November 11, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:4
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they had the choice to sit in silence or make a joyful noise. They could have complained or they could have worshipped. They chose to praise God and the Bible says the prison was shaken to its foundation. Praise is a foundation shaker.
From Bad to Worse: Jezebel's Downfall
October 28, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • 1 Kings 16:29—19:10, 1 Kings 21, 2 Kings 8:25—9:37, Luke 12:32
This is a woman with pride. As she sat waiting in her lofty tower, aware of her imminent death, she was steadfast in her defiance of Israel and its God to the very end.
Tragic Tales: Lessons From the Life and Death of Judas
October 21, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • James 4:17, 1 John 1:9, Colossians 1:13, Ephesians 5:8, Romans 8:1
It is mind blowing to think that Judas could be a part of this movement, so close to Jesus Himself, seeing all the miracles, all the power, the lives changed, even the feeling in his spirit by walking with the Messiah in person, and yet be able to turn away so abruptly and with such consequence.
Practical Protection
October 14, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • Ephesians 6:10–18, 2 Corinthians 10:3–4, Isaiah 59:17, Romans 13:12–14, Hebrews 4:12
People may hurt us, but we need to remember that something is hurting them, and that is what we should be addressing. Our reaction to them should be one of love, patience, and kindness. If we come at them in ways of concern for their well-being rather than in defense of ours, we could much easier break through the wall of protection they have built around themselves and introduce them to Jesus.
We can pray for God’s will to be done when facing hardships, or hoping for a miracle but trusting if doesn’t happen, that God’s ways are always right. He cannot fail and so when we put our trust in Him for our circumstances, we can make up our will to have the kind of faith that shines the glory on Him, even when we don’t understand.
Sorry, Not Sorry.
September 30, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • 1 Peter 3:15–16
The basic story of Jesus is absolutely enough for some, but what about those who are really struggling or already believe something that is so close to Christianity that it just might work. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want my eternity sitting on a scale of “just might.” I want to know for sure.
Politics and Religion
September 23, 2024 • Isaiah 9:6, Matthew 25:14–30, Isaiah 26:3, Joshua 5:13–14
As our political climate heats up, it seems to me that there is very little time in between voting cycles and politics are an everyday topic in the news. In the past it has been easy for some to be ok with whoever wins because we know in four short years we will get another say in things, and what kind of irreversible damage can possibly be done in such a short amount of time? Well, this is no longer the case.
Seeking Wise Council
September 16, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • Luke 14:26, Psalm 1:1–2, Proverbs 13:20, 2 Chronicles 10—12, Acts 17:10–12
As you seek advice from others, just remember that God’s word should be the ultimate measuring stick. The best advisors will council you directly from the pages of scripture. You will never go wrong when you trust in the words of the One who created them.
The Big Talk
September 9, 2024 • Matthew 5—7, Deuteronomy 14:2
The sermon can be seen as a “preachy” way of encouraging believers to live an impossible life of purity. The perfection demanded here makes us realize that none of us can ever live up to its requirements. This viewpoint has its advantages, though. Our lack of perfection pushes us into the loving arms of a forgiving Father through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. And although this outlook is certainly true, the purpose behind this big talk is one of encouragement, not condemnation.
The Heart of Worship
September 2, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee, Bella Carpenter • 1 Corinthians 14:15, Matthew 26:30, Psalm 63:1–4, Psalm 46:10, 2 Corinthians 12:9
Jesus descended the mount of olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, but some of the Pharisees called to Him from the crowd saying “Teacher, rebuke Your disciples.”
But He answered and said to them, “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”
I can only imagine the songs a rock would sing! I always did like rock music.
Hide It Under a Bushel? No!
July 1, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • Colossians 1:9–29
We can’t just live a private relationship with God and not share it with the world. Our job is to be people of God- a light on a hill. We should be what catches the weary eye and welcomes people to safety.
The Deadly Seven
June 24, 2024 • Romans 6:23, Proverbs 6:16–19, Galatians 5:9–21, 1 John 3:4, Philippians 4:8–9
Why so much emphasis on these seven sins and what can we actually learn when studying them? God lays out all kinds of sins through the pages of scripture. It would be impossible to mention every single one of them.
Why The Bible
June 17, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • 2 Peter 1:16–21, 2 Timothy 3:16–17
We have 3000 years of manuscript evidence. It is a book worth preserving, and so, it is a book worth consuming! It has been lasted this long and it will last forever.
Why Jesus.
June 10, 2024 • Pastor Jill Shocklee • Genesis 3:15, 1 John 2:2, Philippians 2:9–11, Colossians 1:16–17
Jesus is different. He is set-apart. He is a spiritual being as well as the physical man who walked the earth. We are not only made in His physical image, but also His spiritual image, which is why He placed eternity in our hearts.
Although the Bible does not mention the Trinity in name, we can see from scripture that the triune Godhead is who God is. The Bible speaks of God as a single entity. The Father is called God. Jesus calls Himself God, and the Son of God, and the Holy Spirit is called God.
