Simple Church

The translation of the word "gospel" is good news. The purpose of the gospel message of Jesus Christ is for all the world to understand He is the way to redemption. Peter and John carried this message after the resurrection to places that were not welcoming to this new proclaimation. The two were jailed for continuing to spread the gospel and healing people in Jesus' name. In the process of being punished for continuing to share the good news, these men were given the opportunity to speak the truth of Jesus' message to many people in the jail and even the leaders of the Sanhedrin Court. 

The gospel opportunity was perfectly set up for Peter and John to share the truth. Thousands came to repentance and surrendered to Christ. The gospel changed the world and continues to bring redemption to people today. 

 

Acts 4:1-22

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Paul tells us in Romans, because of the power of the resurrection of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit, we are no longer captive to sin. We are not bound by our desires and we do not fight our battles alone. If we have surrendered to Jesus and have given ourselves to Him completely, we are controlled by the Spirit. We can walk with confidence in the freedom that Christ died to give.

 

Romans 8:1-39

Kenny Nix, Pastor

When we possess the true love of God inside, we can’t help but to love our neighbors. Our genuine transformation by the Holy Spirit coupled with the love we have for God will naturally overflow into our love for others. True love that Christ followers are called to emulate, will move us to love in action. Love is serving. Love is compassion. Love is motivation to meet a need. Love is hands on.

Just as we are called to love others, we can clearly see Gods love for us through Jesus. Wounds taken care of, bill paid in full and a rescue like no other through faith in Christ. When we have a new heart, we will live like a new person. Knowing we can do nothing in and of ourselves, we lean into Jesus for life. We are called to show love and mercy as it has been shown to us.

Luke 10:1-42

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Oftentimes, we walk in faith but do not see fruits of our labor. In our reliance on Christ we, like Habakkuk, trust and obey but only in blind faith. Habakkuk did not waver in his hope, faith or the joy they provided. He trusted in the faithfulness of God even when he did not see it come to pass in his lifetime. Habakkuk died while he waited on God. Paul tells us we have the same hope Habakkuk had. Our hope is not an emotion or a feeling. Jesus is our hope and His faithfulness is everlasting.

 

Habakkuk 3:1-19; John 1:14; Romans 8:1-39

Jameson Thacker, Youth Pastor

In our continued series "Habakkuk", we see waiting on God is more than simply being still until we hear from Him. Habakkuk teaches, by example, we are to be active in our waiting. Trusting God without a clear direction as soon as we would like, develops patience and a deeper reliance on Him. When we surrender to God's complete control by submitting to the authority of Christ, we are connected to the Holy Spirit. Only then can we walk in the freedom of Jesus and the confidence of the Holy Spirit who leads us. We will be ready to follow Christ anywhere He leads because we have trusted and followed in obedience. 

 

Habakkuk 2:1-20

Kenny Nix, Pastor

When we are real and honest with God, He begins to speak to us. Oftentimes, we have to be chipped away to see truth. Truth will always set us free, but to see truth revealed in our lives, it is sometimes painful. Everyone experiences struggle, questions, heartaches and suffering. It is when we realize and accept God is able to use even the most dire circumstances to carry out His purposes that we experience true peace.

Habakkuk and the psalmist witnessed the mercy and peace of God under circumstances that seemed impossible. God uses even the wicked at times to bring His plan to fruition, just as He did with the Babylonians. 

 

Habakkuk 1:1-17; Psalm 40:1-17

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As believers, we are called to love, forgive and pray for those who have done wrong. Loving and honoring our brothers and sisters in Christ and not only going through the motions shows your heart belongs to God. Doing good in the face of adversity and living at peace with everyone as much as you can is what Paul teaches for a Christ follower to do. 

 

Romans 12:9-21

Kenny Nix, Pastor

Without Christ, we feel captive by our sin. As we come to faith in Him, God allows you to see everything in a new light. The Holy Spirit renews us and urges us forward to share the light of Jesus with those who live in darkness. 

 

Luke 4:16-21; Psalm 107

Kenny Nix, Pastor

God teaches throughout His word to reach out and help those in need. He reminds us He is the One we receive all things from, in turn we are to take care of each other. We give so others will give thanks to God for meeting their needs and others will see believers being obedient to the gospel of Christ. 

Giving of ourselves and serving others is about God being glorified. Never in scripture does a servant of Christ receive and accept personal praise for an act of obedience or sacrifice in the name of Jesus. The praise for meeting the needs of others belongs only to God. We are called to be vessels that carry Living Water, giving God the glory for all He has done.

 

Proverbs 19:17; 2 Chorinthians 9:3-15

Kenny Nix, Pastor

As followers of Christ, we are called to share the gospel. We gather together so we can be fed and worship as a faith family. Making the buliding or a person an idol or the reason we gather is against the Good News of Christ. Leaders are called to be an example to those who are under their leadership in the church; likewise, every believer is called to lead those around them by example. Offering our lives to Christ as a living sacrifice by doing whatever the Holy Spirit leads us to do is the obedience we are called to.

 

Acts 20:16-38

Kenny Nix, Pastor