Celebrating Thanksgiving as a Christian

Justice, revenge, and enemies, oh my!

Let your yes be yes and your no be no, and don't presume to be in God's place.

Jesus applies his kingdom mindset to marriage and lust.

Are you guilty of hate? While they are NOT the same, they share the same heart condition.

Introduction to the six intensifications (antitheses).

Speaking to a mixed crowd, Jesus declares that his followers are salt and light, but what does that mean?

A move to a more populated region, calling some disciples and healing people of all nations begins the work of the Anointed One.

Jesus re-enters the scene as an adult, and it is not what John was expecting!

Meet the new Elijah!

Several different responses to the advent of Christ; how will you respond?

The divine origin of Jesus and the challenges his parents faced.

What's in a name? Why does Matthew include this list? What does he want us to know and how does it relate to the rest of his gospel?

A book of the beginning of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

An introduction to Matthew's gospel account.

A review of the entire Old Testament in 45 minutes or less?

An overview of our time spent in the Prophets & Exile.

Elisha & The Messiah

Prophets, miracles, and bears, oh my!

Who is Elisha, and why is he important?

Passing the mantle, killing kings, and miraculous whirlwinds!

Elijah travels to Sinai to meet with God.

Child dedication and Elijah part 2 of 4.

Join us for one last stop in the prophets as we discover Elijah's incredible story!

The story of Nehemiah is the story of Israel, and of all humanity.

Renewal. The goal of Nehemiah was to rebuild more than a wall, it was to rebuild the people of God.

The Building Begins

Message & Child Dedication

Trust God. Don't be foolish. Pray a lot.

A Time to Build

The power of confession and repentance.

Fortunes change and the plot takes a twist with an unusual parade in the city square. 

From banquet to bust or feast to fast - the "destiny" of the Jews changes with one event. 

A jewish orphan girl is selected by the king of Persia to become queen of the greatest empire of its time? 

Rebuilding, opposition, joy, and...fulfillment?

There is nothing quite like going home... but sometimes things are not how we remember them. 

One of these things is not like the others...

100 decisions a day, and all of them allow us to live out the calling we have in Jesus.

It is one thing to live for God when things are good... but what about when things get bad?

The relationship between two intertwined and contrasting aspects of Isaiah's message.

The relationship between two intertwined and contrasting aspects of Isaiah's message.

We have so much to be thankful for - we sometimes just need a reminder of the tune so we can sing the song of thankfulness.

The Christmas Story

Trees, stumps, roots, shoots, plants & gardens!

In our second message on the Messiah and the Christmas season we look at Isaiah 9  and the promise of one who will restore the Eden ideal. 

A well-known prophecy...but how well do you really know it?

The prophets provide a window into the divine and Isaiah provides a panorama into the heavenly in chapter 6.

Setting up the book of Isaiah

A new covenant, a new hope.

What was the role of the prophets, how do they fit into the big picture story of the Bible and what makes Jeremiah unique?

Jonah is not really a kid's story; it is a prophetic word that is amazingly written. Join us and examine the patterns, repetitions, and other literary devices the author uses to encourage the readers to go deeper. 

See how each chapter of Jonah correlates to Jesus & the New Testament.

Not only is Jonah a historical narrative, it is also an allegorical look at the nation Israel during Jonah's time.

In a society that wants justice, recompense and protection, where does mercy fit in?

It's not about the fish, it's about the prayer, but this beautifully poetic prayer is missing something...

It's not about the fish, it's about the prayer, but this beautifully poetic prayer is missing something...

Join us as we study this prophetic narrative about a poetic prophet.

Join us as we deconstruct some modern constructs so that we can reconstruct them Biblically. This week's topic is "preaching".

Join us as we deconstruct some modern constructs so that we can reconstruct them Biblically. This week's topic is "scripture".

Join us as we deconstruct some modern constructs so that we can reconstruct them Biblically. This week's topic is "church".

“What’s in it for me?” 

Should a human try to cheat God?

If you have ever wondered about the seeming injustices of life, you are not alone. However, God is still a just God and we should be careful not to impose our standard of justice upon him. 

The people of God are in a covenant relationship with God, and marriage is a symbol of that. It is also a covenant that God expects us to keep and honor.

The people fo God, and especially the leaders, are made to honor God. 

Why study the prophets? Who are they? Today we dive into Malachi.

One small act of faith for a man, one giant messianic image for mankind.

The rise and fall of kingdoms in God's epic storyline

Another dream...but this time the interpretation is terrifying and bizarre! Learn how it still applies to us today.

Living for what you believe in means taking a stand even if others expect you to bow.

What was it like for God's people living in Exile?

The unraveling of Israel...and God's compassion.

What does it really mean to fear the Lord?

The Wisdom Books

The Failure of Solomon

The temple's preperation, building process, dedication, and God's response.

A Real Wise Guy

Introduction to Solomon

Easter Sunday Celebration

Sharing our testimonies of God's grace in our lives

Blessing Others

Looking for the activity of God

How to make sure that we live for the right things - the things God created us for and re-created us for. 

King David's terrible decisions result in a tarnished reputation and familial dysfunction.

A covenant between God and David, connecting his story to that of the whole Bible.

Dancing, singing and death?

David's rise and Saul's demise...and for us, an attitude check.

A look at the well-known and powerful story of David vs. Goliath

An introduction to the up-and-coming replacement to Saul: the shepherd boy David.

Of all the miracles and wonders that God performed, the greatest one is the work he does in drawing us to Him and giving us a new life with a new purpose. 

A New Year often brings up a focus on the future, but to look forward with the right perspective we need to look back first. 

When Jesus began his ministry he proclaimed that the kingdom og God was near. What did that mean then and why does it matter today?

One of the names of the Messiah, the King of the Jews is Immaneul which means, "God with us". What does taht really mean and how does it change the history of the world?

God made predictions and promises for hundrends of years regarding a king that would restore His kingdom. All of them are fulfilled in the Messiah.

Saul was the first king of Israel... but he was certainly not the best. Check out the comparison of the first king and THE king of the Jews.

Sometimes we settle for so much less than God intended because we depend on the physical and not on faith. 

We love the mercy and grace of God, but they cannot exist apart from the justice and discipline of God. We must learn to value both, and properly fear and love God. 

Can you recognize God's voice when he speaks?

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Is that even the right question to ask?

To follow God means to tust him as the source of truth and not allow culture and comfort to influence our faith and service.  

The fact that a perfect God would choose to use imperfect and flawed people to accomplish his mission is proof that he is a God of grace. 

What is the cause of the decline of a nation? How do we prevent it? 

A review of the Bible's story through the book of Joshua, and an introduction to the book of Judges

How would you define prayer in your life? Is it your go-to for all matters or life, or the last resort when you have exhausted every thing else?

The way that we live and how we love are crucial for the Christian because our lives are meant to reflect the Spirit of God that dwells inside of us. 

There is a battle for the throne of your life, and the opposition is not from the outside.

What is baptism? Why and how do we baptize? Who should be baptized?

What do teachers and tongues have in common? Both can be good or bad depending on the heart.

Our lives are meant to display our faith, and even more, to display God to the world around us.

Favor, favorite, favoritism. They sounds similar but can be very different. What does it mean to show favoritism and how can it be a problem?

Temptations and testing should always lead to obedience to God and his Word. But what motivates us to persevere through the tests and resist the temptations?

We all face temptations. The point of our passage this morning is to help us understand more about temptation and how to overcome it.

Though we all desire to grow, we are not always thrilled at the process of growth, right? Understanding the outcome of trials and testing can help us appreciate and find joy in the process.

There is nothing wrong with being skeptical! However, when confronted with the truth of our sinfulness and Jesus sacrifice for us, our response should be one of wholehearted commitment.

God keeps His promises. God is faithful. His ways are not our ways and His timing is often not our timing, but his faithfulness endures forever.

We often think of legacy as that which others will remember about us, but there is something bigger that we should be focusing on.

The more we learn about God and his mission, the bigger God becomes and the greater our alegiance to Him should be.

Strength is not just measured by muscle, but also by character and faith. What does it take to be strong in those areas of life?

Men, we have a calling to refelct God to our friends, family and communities, and that means we need to be the leaders that God has called us to be. 

Actions speak louder than words, so it is important that we, as followers of Jesus, don't just talk the talk, but prove we believe it by our actions. 

Rebels. Each of us is one, or was one. How does a just and holy God deal with rebels? With wrath and grace.

You cannot have a healthy relationship without trust. God can be trusted, but do you trust him? 

What do you crave? Discontentment distorts reality and keeps us from following God. 

When the work that God calls us to is hard, do we complain or do we count it a blessing to be partners with God?

One of those 'churchy" words that we really don't use today. What does it mean and how can the meaning change our perspective?

If Jesus can heal a blind man and bring glory to the Father with mud and spit, imagine what He can do with you and me!

To be a Jesus-Follower means we need to do the things Jesus did. That means loving people the way He did. 

Easter? How about Reconciliation Day? What is the reason for Jesus coming to earth? 

What do we do when people are mean to us or hurt us? Do we bless them or try to take revenge? What would Jesus do?

I know we all feel blessed by God, but have you ever wondered WHY God blesses us?

What does it mean that you and I were made in the image of God and how should it affect the way that we live each day?

Our identity does not come from our family, job or education but from our relationship with God and each other through the saving work of Jesus.

The grace of God is awesome. But living in such a way that we need to experience that grace all the time is not healthy. What if we lived for the blessing of God instead?

How do you react when someone fails you? Perhaps a better questions is, "How does God treat us when we fail him?"

I really don't like tests, do you? Did you know that God tests us?

The covenant, sacrifices, journey up the mountain, bowing in worship... all of these led up to one huge event - a meal with God.

Really? God's mission in Ten Words? Yeah, but it's not what you think, in more ways than one.

True repentance is not a one time act, but an ongoing action. We do to do things to earn God's favor. We have God's favor because of Jesus and that is why we must have actions that demonstrate repentance.

Is the word "repentance" one that you love or despise? Does it bring joy to your heart? Repentance is one of the many actions that demonstrate the amazing graciousness and blessings of God.

Sure you know the 10 Commandments, but do you recognize this as one of them?

Reflection is healthy. Reflection without action can be dangerous. What will you resolve to do or become in 2019?

We often refer to our burning bush experiences, but that might not be a good thing. We are created for mission - are we willing to go or full of excuses?

Are you a chronic complainer? Do you see yourself as a vactim? What if you knew that there was a purpose behind it all that would enventually work out for good?

We can make our kids eat their viggies, but we cannot make them love God. 

What keeps us from totally trusting God and being willing to do whatever he wants? What price tag is too high to pay?

What keeps us from totally trusting God and being willing to go wherever he leads us?

God wipes out mankind, all except Noah. He does a total reboot of mankind. Now what?

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”. When you hear that, what comes to mind?

Jesus was not plan B, He was THE PLAN all along. Follow the mission from Genesis to Revelation.

Pastor Joe Moran from Indian River Baptist church shared the message at our annual association meeting.

We often focus on the fall of man and the punishment that follows. Have you ever really taken the time to examine God's response to our rebellion?

If we are created to represent God and have relationship with him, what happens if we choose not to?

To understand the mission of God we have to start in the beginning. Genesis. 

All of life exists to declare the supremacy of God. Do you believe that? When you do, it changes everything. 

Weddings are beautiful times of covenants. Imagine having the perfect groom who cherishes you enough to pay dearly for you.

As a church, the way we love is the way that love has been demonstrated to us.

Every family has certain guidelines and ground rules that help it to function. The church is the same, and Jesus made them very easy to understand.

What emotions, events and thoughts come to mind when you think of family? God being us into his family and it changes the way we view what it means to be the church.

What differences come to mind when you think of the words building and body? 

A look at the pattern of chaotic Water as a metaphor throughout the Bible, and how it relates to baptism.

The mission is much bigger than we are. To accomplish it, we must focus on the Kingdom and on partnerships.

God speaks through our circumstances but to hear Him will prabably take some adjustments on our part.

God speaks through prayer. Be focused, intentional and willing to listen.

God speaks through the chuch. Be connected to other believers in relationship, discipleship, and communication.

God Speaks through the Bible, His written word, revealing Himself and transforming His people.

What do a soldier, an athelete and a farmer all have in common? Don't just live life... live for what really matters. 

Christ seeks to redeem His church through grace, rescuing us from sin and death, and reforming the way we live.

Christ's love for His Church is the ultimate example of unselfish, generous, sacrificial love. We love because He first loved us!

What is a church? Is it a building, or is it something else entirely? Today we look at 1 Peter 2:1-12 and identify four aspects of the church's identity.

God is light. Jesus is light. WE are called to be light to the world.

The law cannot justify us, but it is good because it points to the One who can make us right with God, and remove our guilt and shame.

Go and Tell Them! - If you're a follower of Christ, you've got a grace story to share with others.

In Psalms 42 & 43 we find practical encouragement for seasons of spiritual depression and conflict.

What is prayer to you? It is a one way conversation or two way communion?

Could you use some joy in your life? A Word centered life is the best way.

The new year is a time to look back and see what we need to remember and what is important. Do you walk with God?

In order to be like Jesus, we need to know what Jesus came to earth to do.

Our faith is meant to be active, not passive. One sign that my faith is active is that I am sharing the good news with others. 

Our faith is meant to be active, not passive. One sign that my faith is active is that I am connected to God and others. 

Our faith is meant to be active, not passive. One sign that my faith is active is that I am rooted in Christ as evidenced by the actions of my life. 

Our faith is meant to be active, not passive. One sign that my faith is active is that I am honoring God and blessing others with my resources. 

Our faith is meant to be active, not passive. One sign that my faith is active is that I am Serving others the way Jesus did. 

God offers us salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, all for the glory of God! But what is God's glory, and how does it impact us?

Salvation is in Christ alone, and this morning we expand our study on the person and work of Jesus.

By faith in Christ we are justified, and by faith we are also sanctified, day-by-day.

Grace is receiving favor and blessing that you are not owed. Salvation is God's ultimate example.

The Bible is a unique library of sixty-six books, which comprise the written word of God. It is our supreme standard for life and faith.

We were craeted to pursue, appreciate and reflect the beauty of God.

How would you define "goodness" and how does that impact the way that you live?

To live a Coram Deo lifestyle, one of the first things we need to do is to embrace genuine truth.

The end of the book is not the end of the story... but part of another story that includes you and me.

God's heart is for lost people. Our hearts can sometimes be very difference. How is your heart?

How do you handle rebuke? Do you get angry or do you change?

When we are running from God, even our prayers are messed up. The great news is that God still hears them.

How do you respond when God directs you in a way that you are not happy about?

From the beginning of tike, God's plan has been to save the whole world.

Where do you get your identity from? Check out what God thinks of you and all that He does for you.

We've heard it said, "God wants me to be happy." Is that #REALLY true?

We've heard it, but is it true and is it Biblical? Find out if you should never put off for tomorrow what you can do today.

We've heard it, but is it true, and is it Biblical? Find out if God only helps those who help themselves.

Instead of merely asking God for forgiveness when we sin, we also ask God to help us avoid getting into situations where we might sin.

If we're going to pray for forgiveness, we need to acknowledge that we need it, trust that God will provide it, and be willing to share it with others.

God is gracious, and provides abundantly for His people. We should not hesitate to ask God for His help, and our prayers should reflect that He is the source of all the good gifts and blessings we have in our lives.

The world needs a revolution, a massive shift towards the Kingdom of God. This revolution has already started in Christ, but it won't be complete until He finishes His redemptive work.

Today we begin a series of messages from Matthew 6, examining how to pray. God is our loving Father, and he delights to hear from His children!

The commandments of God are not meant to be burdensome, but we can only obey if we are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

In this world we WILL have troubles. Jesus said so. The good news is that the best life is yet to come...

As we conclude our series in 1 Corinthians, Paul shows us three final areas of life in which followers of Christ should be living for God's glory.

Often, our belief in Jesus is the culmination of a process. Check our how John describes this process.

Following our Easter celebration we wrap up our time in 1 Cor 15 by examining four essential truths about the Resurrection.

Christ is risen! But why does that matter, and what does it mean for us today?

As we gather to worship a week before Easter Sunday, we consider the events in the life of Christ which led up to His death, burial, and ressurection.

We're told to not trust in the governmental leaders of this world for eternal things, but rather to go to the King of Kings for our salvation and provision.

Gifts must be used to build up the body, to promote understanding and communication, and in a decent and orderly way.

Loving others, even if we've been hurt, is is to reflect Christ's character.

We can get tangled up in debates over spiritual gifts, but is that why Paul wrote this chapter? 

Lifestyle evangelism... is it enough? You need both words and actions to have a true witness for Jesus.

As Christ-followers we miss many opportunities to share Jesus, mainly because we are not ready. Learn how to be ready to share your faith. 

Have you believed the lie? Find out what Jesus says about evangelism.

To embrace a missionary life we need to know what the Great Commission is, who it applies to, and why we'd want to participate.

Multiple times a year we recite 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 as we observe the Lord's Supper. However, there was a specific reason Paul brought it up to the Corinthian church. Today we learn from the larger context of the chapter, and partake in Communion together.

Men and women are meant to participate in the gathered worship of Christ. However, we must ensure that our conduct and appearance is in keeping with God's teaching on authority and roles within the church and family.

Paul tells us that all things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. We have great liberty in Christ, but with that comes a responsibility to do all things to the Glory of God.

Ever met somoneone who "says" they are a Christian but they don't live like it?

We are all celled to be ministers of the gospel and we are called to love others.

It is a new year - so what does that mean for you and your relaitionship wtih God? Have you allowed Him to put a new song in your heart?

We all have our favorite Christmas playlists that we pull out after Thanksgiving. But the FIRST playlist can be found in Luke 1 & 2.

We all have our favorite Christmas playlists that we pull out after Thanksgiving. But the FIRST playlist can be found in Luke 1 & 2.

We all have our favorite Christmas playlists taht we pull out after Thanksgiving. But the FIRST playlist can be found in Luke 1.

We all have our favorite Christmas playlists taht we pull out after Thanksgiving. But the FIRST playlist can be found in Luke 1.

It seems that many people are lacking peace and are afraid of disaster. Perhaps, it is partially because we have lost sight of common sense and discernment.

What are you thinkful for?

Today we look at Proverbs 2 to discover the value, purpose, and source of true spiritual wisdom, and how it’s meant to lead us toward godly lives in Christ.

From the beginning of creation, we have been designed to be better together - at work, home & church.

We are all celled to be ministers of the gospel and we are called to love others. What does this look like in light of our realtionships?

For relationships to be healthy, whether work, family or church, they require a heart that is obedient to God and that is content with His leading.

Paul calls us to see marriage as a permanent, life-long covenant, meant for holiness. However, there may be a few legitimate reasons for divorce.

In 1 Corinthians 7:1-9, Paul discusses marriage and singleness, and explains that both are a gift from God..

In 1 John 5:1-5 we find four marks of a faithful Christian: Genuine faith in Jesus, Love for God and others, obedience to God's commands, and overcoming the obstacles of the world.

Generosity is a funny thing. It’s one of those virtues that generally speaking we all tend to appreciate, but it can also be hard, at times, to practice it.

Generosity is a funny thing. It’s one of those virtues that generally speaking we all tend to appreciate, but it can also be hard, at times, to practice it.

Communion connects us to the Passover, and the cup of wine that Jesus had... or was it cups? And why are these cups not mentioned in Exodus?

Hard work, awkward moments and "chance" connections round up act two of our drama.

The drama begins with famine, death and crying - and leaves the main character, Naomi, feeling thwarted by the God she trusts.

Following up on last week's message, we continue to discuss the topic of church discipline. The second reason we practice church discipline is for the good of the church body as a whole.

We practice church discipline for a number of reasons: The first reason we practice it is for the good of the individual.

Quit thinking of yourself so highly, and to instead imitate his selfless and humble pursuit of Christ's Gospel work in the world.

Followers of Christ will face criticism and judgement from other people, themselves, and God. However only the Lord is fully right and just, so we should seek to be faithful in serving him.

Communion connects us to the Passover, and the perfect spotless Lamb that was sacrificed to free us from death to live a new life of hope.

The church can avoid division by seeking to be united together in holiness, as we seek to complete the Great Commission work that Christ has given us.

Christ is the solid foundation on which we ought to build our lives and faith. That said, we must take care in how we build, so that our efforts will have lasting effect.

We need a balanced approach toward ministries while looking to God to give spiritual growth in the church.

Living in the flesh, and not growing in our faith, is unhealthy and hinders our missional impact on the world.

After three days in the tomb Jesus rose again conquering death, proving he was who he said he was, and offering us new life in him.

Christ is King over all, yet he chose to die in our place to pay the debt of sin, and renew our relationship with God.

While spiritual truths are foolishness to the natural man, the Holy Spirit reveals wisdom and gives understanding to the believer.

Spiritual wisdom is revealed from God, and points to His sovereignty. It’s misunderstood by the world, but empowers the lives of the believer.

Followers of Christ should keep their focus on the Gospel as they share their faith with the world, trusting God for the outcome.

We're meant to find ultimate satisfaction not in our own worldly standing, but in who we are in Christ, and in what He’s accomplished on our behalf.

The message of Christ can seem like foolishness to many, yet it’s the power of God for salvation.

Instead of dividing over personal preferences, we should find solidarity in the one thing we hold in common: our confession of faith in Jesus.

Every church is made up of imperfect people. Nevertheless, there is much to be thankful for! God is faithful to sustain us even when we don’t “have it all together.”