Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 3

Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 3

January 27, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | Hebrews 4:14-16

This week we continue with part 3 of our sermon series “Running on Empty.” Each one of us can point to so many things in our lives that all contribute to draining our spiritual gas tanks. As we have already seen, we need to be intentional about checking our gas gauge and keeping our tank full.

In order to do this, along with spending time in God’s word regularly, one of the most important spiritual disciplines for us to have is a strong commitment to prayer.  Unfortunately, when things get busy, life gets crazy, and our stress levels rise, prayer can be one of the first things to be neglected. Why is it that when prayer is needed the most, it can be the hardest thing to do? If we are going to keep the tank full and continue walking in the Spirit rather than in the flesh, being connected to God through prayer is absolutely essential! 

Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 2

Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 2

January 20, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | 1 Timothy 3:16-17

This week we continue with our new sermon series “Running on Empty.” As we saw last week, we often forget to even check our spiritual gas gauge, and when we do check it, we may not even know how to read it. If we aren’t intentional about filling our tank, it won’t be long before we run dry, and we find ourselves trying to live out our faith in our own power.  

Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 1

Running on Empty: Spiritual Disciplines - Wk 1

January 6, 2019 | Kyle Brenon | 1 Timothy 4:1-10

Have you ever been driving down the road and run out of gas? It usually happens at night, on a dark deserted road when you’re all alone! We never expect to run out of gas, it always sneaks up on us. This is because when we know we are running low on fuel we don’t have to be convinced of the importance of filling our tank. Our focus turns to getting ourselves to the nearest gas station as quickly as possible, even if we have to double back. Why do we often forget to fill our spiritual gas tank? Why do we often find ourselves on empty?

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Praise

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Praise

December 30, 2018 | Jake Mitchell | Psalm 150:1-2

As we come to the close of the year, many of us take time to reflect on our past year and resolve for the upcoming year. Oftentimes, in our reflecting and resolving, we focus on different practices that need to be changed or continued as we move into the new year. While this is important, God is calling us deeper. During this time of ends and beginnings, let us shift our focus from examining practices to asking God to examine something much deeper–the posture of our heart. One prime thing that sheds light onto the posture of our heart is asking God to examine the state of our PRAISE.

1 Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! 2 Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Psalm 150:1-2

Prepare Him Room: Wk 3

Prepare Him Room: Wk 3

December 23, 2018 | Kyle Brenon | Colossians 1:15-20

This Sunday we wrap up our three-week Christmas series “Prepare Him Room” and our prayer has been that we have all been able to do just that. As we have quickly been approaching Christmas with all the busyness, planning and perhaps a little distraction, hopefully we have also found some time to slow down and contemplate the magnitude of what it all means. When we really stop and think about the birth of Christ, The God of all creation stepping into humanity to walk among us, it is a truth that should do far more than give us “warm fuzzies.” This is a truth that should rock our foundation and not just inform the way we see Christmas, but the way we see EVERYTHING, every single day!

Prepare Him Room: Wk 2

Prepare Him Room: Wk 2

December 16, 2018 | Kyle Brenon | Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:18

This Sunday we continue in our three-week Christmas series, “Prepare Him Room.” As the Christmas season speeds up, and the big day approaches, it seems each day is getting shorter and shorter. As we try all the harder to slow ourselves down and make room to celebrate Christ, the more the activities and responsibilities seem to pile up. The truth is though, it's not the activities, or the parties or the crazy expectations that are to blame. It’s this strange need we feel to do something other than simply celebrate the coming of the promised Messiah. As if it needed to be dressed up and made to be “More Magical.”

Prepare Him Room: Wk 1

Prepare Him Room: Wk 1

December 9, 2018 | Kyle Brenon | Isaiah 7:14

Christmas is coming! 

There is no slowing it down as it will be here in no time. For many of us, this time of year is exciting! The lights, the decorations, the chill in the air, even the music (Yes… I am one of those people who breaks out the Christmas music in November… #noshame). For some of us, this time of year can be quite difficult. It could be the stress of the season, the fear of unmet expectations, or the memories of loved ones who won’t be here to share it with us this time around. No matter who we are though, the Christmas season is a little different than any other season.

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Ready for Battle: Wk 6

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Ready for Battle: Wk 6

December 2, 2018 | Dave Keener | Ephesians 6:13-18

We continue with week 6 of our sermon series “Ready for Battle” as we look deeper into the call Paul gives us to take up the armor of God. Now that we have carefully looked at each of the tools God has given us and by God’s grace “taken them up,” what is it that God would have us do? What are our orders as we stand firm against the schemes of the enemy? And whose battle is this anyway? 

Ready for Battle: Wk 5

Ready for Battle: Wk 5

November 25, 2018 | Kyle Brenon | Ephesians 6:13-18

This week we continue in our sermon series “Ready for Battle” as we look at Paul’s description of the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18. In verse 17 Paul tells us to “take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

In our reading of Ephesians 6, it doesn’t take long to notice that "The word of God” is the only offensive tool we have been given. As we stand our ground against the attacks of the enemy, having been equipped with all that is necessary to protect us, it is God’s Word that we have been given to counter the enemy’s advances. To take back ground that belongs to the Lord. And this is not a tool only to be used to advance God’s kingdom in the culture and world around us, but also to advance His kingdom in the heart within us. "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

Ready for Battle: Wk 4

Ready for Battle: Wk 4

November 18, 2018 | Kyle Brenon | Ephesians 6:16

This week we continue in our sermon series "Ready for Battle” as we look at what God’s word says about the tools necessary to stand firm against the attacks of our enemy. We focus on Ephesians 6:16 where Paul calls us to “In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which we can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;.” This brings to mind quite an image as Paul compares the attacks of our enemy to flaming darts designed to take us down. In our call to stand our ground we are given a powerful and essential tool. A shield that will not only stop, but also extinguish ALL of the arrows that come our way. Are we able to use this shield effectively… do we even pick it up?