Part 6 of 7: (John 14:1-7) – March 26: When the disciples were confused and concerned about how they could attain “eternal life,” they asked Jesus to give them some direction. However, Jesus gave them more than direction. He gave them the perfect example of a way to live and truths to live under.
Part 5 of 7: (John 11:1-27) – March 19: What happens after we die? This is one of humanity’s common questions. In the story of Lazarus, we find a dead, stinky, decaying body. That is, until Jesus moves in and interrupts the funeral procession. Like Lazarus, Jesus invites us: Come out of your tomb of death and find life.
Part 4 of 7: (John 10:11-18) – March 12: True love is most often measured by someone’s knowledge, care, and protection for the other. Embodying all of these qualities, Jesus compares his love to that which a shepherd has for the sheep. Good shepherds look out for the sheep. Jesus looks out for his people.
Part 3 of 7: (John 10:7-10) – March 5: How do we find peace and rest in a world plagued by anxiety and fear? Jesus says there are green pastures for us to discover, but there’s only one access point that you can enter through. This is the good news of inclusive exclusivity.
Part 2 of 7: (John 8:12-14) – February 26: There are two types of people: Those who get what they want by telling lies and those who get what they never wanted because they believe lies. Lies and deception ruin a society, but Jesus is the Light who exposes the truth about us, the truth about the world around us, and the truth about God.
Part 1 of 7: (John 6:22-59) – February 19: In a consumeristic culture, we can be tempted to look to faith only for what we can get out of it. Although, Jesus made it clear that the greatest reward of faith is not his gifts, but the giver himself. Jesus is the sustenance we need for experiencing the fullness of life.
Part 4 of 4: (Psalm 22; Isaiah 40:27-31) – February 12: The most troubling image of God isn’t the one who is weak, nor the one who is evil, but the one who is indifferent. What are the consequences of believing in a “God” who created us and then said, “Good luck?” It may be more destructive than you think.
Part 3 of 4: (Numbers 14:18; Romans 2:4; Hebrews 12:1-17) – February 5: Many people inside and outside of the Christian faith envision God as some kind of cosmic killjoy, always ready to point out our failures. Contentment comes when we realize that Christianity isn’t primarily about what God wants from us, but what He wants for us.
Part 2 of 4: (Exodus 3-4) – January 29: Have you ever experienced a crisis that you felt was beyond repair? Some situations have the ability to leave us completely hopeless, so that nothing and no one is able to help. There’s one principle that desperate Christians fail to recognize in that moment: Perhaps the greatest problem isn’t weak faith, but a weak “God.”
Part 1 of 4: (1 Samuel 4:1-11) – January 22: The Office’s, Michael Scott, famously said, “I’m not superstitious, but I'm a little-stitious." Some Christians are a “little-stitious” as well, treating God like a good luck charm or a genie. But the real God doesn’t reside in a bottle…He sits on a throne.
(Jeremiah 9:23-24)- January 15, 2023: What is the most important thing about you? It isn't your education, talent, or economic status. It isn't even your name or thumbprint. It's something that is very unique to you and it will greatly affect how you experience reality. Join us as Pastor Matt unpacks the one objective you need this year for an incredible life.
(Luke 5:1-11)- January 8, 2023: Have you ever experienced a moment that changed your life forever? For Simon Peter, the large catch of fish was more than just a payday; It was a life-altering encounter. Today, Pastor Jon is going to discuss the "moments" in our lives that ultimately change us.
(Titus 3:1-8)- January 1, 2023: Pastor Tim delivers a message for the New Year about the importance of following Jesus' example of doing good works and caring for everyone around us.
Part 4 of 4: (Isaiah 9:6; John 14:27; Colossians 1:19-23) – December 24: On this Christmas Eve, we remember the announcement of the manger angel, “peace be among men.” Still, so many of us long for peace. What kind of peace is offered in Jesus? This is the ultimate hope of Christmas which carries us in every season.
Part 3 of 4: (Isaiah 9:6; Colossians 1:16-18) – December 18: Isaiah originally named Jesus as the Everlasting Father. If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God, then how is he also the Father? It may not be what you think. Join us as we investigate the Fatherhood of Jesus over creation.
Part 2 of 4: (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 8:23-9:13) – December 11: Inside the manger laid a tiny baby boy, meek and mild. Yet, he would grow up to show himself as the Almighty God. When Jesus walked among us, he revealed his surpassing power over our circumstances, unrest, illness, and shame.
Part 1 of 4: (Isaiah 9:6; John 10) – December 4: About 700 years before Jesus arrived, God spoke through a prophet named Isaiah concerning a gift on the way – namely, a Son given to us. Though Isaiah called him a child, he named him Wonderful Counselor. In a world where many voices are pulling us in many directions, we must recognize the good, right, and true voice of the Counselor who has our good at the center of his heart.
Part 5 of 5: (John 15:12-17; 1 Peter 4:8-10) – November 27: The greatest gift God ever gave us is relationship. Relationships are central to the Christian faith, both our relationship to God and to those around us. If we are going to experience the fullness of life with God, then we’ll need to give plenty of time to those significant relationships He’s given to us.
Part 4 of 5: (Genesis 2:15; Matthew 25:14-30; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) – November 20: Jesus once said, “It is better to give than to receive.” It’s hard to make sense of this in a culture consumed with their own pleasure. True joy comes from knowing you’re a part of something bigger than yourself, namely, using your time and resources to give life to the world.
Part 3 of 5: (Psalm 127:2; Matthew 11:28-30; Mark 2:27) – November 13: Struggling to keep up with life? The pace we run leaves no room to breathe. It’s no wonder anxiety is at an all-time high. Hurry affects our mental and emotional health, but it is also the great enemy of spiritual vitality. We’re running ourselves to death while God longs to give us life.
Part 2 of 5: (Psalm 23; John 15:1-11) – November 6: One of the most important shifts necessary for lasting spirituality is to move from the “for-God” life to the “with-God” life. Life with God requires our attention, and in an age of a million distractions, that seems less and less feasible. How will we ever manage? The answer may not be what you think.
Part 1 of 5: (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 12:1-2) – October 30: Why does the church exist? What is our real purpose? Although many factors contribute to the decrease in lifelong followers of Jesus, could the church’s deviation from her true mission be partially to blame? A set of beliefs won’t be sufficient… we need something more!
Part 5 of 5: (Proverbs 13:20) – October 16: The one thing which has the greatest influence on our lives isn’t our devices or our substances, but our relationships. Your life reflects the personalities and values of the people you are closest with. If you want to change your life, change your circle.
Part 4 of 5: (Proverbs 6:6-11; Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 12:11) – October 9: In a world that fights from every direction for our attention, we can be tempted to live aimlessly and waste our time on frivolous pursuits. There’s a more efficient and effective way to live which will reap a much greater reward.
Part 3 of 5: (Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 16:23-24) – October 2: It was the lie we all wanted to believe; “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” The truth is words tend to hurt both the speaker and the listener. You can use your words to make a statement or to make a difference.
Part 2 of 5: (Proverbs 4:23-27; Proverbs 10:9) – September 25: While we may think we want romance, money, or power, the primary need for human beings is simply to feel safe. Although every day brings a new challenge, there’s an easy way to always ensure our own security – but sometimes it requires making hard decisions.
Part 1 of 5: (Proverbs 8:12-36; Proverbs 9:10) – September 18: The human race suffers from what C.S. Lewis called, “Chronological Snobbery,” or the assumption that newer is equivalent to better. What if the path that leads to prosperity is one laid out a long, long time ago? Perhaps, even before time itself?
(Mark 9:14-29) Pastor Martin Hawley joins us to deliver an important message about the power of prayer in the life of a believer. The number one thing that hinders prayer is unbelief. The second is sin.
Part 10 of 10: (Matthew 7:24-29) – September 4: Who was this Jewish teacher of ancient wisdom? And what was so different about him? The promise of all that he said rests on if he is who he says he is. If he is truly who he claimed to be, then everything changes.
Part 9 of 10: (Matthew 7:13-23) – August 28: No one likes inconvenience. In fact, we want, more than anything, not to be inconvenienced. Still, Jesus says that difficulty and discipline are the way to life. Some people will try and tell you otherwise, but Jesus insists that embracing heaven will demand a long obedience in the same direction.
Part 8 of 10: (Matthew 7:1-12) – August 21: It could possibly be the most quoted scripture in the entire Bible, and it’s not John 3:16. Unfortunately, even as much as we quote it, it could also be the most misunderstood scripture in the Bible. If we long for prosperity in this life, it will demand a better way of living in relation to other people.
Part 7 of 10: (Matthew 6:19-34) – August 14: There’s a longtime epidemic sweeping humanity: insane amounts of anxiety. Jesus says that our insane anxiety is directly connected to our insane ambitions. Chasing after money and influence is not the way to gain peace. As far as we can tell, rest and contentment are possible…but it will require a different posture.
Part 6 of 10: (Matthew 6:1-18) – August 7: It’s always wrong to do the right thing when you’re doing the right thing for the wrong reason. That means that it isn’t strictly about what you do, but why you do what you do. There’s really only one sufficient reason to practice anything as it relates to God and the world – the love of God.
Part 5 of 10: (Matthew 5:38-48) – July 31: Jesus’ most well-known and frequented subject in his teachings was love. But the love he calls us to is not like love as most of us know. This is a love that doesn’t make sense, one that extends beyond our family and friends. Yet, it is only this kind of love that changes us and the rest of the world.
Part 4 of 10:(Matthew 5:31-37) – July 24: In a society that values and publicly promotes authenticity and being true to ourselves, so many of us do not come through on our promises, but, instead, present a false or emphatic version of ourselves. Jesus tells us that there’s a much easier path to genuine satisfaction – honesty and integrity.
Part 3 of 10:(Matthew 5:17-30) – July 17: Each of us strives to find a way to fix all of our problems, but our greatest problem isn’t an outside issue. It’s an internal dilemma, and it’s bigger than you might think. Thankfully, Jesus has made a way for resolution.
Part 2 of 10: (Matthew 5:13-16) – July 10: Discontent with the world around you? Perhaps you could go out and change it. Jesus says, “You are the salt and light of the earth.” Understanding what Jesus meant could change the way that you see yourself and how you help your society flourish.
Part 1 of 10 : (Matthew 5:1-12) – July 3: Most people believe that the journey toward happiness is found in fortune, status, and a willingness to push people out of the way. But happiness is actually found when we flip all of that upside down and inside out. We find an unlikely community to enjoy along the way.
Part 3 of 3 :(Proverbs 10:12; Romans 12:14-21; James 1:19-20) – June 26: There’s bad news and there’s good news. The bad news? Complex people cause complex situations, which then causes some level of conflict. The good news? The Creator of complex people has given us wisdom and insight into how to navigate conflict and come out unscathed. When it comes to loving others, the reward is always greater than the risk.
Part 2 of 3 : (Ephesians 4:25-5:2; Philippians 2:3-7) – June 19: All of us are working toward healthy, loving relationships with the people surrounding us from day to day. What’s the most effective strategy for moving toward the goal? Scripture prescribes many methods for establishing honesty and encouragement in all of your relationships.
Part 1 of 3 : (1 Corinthians 13:4-7; 1 Peter 4:8; 1 John 4:7-19) – June 12: All we need is love. At least, that’s what John Lennon told us in 1967. It’s true; love is the ultimate goal that we were all created to pursue. But that wasn’t Lennon’s idea. How do we learn to love? Perhaps we could use a demonstration.
(Romans 12:1-8) Vince Eppolito joins us from Long Island Youth Mentoring, a ministry whose mission is to assist the Christian church on Long Island in the responsible evangelism of at risk youth and their families, providing them with hope through caring relationships and developmental opportunities for the whole person (spiritual, mental, physical, social).
(Isaiah 8:11-22) –Tim Loos delivers a message about what it truly means to be a disciple of Christ.
(Titus 2) –Christ redefines our creed, character, and conduct. We must be careful, then, about what we allow to infiltrate and influence us. Holy orthodoxy feeds into holy orthopraxy. Are we supplementing and counteracting all the investment of outside influences with God’s truth and instruction? God is building a family of people unto himself, pursuing righteousness and good deeds. If that is what we are after, then exhortation and rebuke are both necessary functions in the body – for the glory of God and the sanctity of his Church.
Part 4 of 4 :(Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15) – May 8: One of Jesus’ later followers, Paul, believed that the entire Christian faith and future of humanity hinged on the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why was this such a big deal? Why is this such “good news?” The risen Jesus is the anchor of hope for our past, our present, and our future.
Part 3 of 4 : (Psalm 51:12; John 21:15-19) – May 1: Time after time, we say and do things that we will never be able to take back. How do we deal with the weight of regret? After Jesus had been buried, Peter was left with a lot of regret from making some pretty bad choices, just like all of us have. Jesus had something better for Peter and he has something better for us.
Part 2 of 4 -(Mark 9:24; John 20:24-29) – April 24: We’ve all said it at some point. “I’ll believe it when I see it.” In an age filled with both uncertainty and skepticism, it’s hard to keep faith in anything – especially in a God we cannot see. Thomas thought much the same. What can we learn from Thomas’ experience with the risen Jesus?
Part 1 of 4 -(Psalm 42:3-6; John 20:1-18) – April 17: Have you ever had a season when your reality wasn’t matching up with expectation? We feel let down or, in more extreme cases, hopeless. That’s exactly how we find one of Jesus’ disciples, Mary. Jesus walked out of the grave to meet with Mary in her despair, and he comes to meet us there too.
Part 5 of 5 -(Psalm 78:4; Psalm 145:4; 2 Timothy 4:6-8) – April 10: When we join our life to what matters most, it’s important that we leave a good legacy. When you pass from this life into eternity, what will they say about you? What difference are you making right now that will have ripple effects after you are gone?
Part 4 of 5 - (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8) – April 3: Teams that never get out of the huddle never get a touchdown. You are equipped and empowered for something great. Don’t constrain yourself to a building. You have an opportunity to make a difference in every space.
Part 3 of 5 - (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12) – March 27: You weren’t designed to be a spectator. You are uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit for the glory of God and the building up of others. Where do you fit in?
Part 2 of 5 - (Ephesians 4:1-16, Hebrews 10:24-25) – March 20: An old African proverb noted, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Though each individual has a unique role, it is best when anchored in the unity of a team. When we gather together, we are developed in knowledge, maturity, and love.
Part 1 of 5 -(Psalm 16:11; Psalm 90; Ephesians 2:8-10) – March 13: Longing for purpose? Wondering if there’s more to life than just “existing?” There’s a story much bigger than your own that you have been invited to join in. Accepting this invitation will forever change the trajectory of your life.
Part 8 of 8 -(Matthew 6:10; Matthew 28:19-20; Colossians 1:13-14) – March 6: Our calling is too big to fit within a couple hours on Sunday. The walls of a church building can’t contain this abundant life. That’s why we bring it with us into every space, every moment. We believe the Kingdom comes when we follow Jesus in ordinary life and in an extraordinary mission.
Part 7 of 8 - (Mark 10:45; Philippians 2:3-11; 1 Peter 4:10) – February 27: Have you ever had someone say, “I love you,” but you found it hard to believe that because they did nothing to show it? Love is more than emotion. Love is a verb. The love we have come to experience is a supernatural love. We demonstrate the love of Jesus by faithfully serving our community.
Part 6 of 8 -(Proverbs 11:24-25; 2 Corinthians 9:6; 1 Timothy 6:17-19) – February 20: In a consumeristic society, God is inviting us to become contributors. When we share in our abundance, we become participants in God’s work. We hold everything we are given with open hands in order to bless others and build His Kingdom here on earth.
Part 5 of 8 - (Psalm 133; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:3-13) – February 13: Everything is better when we do it together. In a fast-paced world, we tend to lose connection with those around us. The good news is we have been brought near to God and each other. We exist as a new family, devoted to one another, helping each other along as we all seek to follow Jesus faithfully.
Part 4 of 8 -(John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 6:19; Galatians 5:16-26) – February 6: Father, Son, and…Holy Spirit? Some Christian circles overly emphasize the Holy Spirit, while some never speak of Him at all. The Holy Spirit is necessary for the life and vibrancy of the local church. We submit to the direction and deeper formation of the Holy Spirit in prayer, rest, and practice.
Part 3 of 8 - (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12-14) – January 30: God intended that the scriptures would serve for more than an aesthetically-pleasing coffee table. The Bible tells us about the beauty of God and how He relates to us. We choose to live and function under the authority and instruction of holy scripture for God’s glory and our joy.
Part 2 of 8 -(Matthew 9:35-38; Luke 19:10; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21) – January 23: In a dark world, many people are longing to be found. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Lost people matter to Jesus, and they matter to us. We bring the life and light of Jesus to people by bringing the gospel to our homes, workplaces, and neighborhoods.
Part 1 of 8 - (John 3:16-17; John 15:8) – January 16: As we move into a new year, we set our mission before us again. South Bay Bible Church’s greatest desire is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus. Though the path may look slightly different, the destination remains the same.
(1 Thessalonians 5:12-24) –We believe Jesus is returning to establish His Kingdom here on the earth. How can we live purposefully while we wait so that we are unashamed at His coming? God instructs us to live like we're anticipating the King's arrival.
(Luke 9:1-2, 10-17) –Everyone has a ministry. It does not matter your stage or status in life. You are called, empowered, and sent for the glory of God.
Part 3 of 3 -(Isaiah 55; Mark 1:14-15; Colossians 1:15-20) – December 19: Jesus grew up and had an important announcement to make. Most of his life and ministry would be centered on promoting this announcement – “The Kingdom of God has come!” What did he mean by this? It’s not a place and it’s more than an idea. It’s good news.
Part 2 of 3 -(Isaiah 53; 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:11-14) – December 12: When the people of Jesus’ time began to interact with him, he was much different than they hoped and expected. They expected a governmental figure who would be a warrior for them. Jesus chose the path of a servant, one who would suffer for the glory of God and the joy of the people, even unto his own death.
Part 1 of 3 -(Luke 4:14-22; John 1:1-14; Hebrews 1:1-4) – December 5: When it comes to the most famed man to ever walk the earth, where does one begin to share his story? Well, perhaps the best place to start would be about 1400 years before his birth. The Jewish people had long awaited this baby boy, as he would grow up to be the prophet who would finally speak for the people.
(3 John) –When filled with people of love and truth, the local church becomes the most beautiful place on this side of eternity. When filled with carnality, it becomes a spiritually dangerous space. Unfortunately, many local churches have some of both.
(Proverbs 11:24-25; Acts 4:36-37) –When we practice generosity, we partner with God on His greater mission. In other words, His Kingdom comes when His people give. In our giving, God gets all the glory and we get all the joy.
Part 3 of 3 -(Matthew 7:24-27; 1 Corinthians 15:58) – November 14: Often, we find ourselves frustrated. We just want to give up, but winners are never quitters. You’ve come too far to give up now. When you don’t know what to do, just keep doing what you know.
Part 2 of 3 - (Philippians 4:4-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) – November 7: We’re losing our minds. We’re bogged down with fear and uncertainty, and we’re beginning to grow a little bitter. We just want to get over it. God has actually given us a path to get over it and it’s super practical. Sometimes it’s as easy as looking up, looking out, and looking in.
Part 1 of 3 -(2 Corinthians 1:3-4; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; James 1:2-5) – October 31: Some days are harder than others. We all know this to be true. What if there’s something more in all this struggling? What if we allowed God to redeem it? What if we chose to press in during the troubles of life? What doesn’t kill us does, in fact, make us stronger.
(Philippians 2:12-18) – October 24: Today’s message is for encouraging our local church body.
Transitions are never easy. Still, God is doing a great work in this church. He who began a good work in us will be sure to complete it.
While it is certainly easier to run, duck, and hide, God is calling us to something greater. God is calling us to persevere. God is calling us to keep on keeping on.
Part 5 of 5 - (Ecclesiastes) – October 17: Our days are numbered, but they have been numbered by God. They have been numbered with a purpose – a purpose that is connected to something bigger than your life – a purpose beyond what you can see.
Part 4 of 5 -(Exodus 18:7, 13-24, 27) – October 10: The New Testament teaches that we’ve all been designed with special abilities. We are all better at some things than others. Figuring this out and working in sync with God leads to more productivity and fulfillment.
Part 3 of 5 -(Ephesians 5:15-17) – October 3: There is a cumulative value to investing small amounts of time in certain activities over a long period. Small deposits in certain activities over time are the best use of your time.
Part 2 of 5 -(Psalm 18:31, 28:5, 63:1, 119:10; Matthew 6:31-33) – September 26: Priority determines capacity. The secret to getting more done is not adding; it’s prioritizing correctly.
Part 1 of 5 -(Job 7:6, 9:25; Psalm 90:1-6, 10-12) – September 19: Time is your most valuable asset. Invest it well. Invest it in something bigger than your lifetime.
(Romans 5:14-6:12) – September 12: The gospel is the core center and very foundation of our faith. Understanding the gospel is crucial because we would never want to begin believing another gospel.
Part 6 of 6 -(Malachi 3:7-10; Matthew 6:24-33; Mark 12:43-44) – September 5: Reorder your financial world around these three things, and you will have maximum impact.
Part 5 of 6 -(1 Timothy 6:6-19) – August 29: Discontentment is fueled by awareness. It is bridled when you turn your attention from what you want to what others need. Once bridled, the appetite diminishes.
Part 4 of 6 -(Luke 12:13-34) – August 15: Jesus said, “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Having more than enough extra begins with clearing the confusion generated by the deceitfulness of extra.
Part 3 of 6 -(Deuteronomy 28:12; Proverbs 22:7; 25:8; 21:10) – August 8: You can’t be balanced or honor God if you are enslaved financially. In this lesson, we’ll learn what God says about debt.
Part 2 of 6 -(1 Chronicles 29:10-14) – August 1: To understand the proper objective and goal for personal finances, you need to know one thing, and it’s in the fine print.
Part 1 of 6 -(Matthew 6:21; Luke 16:13) – July 25: If you violate the laws of balance in your finances, nothing happens immediately, and that’s the problem. If there were immediate consequences, we would make corrections immediately. In this lesson, we will not only learn the three laws of personal finance, but we will also learn how to apply them.
Part 3 of 3 -July 18: We are ending the series with a very special interview with Rose Marie Jackey, former CEO of Burberry and former President of Sacks Fifth Avenue, and director for businesses like Williams-Sonoma, Godiva, and Estee Lauder. We will sit down to discuss what it means to honor God in the business world and beyond.
Part 2 of 3 -(Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 1:16; Romans 10:13-15) – July 11: Each person steps into a different setting with different roles and different tasks, but we all serve the same mission. What could happen if I decided to leverage my job for the glory of God and the furtherance of the gospel? This isn’t an easy thing to do, but it is the greatest thing we can do. You’ll never be content making a dollar when you were born to make a difference.
Part 1 of 3 -(Genesis 2:15; Proverbs 13:4; Colossians 3:23) – July 4: Are you growing tired of the day-to-day routine? Is your boss constantly on you about something, leaving you to just want to quit? God has a lot to say about remaining diligent and giving your best effort to your work. The ability to do this requires a small, yet difficult, shift in understanding.
Part 3 of 3 -(Ezekiel 12:2, Matthew 6:8-10, Psalm 46:10) – June 27: If you've been around church people for very long, you've heard the statement: God spoke to me and told me to . . . What do they mean by that? Did he send a text message or leave a voicemail? Does God only speak to certain people and not to others? In the final message in this series, Pastor explains why it's sometimes hard for us to hear God's voice.
Part 2 of 3 - (Proverbs 1:20-33) –June 20: There is no shortage of advisors in this world, but when a myriad of voices come at you, how do you know which ones to listen to and which ones to brush aside? The Bible advises us to seek wise counsel, but what does that mean? How do we define wisdom? In this lesson, Pastor reveals the one voice we should always be open to.
Part 1 of 3 - (2 Chronicles 18:1-7) – Friend Sunday, June 13: What and whom you listen to will ultimately influence what you do. You know this is true if you've ever listened to bad advice and suffered the consequences. Even worse, have you not listened to good advice and missed the rewards? If you have experienced either of these, you'll want to listen to this message as Pastor gives a sure-fire way to avoid both scenarios, so listen carefully!
Part 8 of 8 - (John 6:66-69; Mark 1:15; 15:43-47; 16:1-7) – June 6: When Jesus died, nobody believed he was the Son of God, Messiah, or Savior of the world. There were no Christians because there was no Christ. The world had never been darker, and there had never been more fear. But Easter morning changed all that!
(1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Galatians 5) – May 30: When you consider your experience with other Christians, would “loves well” be near the top of your list of descriptors? The New Testament is clear: The supreme mark of spiritual maturity is love.
Part 7 of 8 - (Mark 1:15; 14:22-72; 15:3-38; 1 Peter 2:24) – May 16: We all have embarrassing moments we can laugh about—later. There are shameful moments that we would give anything to undo. But while our pasts remind us, they don’t have to define us.
Part 6 of 8 - (Mark 1:15; 11:8-18; 12:12-34; 13:1-2; 14:1-50) – May 9: Many times, our faith deteriorates as our circumstances deteriorate. When that happens, our faith is quickly overcome by fear, and the future looks dark. The apostle Peter experienced this, and he temporarily abandoned his faith in Jesus.
Part 5 of 8 - (Mark 1:15; 8:31-35; 9:30-35; 10:35-52) – May 2: Fear invites us to follow the path of self-preservation. However, if we follow that path long enough, we will neither preserve nor have anything to show for our lives. The original disciples of Jesus had the same tendencies at times. On one occasion, Jesus reminded them of what it means to follow him by saying four powerful words that still apply to his followers today.
Part 4 of 8 - (Mark 1:15; 2:27; 3:21-22; 6:54-56; 7:1-13; 8:31) – April 25: From an early age, we learn quickly to look for loopholes in the rules. We try to figure out what we can get away with and still be okay. We tend to take this same mindset into our relationship with God, but it doesn’t work. When we opt for loopholes and workarounds, we find ourselves in a category no one wants to be in: hypocrites. Jesus calls us to move beyond loophole religion.
Part 3 of 8 - (Mark 2:15-27; 1:15; 3:1-6, 21; Matthew 11:29) – April 18: Whether it’s school, sports, or religion when we focus only on the rules, it can be difficult to remember the overall purpose of something. Jesus reminds us that when we focus so much on the letter of the law, we may forget why the law was written in the first place.
Part 2 of 8 - (Mark 1; 2:2-14) – April 11: Jesus ignored certain religious protocols. He claimed to have the authority to forgive sin. He was uncomfortably comfortable with unrepentant sinners. In this message, we hear about three encounters that showed Jesus came to reverse the order of things.
Part 1 of 8 - (Mark 1:1-28; 12:29-34; 1 Peter 1:3; 2:23-24) – April 4: We often read the Bible for application, inspiration, or direction. However, there are times when the author wants to simply point the reader to a big idea—an idea that fits with God's grand story. In the Gospel of Mark, we read about Peter's experience with Jesus that led Peter to believe in one big idea: the kingdom of God is near, and everyone is invited to participate.
Part 7 of 7 - (Acts 2:42-47; Romans 15:1-7; James 5:13-16) – March 28: One of the primary ways God renews us is through community. Through authentic gospel-centered community, God builds us up, welcomes us in, lavishes his love on us, gives us his wisdom – all through the form of another person. What does this kind of community look like? How does discipleship in community take place? Gospel-centered community is constructed of two key parts: confession and celebration.
Part 6 of 7 - (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:1-11; 1 Peter 4:8-11) – March 21: Everyone likes to be served, but few people enjoy serving. It is through this discipline that God shapes our character. Serving others helps us to see people how God sees them and produces the attitude of Christ in us. New perspective and purpose are found in serving those around us.
Part 5 of 7 - (Genesis 1; Exodus 20; Mark 2:23-28) – March 14: The rhythm that God set within creation is not only biblical but biological. It’s the one command we all ignore. More than a command, it’s an invitation – “Come away with me!” Sabbath is our opportunity to stop, rest, delight, and worship. In this rhythmic practice, we renounce our autonomy and find our peace in the goodness and provision of God.
Part 4 of 7 - (Luke 5:12-16; Mark 6:31; Matthew 14:23) – March 7: Renewal happens when we quiet the noise around us and within us, for this is where we meet with God. Whether it be in the wilderness, on the mountainside, or on a boat out in the water, Jesus practiced solitude and prayer with His Father and expected no less of his disciples.
Part 3 of 7 - (Matthew 4:1-4; Matthew 6:25-33; 1 John 2:15-17) – February 28: Fasting and simplicity are not exclusively Christian practices. Both practices have now become popular in the secular world – so how do we know the difference? Most people don’t need clarity on what it is, but what it is not. Fasting and simplicity draw us to God by uncluttering our life of distractions for short or long periods of time.
Part 2 of 7 - (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; Philippians 4:8-9) – February 21: Meditation has become such a scary word to many in the Christian church, but meditation was a common practice of God’s people before and after Christ. What does it look like for us to practice biblical meditation? And how does God use it to change us? God uses meditation, not to empty us, but to fill us.
Part 1 of 7 - (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Peter 1:3-11) – February 14: How do people change? Are transformation and “new life in Christ” just abstract ideas? Can I really be healed? Can I truly be holy? The scriptures describe the path to joy, freedom, and renewal in discipleship to Jesus, through intentional spiritual practices.
Part 3 of 3 - (1 Kings 11) – January 31: It can be easy to see someone else self-destruct and think to ourselves, “I would never do that.” But truth be told, we’re all capable of ending up where we don’t want to be. Even Solomon's son—the heir to the throne of Israel—blatantly ignored a principle we should all pay close attention to.
Part 2 of 3 - (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; John 14:8-9, 9:5, 3:16; Matthew 7:24; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20) – January 24: We can talk ourselves into anything. Our internal narratives justify our beliefs as well as our actions. But when those narratives are not true, they lead to destructive thoughts and behaviors. We can choose to carry around false but comfortable narratives—or we can look to destroy them.
Part 1 of 3 - (1 Samuel 24) – January 17: We all face dilemmas in which circumstances point us in one direction, but our conscience points us in another. At times, we ignore the tug of our consciences and sell ourselves on a questionable decision. King David found himself in such a position, and his example can help us navigate our own dilemmas.
Sunday, January 10
(2 Chronicles 1:7-13; Proverbs 2; James 3:17-18) – Sunday, January 3: Wisdom is the hidden treasure.
(Psalm 131) – Sunday, December 27: The more a believer matures spiritually, the more childlike his faith will become.
Part 3 of 3 - (Matthew 7:3–5; Romans 5:8) – Christmas Sunday, December 20: God’s grace is an invitation for you to be amazing. It’s your chance to extend to others what God freely extended to you. So … what would it take for you to give someone what they don’t expect and what they certainly don’t deserve?
Part 2 of 3 - (John 1:14; Luke 19:1–5, 7; Matthew 20) – December 13: The kingdom of God is characterized by outrageous generosity—the kind of generosity that gives undeserving people what they don’t deserve regardless of how wrong someone might be.
Part 1 of 3 - (John 1:14; Matthew 9:11–13; Luke 16) – December 6: If grace is the undeserved, unearned, unearnable favor that Jesus came to offer us, why wouldn’t everyone want Christianity to be true? And … where should you start if it’s a word that has never been part of your life?
Part 3 of 3 - (Luke 9:23-25) – November 29: Everyone wants control of something. And...when we can’t control, we worry, explode, or pout, which are all forms of manipulation to get control of an outcome, a person, or both. And ... that’s part of the problem, isn’t it? We want control, but we just can’t seem to quite get it.
Part 3 of 3 - (John 11:1-45) –November 22: Why didn’t God do something? Sometimes, despite our most passionate prayers, God doesn’t show up the way we want him to, or the way we think he should. The cancer isn’t cured. The company fails anyway. The foreclosure goes through. In this message, Pastor tells us what to look for when it feels like God forgot to show up.
Part 14 of 14 - (1 John 5:20-21) - November 15
Part 13 of 14 - (1 John 5:18-19) –November 8
Part 3 of 3 - (Galatians 3:28; Luke 16:16) – November 1: The unity and diversity of the early church chocked and intrigued the ancient world. Ours should as well.
Part 12 of 14 - (1 John 5:14-15) –September 25: God hears and answers the prayers of His people.
Part 2 of 3 - (1 Corinthians 9:19, 21; Galatians 6:2) – October 18: Our political views are shaped by a number of variables: our backgrounds, education, and personal experiences to name a few. It’s easy to feel like our view is the right one, but the person beside you is more precious to God than your political view.
Part 1 of 3 - (John 13:34-35; 17:1, 11, 20-23; Matthew 16:18) – October 11: Your favorite candidate will win or lose based on how our country votes on the first Tuesday of November, but the church will win or lose based on our behavior between now and then.
Part 2 of 3 - (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) –September 27: We’ve all seen athletes point to heaven after a touchdown or home run. We’ve heard actors thank God during acceptance speeches. We know God can be celebrated in our moments of success, but what about our moments of weakness? How do we keep our faith when our circumstances are crippling and God seems to be saying, “No!”? In this message, Pastor tells us what God has promised to provide, even when it’s not his cooperation.
Part 1 of 3 - (Mark 6:14-20; Matthew 11:2-11) – September 20: Is God’s silence a sign of his absence? Or does it mean something else? In this message, Pastor recounts the story of a man Jesus said was the greatest who ever lived. Yet, even this man struggled with God’s seeming inattentiveness. How Jesus responds to him in the middle of his doubt contains a secret encouragement for us 2,000 years later.
Part 11 of 14 - (1 John 5:11-13) –September 13: Why do people fear death so much? Uncertainty. You don’t know what it will look like, feel like, smell like, nothing. But ... what if there was a way to take the uncertainty out of death? We’ll learn from the Apostle John about the matter of life after death.
(Exodus 12; Psalm 104; Luke 14) – September 6: The meal became the mass. The fast became the feast. The table is a celebration of His faithfulness forever.
Part 10 of 14 - (1 John 5:6-21) – August 30: “Nothing is certain but death and taxes,” said Benjamin Franklin. Is he right? What if there's more certainty in life than just death and taxes. In this sermon, pastor will provide us five Christian certainties on which we can build our lives on with great confidence.
Part 9 of 14 - (1 John 4:17-5:5) – August 23: Mature love is the great universal need. In First John, the Apostle has much to share with us in how God perfects perfect love in each of us. Through such perfect love, one can live honest and open with confidence and all fear abandoned. Don't miss this lesson!
Part 8 of 14 - (1 John 4:1-16) – August 16: In this section, the Apostle John uncovers and teaches us the foundation of Christian love. In this lesson, master the secret of growing in your love for God.
Part 7 of 14 - (1 John 3:11-24) – August 9: There are four possible levels of relationship on which a person may live. The first two are not Christian at all. The third is less than Christian, and only the last is compatible with true Christian love. Come and explore how to live on the ultimate relational level and experience the fullness of God's happiness.
Part 6 of 14 - (1 John 3:1-10) – August 2: Counterfeit Christians. Can you spot the difference? Is there really such a thing? In this message, grasp how to be self-aware enough to tell if you are counterfeit in your faith.
Part 5 of 14 - (1 John 2:18-29) – July 26: Many do not believe it matters what you really “believe,” just so long as you sincerely believe it. Does personal philosophy really matter? It actually makes all the difference in the world.
Part 4 of 14 - (1 John 2:12-17) – July 19: There is a wrong kind of love, a love God hates. Learn what it is and how to shun it at all costs.
Part 3 of 14 - (1 John 2:7-11) – July 12: Love? What does it mean? “How can a man use the same word to express his love for his wife as he uses to tell how he feels about baked beans?” In Something Old, Something New, we'll learn the nuances of what Christ meant when he issued the command to, “love one another.”
Part 2 of 14 - (1 John 1:5-2:6) – July 5: Every life-form as enemies. Our greatest enemy may not be what you think. In this study, learn how to conquer your greatest enemy in this life.
Part 1 of 14 - (1 John 1:1-4) – June 28: “Once upon a time” just doesn't cut it anymore. We want something real. Make-believe just doesn't satisfy the curiosity of adults. Satisfy your quest for reality with this important lesson.
Part 6 of 6 - (John 11) – June 21: C. S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” Jesus didn’t just leverage challenging circumstances to build faith. He went out of his way to create them. Learn what to do when it feels like God is doing something to you.
Part 5 of 6 - (Matthew 14:13-31; Mark 6:51-52) – June 14: Servant ministry enables us to experience God’s power in our weakness, and ministry is one of the primary ways God grows our faith. Many times, we feel ill-equipped and unprepared, but these opportunities are incredibly rich experiences through which God grows Big Faith. This weekend, explore with us the relationship between faith and service.
Part 4 of 6 - (Matthew 6; Mark 1) – June 7: Discipline is a bad word with good results. Discipline results in progress and freedom. It is beneficial and promotes good feelings. The problem is, no discipline seems pleasant at the time but painful. Discipline yourself in advance to attend this lesson and reap a harvest of confidence as you build Big Faith.
Part 3 of 6 - (Proverbs 13:20) – May 31: Everyone is forced to interact with challenging and dysfunctional people. Unhealthy relationships are unavoidable, but people with Big Faith leverage healthy relationships to navigate life. Learn how to put yourself in places where you will be exposed to the right people at the right time.
Part 2 of 6 - (Matthew 7:24-28) – May 24: It’s one thing to believe in weightlifting and another thing to lift weights. It’s one thing to believe in good nutrition and another to eat right. Most churches are content to tell you what to believe, and if you believe it, that’s enough. But, is that really enough? Practical teaching shows us where we are and where we need to go. Join us this week for your road map to Big Faith.
Part 1 of 6 - (Matthew 8:5-10) – May 17: Is faith confidence or intentional dependence? If we lived with the confidence God was with us, for us, working through us, our responses to everything would be different. Begin the journey with this kick-off introductory lesson.
Part 4 of 4 - (Acts 7-9) – May 9-10: The question that shrinks all other questions is “Who is Jesus?”. Your answer to that question determines the validity of all the other questions.
Part 3 of 4 - (John 9) – May 2-3: You don’t have to understand everything to believe in something. Don’t allow the unexplainable to overshadow the undeniable. Our inability to answer our own questions doesn't define Jesus. He is who He is. There may always be things you can't explain, but faith rests in what you cannot deny.
Part 2 of 4 - (Genesis 12:1-3; 15:5-6; Matthew 18:1-4) – April 25-26: Salvation begins with God. He always makes the first move.
Part 1 of 4 - (John 1:43-49) – April 18-19: There is something keeping you from placing your faith in Christ as your Savior. I would like to help you move beyond it.
Providing hope during hopeless times.
Part 5 of 5 - (Matthew 18) – April 4-5: When you're in over your head, there is an unexpected resource that just about everyone overlooks. Even if you know it exists, pride and fear often play a significant role in keeping you from getting the help you need. When you push through, however, you will succeed in any conflict.
Part 4 of 5 - (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:12; 1 Corinthians 13:5) – March 28-29: Sometimes, relationships are so destroyed and offenses so severe there is only one thing left to do. When you get this one thing right, it changes everything!
Part 3 of 5 - (Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13) – March 21-22: There's one approach that brings refreshment in almost every conflict, but we’re usually not very good at it. Learn seven things that will change your entire approach and provide you the best chance of restoring peace and harmony in your relationships.
Part 2 of 5 - (Matthew 7:3-4; Philippians 2:3-4; Ephesians 4:32) – March 14-15: When things get heated, people are naturally quick to judge the actions, attitudes, heart, and even intentions of others. Following this one principle will ensure you have the right heart from the start.
Part 1 of 5 - (1 Peter 4:8; Matthew 5:23-25; Ephesians 4:26-27; 4:15) – March 7-8: There's one thing that destroys relationships more than anything else. It's the same thing at home, work, with friends, or casual acquaintances. If you get this one thing right, you will be far ahead of most when it comes to peaceful relationships.
Part 9 of 9 - (Matthew 9:36-38) – February 29-March 1: I double-dog dare you to test the claims contained in the Gospel in a way you never have before. See how radical abandonment to Christ will rock your world. Discover what happens when radical obedience to Christ becomes the new normal in your life. Learn to abandon short-term treasures everyone loses for long-term gain that lasts forever.
Part 8 of 9 - (Matthew 10; Acts 7) – February 22-23: Radical obedience to Christ is not easy; it’s dangerous. Following Jesus involves risking the safety, security, and satisfaction we find in the world, but in the end, it leads to a reward the world can never offer! Is the reward found in Jesus really worth the risk of following Him? Do we really believe it? “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” -Jim Elliot
Part 7 of 9 - (Romans 3:21-22) – February 15-16: God has a plan to reach the world with His Gospel. The church is that plan, and we are the church. There is no “Plan B.” We are the only part of His plan that can break down. It’s a cause worth living for. It’s a cause worth dying for. It’s a cause worth moving for. We have the Gospel in us, and we have no time to waste. Who will go?
Part 6 of 9 - (Luke 16:19-31) – February 8-9: Blind spots are dangerous because, well, we’re blind to them. Others can see them in us, but even when a friend points one out, we still may not want to admit they exist. Learn about a glaring, troubling blind spot in many of our lives, and discover the truth and love of Jesus to see you through.
Part 5 of 9 - (Matthew 28:18-20) – February 1-2: How do we go about making the most of life? How do we tangibly live for the bigger purpose God has for us? This is usually when the strategic us kicks into high gear with all sorts of plans, elaborate programs, and high energy, caffeine-driven initiatives. But Jesus is always so different from us and the way we typically think. In Strategy, learn the method Jesus used, why it works so well, and how to apply it to your life and ministry.
Part 4 of 9 - (Daniel 3; Matthew 28:18-20) – January 25-26: “The message of Christianity is that God loves me enough to send his Son, Jesus, to die for me.” Really? Is that the whole message? What if there’s more, and we’re missing it? What if we were created for something much bigger? Learn what challenge the “me-centered,” popular message causes in our lives and discover the greater purpose God has for you.
Part 3 of 9 - (Joshua 5) – January 18-19: Our goal is often to make much of ourselves. What if God’s goal is different? We were created for a purpose much greater than ourselves. In fact, we have no hope of accomplishing God’s goal and purpose without something only He promises to give. Learn what that is and how to get it.
Part 2 of 9 - (Genesis 3; Matthew 7:5-13) – January 11-12: Living the American dream often creates a dangerous tendency in us to misunderstand, minimize, and even manipulate the words of Jesus for our benefit. It’s only when we realize who God is and who we are that we truly understand how desperately we need something so much more important than just the American dream.
Part 1 of 9 - (Luke 9:57-62) – January 4-5: What does radical abandonment really mean to Jesus? People talk about following Jesus, but Jesus requires us to give up everything - our time, our relationships, our money, everything we hold dear! Do we really believe He is worth abandoning everything for?
(Eph. 6:10-18; Exo. 33; 1 Thess. 5:17) – December 28-29: Do not forsake the meeting tent, for it is there that you will encounter the Spirit of God and His power.
Part 3 of 3 - (Matthew 1:18-21, 24; John 10:10, 4:13-14; Romans 6:12-14, 23) – December 21-22: Why Christmas? As it turns out, we all need Christmas. But it might not be for the reasons you think.
Part 2 of 3 - (Galatians 4:4-5; Romans 5:7-8; Acts 3:14-15; Matthew 1:20-23) – December 14-15: God staged a demonstration. The world needed an illustration. We needed to see it to believe it. As you know, love must be shown to be known. If you don't show it, nobody knows it. That’s the message of Christmas.
Part 1 of 3 - (Genesis 12:1-3; Isaiah 49:6; Malachi 1:11; Galatians 4:4; Luke 1:26-33) – December 7-8: The whole world would be blessed because the whole world needed blessing; it needed Christmas. You may find the events surrounding the birth of Jesus a bit unbelievable. If so, you're not alone. However, when you hear the entire story – the backstory – well, the whole thing is quite remarkable.
Part 5 of 5 - (James 4:13-17; 2 Corinthians 5:14-21; Romans 12:1-2) – November 30- December 1: It’s the desire of all humanity to lead their own life. The ultimate identifier of one who has trusted his or her life to God is surrender for the cause of Christ. There is abundant life and joy found in laying down our own will and desire for His.
Part 4 of 5 - (Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 10:13-15; Acts 1:8) – November 23-24: Many people can remember the final words of a loved one who recently passed away. Jesus’ final words before ascending into Heaven became known as the Great Commission. The church is called to go and bring hope to all people because of Christ. This could mean crossing an ocean or crossing your cubicle.
Part 3 of 5 - (Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12) – November 16-17: What do you think when you hear the word Bible? Unfortunately, it can give haunting thoughts to some. For those who know and love God, the Bible is the primary way in which we learn more about who He is and how we should live. The Bible is both historical and theological. The question is this: What use is the Bible to us now?
Part 2 of 5 - (Ephesians 4:1-16; Hebrews 10:19-25; Acts 2:42) – November 9-10: One of God’s greatest gifts given to people is the gift of community. Even if you take the spirituality out of it, everyone appreciates having people around them to encourage and push them forward. It’s nice to have a hand to hold when journeying through this thing called “life.” In the Christian faith, we call this the family of God – the church. What is the church really all about, and why do we need it?
Part 1 of 5 - (John 15:1-8; 1 John 2:3-6; Colossians 2:6-14) – October 26-27: When talking about “Growing up in God,” where do we start? In order to grow up, we must first start with the foundation. This foundation is finding ourselves in Christ. What does it mean to be in Christ? It involves placing our trust in God and surrendering our way of living for the new, abundant life Jesus promises. God redeems our past and redefines our future. We live with new hope. We walk a new path.
October 26-27: On the first ever WOW! Weekend, former mob boss Michael Franzese, who generated more money for organized crime than anyone since Al Capone, will share his decision to quit the mob and follow Jesus with the local congregation.
Franzese was previously highlighted as number 18 on Fortune magazine’s list of “The Fifty Biggest Mafia Bosses,” just five behind John Gotti. The former “Prince of the Mafia” faced dozens of grand jury appearances, three major racketeering indictments, five criminal trials, seven years in prison, and a Mafia death sentence. After converting to Christianity, the former Mob Captain of the Colombo crime family, a faction of La Cosa Nostra, is living a free and productive life, which includes activities with a youth outreach program.
(2 Corinthians 5:17) – October 12-13: Jesus preached what we know as the “gospel of the Kingdom.” The good news, the gospel, is not about a cross. It’s about a Kingdom. The good news is that the King is extending the invitation for every person be a part of His Kingdom.
Part 4 of 4 - (Matthew 25:19-21, 26) – October 5-6: The longer you live, the more you'll have to give. Invest your time in those coming along behind. The value of your life is determined by how much of it you give away. Our culture says life's value is found in what we achieve or what we accumulate. But those things eventually fade away. We each have a treasure chest full of life experiences that will die with us unless we become intentional about distributing our wealth. The value of your life is found when we share those experiences.
Part 3 of 4 - (Ephesians 5:21-22, 25; James 3:13-17) – September 28-29: Couples who pray together are more likely to stay together. No one likes to be wrong. No one likes to be told what to do. But insisting you're always right isn't a recipe for a great marriage. Great marriages are built on humility...on the willingness of both spouses to submit to each other and to God. But how do you do that? It all begins with prayer.
Part 2 of 4 - (Matthew 7:24; 15:17–20, 1 Corinthians 6:18–20) – September 21-22: Get out of debt, stay out of bed, and clean out your closet. You'll be glad you did … Or you'll wish you had. Today's decisions become tomorrow's realities. Wise and discerning people understand that. They choose to live as if life is connected, as if each decision matters. That's because they know that their present becomes their past that shapes their future. In each season of life, we make decisions that shape what our lives look like in the next season.
Part 1 of 4 - (Romans 12:2) – September 14-15: Labels are powerful things. The labels people put on you could cause you to miss God’s plan for your life. We all wear labels. Many of the labels we wear were placed on us by others - parents, siblings, friends, teachers, coaches, or coworkers. But what if we're carrying around the wrong labels? Who has the right to label you? Who are you going to allow to label you? Who knows best how to label you? Labels create expectations and expectations influence the direction of our lives.
September 7 & 8: The need for community is deeply ingrained into the soul of every person, both the believer and non-believer. Community is more than connectedness, but it is communion. Biblical community is deeper than mere relationships.
Part 7 of 7 - (Acts 28) – August 31 & September 1: Enable us to speak your word with great boldness. Let's be bold with our invitations. Let's be bold with our volunteering. Let's be bold with our giving. Let's be bold with our prayers. Let's be bold with our love!
Part 6 of 7 - (Galatians 5:16-23) – August 24-25: Does the church matter? Yes. We are stewards of the message of eternal life. And we are stewards of the message of a better life. What if suddenly all the teaching and ideas the church promotes and values vanished from society? What would the world look like? No value for human life. No grace. No forgiveness. No generosity. No sanctity of marriage. No sexual purity. No love! Think about the world without the church.
Part 5 of 7 - (Acts 15) – August 17-18: We have to work hard not to be a church where grace and truth conflict but coexist. Let's be more concerned with who we are reaching rather than just who we are keeping. Let's always err on the side of grace. Let's remain openhanded. Let's follow what James, the brother of Jesus said and not make it difficult for those who are turning to God.
Part 4 of 7 - (Acts 5, 8, & 9) – August 10-11: The message of the church is a message for the world. The message for the world is Christ died for our sins. He was buried. He was raised, and He appeared. That's the message the first century church gave their lives for.
Part 3 of 7 - (Acts 4-5) – August 3-4: Why can’t Christians just leave people alone? Good news, most Christians do just that. If Christians had been doing what we're supposed to, things would be much different. But, we got busy. We got distracted. We got safe. Don't be an undercover Christian. Don't be a secret Christian any longer.
Part 2 of 7 - (Acts 4) – July 27-28: Small prayers are for small churches. How we pray is an indication of if we’ve strayed. If God answered all the prayers you prayed last year, would there be much of a difference in the lives of anyone other than you and your family? The first century church prayed big, bold, brave, and broad prayers that at times got them into some trouble.
Part 1 of 7 - (Matthew 16:16-18; Acts 1:6-8; Acts 2) – July 20-21: The church was born as a movement. It’s still moving. What comes to mind when you hear the word "church"? In the first century, they didn't think building, rows, pews, robes, hymnals, bands, or liturgy because they had none of that. Church was simply a multiplying, multicultural gathering of people who came together around one belief: Jesus is the risen Christ, the Savior of the world, the son of the living God.
(Psalm 127) – July 6-7: Waiting Time is not Wasted Time. There is hope for the one who waits on God. We do not say ‘yes’ to a plan, but rather a person. He is committed and will be faithful to you. The moment you are about to break may be the moment that God is about to bless. This isn’t a prosperity message, but rather an attempt to change your perspective on what it means to wait on God.
Part 3 of 3 - (Acts 15:1–2, 5, 7–8, 10–11, 19–21): We should remove every unnecessary barrier to the person and message of Jesus. People must feel the message is for them. The gospel is an invitation for everyone. The message must be clear.
Part 2 of 3 - (Acts 9:1–2, 13–15; 10:14–15, 27–28, 34–35, 39–40, 45; 11:1–3, 21, 25–26; 1 Corinthians 5:12; Deuteronomy 25:11–12) – June 29-30: The apologetic of the early church was built on the resurrection. The Jewish flavor of early Christianity created an unhealthy, blended-model tradition that almost derailed the entire enterprise. Things came to a head at the Jerusalem Counsel.
Part 1 of 3 - (Acts 1:21–22; 2:6–8, 13–15, 22–24, 32, 37–38; 3:13–15; 4:1, 3, 7–10, 13, 20; 5:29, 30, 32–33, 40–42) – June 22-23: The reason for our faith in Jesus—and thus our hope—is the resurrection. We must reclaim this for the sake of the generation who left Christianity and the next generation as well.
Part 4 of 4 - (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) – June 15 & 16: Staying in love requires believing the best. What's different about people who stay in love? What is their secret . . . their magic formula? They've learned what to place in the gaps between expectations and reality. To wrap up this series, Pastor Hawley shares this secret from a part of the familiar Scripture passage, 1 Corinthians 13.
Part 3 of 4 - (Proverbs 4:23) – June 8 & 9: Your ability to stay in love has as much to do with the condition of your heart as it does the behavior of your partner. What's in you is coming out, so pay attention to what's in you. What happens after I do? How can the person to whom a woman gave her deepest vow become the person she despises most? How can the beautiful woman a man couldn't stay away from become the person he can't stand to be around? In part 3, Pastor Hawley dispels a common myth about why we fall out of love and exposes the true problem.
Part 2 of 4 - (Philippians 2:3-8) – June 1 & 2: Relationship comes before rights, rank, or respect. Do you remember what it felt like to fall in love? How you would do anything for that person? What happens to those feelings? Falling in love comes naturally. But staying in love requires a plan. While many couples just endure their marriages, in this message, Pastor Hawley shares a blueprint for maintaining, and even growing, those feelings over time.
Part 1 of 4 - (John 13:34; Ephesians 5:21) – May 25 and 26: Make love a verb. It's a verb ... not a noun. We are to love and submit to one another as Christ loved us and submitted himself for our sake. It's never been easier to fall in love and never been harder to stay in love. Is it even possible for two people to be happy together forever? Yes. Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus gave us the foundation for enduring love. In this message, Pastor Hawley reveals the simple, yet powerful, principle.
Scott Rigsby is a double amputee who has completed more than 13 triathlons. In 2007, after 17 exhausting hours, he did the unthinkable! Scott became the first double amputee in the world to finish the grueling Hawaiian Ironman triathlon of 140.6 miles using prosthetics at the Ford Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii – the most arduous triathlon on earth. In doing so, he set another world record. In this message he shares his testimony live at South Bay.
Part 4 of 4 - (Mark 2) – May 11 and 12: How should you respond when others face a bottom-of-the-ninth moment? It's not about saying something or doing something. It's about being someone. Learn to help someone who’s in the bottom of the ninth.
Part 3 of 4 - (Acts 7:51-60) – May 4 and 5: What happens when there is no bottom-of-the-ninth comeback? What happens when you lose? Where can you find hope when hope disappears? You can be used even when you lose.
Part 2 of 4 - (Joshua 3:15-4:9) – April 27 & 28: When you're facing a dark moment in life, doing this one thing can bring you into the light. Memorialize what God did in the light so you can point to what he can do in the dark.
Part 1 of 4 - (Matthew 19:23-26) – April 21: Have you ever felt behind financially, relationally, or emotionally? What do you do when you feel like your life is trailing in the bottom of the ninth? If you’ve ever felt Down & Out, here’s what we are going to discover in this series: You may be down, but you’re never out. There is still hope. Sure, you may be behind. Sure, you may feel down. But you’re not out. It may be the bottom of the ninth, but there’s still a chance to turn this game around.
Part 6 of 6 - (Matthew 6:13b) – March 24: Most end their prayers with Amen, but Jesus gives us a different, more appropriate way to conclude our time of prayer in a powerful remembrance of what God is all about. Try this, and you’ll be surprised how your heart and mind will be more aligned with God Almighty.
Part 5 of 6 - (Matthew 6:13) – March 17: All sin seems pleasurable for a season, but in the end, it often wreaks havoc in our lives. Then, instead of going a different direction, we end up going back and doing the same thing all over again! What if there were a way to escape the cycle of madness and self-destruction? In this part of the Lord’s prayer, Jesus gives us a secret ingredient to tap into the protection of our heavenly Father.
Part 4 of 6 - (Matthew 6:12) – March 10: A debt is created every time we mess up, miss perfection, and sin. It’s a spiritual debt, and it must be paid. This is our greatest need even above our daily bread and basic needs in life. The good news is a provision has been made, and here, Jesus tells how to access our Father’s credit and pay a debt we could never pay on our own.
Part 3 of 6 - (Matthew 6:11) – February 24: God is the marvelous Creator of the entire universe. Does God really care about the details of our daily lives? Does He have the time to notice little me? In this part of the Lord’s prayer, Jesus teaches us that bread is symbolic for everything we need for life including food, a healthy body, good weather, a house, our relationships, peace, and safety just to name a few, and as we’ll learn, God really does care!
Part 2 of 6 - (Matthew 6:10) – February 17: A big reason many are not able to pray with confidence is they don’t know what to pray for. This is where Jesus steps in and teaches us to pray in a different direction. The real business of prayer is not necessarily getting what I want; it’s getting what God wants in Heaven done on earth.
Part 1 of 6 - (Matthew 6:9) – February 10: Jesus came to show us the Father and revealed him as Abba or daddy. Have you ever thought of God in those terms? Yet in the very same sentence, Jesus reminds us of God’s unapproachable, perfect holiness. Which is it? Could it be both? Almighty God is our Holy, Exalted heavenly daddy.
Part 5 of 5 - (2 Samuel 12:11-13; 13:12-15; 14:32; 15:10, 23-26; 17:7-9; 18:5-8, 19; Psalm 25:1, 5) – February 3: Plans are great. Reality is greater. Reality wins. Things don’t always go as planned. Some dreams don’t come true. So, what do you do when you discover your dream can’t come true?
Part 4 of 5 - (1 Samuel 16:6-12; 18:18; 24:4-6, 12-13; 26:7-11; 2 Samuel 4:8-12; 5:1-4; John 13:1-5, 14-15; Mark 10:45) – January 27: Few things are as repulsive as a leader, parent, boss, or politician who leverages influence for his or her benefit to the neglect of whom he or she is responsible. Few things inspire more than a leader who says no to himself or herself in order to say yes to those for whom he or she is responsible. So how can we lead well when authority is placed in our hands?
Part 3 of 5: The way of God isn't appealing when we have been wronged by someone else. Our natural urge is to try to get even. We want to
Part 2 of 5: (1 Samuel 20:30–31; 21:1–4, 6, 8–9; 17:47; 22:10–11, 13–17, 22; Psalm 9:9–10; Matthew 11:28–29) – January 13: The way of God is most unappealing when we are angry, isolated, or afraid. That’s when we consider things we would never otherwise consider. It's when we feel compelled to do something . . . anything. But maybe there's a better way.
Part 1 of 5: (1 Samuel 17:1-4, 7-11; 8:1-7; 17:11, 26, 36-37; Psalm 25:1, 3, 5) – January 6: David went from humble shepherd to national hero to great king. But he wasn't great because of his reputation or military prowess. He was great because of where he'd learned to place his hope.
Part 4 of 4: (John 1:14; Mark 2:24, 27; Isaiah 1:11-17; Matthew 22:37-40) – December 16: We want answers for life's mysteries. Is there an afterlife? Will I see my mom again? What does the Bible say about divorce? Religion tries to answer those questions. Religion is about answers, order, and predictability. Unfortunately, life isn't about any of those things. Life can be messy. Religion has a place in our lives, but Jesus taught us it shouldn't be in first place. When religion takes first place, it begins flexing its muscles at the expense of mercy. Jesus came to put religion in its place.
Part 3 of 4: (John 1:14; Luke 7:39-40; Romans 5:7-8) – December 9: We've all been picked on for something we had no control over. It's dehumanizing. In all likelihood, you've also picked on others. It's such a strange thing. It's such a human thing. The easiest way to feel superior is to find a person or group we think is inferior and power up. We've probably all been guilty of this outwardly or inwardly. One of the reasons Jesus came into the world was to change all that.
Part 2 of 4: (John 1:14, 18; 9:1-38) – November 25: If there is a God, we all want to know what he's like. We're curious. We tend to look at nature, outer space, or within ourselves to find clues about him. However, it only provides us with an incomplete picture. Jesus made a radical claim. He said if you want to know about God, look no further than him. If you've seen the Son, you've seen the Father.
Part 1 of 4: (John 1:14; 14:1-11; 1:18) – November 18: Why would God leave the comfort and recognition of heaven to live on this ball of dirt in a time when the best of conditions barely paralleled the worst of modern-day conditions – before morphine, before air conditioning, and before indoor plumbing? Why? We think we know why he died, but what compelled him to live as one of us?
Part 4 of 4: (Romans 12:1-2) – October 7: We get what we really want when we surrender to what God really wants for us. What you naturally want is often in conflict with what you ultimately value. But your heavenly Father knows what you need. He wants for you what you really want. So, how do you put aside those natural wants and pursue what you ultimately value?
Part 3 of 4: (Romans 7:15; Galatians 5:22-23, 25-26) – September 30: Discover what you value, value what you discover, and don't be surprised if you discover God in the process. What do you want? What do you really want? We’ll never get what we really want until we discover what is most valuable. And what we naturally want is often in conflict with what we ultimately value. So, in order to figure out what you really want, you have to figure out what you value.
Part 2 of 4: (Romans 7:15–16, 18–19; Galatians 5:19–21 (NLT); James 1:14–16) – September 23: What we naturally want is rarely what we ultimately want. We’ll never get what we really want until we discover what is most valuable. But choosing what’s valuable isn’t natural. We’ve all had the experience of getting what we naturally want, only to discover it's not what is most valuable—it’s not what we ultimately want. But how do we avoid being deceived by our short-term desires?
Part 1 of 4: (James 4:1-3) – September 16: If you don't know what you really want, you'll probably end up with exactly what you don't want. We all have wants. But actually getting what we want can be tricky . . . and even dangerous. It usually leaves us wanting more. If what we want leads to a cycle of wanting more and more, maybe we want the wrong things. So, what do you really want?
Part 8 of 8 - (Matthew 18) – September 2: When you’re in over your head, there is an unexpected resource that just about everyone overlooks. Even if you know it exists, pride and fear play a significant role in keeping you from getting the help you need. When you push through, however, the right support will arrive.
Part 7 of 8 - (Proverbs 9:9; 12:15; 13:19; 15:32; 17:10) – August 26: Even when criticism is inaccurate and unkind, it can still be a blessing and help you grow if you apply this one filter when you listen carefully. When you apply this filter to your life, you will be able to welcome any criticism in your life.
Part 6 of 8 - (Matthew 7:12; Ephesians 5:1-2) – August 19: Judge not lest you be judged! Does the Bible really mean all that? How does God want us to judge the wrongs that have been done to us, and what difference will it make in the people that have hurt us so badly.
Part 5 of 8 - (Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 6:12; 1 Corinthians 13:5) – August 12: Sometimes relationships are so destroyed and offenses so severe that there is only one thing left to do. When you get this right, it changes everything!
Part 4 of 8 - (Matthew 7:3-5; 1 John 1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13) – August 5: There’s one approach that brings refreshment in almost every conflict, but we’re usually not very good at it. Join us this Sunday for seven things that will change your entire approach and provide you the best chance of restoring peace and harmony.
Part 3 of 8 - (Matthew 7:3-4; Philippians 2:3-4; Ephesians 4:32) – July 29: When things get heated, people are naturally quick to judge the actions, attitudes, heart, and even intentions of others. Following this one principle will ensure you have the right heart from the start.
Part 2 of 8 - (1 Corinthians 10:31) – July 22: Conflict is a difference in opinion or purpose that frustrates someone’s goals or desires. Success in dealing with this difference in opinion or purpose is not so much a matter of specific results as it is about having the right focus.
Part 1 of 8 - (Matthew 5:23-24) – July 15: There’s one thing that is the biggest destroyer of all relationships. It’s the same thing at home, work, with friends, or casual acquaintances. If you get this one thing right, you will be far ahead of most when it comes to peaceful relationships.
Part 4 of 4 - (1 Samuel 18-29; 24:1-12) – July 1: Don't add water to the flood. Don't make your chaos event more chaotic-er. Do the right thing. When you have a chaos to address, first options aren’t usually the best options. First options often make chaotic messes more chaotic. In this message, pastor explores an approach that can take the -er out of your chaotic situations.
Part 3 of 4 - (Philippians 1:3-6, 9-11) – June 24: The Christian experience is not about avoiding another chaos. It's about becoming something. A common misperception is that the Christian life is all about avoiding chaotic messes and staying out of trouble. But following Jesus isn’t about avoiding something; it’s about becoming something.
Part 2 of 4 - (John 3:17; 8:12; Matthew 7:26, 24-25) – June 17: The chaos that brings us together brought God near. Your chaos can be the avenue that brings God near to you. I know a chaos when I see one because I am a chaotic mess. When we acknowledge our chaos, we're a baby step away from acknowledging God. Your chaos has the potential to bring God near you.
Part 1 of 4 - (Romans 3:19-20, 23) – June 10: If you can see your chaos, you can see God. To recognize one is to acknowledge the other. Whether we’re religious or not, we’ve all been in, are in, or are only one decision away from a chaotic mess. But there’s a powerful connection between your chaos and your relationship with God.
Part 2 of 3 - (Luke 16) – May 6: Power, prestige, and possessions are a stewardship; they are temporary. We are accountable. Maybe you’re a “Three P” person—you have power, prestige, and possessions. You have influence. You are envied. People take you seriously because of what you’ve accomplished, what you look like, or to whom you’re married. There’s nothing wrong with being a “Three P” person. But when it comes to pride, “Three P” people face a unique challenge.
Part 3 of 3 - (Mark 1:4-5; John 1:15, 19-27, 29, 35-37; 3:26-28, 30-31) – May 13: Remember who it's from and who it's for. We all want to be friended, followed, liked, and mentioned. We all want to be recognized, admired, sought after, and envied. We hunger for approval. We want applause. We want to be known. But what do you do when there is no amount of “known” that will satisfy your appetite?
Part 1 of 3 - (Psalm 10:4; Philippians 2:7-8) – April 29: Saying “no” to pride is saying “yes” to God. Pride is a sin that is so common to the human experience, and it is the gateway to all other sins. It promises to make us bigger, better, and more important, but it only makes us smaller, meaner, and less significant. It strips us of our capacity to connect with others. It stands between us and our heavenly Father.
Part 4 of 4 - Unfair and Uncomfortable (Romans 5:6-8) – April 22: Fairness isn't an argument. Every religion recognizes our failures. In fact, we can label our failures as "mistakes," but there's no denying that everyone falls short. Maybe it's unfair that we don't measure up, but it's true. Maybe it's uncomfortable that we needed help to get out of our mess, but it's true. The reality is this – we live in a broken world, and we're a part of it. So what did God do about that?
Part 3 of 4 - The Eight Commandments (Romans 8:1-4) – April 15: All religions aren't wrong. They’re just incomplete. They lead to our need for a Savior.
A famous Christian author wrote that the world's major religions have eight major themes, eight commandments in common. That list included loving others ... respecting others ... and being honest ... among other ethical standards. So in light of those eight commandments, what makes Christianity so different?
Part 2 of 4 - Jesus did not show up to give answers as much as to be the answer. Religion asks, "Who's right?" Christianity asks, "Who's Jesus?" Religion asks, "What's true?" Christianity asks, "What happened?"
Religion can be weird. Odd cultic behavior. Faces of religious icons appearing in random places. Fanatical rules and restrictions to follow in order to be "good." Are these all misguided attempts by religious nuts to connect with God? Are we trying too hard to make sense of something so big and mysterious? How is what Jesus offers any different?
Part 1 of 4 - Religion exists to control you. Jesus came to restore you.
Losing faith is part of the human experience. We all know someone who lost faith. And if we're honest, we'll agree that there are many reasons to lose faith--from all the harm that has been done in the name of religion to wondering if God really hears our prayers. But, what if we lose faith for the wrong reasons? What if we have been looking for God in all the wrong places?
Part 6 of 6 - (Proverbs 28:26)–March 25:
There are three financial decisions we must make.
Part 5 of 6 - (Special Service)–March 11: Give special attention to this story.
Part 4 of 6 - (1 Timothy 6:6-19) - March 18: Discontentment is bridled when you turn your attention from what you want to what others need. Once bridled, the appetite diminishes. Generosity vs. consumption.
Part 3 of 6 - (Luke 12:13-21) - March 4: If God has blessed you with more than you need, it is so that you can share your abundance with those in need.
Part 2 of 6 - (Luke 16) - February 25: You have a little bit of time and a little bit of treasure and a big opportunity. Don't miss it.
Part 1 of 6 - (1 Chronicles 29:11; Proverbs 21:20; Proverbs 21:5) - February 18: You can't wholeheartedly follow Jesus and remain lost financially.
Part 4 of 4 - (Proverbs 14:8, 22:3, 14:15) - February 4: Prepare to commit, so that when you do commit, you will be in a position to keep your commitment.
You can say, "I do." But can you follow through? A promise - even a promise as big as a wedding vow - doesn't mean anything without preparation to back it up. In this message, Pastor has a "to do" list that will prepare you to one day say "I do" and mean it.
Part 3 of 4 - (1 Corinthians 6:16, 18-20) - January 28: Sex. It's a bigger deal than you think. It's a soul thing.
Culture convinces us - and sometimes we convince ourselves - that sex is only physical. If that is true, why is the pain of sexual sin so deep? Sex is not just physical. It was designed by God to be so much more. In this message, Pastor addresses common myths about sex outside of marriage and has two specific challenges going forward.
Part 2 of 4 - (1 Corinthians 13:11; 1 Peter 3:7) - January 21: Many women today don't think gentlemen still exist, but that's what they're looking for. Get this right, guys, and you will be one of the very few.
Are the Bible's teachings about women relevant? In this message, Pastor explains that Jesus' teachings about honoring women were extremely counter-cultural in the first century, and they remain so today. To win the woman you want, men need to transform their thinking, and there are two simple steps to begin.
Part 1 of 4 - (1 Corinthians 13:4-5, 11) - January 14: Meeting the right person, without first becoming the right person, is a recipe for an unhappily ever after ending.
Part 6 of 6 - (December 24): The whole time Israel was ping-ponging back and forth from obedience to disobedience - in an era when everyone did what was right in his/her own eyes - God was looking forward … to Christmas.
Part 6 of 6 - (December 17): Why be ordinary you when you can be extraordinary you? Be extraordinary.
Part 4 of 6 - (December 10): Once Samson had his eyes put out, he was able to see.
Part 3 of 6 - (December 3): Yield your heart to the invisible King.
Part 2 of 6 - (November 26): Don't be deceived: People who do what they want, when they want, with whom they want, eventually discover that one king leads to another.
Part 1 of 6 - (November 19): What you think is good for you is not only not good for you - it's not good for anybody.
Part 4 of 4 - (November 12): Is your past perfect? Are your present circumstances exactly what you want them to be? Likely, the answer to one or both of those questions is no. The good news is that even if you can't change your past or your current circumstances, you can change something else. In this message, Pastor Hawley introduces us to the gift God offers that will drastically affect the climate you carry into your future.
Part 3 of 4 - (November 5): Why did that friend snap back at your innocent comment? Why didn't your husband want to talk about what happened at work? In Paul's letter to the Philippians, he may have hit on the answer. In this message, Pastor Hawley shows us how one of the most famous verses in the Bible can help us overcome insecurity's effects on our relationships.
Part 2 of 4 - (October 29): Do you have a friendship that has drifted? Or a marriage that is distant? Do you have a co-worker you've been avoiding? Or is it just the conflict you've been avoiding? In this message, Pastor Hawley reveals the two very interesting words Solomon used to describe behavior that will "win favor. . . in the sight of God." And they are two words that may help you navigate the conflicts you've been avoiding.
Part 1 of 4 - (October 22): Climate isn't just what can be observed outside. In fact, the most critical climate may be the one created inside a room when you walk into it. In this message, Pastor Hawley uses an Old Testament story to unpack God's warning about the climates we create in our relationships. Asking one bold question may help you change the "atmosphere" you're creating at work and at home.
Part 4 of 4 - (October 8): Attention influences direction. Whatever gets our attention influences our direction. What has your attention? Direction determines destination.
But what is it that influences direction? What is it that starts us on our course, either for the places we want to go or the destinations we'd rather avoid? If we could determine what this is, then we could change our course upstream and save ourselves a lot of time, money, and heartache. Discover what this is and how you leverage it to reach the destinations God desires for you.
Part 3 of 4 - (October 1): We don't just need information.
What is the key to making great decisions? Most people would likely agree that having the right information is crucial to making decisions. But while information is very important, it is not the most critical factor in guaranteeing you make the right choice. In fact, if you think about it, you know some really smart people who have made really dumb decisions. So what is it? In this message we'll look at something that is even more important than information when it comes to choosing your path.
Part 2 of 4 - (September 24): When you see trouble coming, don't ignore it. Do Something. A misstep will result in a mishap, regardless of the fact that you were mistaken. We've all ended up places we never meant to be--where life was complicated, and there were seemingly no good options. Looking back we saw the warning signs, but we just chose to ignore them. It doesn't have to be that way. By looking back at an old wise saying, we will learn to look ahead and avoid the danger that lies in wait for us down the road.
Part 1 of 4 - (September 17): You win or lose by the path you choose. It is not where you are that is the issue; it is where you are headed. There is often a disconnect between where we want to end up and the path we choose.
Think about the last time you were traveling and got lost. You had your destination in mind. You had every intention of getting there. But you took the wrong path, and you didn't end up where you wanted to be. A disconnect often occurs between the path you choose and where you want to end up. This is the principle of the path, and we'll discover how it impacts every area of life.
Part 6 of 6 - (September 3): Replenish others and you will be replenished.
Our conversations average six criticisms to every one encouragement. Is reversing this ratio the key to improving our relationships at home, at work, and in our everyday lives? In this message, Pastor explains the power of encouraging others—and what might be in it for you!
Part 5 of 6 - (August 27): Love bends … Believe the best.
When someone lets you down, can you choose to believe the best or are you forced to assume the worst? In this message, Pastor reminds us that we have the power to choose our reaction – and the response we choose may make all the difference in our relationships. Giving others the benefit of the doubt just may be the new Golden Rule.
Part 4 of 6 - (August 20): Your life moves to a better place when you move at a sustainable pace.
Communicating the importance of rest was one of the first things God did in the Bible. So why have we neglected – or worse denied – the importance of this principle? In this message, Pastor illustrates the pattern God gives us for the pace of our lives. And it just may begin with a nap!
Part 3 of 6 - (August 13): The goal of confession is not a clean conscience, but a changed life. Genuine confession leads to genuine change.
At some point in time, confession became a private practice used to relieve your conscience. But that’s not the way confession is presented in the Bible. In this message, Pastor presents the biblical view of confession and challenges us to confess to others – not just to God.
Part 2 of 6 - (August 6): Forgiven people forgive.
Does forgiving someone mean he gets away with it? If not, why does it feel so good to hold a grudge? In this message, Pastor explains how Jesus’ death on the cross teaches us to “release the grip of our grudges.”
Part 1 of 6 - (July 30): Application makes all the difference.
What good is hearing if you aren’t doing? God’s standards for our lives aren’t for judging others, but for applying to our own behavior. In this message, Pastor explains that application makes all the difference.
Part 4 of 4 - (July 2): No matter how badly you want peace, there are some relationships that may never be fully restored. But doing this one thing can help you find peace about any relationship.
Part 3 of 4 - (June 25): Jesus says if you have bad blood with another person, you should go and have a conversation with him or her. But why should you go, when should you go, and how should you go?
Part 2 of 4 - (June 18): What should you do about the "bad blood" relationships in your life? This one thing will help you find peace.
Part 1 of 4 - (June 11): Check out this secret to finding peace about a difficult relationship even when you can't find peace in the relationship.
Part 3 of 3 - (May 28): Obedience paves the way to endurance.
Part 2 of 3 - (May 21): A right standing with God is available from God through Christ to everybody that believes.
Part 1 of 3 - (May 14): The question is not, "How far along are you in the journey?" But, "Are you following?"
Part 3 of 3 - (April 30): If you were taught to believe in a personal God who is all-knowing and all-powerful, how can you not turn your frustration on him when life gets difficult?
Part 2 of 3 - (April 23): Judas tried to get Jesus to do what he wanted, without regard for Jesus’ ministry and mission. That may seem ridiculous, but there’s a little Judas in all of us.
Part 1 of 3 - (April 16): The high priest Caiaphas stood in the presence of Jesus, the Savior of the world, but he refused to abandon his quest for control and, instead, surrender to his Creator. It's easy to dismiss Caiaphas as a fool, but what have we put in the place of God?
Part 4 of 4 - (April 9): Tribute. “What would be most honoring to God?”
Part 3 of 4 - (April 2): Tension. “Am I paying attention to the moral and ethical tension?”
Part 2 of 4 - (March 26): Transparency. “What is the story I want to tell, and can I still tell the whole story?”
Part 1 of 4 - (March 19): Truth. “Why am I doing this, really?”
Part 6 of 6 - (March 12): Check out this secret ingredient to happiness. It's so counterintuitive that only people who have experienced it believe it.
Part 5 of 6 - (March 5): Why are we tempted to make decisions that hurt us in the long run? This message will help you understand the difference between pleasure and happiness.
Part 4 of 6 - (February 26): If your goal is to find happiness, no amount of money will ever be enough. But this one principle can change the way you view money and help you find peace.
Part 3 of 6 - (February 19): Peace with God paves the way to peace with ourselves and equips us to make peace with others. Find out the one thing it takes to find peace with God.
Part 2 of 6 - (February 12): We think we must choose between being happy and pleasing God. Find out what Jesus had to say about that.
Part 1 of 6 - (February 5): We all daydream about a trouble-free life made possible by something: a dream job, house, car, spouse, child, family, or pile of money. But what if no thing can make us happy?
Part 4 of 4 - (December 11): It’s about following a person, not the rules.
Part 3 of 4 - (December 4): Declare. Decide. Devote.
Part 2 of 4 - (November 27): Sin is not your master.
Part 1 of 4 - (November 20): Understanding the human struggle and God's solution.
Part 4 of 4 - ( November 13)
Part 3 of 4 - (November 6) – Happy is the person whose life is ordered around giving rather than receiving. - Jesus
Part 2 of 4 - (October 30) – Think and behave like a giver rather than a consumer. You'll give more, consume less, and actually have much more left over.
Part 1 of 4 - (October 23) – Everybody gives. Not everybody is generous. Generosity must be taught. Here we go.
Part 4 or 4: (October 9) In your desire to get the most out of life, don’t lose control of your life. Create breathing room.
Part 3 of 4 - (October 2) – You may need to lower your standard of living in order to raise your quality of life.
Part 2 of 4 - (September 25) - Your time is limited; use it wisely.
Part 1 of 4 - (September 18) – Life is better with breathing room.
Part 2 of 2 - (September 11) – No God. No gratitude. No Accountability. No moral consensus regarding right and wrong. Law replaces national conscience.
Part 1 of 2 - (September 4) – When the prosperous no longer recognize the source of their prosperity, they become ungrateful, and their ingratitude eventually evolves into greed.
Part 3 of 3 - (August 28) – Christianity offers both an explanation and a solution for suffering. Suffering is why we believe.
Part 2 of 3 - (August 21) – We take the Bible seriously because we take the Gospels seriously.
Part 1 of 3 - (August 14) – We need a short answer to the question of why we have chosen to follow Jesus.
Part 5 of 5 - (July 10)
Part 4 of 5 - (July 3)
Part 3 of 5 - (June 26)
Part 2 of 5 - (June 19)
Part 1 of 5 - (June 12)
Part 3 of 3 - May 22: RYB!: If I could see as God sees, I would do as God says.
Part 2 of 3 - May 15: 2GTBT: The Bible is the story of redemption.
Part 1 of 3 - May 8: Ding: God has texted us
Part 6 of 6 - May 1: 4th Quarter: Your Availability
Part 5 of 6 - April 24: A Word from the Coach: Putting Ourselves in a Position to Listen
Part 4 of 6 - April 24: Traded: Take Full Advantage of Every Opportunity
Part 3 of 6 - April 10: The Playbook: God’s Thumbprints on Your Life Provide Clues
Part 2 of 6 - April 3: Calling an Audible: The First Step in Understanding Your Purpose
Part 1 of 6 - March 27: The Fundamentals of the Game: Our Focus in Life
Part 5 of 5 - March 20: Love in Sharing/Acts 2:44-47
Part 4 of 5: Love by Giving/Acts 4:32-35
Part 3 of 5: Love by Serving/Titus 3:14
Part 2 of 5: Love in Community/Hebrews 10:22-25
Part 1 of 5: Love Their Church/John 13:34-35
Part 4 of 4: Motivation: Building Your Circle of Support/Proverbs 27:17
Part 3 of 4: Inspiration: Motivating Yourself for Change/John 10:10
Part 2 of 4: Nutrition: Eat & Exercise / Managing Your Habits/1 Thessalonians 4:4
Part 1 of 4: Dedication: Honoring God with Your Body/1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Part 3 of 3 - (Daniel 11-12) – January 17
Part 2 of 3 - (Daniel 10) – January 10: The War in Heaven
Part 1 of 3 - (Daniel 9) – January 3: The Prediction of Christ's First & Second Coming
Part 5 of 5 - (Luke 2:1-19) – December 20
Part 4 of 5 - (Matthew 1; 2 Samuel 7:8-9, 11-16;11) – December 13
Part 3 of 5 - (Joshua 2:8-10, 12-15) – December 6
Part 2 of 5 - (Matthew 1; Genesis 38:3-5, 23-27; 44) – November 29
Part 1 of 5 - (Matthew 1; 9:2, 6, 9, 11-12) – November 22
Part 6 of 6 - Lost and Found - October 25
Part 4 of 6 - Life is About Growing - October 11
Part 3 of 6 - Wired for Worship - October 4
Part 2 of 6 - Doing Life Together - September 27
Part 1 of 6 - Doing Life Together - September 20
Part 8 of 8 - Working It Out - September 13
Part 7 of 8 - Loopholes - September 6
Part 6 of 8 - Angry Birds - August 30
Part 5 of 8 - When Gracie Met Truthy - August 23
Part 4 of 8 - Showing Up - August 16
Part 3 of 8 - Insiders Outsiders - August 9
Part 2 of 8 - Quitters - August 2
Part 1 of 8 - Brand Recognition - July 26
Part 3 of 3 - (1 Kings 19:1-18) Now and Then - July 12
Part 2 of 3 - (Matthew 6:31-34) Switching Sides - July 5
Part 1 of 3 - (Matthew 6:24-30) Devotion Emotion - June 28
Part 5 of 5 - My Sex Life - Debunk myths with a road-map for a very exciting, stress-free sex life. - May 3
Part 4 of 5 - My Faith - Puts the religious stress to rest with stress-busting truth. - April 26
Part 3 of 5 - My Job - Find satisfaction in your work and throw off the heavy burdens. - April 19
Part 2 of 5 - My Finances - The steps necessary to eliminate money stress. - April 12
Part 1 of 5 - My Future - The stress of the uncertainties of life. - April 5
Part 6 of 6 - (Malachi 3:7-10; Matthew 6:24, 31-33; Mark 12:43-44) – March 15- We will teach you how to order your financial world for maximum impact.
Part 5 of 6 - (1 Timothy 6:6-11, 18-19) – March 8- We will talk about overcoming discontentment through awareness.
Part 4 of 6 - (Luke 12:13, 16-21, 33-34; Malachi 3:6-11) – March 1- The new line item that revolves around extra – how to find extra and what to do with it.
Part 3 of 6 - (Deuteronomy 28:12; Proverbs 22:7; 25:8; 21:10) – February 22- We will focus on saving, spending, giving, and debt.
Part 2 of 6 - (1 Chronicles 29:10-14) – February 8- We will talks about what our financial objective should be.
Part 1 of 6 - (Matthew 6:21; Luke 16:13) – February 1- We will discuss the three laws of financial balance and how they apply to your life.
Part 4 of 4 - (Ephesians 1:10 NLT; Matthew 14:28-29) – January 25- We will discover the keys into the infamous Bible story of when Peter walked on the water.
Part 3 of 4 - (Mark 9:17-22) – January 18- We will look at a desperate father seeking help for his child.
Part 2 of 4 - (Mark 10:17-31; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18) – January 11- We will take a critical look at a man born blind.
Part 1 of 4 - (Luke 24:1-4; Matthew 28:5-6) – January 4- We will discusses how even the Apostles of Jesus doubted at the most crucial times of their lives.
About South Bay Bible Church: South Bay Bible Church is a non-denominational Christian church known for Biblical messages applicable to everyday life. The church is located at 578 Montauk Highway in East Moriches, NY. The church’s mission is to lead people into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Our service schedule includes Saturday night at 5:00 p.m. and Sunday morning at 9:00 & 11:00 a.m., and online anytime. A nursery and children’s church are available. For more information, go to www.southbaychurchli.org, call (631) 909-8241, Facebook, or Twitter @sbbcli.
Content Copyright 2016: South Bay Bible Church; 578 Montauk Highway; East Moriches, NY 11940; (631) 909-8241; info@sbbcli.org