Against the Grain // Au Contraire Living a Life of Love In a Revenge Culture Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:9-21 (ESV) Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to…

RESTLESS Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV) “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” How Jesus Entered Rest Jesus left the crowds to get quiet Jesus read and thought …

Against the Grain // The Pathway to Internal Peace Matthew 5:38-48 (NIV) “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If an…

Against the Grain // What is A Christian’s Role in Politics? Proverbs 14:34 (ESV) “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.” John 12:31-32 (ESV) “Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Revelation 1:5a,6 (N…

Against The Grain // The King’s Heart Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and …

Against The Grain // The War of Worldviews 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV) “you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidde…

Parables // The Parable of the Elder Brother Luke 15:25-32 (NIV) ““Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and s…

Parables // Lost & Found Lost & Found Luke 15 The Lost Sheep The Lost Coin The Lost Son Two Kingdom attitudes to embrace. 1. Compassion 2. "For the Son of Man [Jesus] has come to save that which was lost." LUKE 19:10 (NKJV) Celebration "The Lost Sons” God seeks sinners and wants them to come to Him. God and all of heaven rejoice when a sinner turns…

Parables // Jesus Wants To Do A New Thing In Your Life Luke 5:27-39 (NIV) “Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. ‘Follow me,’ Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were …

Parables // Have You Found What You Are Looking For? Matthew 13:44-46 (NIV) “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he…

Be Radical Like Jesus 1 JOHN 2:6 “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” MATTHEW 9:36-38 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore,…

Parables // Prayer // The Key to Living an Overcoming Life Luke 18:1-8 (NLT) “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. ‘There was a judge in a certain city,’ he said, ‘who neither feared God nor cared about people.’ A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this …

Parables // Object on Road Ahead, Do Not Avoid Luke 10:25-29 (NLT) “One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, ‘What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?’ The man answered, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, a…

Parables // The Parable of the Soil Matthew 13:1-13 (NLT) “Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake. A large crowd soon gathered around him, so he got into a boat. Then he sat there and taught as the people stood on the shore. He told many stories in the form of parables, such as this one: “Listen! A farmer went out to plant…

The Good Life // By The Grace of God Philippians 4:23 (NIV) “ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NIV) “by the grace of God I am what I am…” Quote from Timothy Keller “The Bible’s purpose is not so much to show you how to live a good life. The Bible’s purpose is to show you how God’s grace breaks into…

The Good Life // The Rare Jewel of Contentment Philippians 4:10-15 (NIV) “I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in n…

A Recipe for Practicing a Good Life Philippians 4-9 (NLT) “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experien…

Living For Something Greater Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV) “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” John 18:35-36 (ESV) “’Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered y…

Which is Better, Life With or Without Jesus? Which is better, life with or without Jesus? “Drinking beer is easy. Trashing your hotel room is easy. But being a Christian, that's a tough call. That's real rebellion. Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll is easy. True Christianity … that’s rebellion.” - Alice Cooper Philippians 3:1-14 (ESV) “Finally, my broth…

The Good Life // Becoming Like Christ Philippians 2:5-7 (ESV) “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:12-18 (ESV) “Therefore, …

How To Live The Good Life Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV) “So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count …

The Good Life // God’s Perspective is Everything Acts 16:20-23 (NIV) “These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice.” Philippians 1:12-30 (NIV) “Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a …

The Good Life – A Call to Cruciformity Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV) “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, …

Fresh Start // Living in Freedom Luke 4:18-19 (NIV) “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” John 8:32 (NIV) “you will know the truth, …

Fresh Start // By My Spirit Says The Lord Zachariah 4:6 (NIV) “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Acts 2:17 (NIV) “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men …

Fresh Start – Who is Leading You in Your Relationships? James 1:23-25 (NIV) “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and contin…

Fresh Start – Growing in Gratitude Towards Each Other Philippians 1:1-11 (NIV) “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers f…

Fresh Start – How Offense Makes Us Fools What is offense? Offense = An annoyance or resentment brought about by a perceived insult to or disregard for oneself or one's standards or principles. Hebrew: peša = Transgression or sin “You know you are a true servant when it doesn’t upset you to be treated like one.” - Unknown How Offense Makes Us Fools …

Dealing with the 500-Pound Gorilla in the Room - Conflict Romans 12:17-18 (NIV) “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” The effects of unresolved conflict in our relationships. 1. It can minimize our joy. 2. It can hinde…

Fresh Start – Freedom from Bitterness Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” I. Causes of Bitterness 1. Actions done or not done to you. Job 19:19 (NIV) “All my intima…

Good Friday 2024 Isaiah 53:4-6 (NKJV) Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We…

Easter Sunday 2024 Cross of Rebellion Luke 23:34 (NIV) “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:39 (NIV) “One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’” Cross of Repentance Luke 23:40-41 (NIV) “the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said,…

It’s Time to Dream Again Romans 8:11 (NLT) “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” Revelation 1:18 (NKJV) “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” John 10:10 (ESV) “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have l…

March 17, 2024 // Pastor Jason King Joy is Possible Revelation 1:18 (NKJV) “I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” Romans 14:17 (NLT) “For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”…

Nothing is Impossible // Hope is Possible Romans 8:11 (ESV) “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. “ Revelation 1:17b-18 (ESV) “…Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and …

Nothing is Impossible: Literally Romans 8:1-11 (ESV) “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh a…

Gospel Culture: Translating our Faith for all of Life The Foundational Question: What is the relationship of God’s Word – revelation to our real life in the world? What is religion? Religio & Religare – to tie/bind Colossians 1:15-23 “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For everything was created by Him, in heaven…

Building the Kingdom of God 2 Corinthians 4:18 (NIV) “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen” 2 Kings 6:17 (NIV) “Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Corinthians 5:7 (NKJV) “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” John 16:7 (ESV) “I te…

Building the Kingdom of God. What is God’s Kingdom? Matthew 3:2 (ESV) “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John 18:36 (ESV) “...My kingdom is not of this world...” Acts 1:3 (ESV) “...speaking about the kingdom of God.” Acts 1:6 (ESV) “...Lord will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:7-8 (ESV) "He said to them, “It is …

Helping People Become Wholehearted Followers of Christ Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV) “Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature…

Built For This – Freedom Ephesians 1:22-23 (NIV) “God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for [Faith] church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.” 1 Peter 2:9 (NIV) “[We] are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that [we] may dec…

Built For This – Built to Belong Romans 10:9 (ESV) “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Ephesians 2:19-22 (ESV) “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the …

Built For This – Four Pillars of Discipleship 1. Believe - Love of God Matthew 22:36-39 (ESV) “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love …

Jesus is The Lord and Head of The Church Ephesians 1:17-23 (NIV) “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[f] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his gl…

The Invitation Matthew 4:1-4 (ESV) “Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to hm ‘if you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.’ But he answered, It is written, ‘Man shall not live by …

An Unlikely King The King of Peace Isaiah 9:2, 6 (NIV) “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” ...“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlastin…

A Life Changing Sermon to an Unlikely Congregation Luke 2:8-18 (NIV) “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news th…

An Unlikely Choice – The Magi Mathew 2:1 (NIV) “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem" Daniel 2:48 (ESV) “the king gave Daniel high honors and many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.” Matthew …

The Church and Israel – End Times Prophecy Why do Christians disagree about the End Times? Has the church fulfilled or fulfilling the plan of God's salvation for the world that was a part of the Abrahamic covenant? Will the church fulfill God’s plan for the future? Has the church fulfilled God’s purpose for God’s people? Who are the people of God? …

Unlikely Choice – Mary Luke 1:26-38 (NIV) In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.The angel went to her and said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ Ma…