The Heart of God for the Church 2.0

Valley Christian Center

The Heart of God for the Church 2.0

May 26, 2024 • Nicole Cade

This Sunday, Pastor Nicole finished up the first chapter of Ephesians from her sermon on May 12th. Covering verses 15 - 23, which is a prayer of Paul for the early Church but applies as much to us today as the continuation of the Church.

Sharing that the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him is a shift in our perspective so we see things as He sees them, and seeing God for who He really is, Pastor Nicole had us partner with this prayer and pray it for each other. Having the eyes of our understanding opened literally means hope wells up within us because we understand the wealth of God's investment in us. When we realize that truth, we can't help but be who God created us to be and share the love of Christ with others through Kingdom Living, the calling to which God has called us. When we all see, experience, and walk in the truth of who God is and who/what He made us for, we get to experience the riches of His inheritance through the lives of the people around us, and the greatness of His power that is available to us! While, we are a vessel of God's power, we are also to steward it, exercise it, and use it as He reveals, and we obey. This is how His body operates in the fullness of God and He fills (completes) us with all His fullness.

The language in Ephesians is so lush and the way Pastor Nicole expounds on it, animates Paul's prayer for each of our lives in a real way.

June 23, 2024: The Heart of God: Identity 2.0

June 23, 2024 • Nicole Cade

Pastor Nicole shared more important truths of our identity as sons and daughters of God from Colossians 3:1-4 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will appear with Him in glory. Focusing on the four words Seek, Set, Hidden, and Appear she said: When we SEEK the things that are above - We will find transformation that brings His purposes. Being in alignment with God's heart we are set up to experience His perfect will - who He has created us to be. How do we seek Him? By SETTING our mind on things above not on things of the earth. What does that look like? Daily exercising our mind by taking those thoughts captive that go against who Jesus is. This way of living invites us into a way of living from a Kingdom perspective. As we discover and live from the knowledge that we are HIDDEN with Christ in God, it sets our environment around us through the Kingdom of God. There is a connection between our identity being revealed as image bearers of Christ and God APPEARING through us (to those around us) that brings Him glory and praise.

The Heart of God: Identity

June 9, 2024 • Nicole Cade

Speaking from Colossians 1:13-23, Pastor Nicole talked about how the more we know and understand our true identity, the more like Jesus we are (live, love, and look like Him.) The enemy wants to rob us of our identity and give us a false one because our identity in Christ is powerful. We understand our identities because we know the hope of the Gospel. But the world is having identity crisis because they don't know who Jesus is anymore or have the hope that we have. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, and by Him, through Him, and for Him were all things made. Pastor Nicole pointed out that if we look at others with that in mind, we will always recognize people and situations as redeemable. We just need to introduce them to Him and by the power of Jesus, as people encounter who He is, they will be transformed. We were all once alienated but are now reconciled to God. The moment we say yes to Jesus we are blameless, holy, and above reproach, not by anything we have done (it is NOT our actions that define who we are.) but by Christ's actions on our behalf. First, we get the revelation of who we are, then from that, we live out of who we are in a relational day by day life. When we continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, not moving away from the hope of the gospel, there is a transformation of our hearts and a revealing of our identity. Pastor Nicole encouraged us that our society's identity crisis is not hopeless because we have the answer! It's just too beautiful not to share!

May 19, 2024: The Heart of God - Pentecost

May 19, 2024 • Nicole Cade

Yesterday, Pastor Nicole preached from Acts chapter 1 + 2 for Pentecost Sunday. She talked about how the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost brought every nation, tribe, and tongue together in Christ. The Holy Spirit was sent to unify and empower the church to be witnesses to all of humanity. When we align ourselves with Jesus in unity it makes the church a powerful force. The only way the devil has to derail us is by sowing discord through offence or isolation. The enemy uses distractions to get us focusing on things that bring disunity and keep us from being witnesses. Pastor Nicole showed how we can be in unity like the early Church at the day of Pentecost. -We as the Church can come together with one passion for Jesus Christ. Talking, seeking and asking of God. -We as the Church are empowered by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses of Jesus to all of Humanity. -We as the Church partner with the Holy Spirit in how we will respond to Him. After second service everyone went outside, and Nicole staked the ground for God with a cedar stake that has 70 scriptures sealed inside it declaring our commitment to follow Christ in unity.