There are 400+ years of prophetic silence between the last book of the Old Testament and the first book of the New Testament. Malachi’s prophecy ends with the promise of a God-sent messenger who will make the way for the King of kings. Matthew’s Gospel opens with that very prophet, John the Baptist, declaring that the Kingdom was now coming to earth. Jesus began His public ministry by calling people to repent and receive the Kingdom. His parables begin with the words, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like…” His first beatitude in the Sermon on the Mount promises the Kingdom. He taught His disciples, in the Lord’s Prayer, that their first request was to be for the Kingdom to come. Paul taught the Kingdom. Peter proclaimed the Kingdom. John, James and Jude all wrote of the Kingdom of God. So…maybe it is time we made the effort to comprehend just exactly what the Kingdom of God truly is. This message will stir your heart to learn more. After all, the Kingdom of God is the mission of God which never ends.
The Other Realm
John 3:1-5
February 17, 2016 • Jeff Lyle
Stand Firm
March 2, 2016 • Jeff Lyle
Most Christians will nod their heads in agreement when a preacher declares that the Christian life is a battle. We understand that the theology of our faith reveals that there is a cosmic battle going on between the forces of Heaven and the rebels of Hell. Yet it would seem that we do not as easily believe that the fight has landed in our own front yard. We seem to be treating this war as something played out on our television screens instead of recognizing that we are enlisted, attacked and called to fight. This message reveals the tactics of the enemy as he opposes God’s people. The listener will also be empowered to withstand, keep his or her focus and wage war against the devil and those people whom he would use against our lives. Stand firm, fight hard and refuse the distractions! You were made for something bigger than your opponents’ distractions.
Unshaken, But Not Unstirred
February 28, 2016 • Jeff Lyle
You are not imagining things. God is placing His omnipotent hands upon the universe and shaking up everything. We should not be startled when we see instability or chaos in our generation. The promise of the Father is that He has one more shaking of all that exists, and this activity will serve to remove everything from existence that is not fit for eternity. There is a large practical impact that this truth carries on us: we cannot live our lives holding on to lesser loyalties which are destined by God to shaken off forever. Whether it is temporary relationships, wealth, philosophies, traditions, beauty or http://power...god will dislodge them forever with the shaking that is coming at the end of the age. Only what brings Him glory will remain. The throne of Jesus is the focal point of the eternal state and everything else will experience this divine shakedown. For those who belong to Christ, there is nothing to fear: we are a part of the unshakable Kingdom.
Don't Get Squeezed
February 24, 2016 • Jeff Lyle
If you are not fighting against fear, anxiety or dread then it is likely mastering you in one or more areas in your life. This world, with all of its chaos, serves to pressurize your life. What God pours in, the world seeks to squeeze out of you. This is nothing new, for Jesus spoke much to His followers about this issue of living with fear. He gives us a beautiful alternative to our tendency to give in to anxiety: put God's Kingdom first and then cast those very real cares upon Him in dependent trust. That's right, Jesus prescribes proactive faith as the antidote to fear. This message will actually serve to relieve you of an unbalanced sense of responsibility for what is happening in your life. Though you and I must faithfully manage that which God entrusts to us, the ultimate outcome is not in our control. Events belong to God, faithfulness belongs to man.