Fruitful
Control Freak
July 11, 2021
Self-control is more than knowing the right choice, it’s having the strength to make it. As a part of the Fruit of the Spirit, self-control is the result of discernment and discipline that only comes from remaining in Jesus. The more we know and trust Jesus, the easier it is to place our lives under his authority and choose the things that please and glorify him. Our flesh will always choose to fill immediate desires and sacrifice what we ultimately desire. Self-control requires that we surrender everything, seek wisdom, and set boundaries to keep us walking in step with the Spirit.
The Confidence to Crossover
June 27, 2021
Followers of Jesus will walk different paths on their journey of faith, but the same fruit should be present in the lives of each one. Each fruit is needed and beneficial for following, but perhaps the fruit of faithfulness is most vital in pleasing God. Jesus puts a high value on faith - more than believing, more than knowing, but completely trusting in Him. In this message we learn what faithfulness means and how we practice it.
For Goodness Sake
June 20, 2021
The goodness of God is that we are God’s handiwork and are therefore capable and called to do good in the world. It’s difficult to let goodness grow in us and be shown through us when we are weighed down by sin and feelings of defeat. Thankfully, that goodness isn’t dependent on us doing better, but only by being closer to Jesus. God makes good possible - let’s change the world through the goodness of God!
One of a Kind
June 13, 2021
You cannot be an unkind Christian - it is not a thing. Salvation is the starting point of a lifetime of being transformed in the likeness of Jesus. When we decide daily to be more like him, we begin to see evidence or fruit of this new life. One of the qualities of this fruit is kindness. Our flesh is naturally selfish and selfishness is the enemy of kindness. Let’s be a people who intentionally uproots selfishness so that we can unleash God’s kindness in the world.
At All Times
May 23, 2021
The fruit of the Spirit cannot be faked or forced. These qualities and characteristics come only from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. John 15 reminds us that if we remain in Jesus then we will bear much fruit. In this same passage, Jesus shares with us that remaining in him will also make our joy complete. It is refreshing and encouraging to know that not only is the Father is deeply concerned with our joy, but that he has made a way for us to experience it. Regardless of our circumstantial position, a Jesus-fixed perspective will bring true joy.
This One Thing
May 16, 2021
Join us as Pastor Matt Smith shares part 1 of a new series we are calling, “Fruitful”. In this new series, we are attentively walking through each of the fruits of the Spirit that Paul outlines in Galatians 5. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are not by-products of our circumstances, but the outpouring of one who loves God and is led by the Spirit. The first of these fruits is love - a word we over-use & misuse to cover everything from Chick-Fil-A sauce to our spouse. More than just a shortcoming of the English language, our misunderstanding and misapplication of love is a result of not fully understanding and accepting God’s great love for us. The love that a follower of Jesus demonstrates to the world should and must look different than any other love encountered on earth.