Simple Church

"To live is Christ, and to die is gain."  It's difficult to grasp hold of that truth; this idea that even in death, God is good.  Even when you're scared to death, God is good. 

We feel like we are sinking and drowning, and we wonder if Jesus knows.  When Jesus calmed the storm, the wind AND the waves stopped.  And at that moment, the disciples were terrified and afraid, but the we're afraid of the storm anymore. 

Fearless, Part 3

Luke 8:22-25

Kenny Nix, Pastor

There are many reasons we find ourselves on the struggle bus from the consequences of our own actions to the reality that God is testing our faith.

What would happen if we began to see our suffering as directly and divinely appointed or allowed by God in order to bring us closer to Him?

We want to believe that God is good, meaning that He will make us happy and healthy and give us what we want.

What if we began to see our suffering solely from an eternal perspective?

All Aboard the Struggle Bus

2 Corinthians 1:1-10

Connie Champion, Guest speaker

God never intended for us to have a spirit of fear.  So, when fear comes at us we have a choice: listen to our fearful self or listen to the Spirit. 

Trails will always come when people are trying to follow truth.  Paul wasn't willing to back down when he faced trials for the sake of the Gospel.  And when they nearly killed him, he went right back to the fight. 

Fearless, part 2

Acts 14:8-20

We assume when we give our life to Christ things will be easier.  In particularly, our struggle with sin.  Believe it or not, the internal struggle is worse as a Christian.  There is a crushing sensation when sin creeps in. 

But, here's the catch: don't quit.  

All Aboard the Struggle Bus

Romans 7:14-25

Many people would really like to be fearless.  Heroes of the Bible appeared to be fearless, and it was because of their closeness to God. Many people would like to be fearless, but how do we become that way? 

Sometimes it starts with telling God, "I don't know what to do; You decide and tell me."

Fearless

2 Samuel 23:20-23

People like worship, goosebumps, and feeling good. We especially like goosebumps and feel-goods in relationships.  But what happens when the goosebumps go away?  

The crowd followed Jesus because they wanted to seen the miracles He could do. But, you have to embrace everything about who He is and it has to become who you are!

Yours Truly

John 6:60-70

What plans do we make on a daily basis? Where to live?  How to make money?  When and how to retire?

Planning can be a good thing.  But the problem is making plans God is not involved with.  Your plans based only on yourself don't matter.  If your life is only here for a little white, what legacy will you leave?

Independence

James 4:13-17

Keith Wilson, Youth Pastor

We have all kinds of relationships: friends, family, work, spouse, children.  What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus? 

If we are in love with Jesus, shouldn't we be willing to do some really crazy stuff for Him?  Jesus took a moment with Peter to help him fully understand their relationship.  And it changed everything for him.  

Yours Truly

John 21:15-19

Kenny Nix, Pastor 

It pleased Jesus to do the will of the Father even to the point of death.  "Even if I have to endure suffering, God, you're will be done."  Do we pray like that? Or do we want God to make it easy for us?

It was God's good plan to crush Jesus so we could have salvation.  Over and over, Jesus begs us to come to Him. 

Now is the time. 

Isaiah 55

Jesus has spent all this time with his disciples, and now it's time for Him to go; go to the cross.   So, what's His final instruction?  What's the most important thing?  What is the final word from Jesus?

You are either about you, or you are about Jesus. 

Yours Truly

John 15:5-17