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Weekly sermons from our Pastor, Barry Wilkinson.
Episodes
Wednesday Apr 24, 2019
Wednesday Apr 24, 2019
Series: Unhindered
Sermon: Unhindered from the Fear of Death
Scripture: Acts 1:1-3
Date: April 21, 2019
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)
Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.
And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and tribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31)
To whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: When you are tempted to live hindered in some way, say this: "Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%."
Here are 4 things we have from a resurrected Savior that will help us live unhindered from the fear of death:
- A Savior who can never die again
- Romans 6:9
- Colossians 1:18
- Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.
- A new life
- 1 Peter 1:3
- Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.
- Salvation from the future wrath of God
- 1 Thessalonians 1:10 (The Living Bible)
- Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.
- Our resurrection from the dead
- John 11:25
- Why can you live unhindered? Jesus has promised you eternal life.
- Jesus meant what He said and said what He meant, and Jesus is faithful 100%.
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
Series: Bring the Joy
Sermon: God is Worth Rejoicing In
Scripture: Psalm 47:1-2
Date: April 14, 2019
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. (Psalm 47:1-2)
"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things." -Kay Warren
Jesus is the only place or person in which you can always have true joy.
Here are some reasons we can rejoice in the Lord always:
- Jesus has paid for every sin
- This is every sin we have or will ever commit.
- Isaiah 53:5-6, The Living Bible
- Colossians 2:13-14, NIV
- Jesus paid it all/All to Him I owe/Sin had left a crimson stain/He washed it white as snow/Oh praise the One Who paid my debt/And raised this life up from the dead
- Pardon impossible, send to Siberia >>> Pardon, impossible send to Siberia
- There is absolutely no condemnation for us in Christ.
- Romans 8:1
- The Holy Spirit lives in us
- Romans 8:11, NCV
- God has a purpose for our lives
- Ephesians 2:10, NCV
- Philippians 1:6, The Living Bible
- You don't have to be important int he world's eyes to do important things.
- What can be more joyful and meaningful than doing what you were created to do, no matter how it looks?
- God will reward us for everything we do for His glory.
- We have eternal life and can never lose it
- Ephesians 1:13-14, NCV & The Living Bible
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
Wednesday Apr 17, 2019
Series: Unhindered
Sermon: Unhindered from Self
Scripture: Acts 20:17-24
Date: April 14, 2019
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)
LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Look for an opportunity to put someone's feelings or desires ahead of your own.
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me. But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:17-24)
Let's see two truths to help us allow God to unhinder us from self:
- Death to self
- Acts 20:24
- Death to self means giving up control of our lives to Jesus.
- "If, however, we are to come into this right relationship with Him, the first thing we must learn is that our wills must be broken to His will. A 'C' is a bent 'I.'" -Roy Hession
- Here's the thing: what do I really want out of life, and who can give it to me?
- Delight in the Savior
- "People imagine that dying to self makes one miserable. But it is just the opposite. It is the refusal to die to self that makes one miserable. The more we know of death with Him, the more we shall know of His life in us, and so the more of real peace and joy." -Roy Hession
- "I don't have a prayer life; I have a praying life." -Jennifer Kennedy Dean
- "God doesn't call you to a convenient life - He calls you to an important life. You weren't meant for self-gratification - You were meant for soul greatness." -Ann Voskamp
Wednesday Apr 10, 2019
Wednesday Apr 10, 2019
Series: Bring the Joy
Sermon: Joy Helpers
Scripture: Romans 15:13
Date: April 7, 2019
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
Let's see four things we can do that opens our heart to receive God's joy:
- Practice
- Here are 2 things we can practice to increase joy:
- gratitude
- Colossians 4:2, The Message
- "We have a tendency to 'reject the good that God offers us because, at that moment, we expected some other good.'" -C.S. Lewis
- "When I woke up this morning you know what I saw...a gift! Not a dread. An opportunity to be kind and optimistic. A day to be generous and to be impressed by someone's integrity and manners. A day to try and live together respectfully regardless of race, color, religion, politics, or age." -Leigh Anne Tuohy
- good
- gratitude
- Here are 2 things we can practice to increase joy:
- Present
- I am loving this moment!
- Psalm 118:24
- Perspective
- "We have no right to ask when a sorrow comes, 'Why did this happen to me?' unless we ask the same question for every joy that comes our way." -Philip Bernstein
- Pass
Wednesday Apr 10, 2019
Wednesday Apr 10, 2019
Series: Unhindered
Sermon: Unhindered from Pride
Scripture: Acts 9:1-6
Date: April 7, 2019
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)
LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Try to make it a point to talk about something on Monday that you studied in church on Sunday.
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:1-6)
The sin of pride is a preoccupation with self. We become the center of our world rather than God.
A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood (Proverbs 6:17)
"The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope." -Timothy Keller
Here are a couple of ideas to help us allow God to unhinder us from pride:
- Evidence
- Leviticus 19:18
- Here are a few evidences that pride is a problem:
- you take everything personally
- you think your feelings are the most reasonable
- your desires are the most important
- you always think it's the other person who needs to apologize or change
- you tend to be negative and critical instead of positive and grateful
- The language of arrogance and pride is criticizing and complaining; the language of humility is gratitude and encouragement.
- you keep thinking of other people that need to hear this
- you don't recognize much of a need for God
- We tend to overestimate what we bring to the table and how much we need God.
- Encounter
- Here are a few helps to get unhindered from pride:
- look for an opportunity to put someone ahead of yourself
- how you treat people is how you are treating Jesus
- apologize for your pride and selfishness
- Here are a few helps to get unhindered from pride:
WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Look for an opportunity to put someone's feelings or desires ahead of your own.
Wednesday Apr 03, 2019
Wednesday Apr 03, 2019
Series: Bring the Joy
Sermon: Joy in Relationships
Scripture: Acts 13:52
Date: March 31, 2019
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 13:52)
"I'm convinced that there's just one place where there's not any laughter, and I've made arrangements to miss hell." -Jerry Clower
"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things." -Kay Warren
Let's talk about some ways to build joy in our relationships:
- Point out God's good gifts
- 1 Timothy 6:17
- Deuteronomy 8:18, The Living Bible
- Trust in the living God who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
- Here are a few joy assignments:
- taste something delicious
- look at something beautiful
- listen to something really beautiful
- notice a favorite smell
- notice how things feel
- "God intends for you to be able to weep freely and laugh uproariously, just as Jesus did." -Kay Warren
- Express affection
- Romans 16:7-9, NIV
- "Wowza. Christian Twitter (is that an oxymoron?) is a train wreck this morning. Play nicely or there will be no Orange Hi-C or butter ring cookies today. I can tell you right now you've already lost your moon pie privileges." -Beth Moore
- "In this crazy world we live in of hashtags, algorithms, following, unfollowing, liking, retweeting, posting...I hope you still realize the importance of human interaction! A touch, a hug, a smile...those are game changers. Those truly make a difference!" -Leigh Anne Tuohy
- "Started off my Tuesday with two eggs for breakfast... You are thinking... That's ok... It was two Cadbury Caramel eggs that I got at Walgreens while grabbing toothpaste. Hey, don't judge me... My diet plan just said two eggs for breakfast. They were delicious and I'm happy!" -Leigh Anne Tuohy
- 1 Corinthians 13:13, The Message
- It's a well-known fact that physical touch is crucial for us as human beings, not just for emotional health, but for our very survival.
- See the humor
- 2 Chronicles 21:20, NIV
- John 9:24-33, The Message
- Lighten someone's load
- Galatians 6:10
Sunday Mar 31, 2019
Sunday Mar 31, 2019
Series: Unhindered
Sermon: Unhindered from Unnecessary Limitations
Scripture: Acts 6:8-10
Date: March 31, 2019
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)
And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then there arose some from what is called the Synagogue of the Freedmen (Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and those from Cilicia and Asia), disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. (Acts 6:8-10)
Let's see 3 easy God unhinders us from unnecessary limitations:
- Obedience
- Do what God says in God's way, in God's power and in God's Spirit
- He is not hiding behind a church job as an excuse not to obey God in carrying out the Great Commission and Great Commandment in his daily life.
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Try to make it a point to talk about something on Monday that you studied in church on Sunday.
- Acts 8:4-6
- Acts 8:9-13
- Acts 6:15
- Opportunities
- I would encourage you to pray each day for God to give you some opportunities to share His love, joy and message with someone. Then, take the opportunities before you.
- Don't complain about small opportunities and balk at big ones.
- Acts 6:12-14
- Acts 8:26
- Take the opportunities that God gives you. It may be:
- the cutest person or the ugliest person at school
- the most popular or least popular
- the person you really like or dislike
- your coach or teacher
- your parents or sibling(s)
- new parents or someone in the nursing home
- Openness
- Be faithful to what God has called you to do regardless.
- Acts 21:8-9
- Acts 7:58-60
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Series: Bring the Joy
Sermon: Nurturing Joy in Others
Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:6-10
Date: March 24, 2019
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you - for now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord. For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God, night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:6-10)
3 lessons they learned:
- Social connections are really good for us; loneliness kills
- The quality of your relationships matter more than the quantity.
- Good relationships protect our brains.
He suggested 3 actions points:
- Replace screen time with personal time.
- Do something new with your family.
- Reach out to family you've not been connected to.
Who is joyful because of you today?
"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -Philo of Alexandria
What a great goal it would be if all of us aspired to be joy builders and not joy killers.
Here are a few ways we can bring the joy to each other:
- Believe the best about each other
- "Don't assume nothing about nobody." -Kay Warren
- Offer non-judgmental and non-critical love
- God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
- God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me.
- Appreciate each other
- How can YOU bring joy to someone this week?
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Wednesday Mar 27, 2019
Series: Unhindered
Sermon: Unhindered Through Church Struggles
Scripture: Acts 6:1-7
Date: March 24, 2019
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31, series verse)
LAST WEEK'S WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Give that biggest fear to God and take an action step toward being unhindered by it.
Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, "It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word." And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch, whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith. (Acts 6:1-7)
How God can use church challenges to unhinder us:
- Growth includes struggles
- "I'd rather be a part of a growing church with problems than a dead church that has none." -Adrian Rogers
- The devil has tried to destroy the infant church by persecution from without, then by deception within, and now by sowing seeds of dissension from within.
- God does not play favorites.
- "Murmuring is a half-uttered, half-concealed complaint - not that a person comes out and says to the right person, at the right time, in the right spirit, for the right reason, that something needs to be done." -Adrian Rogers
- Guidance necessitates the Spirit
- How does God want us to handle the challenges?
- Purpose (Acts 6:2, 4)
- People (Acts 6:3)
- Good reputation
- Full of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
- Are you going to be a help or a hindrance?
- How does God want us to handle the challenges?
- Growth occurs in struggles
Sunday Mar 24, 2019
Sunday Mar 24, 2019
Series: Bring the Joy
Sermon: Choosing Joyful Actions
Scripture: Psalm 118:24
Date: March 17, 2019
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
"Heaven's Value System":
- ...whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
- God's worth is incomparable
- God's word is reliable
- God's works are awe-inspiring
- God's ways are loving
The more we live with and for God's glory, the more joy we will have. The more we are committed to glorifying God by having a great commitment to the Great Commandment and Great Commission, the more joy we'll experience.
Let's purpose to be joy builders - not joy killers.
How do you nurture your own joy in Jesus? Here are a few ways:
- Focus on grace
- Joy does not come from doing everything right.
- If you can't sin, you're going to have a terrible time in the Christian life.
- Rule-keeping does not naturally evolve into living by faith, but only perpetuates itself in more and more rule-keeping. (Galatians 3:12, The Message)
- Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace the he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. (Ephesians 1:4-7, NLT)
- "Christ died for men precisely because men are not worth dying for; to make them worth it." -C. S. Lewis
- To God, we are never a bother or a burden - but his beloved.
- Therefore, as the elect of god, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering;... (Colossians 3:12)
- Trust God for the future
- Very few things kill joy faster than worry.
- "Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things." -Kay Warren
- God wants us to gaze at Him and glance at our problems.
- You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon him, for you are his personal concern. (1 Peter 5:7, Phillips)
- So don't be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow, too. Live one day at a time. (Matthew 6:34, Living Bible)
- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. (Psalm 32:8, NIV)
- Fight for joy
- Joy practices:
- Laugh
- A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
- Spend time with friends & family
- Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice. (Proverbs 27:9)
- Thank God
- Thank you! Everything in me says, "Thank you!" (Psalm 138:1, The Message)
- Some benefits of gratitude: happiness, improved relationships, elevated health
- Walk outside
- Sing
- Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. (Psalm 96:1-2)
- Laugh
- Joy practices:
A cheerful disposition is good for your heath; gloom and doom leave you bone-tired. (The Message)