Simple Church

Sunday, November 18, 2018 -Overcoming Anger

In part two of our series "Overcoming Anger", Paul is reminding us not to seek revenge. Trying to even the score can get the best of a person and overtake us. We are called to conquer evil by doing good, pray for those who mean to harm us and offer grace as it has been offered to us.

When we behave differently than a person who is causing hurt, they see the difference. The ultimate goal is to point others to Christ. Changed behavior and a grace filled heart shows the light of Jesus.

 

Romans 12:14, 17-21

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Sunday, November 11, 2018 -Overcoming Anger

After we become followers of Christ, we put on our new nature. We lay aside our old, sin controlled hearts and begin to walk in the light of Jesus. Sin no longer controls us. Oftentimes, anger gets a hold on us and we feel justified in allowing that anger to burn inside us against another person. Scripture teaches us self-centered anger is sin. In times of anger that controls you, don't allow it to remain  inside your heart. Repent and give it to God. We must recognize who we are in comparison to Him and know He is the only One who can change our heart. 

 

Ephesians 4:26-27, Psalm 4:4

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, November 07, 2018 -Third and Long

In our new series "Third and Long", our focus will be on getting back up when life knocks us down. We begin with a look at Paul on his first missionary journey. The Holy Spirit led him to Listra and things happened in that town that were unexpected. From a human perspective, Paul's effort to preach the gospel seemed hopeless. 

In our lives, we often feel defeated in the fight. We do not always see God's hand at work and it can be tempting to give up. When we are in pursuit of Jesus and the Holy Spirit is leading us, we have to look beyond what we want and see what God has for us. God's plan may look completely different than what we have planned for our lives. 

Paul knew the gospel mattered more than what looked like defeat; we have to believe that too. We must push forward for Christ, regardless of the consequences we could face here in this temporary life. Eternal things of God are worth the cost every time.

 

Acts 14:8-20

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Sunday, October 28, 2018 -Judges

In our darkest night, our greatest hour of need and even when facing consequences of our own pride and disobedience, God sees us. When we do all the things we know to be against His purpose for our lives, He still loves us. When we face defeat and certain destruction, redemption is near if we choose to see it. Jesus is more powerful than our sin. He is able to cover us with His grace, use our failures to redeem us and bring glory to Himself.

 

Judges 16:1-22

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

There is only one way to God's kingdom. The broad road leads to our eventual demise, but is the one most traveled. The pathway to life with Christ is narrow and scripture tells us only a few ever find this path.

 

Matthew 7:13-14

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Sunday, October 21, 2018 -Judges

Samson was a Nazarite from birth and committed to the Lord by His parents. He had specific instructions on how to live and things to avoid during his lifetime in order to fulfill the calling placed on his life. Just like each of us, Samson turned to his own desires many times and extreme consequences followed. In his disobedience, the consequences that followed and those who were hurt because of those things, God was at work. 

In our lives when we give in to sin and live our own way, we face consequences as well. Every step we take, God is at work in our situations. In our desperation, the faithfulness of God is there; call out to Him. There is a purpose and plan for you. 

 

Judges 15:1-20

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Sunday, October 7, 2018 -Judges

When the angel of the Lord appeared to Samson's mother, he told her he would be set apart. With specific instructions given, a plan for the life of Samson was laid out. God would use him for His purpose and he would begin the process of deliverance for His people. 

From the very beginning of the life of Christ, He was set up to be a sacrifice. His entire life pointed to the cross. If our lives are going to be characterized by anything, it should be sacrifice. The sacrifice God made when He offered His son to pay our debt redeems all of us. Christ knows each one of us intimately and cares about all we are going through. Even when we convice ourselves otherwise, Jesus sees our hearts and cares for each of us.

 

Judges 13:1-25

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, October 03, 2018 -Close Encounters

As the passage opens, the psalmist openly calls out to God because his soul is longing for Him. He is thirsty for God's presence in the midst of questions and trouble in his life. Even in times of the psalmist's heartache, he knows true deliverance is not complete without God's hand guiding him. 

In our own lives when everything looks out of control, we have to speak the truth of God's word into our minds. He is with us and has already won the victory. Speaking the living word of God to yourself again and again will begin to heal your hurt and shift your focus from wanting deliverance to longing for the Deliverer. Christ is enough to satisfy every need for every person. We only have to want Him more than any other thing. 

 

Psalm 42:1-11

Jameson Thacker

Sunday, September 30, 2018 -Judges

When the people of Ephraim confronted Jephthah, it led to a battle. The people of Ephraim were defeated and when any of them tried to cross back over the Jordan River at the crossings, they were required to say the password. If they did not pronounce it correctly, they were killed. 

In our lives, we are not required to pronounce a password correctly to follow Christ. We are, however, required to place our full faith and trust in Him. So many people only go through the motions and leave out the one thing that matters most, their heart. What is your faith like? Real faith in Christ means following after Him and letting Him lead you. Jesus is the Promised Land. Jesus is the answer. 

 

Judges 12:1-7

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Wednesday, September 26, 2018 -Close Encounters

On the day Jesus was crucified, there were two criminals on either side of Him. Hanging there on their own crosses, they each had an encounter with Christ. Both men were guilty of their crimes and were deserving of the punishment that was being delievered to them. One was unrepentant and wanted Jesus  only to gain something for himself- deliverance from his punishment. The other criminal recognized he was a sinner and needed deliverance of a different kind. He repented and asked Jesus to remember him in His kingdom. 

We are one of two kinds of sinners, repentant or unrepentant. When we encounter the power of the Holy Spirit's call for us to surrender our lives and pursue Christ, we have a choice to make. If we openly follow Jesus, we should want to bring others to the kingdom with us. Knowing and walking in the truth of scripture allows us the privilege of living out the gospel with people in our lives.

 

Like 23:32-56

Rachel Wallace