The enemy is out to kill, steal and destroy. And one of the best ways he can do that in our lives is to get in the way of our relationships. Whether that is at home, at work, at church or in our neighborhoods and communities. If we are against each other, we aren't loving each other.

Paul talks specifically about things that we need to choose to do and not to do when it comes to love. Today we continue at looking at how to protect and build our relationships through loving like Jesus loves!

As we continue to look at what love does not do, we realize what love does. It's in the not doing that the clarity for what must be done appears. If I'm not rude, then what am I? And is not being rude simply refraining from doing certain things, or is it about embracing a way of love that is contrary to being rude?

Paul tells us a lot about what love is, but he also tells us a lot about what love is not and what love does not do. It is equally important to know what we need to stop doing while learning how we should act. Just like Jesus said we must first deny ourselves to follow him, sometimes we need to learn what we are doing that isn't working to stop it, so that we can move forward with what we should be doing!

Love is patient... It's the first thing Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:4 about what love is. What does it mean to be patient? And what does that have to do with love, anyway?

In this new series: What's Love Got To Do With It? We are going to be looking at what Paul writes in 1 Corinthians about love. How does love act? Well, love doesn't act any certain way, love is what we do when we act a certain way! And if we aren't following the way of love, we aren't truly loving! We are meant to love like Jesus loves, love out of a place of having received God's love for ourselves!

Resurrection Sunday Service - Easter 2022

The Journey to the Cross in Holy week was the moment the true question got asked of all those who followed Jesus. Can you see him as the Messiah? Is he the Messiah we have been waiting for? The problem is, sometimes what we are looking for is based on what we expect, and not on who He is!

Our foundational beliefs and core values would be incomplete if they did not include the great commission - to go out into the world and proclaim the gospel. The Gospel is the Good News of Jesus Christ. And we are meant to be equipped and encouraged to engage with the community within the church and outside of the church! Each person is valuable and essential to the community!

When we realize that God loves us, and that He wants to have a real relationship with us, we recognize that where He is leading us is to a place of true and lasting freedom. Jesus said His purpose was to give life and life abundantly. Psalm 23 says that He leads us to a place of calm and rest to restore our souls!

God is Real. He WANTS to be found by us. He's not playing hide and seek and hiding so well we can't find Him. He's a good Father, waiting for his kids to connect with us! Part of that is learning to hear His voice when he speaks to us.

God is speaking, but we have to want to be listening. And the enemy of our lives will do whatever he can to make us thing God isn't speaking, doesn't want to speak to us, or we're not even allowed to be close to God. Nothing could be further from the truth!

In the start of this new series we are going to be taking 4 weeks to look at what our core beliefs and values are as a church that position us to live the transformed life. Our actions are produced by the beliefs we hold. Jesus said that a good tree produces good fruit, and a bad tree produces bad fruit - we want to be those who produce good fruit out of the good tree of our lives because we are rooted and grounded in the good things of God!

Paul wraps up his conversation about the armor of God with an encouragement...pray in the Spirt...at all times...in all occasions! Let's look at what he means, as we wrap up this series and what it means to Be Prepared!

Today we look at Ephesians 6:16-17 where Paul tells us that we need a shield and a sword… is it time to fight?

Today we are looking at Ephesians 6:15!

What does it mean to put the shoes on our feet that are the preparation of the gospel of peace? Is it evangelism? Is it telling others the Good News? Is it the Good News at work in us?

Today we cover two pieces of armor. Not in order as they are described by Paul in Ephesians 6, but, as they are described by the prophet Isaiah hundreds of years earlier. The breastplate of Righteousness and the Helmet of Salvation. Both something we can't do on our own - be righteous, or save ourselves. Jesus has done a great work for us!

As we start to look at the different pieces of armor that Paul describes in Ephesians 6, we are going to see that not only is there a physical item describe, but they lead to very spiritual and fundamental truths we are meant to hold and live out as Christians! Our walk with God is one of growth and continued revelation in the truth of who He is and what He has said and is saying!

Today we continue our journey through Ephesians 6 talking about the armor of God! We are looking at who we are in this conflict with. Paul says we aren't fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, so who are we fighting against? What is this battle all about?

In this new series we are taking a practical look at steps we can take to ensure we stay on track this year! The bible says that we are not in a fight against the physical things of this world, but that there is more going on that we can see. And God has not left us alone in that, he has given us armor to protect us!

After asking Are we all in? We need to ask are we in this together? Because we're not alone, AND we are meant to be in community together! So, what can we focus on this year to see community become healthy and whole?