The Kingdom of God is a pretty key topic in the New Testament. The gospels contain many references to the coming of the God’s kingdom. But there’s an interesting fact about the times Jesus refers to his kingdom. Whenever Jesus references his kingdom, he does it in the present tense? That’s a pretty important reality for you and me today as followers of Jesus. Continue reading
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If there were three pillars that hold up the life of a follower of Jesus, they’d be grace, faith and Christ. These were the three things that marked the new beginning of the church in the early 1500s. An event called the Reformation was a time when several men sought to bring the church back to the place it all started.
I’ve become very fond of music that’s a bit folky sounding, and this one is a great one! Imagine for a moment being lost in a fog. Better yet, think of all of those ships navigating their way to shore and the fog covers the horizon to the point that they can’t see where to go next. They call out on the radio for assistance and the lighthouse attendant activates the intense light beam to guide them to shore. Continue reading
When we sit at the feet of Jesus we learn not only about the future salvation but also about our present reality. This week we encounter a man that was so wrapped up in his wealth that he couldn’t see the needs of those around him. Listen as Pastor Derrick explains this key teaching.
No one can hold it all together all of the time. We’re all bound to break at some point. We can only run so fast of so long before we just crash. As a pastor I have a tendency to fall into this category of holding it all together. I’m the kind of person who likes to make sure that everything gets done right, even if that means I do it myself. Continue reading
In this series, we spend time listening to some key teachings of Jesus. As we sit at his feet, we hear the message of salvation. In this message Pastor Derrick shares the struggles a young man had with following Jesus.
When you sit at the feet of someone you respect, you have the opportunity to learn great things. This week we sit at the feet of Jesus, our master and teacher. We listen as he tells us to have faith like a child. But what does that mean?
Ever have one of those days that just seem to go on forever? The type of day that makes you wonder why you even woke up. Perhaps you’ve had a string of those kind of days in a row making you wonder why you are even here. Perhaps you just feel broken. A loved one is sick. You just found out that the raise you were expecting is just not going to happen. You can’t pay this month’s bills. You try so hard but just can’t seem to get on top of things. Continue reading
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t’s a word that brings fear into the hearts of many. The idea of change is frightening to say the least. But why? Why is change so frightening?
If you really think about it, change is all around us. For instance, look outside – go ahead, peek out the window. You just witnessed change. Everything around us is in a constant state of change. The grass is slowly changing. The leaves are changing color. The clouds are moving thereby changing the scenery. Our bodies are slowly growing older and cells are dying. That’s all change!
But that’s not all that’s changing. The bible actually talks about other ways that things around us are changing. Actually the bible tells us that we are in a state of change as well. We’ve been changed from death to life, following evil, living in disobedience but now we are lights in the world. We are followers of the Son of God. Our disobedience has been forgiven and covered by the righteousness of God. Now that’s a change worth talking about!
A disciple is one that recognizes that this change has happened. A disciple sees the change and seizes opportunities to talk about it with others. Actually a disciple sees him/herself as an agent of that change. If you really think about it, through our conversations with friends and neighbors we are bringing a life-changing force into their lives. The message of the bible is a set of conversations intended to impact our lives and instill this idea of change.
People who are intentional followers of Jesus, seeking to make disciples of all nations, will find ways to have these kinds of life-changing conversations. Whether it’s reading the bible with someone. Note with someone not at someone. Maybe it’s praying with and for them. Perhaps this conversation of change happens at work. It might even happen on the ball field. It really doesn’t matter how or when or where this conversation happens. The reality is a disciple is one who seeks to make these discoveries and have these life-changing conversations daily.
Today, take a minute and have a conversation. Just be intentional. Don’t preach. Don’t beat people over the head with judgement or even with bible verses. Just have conversations. Let your love for the Lord be evident in how he has changed you. And pray that the gospel might have that same changing effect on those in the places where you live, work and play.
As followers of Jesus, there should be something that is different about the way we live our lives. Not only should we let our faith walk us through our day to day lives and guide the way we talk but it should also provide a unique strength. In the final message in this series, Pastor Derrick shares that a faith that works is a faith that prays. But what is prayer? Why does it work? Listen as Pastor Derrick wraps up this series on A Faith That Works.
