best Sunday of the year to start FOLLOWING Jesus.

We believe that Jesus really did, literally, physically RISE from the dead!

Go back to the moment when Jesus has just been CRUCIFIED.

In this moment the only people at the cross are:

CONFUSED Citizens FRIGHTENED Ex-Disciples

BROKEN HEARTED Women GRIEVING Mother

The center piece of Jesus’ ministry was NOT His TEACHING.

It wasn’t Jesus’ IDEAS that got Him crucified, it was WHO and WHAT He claimed to be.

Matthew 14:1-23 pg. 1,519

v.14 “When Jesus landed and saw the large crowd, He had COMPASSION on them and HEALED their sick.”

“Jesus, knowing that they intended to come and make Him king by FORCE.” John 6:15

v.22 “IMMEDIATELY Jesus MADE the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowd.”

Everything Jesus said and did would’ve been POINTLESS, if it wasn’t for what happened NEXT:

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been ROLLED AWAY from the entrance.” John 20:1

“Finally the other disciple (John) who reached the tomb first also when inside. He SAW and BELIEVED.” John 20:8

The resurrection of Jesus answers the questions:

How does God SEE you? What does God THINK about you? How does God FEEL about you?

“God so LOVED the WORLD that He GAVE His one and only Son, that WHOEVER BE-LIEVES in HIM shall not PERISH but HAVE eternal LIFE.” John 3:16

“Because God did not send His Son (Jesus) into the world to CONDEMN the world, but to SAVE the world through Him) John 3:17

In Order To Be Seen By Others | The Sermon on the Mount

faithtroy — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 18:52:19 +0000

Sermon on The Mount: “Kingdom Righteousness”

Matthew 6:1-4

I’m guessing I’m not the only person who’s ever found themselves doing something GOOD with an ULTERIOR motivation.

The GOSPEL of Jesus gives us BLESSING for TODAY and HOPE for TOMORROW.

In Jesus’ Kingdom, the condition of our HEARTS is what our Heavens Father values most.

Matthew 6:1-4

Jesus’ teaching in this section of his sermon isn’t really about GIVING, it’s about RELATIONSHIPS.

In a personal relationship if something is made PUBLIC that is meant to be PRIVATE the relationship is DAMAGED.

v.1 “Be CAREFUL not to do your ACTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS in front of others to be SEEN by THEM…”

v.1 “Be CAREFUL not to do your GOOD WORKS in front of others to be SEEN by THEM, if you do you will have no REWARD from your FATHER in heaven.”

“In the same way, let your light SHINE before others, that they may see your GOOD WORKS and glorify your FATHER in heaven.”

Matthew 5:16

This Jesus addressing our MOTIVATIONS.

Jesus is very interested in our BEHAVIOR. But, for Jesus right behavior is never enough.

Jesus is always more concerned with the MOTIVATION of the HEART behind our behavior.

v.2 “So WHEN you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets to be HONORED BY OTHERS. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.”

v.3 “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then YOUR FATHER who sees what is done in secret, WILL REWARD YOU.”

The Beatitudes | The Sermon on the Mount

faithtroy — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 21:36:37 +0000

Sermon on The Mount: “Life in the Kingdom of Jesus”

Matthew 4:12-17, 5:1-12

v.12 “When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, He withdrew to Galilee.

Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in CAPERNAUM, which was by the lake in the area of ZEBULUN and NAPHTALI, to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah.”

v.25 “LARGE CROWDS came to Him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and the region across the Jordan, and they followed Him.”

WHAT have you heard?

v.17 “REPENT, for the KINGDOM of HEAVEN has come NEAR.”

The most incredible thing about this brand new Kingdom is that EVERYBODY is invited to participate in it.

What does it actually look like to LIVE under King Jesus’ REIGN?

“BLESSED are….Literally: ‘HAPPY’ ‘FORTUNATE’ ‘CONGRATULATIONS’

Not a list of VIRTUES.

v.3 “Blessed are the POOR IN SPIRIT for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

v.4 “Blessed are those who MOURN for they will be comforted.”

v.5 “Blessed are the MEEK for they will inherit the earth.”

Not a list of COMMANDS.

Not a list of TIMELESS TRUTHS

The Beatitudes are a picture of what the GOSPEL does as it moves through our world.

Jesus Kingdom is both a PRESENT reality as well as a FUTURE hope.

We live with BLESSING for TODAY and HOPE for TOMORROW.

In Scripture, ashes are used as a symbol and reminder of two things:

1. REPENTING from a life of SIN.

2. The MORTALITY of life in this WORLD.

Talking With God | A Guide For Practicing Prayer

faithtroy — Tue, 23 Jan 2024 16:44:33 +0000

Practicing Prayer: “Talking with God”
Matthew 6:11-13. Hebrews 4:15-16
January 21, 2024

’your Father KNOWS what you need BEFORE you ask Him.’ Matthew 6:8

TALKING TO God = Saying a PREMADE Prayer

Jesus NEVER intended that pre-made prayers be the ONLY way we pray.

A big part of ‘talking WITH’ God is ASKING

Matthew 6:1-13

PROVISION: v.11 “GIVE us this day our DAILY bread.”
PARDON:  v.12 “FORGIVE us OUR sins as we also forgive EVERYONE who sins against us.”
PROTECTION: v.13 “And lead us not into TEMPTATION but DELIVER us from EVIL.”

v.13 “And lead ME not into TEMPTATION but DELIVER ME from EVIL.”

LAMENT- Talk with God about what is EVIL in your life and world.

PETITION and INTERCEDE – Asking God to fulfill His promises to OVERCOME EVIL with good.

Do we AGREE with Jesus about what is evil in our world?

Or do we play the ‘I’m going to just SIN NOW because I can always get FORGIVENESS LATER’ game?

There is nothing ‘HALLOWED’ about a god who is so easily manipulated.

Why is TEMPTATION, so tempting?

SELF-protection and SELF-gratification

Embracing SURRENDER is the ALTERNATIVE to being led into temptation.

Saying yes to temptation always results in a LACK of something.

Following Jesus is the threshold to LIFE.

Ways to grow in prayer for other people:

1. Keep a 3×5 card with first names, and a simple description of each person’s need in a place you will see throughout your day, and when you see it pray for them.
2. When praying for yourself or someone else, try to be as specific as possible. Generic prayers can make it more difficult for us to recognize God’s work in our lives.

Talking to God | A Guide For Practicing Prayer

faithtroy — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 14:04:55 +0000

Practicing Prayer: “Talking to God”
Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 11:2-4

When is comes to prayer, Jesus said:

Don’t pray to IMPRESS other people and don’t keep REPEATING yourself endlessly.

Because…’your Father KNOWS what you need BEFORE you ask Him.’ Matthew 6:8

As disciples of Jesus we want to pay close attention to both WHAT Jesus teaches his disciples to pray and HOW Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13

v.9 “Our FATHER in HEAVEN, HALLOWED be your name.”

v.10 “YOUR KINGDOM come, YOUR WILL be done ON EARTH as it is in Heaven.”

Next, Jesus tells us to ask God for three things in particular:

PROVISION, PARDON, PROTECTION

v.11 “GIVE us this day our daily bread.”

Jesus wants us to tell God what we NEED.

v.12 “FORGIVE us OUR sins as we also forgive EVERYONE who sins against us.”

Heavenly Father forgive me in the SAME WAY that I have forgiven the people who have wronged me.

“By this everyone will know that you are My DISCIPLES if you LOVE (forgive) one another.” John 13:35

v.13 “And lead us not into TEMPTATION but deliver us from THE EVIL ONE.”

“This then is HOW you should pray: Matthew 6:9

“When you pray, SAY: Luke 11:2

Talking TO God = Praying PRE-MADE prayers.

Pre-made prayers were NEVER intended to be the ONLY way we pray.

Great situations to use pre-made prayers:
1. In Distress: Psalms 57, 60, 86
2. Scared: Psalm 27
3. When you want to experience more of God in your life: Psalm 63, 84

Click here to download our digital guide for praying the Lord’s Prayer.

Getting Started | A Guide For Practicing Prayer

faithtroy — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:36:52 +0000

Practicing Prayer: “Getting Started with Prayer”
Matthew 6:5-8

WHEN do you pray and WHY do you pray?

Jesus expects us to be disciples who MAKE more disciples.

Becoming more like Jesus means the PRACTICE of PRAYER is also critical for us to EXPERIENCE CLOSENESS with God in our daily lives.

Matthew 6:5-8 pg. 1,504

v.5 “When you pray DO NOT be like the HYPOCRITES, for they love to PRAY standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be SEEN by OTHERS. I tell you the truth, they have received their REWARD in full.”

v.6 “But when YOU pray go into your ROOM and CLOSE the door and pray to your FATHER who is UNSEEN. Then your Father who SEES what is done in SECRET will REWARD you.”

v.7 “And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be HEARD because of their MANY words.”

v.8 “ Do not be like THEM, for your Father KNOWS what you need BEFORE you ask Him.”

Then WHY ask? WHY pray?

Your Heavenly Father has invited you into a relationship with Him that is to be characterized by INTIMACY and CONNECTION.

There is a word of difference between feeling GUILTY about SOMETHING and LOVING SOMEONE.

Guilt can change BEHAVIOR, but I can’t change a HEART.

v.9 “This then is HOW you should pray.”

Exercises to help you practice prayer:
1. This week practice praying this way, alone, un-distracted, addressing God as Father.
2. Don’t get focused on the length of time.
3. Don’t let an unanswered prayer from the past stop you from praying now.

The Journey of Mary’s Faith | The First Christian

faithtroy — Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:33:45 +0000

Everybody Is Important | FOR

faithtroy — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 16:04:20 +0000

For: Week 3

FOR 2023: “Everybody is Important”

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

All the experts say, the church in America is DYING. Who determines if this is true?

All of us who are followers of Jesus have been invited into something so much BIGGER than just OURSELVES.

1 Corinthians 12:12-2

v.27 “Now YOU are the BODY of Christ, and EACH ONE of you is a PART of it.”

“Where two or more are gathered TOGETHER in My name, I am there in their MIDST.”

Matthew 18:20

v.12 “The body is a UNIT, though it is made up of MANY PARTS; and though all its parts are MANY they form ONE body. So it is with CHRIST.”

v.13 “For we were ALL baptized by ONE SPIRIT into ONE BODY.”

v.14 “Now the body is not made up of one, but of MANY.”

v.15 “If the FOOT should say, because I am not a HAND, I do not belong to the body. It would not for that reason CEASE to be part of the body.”

It takes EVERY part for even the GREATEST part to be SIGNIFICANT.

v.18 “GOD has ARRANGED the parts of the body, EVERY ONE of them, just as He wanted them to be.”

How can I work in CONNECTION with other followers of Jesus to ACCOMPLISH our Heavenly Father’s WORK in this world?

v.21 “The eye cannot say to the hand, I DON’T NEED you!”

v.22 “On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem weaker are INDISPENSABLE”

v.27 “Now YOU are the BODY of Christ, and EACH ONE of you is a PART of it.”

Three questions you’ll never find answers too, until you find your place in the body:

1. Why don’t I FEEL CLOSE to God?

2. Why am I NOT GROWING?

3. What is my PURPOSE?

Everybody Is Included | FOR

faithtroy — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:55:27 +0000

FOR 2023: “Everybody is Included”

John 1:14, 13:34-35, Acts 2:22-24,15:1-31

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have LOVED you, so you are to love one another. By this EVERYONE will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35

As followers of Jesus, their is a very subtle temptation all of us face: To substitute DEVOTION for ACTION.

FOLLOWING Jesus is different than simply BELIEVING Jesus. Because from the very beginning the Church began as a MOVEMENT.

Who should be ALLOWED to be part of the Church?

It’s undeniable that there’s a MORAL imperative that is part of following Jesus, and at the same time, there is this incredible message of GRACE.

“Jesus was full of GRACE and TRUTH.” John 1:14

Acts 15:1-31

v.1 “Some men came down from Judea….and they were teaching…unless you are circumcised according to the custom taught by Moses, you CANNOT be saved.”

v.2 “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp DISPUTE and DEBATE with them..”

v.8 “Peter got up and said, God who knows the HEART, showed that HE ACCEPTED THEM by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to US.”

v.9 “He made no distinction between us and them for He purified their HEARTS by FAITH.”

v.10 “Now then, why do you want to TEST GOD, by putting on the necks of the DISCIPLES a yoke that neither WE, nor our FATHERS have been able to bear?”

God can purify your HEART, BEFORE you can purify your life.

If He can do that for ME, He can do that for the people AROUND me.

v.19 “It is my JUDGEMENT therefore that we SHOULD NOT make it DIFFICULT for the Gentiles who are TURNING TO God.

TRUTH or GRACE?

Since the very beginning, in every generation, there has always been a REMNANT. All WORKING TOGETHER FOR the Gospel of Jesus in our world!

A Message For Everybody | FOR

faithtroy — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 16:12:11 +0000

This weekend was the first week of our annual FOR Campaign!

Every year you’ve made such a huge difference in the lives of people in our community, and I am so thankful that the heart of our church reflects the heart of Jesus.

FOR 2023: “A Message for Everybody”

Romans 3:21-25

There is another message that is even more POWERFUL and more life CHANGING.

We believe this message is FOR EVERYBODY!

Romans 3:21-25 (p. 1,750)

v.21 “But now a RIGHTEOUSNESS from GOD apart from the LAW has been made known, to which the LAW and the PROPHETS testify.”

v.22 “This righteousness from God comes THROUGH FAITH in JESUS Christ to ALL who believe, there is no DISTINCTION.”

v.23 “Because all have SINNED, and fall short of the GLORY of God,”

There is a PERFECT that NOBODY, is.

v.24 “ and all are JUSTIFIED FREELY, by His GRACE though the redemption that came by CHRIST JESUS.”

v.25 “God received Him as a SACRIFICE of ATONEMENT, through faith in Jesus’ blood.”

Our FOR Campaign is our annual celebration of generosity, where each year we come together to do corporately for our community, what our Heavenly Father has done for each of us individually, through Jesus!

We do this by helping to fund non-profits in our community that focus on: hunger, medical care, housing, human trafficking, education, family stabilization and community health.

There are 3 Parts to our annual FOR Campaign:

Give | Every person give $19.95

Sponsor | Sponsor a child for Christmas with Gifts For All God’s Children

Serve Serve | Attend One. Serve One. Sunday November 26 at both services

100% of money that is donated to our FOR Campaign is given away to our community!

Why Is Faith Important to God? | Looking For A Sign

faithtroy — Tue, 24 Oct 2023 13:45:18 +0000

Looking for a Sign: “It doesn’t get more practical than this.”

Matthew 10:16-31, Mark 4:38-41

How do you AMAZE Jesus?

Why is your FAITH so important to Jesus?

Disciples: BELIEVED Jesus was who He CLAIMED to be. Put into PRACTICE what Jesus was TEACHING.

v.18 “On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as WITNESSES to them and to the gentiles.”

v.19 “But WHEN they ARREST you, DO NOT WORRY about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be GIVEN what to say.”

v.20 “For it will not be YOU speaking, but the SPIRIT of your Father SPEAKING THROUGH you.”

v.22 “You will be HATED by everyone, because of ME…”

v.28 “Do not be AFRAID of those who kill the BODY but cannot kill the SOUL. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”

v.30 “…even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be AFRAID; you are worth more than many sparrows.”



‘Fear not, for I am WITH you’ Isaiah 41:10

Faith: Confidence the God who can protect my SOUL in spite of what someone might do to my BODY is with me.

“Teacher, don’t you CARE if we DROWN?”
Mark 4:38

“Jesus said to the disciples, why are you so AFRAID? Do you still have no FAITH?

Mark 4:40

I can be in TERRIFYING fearful CIRCUMSTANCES and still not FEAR.

Jesus knows, in this life uncertainty is UNAVOIDABLE. But faith is what allows fearful to be OPTIONAL.

Questions:

1. How do you typically respond to uncertainty? Do you try to control your circumstances, or do you get overwhelmed and shut down?

2. Read Matthew 10:28-31. What are some reasons it can be difficult for us to live as though God values us so much that He’s numbered the hairs on our heads?

3. What are some circumstances you’re facing right now that you need to entrust to your Heavenly Father? Who can support you in that?

Great Faith | Looking For A Sign

faithtroy — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:44:23 +0000

Looking for a Sign: “Great Faith”

Looking for a Sign: “Great Faith”

John 5:30, 6:38-40, 12:49-50, 14:10-14

CIRCUMSTANTIAL Faith: Trusting in God and believing in God based on my ability to FIND God in my CIRCUMSTANCES.

The foundation of our faith is something that happened in our HISTORY and not in our LIFETIME.

FAITH is CONFIDENCE that God IS who He says He is, and that He will DO what He PROMISED to do.

The BRIDGE between Hope and Faith is always the PROMISE of God.

JESUS was also called to live His life by FAITH.

Real faith can be a bit SCARY for us.

Great FAITH is great SURRENDER.

“By myself I can do NOTHING, I judge only as I HEAR and my judgement is just for I seek NOT to please MYSELF but HIM who sent me. “ John 5:30

“I did not SPEAK on my OWN but the FATHER who sent me COMMANDED me what to say and HOW to say it.” John 12:49

“I know that HIS command LEADS to eternal LIFE. So, whatever I say is just what the FATHER told me to say.” John 12:50

“For I have come down from heaven NOT to do MY will, but to do THE WILL of HIM who SENT me.” John 6:38

“My FATHER’S WILL is that EVERYONE who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall HAVE eternal LIFE and I will raise them up at the last day.” John 6:40

“The WORDS I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father living in me, who is doing HIS WORK.” John 14:10

Broken people call Jesus’ name and He ANSWERS.

Questions:

1. What do you think: Are we all victims of fate? Or do we determine our own futures?

2. Re-read John 12:49-50. If we believe this is true, how does this impact us surrendering control to our Heavenly Father?

3. No matter how long you’ve been following Jesus all of us have parts of our life we struggle to give up control over. What types of things do you struggle to do this with the most.

Perfect Faith | Looking For A Sign

faithtroy — Tue, 03 Oct 2023 15:07:04 +0000

Looking for a Sign: “Perfect Faith”

Genesis 12:2-3, Hebrews 11:1-13, Luke 5:12-13, Romans 5:8

CIRCUMSTANTIAL Faith: Trusting in God and believing in God based on my ability to FIND God in my CIRCUMSTANCES.

Circumstantial faith is very FRAGILE.

Faith is not a force, or a POWER.

Faith is NOT the REASON we follow Jesus.

Hebrews 11:1-13 pg. 1,874

v.1 “Now FAITH is CONFIDENCE in what we HOPE for, and ASSURANCE about what we DO NOT SEE.”

Faith is CONFIDENCE that God IS who He says He is, and that He will DO what He PROMISED to do.

v.2 “This is what the ANCIENTS were COMMENDED for.

The ancients were commended for responding to God’s PROMISE to them PERSONALLY, but all of them also believed in God’s promise for the WORLD.

v.13 “All these people were still LIVING by FAITH when they DIED. They did not receive the things PROMISED; they only saw them and welcomed them from a DISTANCE.”

The BRIDGE between Hope and Faith is always the PROMISE of God.

Faith without a promise is simply PRESUMPTION.

“While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered in leprosy. If you are WILLING you CAN make me clean. Jesus reached out His hand and TOUCHED the man. I AM WILLING, He said.” Luke 5:12-13

“But God DEMONSTRATES His own love for us in this: While we were still SINNERS, Christ died FOR US.” Romans 5:8

Questions:

1. Based on Hebrews 11, what is the difference between Hope and Faith?

2. If the bridge between Hope and Faith is the promise of God, how do you know what promises God has made to you and to the world?

3. What are some of God’s promises that are especially meaningful to you?

What is Faith? | Looking For A Sign

faithtroy — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:51:03 +0000

Looking for a Sign: “What is Faith?”

Genesis 37-50, Hebrews 4

What’s the difference between HOPING for something to happen, and being able to say, God, I am TRUSTING You to do this?

EVERYONE has faith.

In every type of faith other than what Jesus and the New Testament describes, there is something that is MISSING.

When the thing you lean your faith against MOVES, then your faith begins to fall, and eventually, FAIL.

Patterns of BEHAVIOR

Unexplainable EVENTS

Circumstantial Faith: Trusting in God and believing in God based on my ability to FIND God in my CIRCUMSTANCES.

We’re not very good at interpreting the EVENTS of life.

There are some events in life that we experience that have absolutely NOTHING to do with God at all.

Our time frame isn’t LONG enough.

“But while Joseph was there in prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” Genesis 39:20-21

Many times we don’t interpret the VOICE of God well.

Hebrews 4:14 pg. 1,866

v.14 “Therefore, since we HAVE a great high PRIEST who has GONE THROUGH THE HEAVENS, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold FIRMLY to the FAITH we profess.”

Questions:

1. When people say they have walked away from their faith or lost faith, what exactly does that mean? Have you ever lost faith?

2. In your experience which is more likely, that our behavior changes our beliefs or that our beliefs change our behavior?

3. Read Hebrews 12:2-3. How is faith that leans on Jesus different from faith that leans on what’s going on around us?

Make Space | Margin in Your Money

faithtroy — Tue, 29 Aug 2023 16:10:04 +0000

Make Space: Margin in Your Money

Psalm 90:1-2,12, Galatians 5:16, 22-23, Matthew 6:24-33

You can’t borrow TIME, but you can borrow MONEY.

Jesus makes our life, BECOME more like His life as we follow Him.

There is a huge difference between: STANDARD of living & QUALITY of life.

Galatians 5:16

v.16 “So I say, WALK by the SPIRIT and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

v.22 “The FRUIT of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and SELF-CONTROL.”

Creating margin financially may LOWER your standard of living, but it will RAISE the quality of your LIFE.

DEBT doesn’t raise our quality of life, DISCIPLINE does.

“No one can serve two MASTERS, you cannot serve both God and money.”

Matthew 6:24

If you haven’t surrendered what you HAVE, you haven’t really SURRENDERED.

“But seek FIRST his KINGDOM and his RIGHTEOUSNESS, and all these THINGS will be GIVEN to you as well.”

Matthew 6:33

When we put me FIRST, me eventually comes in LAST.

We need to move from “Live. Save. Give.” to “Give. Save. Live.”

Action Steps:

1. Decide.

2. Track where every dollar goes

3. Make choices to reduce lifestyle.

4. Read, ’Total Money Makeover’ by Dave Ramsey

Make Space | Number Your Days

faithtroy — Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:43:35 +0000

Make Space: “Number Your Days”

Psalm 90

Margin is the space between our CURRENT PACE and our LIMITS.

Two very unique laws God gave His people: Law of SABBATH & Law of GLEANING.

“When you are harvesting your field and you overlook a SHEAF, don’t go back and get it. Leave it for the FOREIGNER, the FATHERLESS and the WIDOW, so that the Lord your God may BLESS YOU in all the WORK of YOUR hands.” Deuteronomy 24:19

Essentially our TIME is our LIFE.

We assume: Whatever I’m exercising NOW is going to end up DEFINING my life.

When it comes to TIME, CONTEXT is everything.

The life that Moses is known for, began when he was 80 years old.

Psalm 90

v.1 “Lord, you have been our DWELLING PLACE throughout all GENERATIONS.”

v.2 “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world. from EVERLASTING to EVERLASTING, you are GOD.”

God’s eternal existence is what gives CONTEXT to our lives.

Everyone believes God has something to do with the LENGTH of each of our LIVES.

v.4 “A THOUSAND YEARS in your sight are like a DAY that has just gone by, or like a WATCH in the night.”

v.12 “TEACH us to NUMBER our DAYS, that we may GAIN a heart of WISODM.”

Wisdom is being able to see something within it’s BROADEST context.

WHO am I here for?

Questions:

1. Read Psalm 90. Why do you think it’s so easy for us to live as though out days are endless?

2. Think about this past year and how you used your time. What would you like to do differently this next year?

What should I add:

What should I subtract:

What should I increase:

What should I decrease:

Make Space | What’s Driving Me?

faithtroy — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 16:40:59 +0000

Make Space: “What’s Driving Me?”

Exodus 16:1-29, 20:8, Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 24:19, Matthew 6:31-34

Margin is the space between our CURRENT PACE and our LIMITS.

Our happiness in life is most often measured by the health of our RELATIONSHIPS not our PROSPERITY and not our ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

We FEAR something:

MISSING out.

FALLING behind.

Not being SIGNIFICANT.

Our fear of not mattering ENOUGH has the potential to pull us away from the things that matter MOST.

Does God really care about my SCHEDULE? Does God really care about the PACE of my life?

Law of the SABBATH: “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” Exodus 20:8

Law of GLEANING:

Leviticus 19:9-10 pg. 184

v.9 “When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very EDGES of your field or gather the GLEANINGS of your harvest.”

v.10 “Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the POOR and the FOREIGNER. I am the LORD your GOD.”

“When you are harvesting your field and you overlook a SHEAF, don’t go back and get it. Leave it for the FOREIGNER, the FATHERLESS and the WIDOW, so that the Lord your God may BLESS YOU in all the WORK of YOUR hands.” Deuteronomy 24:19

Matthew 6:31-32 pg. 1,505

v.31 “So do not WORRY, saying, What shall we eat? or What shall we drink? or What shall we wear?”

v.32 “For the PAGANS run after all these things and your Heavenly Father KNOWS that you need them.”

Questions:

1. Are you someone who prefers life to be ‘neat and tidy’ or do you gravitate to the messiness? Is there a correlation in your daily life?

2. Do you agree or disagree with the statement that, ‘Our happiness in life is most often measured by the health of our relationships, not our prosperity or our accomplishments. Why?

3. Where do you already know, you need to ‘Make Space’ and create margin in your life?

Letting Go of Anger | Love Like Jesus

faithtroy — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 14:09:56 +0000

Love Like Jesus: “Letting Go of Anger”

Ephesians 4:26-32

v.26 “In your ANGER do not SIN.”

v.26 “Be ANGRY. Do not SIN.”

What do you DO with what you feel?

v.26 “Be ANGRY. Do not SIN. Do not let the sun go down WHILE you are still angry.”

Eventually, UNRESOLVED anger is going to cause you to sin.

When we allow the sun to set on our unresolved hurts, we can very easily FORGET the SOURCE of our anger and our frustration.

v.27 “And do not GIVE the DEVIL a FOOTHOLD.”

Free flowing anger is ALWAYS HARMFUL to relationships.

There’s a place for ANGER, but you’ve got to keep it in it’s PLACE.

v.31 “Get RID of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”

The temptation is to get stuck with BLAME.

v.32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another and FORGIVING each other JUST AS in Christ, God FORGAVE you.

‘To forgive’ = ‘To PARDON’

A pardon = You are GUILTY. But you DON’t have to PAY.

Forgiveness breaks the power of ANGER in your life, and it is the ONLY thing that does.

First Step: Make a LIST of what they OWE you.

Decide: I am forgiving _________________ just as through Jesus, God forgave, ME.

Discussion Questions:

1. Are you someone who typically resolves anger quickly, or do you have trouble letting it go?

2. Can you think of a situation where you’ve seen someone else’s inability to let go of the past negatively affect them in the present?

3. Who is one person you need to forgive, not necessarily for their benefit but for your future?

Inheritance Versus Legacy | Love Like Jesus

faithtroy — Wed, 21 Jun 2023 18:30:34 +0000

Love Like Jesus: “Inheritance vs. Legacy”

Deuteronomy 6:6-7, Ephesians 6:4

Often it is the presence or absence of FORGIVENESS that defines our experience of relationship with our dads.

What can I do right now to help grow my kid’s RELATIONSHIP with GOD?

What can I do right now to help grow my kid’s RELATIONSHIP with ME?

As parents, it’s easy to make our kids EXPERIENCE rich and RELATIONSHIP poor.

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 pg. 284

v.6 “These commandments I give you today are to be upon YOUR HEARTS.”

v.7 “IMPRESS them on your CHILDREN.”

Inheritance is what you leave FOR your children.

Legacy is what you leave IN your children.

v.7 “TALK about them when YOU sit at home and when YOU walk along the road, when YOU lie down and when YOU get up.”

Ways parents think about their child’s relationship with God:

1. Having a relationship with Jesus is a GOOD thing.

2. Having a relationship with Jesus should be A PRIORITY.

3. My child having a relationship with Jesus is the MOST IMPORTANT thing.

Two common mistakes that parents make about the spiritual lives of their kids:

1. It’s too LATE.

2. Confusing a PERSONAL relationship for a PRIVATE relationship with Jesus.

When the situation is most CRITICAL, it’s the quality of your RELATIONSHIP with your child that will determine the depth of your INFLUENCE with them.

Ephesians 6:4 pg. 1,823

v.4 “Fathers, do not EXASPERATE your children; instead BRING THEM UP in the TRAINING and INSTRUCTION of the Lord.”

Our role and our APPROACH towards raising our kids should match the way that JESUS cares for the CHURCH.

In order to have a great relationship with your kids, they have to feel ACCEPTED by you and they have to have your TIME.

How do I get back a relationship that I’ve lost with my kids?

You LOVE them. You BLESS them. You SERVE them.

Discussion Questions:

1. There are 4 Basic Stages of Parenting:

The Discipline Years | 0-5
The Training Years | 5-12
The Coaching Years | 12-18
The Friendship Years | 18+

What stage of parenting are you currently in?

2. If you want to “Raise kids who want to be with you and each other when they don’t have to be,” what are two family traditions that you hope to be doing when you’ve reached the friendship stage?

3. What’s one thing about each of your growing up families that you’d like to make true of your family as well?

In September, we hope you can join us on Wednesday nights for our church family dinners followed by small group for each age & stage. Dads friendships with other dads will better equip you to leave a legacy!

Fall Kick off Tailgate, outdoor BBQ & lawn games | September 13
Parent Small Groups – Relational Parenting (Talking so kids will listen; listening so kids will talk) | September 20 – October 4

Check out our parents page for more info on this and all things parenting!

I’d love for you to watch the sermon if you missed it. You will be encouraged in your calling as a dad. You matter to your kids and you matter to us. Thank you for all you do to love and support your children and your wives.

In His Love,

Autumn

PS
If you’re looking for more parenting resources, these are three books that I love and think you’ll find incredibly helpful!

Raising Emotionally Strong Boys – David Thomas
Raising Worry Free Girls – Sissy Goff
Modern Parents Vintage Values – Sissy Goff

Cancel the Debt | Love Like Jesus

faithtroy — Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:55:49 +0000

Love Like Jesus: “Cancel the Debt”

Matthew 18:1-3, 21-34

v.1 “Who is the GREATEST in the Kingdom HEAVEN?”

v.2 “Jesus called a little CHILD to himself and placed the child among them.”

v.3 “I tell you the truth, unless you CHANGE and BECOME like little children, you will never ENTER the Kingdom of Heaven.”

v.21 “Lord, how many times shall I FORGIVE my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to SEVEN times?”

Peter thought what many of us think: Forgiveness is for the BENEFIT of the OFFENDER.

What do we do with that HURT?

Why does Jesus speak so firmly about forgiving the people who hurt us?

1. To refuse to forgive is to push the SELF-DESTRUCT button in your life.

2. When Jesus went to the CROSS for us, we LOST our right to REFUSE to forgive.

Here’s the problem: I want Jesus’ love for ME. But I want God’s justice for THEM.

FORGIVENESS + TRUST = RECONCILIATION

“All this is from God who reconciled us to Himself through Jesus.” 2 Corinthians 5:18

Forgiveness is not saying that what the offender did to you was ACCEPTABLE.

How do we love like Jesus and begin the process of forgiveness?

1. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you forgive, and be SPECIFIC with Him.

2. We need to CANCEL that SPECIFIC debt.

3. REFUSE to HOLD that debt against them anymore.

Questions for you and/or your small group:

Read Matthew 18:21-35.

1. Why does debt collecting lead to resentment and bitterness?

2. How does unwillingness to forgive allow the person who hurt us to still effect us?

3. Why is forgetting the offense not a requirement of true forgiveness?

Books for further reading:

‘Forgive’ by Tim Keller

‘The Art of Forgiving’ by Lewis Smeeds

Why the Bible is Reliable and Accurate | Through Line

faithtroy — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:32:06 +0000

2 Peter 1:16, Luke 1:1-4, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6

It’s easy to MISUNDERSTAND the BIBLE if you don’t understand The STORY in the Bible.

It’s the story of REDEMPTION and you are the REDEEMED.

It’s also easy to misunderstand the Bible, if you don’t understand the HISTORY of the Bible

After Jesus rose from the dead, suddenly there was interest in DOCUMENTING the life, the words, and the activity of Jesus.

“We did not follow CLEVERLY INVENTED stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were EYEWITNESSES of his majesty.”

2 Peter 1:16

People began DOCUMENTING the LIFE of Jesus because the STORY of Jesus didn’t END on a Roman cross.

Luke 1:1-4 pg. 1,587

v.1 “MANY have undertaken to draw up an ACCOUNT of the THINGS that have been FULFILLED among us.

v.2 “Just as they were HANDED DOWN to us by those who from the first, were EYEWITNESSES and servants of the word.

v.3 “Therefore since I myself have CAREFULLY INVESTIGATED everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the CERTAINTY of the things you have been taught.

From the very beginning followers of Jesus have always considered Matthew, Mark, Luke and John to be accurate and reliable, because of WHO wrote them and WHEN they were written.

We have a RELIABLE collection of historical documents, written down by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses, that are not only RELIABLE but also ACCURATE.

In August of 70 A.D. ancient Judaism CEASED to exist.

CHRISTIANITY was born the day that Jesus, the Christ, walked out of a tomb, ALIVE after he’d been DEAD.

The Law and the Prophets | Through Line

faithtroy — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 15:01:10 +0000

Through Line: “The Law & Prophets”

Leviticus 18:6, Isaiah 53:3-11, Galatians 4:4-5

Once upon a time, you had to READ the Bible to know what was IN the Bible.

It’s easy to MISUNDERSTAND the BIBLE if you don’t understand The STORY IN the Bible.

It’s the story of REDEMPTION and you are the REDEEMED.

As non-Jewish people became interested in JESUS, they also became very interested in the DOCUMENTS that PREDICTED, Jesus arrival.

The LAW and The PROPHETS.

The Old Testament chronicles God’s REDEMPTIVE and SEQUENTIAL activity in the world.

Under God’s covenant with Israel, women, servants foreigners and children all fared BETTER than their counterparts in the surrounding nations.

Isaiah 53:3-11 pg. 1,145

v.3 “HE was despised and rejected by MANKIND, a man of SUFFERING and familiar with pain.

v.5 “But he was PIERCED for our TRANSGRESSIONS, he was crushed for our INIQUITIES; the PUNISHMENT that brought us PEACE was on him, and by HIS WOUNDS we are HEALED.

v.6 “…the Lord has laid on HIM the INIQUITY of us ALL.

v.8 “…for he was CUT OFF from the land of the LIVING for the transgression of my people he was punished.

v.9 “He was assigned a GRAVE with the wicked, and with the rich in his death…

v.11 “After HE suffered, he will SEE the LIGHT of LIFE and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities.”

Who is the ‘he’ that Isaiah is talking about?

“But when the set TIME had FULLY come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the LAW, to REDEEM those under the law so that WE might receive the full rights as CHILDREN.”

Galatians 4:4-5

The Story in the Bible | Through Line

faithtroy — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:38:03 +0000

Through Line: “The Story in The Bible”

Genesis 1:1,26-27, 12:1-3, John 1:6-14, Revelation 21:1-5

It is easy to MISUNDERSTAND the BIBLE if you don’t understand THE STORY in the Bible.

The Bible is the story of REDEMPTION and you are the REDEEMED.

Eight words that give you the ‘Through Line’ of the Story in the Bible.

CREATION
“In the BEGINNING GOD created,” Genesis 1:1

The Bible tells us WHY, our world came into existence.

BROKENNESS

When Adam and Eve broke THEIR RELATIONSHIP with God, everything under THEIR AUTHORITY broke.

PROMISE
“All peoples on earth will be blessed THROUGH you.” Genesis 12:3

LAW

In the law God PROVIDES PROVISION for those who BREAK the law.

REBELLION

Israel lived in an almost constant state of war and invasion, because of their rebellion and their belief that they know better than God. But God always KEEPS His promises.

GRACE
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only who came from the father full of GRACE and TRUTH.” John 1:14

SPIRIT

The Holy Spirit has been filling people who place their faith in Jesus so that we can live in this world that’s STILL BROKEN, but live lives and have relationships that are NO LONGER DEFINED by our brokenness.

ETERNITY

“He who was seated on the throne said, I am making EVERYTHING NEW. Then He said write this down for these words are TRUSTWORTHY and TRUE.”   Revelation 21:5

Easter 2023

faithtroy — Tue, 11 Apr 2023 15:32:39 +0000

What Is Spiritual Sight? | Let There Be Light

faithtroy — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 19:19:46 +0000

Let There Be Light: What is Spiritual Sight?

“Anyone who has SEEN ME has SEEN the FATEHR” -Jesus, John 14:9

We will never get closer to UNDERSTANDING God, then KNOWING Jesus.John 9:1-4

v.1 “As Jesus went along, He saw a MAN BLIND from birth. His disciples asked Him, Rabbi, WHO SINNED this man or his parents that he was born blind?”

“I tell you no, but unless you REPENT, you too will PERISH.” Luke 13:5v.3 “Neither, this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, this happened so that the WORKS of GOD might be displayed in him.”

Sin in general causes suffering in GENERAL. But, SIN in particular does not necessarily cause suffering in PARTICULAR.

v.4 “As long as it is day, WE must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. ”

v.5 “While I am IN the world, I am the LIGHT of the world.”

v.16 “Some of the Pharisees said, This man is NOT from God, for he does not keep the SABBATH.”

Blindness is DARKNESS, but spiritual blindness is DEADNESS.

‘I didn’t see…I didn’t REALIZE’

Reality of SIN Reality of GRACE

v.25 “…One thing I do know. I was BLIND but now I SEE.”

One of the most powerful things about the ministry of Jesus is that He chose to heal ONE person at a time.

v.35 “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when Jesus FOUND him, Jesus asked him, Do you BELIEVE in the SON of Man?

v.37 “Jesus said you have now SEEN Him; in fact He is the one speaking with you.”

v.38 “Then the man said, “Lord I believe, and he WORSHIPED Him.”

God’s Design (It’s Not What You Think)

faithtroy — Fri, 03 Mar 2023 14:56:39 +0000

What’s So Amazing About Forgiveness? | Let There Be Light

faithtroy — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 19:47:55 +0000

Let There Be Light: “What’s so Amazing about Forgiveness?”

“I am the LIGHT of the world” John 8:12

Jesus is saying: I can show you the way FORWARD. I will lead you OUT of the darkness.

Mark 2:1-12

v.3 “Some men came, bringing to Jesus a PARALYTIC, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and after digging through it, LOWERED the mat the paralyzed man was lying on.”

v.5 “When Jesus SAW THEIR FAITH, He said to the paralyzed man, son YOUR SINS are forgiven.”

Jesus appears to be breaking a rule, which is:

When it comes to God, there is no FORGIVENESS without REPENTANCE.

v.8 “Immediately, Jesus knew in His SPIRIT that this is what they were THINKING in their hearts, and He said to them, Why are you THINKING these things?”

Jesus knows there’s an INARTICULATE desire for mercy and grace in this man’s heart.

The Father does’t love the son BECAUSE he repents. The son CAN repent because he’s loved. (The Parable of the Lost Son, Luke 15:11-32)

What is is about FORGIVENESS that we don’t understand?

v.9 “Which is easier to say to this paralyzed man, your sins are FORGIVEN, or to say get up, take your mat and WALK?”

What is Forgiveness? For everything that stands BETWEEN you and God to be REMOVED so that you can CONNECT with Him, not simply in this life, but FOREVER.

v.10 “So that you KNOW that the Son of Man has AUTHORITY on earth to forgive sins, Jesus said to the man, I tell you GET UP, take your mat and go home.”

v.12 “He got up, took his mat and walked out in FULL VIEW of them all. This AMAZED everyone, and they praised God saying, we have never seen anything like this!”

My real issue is: Where am I spending ETERNITY?

The Reason We Hope | When God Goes Dark

faithtroy — Mon, 20 Feb 2023 15:28:36 +0000

Today’s Worship
You Hold It All Together
Such a Awesome God
Jesus We Love You
By the Blood of Jesus & You Came

When God Goes Dark: “The Reason We Hope”

Why wouldn’t ‘a GOOD God do something about…?

At the center of the GOSPEL, we discover that the WORST possible THING happened to the BEST possible PERSON.

John 11:1-45

v.1 “Now a man named Lazarus was SICK.…”

v.4 “When He heard this Jesus said, This sickness will not end in DEATH. No, it is for God’s GLORY so that, God’s SON may be glorified through IT.”

v.5 “John tells us, Jesus LOVED Martha and her sister and Lazarus.”

v.6 “So when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, he STAYED where He was for TWO more days.

v.9 “Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours of DAYLIGHT…?

Jesus is talking about OPPORTUNITY.

v.15 “And for YOUR SAKE, I’m GLAD I was not there SO THAT, you may BELIEVE.”

Our belief in Jesus is so important to Jesus He CREATED this MOMENT so that 2,000 years later you and I could carry HOPE into our futures.

v.22 “But I KNOW that even now, God will give YOU whatever You ASK.”

v.25 “Jesus said to her, I AM the RESURRECTION and the LIFE. Anyone who believes in Me will LIVE, even though they DIE; and whoever lives and BELIEVES IN me will never die. Do YOU believe this?”

v. 33 “When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, He was DEEPLY MOVED in spirit and TROUBLED.

Even though Jesus knew exactly how this event would end, we see something in Jesus so that we can understand the HEART of our Heavenly Father:

v.38 “Jesus, once more DEEPLY MOVED, came to the tomb”…Jesus is ANGRY.

v.40 “Then Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you BELIEVED you would SEE the GLORY of God?”

v.45 “Therefore, many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, put their FAITH in JESUS.”

“If you BELIEVE, you will SEE the GLORY of God.” John 11:40

When God Says “No” | When God Goes Dark

faithtroy — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 15:36:14 +0000

When God Goes Dark: “When God says No”

God, why are you ALLOWING this?.

God, am I going too make it THROUGH this?

In these seasons we experience a number of feelings:

1. We get MAD.

2. We’re tempted to LEAVE.

3. We COMPARE ourselves.

“Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

The presence of ADVERSITY does not equate to the ABSENCE of God.

The experiences of the Apostle Paul’s life and writings give us a TRUTH and a PROMISE.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

v.7 “To keep ME from becoming CONCEITED, because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given to me a THORN in my flesh, a messenger from SATAN to TORMENT me.”

v.8 “THREE times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.”

The PROBLEM with the idea of problem-free Christianity is that it’s NOT Christianity at all.

v.9 “But, He said to me, My GRACE is SUFFICIENT for you, for my POWER is made PERFECT in weakness. Therefore I will BOAST all the more GLADLY about my WEAKNESSES, so that CHRIST’S POWER may rest on me.”

“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His MERCY and we will find GRACE to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4:16

v.10 “That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions in difficulties. For when I am WEAK, then I am STRONG.”

Guidance for your conversations with Jesus when it feels like God has gone dark:

1. Your Heavenly Father absolutely cares about your CIRCUMSTANCES.

2. If God says ‘no’ that does not mean He does not CARE about you.

3. It’s in our trials and our WEAKNESS that Jesus is most clearly visible in our life.

4. Never forget, your Savior faced a SIMILAR SITUATION in His own life.

Jesus’ SUSTAINING GRACE in our lives always begins, not with my will, but THY will, be done.

Doubt in the Dark | When God Goes Dark

faithtroy — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 14:31:07 +0000

When God Goes Dark: “Doubts”

Questions in life often come FASTER than answers.

What do you do with your DOUBT?

God’s silence does not equate to His ABSENCE. It does not mean He does not CARE. It does not mean He is angry with you.

When it feels like God has gone dark, one of the first things I do is look to the Scripture to see if there is ANYONE whose circumstance is similar to MINE.

“Jesus Christ is the SAME yesterday, today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

When it feels like God has gone dark we wonder:

God, WHERE are you? Do you KNOW my name?

Do you LOVE me? Do you CARE about what’s happening to me?

Mark 6:19-20

v.19 “Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to KILL him.”

v.20 “But she was not able to because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a RIGHTEOUS and HOLY man.”

John begins to have what we have, when things are bad, times goes by and nothing changes. He begins to have DOUBTS.

Matthew 11:2-6

v.2 “When John hear in prison what Jesus was doing, he sent his disciples to ask Jesus, Are YOU the one who was to come, or should we expect SOMEONE ELSE?”

When YOU go through a hard time, I PRAY. But when I go through a hard time, I DOUBT. Why is that?

In a season of life that is very traumatic, we tend to shrink down to the size of ME.

v.4 “Jesus replied, Go back and report to John what YOU HEAR and what YOU SEE.”

v.6 “Blessed is the PEROSN who does not FALL AWAY on account of ME.”

Your personal CIRCUMSTANCES are not the way you determine how God FEELS about you. The proof of how God feels about you is what happened on the CROSS.

Your UNANSWERED prayer doesn’t mean God is UNINTERESTED.

Look back and REMEMBER. Look outside your circumstances and REFLECT.

Hope in the Dark | When God Goes Dark

faithtroy — Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:13:53 +0000

When God Goes Dark: “Hope in the Dark”

In their way of thinking, much like our way of thinking: If God is with you then things get BETTER.

Mark 14:18-29

v.18 “I tell you the truth, one of you will BETRAY me, one who is EATING with me.”

v.21 “The Son of Man WILL GO just as it is WRITTEN about Him, but woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.”

At some point all of us ask these questions:

Why is God ALLOWING this?

Will I make it THROUGH this?

v.22 “While they were eating, Jesus took BREAD gave thanks, and broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, this is my BODY.

v.23 “Then Jesus took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them and they all drank from it. Then Jesus said, This is my BLOOD of the COVENANT, which is poured out for many.”

v.27 You will ALL fall away, for it is written; “I will strike the Shepard and the sheep will be scattered.” But after I have RISEN, I will go ahead of you in to Galilee.”

Can you TRUST God, even when God goes dark?

Can you hold on to faith in God, when you can’t see any EVIDENCE of His activity in your life?

It was those SAME hours when we thought He was MISSING that God was doing his GREATEST work.

That is our story as people who place their HOPE and their FAITH in Jesus as their Savior.

Will we hold on to faith in Jesus when it’s too dark to see His HAND?

It allows us to embrace the UNKNOWN, knowing God is still God; and although LIFE is uncertain, God is not UNCERTAIN.

The proof of God’s presence with you in the midst of the darkness isn’t your CIRCUMSTANCES, it’s the CROSS of Jesus.

“And we know that in all things God WORKS FOR THE GOOD of those who love HIM, and who have been called according to his purpose.”

Romans 8:28

Christmas Eve 2022

faithtroy — Tue, 03 Jan 2023 16:04:20 +0000

Reconciliation | Invisible Made Visible

faithtroy — Mon, 12 Dec 2022 17:11:58 +0000

“Reconciled”

Colossians 1:19-22, Matthew 5:23-24, Luke 2:1-14

Reconciliation is not comfortable, and not intuitive, but often it is necessary:
For OUR sake.
For THEIR sake.
For CONSCIENCE’S sake.
For JESUS sake.

We know we should, but:
We just DON’T WANT to.
We just haven’t gotten AROUND to it.
It’s just way to EMOTIONAL.
They don’t really seem INTERESTED.

“Peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and sinners RECONCILED.”

Hark the Herald Angles Sing, Charles Wesley

Colossians 1:19-22 pg. 1,832

v.19 “For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Jesus, and through Him to RECONCILE to HIMSELF all things…by making PEACE through Jesus’ blood, shed on the CROSS.”

v.21 “Once you were ALIENATED from God and were enemies in your minds because of your EVIL BEHAVIOR.”

v.22 “But now, God has RECONCILED you, by Jesus’ physical body through DEATH, to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from ACCUSATION.”

Reconciled: God removed everything that has made us INCOMPATIBLE with Him.

Why is it that it’s so easy to resist DEMONSTRATING what at Christmas we’re CELEBRATING?

Make visible in the life of SOMEONE ELSE what your Heavenly Father through Jesus, at Christmas, made visible for YOU.

God did not RESCIND His offer simply because we would not RECEVE it.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth PEACE to those on whom His favor RESTS. Luke 2:14

If God and sinner can be RECONCILED, who are we to withhold the offer of RECONCILIATION?

The way to start is to understand, you never start with reconciliation, you start with forgiveness because: FORGIVENESS + Trust = Reconciliation.

Attempts at reconciliation ALWAYS work in SOMEONE

For Everyone | FOR

faithtroy — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 15:01:54 +0000

This weekend was the final week of our annual FOR Campaign!

Every year you’ve made such a huge difference in the lives of people in our community, and I am so thankful that the heart of our church reflects the heart of Jesus.

If you haven’t gotten involved in our FOR campaign by giving, serving, or sponsoring, we’d love for you to still participate in the campaign!

The Sunday Serve event may be over, but it’s not too late to help us reach our 100% participation goal by donating your $19.95 to these amazing organizations!

We also still have kids in need of sponsoring through Gifts For All God’s Children and would love for you to participate in that as well!

Remember, everyone in America thinks something when they hear the word, “church.” We want them to think of extraordinary generosity and love.

FOR: “Everybody”

1 John 2:1-11, Matthew 5:43-48

In the United States everybody thinks something when they hear the word, CHURCH.

At its core, all RELIGION Is about making sure me and God are good.

Easy Question: How close can I get to SIN without actually SINNING?

We never REDUCE a HEALTHY relationship down to just obedience.

1 John 2:1-11 pg. 1,899

v.1 “My dear CHILDREN, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin we have an ADVOCATE with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous One.”

v.2 “He is the ATONING SACRIFICE for our sins, and not only for OURS, but also for the sins of the WHOLE WORLD.”

v.4 “Whoever says I KNOW him, but does not do what He COMMANDS is a LIAR and the TRUTH is not IN that person.”

v.5 “But, if anyone OBEYS his word, LOVE for God is truly made COMPLETE in them. This is how we KNOW we are in Him: Whoever CLAIMS to live in Him must LIVE as Jesus DID.”

v.7 “Dear friends, I am not writing you a NEW COMMAND but an OLD one, which you have had since the BEGINNING.”

v.8 “…its truth is SEEN in HIM and in YOU, because the DARKNESS is PASSING and the true light is already SHINING.”

v.10 “Anyone who LOVES their brother and sister LIVES in the LIGHT, and there is nothing in them to make them STUMBLE.”

v.11 “But anyone who HATES a brother or a sister is in the DARKNESS and walks about in the DARKNESS.”

EVERYBODY is somebody Jesus died, FOR.

If you’re a follower of Jesus:
A good question: Is this a SIN?
A more important question: What does LOVE require of me?

“…GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ.” John 1:17

If you want to know what Jesus MEANT by what Jesus SAID, then watch what Jesus DID.

Click here to participate in our FOR Campaign!
Give $19.95
Sponsor a child for Christmas through Gifts for All God’s Children
(Sunday, Dec. 4 is the last day to return gifts)
& Help with our Sunday Serve on Nov. 20

Generous and Compassionate | FOR

faithtroy — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 16:10:49 +0000

This weekend we continue our annual FOR Campaign.

What we do during this season is absolutely at the heart of what Christianity is all about the idea that God became one of us and dwelt among us.

That God’s no strings attached generosity towards us, compels us to be extravagantly generous towards others.

If you’ve been part of Faith for a while, you already know… this is a good weekend to have a couple of $20 bills in your purse or your wallet, but not because we’re talking about money… we’ve already done that.

I just want you to be able to say that you were a part of what Jesus did in our community through you in 2022.

Philippians 2:3-15

EVERYONE matters to GOD whether God matters to THEM or not.

Being generous and being compassionate is not NATURAL.

The foundation of the ideas that generosity and compassion are GOOD is the New Testament.

God’s extravagant generosity towards US compels us to be extravagantly generous towards OTHERS.

Philippians 2:3-15 pg. 1,827

v.3 “Do NOTHING out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather in humility value others ABOVE yourselves. ”

v.4 “Not looking toward your OWN interests but each of you to the interests of OTHERS.”

v.5 “In your relationships with ONE ANOTHER have the same MINDSET as Christ Jesus.”

The problem with EVEN, is that it makes you even with someone you don’t even like.

As followers of Jesus, we’re the ones to raise the standard, because we’re the ones who know first hand what Jesus has done FOR us!

v.6 “Jesus, who being in very NATURE God, did not consider EQUALITY with God something to be used for his OWN advantage.”

v.12 “Therefore….continue to WORK OUT your salvation with FEAR and TREMBLING.”

Allow what is true OF you to be seen IN you.

v.13 “For it is God who works IN you to will and to ACT in order to fulfill His good PURPOSE.”

What’s God’s good purpose?

“God want’s ALL people to be SAVED and to come to a knowledge of the TRUTH.”

1 Timothy 2:4

v.15 “Then YOU will SHINE among THEM like stars in the sky.”

Click here to participate in our FOR Campaign!
Give $19.95
Sponsor a child for Christmas through Gifts for All God’s Children
(Sunday, Dec. 4 is the last day to return gifts)
& Help with our Sunday Serve on Nov. 20

The Heart of Christianity | FOR

faithtroy — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 02:26:46 +0000

This weekend we get to kick off our annual FOR Campaign.

What we do during this season is absolutely at the heart of what Christianity is all about the idea that God became one of us and dwelt among us.

That God’s no strings attached generosity towards us, compels us to be extravagantly generous towards others.

If you’ve been part of Faith for a while, you already know… this is a good weekend to have a couple of $20 bills in your purse or your wallet, but not because we’re talking about money… we’ve already done that.

I just want you to be able to say that you were a part of what Jesus did in our community through you in 2022.

Developing a Plan | Following Jesus With Your Money

faithtroy — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 14:37:39 +0000

Throughout the series, we’ve discovered that we cannot be fully devoted followers of Jesus until we surrender how we use and handle our money to Him.

Not because Jesus wants your money, but because he wants your heart. And He knows that our hearts and our money are linked.

This weekend I want to give you a different way to think about your financial picture, a way that represents an open door for your Heavenly Father to act in your life.

Go Deeper

What’s the benefit of intentionally choosing a percentage of your income to live off?

Do you think the percentages you chose to give, save, and live matter? Why?

What’s your biggest challenge/objection that’s preventing you from setting aside a portion of your income to practice give, save, live?

Generosity | Following Jesus With Your Money

faithtroy — Tue, 25 Oct 2022 15:26:37 +0000

Money is a spiritual issue and purchases are spiritual decisions.

Now, I get it… Most of us don’t feel like we have more than we need. In fact, we often feel the exact opposite. But I think if we stop and think about it for a moment, we know that we have more than most people in the world.

Go Deeper

Questions for Group Discussion or personal Bible Study:

Why is it hard to recognize greed in the mirror?

What’s the line between saving and hoarding?

Based on Jesus’ teaching, do feel that you are using your money in a way right now that reflects being rich toward God?

Kingdom Economics | Following Jesus With Your Money

faithtroy — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:41:44 +0000

In our second week of our series Following Jesus with Your Money, we talked about how to see our money the way that God sees our money:

As a tool, test, and trademark.

Go Deeper
Questions for your small group discussion or personal reflection:

1. Read Luke 16:1-8. Why does the owner commend the money manager?

2. Read Luke 16:10-12. If money is a test, how would you grade yourself so far?

3. Read Luke 16:13. If a stranger found your credit card or debit card statement, what might they conclude about you?

Lost Financially | Following Jesus With Your Money

faithtroy — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 13:44:44 +0000

On Sunday, we began our new series Following Jesus with Your Money.

Have you ever thought about what it means to follow Jesus with your money? When it comes to following Jesus: Our goal is simply to be with Jesus, live like Jesus, and do the things that Jesus did.
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Which means the way we use our money will show us who or what we are following. So who are you following?

Go Deeper

Questions for your small group discussion or personal study:

1. What are some of the things that cause people to get lost financially?

2. Read Matthew 6:21. What are some examples in your life of where your heart has followed your stuff?

3. Read Luke 16:13. How does our stuff compete with our devotion to God?

4. What would you like to see happen in your life and your finances as a result of this series?

People Over Precepts | Seeing Jesus

faithtroy — Mon, 03 Oct 2022 13:56:19 +0000

One of the big lessons I’ve learned as a parent and watching other parents over the years is this:

Great parents set rules for their kid.
And then when appropriate, great parents break their own rules.
In the gospels we see Jesus get in trouble with the religious leaders all the time for breaking rules and many times that’s confusing for us as followers of Jesus.

Go Deeper

Questions for your small group discussion or personal study:

1. Do you tend to follow rules to the letter, bend them or break them? How do you think that tendency has influenced the way you view God?

2. Is it difficult for you to believe that God values you above His own rules? Why or why not?

3. What is something you can do this week to prioritize loving God and loving other people over what’s comfortable for you personally?

Am I Good Enough? | Seeing Jesus

faithtroy — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 12:45:31 +0000

There’s a really common idea that you’ll find in most religions, sometimes even christianity, that says that somewhere there is a God and he is good, but the only way to get to him is by doing good. But where did that idea even come from?

This weekend, as we continue our sermon series, Seeing Jesus, we’re going to talk about how that belief, as common as it is, is not the way we see God revealing himself in either the Old Testament or the New Testament.

Go Deeper

Questions for your small group discussion or personal study:

1. Why do you think that it’s so easy to feel like in order to get God’s attention or his love we have to be good?

2. Read Exodus 12:1-14 and Matthew 26:17-30. What is God preparing us to see in Jesus?

3. When did you (or have you) come to realize that all you needed to do was trust God in order to have a relationship with him?

Three Myths About Sex | Finding Vs Becoming

faithtroy — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 22:17:30 +0000

This weekend we’re finishing our series Finding Vs. Becoming with a message on three myths about sex.

Go Deeper

Questions for your small group discussion or personal study.

1. If someone younger than you asked you for one piece of advice about sex, what would you say?

2. What does it look like in todays culture to ‘flee’ sexual immorality?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. How does this view of our bodies impact what we should do and believe when it comes to sex?

Six Practical Ways to Prepare for Commitment | Finding Vs Becoming

faithtroy — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 13:45:47 +0000

This weekend we’re continuing our series Finding Vs. Becoming with a message on how to prepare for commitment. I’m so excited about this message because I think it will be super practical for anyone who wants to be married one day! Of course, if you’re already married, don’t worry… this will be helpful for you as you seek to improve your marriage every day!

We’ll be talking about six practical assignments that you can implement now to help you keep the commitments you’ll make one day in the future!

Go Deeper

Questions for your small group discussion or personal study.

1. Can you remember a situation where you made a well intentioned promise, but couldn’t follow through? (athletic, academic, professional, etc)

2. Joe said, ‘Marriage was not designed to fix things.’ Do you agree or disagree? What is it about marriage that magnifies the good and the bad of relationships?

3. When you think about these six specific ways to prepare for your future relationship, which is the easiest for you, and which is the hardest, and why?

Book Recommendations:

Healthy Me, Healthy Us: Your Relationships Are Only as Strong as You Are by Les and Leslie Parrott

People Aren’t Commodities | Finding Vs Becoming

faithtroy — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 16:53:48 +0000

Parents please note the message is geared for people who are teenagers and older.

I’m going to be discussing topics and using vocabulary that you probably aren’t ready to discuss with your elementary age kids.

Obviously, it’s your decision, I just don’t want to catch you by surprise!

Go Deeper
Questions for your small group discussion or personal study.

1. Who is someone you would be honored to meet one day? Why would you want to meet them?

2. Think about the idea that society views women as a commodity. Have you ever felt like you were valued for a skill or a talent rather than for who you are? How did that make you feel?

Book Recommendations:

The Game Plan: The Men’s 30-Day Strategy for Attaining Sexual Integrity

No Stones: Women Redeemed from Sexual Addiction

How To Become The One | Finding Vs Becoming

faithtroy — Tue, 23 Aug 2022 14:26:32 +0000

We began our new series this weekend, Finding vs Becoming: The Best Way To Find The One.

We talked about how instead of focusing on finding “the one”, we may be better off putting our focus on becoming “the one” that somebody else is looking for.

We also looked into how 1 Corinthians 13 helps to create the perfect framework for how to love like Jesus loves.

Want to go further with the message?

Feel free to use these questions in your quiet time or with your small group!

1. What is something that you’ve trained for? How did you prepare?

2. Looking at our culture, do you think dating is preparing people for great relationships? Why or why not?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-5. What stands out to you in these verses? How would relationships be different if more people loved each other this way?

Book Recommendations:

Single, Dating, Engaged, Married: Navigating Life and Love in the Modern Age by Ben Stuart

The Meaning of Marriage: Facing the Complexities of Commitment with the Wisdom of God by Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller

Why You Should Trust God | Wisdom Says

faithtroy — Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:42:32 +0000

Responding To Wisdom | Wisdom Says

faithtroy — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 15:55:46 +0000

Avoidable Pain | Wisdom Says

faithtroy — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:22:33 +0000

Freedom

faithtroy — Tue, 05 Jul 2022 13:19:53 +0000

A Place To Belong | Week 3

faithtroy — Tue, 31 May 2022 13:40:27 +0000

A Place To Belong | Week 2

mgreen — Wed, 25 May 2022 19:05:00 +0000

A Place To Belong | Week 1

mgreen — Wed, 18 May 2022 18:10:19 +0000

Why Genesis is Ahead of Its Time | How We Got The Bible

faithtroy — Mon, 02 May 2022 15:39:52 +0000

Click here to watch our Sermon Recap!

How We Got The New Testament | How We Got The Bible

faithtroy — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 17:14:18 +0000

Click here to watch our Sermon Recap!

Raised To Life | Easter

faithtroy — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 16:09:58 +0000

The Habit of Simplicity | Holy Habits That Can Change Your Life

faithtroy — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 14:55:25 +0000

Looking for a shorter version of the sermon?
Click here for our sermon recap.

The Bible | Holy Habits That Can Change Your Life

faithtroy — Mon, 14 Mar 2022 14:29:24 +0000

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Click here for our sermon recap.

For Everyone | Hiding Place

faithtroy — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 20:01:33 +0000

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Click here for our Sermon Recap.

When I Fear The Most | Hiding Place

faithtroy — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 14:17:01 +0000

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Click here for our Sermon Recap.

The Destination of Faith | Hiding Place

faithtroy — Mon, 14 Feb 2022 18:33:56 +0000

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What Story Will You Tell? | Come and See

faithtroy — Tue, 25 Jan 2022 15:16:50 +0000

Fishers of Men | Come and See

faithtroy — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 16:10:53 +0000

Follow Me | Come and See

faithtroy — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 17:24:15 +0000

King Jesus | Christmas Eve | Oh Come Emmanuel!

faithtroy — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 21:21:35 +0000

What About Reconstruction? | DECONSTRUCT

faithtroy — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 16:54:28 +0000

Running low on time, but want to get caught up?

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Intervention Versus Prevention | For

faithtroy — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 19:55:41 +0000

Click here for more information on our For Campaign.

Devotion Versus Action | For

faithtroy — Mon, 08 Nov 2021 15:55:43 +0000

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The Hallmark of Jesus’ Church | For

faithtroy — Mon, 01 Nov 2021 14:36:35 +0000

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The Most Destructive Lie We Tell About About Our Family | Ideal Family

faithtroy — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 14:07:39 +0000

Handling Family Conflict | Ideal Family

faithtroy — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 14:35:53 +0000

The Bible’s Most Controversial Teaching | Ideal Family

faithtroy — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 13:20:33 +0000

Reconnecting Families | Ideal Family

faithtroy — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:04:52 +0000

Experiencing the Gopsel | Romans

faithtroy — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 16:45:13 +0000

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Click here for our Sermon Recap.

Sin Is Not Your Master | Romans

faithtroy — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:39:06 +0000

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Peace with God | Romans

faithtroy — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 16:51:49 +0000

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Fog of War | Battle Stories

faithtroy — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:49:19 +0000

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Your Influence is Your Superpower | The False God of Independence

faithtroy — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:57:28 +0000

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King David’s Idol of Independence | The False God of Independence

faithtroy — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 19:22:56 +0000

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Upside Down Kingdom | The New Temple

faithtroy — Sun, 02 May 2021 14:58:28 +0000

Looking for something a bit shorter? Our sermon recaps are perfect for sharing with friends and family who may not watch a full service (or even if you’re just low on time).

Click here to watch this week’s sermon recap.

Upside Down Kingdom | The New Covenant

faithtroy — Mon, 26 Apr 2021 19:24:21 +0000

Looking for something a bit shorter? Our sermon recaps are perfect for sharing with friends and family who may not watch a full service (or even if you’re just low on time).

Click here to watch this week’s sermon recap.

Upside Down Kingdom | What Makes Jesus’ Kingdom Different?

faithtroy — Mon, 19 Apr 2021 20:13:23 +0000

Looking for something a bit shorter? Our sermon recaps are perfect for sharing with friends and family who may not watch a full service (or even if you’re just low on time).

Click here to watch this week’s sermon recap.

Upside Down Kingdom | It’s Here

faithtroy — Mon, 12 Apr 2021 17:40:08 +0000

Looking for something a bit shorter? Our sermon recaps are perfect for sharing with friends and family who may not watch a full service (or even if you’re just low on time).

Click here to watch this week’s sermon recap.

Holy Week | Easter Sunday

faithtroy — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 18:47:16 +0000

How To Pray Like Jesus | Unanswered Prayers

faithtroy — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 22:04:40 +0000

Click here to watch the shortened version in our Sermon Recap.

How To Pray Like Jesus | Ask

faithtroy — Mon, 22 Feb 2021 15:07:45 +0000

Click Here for the 10 Minute Sermon Recap

Hindsight is 2020 | Responding to Suffering

faithtroy — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 14:55:20 +0000

Hindsight is 2020 | Responding to Uncertainty

faithtroy — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 16:37:50 +0000

Click Here to download this week’s bulletin.

Hindsight is 2020 | United

faithtroy — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 19:54:07 +0000

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Hindsight is 2020 | Experience

faithtroy — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 17:06:05 +0000

Click here to download this week’s bulletin.

Christmas Eve With Faith

faithtroy — Fri, 25 Dec 2020 15:47:00 +0000

Curious | Not What, Who

faithtroy — Mon, 14 Dec 2020 17:11:11 +0000

Click Here to download this week’s bulletin.

Curious | Framing It Up

faithtroy — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 15:21:29 +0000

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For | Broken and Grateful

faithtroy — Sun, 15 Nov 2020 15:15:50 +0000

Click here for more information on our For Campaign.

For | Opportunity

faithtroy — Sun, 08 Nov 2020 15:14:35 +0000

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For | Happiness And Generosity

faithtroy — Sun, 01 Nov 2020 14:27:28 +0000

Click here for more information on our For Campaign.

For | Generosity

faithtroy — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 15:11:26 +0000

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The Kingdom Minority | Love Mercy

faithtroy — Sun, 04 Oct 2020 15:10:45 +0000

Stuck | The Real Story

faithtroy — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 13:05:38 +0000

Stuck | Forward and Out

faithtroy — Fri, 04 Sep 2020 15:27:33 +0000

1. Can you remember a time you were stuck, and you weren’t sure you would get out?

2. What is it about our way of thinking about God that makes us want to use him like AAA, and just show up and get us out of that has us stuck?

3. Do you have a story in your life like what Joe referred to; I got stuck, I gave up. Jesus showed up, and I followed Him out?

4. What makes ‘pre-agreeing’ with Jesus so hard? What part of that do you struggle with most?

Stuck | All Of Us

faithtroy — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 18:41:51 +0000

1. When you see someone else who is stuck, what reaction is most natural for you; to be a student and listen, or a critic and judge?

2. Can you remember a time where you were conscious of falling short of your own standards? Do you remember how this made you feel?

3. Who, or what group is most easy for you to judge?

4. Read the next verses the Apostle Paul writes Romans 3:21-26. How do they impact what you think of, or what you feel, when you think about God?

Stories From Jesus | Salt & Light

faithtroy — Fri, 07 Aug 2020 15:15:06 +0000

Discussion Questions:

1. If you are a follower of Jesus, think about a time when a person or a group of people impacted or influenced you by being salt and light.

2. Sometimes religious people will use this section of Scripture to defend rude or offensive behavior. Read Mark 10:45. Why does that kind of behavior contradict what Jesus is teaching us in this familiar story?

3. Is there a person in your life that you can be salt and light to in a positive way? What is one thing you could do in the next week to help connect the dots for that person, between how you live and the God that you serve?

4. At the end of the message Joe shared another question with all of us asked us to start personally asking the question; ‘In my current situation or circumstance what is most honoring to my Heavenly Father?’ Are you willing to at least start to ask yourself that question?

Stories From Jesus | Rescue

faithtroy — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 18:43:58 +0000

Discussion Questions:

1. Think about a time when someone at work, in your family, or at church held you accountable. How did it help you grow?

2. Have you ever tried to talk to someone about something you saw in their life that you believed was going to hurt them? What made that hard?

3. Read 1 Corinthians 5:12. How does this passage challenge your assumptions about what the Bible says regarding judging others?

4. What is the significance understanding the phrase ‘ treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector’ in light of what Jesus teaches in the Gospels?

Stories From Jesus | Judge Who?

faithtroy — Fri, 03 Jul 2020 17:25:40 +0000

Discussion Questions:

1. Can you remember a time when your first impression of someone was wrong? How did what you learned later change your relationship with that person?

2. Is there a group or type of person that is most easy for you to judge? What is it that makes it easy for you to want to judge them?

3. When you size others up, do you tend to write them off (condemn them) or walk away (avoid their problems)?

4. Is there a time that some one tried to approach you, but you refused to listen? Do you think that they were out for your good? If so, would you be willing to reconsider what they said, even if it wasn’t said in the best way?

5. Who is one person you need to stop writing off or walking away from? What is one thing you can do this week to put aside judgment and love that person?

Stories From Jesus | Two Kinds of People

faithtroy — Fri, 26 Jun 2020 19:18:57 +0000

1.Most of us are familiar with at least one of these three stories, is there anything that jumped out at you today when you heard it?

2. What are the adjectives that you often use to describe people?

3. Do you worry that when the church welcome sinners, it may appear to be condoning sin?

4. Do these stories from Jesus challenge your view of God? Why?

5. When it comes to the adjectives that Jesus uses to describe people, dead or alive / lost or found, how do you see you, and how do you think your Heavenly Father sees you?

Grow | Faith and Justice

faithtroy — Sat, 13 Jun 2020 00:00:53 +0000

1. Think about a time you were treated unfairly, either in a large or small way. How did you respond? What happened?

2. Have you ever seen someone who was suffering extraordinarily but demonstrated extraordinary confidence in God? If so, how did it change the way you think about suffering and faith?

3. Read Luke 18: 7–8. Is it difficult for you to believe that God will one day bring about justice in the world? Why or why not?

4. How have the killings of George Floyd. Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor impacted you? Not the riots. Not the protests. The three killings. Why do you feel that way?

5. Read John 13:33–35. Read Galatians 6:2. What are some tangible ways you can carry the burden of someone who doesn’t look like you?

Grow | The Power of Relationships

faithtroy — Sun, 24 May 2020 20:52:51 +0000

Grow | Trusting God

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 23:11:13 +0000

1. When you hear the word faith, do think ‘belief’ to do you think ‘trust’?

2. What do you think is more important in a relationship, trust or obedience? What is the connection between the two?

3. How does your trust in someone effect your confidence in that person when they don’t act the way you expect?

4. Has there been a point in time when your confidence in God, your faith, hit a low point? What helped you to regain your faith since that time?

*Please note that we are following Stay-at-Home and social distancing orders and will continue to do so. This service is pre-recorded with a minimal team of only staff, maintaining a minimum of 6ft of distance between everybody involved.

Set Free From Worry

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 03:16:24 +0000

Read Matthew 6:25-34

1. Do you normally consider yourself a person who worries? What do you often worry about?

2. In the message Joe said that the issue of worry ultimately comes down to trust. Can we trust our Heavenly Father or not. Do you agree with this?

3. What do you struggle with the most to trust your Heavenly Father with?

In the message Joe said there were three things that have helped him in his struggle with worry, they are:

1. Beginning each day by declaring your trust in your Heavenly Father for today.
2. Learning how to see each worry as being a part of tomorrow.
3. When you begin to worry about tomorrow, look for a way to join your Heavenly Father in what He is doing today.

Are you willing to try to use these habits to replace worry in your life?

Set Free From Fear

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 03:14:08 +0000

Read:
Matthew 8:23-27, 10:28-31, 14:22-27

The word fear has such a negative connotation in our world that for many people the idea of fearing God may be difficult to properly understand. What may make the situation even worse, is that some of us may have even been part of a church in our past which depicted God, as a God of anger and wrath.

While it is true that God does get angry, that is not His primary character trait. For some of us, one of the most difficult parts of our spiritual growth will be to learn that God is a God of love, not anger. Because God is a God of love and not anger, it is safe for us to trust Him.

When we live our lives in constant fear that God is going to harm us, or that He is just waiting to ‘get us’ when we do something wrong, it makes it impossible for us to truly trust Him. This is not what God wants for any of us. Jesus tells us this Himself in John 3:17 when He said, ‘God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.’

1. Can you think of a time when you were paralyzed with fear? What was the situation?

2. In the message Joe said that ‘Fear is no the obstacle of faith, it is the opportunity for faith.’ Why does fear create an opportunity for faith?

3. Is there something that you are fearing right now?

4. One of the most important things for us to realize in these sections of Scripture is that Jesus never tells us that what we face in life isn’t scary. That is not the lesson that Jesus is teaching us. Instead, He’s teaching us to be dependent on Him when we face feel fear and not try to rely on ourselves. Why do you think Jesus wants us to be dependent on Him during our times of fear?

Easter

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 03:05:24 +0000

*Please note that we are following Stay-at-Home and social distancing orders and will continue to do so. The worship sets from this service were recorded prior to the implementation of the Stay-at-Home orders put out by our local government.

This week we’re finishing our Holy Week experience with an Easter message.

Big Idea: Why are we here today? On that very first Easter, what happened?

Discussion Questions:

Growing up, what was Easter like for you? What are your favorite memories?

Read John 19:16–42, where the apostle John recounts the crucifixion of Jesus:

What are some details about this story that would lead a reader to believe this actually happened?

What stands out to you about this passage?

What emotions must the disciples have been feeling?

Read John 20:1–10 & 11-18, where the apostle John recounts the resurrection of Jesus:

What are some details about this story that would lead a reader to believe this actually happened?

What details in the story stand out to you?
Why do those details matter to you?

Signs + Wonders | John 9

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 02:51:03 +0000

This week we’re resuming our Signs + Wonders sermon series with a message on John 9

Discussion Questions:
Why do you think that people often want proof before believing in God?
Were you taught to believe that there is always a direct connection between suffering and sin?
Do you think Jesus broke the Sabbath by healing this man? How does that impact your understanding of who Jesus is?

Read John 9:35-41 with your group.
In verse 35, Jesus goes looking for the man who was blind once he and his family were put out of the Synagogue. The man not only received Grace from Jesus, but Jesus wanted the man to see Him, personally. How does that impact your understanding of who Jesus is?

Have you ever gone through a difficult season of life that was no fault of your own?
How did that impact your faith?

Signs + Wonders | Faith Troy at Home Week 1

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 02:48:42 +0000

Signs + Wonders | Walking By Faith

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 02:45:17 +0000

Signs + Wonders | Faith, Hope, and Belief

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 02:43:11 +0000

Forgiven | Week 2

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 02:33:12 +0000

New Year New You | Signficant

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 02:12:05 +0000

New Year New You | Better Than Just Me

faithtroy — Fri, 15 May 2020 00:01:51 +0000