Heart & Soul

Dealing with Discouragement | Heart & Soul | Pastor Steve Andres

May 7, 2023 • Pastor Steve Andres • Isaiah 42:3, Psalm 103:14, 1 Kings 19:2–9, Hebrews 4:9–11

Have you ever felt like giving up? This weekend Pastor Steve Andres wrapped up our series, HEART & SOUL, with a message about God’s love for us in our discouragement. 1 Kings 19:4-5 Elijah came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. If you serve God long enough, you will have seasons where your exclamation points turn to question marks. Elijah’s story teaches us a few important truths to remember when we are depressed or discouraged. 1) Everyone gets weary and discouraged. Discouragement is isolating. But it’s important to remember that everyone experiences seasons like this. 2) God loves us in our discouragement. We should be REAL about what we are feeling, but we should also stay RIGHT. Wrestle against a cynical or negative outlook. Isaiah 42:3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. God’s response to Elijah's discouragement reflects a rich understanding of who we are as humans. God sends help to Elijah in the form of touch, rest, food, words and prayer. 3) Discouragement is an opportunity for growth. Seasons of discouragement don’t mean there is something wrong with you, they mean there is something more for you. Find the hollowed out rock where God spoke to others and start seeking God there. The Bible says that there is a deep rest for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-11), because Jesus has finished the work of redemption and has given us hope greater than our disappointments!

Team World Vision | Heart & Soul | Steve Spear

April 30, 2023 • Steve Spear, Guest Speaker • Luke 8:24–25

Why are we afraid when Jesus is with us? This weekend we continued our HEART & SOUL series as special guest Steve Spear shared about running for clean drinking water in Africa. Luke 8:24-25 He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. After resigning from his job and selling their business, Steve Spear and his wife set out on a journey to raise millions of dollars to provide clean water for the most vulnerable in nations around the world. At each turning point and step in his journey, he had to ask himself a simple question: Other than fear, what is holding me back from doing what God is calling me to do? Jesus leads us on a journey and invites us to follow. When his disciples set out on the boat, Jesus knew what was ahead, but they had to depend on him to get there. There are a few things that the disciples learned on this journey. Jesus calms storms. Jesus is with us. Jesus heals and transforms. But all of these truths and experiences turn on one important point: We never know what’s on the other side until we go. Choosing to follow Jesus in faith means we do things we never thought we could do!

If I Don't Have Love | Heart & Soul | Pastor Devin Gough

April 23, 2023 • Pastor Devin Gough • 1 Corinthians 1—3, John 15:12, Ephesians 4:15

What’s love got to do with it? This weekend Pastor Devin Gough continued our HEART & SOUL series with a message about loving one another. 1 Corinthians 13:1 If I speak human or angelic tongues but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. In order to obey God’s command to love, we need to do two things: ANALYZE THE KINDS OF LOVE The word used in this chapter is AGAPE, which is an enduring, sacrificial love that will do anything for the one loved. John 15:12 This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. Jesus was saying that we should have an enduring, sacrificial love for one another! REALIZE THE CONSEQUENCES OF NOT LOVING 1) All I say is just noise (1 Corinthians 13:1 - If I speak with eloquence, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal) 2) All I know is negated (1 Corinthians 13:2 - If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge, but have not love, I am nothing) 3) All my faith means nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2 - If I have faith to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing) 4) All my sacrifices are nullified (1 Corinthians 13: 3 - If I give away all my possessions but have not love, I gain nothing) Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ.

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