Should Christians be concerned about whether or not they are Thriving? If we were to define Thriving as flourishing, growing, maturing, blooming, or advancing; and the opposite of Thriving being declining, waning, stagnating, or atrophying; we would probably all agree that flourishing and Thriving is something God calls us toward. In today’s Scripture lesson we are called to become “pleasing” to our God in all these segments of our lives.
Part 2 | Thriving by becoming Wise
April 26, 2020 • Pastor Marty
There is a segment of each of our lives that is inward and immaterial. Some call it ego, some call it the soul, some characterize it as the private place we do our ‘self-talk’. This inner part of us is sometimes disguised by us, often times it is concealed and unexpressed, while many people are very revealing about what they are thinking, believing or feeling. The Bible calls this part of us the “Heart” and God repeatedly calls us to become wise in this fundamental area because it influences all our behaviors.
Part 3 | Thriving by knowing the desires of our hearts
May 3, 2020 • Zakk Uhler
The heart is the center part of our inner being. In Psalm 139, David pleads for God to search his heart and lead him in the way everlasting. To have a “Thriving” relationship with God, we need to understand our hearts, surrender our hearts, and learn how to guard our hearts against threats and temptation. Join us on Sunday as we look to God’s Word to teach us how to do just that.
Part 4 | Thriving by Achieving
May 10, 2020 • Pastor Travis
Since it's mother's day, maybe an emphasis on the joy and motivations for hard work and accomplishment. See Prov. 31 woman. Gifts, talents, skill, mind, used to achieve for the glory of God. Results in helping family and neighbors. This message celebrates God-given Work as a blessing that gives us self-esteem. We are designed to create, work hard, and have individual talents to accomplish in unique ways.
Part 5 | Thriving by bearing Fruit
May 17, 2020 • Pastor Marty
One Biblical characterization of our accomplishments is to label its fruit. The metaphor indicates that we are all living and growing and bearing some kind of fruit in our lives. The big question in Jesus' mind is what kind of fruit or treasure are we producing and storing up as we strive to achieve. This Sunday we will look at Jesus paint a story of a high achiever who fell into the soul traps that often come with great success.
Part 6 | Thriving Through Connection
May 24, 2020 • Pastor Travis
We are built to thrive in the gospel-saturated community. We are designed to encourage, admonish, and love one another. We are called to avoid division and serve side by side. Join us this Sunday as we learn from 1 Corinthians 12:12-31.
Part 7 | Thriving through deepening Relationships
June 7, 2020 • Pastor Marty
Many people believe in God and believe God loves them and calls themselves Christians yet they are just as selfish, anxious, hate-filled, and messed up as everyone else. Beliefs must be turned into a changed character and our focus on Sunday will be asking how God calls for that transformation to happen. Hint: It's by being deeply involved in an intimate Christian Community. That kind of community is unknown to many of us and so this Sunday we'll look for action steps we can take to enter into that community.
