Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory - Week 10

We are going to be talking about living in a God Confidence. The world puts an emphasis on Self Confidence while the Bible downplays self confidence and puts and emphases on a God Confidence. I want to leave you with this verse found in 1 Corinthians 10:12 and I am quoting from The Message Bible. 1 Corinthians 10:12 (MSG) 12 Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory - Week 9

This Sunday we are continuing our study, “Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory”. The question I want you to think about this weekend is, "Are you doing your absolute best when it comes to your faith?" And if you are not, "Why Not?" The truth is, if I were to answer the above question, my answer at times would be (maybe more times than I would want to admit), "No, I am not doing my absolute best when it comes to my faith." Because of this, we are going to look at some principles in Scripture that will make it easier for you and me to make faith a priority in our life.

Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory - Week 8

I have a fun story for you... I decided I was going to make it my goal, without placing any pressure on myself, to try and connect with some families that i had regular contact with, and if the opportunity came up, invite that family to Brookfield. So, I was pleased when I had the opportunity to invite two families.

The Dad of one family mentioned that he knew exactly where the church was and would stop by sometime soon. He and his son were scheduled to play golf last Sunday, but he looked forward to checking us out as he wants “his son to experience church.” I was encouraged. For the second connection, I invited a Dad and his daughter.

The Dad was super nice and the daughter was very outgoing and I had a great time getting to know them. In the end, I stumbled out an invite, that was anything but smooth. The Dad was exceedingly kind as I stammered and stuttered my way through the invite and they both were more gracious to me. Wellllll, come Sunday, about 15 minutes before the service, I walked into the sanctuary and who was sitting in the pew but this new family.

I was pumped. It turns out, he checked out the church through the Website. In fact, when Pastor Rick asked him how he heard about the church, he did not mention my invite (it was that bad), but instead said he found the church online.

Listen, God really does not need us at all, but wants to use us, faults and all, for His Glory and our joy. I trust that everyone reading this knows they are part of a GREAT BIG mission. What I am not sure that everyone knows is how vital you are in that mission and how much God wants you to be a part of the mission of filling up Heaven and emptying out Hell. How fun, exciting, and surprising it can be to be a part of what God is doing! I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

Thanks for welcoming my new friends so well, and I look forward to introducing you to more as we stumble through this journey of faith together. See you Sunday as we continue our series “Equipped for Victory”.

Jon

Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory - Week 7

We are continuing our study in Ephesians 6, specifically looking at the Shield of Faith.  As we enter into Part 2 of this study, we will look at:

--What do we do when we cannot seem to secure even a mustard seed size of faith? 

--What is God’s reaction to this?

--How can we be overcomers of our emotions instead of slaves to our emotions?

Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory - Week 6

This Sunday we are continuing our series titled "Battle Strong, Equipped for Victory".  We will be looking into the Shield of Faith, Eph. 6.   This is my favorite message in this series, and it is going to be a great message to invite a friend to.  Take time right now to send a text to that neighbor, co-worker, classmate or friend that has been on your mind to invite to church, but you just have not gotten around to it yet.  Let's together invite others with urgency into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Battlestrong: Equipped for Victory - Week 5

We are looking at Ephesians 6, zeroing in on the “peace of the Gospel”.  Peace is one of those things in my life that at times seems to be so elusive.  And yet Jesus says in John 14:27

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you … Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

Paul Fox Sermon

Brent Lowe Sermon

Battlestrong:  Equipped for Victory - Week 4

Battlestrong:  Equipped for Victory - Week 3

Battlestrong:  Equipped for Victory - Week 2

My guess is that most have not thought about the enemy this week.   And though the enemy is defeated and no match for our King (not even in the same stratosphere, and that is putting it lightly), the Sacred Scriptures tell us that we are in a battle, a war, and the enemy is coming for you and me as Christ's children.  Are you ready?

Listen, this message has the potential to give you the tools necessary to overcome some habits that may have been plaguing your spiritual growth for years.

Battlestrong: Equipped For Victory - Week 1

Ephesians 5 and 6 is a pulling back of the curtain as to how you and I can live a successful Christian life. Ephesians 5:15 tells us to "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise."   So what we see here is that there is a right way and a wrong way to live this Christian life.  If we coast through the Christian life, if we approach the things of Christ casually, then we will become casualties of the battle going on around us.

John Trayer

This Sunday, John Trayer will be guest speaking.

Matt Johnson

This Sunday, we will be having a Guest Speaker. Matt Johnson is with the ABWE Live Global Team. We partnered with them as we ministered together last week in the Dominican Republic. The Live Global ministry arm of ABWE focuses on partnership with national missionaries working predominantly in countries that are inaccessible to ABWE missionaries.

Psalm 23

Psalm 23 is all about how you and I can interact with a most powerful God in ways that should cause us to pause and praise God.

The Call of God in my Life

The call of God in my life--is it mystical, scary, or normal Christian living.  Join us this Sunday as we discover three keys in understanding God's call in our lives from the sending of the first missionaries in Acts 13:1-5.

Habits of a Healthy Heart - Week 10

We have made it to our final sermon in our Habits of a Healthy Heart series and I have saved my favorite message for last. We are going to be looking at two lists given to us in Ephesians 5:1-21 to help us accurately diagnose our heart.

Habits Of A Healthy Heart - Week 9

This Sunday we are going to be looking at Hebrews 12:2 and Ephesians 5:22-33.  Hebrews 12:2 states “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  This Sunday we are going to plant our eyes firmly on Christ and see what he has to say about marriage and God’s plan for each one of us.   No matter where you are in life (single, married, divorced, or widowed), the Word of God has something for you this Sunday.

Habits Of A Healthy Heart - Week 8

We are continuing our Habits of a Healthy Heart Series and looking at what the Bible has to say about being Thankful.   Thankfulness is at the root or core of God’s plan for our lives and critical to maintaining a healthy heart.  We will be looking at Romans 8 and outlining 5 thoughts from the text on Gratitude and then sharing 4 ideas on how we can “Change our Mind” when we drift away from thankfulness.

Habits Of A Healthy Heart - Week 7

Today is the Day, God is on the move! Today is the day that God wants to use you for eternity.  Maybe it is an encouraging word given, a prayer prayed, a verse sent, a kind act done, a smile given, forgiveness expressed towards an offense or something else.  Today God desires you and me to join Him where he is at work, and if we make that choice, hold on, things are going to get interesting.    This Sunday we are going to be looking at Acts 16 which outlines three very different lives all impacted by the church that determined “Today Is The Day.” I know it is going to be a busy Holiday weekend, if possible, make time for your church family, as God is on the move right here in our own backyards,  homes, and places of work.  We are his hands and feet, working together, to live a story worth telling.

The Lord Will Provide

Just as God provided a sacrifice in the place of Isaac, He has provided us with His only Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our sin. Not only will we see that He has provided us with salvation through His Son, but He also provides all of our needs.

Habits of a Healthy Heart - Week 6

This Sunday we are continuing our Habits of a Healthy Heart series, and we will be looking at obedience. John 10:10 tells us “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  It is God’s plan for you and for me to live a most joy-filled, and abundant life. God knows for that to happen we must be walking with Him in obedience. I look forward to seeing you this Sunday, it is going to be a special one.

(Due to an unforeseen complication, this live stream was cut short)

In this message we will take a deep dive into Ephesians 2:11-22 and we will be looking at these four questions: 1) What is the purpose of the church? 2) Why must I be a part of the church? 3) How involved should I be in the church? 4) What is the church (according to Ephesians 2) asking from me today?

Habits of a Healthy Heart - Week 4

This Sunday we'll be looking at two passages, both dealing with the love and grace of God.

First, we will be looking at the Prodigal Son and God's enormous love toward His children; we are all unlovable. Then we will transition to looking at Romans 8:31-39 and work through how we can personalize the love of God into our everyday lives.

Habits of a Healthy Heart - Week 3

We are going to be opening up Ephesians 2:1-10 and planting a stake in the ground as a church family. I look forward to walking through this text with you and am excited to see how the Lord uses it in your life.

Habits of a Healthy Heart - Week 2

We’re looking at some powerful truths from Ephesians 1:18-23 on hope, power, and the authority of Jesus.

Habits of a Healthy Heart - Week 1

This Sunday we will be starting a new series entitled “Habits of a Healthy Heart”. We will be zeroing in on Ephesians Chapter 1 verses 1-14 and looking at several strands of truth that, when woven together in our life, will make an unbreakable rope that we can depend on no matter what.

Easter Sunday Service

HE HAS RISEN!

Heart of God Week 6 -- God's Heart Is Faithful

Our series, the “Heart of God” is ending this week, and we are looking at FAITHFULNESS.

It is not that we (you and I) do not desire to be faithful but that we are not great at it. We are not great at it because it is hard, it costs, and at times it can be tough.

That is why we are going to look at what the Bible says are the ingredients to help us be a more faithful people.

Heart of God Week 5 -- God's Heart Is Just

The Heart of God is gracious, merciful, loving and just.

In the trials and joys of life, don’t trust your heart—trust the Heart of God.

In the leadup to Easter Sunday, join us this Sunday as we continue the 6-week series on the Heart of God.

Heart of God Week 4 -- God's Heart Is Loving

Ephesians 3:18–19

18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Heart of God Week 3 -- God is Gracious

We are not just going to define grace, we are going to let God's grace echo off of our lives into the lives and world around us.

Heart of God Week 2 -- God is Merciful

We are going to be amazed by the Glory of God. Francis Chan stated, in the third small group lesson, we have to be careful about how we approach the Glory of God.

He gave the example that many of us have looked through a microscope at a living cell as it was there swimming around. We could see the nucleus and all the awesome parts of this living thing. Now imagine that single cell looking up through the microscope, and as it is looking up through the microscope, it sees this gigantic eyeball looking at it. What would it think? What are some of the conclusions it would draw?

Now, I know, we have God’s sacred Scripture that reveals so much about who He is and His nature and His promises, but we must never forget how HOLY He truly is and how holy we are not.

The Heart of God Week 1--God's Heart is Holy

e are starting our Small Group Emphasis this Sunday. We will be looking at Exodus chapter 32 and 33 and we are going to see how truly GREAT our God is! Let us come this Sunday ready to be amazed by Him!

Jonah--The Relentless Pursuit of God Week 4

God's patience towards us -- For our final message in the book of Jonah, we are going to continue to see the relentless pursuit of God in our lives. Every time I think that there is nothing Jonah can do to shock me, he does. We are also going to see the problem that is at the root of all of Jonah's problems in this chapter. If you and I can get this one thing straight in our life. Watch out, we are going to be in for an exciting ride

Jonah--The Relentless Pursuit of God Week 3

This Sunday we are going to look at Jonah Chapter 3.

Jonah Chapter 3 answers these questions:

“How do I fire up my relationship with God?" and

"How do I take the things that over time became cold, dry, stiff, and distant and get them roaring again?”

Jonah--The Relentless Pursuit of God Week 2

We continue to look at the book of Jonah and see the Lord’s relentless pursuit of His children. Jonah chapter 2 is where we see the Gospel drop from Jonah’s head down to his heart and it is a spectacular chapter.

Jonah--The Relentless Pursuit of God Week 1

We are starting our new series on the book of Jonah entitled “The Relentless Pursuit Of God”. We will be looking at the first chapter of Jonah and we are going to see Jonah attempting to run from the “presence of the Lord”. There is so much in these 17 verses that if we commit to allowing God to speak through this text, we are going to see a supernatural God do supernatural things in our lives.

After God's Heart -- Week 11

As we finish our series on 1 & 2 Samuel, what becomes clear is that David is more ordinary than we may have originally thought. We see in these final chapters that David's life is not alien to ours but instead is all too familiar. This Sunday's message is going to be challenging and HOPE filled. It is a reminder that God is with us even when we mess up and He can use our tragedies for His glory.

After God's Heart -- Week 10

We are continuing our study in 2 Samuel and have made it to chapter 12. Chapter 12 has several themes running through it but one that I want to touch on here is the relentless pursuit of Christ towards his children. This is one of the great doctrines of the Bible and one that is very clear in this text.

December 31st Live Stream

December 24th Live Stream

After God's Heart -- Week 9

After God's Heart -- Week 6

After God's Heart -- Week 5

We are going to be looking at the Doctrine of Friendship.

One of my favorite texts in the story of David and Jonathan is 1 Samuel 23:16 where it states “Jonathan …rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his (David’s) hand in God.” Those familiar with this story know David was hurting, weary, discouraged, questioning God, and just plain tired.

I believe that without Jonathan we would not have the David that we see in 2 Samuel who is a “Man after God’s own Heart”. In fact, I believe that without Jonathan showing up in 1 Samuel 23, we might not have a David at all. I am not taking anything away from the sovereignty of God, just putting a rightful emphasis on how God uses friendship in His sovereignty.

I do not think it is a stretch to make the statement that Friendship is the Doctrine that many of our other doctrines rest on and are strengthened by.

After God's Heart -- Week 4

We have made it to 1 Samuel 17 and are going to look at possibly the best-known story in all of the Bible. I am exceedingly confident that I could turn on Sports Center and someone will make a reference to a David and Goliath type of situation or someone at your work, this week, just might say they are in a David and Goliath battle.

This story transcends age gaps, background differences, personality types, and seems to impact all who hear it.

This true to life historical event is littered with gritty details; all of which are included in the narrative for our benefit and education. In addition to all the detail, this story has at least three facets to it, or three levels to it; all of which are of critical importance to our walk with Christ.

After God's Heart -- Week 3

It took three sermons to get there, but we are going to be introduced to David in 1 Samuel 16, in our study of David, as we go through 1st and 2nd Samuel.

What we are going to see in these verses and over the next few chapters is the enormous amount of training, preparation, teaching, and character building that God was giving to David as he was watching sheep day in and day out, year after year after year.

God, many times, does His greatest work in our lives in the day to day or the monotony of life and we may not even know it.

The other part of chapter 16 that we are going to look at together made me laugh because as I was reading it, it reminded me of the age old story of Cinderella.

As Samuel was working his way through each of Jesse’s sons seeing very clearly that “the shoe was not going to fit” and Samuel’s question to Jesse “Is this all of your sons!?!” and Jesse having to respond "no, there is one son out in the field but he is so ordinary, he could not be the man God is looking for." And Samuel told everyone that they would not sit down until David was brought to him…. It is a really great story and truthfully, so much more entertaining or awe inspiring than anything Disney, Hollywood, or anyone else could produce.

After God's Heart -- Week 2

This Sunday, we are going to finish up our study of the life of Saul. In 1st and 2nd Samuel, we see the principle “Godly character grows in the soil of everyday obedience.” In fact, I cannot think of a place in the Bible that this principle is made clearer than here. We see the negative of this play out in the life of Saul and then we see the positive of this principle play out in the life of David.

After God's Heart -- Week 1

We will be taking a look at the life of Saul, a man who started so well but finished so poorly. He tripped and stumbled all along the way, leading to the loss of his testimony, loss of his character, loss of his influence, and ultimately to the loss of his life.

Philippians 3 -- JOYFUL Part 11

The definition of contentment as given to us by God is satisfaction in Christ alone no matter our circumstances. When we rejoice regardless of our circumstances, we give glory to God.

Philippians 3 -- Pressing On Part 3

Do not forget that all Christians are written in the Book of Life! Do not let disagreements that are not based on a "heaven or hell" issue separate you from fellow followers of Christ! We are all linked in our belief that Jesus died and rose again for our transgressions. Stay connected to your brothers and sisters in Christ!

Philippians 3 -- Pressing On Part 2

It doesn't stop with us being saved! Paul insists we find joy and firy desire in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Peter had no clue what would happen during that storm when he stepped out of the boat towards Jesus, but that didn't stop him from acting in faith. And when he started to lose faith, Jesus did not abandon him but held instead He grabbed Paul and encouraged him. How will you step out in faith to proclaim the Gospel today?