Simple Church

Sunday, June 16, 2019

Walking in step with the Holy Spirit leads not only toward the things of God, it gives us the courage to face adversity with confidence we are not leading ourselves. Whether leading our family or stepping up to do something God calls us to do outside our comfort zone, regardless of the outcome, our lives are in the best place they can be if we are surrendered to Him.

Leading by example is what we do, even if we do not recognize it. Someone is watching, even emulating, our actions; we are called to live lives of integrity when we claim to follow Jesus. We should not be one way publicly and another way behind closed doors. Christ calls us to fully depend on Him and lead the lives He calls His people to live. 

 

2 Samuel 23:20-21; Ephesians 6:1-6, 10-18

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, June 12, 2019 -Forever Changed

Sharing the gospel in itself can feel intimidating and make us feel ill-equipped. When it comes to actually stepping out and actually talking with someone about Christ, the incredible thing is we are not alone in it. We do not have to be a Religion major to share the gospel or how God has transformed our own lives. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from death is alive and well in every believer and speaks through those who depend on Him. 

In our message, the whole scenario is laid out before us in the pages of scripture. Jesus is intentionally laying down His life to redeem the world and give life with fellowship to God that never ends. Intimidation, culture differences, even language barriers can not stop the spread of the Good News. We are the vessels in which God has chosen to use. He sent Christ to rescue us; we now have a unique opportunity to go and serve others in His name. 

 

John 19

Rachel Wallace

Wednesday, June 5, 2019 -Forever Changed

Paul explains in our surrender to Christ, salvation is immediate but sanctification takes a lifetime. Although we are unworthy to be loved and rescued by Jesus, His worthiness takes the place of our sin and His grace covers our most grievous sin. Even when we walk in shame rather than the freedom salvation provides, nothing can overtake the truth of the faithfulness of God to redeem our hearts to Him. Instead of dwelling on mistakes and shortcomings of our past, move forward and live in the freedom His mercy has offered.

 

1 Corinthians 15:3-10

Jameson Thacker

Sunday, June 2, 2019 -Hebrews

Enoch walked with God. He walked so closely with Him, scripture tells us Enoch never experienced death. Being tuned in to God's voice is the only way to combat the distractions that get us away from His voice. Constant communication is key to staying connected and steadfast in your faith. It is impossible to walk with God without faith.

 

Hebrews 11:5-6; Genesis 5:21-24

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, May 29, 2019 -Forever Changed

Faith is not only wanting what your heart desires and believing it will happen, it is also knowing God has a purpose and His desire is for our good and His glory. Giving in to the realization that His will being lived out in our lives brings fruit to our lives and others see Christ in that makes following Him worth whatever comes our way. Oftentimes, we miss out on His true power because we begin to doubt. Faith is taking God at His word and believing what He says is true.

 

Luke 9:37-43

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, May 22, 2019 -Forever Changed

When we completely surrender our lives to Christ, He transforms our hearts and desires. Matthew records his own transformation and in it revels what he left behind in order to fully follow after Jesus. Simon was changed just as much but he came from a different place in life altogether. Simon was passionate about maintaining Jewish customs and not conforming to the Roman way, while Matthew had sold out to the Romans as a tax collector of his own people. When they chose to believe in Jesus and pursue Him with their lives, they left everything to become a disciple of Christ. 

Our lives look different in many ways today but the cost is still the same. To claim Jesus means dying to ourselves and living a life of surrender to Him regardless of the cost. When we follow Christ, we are not only united to Him. We are united to each other as the Body of Christ. To truly give ourselves to Jesus means to obey Him to the point of death and obeying all things He commands. 

 

Matthew 9:9, Matthew 10

Kenny Nix, Pastor

 

Matthew 

Sunday, May 19, 2019

"Run with endurance and keep your eyes fixed on the prize." Anyone who has read or listened to scripture more than a handful of times has likely heard this statement at least once. We also hear and read of the "great cloud of witnesses" we are surrounded by. Oftentimes the full picture is left incomplete and we assume or land on the wrong meaning  the writers are trying to encourage us with. Keeping our eyes on the prize is not about a reward we may imagine, such as a spotlight on how well we have done. The ultimate prize the writer speaks of is eternity with Jesus Christ once our faithful service to Him is complete on this earth. The same is true with the witnesses. The emphasis is often placed on the ones who have gone before us, instead of focusing on the One we race toward. We each have our own race laid out before us and our own lane to focus on. Jesus is the prize and it is for Him we run. 

Hebrews 12:1-2

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, May 15, 2019 -Forever Changed

Jesus saw Nathaniel under a fig tree before He ever officially met him. Jesus sees you and I whether or not we have surrendered our hearts to Him and He loves us. Once we have given control of our lives to Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to transform every part of who we are from the inside. The outward overflow of our hearts will be obedience and the use of gifts He has given each of us. 

The love of Christ changes everything. Where there was once a dead heart and a hopeless life, He restores and gives a new heart full of hope in Jesus. He uses a transformed life to show the world, only He can make all things new.

 

John 1:43-48; Romans 12:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:12

Dawn Hedgepeth

Sunday, May 12, 2019

From the beginning of time until today, we can see that distortion of God's word can lead to sin in the name of Jesus. Our hearts are naturally wicked and drawn to live out our own desires. If we do not fully die to ourselves, we cannot bear the image of God. Without the rescue of Christ, we will self destruct. When total surrender in our lives happens, we are free from the weight of what holds us down. We are free to walk in the light of Christ. We are able to love others with a love the world does not understand. We can love supernaturally because we have been supernaturally rescued from death.

 

1 John 3:11-19

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

We are led through a book by Brother Lawrence titled, "The Practice of the Presence of God", and highlight coinciding scripture references that point to three main takeaways. Holding fast to these intentional practices along with complete surrender to Christ will be a guiding force to Believers as we walk this life in preparation to meet Jesus.

-Continually talk to God.

-Do everything you do as if you are doing it for Him.

-Ask for forgiveness and help immediately and forget it. 

 

Luke 10:38-42; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Matthew 24:45-47; Colossians 3:23-24

Ken Nix