Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Pathway of Blessing God (part 2)

God has revealed Himself to us in so many ways.  His fingerprints are on all of creation.  He has given us His Word to show usHis thoughts and character.  And He sent His Son, Jesus to rescue us from sin and from ourselves.  God wants us to know Him.

On our Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known, this week we will explore the second half of Psalm 103 and discover how to grow closer to the Lord.

The incredible Psalm has 4 steps for learning how to Bless God.

1. Appreciation for God’s Gifts (V 1-5)

2. Admiration of God’s Character & Grace (V 6-12)

3. Awe of God’s Love & Greatness (V 13-21)

4. Adoration of God’s Person (V19-22)

Join us this week as seek to foster as tens of Awe for God greatness and an Adoration for God Himself as we travel through Psalm 103 on the Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Pathway of Blessing God

Knowing God is an interactive relationship. As we come to know the greatness of God, our hearts respond with praise. There is a progression of worship in the Psalm 103 that parallels our growth in knowing and loving God. Worship is the natural outgrowth of love for God. True love must be expressed.

Psalm 103:1 (ESV) Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

What does it mean to “Bless God?"

Join us this week as we explore Psalm 103 as we travel the ancient Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Pathways to Knowing God and Making Him Known - Desiring God

Today we begin a new series entitled Pathways to Knowing God and Making God Known. My prayer is that your heart for God will be enlarged and that you will discover that the Lord is the true desire of your heart.

Thomas Watson, the great puritan minister made this important point... In heaven the saints rest with Him; on earth we may walk with God. We are to draw near to God and to see Him…. There is no walk in the world so sweet as to walk with God.\We were made to walk with God, to not just know God intellectually but to experience His presence and love in a way that is better than life. That is how David describes his walk with God.

Psalms 63:2-3 (ESV) 2 So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory.3 Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.Join us this week as we explore Psalm 63 as we travel the ancient Pathway to Knowing God and Making Him Known!

Jesus as Risen Savior

For our Resurrection Sunday service we will focus in on Jesus as Risen Saviour, Reigning, and soon Returning King. We will explore the incredible description of Jesus as He is right now as recorded in Revelation chapter 1.

This powerful passage pulls back the curtain of heaven to allow us the see the majesty, and power of Jesus Christ.

Here is John's description of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 1:12-18 (ESV) 12 Then I turned to see the voice that was speaking to me, and on turning I saw seven golden lampstands, 13 and in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest. 14 The hairs of his head were white, like white wool, like snow. His eyes were like a flame of fire, 15 his feet were like burnished bronze, refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the roar of many waters. 16 In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.
17 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.

Jesus Christ is Risen from the Dead. He is risen indeed!

Jesus Christ Reigns over heaven and earth. He reigns supreme!

Jesus Christ is Returning soon. He is coming soon. Even so come Lord Jesus!

Worship in the Dark: A Song in the Dark

Last week we saw. How Habakkuk learned about how faith overcomes the darkness. This Sunday we will explore "A Song in the Darkness." Habakkuk teaches us not just how to endure trial but to worship in the middle of our questions and struggles. God did something incredible in the heart and life of Habakkuk. The Lord shared His own heart and His incredible plan to rescue every tribe, tongue and nation from sin. Habakkuk came to see that he was part of God's amazing work of redemption in reaching out to all peoples with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That revelation transformed Habakkuk.

Here is the amazing news, you as a follower of Jesus Christ are also part of God's amazing work of redemption. When we see how our lives connect with the greatness news in all of history, it empowers us to sing in darkness as well. Join us as we conclude our exploration of Habakkuk.

Worship in the Dark: Faith over the Darkness

The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with tough questions about the evil in he world around him.  He struggled to understand how God was working.  Habakkuk took his questions to the right place, to the Lord Himself. The answers He received were confusing at first, but He learned to trust God with his doubts and discovered how to worship in the darkness.

Hidden in the middle of this small book is one of the most transformative truths in all the Bible; "the righteous will live by faith."

Habakkuk 2:4 (ESV) 

4 “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

What is faith? (Biblical faith)

Faith is trusting and treasuring God above everything else.  This is the faith of Habakkuk and this little phrase occurs 3 times in the New Testament.  At each point, god uses it to direct us to a correct understanding of what our should be and how we are to live by faith in Jesus Christ. 

Join us this week as we see how God met Habakkuk in the middle of his questions.  God's answer to Habakkuk was to assure him that His plan was accomplishing much more than Habakkuk could see or believe.  He offers us the same assurance when we take our questions to the Lord as well.

Worship in the Dark: When God Doesn't Make Sense

This Sunday we begin a new message series entitled "Worship in the Dark." It explores the incredible little book of Habakkuk. The prophet Habakkuk wrestled with tough questions about the evil in he world around him. He struggled to understand how God was working. Habakkuk took his questions to the right place, to the Lord Himself. The answers He received were confusing at first, but He learned to trust God with his doubts and discovered how to worship in the darkness. Habakkuk ends with one of the most beautiful songs in all the Bible.

Habakkuk 3:17​-19 (ESV)
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer's; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. Join us this week as we see how God met Habakkuk in the middle of his questions. God's answer to Habakkuk was to assure him that His plan was accomplishing much more than Habakkuk could see or believe. He offers us the same assurance when we take our questions to the Lord as well.

Re-Image: Reflecting God's Light in the Darkness

There is a growing darkness in our world. But light always overcomes darkness. Jesus has called us to be His light in a world of darkness. This week we will explore how to live as God's light to those around us and how to share the hope we have in Jesus with others. Join us for a very practical look at Reflecting God's Light in the Darkness. We will explore 1 Peter 3:13​-15 and Matthew 5:14​-16.

How to live as Light:

Trust Jesus Christ personally as your Saviour and Lord Chose to shine as LIGHT in the world:

L - Love motivates you to take action (Light of Love)
I - Identity and confidence comes from Jesus not your own power (Light of Faith)
G - Give grace to others as God has shown grace to you (Light of Hope)
H - Help others in practical ways
T - Tell others what Jesus has done in your life (The Light of Gospel)

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Re-Image: Reflecting the Image of God in our work

As follower’s of Jesus Christ, our life purpose is to accurately reflect the image of God in all we are and in all we do. One very important aspect of that is to reflect the beauty of God in our work. The God of the universe is not a passive or distant God. He actively engages in work that is very good. Therefore the work we do, no matter what field of work we are in should reflect the goodness and beauty of God’s Work.

In fact our work and our worship should be an interwoven pursuit. This week we will look at how David blended his worship and his work together as one in reflecting the image of God both as a Shepherd and as King. We will also look at Bezalel, a very interesting person we read about in Exodus 35. Join us this week as we explore reflecting the Image of God in our work.

Re-Image: Made in the Image of God

We are exploring the relational attributes of God that we as followers of Jesus are called to reflect.  There is no attribute more central to an accurate view of God than "holiness."  God is absolutely holy in all of His nature.  And His holiness permeates all of His other attributes.  We cannot understand His love apart from His holiness.  We cannot understand His justice apart from His holiness either.

And yet holiness is rarely talked about in the modern church, as a result our witness has greatly suffered.  Many confuse holiness with self righteousness and they could not be more different.  

Join us for this important study and let us all pray that we as the church of Jesus will be holy.  The world needs to see an accurate reflection of Jesus, one that is filled with the beauty of His holiness.

Faithfulness is the New Normal

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-14

Everything we hear these days tells us the pandemic will be with us for a long time. How are we to remain faithful to the Lord when it seems there is no end to such a challenging situation? The prophet Jeremiah sent a letter to some of Israel’s people who had been exiled from Jerusalem, and they were told to prepare for a long exile. Even though their exile was due to their rebellion, they were still God's people and he still had a purpose for them being in that place at that time. This letter from Jeremiah can help us consider how to be faithful to Jesus during these challenging days, no matter how long they last.

What Does It Mean to Wait for the Lord?

We know what it is like to wait—we are caught in circumstances often beyond our control and we may not have a clear sense of what is next, how it will turn out, or how the Lord is involved. Especially in this season, we wait—for restrictions to ease, for return to work, for life to return to normal. We sometimes wonder if we’re going to make it. The promise the Lord makes in Isaiah 40:31 is that those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength. What does it mean to “wait for the Lord”, and how can we find new strength from day to day until we see the things for which we long?

Re-Image: Called to Reflect Jesus

God not only tells us we were created in His image, but that we were created for his glory.  

Isaiah 43:7 (ESV) 7 everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

God has a beautiful purpose for each of our lives that brings Him honor and us a deep significance.  That truth holds the key for understanding ourselves, seeing others properly, discovering our purpose and fulfilling our destiny.  Our true identity and life purpose is flows from an understanding of what is being created in the image of God means. But most of us have very little understanding of how that reality should shape our lives. 

Over the next few weeks we are going to explore what the significance of being created in God’s image and how that points to God’s plan of restoration and ultimately to the purpose for our lives that brings true meaning.  

This Sunday we will explore the purpose God has for us as His image bearers from Isaiah 43:1-10.

Join us online Sunday Mornings as we explore Re:Image - What it means to be made in the image of God.

Re-Image: What it means to be made in the image of God

God says you were made in His image.  What does that mean?

Genesis 1:27 (NIV) 27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

That truth holds the key for understanding ourselves, seeing others properly, discovering our purpose and fulfilling our destiny.  Our true identity and life purpose is flows from an understanding of what is being created in the image of God means. But most of us have very little understanding of how that reality should shape our lives. 

Over the next few weeks we are going to explore what the significance of being created in God’s image and how that points to God’s plan of restoration and ultimately to the purpose for our lives that brings true meaning.  

When we understand this concept of what it means to be created in the image of God, the pieces of life’s puzzle begin to come together.

Join us online Sunday Mornings as we explore Re:Image - What it means to be made in the image of God.

His Name Shall Be Called - King of Kings

Jesus advent at Bethlehem was to save us and prepare us for His return as King. As King, Jesus calls us to live under His authority and reign.

He also calls us to live expectant that He is working now and will return to reign. Luke chapter 2, describes two faithful people Simeon and Anna. Both lived lives of expectancy. They waiting for God's timing and were rewarded for their faithful obedience. We have much to learn fro Simeon and Anna.

His Name Shall Be Called - Prince of Peace

Jesus the Prince of Peace Peace is something we all hunger for. Life is filled with conflict and division. Jesus, the Prince of Peace not only resolves conflict, He brings wholeness (Shalom) to our lives and relationships. the announcement of the Angels in Luke chapter 2 of "Glory to God in the highest, peace on God and with one another.

Join us this week online as we explore Luke chapter 2, and discover how Jesus fulfills the name Prince of Peace.

His Name Shall Be Called - Everlasting Father

Jesus is Everlasting Father

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV) 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jesus is described as…

WONDERFUL: Jesus gives us JOY for the weariness of life.

COUNSELOR: Jesus gives us HOPE in the questions of life.

MIGHTY GOD: Jesus gives us STRENGTH for the impossibilities of life

EVERLASTING FATHER:Jesus gives us  LOVE for the relationships of life.

PRINCE of PEACE:Jesus gives us  PEACE for the problems of life.

For many people the title, "Everlasting Father" for Jesus is confusing.  It seems to contradict His being the Son of God.  But this title for Jesus points to the very heart of Jesus deepest passion,  He came to show us the Father.  What is more "Everlasting Father". Can also be translated "Father of Eternity," meaning Jesus is the source and author of eternal life.  That certainly fits with who He is and what Jesus has done.

Join us this week online as we explore the heart of Jesus passion from John chapter 1, and discover how Jesus fulfils the name Everlasting Father.

Chapters:

0:00 Announcement Slides

10:00 Countdown

15:00 Worship

39:37 Christmas Around the World

44:36 Message Drew Stephens

1:18:50 Sharing Christmas Joy 

1:21:37 Announcement Slides

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