Viewing entries tagged
fear
Christmas can stir up worry and insecurity, driving us to fight for what we fear losing. This message looks at King Herod’s story and how God’s love can heal the fear that often fuels tension in our relationships.
Matthew 2:1-16
A religious leader named Joseph watched Jesus from a distance and secretly trusted in Him. But it wasn’t until he saw Jesus on the cross that he found the courage to follow Him. This message looks at how the events of Good Friday can change us if we let them.
Mark 15: 42-47
When we lose sight of the gospel, doubts and insecurities can keep us from living the life we were called to. This message looks at how Paul coached Timothy in the gospel and gave him courage to face his challenges.
1 Timothy 1:12-20
It would have been so much easier for Saul to just keep his faith to himself and enjoy the privileges that his status and education afforded him. But he realized that the message he received was to be shared and his gifts were not his own. This message looks at how sharing the grace of God is critical to enjoying it.
Acts 9:19-31
Like many people, Saul faced struggles in attempting to connect with the church. There was trust to establish and fears to overcome. But it was through church fellowship that he found people who supported and protected him. This message looks at the importance of connecting with other Christians and how we can get better at it.
Acts 9:10-19, 26-31
PAUL SADLER | OCTOBER 1, 2023
Many people look at the lives of Christians and conclude, “Their lives don’t seem to be any easier so what’s the point of faith in God?” This message looks at the difference Jesus makes in the lives of His followers even when their circumstances don’t seem much different from others.
Genesis 41:1-16
Fears can keep us from following Jesus and serving Him. We fear what people might say. We fear what we might lose. We fear what we don’t know. This message looks at how Jesus meets us in our fears and how He builds His church in spite of them.
As pandemics and wars make our world feel more apocalyptic, we can begin to lose our way. Fears and doubts shift our attention from Jesus and His mission. This message looks at how to live when the end is approaching.
Do you ever feel discouraged from starting something because you fear you won’t be able to finish it? Do you worry that you’re not faithful enough or strong enough to deal with the trials and temptations that may come? The vision of the sealed in Revelation 7 was given to provide you courage and hope when times are tough.
Entering our second Easter in a global pandemic has left many of us feeling worn out, empty, and anxious about what comes next. This message looks at how Jesus’ resurrection gave hope to the first disciples and can do the same for us.
Many people wonder about Jesus’ death. ‘Where there’s smoke, there’s fire,’ people say. ‘Maybe Jesus wasn’t as innocent as Christians like to suggest. Understanding why Jesus was crucified is crucial to understanding the message of Good Friday. It teaches us something about ourselves. And it teaches us something about Jesus. Join us for a reflection on His death and what it means for us today.
We often come to God with shame and frustration over our attempts at true righteousness. And it’s possible to bring our old mindset into our new relationship with Him. But the Holy Spirit does for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves. This message looks at what the Holy Spirit provides for us and what He calls us to.
There are many terms we can use to describe the various fears which we have in our lives. But all the way from the time of today’s passage to the present day, one of the most powerful kinds of fears we have is the fear of other people. This message looks at the only true way we can conquer this fear in our lives - through a different kind of fear.
Sometimes our lives veer far off course and we’re left wondering why. Or something that seems so clear to us seems crazy to others. This message looks at some of the assumptions, fears and habits that lead us to make wrong turns in our lives and how we can get back on track.
Many books and movies tackle the theme of coping with hardship. Usually, the take-away is that human willpower conquers all adversity. But most of us have come to learn that willpower has its limits. If we think that God might help, then we often struggle to understand how. This message looks at specific steps we can take to find hope in circumstances that feel hopeless.
Most of us have things we would like to accomplish but find ourselves held back by fear. But God is at work in our lives to move us to trust Him and follow where He leads. As we lay hold of His promises and trust in His victory, we find the courage to step out in confidence.
So often we pursue public victories, but they seldom come before we face our private battles. God’s grace gives us the courage to face our demons and deal with issues that would otherwise keep us from effectiveness.
Judges 6:25-32 // [outline]
